The Real Story

H/T Carpe Diem

Top Party Schools 2009

The Princeton Review has released their annual list of top party schools of 2009.

Some 122,000 students were surveyed and Penn State is the 2009 champion.

My old stomping grounds up at Florida State came in a very respectable 9th.

Obviously, the partaking has fallen off some since I left, but let it be known we did plenty of damage back in the day. The evidence of our efforts is captured in this 1986 photo from the best bar on campus, The Phyrst.

Unfortunately, the Phyrst was bulldozed and is now a dormitory.


Oh, the good ole days. How bout them 'Noles!

Help Is On The Way

Help is on the way!

No, not that help. The Obama train wreck continues.

Although we were not invited to the "teachable moment" beer summit, that does not mean we can't have some fun!



Wayne Nelson and The Little River Band return to the Hard Rock Orlando Velvet Sessions tonight for an evening of grand ole tunes. Free beer until 8:30.

Now, that is a welcomed development!



I'll be there undercover!

UPDATE:

Another outstanding performance!

Political Crossroad Approaching Fast

With the announcement that US Senator Mel Martinez (R:FL), an Orlandoan and fellow Seminole whose term I view as a solid disappointment, will not seek re-election, a list of candidates on both sides has emerged. It is on the Republican side that a real time for choosing is at hand, as it appears this election will be a microcosm for the entire country.

The Republican battle seems to be between current Florida Governor Charlie Christ and former Speaker of The State House of Representatives Marco Rubio. The debate has begun.



The popularity of Charlie Christ has dropped considerably over the last several months. I have met Christ, voted for him for Governor and generally like him (another fellow Seminole). Like many, I was appalled when he joined with President Obama in supporting the stimulus, or spendulus, package, which has been quite unsuccessful.

In thinking of the unsavory direction the Obama administration is taking the country, and in particular the spending package which Christ supports, the time is now to stand up and separate ourselves from the politicians which do not stand behind a set of core conservative principles. The primary is the place to put forth a candidate that has those principles, which will make you vote for a candidate in the general election rather than choosing the best of two evils.

That candidate in this Senate race is Marco Rubio, who has established a solid record in the State House, inclduing on the very important issue of property rights, and is vigorously against the policies put forth by the Obama administration. I hope you will join me in supporting Rubio in the primary.

If Christ prevails, he will get my support over the list of Democrats currently running. And if I see him up in the University Center at an FSU game, I will respectfully give him a piece of my mind.

Lets get behind Rubio to make sure this does not happen! In my opinion, America is at a very dangerous crossroad. The time for choosing is now!

Don't Get Fooled Again

Like many of you out there, I have been trying to evaluate what exactly is going on in Washington. Decisions are being made which make no economic sense placing our country in great peril all the while laws are being broken (debt holders in the car bailouts).

A full assault on small business seemingly trying to break the entrepreneurial spirit is coupled with a severe ramp up in excessive costs, taxation and regulation. Massive government laws are being proposed and passed without the proper debate. In fact, the congress is not only not reading these bills, they are passing bills in principle that have not even been crafted yet. And, this is being done against public approval.

Should the Congress ever get a backbone, some 35 Tsars have been created to push the agenda. These individuals answer to the President, and are not accountable to the American people.

The system is being overwhelmed. The federal deficit is expanding exponentially with money we do not have, saddling generations to come with a smothering debt. This is nonsensical. What is going on?

As usual, Glenn Beck has a thought, and regrettably, I feel he is right on target. Take a listen.



Essentially, through massive government programs, it boils down to redistribution of wealth, from those that have it to those who do not, which disproportionally effects, and in this case, benefits minorities.

I am wholeheartedly against this. I remember in grade school the kids who disrupted class and did not apply themselves, for whatever reason. They are the ones who did not put the hard work necessary into preparing themselves to be competitive in the marketplace and therefore are not as successful as others may be.

In the capitalist system, there are winners and losers. If you are losing, you work through vehicles like education and work ethic to become more competitive. This is the thought process that made this country great, and losing it to socialist policies like government initiated redistribution of wealth, particularly to right perceived wrongs from the past, will no doubt lower the standard of living, eventually, for all of us.

This adminstration is pulling a fast one on all of us. Educate yourself and don't be fooled!

