Ah yes, we can see it coming. The Obama Administration will, acting under a President Executive Order, bring a million Somalis into the U.S. in what will be determined to be a Emergency Humanitarian Act. This will cut piracy in the area as there will then be less poor people there.
In a related action, those who are left in Somalia, including those who have emigrated there from other African nations, will be awarded a million U.S. dollars in reparations for the three Somali killed by the U.S. Navy, who acted under Pentagon orders rather than White House orders. The Navy refused to use water hoses against the "Pirates" as the White House had ordered. As a result of these Presidential Executive Orders there will no longer be any pirates in the area.
In a related action, Somalis who are sent to the U.S. will each be given 1 million bucks too so they can buy, staff and repair the American Interstate Highway System and any other toll roads, like the Ohio Turnpike. They must adhere to PLAs (Project Labor Agreements) while doing so.
PLAs require contractors to negotiate with union officials and abide by collective bargaining, despite the fact that 84% of US construction workers do not belong to labor unions.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Tyranny of the Minority
During his first 100 days President Obama has lost no time in making moves to "help workers". Union officials say this will require federal contractors to offer jobs to current workers when contracts change and will not make it difficult for federal contractors to discourage union activities.
President Obama's 4th union-friendly Executive Order has encouraged federal agencies to have construction contractors and their subs enter Project Labor Agreements (PLAs). They require contractors to negotiate with union officials and abide by collective bargaining, despite the fact that 84% of US construction workers do not belong to labor unions.
For more on the socialization of the United States go to AStrongMiddleClass.gov, to tell you what they're up to. Only one thing though, I wouldn't share my thoughts with them as they suggest. Let 'em muddle around until we can get them outta Washington permanently.
"Don't Tread on Me"
President Obama's 4th union-friendly Executive Order has encouraged federal agencies to have construction contractors and their subs enter Project Labor Agreements (PLAs). They require contractors to negotiate with union officials and abide by collective bargaining, despite the fact that 84% of US construction workers do not belong to labor unions.
For more on the socialization of the United States go to AStrongMiddleClass.gov, to tell you what they're up to. Only one thing though, I wouldn't share my thoughts with them as they suggest. Let 'em muddle around until we can get them outta Washington permanently.
"Don't Tread on Me"
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Cleveland's Hibernian Guards - Co. B, 8th OVI
An Irishman in the American Civil War
By JC Sullivan
James K. O'Reilly was returning from Sunday Mass at Cleveland's St. Edward Church on Woodland Avenue when news posters announced the assault on Ft. Sumter, South Carolina. America's Civil War began on that April day. O'Reilly, born in
County Cork in 1838 came to Cleveland in 1858 via New York City. He and his Irish friends James Butler and Thomas Francis Galwey were anxious to join Union forces before the fight was over. They hurried to the armory of the Hibernian Guards and enlisted for three months, officially becoming Co. B, 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. When it was all over, almost five years later, the 8th Ohio would have 97 men present for muster-out out of a total 990 that began the unit.
The honorable Kenneth R. Callahan, most recently a Common Pleas Court Judge in Cuyahoga County, is a direct descendent of Captain O'Reilly, his maternal great-grandfather. He honors the spirit of his colorful and gallant forebear by insuring Americans don't forget the deeds and valor of the 8th Ohio, a unit that fought fiercely in most of the major battles of the Potomac Army. He also wants to insure that history accurately reflects the role they played in turning the famous 'Pickett's Charge' at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in July of 1863.
By June, General Robert E. Lee's rag-tag forces had moved into the farmlands of Pennsylvania, rich in the much-needed resources of food, material and steed. The march to Gettysburg was brutally hot. Unlike modern armies, neither side at Gettysburg had winter and summer uniforms - only heavy wool. Some were lucky to have shoes. During the march it was frightfully hot. O'Reilly suffered sunstroke and went by horse-drawn ambulance to Gettysburg. "When he found out the 8th was positioned outside the Emmitsburg Road," said Callahan, "He left the hospital and ran out and joined the company there."
O'Reilly, deathly ill, arrived at Gettysburg on July 3rd, after the first day of battle. Colonel Samuel Springs Carroll (of the Maryland Carrolls) ordered the Hibernians immediately into a cornfield between the Union lines on Cemetery Ridge and Confederate lines on Seminary Ridge, with orders were to push rebel sharpshooters back. With this advanced picket line established, O'Reilly's
Hibernians spent the night there while the rest of the brigade was pulled out by General Hancock to support other areas. Confederate sharpshooters reminded them of their closeness throughout the evening by shooting at them.
On the morning of the 4th, General Lee, believing the center of the Union line to be weakened, opened up his attack with a two-hour artillery barrage. "Nothing more terrific than this story of artillery can be imagined," said Colonel Franklyn Sawyer. "The missiles of both armies passed over our heads. The roar of the guns was deafening, the air was soon clouded with smoke, and the shrieks and the startling crack of the exploding shells above, a round and in our midst; the blowing up of our caissons in our rear; the driving through the air of the fence rails, posts and limbs of trees; the groans of dying men, the neighing of frantic and wounded horses, created a scene of absolute horror."
General Lee followed this up by sending fifteen thousand gray backs into the fray. The 15O - 18O men of the 8th Ohio poured rifle fire into the left flank of James J. Pettigrew's division. "They moved up splendidly," Sawyer wrote, "deploying into column as they crossed the long, sloping interval between us and their base. At first it looked like they would sweep our position, but as they advanced, their direction lay to our left."
"A moan went up from the battlefield distinctly to be heard amid the storm of battle," related survivor
Galwey. The surprised Southerners, led by gallant officers on horseback, broke and retreated. "...the first sign of faltering came from Colonel J.M. Brockenbrough's brigade of Virginians who, under Pettigrew, were stationed in the extreme left of the advance, that is, directly in front of the 8th Ohio," Callahan related.
With Sawyer admitting their 'blood was up', he then turned his men ninety degrees and fired into the flank of Joseph Davis' brigade. When Union commanders saw this development, they sent reinforcements down to turn the attack. The 8th advanced, cutting off three regiments, capturing their colors and many soldiers. Afterwards, an attempt was made to discharge Colonel Sawyer from the service for
it was believed he was drunk...one would think that no commander in his right mind would attempt such a maneuver with such a small force.
Later that summer, after the battle of Gettysburg, the 8th Ohio was sent to New York City for riot duty. When the draft was instituted, provisions were made for purchasing one's way out through the process of buying a substitute. Naturally, many Irish and other immigrants could not afford to do so and objected to the practice.
Karen Sullivan decorates the grave of 8th OVI veteran, KIA, Gettysburg. St. John’s Cemetery, Cleveland.
While there, O'Reilly met his future bride, Susan O'Brien. "The whole thing was a drinking expedition," Callahan said. "Commander Sawyer was telling everybody not to get drunk but about an hour later he was arrested for drunkenness. I think they had a good time in New York City."
In August, 1865, at the war's end, O'Reilly returned to New York City and married Susan O'Brien at St. Stephen's Parish Church. The couple came to Cleveland and resided at 189 Quincy Ave., where they raised seven children. Part of the time he worked for Thomas Jones Sons Monument Co., which was located at E. 28th & Prospect Ave. Because of his disability from his Gettysburg sunstroke, however, he was never able to work for long periods of time. He tried to get a pension the rest of his life in a protracted struggle with the War Department. His widow was finally awarded one thirty years after his death, in 1930. In 1900, after a funeral Mass at St. Edward's Church, O'Reilly was laid to rest in St. John's cemetery, next to the church. His stone, erected by his daughter, says simply, "Captain J.K. O'Reilly."
Callahan met Captain O'Reilly's daughter, Isabelle, in 1952. She blamed her father for the fact that she never married. "She claimed every time somebody came over to see her he pulled them into the parlor and kept them up until midnight telling stories about the Civil War."
Callahan is a graduate of Cleveland's St. Ignatius High School and received his undergraduate degree from Cleveland's John Carroll University. He received his law degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Additionally, he studied art, history, anthropology and literature at both Trinity and University Colleges, Dublin. Callahan is a published author and a military historian. He and his spouse Martha are parents of Casey and Eoin.
As of this original writing, The Callahan and O'Reilly families of Cleveland have never been in touch with any surviving O'Reilly family in Cork. Although they know chances are slim to non-existent, they would be delighted to hear from anyone who recognizes a family kinship. As of this writing in July, 2017, this is no longer the case.
The following letter is Comrade Galwey’s tribute to his friend and Captain as printed in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
New York, May 22nd, 1900
Editor of the Sunday Cleveland Plain Dealer
Sir:
I desire as a comrade officer of the 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry to say through the Plain Dealer (sic) a few words upon the military career of the late Captain J.K. O’Reilly, the news of whose recent death at 189 Quincy Street, Cleveland, has just reached us.
During the twenty campaigns and more than sixty engagements in which the 8th Infantry gained its fame in the Civil War, O’Reilly’s influence and example, first among its non-commissioned officers and afterwards among its commissioned officers, contributed greatly to its fighting spirit, conduct and methods. He was fearless and quick-witted in the moment of danger or other emergency.
The two bravest and most brilliant among the many brave and brilliant acts of that regiment were its bayonet charge across the Sunken or Bloody Lane at Antietam at the end of five hours close fighting, and its wheel to the left at Gettysburg, by which it struck the left flank of Pickett’s confederate column, and put it into disorder at that point, at the very moment when the front of that column had crossed the Emmittsburg Road and was shaking its battle flags at the “high water mark of the rebellion.”
In both of those splendid manoeuvres (sic) O’Reilly was very conspicuous, if he was not to some extent the real author of each. He was at first a man of fine physique, and like many others who constantly exposed themselves, escaped almost unharmed by the enemy, but he suffered to the last from a sunstroke that befell him during fearful hot day on the march to Gettysburg, and I understand that this was the chief cause of his death.
Cleveland is not today the quiet little city it was on the 16th of April, 1861, when, in defence of the Union, O’Reilly enlisted as a private in the Hibernian Guards, which became Company B of the 8th Ohio Infantry. But big and bustling as Cleveland has become, it will not, I imagine, forget the honor done to its name in the Civil War by such a man as O’Reilly.
Respectfully,
Thos. F. Galwey
15 West 123rd St.,
New York City
-30-
Author’s Note: Both Butler and Galwey relocated to New York City. Butler became keeper of General Grant’s Tomb.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
GALWEY, THOMAS FRANCIS,The_Valiant_Hours,_Narrative_of_"Captain Brevet,"_an_Irish-American_in_the_Army_of_the_Potomac. Harrisburg PA., Stackpole Co., 1961. Col. William S. Nye, Editor
DOWNES, CAPTAIN THOMAS M.F., Co. B. 8th Ohio Infantry (Reenactment)from_a_speech_to_the_Ancient_Order_of Hibernians,_Boland-Berry
Division, Cleveland, Ohio 1989.
CALLAHAN, KENNETH, conversations, 1993 - 2009.
By JC Sullivan
James K. O'Reilly was returning from Sunday Mass at Cleveland's St. Edward Church on Woodland Avenue when news posters announced the assault on Ft. Sumter, South Carolina. America's Civil War began on that April day. O'Reilly, born in
County Cork in 1838 came to Cleveland in 1858 via New York City. He and his Irish friends James Butler and Thomas Francis Galwey were anxious to join Union forces before the fight was over. They hurried to the armory of the Hibernian Guards and enlisted for three months, officially becoming Co. B, 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. When it was all over, almost five years later, the 8th Ohio would have 97 men present for muster-out out of a total 990 that began the unit.
The honorable Kenneth R. Callahan, most recently a Common Pleas Court Judge in Cuyahoga County, is a direct descendent of Captain O'Reilly, his maternal great-grandfather. He honors the spirit of his colorful and gallant forebear by insuring Americans don't forget the deeds and valor of the 8th Ohio, a unit that fought fiercely in most of the major battles of the Potomac Army. He also wants to insure that history accurately reflects the role they played in turning the famous 'Pickett's Charge' at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in July of 1863.
By June, General Robert E. Lee's rag-tag forces had moved into the farmlands of Pennsylvania, rich in the much-needed resources of food, material and steed. The march to Gettysburg was brutally hot. Unlike modern armies, neither side at Gettysburg had winter and summer uniforms - only heavy wool. Some were lucky to have shoes. During the march it was frightfully hot. O'Reilly suffered sunstroke and went by horse-drawn ambulance to Gettysburg. "When he found out the 8th was positioned outside the Emmitsburg Road," said Callahan, "He left the hospital and ran out and joined the company there."
O'Reilly, deathly ill, arrived at Gettysburg on July 3rd, after the first day of battle. Colonel Samuel Springs Carroll (of the Maryland Carrolls) ordered the Hibernians immediately into a cornfield between the Union lines on Cemetery Ridge and Confederate lines on Seminary Ridge, with orders were to push rebel sharpshooters back. With this advanced picket line established, O'Reilly's
Hibernians spent the night there while the rest of the brigade was pulled out by General Hancock to support other areas. Confederate sharpshooters reminded them of their closeness throughout the evening by shooting at them.
On the morning of the 4th, General Lee, believing the center of the Union line to be weakened, opened up his attack with a two-hour artillery barrage. "Nothing more terrific than this story of artillery can be imagined," said Colonel Franklyn Sawyer. "The missiles of both armies passed over our heads. The roar of the guns was deafening, the air was soon clouded with smoke, and the shrieks and the startling crack of the exploding shells above, a round and in our midst; the blowing up of our caissons in our rear; the driving through the air of the fence rails, posts and limbs of trees; the groans of dying men, the neighing of frantic and wounded horses, created a scene of absolute horror."
General Lee followed this up by sending fifteen thousand gray backs into the fray. The 15O - 18O men of the 8th Ohio poured rifle fire into the left flank of James J. Pettigrew's division. "They moved up splendidly," Sawyer wrote, "deploying into column as they crossed the long, sloping interval between us and their base. At first it looked like they would sweep our position, but as they advanced, their direction lay to our left."
"A moan went up from the battlefield distinctly to be heard amid the storm of battle," related survivor
Galwey. The surprised Southerners, led by gallant officers on horseback, broke and retreated. "...the first sign of faltering came from Colonel J.M. Brockenbrough's brigade of Virginians who, under Pettigrew, were stationed in the extreme left of the advance, that is, directly in front of the 8th Ohio," Callahan related.
With Sawyer admitting their 'blood was up', he then turned his men ninety degrees and fired into the flank of Joseph Davis' brigade. When Union commanders saw this development, they sent reinforcements down to turn the attack. The 8th advanced, cutting off three regiments, capturing their colors and many soldiers. Afterwards, an attempt was made to discharge Colonel Sawyer from the service for
it was believed he was drunk...one would think that no commander in his right mind would attempt such a maneuver with such a small force.
Later that summer, after the battle of Gettysburg, the 8th Ohio was sent to New York City for riot duty. When the draft was instituted, provisions were made for purchasing one's way out through the process of buying a substitute. Naturally, many Irish and other immigrants could not afford to do so and objected to the practice.
Karen Sullivan decorates the grave of 8th OVI veteran, KIA, Gettysburg. St. John’s Cemetery, Cleveland.
While there, O'Reilly met his future bride, Susan O'Brien. "The whole thing was a drinking expedition," Callahan said. "Commander Sawyer was telling everybody not to get drunk but about an hour later he was arrested for drunkenness. I think they had a good time in New York City."
In August, 1865, at the war's end, O'Reilly returned to New York City and married Susan O'Brien at St. Stephen's Parish Church. The couple came to Cleveland and resided at 189 Quincy Ave., where they raised seven children. Part of the time he worked for Thomas Jones Sons Monument Co., which was located at E. 28th & Prospect Ave. Because of his disability from his Gettysburg sunstroke, however, he was never able to work for long periods of time. He tried to get a pension the rest of his life in a protracted struggle with the War Department. His widow was finally awarded one thirty years after his death, in 1930. In 1900, after a funeral Mass at St. Edward's Church, O'Reilly was laid to rest in St. John's cemetery, next to the church. His stone, erected by his daughter, says simply, "Captain J.K. O'Reilly."
Callahan met Captain O'Reilly's daughter, Isabelle, in 1952. She blamed her father for the fact that she never married. "She claimed every time somebody came over to see her he pulled them into the parlor and kept them up until midnight telling stories about the Civil War."
Callahan is a graduate of Cleveland's St. Ignatius High School and received his undergraduate degree from Cleveland's John Carroll University. He received his law degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Additionally, he studied art, history, anthropology and literature at both Trinity and University Colleges, Dublin. Callahan is a published author and a military historian. He and his spouse Martha are parents of Casey and Eoin.
As of this original writing, The Callahan and O'Reilly families of Cleveland have never been in touch with any surviving O'Reilly family in Cork. Although they know chances are slim to non-existent, they would be delighted to hear from anyone who recognizes a family kinship. As of this writing in July, 2017, this is no longer the case.
The following letter is Comrade Galwey’s tribute to his friend and Captain as printed in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
New York, May 22nd, 1900
Editor of the Sunday Cleveland Plain Dealer
Sir:
I desire as a comrade officer of the 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry to say through the Plain Dealer (sic) a few words upon the military career of the late Captain J.K. O’Reilly, the news of whose recent death at 189 Quincy Street, Cleveland, has just reached us.
During the twenty campaigns and more than sixty engagements in which the 8th Infantry gained its fame in the Civil War, O’Reilly’s influence and example, first among its non-commissioned officers and afterwards among its commissioned officers, contributed greatly to its fighting spirit, conduct and methods. He was fearless and quick-witted in the moment of danger or other emergency.
The two bravest and most brilliant among the many brave and brilliant acts of that regiment were its bayonet charge across the Sunken or Bloody Lane at Antietam at the end of five hours close fighting, and its wheel to the left at Gettysburg, by which it struck the left flank of Pickett’s confederate column, and put it into disorder at that point, at the very moment when the front of that column had crossed the Emmittsburg Road and was shaking its battle flags at the “high water mark of the rebellion.”
In both of those splendid manoeuvres (sic) O’Reilly was very conspicuous, if he was not to some extent the real author of each. He was at first a man of fine physique, and like many others who constantly exposed themselves, escaped almost unharmed by the enemy, but he suffered to the last from a sunstroke that befell him during fearful hot day on the march to Gettysburg, and I understand that this was the chief cause of his death.
Cleveland is not today the quiet little city it was on the 16th of April, 1861, when, in defence of the Union, O’Reilly enlisted as a private in the Hibernian Guards, which became Company B of the 8th Ohio Infantry. But big and bustling as Cleveland has become, it will not, I imagine, forget the honor done to its name in the Civil War by such a man as O’Reilly.
Respectfully,
Thos. F. Galwey
15 West 123rd St.,
New York City
-30-
Author’s Note: Both Butler and Galwey relocated to New York City. Butler became keeper of General Grant’s Tomb.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
GALWEY, THOMAS FRANCIS,The_Valiant_Hours,_Narrative_of_"Captain Brevet,"_an_Irish-American_in_the_Army_of_the_Potomac. Harrisburg PA., Stackpole Co., 1961. Col. William S. Nye, Editor
DOWNES, CAPTAIN THOMAS M.F., Co. B. 8th Ohio Infantry (Reenactment)from_a_speech_to_the_Ancient_Order_of Hibernians,_Boland-Berry
Division, Cleveland, Ohio 1989.
CALLAHAN, KENNETH, conversations, 1993 - 2009.
POLICIES OF THE LEFT - DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WHITE MEN
"GROUP WANTS TO ENSURE STIMULUS SPREAD AMONG RACES, WOMEN" read the headline in the Plain Dealer this week. 50 advocacy organizations (they used to be called communist fronts)want President Obama to issue an executive order that "encourages the hiring and training of all underrepresented racial groups, women and low-income residents, to work on federal construction projects, particularly those financed by the economic stimulus package."
President Obama signed an executive order in February, 2009 that "encourage(s) executive agencies to consider requiring the use of project labor agreements on federal construction projects of $25 million or more. PLAs are collective bargaining agreements with labor unions.
Well, there you have it. All in the name of what is being called "diversity". Let's hope the damage control can be strong enough from elected leaders who have a lick of sense in their heads. The majority of us are being made fools.
Looks to me as if it's unconstitutional. Hope about it Supreme Court?
President Obama signed an executive order in February, 2009 that "encourage(s) executive agencies to consider requiring the use of project labor agreements on federal construction projects of $25 million or more. PLAs are collective bargaining agreements with labor unions.
Well, there you have it. All in the name of what is being called "diversity". Let's hope the damage control can be strong enough from elected leaders who have a lick of sense in their heads. The majority of us are being made fools.
Looks to me as if it's unconstitutional. Hope about it Supreme Court?
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISION
Does anybody know the actual figure the SEC has fined American businesses over, let's say, the last 20 years? I've noted it over the years and I'm willing to bet it's astronomical.
Anybody wondering why money (capital) has flown the coop? Or don't you see it?
Anybody wondering why money (capital) has flown the coop? Or don't you see it?
Thursday, April 02, 2009
DON'T YOU SEE IT AMERICA?
Through Sullivan’s Eye, the crux of our economic problems is the fact that business no longer spearheads our economy. Government Inquisition has put their nose in everything, wanting control. It’s the only way Socialism works, at least for awhile. American business isn’t completely guilty, nor are they completely innocent. Greedy buttheads have opened the door to demonization and American media has run with that spin.
Not referenced anywhere are the enormous fines imposed upon American business and industry by our multi-headed serpent, i.e., local, state and federal government. For example, I’ve noted the vast fines imposed on business for years and should’ve been tallying the numbers. The total $ have to be stunning. It would be interesting to actually see them in print, although I doubt if they can be obtained.
One local example is a $17.7 mm judgment against Serpentini Chevrolet, the largest Chevy dealer in Ohio, and 12th largest in the country. If this is the amount they defaulted on, it’s legitimate. But will the 8.3% annual assessment on the unpaid amount really be an incentive for them to pay it back sooner rather than later? It will probably put them under, and put a number of non-union Americans out of work.
Wouldn’t you think that looking over the shoulder of business and warning them of bad practices would have been a better approach? In other words, using a gentle stick rather than a stick-up. Wouldn’t you also think this approach would have benefited ALL Americans rather than the outcome the inquisitions have produced?
Don’t you see it America
Not referenced anywhere are the enormous fines imposed upon American business and industry by our multi-headed serpent, i.e., local, state and federal government. For example, I’ve noted the vast fines imposed on business for years and should’ve been tallying the numbers. The total $ have to be stunning. It would be interesting to actually see them in print, although I doubt if they can be obtained.
One local example is a $17.7 mm judgment against Serpentini Chevrolet, the largest Chevy dealer in Ohio, and 12th largest in the country. If this is the amount they defaulted on, it’s legitimate. But will the 8.3% annual assessment on the unpaid amount really be an incentive for them to pay it back sooner rather than later? It will probably put them under, and put a number of non-union Americans out of work.
Wouldn’t you think that looking over the shoulder of business and warning them of bad practices would have been a better approach? In other words, using a gentle stick rather than a stick-up. Wouldn’t you also think this approach would have benefited ALL Americans rather than the outcome the inquisitions have produced?
Don’t you see it America
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
ANOTHER RACIAL HATE CRIME
Four white police officers were shot to death this month in Oakland, California by a black man.
Where's the "white" outrage?
Where's the "white" outrage?
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Congress Reviews Potential National Security Threat in Disappearance of Somali Youths
"The FBI and counterterrorism officials say the young men appear to be going to Somalia to fight occupying Ethiopian forces but no one can be sure they won't be radicalized and return to the United States."
This Fox News headline underscores the need to curtail immigration from nations such as Somalia. The difference between immigrants today from areas such as Somalia and other areas is the changing of America's culture.
Other immigrant groups in the past have become American; others today become, for example, "Mexicans in America", or "Iraqis in America".
Illegals are adding to the problem, causing the increase of social costs and criminal incidents.
Nobody's at the switch!
This Fox News headline underscores the need to curtail immigration from nations such as Somalia. The difference between immigrants today from areas such as Somalia and other areas is the changing of America's culture.
Other immigrant groups in the past have become American; others today become, for example, "Mexicans in America", or "Iraqis in America".
Illegals are adding to the problem, causing the increase of social costs and criminal incidents.
Nobody's at the switch!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
A SUIT AND TIE DOESN'T MAKE YOU SMART
Sunday, February 15, 2009
North Korea Offers Possible Olive Branch Before Clinton Visit
What a crock.....they're licking their chops over American taxpayer money Hillary and the Obama Administration are talking about giving them in "exchange" for them being a good guy and giving up the nuclear weapon capability they allegedly have.
J. Edgar Hoover called them purveyors of "The Big Lie." They have come to power in the United States and most folks don't even know it.
J. Edgar Hoover called them purveyors of "The Big Lie." They have come to power in the United States and most folks don't even know it.
Friday, February 06, 2009
GIVING FELONS A SECOND CHANCE
Now, doesn't that sound like a great idea? Normally I would think that this might be something good. However, in this day and age, the idea sucks.
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson has employed a drug and sex felon as a traffic cop. His justification? A "Second Chance Program". Well, through this writer's eye, he ought to be considering a "First Chance Program."
What kind of message has he sent to the youth of the community? It's OK to go to prison because when you get out you'll have a job anyhow? You'll get a job that would normally go to one who has stayed on the straight and narrow?
This is another case of the inmates running the institution.
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson has employed a drug and sex felon as a traffic cop. His justification? A "Second Chance Program". Well, through this writer's eye, he ought to be considering a "First Chance Program."
What kind of message has he sent to the youth of the community? It's OK to go to prison because when you get out you'll have a job anyhow? You'll get a job that would normally go to one who has stayed on the straight and narrow?
This is another case of the inmates running the institution.
FEMALE BIAS TOWARDS MEN
Watching FOX News this month, a story on Chief Justice Ginsberg surfaced. She's had a cancer surgery and her tenure as a Justice of the Supreme Court may be ending soon. A woman was interviewed (sorry but I don't remember her name) was interviewed regarding the possibility of an appointment by President Obama. She said, "We're not going back to the days of all men on the Supreme Court", or something to that effect.
Her statement betrayed an attitude that has developed in this nation. We MUST have a woman on the Supreme Court. We MUST have a black on the Supreme Court. We MUST have a Jew on the Supreme Court. Where is all this leading? What's on the horizon? We MUST have a homosexual on the Supreme Court? We must have a homeless person on the Supreme Court? We must have black construction workers replace white construction workers?
In the likely event that I will be branded a homophobe, or anti-female, I would remind readers that my mother was a woman, as is my wife and three daughters. Oh yes, I have six sisters too.
Her statement betrayed an attitude that has developed in this nation. We MUST have a woman on the Supreme Court. We MUST have a black on the Supreme Court. We MUST have a Jew on the Supreme Court. Where is all this leading? What's on the horizon? We MUST have a homosexual on the Supreme Court? We must have a homeless person on the Supreme Court? We must have black construction workers replace white construction workers?
In the likely event that I will be branded a homophobe, or anti-female, I would remind readers that my mother was a woman, as is my wife and three daughters. Oh yes, I have six sisters too.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Reparations for African-Americans
I heard on the radio recently that a Conference on Racism and Reparations was held in Barbados. After convening they voted to exclude any non-blacks from attending. Hmmmm.
When it comes to reparations for African-American descendants of slaves, I’d think that any who think themselves deserving of this should begin with those in the motherland that sold their ancestors in the first place. In case you haven’t figured it out – they were blacks selling blacks.
When it comes to reparations for African-American descendants of slaves, I’d think that any who think themselves deserving of this should begin with those in the motherland that sold their ancestors in the first place. In case you haven’t figured it out – they were blacks selling blacks.
Friday, January 09, 2009
Pounding a square peg through a round hole.
Writing in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, columnist Regina Brett believes a domestic registry for homosexuals is a human and civil rights issue. Huh?
Although I agree with much of whhat she writes, I vehemently disagree with her on this one. It's not about human or civil rights, it's about power. It's about getting the door opened a crack so it can be kicked fully open later.
Why the issue of homosexuality is a political issue used to befuddle me. However, understanding power, I understand matters more fully.
You've heard it before - what is done behind closed doors is ones own business. I condemn the act, not the actors. Sorry, but neither Ms. Brett or Cleveland Councilman Cimperman's self-righteousness on the issue doesn't make it right.
Through Sullivan's Eye, the problem is legitimizing homosexuality - why it's OK to do it; it's a normal thing. Well, it's not normal and I won't sit around and let it the squareness of the issue be pounded through a round hole.
"Don't ask, don't tell." That door's been opened a crack and now they're trying to kick it wide open. Know what I mean?
THIS OPINION IS PROTECTED BY FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS IN THE U.S. CONSTITUTION. ''That Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and consult for their common good, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.''
Although I agree with much of whhat she writes, I vehemently disagree with her on this one. It's not about human or civil rights, it's about power. It's about getting the door opened a crack so it can be kicked fully open later.
Why the issue of homosexuality is a political issue used to befuddle me. However, understanding power, I understand matters more fully.
You've heard it before - what is done behind closed doors is ones own business. I condemn the act, not the actors. Sorry, but neither Ms. Brett or Cleveland Councilman Cimperman's self-righteousness on the issue doesn't make it right.
Through Sullivan's Eye, the problem is legitimizing homosexuality - why it's OK to do it; it's a normal thing. Well, it's not normal and I won't sit around and let it the squareness of the issue be pounded through a round hole.
"Don't ask, don't tell." That door's been opened a crack and now they're trying to kick it wide open. Know what I mean?
THIS OPINION IS PROTECTED BY FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS IN THE U.S. CONSTITUTION. ''That Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and consult for their common good, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.''
Saturday, December 27, 2008
ValKyrie
Possessing a passion for history, I don’t remember when I first became aware of Claus Philipp Maria Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg. I remember him for who he was for what he attempted to accomplish. A German officer during World War II, he was central in German resistance to Nazi rule. He was also Catholic. I write this one day after release of the movie Val Kyrie, Hollywood’s version of events.
Although I haven’t’ seen the movie yet, it appears propagandists still exist. Take Roger Friedman’s review for example. It seems , as if on cue, Friedman has reacted to the movie from a parochial viewpoint. He believes the movie “opens the door to a dangerous new thought: that the Holocaust and all the other atrocities could be of secondary important to the cause of German patriotism.” He is concerned that the movie’s’ characters, “heroes” he calls them, tongue-in-cheek, were aware of what was going around them. Curious reaction from Friedman given the topic of the movie.
