Time to Coalesce

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The evangelical insiders are calling for a third party alternative to run against the 2 potential nominees of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. According to reports it’s an 80% majority who would support such a move.

This is wrong. At the very beginning of this political campaign season the evangelicals were calling for a coalescing of GOP supporters to their favored candidate before a single vote was cast.

Now a good majority of the primary/caucus votes have been cast. Now is the time to coalesce. But not around the candidate who is constantly coming in 3rd or 4th place in these votes. It is time to coalesce around Donald Trump.

Love him or hate him. He is the only chance the GOP has of defeating Hillary Clinton in November.

If an evangelical third party were to get on the ballot who would be it’s nominee? It can’t be Ted Cruz. He made a promise to support the GOP nominee even if it was Donald Trump. He would be a liar if he were to be a 3rd party candidate.

No third party candidate has ever won the White House. In our system it is a wasted vote. And usually one that favors the liberal progressive Democrat who is running for President.

All a third party candidate has ever done is to take votes away from the primary parties. And in this case it would be taking votes away from Donald Trump. And allowing Hillary Clinton to win the White House.

And staying home and not voting has the same result of voting third party. Four years of Hillary Clinton. Four years of more failed progressive socialist doctrine. Four years of more pushing the country further left. Four years of more assaults on liberty and Christian beliefs.

It has been rumored that if Hillary Clinton is elected President. She will nominate Obama to the Supreme Court. Do you REALLY want that to happen?

So now is the time to coalesce unless your goal is to see Hillary Clinton elected as President of the United States. And if that happens it will be even harder four or eight years down the road to elect a conservative to any office again.

A New Feature!

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For those of you who enjoy my musings (and even for those of you who think I’m the worst hack since Lizzie Borden), I am happy to announce a new (hopefully) weekly feature.

Have you been confused by some of the new words coming from the Left? Do you wish there was a way to learn about these new words without having to delve into the world of microaggressions, white privilege, and gender fluidity? Well, now you can, thanks to your humble correspondent. Starting soon, you will see the Leftist Lexicon Word of the Week. Not only will you get the definition of the word, but you will also get what it really means as well as a brief commentary about the word.

Be watching this site, and as always, keep your feet on the ground and your head on top of your neck!

Mr. Obama Goes to Cuba

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As I write this, President Obama is in Cuba as a part of his Administration’s attempts to normalize relations with the island country. And with this Administration’s track record in dealing with foreign countries with a history of hating America, what could go wrong?

Well, plenty, actually.

Let’s not kid ourselves here. Our relationship with Cuba is Ike and Tina Turner level bad, and no amount of good will on our part will change that. Why? Because Cuba hasn’t changed yet. It’s still being ruled by a Castro, Raul to be precise. And Raul is just as reluctant to give up communism as his brother Fidel was. That means there is a natural tension between the US and Cuba. After all, we took down communism in the form of the USSR in the 80s, and some things don’t just fade away. There are still plenty of leaders willing to try to fill in the gaps left by the absence of the Soviet Union, including the current dictator…I’m sorry, leader of Russia, Vladimir Putin. You know, the guy who still thinks the Soviet Union was a good idea and refuses to be swayed by pesky things like facts and history?

And that’s not counting China, North Korea, and much of the Middle East, all of whom have not just a beef with us, but an entire cattle ranch.

On the other side of the equation, we have America, a country that has fallen pretty far down the world rankings in the past couple of decades. Our leader is a man who isn’t geopolitically savvy by any stretch of the imagination making the third worst foreign policy decision in his Presidency. (The first and second being making Hillary Clinton and John Kerry Secretary of State, although they flip-flop positions like…well, Hillary Clinton and John Kerry.) The Iran Deal was bad. The Cuba trip has all the makings of Bay of Pigs II: Electric Boogaloo because there really is no logic behind it, just President Obama’s decision to make it so.

To put it another way, our enemies get a foothold 90 miles off our mainland, and we get…photo ops with Obama standing in front of a giant Che Guevara mural. With Photoshop and Twitter, we could have accomplished the same thing under Obama’s “hashtag diplomacy” strategy and without having to add to Obama’s carbon footprint. Then again, maybe he’s getting some cigars out of the deal and didn’t want the hassle of trying to go through Customs with illegal contraband.

