Government Motors Lacks BMW Vision

BMW is very excited by the feedback from it's 2013 Vision hybrid concept supercar. Although by the time it hits showrooms, it will lose some of the exterior flair and perhaps morph into a four door sedan, it will no doubt be hailed by the media, as it likely should. Actually, in looking at it, it seems GM has/had a vehicle that has similarities in it's exterior appearance that has very similar chassis characteristics and weight differential that drew very high marks from the automotive media. You guessed it, the Pontiac G8 GXP.

Famed longtime GM executive Bob Lutz labeled the Pontiac G8 Grand Prix GXP "America's BMW", and many automotive journalists agree, as noted HERE, HERE and HERE. It is unfortunate, that President Barack Obama, in a rare display of his Mount Rushmore brilliance, fired GM CEO Rick Wagoner and placed the fortunes moving forward of General Motors, and Pontiac, in the hands of a complete neophyte named Brain Deese.

Pontiac, regrettably for the American consumer, did not survive. On that note, although I remain irate at this development, I am happy to have a G8 Grand Prix GXP in the garage.

Comedy Relief

It is just damn depressing out there following the actions of this incompetent Obama administration running our country into the ground. Perhaps we need some comic relief. Enter Larry the Cable Guy, who visits with Sean Hannity:



Larry the Cable Guy's Tailgate Party, was filmed live at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, a place that 'Husker fan Larry is very familiar with. GBR!

BAHL's Babes: Finola Hughes

Although, after starring in the London-based original company of Cats, most of America became aware of the talents and beauty of Finola Hughes in Staying Alive with John Travolta, I came to appreciate Finola in her role as the beautiful and mysterious Anna Devane Scorpio on ABC's General Hospital.












Until just recently, Hughes hosted "How Do I Look" on The Style Network. An accomplished dancer, Hughes talents as an actress have been showcased on the big screen in film such as Aspen Extreme in addition to Staying Alive and on television programs such as Jack's Place, Blossom and Charmed among others. She is a Daytime Emmy award recipient for her portrayal of Anna Devane on All My Children and General Hospital. On the heels of her role on How Do I Look, Finola has been labeled the celebrity style expert.

Specter Diplays Spectacle of Arrogance

In an exchange on the Dom Giordano Radio Show on Philadelphia's The Big Talker 1270AM with Rep. Michele Bachmann, R:MN, Senator Arlen Specter, D:PA, again made a spectacle of himself. Take a listen to the exchange and hear a discussion between FOX News Sean Hannity and Representative Bachmann:



Specter is a mess. Recently, with poll numbers plummeting, Specter changed from the Republican Party to the Democrat Party in an effort to save his seat. "As the Republican Party has moved farther and farther to the right, I have found myself increasingly at odds with the Republican philosophy and more in line with the philosophy of the Democratic Party", said Specter.

Oh boy. Specter misses it once again. The Republican Party, having just nominated for President a moderate in John McCain most independent voters could love, has not moved right but left, all the while, with the nomination of the most radical President this country has seen, the Democrats have moved far left or are being eaten up by Progressives.

Specter often voted with the Dems and was an embarrassment to free market capitalist Republicans, which is where one would classify Michele Bachmann. Bachmann is an engaging breath of fresh air in Washington, and the lefties are taking note as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D:CA, has labeled Bachmann as a major target for defeat in 2010. In all their arrogance, it seems to me it may be the Democrats, including Pelosi and Specter, not Bachmann, that will be on the low end of the ledger come November. The Scott heard round the world last week gave us a glimpse!

HT/The Bud Man

Exposing The Truth

A few years back, on The Glenn Beck Radio Program, a gentlemen from Atlanta called in with what I found to be a disturbing story.

The gentlemen had attended over the previous weekend a fair fax rally held by Neil Boortz in the Olympic area of downtown Atlanta, which was attended by approximately 10,000 folks. Across the way was an anti-war rally, attended by an estimated 500 people.

News coverage of the anti war event by hometown CNN showed a rather large crowd, adding fuel to the anti war movement. Unfortunately, the crowd were the folks at the fair tax rally, including the caller. Oh my, the truth has been distorted, and who knew?

Video of events by the news media is not the only thing being altered to promote a particular agenda. Our children's textbooks are alarmingly at play, as the left works hard at rewriting of our American history. Yes, world history also.

Glenn Beck recently exposed how two members of the Obama administration, Anita Dunn and Ron Bloom, are fans of Chairman Mao. Young Hollywood types find Che Guevara a folk hero? These two are actually among the most evil politicals the world has seen.

Given that, how on earth could these folks think highly of these people. Perhaps that record has been changed or deleted? Maybe they are not familiar with the correct historical records.

After Friday, on The Glenn Beck Program on FOX News, they will be. Live Free or Die!

Bay State Jumps in the Truck

A horribly flawed candidate brought in the Commander & Chief to help her campaign on Sunday. Without "knowing much about her opponent", President Obama hammered Republican candidate Scott Brown. While targeting Brown, Obama mocked Brown's use of his pickup truck.

Well, Bay Staters rejected the slick snake oil salesman and, you guessed it, jumped in the truck. The magnitude of this result is stunning, and for free market capitalists, a true miracle!



HT/Michelle Malkin

Boston Tea Party?

Since the bursting of the housing bubble, the rate of unemployment has been growing, now at approximately 10%. This is not the real level, as many who remain unemployed have given up looking or have taken jobs beneath their skill level just to pay bills. Job losses are dwindling, from some 700,000 per month to just under 100,000, but much of this destruction has already taken place. Please see the following chart by the excellent blog Calculated Risk:

Although the 10% unemployment rate, which will likely rise a bit in the forthcoming months as this is a lagging indicator, is a very significant and real problem for many Americans, there is a bigger problem many are not aware of or are discounting.

Outside of the expansion of the government payroll, even with the incredible amount of stimulus, there is no job creation going on and without private sector expansion, high unemployment and a lack of prosperity will continue.

Uncertainty is the biggest obstacle small business owners face. The administration is working on very costly confiscatory taxation measures in health care reform, energy through the cap and trade legislation and business regulation. When you tax something, you get less of it, and as long as small business America is unsure of the playing field, forecasting the costs of doing business is difficult to measure. Given the looming legislation, most business owners project a significant rise in these costs, which is very prohibitive to increasing payroll.

Meanwhile, the consumer is ravaged. Many of the small businesses, from local restaurants to mid level production facilities, need consumption from the consumer to achieve acceptable revenue levels, but the consumer is in full scale saving mode, adding to the problem. Businesses hoping to borrow in an effort to survive the storm have very limited available outlets as the credit markets remain extremely tight.

The above referenced chart shows we are currently at the bottom of a very big hole, but due the policies of the administration, there is little or no evidence we are emerging out of the hole. While GDP may increase slightly, you will note in the chart that most of these big dips are met with a strong rebound. Not happening today.

Remember, socialism (don't kid yourself, this is where we are going) is great until you run out of everyone else's money. Ask yourself how many of your friends have come close to or have exhausted their 401K's this past year. Governmental actions have done just about nothing to solve the economic issues and I maintain have made them worse. Now what?

Increased governmental influences and interaction in the marketplace is hampering growth and keeping a hard press on employers. For this situation to be resolved, taxes and regulation on small business must be decreased, credit lines must opened and looming legislation fitting the plan of wealth redistribution must be scrapped.

Free market capitalism is the best path to prosperity. Those taking us down a different path must be stopped. As a new day begins tonight for Jack Bauer, a new direction for this country make take place later in the week with a good old fashioned tea party in of all places, Boston. This is change I will be hoping for!

Go The Right Direction

A New Day Begins

Jack is called back into action!

We The People

This country is on the wrong path, and everyone who is sane recognizes this. This might be a news flash in Washington DC but the Government is not in charge, it is We The People! Free market capitalism is the best path to prosperity and increasing governmental influences, regulation and interaction with the marketplace contracts liberty, as Ronald Reagan eloquently explains:

Get Serious on Terror Immediately

From the folks over at Keep America Safe comes this alarming but spot on video outlining the antics of the Obama administration on terror, which have been nothing short of dismal:

Keep America Safe: "100 Hours" from Keep America Safe on Vimeo.

The way the administration is dealing with The Global war on Terror (no, I do not refer to it as a global contingency operation) I deem extremely dangerous. Hanging tight with Janet Incompetano (thanks Mark Steyn), shooting hoops and golfing is not going to get it.

I sincerely hope that this near miss over Detroit allows the administration to recognize their shortcomings in this arena and take the necessary steps to correct them before something very bad happens.

Calling Jack Bauer!