Also forgotten in the movie is another central theme of the war, Germany’s attempt to crush the Communist Party government of Moscow’s Joseph Stalin. Like Germany’s Nazi Party, communists killed millions of their own citizens to further their end cause.
Freidman is upset because not once in “Val Kyrie” do any of the movie” “heroes” mention what’s happening around them, “that any of them is appalled by or against what they know is happening or has happened: Hitler has systemically killed millions in the most barbaric ways possible to imagine.”
Val Kyrie is an attempt to bring Von Stauffenberg and his co-conspirators into the light of history. We all know of Nazi atrocities to Jews. However, among those of the Holocaust were others, such as Catholics like Von Stauffenberg. What occurred in Nazi Germany was not solely put upon Jewish people.
If anything, this movie does not appear to be an attempt to de-Nazify Germany. Rather, it is an attempt to cast Germany into proper historic light. Germans have had enough guilt imposed on them. Many theorize World War II would not have occurred if Germany had not suffered the huge remuneration penalties that burdened them after World War I.
Most German soldiers, like German civilians, had been dragged into events they had no power over, the web the Nazi Party was casting. Val Kyrie is, through this writer’s eye, a long-overdue postscript to World War Two and those who sought to change things.
Sullivan, an avid military historian, is an internationally-published writer residing in northeastern Ohio.
Although I haven’t’ seen the movie yet, it appears propagandists still exist. Take Roger Friedman’s review for example. It seems , as if on cue, Friedman has reacted to the movie from a parochial viewpoint. He believes the movie “opens the door to a dangerous new thought: that the Holocaust and all the other atrocities could be of secondary important to the cause of German patriotism.” He is concerned that the movie’s’ characters, “heroes” he calls them, tongue-in-cheek, were aware of what was going around them. Curious reaction from Friedman given the topic of the movie.
Also forgotten in the movie is another central theme of the war, Germany’s attempt to crush the Communist Party government of Moscow’s Joseph Stalin. Like Germany’s Nazi Party, communists killed millions of their own citizens to further their end cause.
Freidman is upset because not once in “Val Kyrie” do any of the movie” “heroes” mention what’s happening around them, “that any of them is appalled by or against what they know is happening or has happened: Hitler has systemically killed millions in the most barbaric ways possible to imagine.”
Val Kyrie is an attempt to bring Von Stauffenberg and his co-conspirators into the light of history. We all know of Nazi atrocities to Jews. However, among those of the Holocaust were others, such as Catholics like Von Stauffenberg. What occurred in Nazi Germany was not solely put upon Jewish people.
If anything, this movie does not appear to be an attempt to de-Nazify Germany. Rather, it is an attempt to cast Germany into proper historic light. Germans have had enough guilt imposed on them. Many theorize World War II would not have occurred if Germany had not suffered the huge remuneration penalties that burdened them after World War I.
Most German soldiers, like German civilians, had been dragged into events they had no power over, the web the Nazi Party was casting. Val Kyrie is, through this writer’s eye, a long-overdue postscript to World War Two and those who sought to change things.
Sullivan, an avid military historian, is an internationally-published writer residing in northeastern Ohio.
Friday, December 19, 2008
BAILING OUT SYNCHRONICITY
Back in the 80s the trucking industry was deregulated. What occurred was the collapse of poorly-managed trucking companies that had been supported by collective rate making. Management and union at the time were in synchronicity with each other. Rate increases were routinely approved by the Interstate Commerce Commission so union wage demands could be met. Teamsters unions were smart. If a national strike was called they didn't strike ALL the trucking companies, they would just choose one of them. Kind of like the UAW.
The safety net of collective rate making went out the door with deregulation. Those companies who had been riding along were forced to close their doors. Thousands of union truck drivers and support personnel were forced onto the streets. No bailout then. Fast forward to 2008.
President Bush has bailed out our automotive industry. We can't close them down, of course. However, I accuse management and labor to be in synchronicity with each, just like pre-regulation trucking in the 80s.
U.S. car makers had it all. When quality was introduced, and the American people began to buy foreign-made cars, the American auto industry woke up. They made giant strides in putting out better cars but they lost one invisible item - MOMENTUM. Kind of like a football team that fumbles the ball on opening drives and allows the opposition to get one or two up on them. It becomes pretty hard to regain any pretense at composure. Unless you have referees who give you the ball back.
President Bush has given the U.S. auto industry the ball back. My prediction is the UAW and American automobile executive management will continue to fumble. The question will then be, who's going to kick the referees out to make sure the rest of us witness an honest game?
The safety net of collective rate making went out the door with deregulation. Those companies who had been riding along were forced to close their doors. Thousands of union truck drivers and support personnel were forced onto the streets. No bailout then. Fast forward to 2008.
President Bush has bailed out our automotive industry. We can't close them down, of course. However, I accuse management and labor to be in synchronicity with each, just like pre-regulation trucking in the 80s.
U.S. car makers had it all. When quality was introduced, and the American people began to buy foreign-made cars, the American auto industry woke up. They made giant strides in putting out better cars but they lost one invisible item - MOMENTUM. Kind of like a football team that fumbles the ball on opening drives and allows the opposition to get one or two up on them. It becomes pretty hard to regain any pretense at composure. Unless you have referees who give you the ball back.
