Tacking Tangible

The market indexes have been on quite some run.

If I could get a handle on all the lines of action going on on Wall Street, not only would I be a ventriloquist, I would be beyond wealthy. I am not.

The FED has increased the money supply by engaging in monetizing the debt, otherwise considered printing money, and that has resulted in excess money chasing too few assets, pushing the asset prices higher.

Due to the abysmal housing market, which cannot gain ground due to a horrendous job market and extensive regulation through Dodd-Frank, real estate investing has not been the avenue of choice for investors.  Gold and the stock market has.

A review of the NASDAQ after the close today shows the index increasing five year highs, and this has been a great run if you have been along for the ride. Take a look, but note the market level variance from the relative strength:



Weekly NASDAQ chart/Investors.com

While markets are forward looking and do not always reflect the current status of the economic realities on the ground, given our economy, it is reasonable to conclude the stock market should not be lurching into a parabolic assault on historical highs.  With an employment participation rate having retracted to levels not seen since the Reagan administration, a manipulated unemployment rate parked at levels not witnessed since The Great Depression, governmental assaults on small business, class warfare on the wealthy and putrid growth in the Gross Domestic Product, one has to wonder why the dichotomy between the capital markets and the reality on the ground.

As the excellent blog Zero Hedge accurately pointed out, many economic measures are breaking down, and while the Case Schiller Housing Index has shown signs of life depending on how you analyze the data, even though a shadow inventory remains, the housing market remains bottoming.

If housing is improving, with the state of the economy, one must conclude rising investor participation as first time home buyers are scarce.  If investors are becoming more interested in real estate, what market has fallen into disfavor and why? The stock market?

Indications are yes.

In fact, as BloombergBusinessweek reported, some $114 billion US Bank deposits have been withdrawn, at the fastest pace since the September 11, 2001 attacks. 

Apparently, few know why.

Paul Miller, a bank analyst with FBR Capital Markets, cautions against reading too much into the Fed’s weekly data. “It’s a noisy database,” he says.  No kidding.  With a media complicit in propaganda, and the FED intervening in market action in unprecedented levels, it is most difficult to accurately value equities.  It is the FED behind the curtain who is crowding banks out of the mortgage origination market and setting unreasonable credit requirements for lending practice, handicapping the housing market even with manipulated easy money.

But is there a correlation between rising housing investment and what looks to be a topping out of the DOW and NASDAQ?  Further, in anticipation of a market collapse, would tangible assets such as real estate become the favored investment?

Without government interaction, even though they have been replenishing their balance sheets borrowing free money from the Fed, banks could not withstand a major economic collapse.  Further, unwinding the hypothecation would be catastrophic.  If the clients of Jon Corzoine at MF Global are any indication, get your money while you can.  Maybe investors are.

No matter what market developments lay in store for us, a few things are certain in my view.  The housing market remains broken and cannot recover without a recovering job market. The market has been compromised and true evaluation is not possible. And, unfortunately and most notably, the rule of law and trust of the marketplace, integral for the survival of a free market capitalist system, has been violated.

As I have previously mentioned, until the rule of law is reestablished with the government becoming a bystander, allowing the FED to resume normal open market operations, the market place will remain compromised and a playground for the crony crowd.

Given the increasing turbulence, while I don't know what I am having for lunch tomorrow, I sense a major storm brewing both port and starboard. Caveat Emptor.

Stiff Arm Obama

Due to an increasing amount of concussion injuries, most notably in the National Football League, the game itself as we know it is in increasing jeopardy. In fact, ball hawking Baltimore Raven safety Bernard Pollard recently queried the NFL won't exist in 30 years.

Man, Woman & Child, he may be right!

Recently, several high profile incidents, including the suicides of players and the violent outburst resulting in a murder suicide by a Kansas City Chief earlier this fall, have brought the violence of the game into question by liberals, elites who seek to govern your life and activities and lawyers seeking to profit over the misfortune of others. The lawsuits are coming.

There is little doubt the game of football, particularly at the professional level, is played very fast and the collisions can be very violent. In the years past, protective gear wore by the players was far from adequate to match the activity on the field. However, I don't recall anyone ever being forced to play, and I know many, including myself, who wish their talent level allowed them the opportunity to excel in college ball, much less the NFL

Although it did take some nudging, the NFL has made a commitment to research to help make the game we all cherish safer for everyone involved. In fact, Dean Sicking, architect of NASCAR's extremely successful safer barrier retaining walls, is now turning his attention to designing and elevating football helmet safety. Please hurry, for the greatest game is under attack.

The NFL officials are now penalizing players for hits to head, and in particular, tacklers leading with the headgear to the head, as are collegiate officials. As we have noted, the penalties have been inconsistent and have damaged the game, and a prime example came in the Big Ten Championship game between Nebraska and Wisconsin where 'Husker Kenny Bell laid intellectual wood.

Amidst the economic destruction and retraction of liberty and freedom under the failed policies under his leadership, the Commander in Arrogance has now found time to not only weigh in on the safety of the sport but to target non unionized college football, where the Color & Pageantry is a fabric of the nation.

President Obama the antithesis of Heisman quality.
 

Our President, who has been proudly presiding over an America in decline and stoking the fire of class warfare, should focus his time in creating jobs for the millions out of work and returning our nation to prosperity. Obama should not be operating from the thought that his input is needed or required on every subject that comes into the lexicon.

Although Obama claims to the contrary, he is not what would be considered a big time fan of any sport, as evidenced by struggling to name current players of his "beloved" Chicago White Sox when pressed.

While Obama did play on a basketball team as a youth, add sports governance to the list of areas where Obama thinks his thought process supersedes ours. The football field is the last place we need metro sexual elites in effort to implement their progressive policies of fairness and controlled outcomes.

Sports, and we can include cheerleading, provide opportunity for individuals, through competitiveness and sportsmanship, to form life long relationships, achieve goals and learn life lessons.

With all due respect Mr. President, keep your dreams of a socialist utopia at great length from the Color & Pageantry of College Football, and while we are at it, the roar of the engines of NASCAR as well. We don't need your policies and ideas to severely handicap yet another pair of billion dollar businesses.

Your input is not welcome, and should you try, we will attempt to stiff arm your recommendations, which as of this writing, is still legally permissable

As A General Rule

Obviously, with the election of Barack Obama in 2008 we knew the military would be at increasing odds with the administration. Historically, the left has held disdain for our military and although most of the nation was fooled, Obama is as left wing as it gets.

One of the first eyebrow raisers was the saga surrounding General Stanley McChrystal. A request by US Army General Stanley McCrystal for the immediate need of some 40,000 additional troops to take control over the terrorists in Afghanistan remained unanswered for what seemed an eternity by the all knowing Obama. Due to later comments critical of the Obama administration published in a Rolling Stone article, McChrystal was appropriately fired in 2010. Gen. McChrystal was correct in his assessment, but due to his position he should have withheld commentary.

In June, Brig. Gen. Neil H. Tolley was removed reportedly due to remarks regarding espionage in North Korea.

Beloved General David Petraus resigned after an affair with his biographer, Paula Broadwell, became public.  You may recall Petraus,whom the left found abhorant, was slandered as David Betrayus by the civil left. As it turns out, the administration knew of this inappropriate relationship for some time, seemingly hanging on to the information to box in Petraus when deemed appropriate for a political victory.  However, through his own actions, Petraus made his bed, and although his job performance was explemplary, these actions made him unfit for duty.

But there was more to the Petraus story, as Broadwell was said to have threatened a Tampa socialite who was friends with Pertraus.  The socialite, Jill Kelley, not to be confused with the porn star of the same name, had a most intriguing background.  A jubilant supporter of President Obama, Kelly had been awarded an honorary consul for South Korea, a ceremonial position, and along with her sister, had inside dealings with many of the top brass over at nearby McDill Air Force base.  Gen. John Allen also had numerous interactions with Kelley, and after an investigation, was recently cleared.  I am not sure we completely understand exactly what was going on with Kelley, and we may never know.

 

General Carter Ham was seemingly made a Benghazi scapegoat and was replaced, although there is word he may have left due to personal family health issues.

 

This past week, there was continued upheaval among our military leaders.  Navy Commander Luis Molina was dismissed Friday as commander of the USS Pasadena due to lost confidence.

 

In addition, United States Marine Corps Gen. James “Mad Dog” Mattis was notified that he was being replaced as commander of U.S. Central Command by a note rather than a face to face meeting which is disrespectful.  As Mackubin Thomas Owens writes in The Weekly Standard, "By pushing Mattis overboard, the administration is sending a message that it doesn’t want smart, independently minded generals who speak candidly to their civilian leaders. The message that generals and admirals may receive that they should go along to get along, which is a bad message for the health of U.S. civil-military relations,”

 

While I agree with the assessment concluded by Owens, I am not an expert in military rank and the criteria for evaluating the performance of high ranking military officials. However, it appears there is an unusually high amount of turnover.

The military is one of the few held in high esteem by our citizenry, a group not known for strongly supporting President Obama.  President Obama partially blames our military strength for handicapping third world advancement. For Obama, who is an apologist for American military might, would opportunities to discredit those in charge be useful to his globalist agenda of wealth transformation?

The inability to remotely address the catastrophic economic issues of our country may lead to massive cuts brought about by sequestration, and these cuts would have a deeply negative impact on our military.  By design?

 

Then, I came across the following video presentation. 

 

Given my distrust of this administration, coupled with the seemingly extraordinary number of turnover among the top military brass, the litmus test could in fact be a source of the high turnover rate and therefore bears strong consideration.

With regard to the additional topics covered in the video, I concur with many of the conclusions, particularly the obfuscation of the real agenda and the fusion of the administration and the mainstream media and their propaganda distribution. The economic issues are alarmingly real.

President Obama, as he has said, views the Constitution as a charter of negative liberties, says what the states can’t do to you, says what the federal government can’t do to you, but it doesn’t say what the federal government or the state government must do on your behalf.

So, when you have a President at odds with the document he swore to protect and defend, you find yourself in a country with significant internal issues for which governance takes place against the consent of the governed.  Historically, as a general rule, these outcomes have not gone well to say the least.

Actions In Contrast Of A King

Today, coinciding with the day our nation celebrates the birthday of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., The United States of America inaugurated a president for the 57th time as Barack Obama, our 44th president, was sworn in, sadly, for a second term.

Recently, a Facebook post came across my page where an individual claimed MLK meant nothing to him and he wondered why a holiday was wasted in such fashion.  Sadly, this individual is grossly lacking the proper historical perspective on Dr. King, an individual most worthy of the high regard our nation holds him in.  Dr. King was a deep man of faith, who preached equality and personal responsibility through peace, civility and love with exemplary leadership in rhetoric and action.

While it is hard to imagine the goings on back when Dr. King led his movement, rest assured his work was righteous and most difficult, ultimately costing him his life.  King was relentless and did not waiver in his grand objectives, but he had faith in what he was working to accomplish and knew he would have history on his side.

If you examine the picture below of Dr. King leading a march, while you can see his resolve, you can also clearly see the fear written on he and his fellow civil rights activists faces.

 

Sadly, over the years with the help of a leftist media in concert to rewrite history, the legacy of Dr. King has been hijacked.  All sorts of folks, white and black, have allowed those wishing to alter King historically succeed.

 

Take the Facebook post for the director of Showtime, LA Laker great Earvin "Magic" Johnson, a 2012 Hall of Bahl inductee.

 

 

No doubt about it, Magic has love for Dr. King correctly noting that King's efforts paved the way for individuals like Magic to achieve greatness. Perhaps Magic does not fully understand the new definition of social justice, but Dr. King would be against it.

 

Social justice as defined by the left has a strong transformation of wealth component built in, complete with a perceived faith based obligation for the government to provide basic services.  The government takeover of health care and the increasing of taking wealth from the makers to provide to an exponentially expanding group of takers are prime examples.

 

King wanted, accurately, for individuals, most notably the discriminated against the African American community, to be judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. In addition, individuals should be rewarded and afforded opportunities to reach higher levels based on merit and work ethic, which is in direct contrast to the entitlement philosophy of the Obama administration.  King knew that if you disrespect the individual robbing them of their identity and incentive through offering handouts as opposed to opportunity was in itself a form of slavery and against the free market principles King believed in.

 

More importantly was the approach of King, who stressed respect and demeanor, for King knew if his movement advocated violence, their credibility would be lost.  That is in far contrast to the Democratic leaders of today, who claim to carry the torch King so eloquently lit.

 

See Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D:CA) leading a gang reenacting the picture above as they went to vote on Obamacare,  The lens is dripping with arrogance, but in my opinion there is a strong disrespect for the battle King fought and the principles he believed in.

 

 

King was all about civility, both in how he carried himself and instructed his movement, and in how he respected the laws and system of governance. King learned lessons from Frederick Douglass, but unfortunately, those who claim to be his torch bearers would draw ire from King if he were alive today.

King was all about non violence, but he was not involved in advancing gun control. King believed in the family and the role of faith in the family, and wold be heartbroken at the disrepair of the African American family and how God has been shown the door.  King would certainly be against abortion.

 

In contrast to the example King set forth, get a load of the lack of civility witnessed on inauguration day:

• Paul Ryan, (R:WI) was booed by a cross section of Democrats and the progressive media, who celebrated the lack of civility rather than acting in behavior Dr. King would applaud.
• Obama could not leave Ryan alone, taking a jab at him in his inaugural speech.
• Sarah Palin posted some lovely commentary in honor of Dr. King only to be brutalized by leftists. 
• Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D:NY) likened Republicans to suicide bombers; a hideous choice of words to be sure.
• First Lady Michelle Obama disrespected Hosue Speaker John Boehner at the inaugural lunch.
• Rev. Jonathan V. Newman presiding at the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, offering prayers with President Obama on the second row, asked God’s blessing for him and his family. “But also prepare him for battle … because sometimes enemies insist on doing it the hard way,”
• CBS News political director John Dickerson wrote a piece this week calling on Obama to "pulverise" and "go for the throat" of Republicans.  So much for the media bias defense.

These are truly despicable people, narcissists who have little respect for the American people. MLK would have little common ground with progressives acting in this disrespectful fashion.

 

King was conservative in his values and principles, which led him to lean republican.  CNN unleashed an article condemning the notion, for it certainly disrupts the narrative. "But those who marched with King and studied his work say that notion is absurd. The political class that once opposed King, they argue, is now trying to distort his message." 

 

The opposite is true.

 

Dr. Alveda King, has spoke candidly regarding her Uncle and where he stood on many of the issues of the day. Alveda spends the majority of her time in anti-abortion advocacy, but is a frequent guest on many outlets and happy to talk about her beloved Uncle Martin.  In 2010, she joined Pastor Stephen Broden in a great discussion on The Glenn Beck radio program.  Read the transcript HERE.

 

As reported in "Frederick Douglass Republicans": by K. Carl Smith, King supported and voted for Dwight David Eisenhower for President. King subscribed to the conclusions drawn by Frederick Douglass regarding the three fifths clause, a much misrepresented aspect of the Constitution which contrary to leftist propaganda was anti-slavery.

 

The left are those who, as is alarmingly true with many historical positions, has transformed and changed the history regarding Dr. Martin Luther King.  While most are reveling in the drama of the arrogant and narcissistic President Obama, those who are patriots remember and cherish the contributions and sacrifice of one of the truly great Americans; Dr. Martin Luther King.

 

Dan Calabrese writes about who deserves adulation today.  It is King, In the Name of Love.

Sunday Night Song: Pencil Pushers

As predicted, in the aftermath of the tragedy in Newtown, the left immediately engaged in an effort to encroach on the rights of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms.  Last Tuesday, after reviewing recommendations presented after a study headed by VP Joe Biden, President Obama unleashed a series of regulatory measures, many unconstitutional, in an effort to combat gun violence. However, the measures cloak an attack on the second Amendment.

Of course, the left already had plans on how they might attack the second Amendment and waited until an event triggered an emotional response from the citizenry to attempt to enact legislation.

Remember, never let a crisis go to waste.

Although the Obama administration has never had issue with governing outside the consent of the American people, fearing legislative action the new legislative measures would ultimately fail, the regime sought increasing gun control through writing new law through executive action.

While many progressives in Congress have no issue with this, Senator Rand Paul, (R:KY) has had enough and is prepared to fight.  Paul speaks to FOX News Sean Hannity on the subject:



Obama's neighborhood of the south side of Chicago, home to among the strictest gun laws, is perhaps America's murder capital, an urban killing field of young mostly African American men.  Nobody from Obama to Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel seems to care.

While those progressive elites have failed to address that problem they are most eager to severely restrict the citizens rights in the ownership of firearms. 

Of course, it is really not about the guns. It about control over you, gun owner or not.  After all, they know better how you should live your life.

The last thing we need is progressive pencil pushers taking away our Constitutional rights.  As they go for our guns, with that in mind, for Sunday Night Song, lets roll with Gimmie Back My Bullets, from Lynyrd Skynyrd.

We are done fooling around.



HT/Bo

The Truth Hurts

For a few years now, what is up seems down. Propaganda is rampant, and for the low information voting public, they are sold a series of falsehoods by a complicit media and, at the end of the day, have no earthly idea what is real or not.

The mirage is not only playing out in politics, but is a real issue in society and has even impacted the world of sports, as evidenced by the Lance Armstrong story and the bizarre events surrounding Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o.

Michael Ramirez/Investors Business Daily

 

America cheered as Lance Armstrong won all those Tour de France cycling races, and embraced his Livestrong charity efforts, which have no doubt helped millions of people.  Cycling has been plagued by doping scandals, and while there were many accusations that swirled around Armstrong, he seemed above the fray.  Not so fast my friend.  Armstrong, who sued some of his accusers, has admitted doping, and now has joined Oprah on the couch to seek forgiveness.  His actions suggest he might not be a good guy, but at any rate he is discredited and I really don't and won't pay him any mind.

 

The Manti Te'o story is really bizarre, and sad.  The media failed miserably on this story, and it is sad that an individual can be duped to the scale Te'o was.  The story has many tentacles; an individual longing for relationship, those who aim to associate with high profile celebrities or athletes looking for an undeserved piece of the pie bordering on extortion and a media who seeks to present a narrative that enhances opportunities for ratings.  I don't think Te'o played a role in the hoax, although I think the events will negatively affect his draft status, which could cost him some change.

 

Political lying is certainly not new, and really seemed to reach a pinnacle when President Clinton lied about having sex with Monica Lewinsky.  No such luck on that, for Obama has really taken obfuscation to previously unseen levels.  With the media lap dogs cheering him on, and being criminally complicit in their lack of reporting the truth, the lies continue unabated by the traditional media.  Alternative media, which accurately present the facts, are swarmed over and discredited by those who seek to perpetrate the fraud.

 

Political leaders in the past have utilized propaganda to run roughshod over a uninformed citizenry, and the results have been tyrannical and deadly.  Perhaps we don't care what Lance Armstorng is doing, but we damn sure better pay attention to an oppressive political regime who aims to reduce your liberty and freedom. 

 

Our political leaders are destroying our future, while publicly proclaiming everything is fine and the economy is improving. 

 

Is that the truth knocking at the door?

Poisonous Bloom

Almost on a daily basis, mind boggling news stories come across the transom, and it is hard to recognize our country anymore. For some time, it seems we have been, via Dr. Suess, inside outside upside down. Blame for much of it lies at the hands of the progressive political leaders we not only elected, but failed to adequately supervise.  Progressive elites are a narcissistic group who think they know better how to run your life, both personally and professionally through influencing social policy, than you do. While they, for the collective, are more than willing to govern your actions, they have no intention to live by those same rules.

Certainly, Barack Obama, he who "knows" we are going to have to change our history and traditions, is at the top of list, but in high speed pursuit is would be dictator Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City.   Without question, Bloomberg is out of control.

I would not elect Bloomberg, a former republican turned independent, to pick up the garbage outside. Good thing, because when pressed into action clearing the streets from snow in NYC, he failed miserably. But Bloomberg and his fellow progressives do not waste time learning from their failures, they mash the gas enacting additional governance over the people, restricting freedom and liberty.

