I need to back up a bit here, because already I've gotten ahead of myself.
I have many opinions on many subjects, and have discussed and debated these subjects in many forums: talking with family and friends, entries on other blogs, letters to op-ed pages in both electronic and print media, and so on. But I have always felt a level of uncertainty, because I'm not sure I have all the relevant facts, and frustration, because I seem to always forget some key point until after the discussion is over. The thought occurred to me, some time ago, that writing out (Computer: "Ummm, you're typing." Me: "Yeah, whatever.") my thoughts, and then re-visiting these writings (Computer: "TYPINGS!!!" Me: "Will you just let it go?"), when I get new information or some new perspective, would be an excellent way to reinforce, refine, or modify my positions.
But there's a problem with that, as well, i.e. just typing my thoughts in some document on my own PC might be all well and good, but that doesn't serve the idea of "refining." Oh, sure, I can get input from any number of sources, but usually the action is all in one direction: I'm absorbing, either from the television or the computer. Discussions with live people are great except, as noted above, it has its own drawbacks.
So, I finally decided I would blog. It provides me with a platform upon which I can write down (Computer: "You're not writing, you're typing!" Me: "Oh, shut up, already!!!") my thoughts AND it provides for more interaction between myself and others who enjoy issues-oriented discussions.
I had thought to note in my FPOB a summary of many positions upon which I will be elaborating. So much for that idea - there can be only one FPOB, and that is already posted. So the SPOB (Second Post Of the Blog) will have to serve. To wit:
- I am conservative, the reasons for which should become apparent through this blog.
- I am a federalist, i.e. I believe in a sound central government for our nation, but one which is limited in its scope.
- "Trading freedom for security, and losing both" has been applied mostly in arguments regarding national security, especially the Patriot Act. I see every single law passed by government at every level as such a trade.
- I believe our tax code has become the second-to-last refuge of scoundrels (the first refuge is, of course, "patriotism.")*, and has become possibly the foundation for most cases of abuse of power - again, by government at every level. Bring on a flat tax rate.
- No, despite the sentiments expressed in the previous statements, I am not an anarchist, i.e. "get rid of all government". I probably lean towards libertarian.
- "Eliminate the IRS." While I appreciate the sentiment, let's be realistic, shall we? The federal government does have some legitimate functions, and as such, a legitimate need for revenue. Regardless of the source, an agency of some type will be necessary to manage the collection of said revenue.
- I believe Social Security should revert back to the role originally envisioned (or stated, anyway - who knows what FDR actually had in mind): a program to ensure a subsistence level of income, not the fully-paid pension as people have come to see it.
- I believe Barack Hussein Obama II is a legal citizen of the country. Can we PLEASE move on? (Note: the federal lawsuit to have Obama declared ineligible was filed by a Hillary Clinton supporter. True statement!)
- I do not believe the US government, or any member thereof, had anything to do with the attacks of 9/11.
- I believe in the soul, ... the hanging curve ball, high fiber, good scotch, that the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent, overrated crap. I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, ... opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days. (Okay, okay, ripped without shame from "Bull Durham" - great bit from a great movie.)
- I think it the height of stupidity to send money to Washington DC and then have to figure out how to get it back to pay for local needs - that's what local taxes are supposed to be for. Highways and local schools are two such areas that come to mind.
- I believe there are too many occasions when racial has been equated with racist.
- I believe in the elimination of the corporate income tax, the capital gains tax, and the inheritance tax, all of which are nothing more than spending enablers for politicians.
- I find interesting the idea of repealing the 17th Amendment to the Constitution, which provides for direct election of Senators by voters, placing such elections back in the hands of the state legislatures.
- I believe the jihadi prison at Guantanamo Bay should remain open.
- I question the justification for Operation(s) Desert Shield/Desert Storm, aka the "First Gulf War".
- I do not question the need for Operation Iraqi Freedom, based on the information available at the time.
- I absolutely do not question the need for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
- I believe Russia is still worthy of suspicion.
- I believe China is still worthy of suspicion.
- I believe North Korea needs to be invaded by China and South Korea. (Computer: "But you just said..." Me: "Yeah, I know - it's complicated.")
- I believe Iran is pursuing nuclear arms with aggression.
- I believe there are no good approaches to prevent or counter a nuclear-armed Iran.
- I believe war with Iran is becoming more and more likely.
- I refuse to "be green," although I have taken to using fluorescent bulbs since they do seem to last longer then incandescent bulbs.
- "Anthropogenic climate change" might or might not be occurring. Regardless, I believe the potential effects have been enormously overblown.
- I believe high-profile advocates of sacrifice should walk the walk; this is an area where I will be hard-pressed to avoid posting vulgarities of the worst kind. (Computer: "Temper, temper!" Me: "You want me to start with you? I can always get another PC and recycle you!")
This is hardly a comprehensive list, but I think it's a good start. Please feel free to comment - that's the whole idea behind this effort, to get feedback and develop some interaction.
*UPDATE - Much to my chagrin, I have found that the widely recognized phrases are actually, "The claim of consensus is the first refuge of scoundrels", and "Patriotism is the final refuge of the scoundrel" (Samuel Johnson, 1775). Mea culpa.
