Quote of the Day 06/01/2009

"You never want to have the government involved in your business. They're not businessmen; they're bureaucrats. They don't understand capitalism, they don't understand the profit motive and they don't understand the financial industry."

-Philip Orlando, chief equity strategist of Federated Investors Inc.

Quote of the Day 05/29/2009

"A single individual can vanish much more easily than a Wal-Mart."

(Source)

Fear Will Save Us

From Big Hollywood:

Taking the oldest trick out of the tyrant's manual, Obama ran on "Hope" to seize power. Then once he had it, he changed the message to "Fear" to keep expectations low and the masses in line. Maybe that strategy was necessary, since between the unpaid taxes, failed cabinet appointments, the Blago scandal, raging debate over the "spend-u-lous" package and the continued decline of the markets, World War I had a more inspiring first 100 days.

This ignores of course that World War I ended a mere four years later with a death toll much less than World War II. In our fear, we can find Hope.

GOP Convention in Four and a Half Quotes

Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN - 1,100 miles outside the Beltway

For those who missed it, a few selections from the 2008 Republican National Convention - the most watched political convention ever.

Mike Huckabee's speech to the RNC:

Let me make something clear tonight: I'm not a Republican because I grew up rich. I'm a Republican because I didn't want to spend the rest of my life poor, waiting for the government to rescue me.

Rudy Giuliani's keynote address:

"Change" is not a destination ... just as "hope" is not a strategy.

Sarah Palin's introduction:

Crowd cheers continuously for three minutes, is interrupted by the governor, and starts cheering again.

...

I'm not a member of the permanent political establishment.

And I've learned quickly, these past few days, that if you're not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone.

But here's a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion - I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this great country.

John McCain's Acceptance Speech:

If you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you're disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and work to correct them. Enlist in our Armed Forces. Become a teacher. Enter the ministry. Run for public office. Feed a hungry child. Teach an illiterate adult to read. Comfort the afflicted. Defend the rights of the oppressed. Our country will be the better, and you will be the happier. Because nothing brings greater happiness in life than to serve a cause greater than yourself.

Washington State University Snubs Idaho-Born Candidate

Recycled News from Spokane, Washington - 2,500 miles outside the Beltway

Washington State University and the City of Spokane rejected an offer to host the only vice-presidential debate in 2008 because the vice-presidency just isn't important enough for America's 110th largest city. Now, we have a Republican nominee born in Sandpoint, ID (a mere 75 miles from Spokane), attended North Idaho College (a mere 30 miles away), and attended the University of Idaho (7 miles from WSU). As the Spokesman-Review notes:

On Friday, Sarah Louise Heath Palin -- the current governor of Alaska -- became John McCain’s surprise vice presidential pick.

It's only the second time in history that a former Pacific Northwest resident has made a presidential ticket. Charles McNary of Oregon was Republican Wendell Wilkie's running mate in 1940.

If elected, Palin would be the first Northwest resident to serve as either vice president or president.

Ooops.

Sometimes Votes Matter

From the National Review:

At a televised debate July 28, Colorado congressmen and Democratic senatorial candidate Mark Udall said he would not vote to adjourn congress until they had an energy bill.

Udall then skipped the vote, which passed 213-212 without a single Republican voting in favor. Had Udall been there and lived up to his campaign promise, the motion to adjourn would not have passed.

The Pope Inside the Beltway

The AP reports:

The festive White House visit was the highlight of the first full day of [Pope Benedict XVI]'s first trip to the United States as leader of the world's Roman Catholics. A South Lawn arrival ceremony — which also turned into a celebration for Benedict's 81st birthday, complete with energetic singing and a several-tiered cake prepared by the White House pastry chef — was followed by 45 minutes of private talks between Bush and Benedict, alone in the Oval Office.

It was the 25th meeting between a Roman Catholic pope and a U.S. president, sessions that have spanned 89 years, five pontiffs and 11 American leaders.

...

It was only the second White House visit by a pope — the first was 29 years ago — and Bush elected to honor it with a level of pageantry rarely seen, even on grounds accustomed to routinely welcoming the world's most important leaders.

Lampposts fluttered with flags in the red-white-and-blue of America and yellow-and-white of the Holy See. The sun-drenched South Lawn was filled to bursting with the largest crowd of Bush's presidency, requiring a large television screen for those in the back...

In Washington's streets, thousands who were unable to get tickets played music and waved banners as they waited for any glimpse of the pontiff. Benedict didn't disappoint, leaving the White House in his glass-walled Mercedes popemobile for a slow cruise along Pennsylvania Avenue, accompanied by a long motorcade and the pontiff waving from his perch inside.

...

The president kicked off the unprecedented series of papal festivities on Tuesday, by motoring to Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington to meet Benedict's plane, something he's never done for any leader. While the pontiff received a rock-star reception on the tarmac, Bush stood back in the unusual role of second fiddle.

And here are some pictures, since the Popemobile route was fairly close to my office: