The Occasional Observer

China can call us out on our financial obligations, diplomatic commitments, dependence on foreign manufacturing and general indecisiveness at any moment by claiming sovereignty over Taiwan with force. How can we possibly come out unscathed?

What do you make of Ron Paul winning the CPAC straw poll with 31% of the vote?

I certainly found him to be a refreshing libertarian voice in the 2008 debates. I'd take him in a second over Obama. I'd happily accept some distasteful libertine policies if it meant drastically cutting the size of the federal government.

More reasons why I hope Newt Gingrich runs for President in 2012:

• He's one of very few nationally recognized and active conservatives with any intellectual credibility AND experience worthy of executive leadership
• His opinions are mostly in line with the populist and vigorous Tea Party movement
• Despite (or because of) his scorched-earth tactics, he has proven that he can get results
• The amplitude of the political swing from Bush to Obama and back will be great enough for him to be a desirable candidate
• Based on the occasions I've had to hear him speak, I believe he has a real understanding of the fiscal and cultural crisis we're currenlty in
• He is one of the very few politicians that I consider to be highly intelligent and educated
  

My concerns with Newt

• Ron Paul won the straw poll at CPAC with 31% of the vote. Is Newt enough of a Libertarian?
• Does Newt have too much baggage to survive the inevitable media assault?
  

but I feel compelled to offer you this link to a funny, funny ad. Not work appropriate.

There is no more compelling b-ball than the Big East this season. With 4 of the top 10 teams, and 2 of the best teams in the country ('Cuse and 'Nova), the Big East is easily the best conference.

I know you will definitely appreciate this story. Good Drudge link.

What do you think?

Great story about a US sniper, and how his faith in God guides him. I particularly like the fact that he has a picture of the WTC in his scope flip cap.

ht: Kavon Nikrad, Race 4 2012

Wow, this is an interesting turn of events. Saudi Arabia's foreign minister has indicated that sanctions against Iran are an insufficient response to their recent uranium enrichment announcement.

"Sanctions are a long-term solution," the Saudi minister said. "But we see the issue in the shorter term because we are closer to the threat," referring to Iran. "We need immediate resolution rather than gradual resolution."

He didn't identify a preferred short-term resolution.

U.S. officials traveling with Clinton said privately they were uncertain what al-Faisal meant...

It is widely accepted that most Arab countries do not want to see a nuclear Iran, because it would shift power in the region in a way they don't control and they don't like. Remains to be seen exactly what the Saudi minister had in mind as a suitable response.

Sen. Bayh (D, IN) to announce that he will not run for re-election this year. This is a shocking surprise. Bayh is a fairly moderate Dem who has always enjoyed very high support from red-leaning Indiana, and despite challenges from Coats and others probably would have won again this year had he run.

This can't be seen as anything other than another crushing blow to Dem party.

I'll rip off Newsbusters and repost this image for captioning. It's just too good.

A couple of my favorites from this No Runny Eggs post:

As I have repeatedly said – the fact that you haven’t agreed with me in the past on this issue is not a reason that I should reconsider my position. Rather, it is a reflection of your lack of intelligence and reverence for my omnipotence.

Unprecedented – Does not mean “unprecedented” in the context of American history. Rather, it is unprecedented in the experience of Obama. Thus, he has no reference point from which to view or address the specific issue.

John Murtha dies at 77.

this woman is not ready for prime time.

I like the whole tea party movement. To me it's represents my frequent exclaimation, "Stop spending all my damn money!" But, what are the ramifications?

Scenario 1: Palin/Paul lead the Tea Party to a populist and somewhat liberatian campaign resulting in a viable third party nomination in 2012. The Tea Party draws MANY Republican votes, lots of independents votes and some Democrat votes. Obama wins a second term, but the Republicans reshape the party to revert to a small government viewpoint.

Scenario 2: Anti-Incumbentism throws out an unexpectently large number of people from Congress in 2010. Democrats continue to veer sharply left. Republicans (God willing) finally understand the public doesn't want more government. Newt Gingrich wins the Republican nomination for President. Gingrich/Beck (Glenn) win in a landslide and the U.S.A. is put on the path of redemption.

Scenario 3: The Tea Party predictably splits the Republican (and independent) vote.
Obama wins a second term. China ends up owning 63% of American corporations and imposes , by monetary fiat, a socitalism regime. The top 3% of wealth leaves the country with their money. The dollar drops in value by 80%. Unemployment reaches 23%. Federal income tax rates for the middle class surpass 60%. Imports cost 300% more. Riots ensue in Chicago, LA, Miami and Detroit. I finally indulge my paranoia and order iodine pills for my family.
I stop voluntarily paying taxes. I cancel direct deposit and keep my salary in cash under my mattress. I convert 50% of my cash to gold. I study medicine and purchase a comprehensive medical kit. The OccObs crew and I meet to plan survival after the disintegration of American Society. Caribou Express's value in survival is carefully considered. D.C. prematurely kills his neighbors following the logic of apocalyptic survival and is incarcerated. Manbeast finally gives into public pressure and runs for public office . . . . . . ..

"The President isn't having trouble because Republicans oppose his job-killing agenda - he's having trouble because the American people oppose his job-killing agenda"

-Michael Steel, spokesman for GOP minority leader John Boehner

source: Time