Littlestuff Weekender-3-24-2012

This amazing weather that we have enjoyed in Northwest Ohio has allowed me to complete a number of tasks rather early this year. Our Little Pat-Ch of Paradise requires a lot of attention for maintaining the grounds and the buildings, and I have relished every balmy moment so far this spring. Beginning Monday we’ll return to more typical weather for the period with one day in the high 40’s and the remainder of the ten-day forecast calling for high 50’s and low 60’s. It’s manageable and allows my indoor seedlings time to get strong before transplanting into warm soil. I’m already having visions of fresh salads, vegetables and corn on the cob.

Frosty and I are batching it this weekend as Heather, P.J., Sully and Pat traveled to Butler County to visit our daughter, Kelly, her husband, Kevin, Shaun, Erin and the two Scotties…Leo and Lizzie. We should get a lot accomplished because interruptions will be minimal, and except for a short afternoon interlude on Saturday for the Ohio State-Syracuse game, we can work steadily. If the weather is clear, we’ll work outdoors. If it’s rainy, we’ll do shop work and research-writing projects. All in all it should be a productive weekend unless I decide that a nap marathon is preferable.  

My concern about the gullibility and indifference among my fellow citizens is growing. President Obama spews a lie a minute about his ‘commitment’ to a sound energy policy. He takes credit for private sector initiatives (Keystone Pipeline) and deflects blame for colossal failures (Solyndra). His brazenness is appalling, but I suspect that detailed polling will indicate that significant numbers of people will accept his statements at face value…..although that is difficult because he’s so two-faced.

Today (Saturday) the GOP of bayou country, Louisiana, choose their preferences for the Republican presidential nomination. It appears that for all intents and purposes the Romney camp is on a glide path toward victory. With each caucus or primary the challenge for Santorum, Gingrich or Paul becomes more daunting. Every day they need a higher percentage of the uncommitted delegates to grasp the nomination or to prevent Romney from reaching the magical 1144 number. The GOP and the Libertarian Party are both in better shape than the Democrats who are tethered to the current occupant of the office. They are stuck with a lying, socialist, ego-maniacal, incompetent, arrogant liar….and most of them know it. The Libertarians will choose their candidate at the National Convention in early May. Stay tuned for more information in the next month or so.

It is not my intent to pick on the President…..Oh, why not? I’m already on several “watch lists.” He throws like an effeminate girl. No offense intended to girl athletes because I umpired high-level fastpitch softball games for several years, and nearly every girl on or near the field could throw better than that jock wannabe. He’s petty, pouty, petulant and unprincipled. He is a lying, low-life, lackadaisical, lame-brained ideologue. He is untrustworthy, unreliable, unrepentant, and under handed. Obama is a twiddling, two-faced, tone-deaf, tiny tyrant who has torn our national fabric into tatters. He is a contemptible colossal conveyor of cancerous calumny. Finally, he is a demonic, dim-witted, despotic dilettante. And no……I would not wish to have a beer with him. I can’t imagine how much worse he could be when he’s drunk and stupid.

On the economic front: The IMF has bailed out Greece for another short interval while Portugal and Spain are dangling on the edge of the precipice. Italy is still treading water, and the rest of Europe is engaged in high-intensity hand wringing. China is having economic issues with high inflation and rumblings of political discontent. When all this finally shakes out, I expect the Fiji Islands or George Soros to own everything.

Recent discoveries and new technologies suggest that our untapped oil and gas reserves in the United States exceed the potential BTU’s of Saudi Arabia. Add to those numbers our massive deposits of hard and soft coal, and we have unlimited potential for increased industrial production. There are three major factors that limit our ability to exploit our wealth of natural resources. They are extremely high labor costs compared to other nations, an excessive over reaching government and bureaucracy and a population that has lost its will to succeed without government assistance. There are probably numerous applications for solar, wind and other “green” energy sources that are competitive, but if our national policy is to continuing forcing them into unwise uses, we’ll never recover.