Final 2009 Top 25

College Football

Final 2009 Top 25

1. Alabama 14-0, 1
2. Texas 13-1, 2
3. Florida 13-1, 5
4. Boise State 14-0, 6
5. Ohio State 11-2, 8
6. Texas Christian 12-1, 3
7. Cincinnati 12-1, 4
8. Iowa 11-2, 11
9. Penn State 11-2, 9
10. Virginia Tech 10-3, 10
11. Oregon 10-3, 7
12. Brigham Young 11-2, 13
13. Nebraska 10-4, 17
14. Georgia Tech 11-3, 12
15. Pittsburgh 10-3, 15
16. Utah 10-3, 19
17. Louisiana State 9-4, 14
18. Wisconsin 10-3, 24
19. Miami 9-4, 16
20. Texas Tech 9-4, NR
21. Mississippi 9-4, NR
22. Oregon State 8-5, 18
23. Southern Cal 9-4, 25
24. West Virginia 9-4, 21
25. Navy 10-4, NR

OUT: Arizona (23), Stanford (22) and Oklahoma State (20)

VOTES: Arizona, Stanford, Clemson, Oklahoma State, Central Michigan, Oklahoma, Florida State, North Carolina, Rutgers, Auburn and Georgia.

Congratulations to Alabama for defeating Texas for the national title. It was sad to see Texas QB Colt McCoy knocked out of the title game before I got comfortable in my chair.



It was a wacky bowl season, with many games played in record cold temps. The Big Ten looked good, for once. The Florida Citrus Bowl is all mud after the condition of the playing field is despicable fashion. Nebraska and Mr. Suh skunked Arizona in the Holiday Bowl while Florida State handed Bobby Bowden a big win in the Gator Bowl against West Virginia. I lost most games in the pick em pool, which is unusual and indicative of the surprises in the bowls this year.

Several coaches got fired, with two of them due to mistreatment of players. The Mike Leach situation at Texas Tech leaves questions, but if Leach did what he is alleged to have done, he must go, even if Craig James is a little league Dad? Jim Leavitt at USF apparently mistreated a player to instigate his being fired, although actions of his players may have contributed to his dismissal. And you thought the old 'Canes were bad!

Time for recruiting and we will look forward to 2010, where both my 'Noles and 'Huskers will be much improved.

Lack of Transparency

There was such great hope back when President Obama was elected by many of our citizens that government would be conducted differently, where the sun would shine in on the peoples business. It was promised by Obama, a wave of transparency:



So many could not see the real Obama while enjoying another night of American Idiot. Obama hoodwinked you folks. Obama is far from transparent, even appointing a bevy of Czars who operate and strongly influence policy without congressional oversight.

Beyond that, speaking of Congress, their actions, particularly during the passage of the Health Care Bill, have been exclusionary and anything but transparent. They have been appalling and have included bribery on various levels, including the "Cornhusker Kickback", which is an embarrassment to all us 'Huskers. The arrogance of these elected officials, who work for us by the way, really has been jaw dropping. Even the folks at CNN have had enough:


Sean Hannity discusses the lie of transparency with columnist SE Cupp, a fellow Tony Stewart fan, and the sizzling Kimberly Guilfoyle. They knock it out of the park!

BAHL's 2009 All America Team

OFFENSE

Toby Gerhart came out of nowhere to be among the NCAA leaders in rushing, but it was his tough nosed fashion in toting the pigskin that made folks take notice. Behind his running, Stanford had it's best season in many a moon. Gerhart has an NFL future, but he is also a standout student.

WR: Golden Tate, Notre Dame
WR: Freddie Barnes, Bowling Green
WR: Jordan Shipley, Texas
TE: Aaron Hernandez, Florida
OL: Russell Okung, Oklahoma State
OL: Mike Johnson, Alabama
OL: Maurkice Pouncey, Florida
OL: Mike Iupati, Idaho
OL: Trent Williams, Oklahoma
OL: Bryna Bulaga, Iowa
QB: Colt McCoy, Texas
RB: Toby Gerhart, Stanford
RB: Mark Ingram, Alabama
RB: Dion Lewis, Pittsburgh

DEFENSE

Ndamukong Suh displayed the most dominating defensive effort on the NCAA level I have ever witnessed. Suh disrupted every game, including a display against Texas in the Big XII title game that was so dominant he became a Heisman Trophy finalist. No doubt, he will be a top draft pick and should star in the NFL. Suh was the AP Player of the Year, as he should have been.

