Mike Clark's Blog http://blog.clarkmichael.com/ A Geek in Time en-us Mike Clark Tue, 03 Aug 2010 04:37:03 GMT newtelligence dasBlog 1.8.5223.2 mike@clarkmichael.com mike@clarkmichael.com http://blog.clarkmichael.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=a0207504-67d0-428b-a8ce-3f136f2c0c91 http://blog.clarkmichael.com/pingback.aspx http://blog.clarkmichael.com/PermaLink,guid,a0207504-67d0-428b-a8ce-3f136f2c0c91.aspx mike@clarkmichael.com (Mike) http://blog.clarkmichael.com/CommentView,guid,a0207504-67d0-428b-a8ce-3f136f2c0c91.aspx http://blog.clarkmichael.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=a0207504-67d0-428b-a8ce-3f136f2c0c91

There's indications that the performance of President Obama and the Democrats is not being looked on very favorably by the electorate at large.  If things continue as they have been moving so far, the Democrats may very well be swept from power in both the House and Senate.  Mind-boggling.  The only thing that looks similar to this in the past (in MY memory at least), is the sweeping from power of the Republicans in Reagan's second half-term.  Except that the Republicans only held the Senate at the time (I hope I'm remembering this correctly). 

See Michael Barone's article in the OC Register.

Are We About to See a Sea Change in US Politics? http://blog.clarkmichael.com/PermaLink,guid,a0207504-67d0-428b-a8ce-3f136f2c0c91.aspx http://blog.clarkmichael.com/Are+We+About+To+See+A+Sea+Change+In+US+Politics.aspx Tue, 03 Aug 2010 04:37:03 GMT <p> There's indications that the performance of President Obama and the Democrats is not being looked on very favorably by the electorate at large.&nbsp; If things continue as they have been moving so far, the Democrats may very well be swept from power in both the House and Senate.&nbsp; Mind-boggling.&nbsp; The only thing that looks similar to this in the past (in MY memory at least), is the sweeping from power of the Republicans in Reagan's&nbsp;second half-term.&nbsp; Except that the Republicans only held the Senate at the time (I hope I'm remembering this correctly).&nbsp; </p> <p> See <a href="http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/democrats-259908-percent-republican.html">Michael Barone's article</a> in the OC Register. </p> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://blog.clarkmichael.com/aggbug.ashx?id=a0207504-67d0-428b-a8ce-3f136f2c0c91" /> http://blog.clarkmichael.com/CommentView,guid,a0207504-67d0-428b-a8ce-3f136f2c0c91.aspx Politics http://blog.clarkmichael.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=8903f1c2-42f6-4720-906b-5a9899c33d05 http://blog.clarkmichael.com/pingback.aspx http://blog.clarkmichael.com/PermaLink,guid,8903f1c2-42f6-4720-906b-5a9899c33d05.aspx mike@clarkmichael.com (Mike) http://blog.clarkmichael.com/CommentView,guid,8903f1c2-42f6-4720-906b-5a9899c33d05.aspx http://blog.clarkmichael.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=8903f1c2-42f6-4720-906b-5a9899c33d05

Yesterday, a Nigerian man named Abdulfarouk Umar Muttalab apparently attempted to destroy the aircraft he was riding in, by way of burning his lap off, except his device failed to work properly and his fellow passengers subdued him (they should have beat the crap out of him, but being Dutch, they were probably incredibly polite about it, mores the pity).

That's one thing, but now the "authorities" have ratcheted up security precautions one or two more notches as a result. And we are definitely approproaching the ridiculous. My friend Paul Mehner (@paulmehner on Twitter) re-tweeted Rick Strahl (@RickStrahl) on the new rules and procedures being put into effect.

Here's the Yahoo News report:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Airline-passengers-see-apf-2678313752.html?x=0

Passengers getting off flights from overseas reported being told that they couldn't get out of their seat for the last hour of their flight. Air Canada also said that during the last hour passengers won't be allowed access to carry-on baggage or to have any items on their laps.

I can see it coming. We will eventually be manacled into our seats for the entire flight. What, you need to use the lavatory, you terrorist? Just wait a moment while we unshackle you. And of course, our security officer, Bubba, will accompany you into the lav, to ensure you don't do anything funny.

Because that is what's happening here. We have reached the point where we are all considered to be terrorists, by default. And we will be treated accordingly. As Rick Strahl points out, this is good training for sheepdom.

What's Next? Will we be Manacled to our seats? http://blog.clarkmichael.com/PermaLink,guid,8903f1c2-42f6-4720-906b-5a9899c33d05.aspx http://blog.clarkmichael.com/Whats+Next++Will+We+Be+Manacled+To+Our+Seats.aspx Sun, 27 Dec 2009 03:03:21 GMT <p> Yesterday, a Nigerian man named Abdulfarouk Umar Muttalab apparently attempted to destroy the aircraft he was riding in, by way of burning his lap off, except his device failed to work properly and his fellow passengers subdued him (they should have beat the crap out of him, but being Dutch, they were probably incredibly polite about it, mores the pity). </p> <p> That's one thing, but now the "authorities" have ratcheted up security precautions one or two more notches as a result. And we are definitely approproaching the ridiculous. My friend Paul Mehner (@paulmehner on Twitter) re-tweeted Rick Strahl (@RickStrahl) on the new rules and procedures being put into effect. </p> <p> Here's the Yahoo News report: </p> <p> <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Airline-passengers-see-apf-2678313752.html?x=0" target="_blank">http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Airline-passengers-see-apf-2678313752.html?x=0</a> </p> <blockquote>Passengers getting off flights from overseas reported being told that they couldn't get out of their seat for the last hour of their flight. Air Canada also said that during the last hour passengers won't be allowed access to carry-on baggage or to have any items on their laps.</blockquote> <p> I can see it coming. We will eventually be manacled into our seats for the entire flight. What, you need to use the lavatory, you terrorist? Just wait a moment while we unshackle you. And of course, our security officer, Bubba, will accompany you into the lav, to ensure you don't do anything funny. </p> <p> Because that is what's happening here. We have reached the point where we are all considered to be terrorists, by default. And we will be treated accordingly. As Rick Strahl points out, this is good training for sheepdom. </p> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://blog.clarkmichael.com/aggbug.ashx?id=8903f1c2-42f6-4720-906b-5a9899c33d05" /> http://blog.clarkmichael.com/CommentView,guid,8903f1c2-42f6-4720-906b-5a9899c33d05.aspx Politics http://blog.clarkmichael.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=6c85e3b2-5134-4c87-b356-e70a36398ede http://blog.clarkmichael.com/pingback.aspx http://blog.clarkmichael.com/PermaLink,guid,6c85e3b2-5134-4c87-b356-e70a36398ede.aspx mike@clarkmichael.com (Mike) http://blog.clarkmichael.com/CommentView,guid,6c85e3b2-5134-4c87-b356-e70a36398ede.aspx http://blog.clarkmichael.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=6c85e3b2-5134-4c87-b356-e70a36398ede