For Bloomberg, the list is long.  Bloomberg scolded Rudy Guiliani after 9-11 about postponing elections and holding office a little over the term due to the horrific recovery and clean up efforts.  When a bomber almost set off a bomb in Times Square, Bloomberg speculated the bomber was a Tea Party member upset about Obamacare.  Bloomberg banned food for the homeless because regulatory rules he implemented regarding salt and fat content could not be adequately monitored. 

As you may suspect, Bloomberg fully supported the building of an Islamic Mega Mosque blocks from ground zero, and supported trying Guantanamo detainees in New York City. In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook massacre, Boomberg called for an assault weapons ban.

Super storm Hurricane Sandy provided yet another opportunity of failure for Bloomberg, as citizens got very little of promised help. While Mayor Mike was successful in limiting freedom via curfews and road closings, when he toured the Rockaways in Queens he quite appropriately got an earful, while hiding behind his media officer (while he was standing there).

In a ridiculous move, Bloomberg also banned serving soft drinks over 16 ounces, which as you can see below, I gleefully violate with my 64 ounce Diet Coke.  Oh thank heaven for 7-11.!

Bloomberg, and progressives all, are of the school of thought that it is their responsibility to control the citizenry by nudging behavior, limiting consumer choice and molding society into their Fabian socialist hearts content.

Bloomberg has really let his dictatorship in New York City go to is head, as his latest move to control the common folk has really gone too far.  He is actually aiming to enact policy to inflict unnecessary pain on his constituents in limiting pain killers for law abiding citizens in NY Hospitals.  Glenn Beck discussed this on his radio show the other day.  Please take a listen:



Sadly, like Obama, Mayor Mike is dong quite a bit of damage, although the majority of our Yankee friends fail to recognize it.  Bloomberg is exactly the type of elected official that must be thwarted with every legally permissible action.  Politicians like him who think they are above the citizenry and govern as prospective dictators limit freedom and prosperity for all. Elitist hypocrites to be sure.

One would suspect, given his sky high opinion of himself, Bloomberg will attempt to tinker with the law to allow just one more mayoral term.  Hopefully, New Yorkers will finally reach a level of sanity and defeat the man who would be King.

The bloom from the policies of his administration is poisonous to free market capitalism, liberty and freedom.

External Government Obsolescence

The right of property is the guardian of every other right, and to deprive a people of this, is in fact to deprive them of their liberty --Arthur Lee of the Commonwealth of Virginia

On Tuesday, The Supreme Court of the United States will hear a case regarding property rights centering on government control over an owners right to maximize the productivity or utility of the property. Of course, the founding fathers regarded ownership of private property as the foundation of freedom and prosperity.

FOX News Shannon Bream, a Tallahassee native who earned Juris Doctorate with honors from The Florida State University College of Law, has a report. 


The Pacific Legal Foundation, the oldest and most successful public interest legal organization that fights for limited government, property rights, individual rights and a balanced approach to environmental protection, will be in front of the Supreme Court working with the Koontz family.  Here is more regarding the public sector shakedown that has handicapped the ability of the Koontz family to maximize return on and of the vacant parcel.




The Hoover Institution has weighed in, recognizing the case is central to property rights, something John Adams found integral to freedom.  In fact, most are unaware that before becoming the father of our country, George Washington was a surveyor and mapper.

The Orlando Sentinel had a front page story on the case, as interestingly enough, the property in question is about twenty minutes away, right here in Orange County, Florida just east of lovely downtown Orlando.  Please see the maps below of the parcel.

 

 

 

Find Law.com has a good overview of the lengthy goings on in the case, presented below:

Koontz proposed to develop 3.7 acres closest to Highway 50, back to and including the power line easement. In order to develop his property, he sought a management and storage of surface waters permit to dredge three and one quarter acres of wetlands. A staffer from St. Johns agreed to recommend approval if Koontz would deed the remaining portion of his property into a conservation area and perform offsite mitigation by either replacing culverts four and one-half miles southeast of his property or plug certain drainage canals on other property some seven miles away. Alternatively, St. Johns demanded that Koontz reduce his development to one acre and turn the remaining 14 acres into a deed-restricted conservation area. Koontz agreed to deed his excess property into conservation status but refused St. Johns' demands for offsite mitigation or reduction of his development from three and seven-tenths acres to one acre. Consequently, St. Johns denied his permit applications.