DE: Jerry Hughes, Texas Christian
DT: Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
DT: Brian Price, UCLA
DT: Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma
DE: Von Miller, Texas A&M
OLB: Sergio Kindle, Texas
ILB: Rolando McClain, Alabama
ILB: Greg Jones, Michigan State
ILB: Eric Norwood, South Carolina
OLB: Robert Quinn, North Carolina
DB: Eric Berry, Tennessee
DB: Joe Haden, Florida
DB: Earl Thomas, Texas
DB: Javier Arenas, Alabama
DB: DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson

K: Kai Forbath, UCLA
P: Alex Henery, Nebraska
KR: CJ Spiller, Clemson
NC: Dion Lewis, Pittburgh

Jimbo Fisher Era Begins

Jimbo Fisher is officially introduced as Head Football Coach the Florida State University Seminoles:



Good Luck Jimbo! Fear the Spear!

The Debate Is Over

The debate is in fact over with respect to global warming, now referred to as climate change due to overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

How about a check of the weather a few recent football games:

Those arriving at the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, FL found 45 degree temperatures and rain.

The Autozone (AZO:NYSE) Liberty Bowl in Memphis kicked off late Saturday afternoon with temps at 22 degrees. Eddie Money looks comfortable during halftime:



As the NFL kicked off Sunday afternoon, longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneer radio man Gene Deckerhoff announced the 44 degree temps was the coldest daytime home kickoff in Tampa Bay history.

When the 76th annual FedEx Orange Bowl in Miami kicked off last night with the thermometer at 48 degrees, it became the coldest Orange Bowl in history.

Orlando set a record cold last night at 28 degrees, and the entire country is buried in snow.

The left wing alarmists need to find a new scare tactic, because the greatest hoax of all time is in the deep freeze.

Spearheading The Seminoles

My family and I would like to thank Coach Bobby Bowden for representing our beloved Florida State University with dignity and class; oh, and winning a few ball games as well. Bowden's efforts helped spearhead Florida State University into a leading institution of academics and athletics. Enjoy your retirement Coach and we will see you down the road! GO SEMINOLES!

Languishing Among Looters

The events of 2009 were economically horrible as free market capitalism was assaulted on a frequent basis. Throw in a corrupt government with increasing involvement in the economy and you are living Ayn Rand's classic, Atlas Shrugged. The number of those now looting off the government with our money is staggering.

I have chronicled the rise in popularity of Ayn Rand on the blog over the last year HERE, HERE and HERE.

CNBC's Larry Kudlow visits with Jerry Bowyer and Don Luskin regarding Ayn Rand's legacy. Although Rand was an Atheist, Christians can indeed adopt great portions of this philosophy and do so. Take a listen:



As Kudlow states in his Kudlow Creed, Free Market Capitalism is the best path to prosperity. The sooner we change course and get back to this creed the better we all will be.

The Grand Finale

The Tallahassee Democrat front pages of the departure of Florida State's Bobby Bowden.

Highlights from the Gator Bowl post game press conference via ESPN:

NYC's Tavern on the Green Shuts Doors

On New Years Eve, a true New York City treasure, Tavern on the Green, closed the doors for the last time. This was a truly magnificent dining experience on the upper west side of Central Park, a magical place with incredible decor.

Revenues were not an issue at Tavern on the Green, but money problems appear to have led to it's demise. The courts are involved, and it is very sad it has come to this.

I thoroughly enjoyed my visits there over the years. Beyond an outstanding dining experience with top notch food, the ambiance, either in the restaurant or in the gardens, was something to behold. Certainly, for those of us who visit New York City, this is a very sad development.

Thats Exactly Right! FSU Wins!

Once again, we rang in the new year in Jacksonville on the banks of the St. Johns River in preparation for the last game for Florida State head Coach Bobby Bowden. After some brew at The Landings with the lovely Adrienne, Chief, Randar Mania and I shot over to meet some friends at Ale House. Ouch!










The weather to begin New Years Day was around 45 and raining as we waited for Coach Bowden and the team to enter the stadium. The Gator Bowl folks wanted to honor Coach Bowden with a pregame walk. Bowden agreed to the walk “as long as it don’t lead to the cemetery.”



It was sketchy early, but the weather got better and The Florida State Seminoles sent legendary Coach Bobby Bowden out a winner by defeating West Virgina 33-21. All the Seminoles in attendance remained for about 45 minutes afterward to salute our beloved Coach Bowden.








I had to be there to honor Coach Bowden and all he has meant to all of us Seminoles. As sad as we are to see him step down, we are thankful for the opportunity to join him on the long ride. The Seminoles sent him out with a big victory. Bowden, the riverboat gambler, is a winner, ya know it!