Feds Strike Blow To Orlando Economy

The actions of our government never cease to amaze me. Orlando, has been put on a "no fun" list of cities to avoid for conventions and business meetings going forward. CNBC's Mark Haines chats with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer about this nonsense:



Since the government is commanding more control of the economy seemingly daily, should this policy become strictly implemented, the policy would strike a blow to our number one local industry, tourism, which would be a catastrophe for the Orlando economy .

It is indeed time to take a stand on the "remaking of America", as the implemetation of these idiotic policies going forward, (Cap & Trade and nationalized health care?) will continue to handicap our economic growth. Higher taxes and regulation cause limited economic growth which equates to a limited increase, if any, in employment. With consumers handicapped in spending in a very suspect job market, growth will be non existent.

You do not have be an economist to recognize this is not good.

Fearless Pioneers

It was 40 years ago today that perhaps the greatest achievement of mankind took place as American astronauts landed on the Moon.

The bravery of these men, and those who have participated in the various programs since the inception of our commitment to space, is something to marvel at.

As an Orlando resident, we can visually see the shuttle launches and hear the sonic booms when the shuttle returns. It is breathtaking, and most in the area are big supporters of the space program.

To Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins, job well done Gentlemen, and a giant step for mankind it certainly was.

The Cars Americans Want

We continue to hear from analysts from every nook and cranny that the American car companies do not build cars that Americans want. This is nonsense, and I have written about it extensively on the blog, most notably HERE and HERE.

AOL ran a story today listing a handful of some outstanding vehicles and identifying cheaper alternatives called "Drive Like Rockstar On A Roadie's Budget"

Here is what AOL had to say about the BMW M5, which by all accounts is a superb vehicle, priced at around $80,000.

When it comes to sports sedans, there are few who would deny the M5 a rightful place at the top. The limited-production M5 can out-accelerate, out-brake and out-corner some of the most expensive sports cars, with comfortable seating for five. It's powered by a hand-built 500-hp 5.0-liter V10, with suspension and brakes enhanced to match all the power. Buyers can choose between a 7-speed Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) with steering wheel paddles or 6-speed manual transmission

And AOL's suggested alternative, priced at $35,000, the Pontiac G8 GXP, the newly named wide track Grand Prix:

The Pontiac G8 (especially the V-8 versions found in GT and GXP trims) is every bit the poor man's (or maybe it's more correctly noted as "wise man's") BMW M5. Aping the performance-minded rear-drive setup of the BMW, Pontiac's hot sedan puts down 355 horsepower in GT trim or a whopping 415 in GXP trim. That's serious armament for a vehicle that starts in the high 20s (or low to mid 30s for the V-8s). While the Pontiac will never confuse itself for BMW on the inside, we think the sporty and clean lines of the exterior are a no-nonsense homage to some of BMW's best. In fact, we might even opt for the Pontiac even if money was no option.

I already have opted for the Pontiac G8 (Grand Prix) GXP.

And while these glowing assessments of the Pontiac G8 GXP continue, like this one, Obama's and his Car Tsar have taken over GM and decided to eliminate the Pontiac Motor Division. This is yet another "brilliant' move by the group of morons running our country these days.

The Knockout Of A Boxer

Representing the bankrupt state of California, Senator Barbara Boxer continues to operate with a level of arrogance not becoming a US Senator.

Just over a month ago, Boxer hammered a Brigadier General for no reason displaying her loathing of the US Military. She found it completely inappropriate for him to refer to her as Maam instead of Senator. She worked really hard to get that title.

This week, she dug herself quite a hole by insulting the Chairman of the National Black Chamber of Commerce. Glenn Beck makes commentary on it:



While insulting all kinds of folks, she is still operating on the clean energy global warming mantra all the while her state is insolvent, primarily due to spending large sums of money is does not have on the junk science otherwise known as global climate change.

Is it not time for the fine folks of California to put to pasture this arrogant, racist anti-military excuse for a Senator?

Dr. Tom on ESPN Live

Just back to Lincoln from the Bobby Bowden roast on Thursday in Tallahassee, Dr. Tom Osborne, former Nebraska coach and current Athletic Director, speaks with ESPN's College Football Live.

A Roast for Coach Bowden

A fun time was had in Tallahassee yesterday as a great turned out to roast our favorite Seminole, Coach Bobby Bowden. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend.

Check out some video of the event HERE:



I really wish I could have been there. As FSUHUSKER, I have always appreciated the close relationship between Bowden and former Nebraska Coach Tom Osborne, and when you throw in the Bandit, boy howdy what a day.

Thanks so much Coach Bowden. Hope you enjoyed the roast.

GBR and Go Seminoles! Lets get in high speed pursuit of a National Championship

The Debacles Keep Coming

Michael Cannon of The Cato Institute and Glenn Beck kick around the new healthcare plan. This schematic looks like an electrical grid at a utility company.


You have got to be shitting me?

Is there an American out there, other than members of the Obama administration or moonbat left wing radicals, that thinks this healthcare plan is sound thinking?

Seriously?

The First Family of Football

David Asman of FOX Business America's Nightly Scoreboard caught up with the Bowden clan at a fundrasier for The University of North Alabama, where Terry Bowden has landed as head coach.

Certainly, things did not work out well at FSU for Jeff Bowden, but he has landed there with Terry where I wish them nothing but the best. Tommy Bowden will enter the world of college football broadcasting after his stint at Clemson ended a year ago.

Meanwhile, Bobby Bowden is getting ready to lead the 2009 Seminoles, where expectations are high for Florida State to take a big step toward returning to prominence in college football. This season will be that step as 2010 shapes up to be a season to challenge for the national championship, a season which I feel will be the last for Bobby Bowden.

I think it is very important for FSU fans to recognize the impact Bobby Bowden has had on Florida State University. He is a great man on and off the field and it will be my pleasure to cheer him and our Seminoles on again this year.

Take a listen to the interview as the first family of football discusses life in and around football:



Thanks Coach and Go Seminoles!

Palin Exposes Cap and Trade

Although it was baffling, I did find it somewhat interesting that during the presidential campaign of 2008, while America was getting it's ass kicked by suffocating gas prices, the one candidate with a background in energy was being attacked for her limited knowledge and experience in the functionality of Americas resources, commerce and economic marketplace.

When GOP nominee John McCain selected Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, most in America and those in the beltway scoffed at the selection. Palin, however, was well known in the circles of investors, as those with information and knowledge regarding energy were highly sought after. In fact, Palin had made a handful of appearances on The Kudlow Report on CNBC with Larry Kudlow.

The election is over, but those who do not understand energy, its costs to produce and bring to market, the impact it has in everyday commerce and how varieties of energy can play a role in providing America with efficient and cost effective power are debating policies which will severely handicap the potential of our great country going forward.

Of course, I am speaking of the limited knowledge of energy of President Obama, those who subscribe to the hoax of a lifetime in global warming/climate change/cooling and the stranglehold bill working through Washington known as Cap & Trade, essentially a huge tax on everything energy touches, which would be about everything. Remember, when you tax something, you get less of it!

The resignation of Sarah Palin as Alaska's Governor last week may have left some thinking (hoping) she is going away defeated. Think again. She has emerged with a blistering editorial, which could not be further from the truth, on a subject she is well versed in and a topic which is vital to be understood by every American. The disastrous impact this bill would have on small business and working Americans from sea to shining sea would stranglehold our economic growth for decades. All for a hoax.

Please take time to time to read the editorial by Sarah Palin in The Washington Post. Someone must tell you the truth, and for once a politician, is; Sarah Palin.

Attacks on Small Business Claim "The King"

In the current climate with the government employing an all out assault on small business, a local BAHL favorite has been claimed as a victim, The Sandwich King.

I made every effort to have lunch there every Friday either with some friends or with the editorial page of Investors Business Daily. The King made outstanding sub sandwiches, and I was particularly fond of the heated turkey and cheese. The staff was great and it was a favorite of many businessman in the area.

They were operating on a thin margin in there for sure, and it appears a broken down HVAC system struck the defining blow.

Small business cannot get out of the way these days. Inexplicably, the minimum wage is set to go up later this month increasing the costs of retaining employees. Taxes are rising and energy costs are set to become deliver a crushing blow to the revenue stream based on the Cap & Trade debacle working its way through our governance.

Small business success is critical, get that, critical, to our economic system functioning properly, and in the current environment, small business is taking it in the shorts. Governmental interference in the form of raising the costs of doing business for small business is having an extremely negative effect. Look around your town!

Until the mindset changes, I am afraid economically we are set to tread water at best going forward, from Wall Street to Main Street.

Sideline Sotomayor

Confirmation hearings begin next week for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor and it should prove very interesting. Over the years, thanks to the moonbat left wing of the Democratic party, these hearings have seemingly become more about character assassination than a fair overview of the candidates qualifications and body of work. Ask Clarence Thomas and Robert Bork.