Have a great weekend. I’ll be back on the air on Tuesday (6-7pm) and will be sitting in for Brian Wilson Friday the 30^th from 3:00-6:00pm. Tune us in if you can, or stream the station. The Talk of Toledo 1370 WSPD. www.wspd.com

cearlwriting@hotmail.com

www.littlestuff-minoosha.blogspot.com

  

A Party of One

In a former life I was a conservative Republican, and in my current role I am a Libertarian. Frankly though, as a passionate proponent of individual liberty, neither old party (or any of the others) suits me ideally. As a free-thinking individual, I am a “party of one.” There are aspects of the Republican credo that I find acceptable although with a few exceptions their elected officials do not follow through on them. The Libertarian philosophy most closely represents my own view, but like any other party, they are highly critical of non-conformity within their ranks. I guess that’s a sign that the LP is “growing up”…. becoming a “real” party. Although the LP still holds the numero uno position with me for affiliation purposes, I am indifferent about the emphasis of some members on the so-called “social issues” just as I am not influenced by social conservative positions. True liberty….individually observed….doesn’t have “social issue” positions.

For those of you who are prepared to stone me or burn my house let me emphasize that I am personally pro-life from conception to natural death, heterosexual, a practicing believer of marital fidelity and a vigorous supporter of faith-based messages in the marketplace. I do not, however, want the state (government) to enforce my positions on others because I understand the fickle relationship between government and the power of enforcement. Whoever holds the power will use it in a heavy-handed fashion to promote their world view and ideology. I do not want my personal liberty and choices to be at the mercy of a majority of unthinking, uninformed and easily-persuadable voters. If I valued the judgment of sheep, I would be a shepherd.

In addition if someone follows a belief system at odds with my own, as long as they do not attempt to force me to accept theirs or to be politically correct when discussing their choices, go ahead, do your own thing. It’s between them and God as long as they do not try to coerce me into accepting, endorsing or providing special protections for them and their choices. The way I view it is that life is a series of contracts…between God and me, between my spouse and me, between my family and me and my circle of acquaintances and me. Some provisions of the contracts are formal, written and witnessed. Others are less formal but understood by the parties involved.

My party of one recognizes the uniqueness of me as an individual. Certainly I share beliefs, philosophies, principles and priorities with others, but not all of those positions with everyone with whom I often agree. We may have subtle differences, or we may vociferously disagree about one major matter or another even if we are in perfect harmony on others. The defining point is that I will not allow a “party” or a “faction,” as our Founders and Framers describe them, design the parameters of my preferences. If the party shares my view, then I applaud it. If it does not, then I oppose it. The party cannot be my sole identity when it is nothing more than a collection of citizens who “generally” support somewhat similar stances … except for when they don’t or when the party routinely violates its own positions. If the candidate of any party represents my views, I will consider supporting her….assuming I find her trustworthy and believable. My consideration is the principles espoused and supported by the candidate…not the label affixed behind his name. And certainly not this one…..

http://youtu.be/QO7VUklDlQw

The principle of liberty is my compass for determining where my allegiances will lie. Lovely rhetoric colored with patriotic jingoism does not sway me. Those who speak of “smaller government” do not convince me. Someone who pledges to do “want the people want” does not impress me. If the people are misled or desire something that is clearly unconstitutional, should our elected officials discard their scruples and their oaths of office to encourage the folly? Not in my world.    

Political parties are not relevant for me anymore. Indeed, the party label may provide a starting point for determining where the loyalties of a particular candidate may lie, but they are not necessarily definitive. For example there are many Blue Dog Democrats that I would prefer over several big government Republicans. Many independent voters claim to “vote for the candidate, not the party.” I guess that I have slipped into that mindset too. The people I support must have individual liberty as their primary criterion for serving. They must honor, respect and obey The Constitution of the United States. Mere lip service will not win my vote or my favor. In fact I despise and loathe career politicians who claim to be small-government constitutionalists but violate that principle rather often. I despise them more than I do the big government types who covet my freedom, my wealth and my property because I know what they want, and I can take measures to counteract them. The politicians who claim to be sympathetic to my priorities and violate them again and again are worthy of contempt.

One advantage with being a party of one is that I’m not concerned with Red States or Blue States. The Electoral College is interesting but not captivating. Liberty, sweet liberty, is the primary impetus for my action and attention. Liberty…first, foremost and forever.

Comment:  cearlwriting@hotmail.com

www.littlestuff-minoosha.blogspot.com

Clamoring for Cialus

The following column may not be suitable for small children or small-minded adults.

Once again it appears that the voters of the United States may be headed toward another “lesser of two evils” decision on Election Day November 6^th. Let’s identify this flaccid phenomenon for what it really is….Electoral Dysfunction. As citizens trickle to their polling places, their sense of political impotence will be heightened by the absolute lack of distinctive choices available to them. They will moan, groan and strike a despondent tone as they suffer from the anxiety performance associated with choosing the better of bad options. Once they emerge from the curtained cubicle they limp off to their favorite pubs or ice cream shops to wash away their indecisiveness.

With the fearful act behind them they move forward and hope their choice prevailed, but not too surprised if the other one should win. Deep in the recesses of their hearts they hope the eventual winner will exhibit a stiffened resolve to save our Republic from its own excesses and abuses. They know, however, that in the end they will get the shaft….that the nation will continue its inexorable drift toward decay and decadence. They resign themselves to the knowledge that there is no magic potion for restoring strength and self determination. There is no instant pill or capsule for a malady that has affected us for decades. They know that the weakened condition of the nation will be further eroded by the non-performance of the elected class. As they quaff their pints and languidly lick their cones, they admit they do not have the will or the strength for an uprising for freedom.

Watching a nation slip into acquiescent despair is similar to watching political pornography. There is sense of the surreal, but one is filled with fascination and disgust as a once-great crucible of liberty discards its foundations and falls into the abyss. Frustration and anger abound as so many of the citizens seem to be unaware or uncaring about the inevitable fate of the once supremely-blessed country. Their blunted passions are matched only by their fractured dreams as they no longer look to the future or honor the past. They have become obsessed with the present hour…..and little more. They rent out their minds and commitments as if they were cheap flop houses…..for one hour at a time. They’ve given up. They’ve withdrawn from the fight. They have lost their passion for life, for liberty and for pursuit of any kind. Just as their nation is dying, so are they and they appear not to know it.

Who will save them? Who will save the nation from itself? Who can? Aside from a revival of faith, the answer for renewal and an energized vigor must come from within. All the props, potions and pills in the world will not renew a passion for liberty. It must be discovered and fueled by each individual. Sometimes a mass of people or a rowdy mob can excite the ardor for freedom, but that remedy is short-lived and ineffective. The high tension and extreme actions of the mob wear thin, and the lonely individual is left behind….exhausted and spent…unable to lift himself up from the mat of nonperformance. Many of the truly important aspects of life and living require a dedicated individual who labors on when others have fallen. Commitment and endurance are vital for effective performance and ultimate victory.

What remedies….what uplifting help is available for the liberty lover whose spirits are sagging? How can his deflated dreams be pumped up with new energy? He should meet Al. Al is always perky, ready and upright. Al is the one that people follow when times get tough. Al is the magnetic personality that others want to “hang” with. Al never falters and never wavers. Others frequently speak of him by saying, “See, Al is dependable. See, Al is strong. See, Al is always working. See, Al is never a quitter. See, Al is always filled with passion. See, Al is.” Those of us who falter must be like Al if we are to save our nation. See, Al is the answer.

Clearly our government has grown too large and is suffocating our freedom. The Framers and the Founders insistence that federal government powers be enumerated and limited was prophetic. They understood “The Peter Principle” before it was formulated by Dr. Laurence J. Peter and Raymond Hull in 1969. Government has exceeded its level of competence by far.

Caution: If your infatuation for the current political elites persists for more than four hours, please notify your psychiatrist or call an exorcist.