As PLF points out, the case asks whether the Constitution places limits on an agency’s ability to demand excessive amounts of money from a land use applicant in exchange for a permit to build on his property.

The American Farm Bureau Federation brilliantly summarizes the impact of the case to the agricultural community:  To strengthen landowners’ ability to obtain compensation when permitting authorities impose an arbitrary or disproportionate requirement of money or services as a land-use permit condition, or when authorities refuse to issue a permit based on the landowner’s refusal to agree to an unconstitutional exaction of real property

This case will have significant national impact.  Recently, we have been focused on the evil and restrictive policy issues surrounding Agenda 21, but the tentacles of this movement are very far reaching.  If an ever increasing oppressive government, who already has tremendous power through code enforcement and the permitting process, can shakedown owners seeking permits to develop their owned property through imposing arbitrary fees, penalties and or taxes as a condition of obtaining permits is an extension of extraction that is unethical and unconstitutional, as I hope we are all about to find out.

A decision in favor of the government will no doubt open the door for the government to demand extraction wherever and whenever it wants.  Be advised the government will utilize the decision to further seek the transfer of wealth and exponentially expand the globalist dreams found in Agenda 21, significantly reducing the freedom and liberty of property owners to see maximum return on and or their investment.  This will curb investment, reduce utility and value of property, lower tax revenue and limit choice for consumers as development is reduced due to increased costs.

As James Madison noted, Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist.

Sunday Night Song: 1984

Nineteen Eighty-Four.

For a myriad of reasons, recently I have been thinking about George Orwell's 1984. With the re-election of President Barack Obama, as Victor Davis Hanson appropriately pointed out in a recent Investors Business Daily editorial piece, the "Beast Reagan Aimed To Starve Good To Gorge Under Obama." Sadly, right on target.

The recent death of famed economist James M. Buchanan, a leading scholar in "public choice" economic theory, reminded us of conclusions drawn, most accurately noted that those elected to government do not leave their ideology and self interests behind at the door. While in itself this is not necessarily a bad thing, it reminds that proper checks and balances are required from the citizenry as increased government interjection in the economy reduces freedom and liberty and is destined for failure.

A case study for that conclusion is examined in an excellent article the crossed my transom the other day regarding the significant decline of many large American cities. Michael Snyder, from The Economic Collapse blog is the author, details how cities such as Detroit, Oakland and Chicago have become infested with gangs, with increasing violence and lawlessness, and are deteriorating from within.  Government in these cities, due to financial constraints caused by idiotic progressive policies of social justice, have been forced to reduce effort to combat the criminals.

Chicago is particularly noteworthy.  The south side, where the greater majority of murders are taking place, is home to our President; Barack Obama.  With MSNBC contemplating that his record as President should place him upon Mount Rushmore, it is mind boggling he could not, or would not, have accomplished anything with respect to reducing the despair and hopelessness of those in the area that leads to this type of destructive behavior.

For the failure in that regard that was Obama, now his former Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is now mayor, and he has absolutely given up.  Can he not do the job, or does he have an interest in not doing the job?  It is the latter.

Those in power like to have chaos on the streets, which leads the ill-informed to think they are in need of help from anyone who can curtail the situation.  By not enforcing laws and creating dependency among the less educated, the government creates an environment of hopelessness and dependency which leads to escalating crime resulting the community to cry out for help.  When they do so, it is the government to the rescue, the same folks who created the problem.  Oh, what job security.

In reflecting back to post war London in Orwell's 1984, wild dogs roamed the streets of a rundown city of crumbling buildings and deteriorating public services.  As noted above, several major US cites are following this pattern, with dangerous, violent urban killing fields where many are robbed of their identity and are hopeless, resulting in increasing violence and civil unrest the government fails to adequately curtail, and this is not by accident.

Over at The Burning Platform blog, a series of articles have been undertaken interacting the works of George Orwell and Aldous Huxley with the ever increasing control of the government, combined with the brilliant work of British rock super group Pink Floyd.  The blog posts, Hey You, and Mother Should I Trust The Government, are simply required reading. 