Interestingly enough, it appears Sotomaoyor played a role in this type of candidate review. Reports The Washington Times, "A legal advocacy group advised by Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor in the 1980s actively opposed conservative Robert H. Bork's nomination to the high court calling him a "threat" to the "civil rights of the Latino community."

It is on the merit of her work and her apparent disposition to render decisions from her personal feelings that she should be disqualified.

She has had six decisions reach the Supreme Court and her decisions have been overturned four times, including a recent decision regarding the discrimination of firefighters in New Haven, CT.

Discrimination appears to be the centerpiece of trouble for Ms. Sotomayor. She is quoted saying the following: ""I would hope that a wise Latina woman, with the richness of her experiences, would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life." A recent article in The Wall Street Journal says her defense of the comment is taking shape, but there is no defense. It sure seems this is the type of framework she uses to formulate her decisions, and this would not be good.

She also commented that "the court of appeals is where policy is made." This is far from accurate. President Obama offered that he hopes Sotomayor will judge with empathy. I firmly disagree as empathy is an emotion should not get in the way of the law.

However, casting all that aside, her association with The Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, where Sotomayor has served as a board of director, is most troubling. 350 pages of material from the PRLDEF was presented, or dumped, to Senators last week.

"A cursory look at the limited material now in our possession raises several red flags, including a link between PRLDEF and ACORN, as well as information indicating Judge Sotomayor's deeper-than-previously thought involvement in developing the legal positions of the organization," said Stephen Boyd, spokesman for the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Jeff Sessions (R-AL).

Like ACORN, the PRLDEF files lawsuits in an effort to overwhelm the system, essentially employing shakedown tactics. According to The New York Times, the group helped redraw voting districts. As we know, ACORN is being investigated for voter fraud among other things in over a dozen states. ACORN may be a portal to a vast criminal enterprise.

You remember the fine folks over at ACORN:



Common sense would dictate that an individual associated with left wing radical groups such as ACORN should be swiftly rejected from consideration for nomination for a spot on The Supreme Court.

Misplaced Priorities

Certainly, the death of The King of Pop Michael Jackson was a newsworthy event. Jackson may have been one of the most well known celebrities worldwide and was among the best musicians of the day. Factoring in his death being unexpected and the mysteries surrounding it, media coverage was warranted. I made commentary on it myself HERE.

Unfortunately, the media coverage of Jackson's death extended significantly beyond what any fair thinking journalist would deem appropriate.

The Aunt of one of our fallen soldiers has called the media out. FOX News (imagine that) has it. Take a listen:



A Hero to be sure.

Folks traveled from all the world to attend Jackson's concert, or funeral, and some 10,000 people showed up for an American Idol audition yesterday here in Orlando. It was the lead story on the front page today of The Orlando Sentinel? OMG!

Meanwhile, we have two wars going on where our soldiers are risking their lives for our freedom, and it almost seems few care. Certainly, in many cases, the media is more interested in using the deaths of our soldiers to promote political points.

An example of that would be the suicide rate among soldiers that was highly promoted a few years back and used as an attack mechanism against George W. Bush. The rate was actually higher during the Clinton administration versus Bush and now has risen to higher levels under Obama.

Was that stat in your morning paper? An alarming piece on CNN?

Would any of the news organizations like to do a piece on how America might help our soldiers rather than using items like this to slam their opponents politically?

Philosopher Edmund Burke once said "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

Bad things are going on home and abroad while many Americans sacrifice for American Idol and worship non-deserving people like Michael Jackson. Essentially doing nothing. Will evil triumph while many Americans priorities are misplaced?

HOPE is not lost!!! Keep up the fight!

A Jumbo Headache

The ratings agencies, who had absolutely no clue with regard to the mortgage backed securities which have played a major role in this housing crisis, today lowered the ratings on jumbo loans from a period before the mortgage fire really began burning.

Please take a listen as David Faber of CNBC explains:



As Faber indicates, this goes straight to the level of unemployment, which is much worse than the numbers indicate.

If you think in terms of a roller coaster, the sub-prime borrowers have already been to the top and have now emerged on the other side of the valley. Mid range borrowers are in the valley and the high end borrowers, saddled with job losses and coupled with a severe contraction of credit options and a reduction in revenues and profits associated with their employer, are bolting into the valley.

Unfortunately, this housing crisis would be behind us if not for implemented policies by the government which handicap any expansion of the economy. Excessive new regulation and taxes are a major problem, but the uncertainty of potential increases in these areas, read Cap & Trade and Health Care Insurance Reform, virtually prohibit employers from expanding their payroll. In addition, a value added tax is being discussed.