Author’s note: This column is irrefutable proof that advertising works. With the saturation of male enhancement ads on audio, video and print media my brain has clearly been affected.

cearlwriting@hotmail.com

www.littlestuff-minoosha.blogspot.com

Obey the Master

The secular version of the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12) is: He who has the gold…rules. If you have ever worked for someone else, you know the one who signs the checks, calls the shots. So why should we be surprised when so many “scientific” studies and research projects seem unreasonable or flawed? If we wish to know why the final product may contain bias, all we have to do is follow the funding thread. “Pure” theoretical research is a rarity these days as most studies and investigations are funded by private corporations, the government or government-corporate partnerships. Applied research certainly is valuable for discovering new products, methods and uses, but the weakness we face in today’s research environment is that too much of the product is agenda driven. One of the great benefits of legitimate scientific inquiry is its predictive and replicable value. In other words, if the initial process is precisely followed, the outcome will always be the same.

Why is it that so much of our government-sponsored research leads to results that are difficult or impossible to integrate into the marketplace? For example…our government has been vigorously promoting solar and wind power generation for a number of years, but neither application has achieved economic viability despite subsidies, grants and government bribery for adopting them. It seems to me that the primary problem is not the technologies per se but rather the types of questions that we (the government and the associated industries) ask as we begin the quest. Instead of the government asking for new ventures to replace fossil fuels, they should be seeking low-input products that are competitive with existing fuels…actually government shouldn’t be involved in developing products or methods that compete with private sector companies and functions. Those are blatant attempts to pick winners and losers by distorting the marketplace while relying on bogus or premature science.

There are indeed some inquiries that may be legitimate for government to pursue. The Manhattan Project might be considered such a program although its success has ultimately endangered the globe. The research involved primary attempts to split the atom, and the private sector had not yet begun any type of nuclear usage because the phenomenal power contained in the atoms was not accessible. Therefore, without a clear private-sector need, the atomic research was basic in nature…seeking to discover methods for releasing the power and structures for controlling it. Despite its ultimate use, the atom-busting research is of the type that usually is best done by government or government-corporate partnerships. Basic research seeks answers, and applied research is directed toward using the basic research results for economic purposes.

When basic research and applied research are merged or telescoped by government or government-private cooperation, the end result is often unworkable, economically unviable, or useless. The problem is that the old progressive byword of “the ends justify the means” leaks into their scientific endeavors as well. They seem to suggest that “if we can design it and build it, you MUST use it to justify our high cost.” After committing so much to a huge questionable project, government becomes obligated to promote the result regardless of the soundness of its application. Government involvement in research should be limited to basic research and should steer clear of research applications. The private sector will detect and develop applications that will succeed in the marketplace.

Many of our most successful inventions or discoveries were identified while pursuing answers for non-related questions. Take the “Reese Cup” for example. Government’s quest for a specific outcome often blinds it to other useful applications that may be available for a product under development. An entrepreneur or marketing-oriented researcher will recognize new opportunities from what appears to be “failed” research projects. Government and government-sponsored private sector research probably misses too many potential opportunities for new innovation because their research is outcome directed rather the use oriented. Stated another way….Government offers a $10 million reward for a safe energy efficient light bulb, and Phillips-Conoco wins the prize by developing an LED model that sells for $50.00 each whereupon government is considering subsidizing the bulbs at a $45.00 rate … thus costing even more taxpayer dollars. This is nuts….but so are many of the new wave of cars that government is subsidizing or underwriting. Whenever government is involved in research and development….either through direct participation or via the grant route….the results are nearly always pre-ordained. Researchers want to keep the client happy and the tax dollars flowing.

Social science research and analysis follow a similar path as hard research. Most of the analysts have their own big-government agendas to promote and government is always seeking to expand its power. As a result, many of the social research “studies’ are nothing more than self-fulfilling prophecies that recommend the expansion of government services and influence. Because of government’s pervasive influence and distortion of hard science and social science research, its participation should be severely limited. When private sector entities provide research data, their results can be measured against those of their competitors, but government has no real competition. Without true competition we end up with incomplete, biased and distorted corruptions of science and statistical analysis that lead to costly and unworkable programs. It’s your basic lose-lose proposition. The jack-booted strong arm of government should not be dressed in white coats and pocket guards. Real progress is thwarted while the expansion of government thrives.

cearlwriting@hotmail.com

www.littlestuff-minoosha.blogspot.com