Either way, normalizing relations with Cuba just doesn’t sit well with me because we’re not getting much out of the deal. Just like our attempts to normalize relations with China under George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton by ignoring their human rights violations and giving them Most Favored Nation status, I see Obama’s efforts with Cuba winding up as a big blunder that is quickly forgotten by both sides.

Social Media

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There are a ton of social media sites out on the internet now days. We have Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Flickr, DeviantArt, Foursquare, Google+, Identi.ca, Instagram, and MySpace, just to name a few. There are many more than these.

Some are designed and targeted to specific interest groups while others are more generalized. Some have apps and file sharing while others are just text based. And everything in between.

I have accounts on several of the sites I listed above. Some are very inactive accounts as I haven’t looked at them or updated anything on them in years. And some social media sites I just visit without being a member and browse the postings without leaving any of my own.

The goal of social media is to have virtual interactions like we would have in real life. One-on-one or in groups settings. Be it games, general chit-chat, or business collaboration. Even blogs like this one are a form of social media as they encourage interaction between users and visitors.

The most common complaints against today’s social media sites are on the topics of privacy/security, censorship, and content ownership. And sometimes they are just a time suck. Facebook is hit quite often with these types of complaints.

But there are alternatives to these social media sites where the issues of privacy/security, censorship, and content ownership are greatly reduced. And these alternatives have been around far longer than the term “social media”. In fact social media has really been around since the infancy of the internet. And many of these ancient alternative social media forms are still in use today. Even by you right now.

E-mail (electronic mail) is the oldest form of social media. One-on-one and group conversations are all possible. Files can be shared, edited, and re-shared again. And it is generally very private. You don’t have to worry about another friend who wasn’t included accidentally seeing your e-mail post.

IRC (internet relay chat) is also an early form of social media. And like e-mail it’s still very much around. Even if you currently participate in some fancy web-based text chatroom it might be IRC driving it behind the scenes. With IRC you have a lot of control on who you let into your chat and who you do not.

Both IRC and e-mail predate webpages. There was no world wide web on the internet when people started with e-mail and they were chatting on IRC. The last early form of social media had it’s birth after the web came into being. It was the start of the internet as we know it today. These are online forums. With forums groups could interact with one another and individuals could also have private conversations as well. Pictures, documents, and other files could also be shared and downloaded just as they are today. And forum administrators could setup private boards that only it’s users could see.

So social media has been around for a long time. From the very birth of the internet. It’s outward forms have changed over the years but many of the oldest are still around. I am a member of a couple of online forums that date back more than 10 years. And they are still going on today. If you don’t care for the current incarnations of social media try the grandparents that started it all.

The President We Deserve

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If current events are any indication of future outcomes, we are looking at Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton as the Presidential nominees for the Republican and Democrat Parties respectively. People on both sides of the aisle are salivating at this possibility of these two titans locking horns in November.

On the one hand, we have a man who isn’t known for his tact being the head of the diplomatic corps of the most powerful country in the world. On the other hand, we have a woman who isn’t known for her integrity having the ability to sic the power of the federal government on anyone who dares oppose her. And when these two forces clash, we could be seeing a bloody political war that will make Thunderdome look like a church picnic.

There was a time when Trump and Clinton wouldn’t even be elected assistant to the assistant to the dog catcher, let alone to the most powerful position in the country. But here we are on the verge of electing either one of them.

Is anyone else really scared right now? As we prepare for the first post-Obama Presidency, we have to be careful not to give in to our worst instincts and elect someone unprepared for the gravity of the position. With both Trump and Clinton, I’m not sure either one is ready to be President. After nearly 8 years of an unprepared and unwilling student as President, we can’t make a mistake this time.

Trump could turn out to be a Republican Obama, and Hillary could be Obama’s third term. Neither one appeals to me all that much. But unless something major happens to one or both campaigns, we’re looking at the possibility one or the other happening.

And then we’ll get the President we deserve.

Answer to The Blaze

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On Tuesday the Ides of March (interestingly enough) a blogger by the name of Matt Walsh wrote an anti-Trump post for “The Blaze”. An online publication site owned by Rafael Edward Cruz supporter Glen Beck.

In his post, Matt attacks not only Trump, those that generally support Trump, but those conservative leaders who also support Trump. Following the lines of other Cruz slappies Matt goes on to imply that if one supports Trump that you are anti-Christian, and not really a true conservative.