President Bush has given the U.S. auto industry the ball back. My prediction is the UAW and American automobile executive management will continue to fumble. The question will then be, who's going to kick the referees out to make sure the rest of us witness an honest game?
Sunday, December 07, 2008
WHEN BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY RAN AMERICA
It is extremely popular for political writers and elected officials to demonize american business. If one believes Plain Dealer writer Dick Feagler, "Business Leaders Show Ignorance." He, too, demonizes American business. The fault is not entirely theirs however.
If one has followed the path of the fines to our businesses, e.g., EPA and SEC to name a few, the figures number into the hundreds and hundreds of millions. It is as if government entities have the luxury of time to explore us under a microsope. Eureka! We have found an area where we can extract money from them.
Yes, as I said, business leaders have only themselves to blame. But government, through its voracious appetite for extracted money, has forced industry to locate outside of our borders. We are not a place to invest capital. That only leaves a void for government to look for money within the borders. And that ain't much honey.
How does one create an atmosphere for investment? One can begin by looking at the Republic of Ireland where the tax rate for industry is low. Ireland donates money abroad without having to borrow. Contrast this with the tax rate in the British political entity called Northern Ireland and it becomes clear. And we must begin to pay down our national debt.
The incoming Obama administration has only one option. Oh yes, there are others, but they won't have the courage to create an environment for investors, both local and international. The place they want to take us is called socialism.
Profit is now a bad word in America, aided and abetted by government and media. Add the guilty in corporate America to the mix and we're ripe for "change". No, the option they exercise will be to print more money, exactly the same thing that has gotten us to this point. And, at some point, the American dollar will fall. I mean, utterly fail. No socialist government will accept the American dollar. For socialism to "work", every nation's government must be socialistic. Until they are, moral capitalism will be the only entity that creates wealth.
If we don't want wealth, what do we want?
If one has followed the path of the fines to our businesses, e.g., EPA and SEC to name a few, the figures number into the hundreds and hundreds of millions. It is as if government entities have the luxury of time to explore us under a microsope. Eureka! We have found an area where we can extract money from them.
Yes, as I said, business leaders have only themselves to blame. But government, through its voracious appetite for extracted money, has forced industry to locate outside of our borders. We are not a place to invest capital. That only leaves a void for government to look for money within the borders. And that ain't much honey.
How does one create an atmosphere for investment? One can begin by looking at the Republic of Ireland where the tax rate for industry is low. Ireland donates money abroad without having to borrow. Contrast this with the tax rate in the British political entity called Northern Ireland and it becomes clear. And we must begin to pay down our national debt.
The incoming Obama administration has only one option. Oh yes, there are others, but they won't have the courage to create an environment for investors, both local and international. The place they want to take us is called socialism.
Profit is now a bad word in America, aided and abetted by government and media. Add the guilty in corporate America to the mix and we're ripe for "change". No, the option they exercise will be to print more money, exactly the same thing that has gotten us to this point. And, at some point, the American dollar will fall. I mean, utterly fail. No socialist government will accept the American dollar. For socialism to "work", every nation's government must be socialistic. Until they are, moral capitalism will be the only entity that creates wealth.
If we don't want wealth, what do we want?
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
"I DON'T KNOW WHAT HE'S GONNA DO BUT HE'S GONNA DO SOMETHING"
Those words were spoken by a black man on WHK Radio news, 1420am, Cleveland, Ohio, on the morning following Obama's election. And, in those words one finds the reason many voted for Obama.
The quest for the White House by the Democratic National Committee was crafted to look as either-or. In other words, blacks voted for another black. Many "white" Americans voted for Obama to show that they are not prejudiced.
I don't know about others, but this has never been my case. I will vote for who I believe to be the right man or woman....I just haven't seen that person emerge yet.
In all this, I believe liberal Americans voted for Obama for the wrong reasons and some, witness the radio interview referenced above, only voted for him because he's black. We'll now give it four years to see what damage is done.
The quest for the White House by the Democratic National Committee was crafted to look as either-or. In other words, blacks voted for another black. Many "white" Americans voted for Obama to show that they are not prejudiced.
I don't know about others, but this has never been my case. I will vote for who I believe to be the right man or woman....I just haven't seen that person emerge yet.
In all this, I believe liberal Americans voted for Obama for the wrong reasons and some, witness the radio interview referenced above, only voted for him because he's black. We'll now give it four years to see what damage is done.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Redistribution of Income or Payment for past injustices
We have learned this week that Senator Obama, in a NPR Interview in recent years, said the Supreme Court did not go far enough with Civil Rights. In an allegory he said the Court should have addressed paying for the meals at the lunch counter.
What Americans can expect from a Democratically-trolled House, Senate and White House will be the words - REPARATIONS. This is their justification for the evil of slavery.
Many other ethnic races and nations, particularly the Irish and the Poles, could rightly claim REPARATIONS from England and Germany/Russia respectively.
An Obama presidency scares the hell of me.
What Americans can expect from a Democratically-trolled House, Senate and White House will be the words - REPARATIONS. This is their justification for the evil of slavery.
Many other ethnic races and nations, particularly the Irish and the Poles, could rightly claim REPARATIONS from England and Germany/Russia respectively.
An Obama presidency scares the hell of me.
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