How many people know who Mitt Romney is?  I have no idea, but my brother, the Republican, didn't know when I asked him a couple of weeks ago.  In no particular order, then, this is Mitt Romney:

  • current governor of the State of Massachusetts
  • a Republican
  • Rescued the Salt Lake Olympics from bankruptcy
  • a Mormon
Mitt is a lot of other things, of course, but one other very important thing about him is that he is seriously considering a run for the United States Presidency.

Yep, you heard me right.  A Mormon wants to be President.  Cue laugh track.

I wish I had time to pontificate on this, but I don't.  One thing of importance is, however, how will Mitt fare with "born again" Christian Evangelicals?  Mormons are not even considered to be Christians by these people.  Some extremists in the Ev movement are even openly hostile to Mormons, especially Mormon missionaries.  The father-in-law of one of my sons is a evangelical minister, and he told my son that when he passes Mormon missionaries walking on the street he has a powerful urge to swerve his car to run them over.  So how could a Mormon win in the deep South, in the Bible Belt?

Just in case you don't know this, I am also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, so be aware this issue of a Mormon running for President is an issue of great interest to me.  I would definitely vote for Mitt.

Keep in mind, however, that if the current US Senate majority leader, also a Mormon, were to run for President, there is no way on earth I would vote for him.  He's a Democrat (not an automatic disqualification in my view), but most importantly he is a liberal nutcase.  In my not so humble opinion, at least.

Anyway, here are some links related to Mitt Romney's candidacy:

An "unofficial" (I guess) pro-Mitt website:
http://www.runmittrun.org

An Evangelical Christian pro-Mitt website:
http://www.evangelicalsformitt.org/
Maybe things aren't hopeless after all...

An American Spectator article on the subject:
http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=10274
Mitt Romney http://blog.clarkmichael.com/PermaLink,guid,6c85e3b2-5134-4c87-b356-e70a36398ede.aspx http://blog.clarkmichael.com/Mitt+Romney.aspx Sat, 02 Sep 2006 04:38:34 GMT <p> </p> How many people know who Mitt Romney is?&nbsp; I have no idea, but my brother, the Republican, didn't know when I asked him a couple of weeks ago.&nbsp; In no particular order, then, this is Mitt Romney:<br> <br> <ul> <li> current governor of the State of Massachusetts</li> <li> a Republican</li> <li> Rescued the Salt Lake Olympics from bankruptcy</li> <li> a Mormon</li> </ul> Mitt is a lot of other things, of course, but one other very important thing about him is that he is seriously considering a run for the United States Presidency.<br> <br> Yep, you heard me right.&nbsp; A Mormon wants to be President.&nbsp; Cue laugh track.<br> <br> I wish I had time to pontificate on this, but I don't.&nbsp; One thing of importance is, however, how will Mitt fare with "born again" Christian Evangelicals?&nbsp; Mormons are not even considered to be Christians by these people.&nbsp; Some extremists in the Ev movement are even openly hostile to Mormons, especially Mormon missionaries.&nbsp; The father-in-law of one of my sons is a evangelical minister, and he told my son that when he passes Mormon missionaries walking on the street he has a powerful urge to swerve his car to run them over.&nbsp; So how could a Mormon win in the deep South, in the Bible Belt?<br> <br> Just in case you don't know this, I am also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, so be aware this issue of a Mormon running for President is an issue of great interest to me.&nbsp; I would definitely vote for Mitt.<br> <br> Keep in mind, however, that if the current US Senate majority leader, also a Mormon, were to run for President, there is no way on earth I would vote for him.&nbsp; He's a Democrat (not an automatic disqualification in my view), but most importantly he is a liberal nutcase.&nbsp; In my not so humble opinion, at least.<br> <br> Anyway, here are some links related to Mitt Romney's candidacy:<br> <br> An "unofficial" (I guess) pro-Mitt website:<br> <a href="http://www.runmittrun.org">http://www.runmittrun.org</a> <br> <br> An Evangelical Christian pro-Mitt website:<br> <a href="http://www.evangelicalsformitt.org/">http://www.evangelicalsformitt.org/</a> <br> Maybe things aren't hopeless after all...<br> <br> An American Spectator article on the subject:<br> <a href="http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=10274">http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=10274</a> <br> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://blog.clarkmichael.com/aggbug.ashx?id=6c85e3b2-5134-4c87-b356-e70a36398ede" /> http://blog.clarkmichael.com/CommentView,guid,6c85e3b2-5134-4c87-b356-e70a36398ede.aspx Politics