He also uses Holy Scripture to prove his point of view. Quoting Ephesians 5:6 and 11, and mentioning the Books of Colossians and 2nd Timothy.

But he forgets, conveniently, to quote Scripture that would have a lot to say about the end times of our day that would put Rafael Edward Cruz in a bad light.

Matthew 7:22-23
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

2nd Timothy 3:5
having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

Mark 13:21-23
At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.

2nd Peter 2:1-3
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them — bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. There condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction had not been sleeping.

The fabricated stories out of the Cruz leadership at the Iowa Caucus that resulted in the greed of a Cruz win. In Iowa, most people outside of politics just don’t understand just how easy that could have been avoided. All the Cruz leadership had to do was call the Carson leadership to confirm. They all have each others numbers here in Iowa. But it’s obvious it wasn’t done which indicates the deception towards Iowa voters was planned.

I could name names as Matt did in his post. But the Cruz leadership in Iowa know who they are and they know full well what they did was wrong.

Those of us Christian Conservatives who are supporting Donald Trump know he isn’t the ideal candidate. But he is an honest one. Our nation has drifted so far away from the original intent that someone who stands firmly in that spot is truly unelectable. Small steps are needed to bring us back. And we start with Trump.

Remember to check Holy Scripture into the character of the men that God himself chose to lead His people. Many of them are not at all godly and all of them had deep character faults. God qualifies the called. He does not call the qualified. This is all for God’s Glory not ours.

2 man race

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Looking over the numbers for delegates needed and available for the GOP nomination. This really is a two-man race between Trump and Cruz. The majority of the remaining delegates are in winner-take-all states.

Kasich has no chance at all in this race. Even if he wins his home state of Ohio. That’s only 66 more delegates. He would finally break over 100 at that point. But to win the nomination he needs 1,183 more delegates out of the 1,435 remaining delegates. Kasich would have to win all of the 17 winner-take-all states and the majority of the remaining states. So Kasich needs a miracle to win at this point.

Rubio is doing better than Kasich. But he too would need the 99 delegates from his home state of Florida and the rest of the winner-take-all states just like Kasich. Rubio has a better chance than Kasich but its still a long-shot. And not a bet I would take.

Cruz, the only contender to Trump, is going to have to sweep the winner-take-all states as well. He needs 878 delegates to get the nomination. 898 are available in the 17 winner-take-all states. Cruz will fall short if he doesn’t get all of these states. He just doesn’t have enough delegates at this point.

Trump on the other hand has the winning cards right now. He is ahead in delegates and by popular vote as well. But he still needs 779 more delegates to get the nomination. If Trump can get the majority of the proportional states and half of the winner-take-all states he can win the nomination. Given Trump’s current record this is very much a possibility.

With all four candidates in the race up to the GOP convention it is highly likely that Donald Trump will be that nominee.

Term Limits

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I have long been an opponent of term limits but now I believe them to be the saving grace for our Republic.

We have an issue with voter apathy in our great nation. It causes the Republic to fail at all levels of government and has created our political elite class of career politicians.

So we can do nothing and watch the Republic continue to fall and eventually collapse on itself. Or we can institute mandatory voter registration and participation statues. This makes sure everyone votes but the quality of those votes may slip drastically. As it has in other nations that currently have such legislation.

That leaves us with the only option of mandating term limits on all branches of government at all levels of government.

In my home state we have a governor currently in the middle of his sixth term. He is now the longest serving governor in the United States. Although he did have a period between terms, it is still a very long time. 22 years thus far being governor. He might as well be a King. My mother before her death back in 2007 called him “governor for life”.

Likewise our senior US Senator has been in office since 1981. He too is on his sixth term in office at 35 straight years.

These are just my own local examples. I’m sure they can be found in every state of our Republic. We need to end this political elite class and bring “We the People” back to government. Term limits sound like the best answer.

Based on the term limits for President found in 22nd Amendment. We can expand these by legislation to other branches of government and their offices.

For those executive powers, they should be limited to 2 terms. Generally 8 years for most governors. As this is the limit already in place for the President.

Senators, likewise, should be limited to 2 terms. At the national level that is 12 years in office as they have a 6 year term. States should also limit their own in a similar manner.

Members of the House get a bonus on the number of terms, since they have a 2 year term of office. Give them 5 terms, which is 10 years. About the average between other office holders already mentioned.