I have many opinions on many subjects, and have discussed and debated these subjects in many forums: talking with family and friends, entries on other blogs, letters to op-ed pages in both electronic and print media, and so on. But I have always felt a level of uncertainty, because I'm not sure I have all the relevant facts, and frustration, because I seem to always forget some key point until after the discussion is over. The thought occurred to me, some time ago, that writing out (Computer: "Ummm, you're typing." Me: "Yeah, whatever.") my thoughts, and then re-visiting these writings (Computer: "TYPINGS!!!" Me: "Will you just let it go?"), when I get new information or some new perspective, would be an excellent way to reinforce, refine, or modify my positions.
But there's a problem with that, as well, i.e. just typing my thoughts in some document on my own PC might be all well and good, but that doesn't serve the idea of "refining." Oh, sure, I can get input from any number of sources, but usually the action is all in one direction: I'm absorbing, either from the television or the computer. Discussions with live people are great except, as noted above, it has its own drawbacks.
So, I finally decided I would blog. It provides me with a platform upon which I can write down (Computer: "You're not writing, you're typing!" Me: "Oh, shut up, already!!!") my thoughts AND it provides for more interaction between myself and others who enjoy issues-oriented discussions.
I had thought to note in my FPOB a summary of many positions upon which I will be elaborating. So much for that idea - there can be only one FPOB, and that is already posted. So the SPOB (Second Post Of the Blog) will have to serve. To wit:
- I am conservative, the reasons for which should become apparent through this blog.
- I am a federalist, i.e. I believe in a sound central government for our nation, but one which is limited in its scope.
- "Trading freedom for security, and losing both" has been applied mostly in arguments regarding national security, especially the Patriot Act. I see every single law passed by government at every level as such a trade.
- I believe our tax code has become the second-to-last refuge of scoundrels (the first refuge is, of course, "patriotism.")*, and has become possibly the foundation for most cases of abuse of power - again, by government at every level. Bring on a flat tax rate.
- No, despite the sentiments expressed in the previous statements, I am not an anarchist, i.e. "get rid of all government". I probably lean towards libertarian.
- "Eliminate the IRS." While I appreciate the sentiment, let's be realistic, shall we? The federal government does have some legitimate functions, and as such, a legitimate need for revenue. Regardless of the source, an agency of some type will be necessary to manage the collection of said revenue.
- I believe Social Security should revert back to the role originally envisioned (or stated, anyway - who knows what FDR actually had in mind): a program to ensure a subsistence level of income, not the fully-paid pension as people have come to see it.
- I believe Barack Hussein Obama II is a legal citizen of the country. Can we PLEASE move on? (Note: the federal lawsuit to have Obama declared ineligible was filed by a Hillary Clinton supporter. True statement!)
- I do not believe the US government, or any member thereof, had anything to do with the attacks of 9/11.
- I believe in the soul, ... the hanging curve ball, high fiber, good scotch, that the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent, overrated crap. I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, ... opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days. (Okay, okay, ripped without shame from "Bull Durham" - great bit from a great movie.)
- I think it the height of stupidity to send money to Washington DC and then have to figure out how to get it back to pay for local needs - that's what local taxes are supposed to be for. Highways and local schools are two such areas that come to mind.
- I believe there are too many occasions when racial has been equated with racist.
- I believe in the elimination of the corporate income tax, the capital gains tax, and the inheritance tax, all of which are nothing more than spending enablers for politicians.
- I find interesting the idea of repealing the 17th Amendment to the Constitution, which provides for direct election of Senators by voters, placing such elections back in the hands of the state legislatures.
- I believe the jihadi prison at Guantanamo Bay should remain open.
- I question the justification for Operation(s) Desert Shield/Desert Storm, aka the "First Gulf War".
- I do not question the need for Operation Iraqi Freedom, based on the information available at the time.
- I absolutely do not question the need for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
- I believe Russia is still worthy of suspicion.
- I believe China is still worthy of suspicion.
- I believe North Korea needs to be invaded by China and South Korea. (Computer: "But you just said..." Me: "Yeah, I know - it's complicated.")
- I believe Iran is pursuing nuclear arms with aggression.
- I believe there are no good approaches to prevent or counter a nuclear-armed Iran.
- I believe war with Iran is becoming more and more likely.
- I refuse to "be green," although I have taken to using fluorescent bulbs since they do seem to last longer then incandescent bulbs.
- "Anthropogenic climate change" might or might not be occurring. Regardless, I believe the potential effects have been enormously overblown.
- I believe high-profile advocates of sacrifice should walk the walk; this is an area where I will be hard-pressed to avoid posting vulgarities of the worst kind. (Computer: "Temper, temper!" Me: "You want me to start with you? I can always get another PC and recycle you!")
This is hardly a comprehensive list, but I think it's a good start. Please feel free to comment - that's the whole idea behind this effort, to get feedback and develop some interaction.
*UPDATE - Much to my chagrin, I have found that the widely recognized phrases are actually, "The claim of consensus is the first refuge of scoundrels", and "Patriotism is the final refuge of the scoundrel" (Samuel Johnson, 1775). Mea culpa.
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