Consumers, who cannot borrow to escape the financial constraints they are mired in and are scared about the potential of their employment being eliminated, have drastically cut back on spending. This is crushing many industries, including retail, where lower level workers are prevalent. And, if you can believe it, the minimum wage is set to be raised, which will further reduce employment in lower income positions.

Virtually every position the Obama administration has taken has been the wrong one, and a second stimulus package that is being discussed, is certain to follow on the heels of the first one, as a colossal failure. The economy is certain to remain shackled with excessive regulation and taxation in place. Until the government gets out of the way of small business, limits regulation and taxation and allows the free market to function properly, GDP, and thus prosperity, will be declining.

Call your Congressman and Senator today!

Palin Hits Pit Road

Caution on the political speedway as Sarah Palin has unexpectedly, or so it seems, pulled down on to pit road!

In her rather stunning announcement that she will be resigning her post as Governor of Alaska, she has made a significant move leaving both detractors and supporters scratching their heads and opining with speculative prognostications.

And as a Palin supporter, why not join the parade, although the thoughts posted here will likely not be similar to the greater majority you will read out in the blogosphere.

Attacks from the left on Palin have been relentless, even after the 2008 presidential campaign has long since been decided. In fact, a barrage of ethics complaints have been filed, and she has had to spend countless hours defending these allegations. And that is what they are, as she is 15-0 defending them. In addition, the state of Alaska has had significant costs associated with them and Palin family has is estimated to have occurred some $500,000 in debt, quite a toll for a middle class family participating in our electoral process. Regrettably, the attackers of Palin did not limit it to her and her positions but leveled vicious attacks on her family and continue to do so even today.
I like the idea of Palin being free and able to fight back, and gaining the ability to travel the US and collect some speaking fees to balance the family financial ledger puts her and her family, and any future political hopes she has, on more solid footing.

Certainly, as I have previously written about HERE and HERE, the left is scared to death of Palin and everything she represents. Those folks are firebombing negative commentary in every direction, some of it quite despicable. As for the elitist criticism from both sides citing her lack of formal education (non ivy league) and lack of accomplishments; be careful not to underestimate her and others fitting that criteria.

From the GOP, although there are a few, Mary Matalin and Rush Limbaugh among others, who support or are taking a wait and see attitude on the move, most Republican pundits are aghast and have called the move "a big mistake", "bewildering" and one that "raises serious questions". A colleague claimed she "abandoned Alaska". There are the Republican brass upset she is not going to "play the game", but they fail to see it is not about parties, but rather a commitment to core principles which have absolutely left the buildings up in Washington.

As we reflect on the many tea parties that have been taking place across the country, we recognize that the functionality of our government is broken. I find it refreshing a potential candidate is taking an outside the box approach, free from the dozens of establishment handlers who encourage candidates to value poll numbers and not speak from the heart with common sense, something I think our country is thirsty for.

As a group of us sat together for some wings and beer at Hooters across the street from the Daytona International Speedway this weekend prior to dropping the green flag, we wondered how our once great country was placed in the hands of a man so strongly at odds with our views across the spectrum, and we pontificated what legal actions, from our limited position, we could take to right the ship. For us, the options are few.

For Sarah Palin, the options are now uninhibited and unlimited. I think she feels like many of us do, that time is rapidly going against us, and a leader needs to emerge to help challenge the detrimental policies being forced down our throat on a weekly basis. While it may seem she is bailing on Alaskans by ending her run as Governor too soon for the fine folks up there, she is doing something I am looking for in a leader, putting Country First.

I look forward to the coming weeks as we see her plans unfold. For now, a four tire change, a wedge adjustment and two cans of Sunoco fuel. Maybe she will become a talk show host? I hope not, because I think she has bigger fish to fry and will emerge as the conservative voice of reason many of us have been searching for, perhaps positioning herself for a 2012 campaign where she will have the opportunity to present her position.

She sure had Barack Obama's positions nailed down when I heard her speak in greater Orlando last October.

Happy Independence Day

Nothing like spending the Independence Day holiday at The World Center of Racing with a couple hundred thousand hard working Americans.
It was 25 years ago today the The King Richard Petty won his 200th race in his red, white and Petty blue Pontiac Grand Prix with President Ronald Reagan in attendance.
Pictured; Ned Jarret, President Ronald Reagan, Richard Petty and Mike Curb.