Lastly we have the black robed tyrants. The judges. This branch is not elected but appointed by those we elect. As appropriate in a Republic. But they have a life-time appointment to the bench. I am not against the life-time appointment of judges. But I think “We the People” need a bit of a stronger voice when it comes to who is sitting on the benches.

Many states already have some kind of a judicial retention vote. This should be adopted by all states at the state level and also adopted at the federal level. Thus all courts from the smallest county magistrate to the Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court will face a retention vote.

Taking the play from my own state’s play book for the retention process. Every judge will come up for retention after their 1st year on the bench after they have been appointed. And then every 6th year from their appointment. This will enable “We the People” to have a bit stronger voice in the checks and balances of our Republic and government. And will bring about the end of the political elites.

3rd Generation Raspberry Pi

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Well the folks at the Raspberry Pi Foundation have come out with the 3rd generation Raspberry Pi board. And I am amazed. It has a faster 64bit processor than previous versions. It also now has Bluetooth and wireless built in. And compared to my 1st generation Raspberry Pi board, this one makes me want to get the new version. And I will.

And of course it still runs Linux and even since the 2nd generation Microsoft has gotten into the RPi act and made an RPi Windows 10 version as well for those interested in that. I might go ahead and turn my old RPi into a full time media server and then use the new one to play around with and see what I can do with it.

The sad part is, with the 3rd generation of the Raspberry Pi, they will be hard to obtain at first until production meets the demand. But still at just $35 for the board. It’s the best deal out there for a computer.

Check out the 3rd Generation Raspberry Pi

An Open Letter to President Obama

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President Barack Obama
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC

Mr. President,
Hey! How are the wife and kids? How’s the short game treating ya?

If I may be serious for a moment, I know you’re in the process of picking a replacement for late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and you’ve run into some opposition from the Senate Judiciary Committee (who is using the same argument you, Vice President Joe Biden, Senator Charles Schumer, and Senate Democrats in 1960 used, but, hey, who’s paying attention right?). You and I are not on the same page politically, but it’s time we put that aside for the betterment of the country.

That’s why I’m offering to be your nominee to replace Justice Scalia.

Now, before you start sending the authorities to my house to determine my sanity and whether I’m a threat to myself and others, let me explain. I have given this a lot of thought and I think I would be the perfect candidate for many reasons, the most compelling of which are as follows:

  1. I wouldn’t consent to a Senate confirmation hearing. The Constitution states the role of the Senate is to give “advice and consent” to any nominations the President makes. As a Constitutional scholar yourself (or as your followers…I mean supporters keep reminding us you are), you can see there is no requirement to hold any hearings on my nomination, just to give advice and consent. Instead of a stuffy Senate meeting room, we could have the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee come over to either my house or yours and just hang out with a few beers. And from what I’ve heard, you guys do make a pretty good brew in the White House!2. I wouldn’t allow my feelings to get in the way of doing my job. This country is fractured on many levels, so clear thinking from the highest court in the land is essential. Unfortunately, the High Court has allowed emotions and political leanings get in the way of making just decisions with respects to the Constitution. I may not like some of the things you’ve proposed, but I would give them a fair hearing before I rendered my decision. If your ideas are great, they should be able to stand on their own merits in the marketplace of ideas.

    3. I’m not a lawyer or a judge. Yeah, at first that sounds like a knock against me, but hear me out. I have been studying the Constitution since 1987 and feel I have a pretty good grasp and respect for it. That cannot be said of some of the people on your short list. Instead of relying on the simple language of the Constitution, too many lawyers and judges attempt to use legal reasoning so tortured it’s against the Geneva Convention just to get what they want codified into law. I don’t care about being famous; I just want to make something complex simple, and I bring that to the table.

    4. I would make both major parties mad at me at some point. Again, this seems like a negative, but it’s actually a positive. Democrats and Republicans (and their lawyer buddies) love to push for their agendas to be reflected in judicial rulings. I eschew that kind of thinking in favor of original intent. That’s bound to put people’s panties in a bunch!n I mean, how DARE a Supreme Court Justice do his or her job the way the Constitution says!

    5) I would be a LOT of fun! Ask anyone who has worked with me in a cubicle farm about how I would decorate my desk. Imagine that kind of spirit in a black robe and, BINGO!

    The ball’s in your court…er, green. I will await your call, email, Secret Service detail, cease and desist order, whichever you feel is appropriate to address my offer.