While I do not agree with all the context presented, I find most of it right on target and it does give us much to decipher.  Interacting Pink Floyd with the posts is very cool, and if you reflect back on Floyd's "The Wall", it is most appropriate.

Although all us makers are quite busy keeping all the takers afloat while the Obama administration executes their transformation of wealth plan, we must create the time in our lives to get informed and resist "inner party" as they continue to gain greater control over our lives.  If not, before too long we may find ourselves on the dark side with no exits remaining for escape.

We don't need no thought control, but we do need education on how our freedoms and liberties are being reduced. On that lovely note, hoping they keep their hands of my stash, for Sunday Night Song, here is Roger Waters of Pink Floyd as he performed for the 12-12-12 Hurricane Sandy relief concert.

Top 25

College Football

Final 2012 Top 25

1.      Alabama, 13-1, 2
2.      Oregon, 12-1, 4
3.      Notre Dame, 12-1, 1
4.      Georgia, 12-2, 5
5.      Texas A&M, 11-2, 7
6.      Ohio State, 12-0, 6
7.      Stanford, 12-2, 9
8.      South Carolina, 11-2, 11
9.      Florida State, 12-2, 13
10.    Florida, 11-2, 3
11.    Clemson, 11-2, 15
12.    Kansas State, 11-2, 8
13.    Louisiana State, 10-3, 10
14.    Louisville, 11-2, 24
15.    Northwestern, 10-3, 18
16.    Oklahoma, 10-3, 12
17.    Nebraska, 10-4, 23
18.    Vanderbilt, 9-4, 21
19.    Utah State, 11-2, 22
20.    Texas, 9-4, NR
21.    Oregon State, 9-4, 15
22.    Northern Illinois, 12-2, 20
23.    Michigan, 8-5, 17
24.    Wisconsin, 8-6, 19
25.    Baylor, 8-5, NR

OUT: Southern Cal (25) and UCLA (16) 

VOTES:  Boise State, Oklahoma State, UCLA, San Jose State, Penn State, Cincinnati, Arizona State, Tulsa, Michigan State, Texas Christian and Arkansas State.

BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

BAMA runs wild/Photo By MIKE SEGAR/REUTERS
 

For all the fanfare leading up to title matchup over two traditional power, the game was over almost before it began.  Alabama was able to push the Notre Dame front seven around and run the ball down the throat of the Fighting Irish, and that was the ball game.  Bama won the line of scrimmage decisively on both sides, and Notre Dame could not generate anything measurable on offense.

Yes, the officials got in the way of the Irish early, but it would not matter, thankfully.  This was a whipping, but this is not about a Notre Dame team that did not belong; this was about an Alabama team, that when focused and on game, are stout and the class of the college game.

Nick Saban and The Crimson Tide have won three of the last four titles, matching the run Nebraska had in the mid 90's.  Credit the Tide, who have earned your respect.  Sadly for the rest of us, stopping this runaway train anytime soon seems unlikely.  Sweet Home Alabama!

Oh, by the way, ESPN's Brent Musburger, who made news a few years back sounding off on the beauty of the FSU Cowgirls, got into some hot water again last night as he went off on how hot Alabama quaterback AJ McCarron's girlfriend, former Miss Alabama and Auburn alum Katherine Webb is.  In the aftermath, Miss Webb is becoming a household name, with her Twitter account growing exponentially in followers.  I have to admit, Musburger is right on target regarding Miss Webb; she is absolutely stunning.



BOWLS

Duke fumbled twice inside the Cincinnati 5, and gave the game away.....Baylor is on a winning streak and jumped all over a decent UCLA team behind Nick Florence.....Va.Tech roared back and dunked Rutgers in the Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando..... Minnesota played well, but could not stop Texas Tech....West Virginia, a major disappointment, were physically beaten by Syracuse in a snow storm Pin Stripe Bowl... Texas unleashed Alex Okafor, got some big plays and shocked Oregon State.....Michigan State got a late kick to beat TCU...Vanderbilt controlled NC State and is a sleeper for 2013.....USC failed to show up, as many expected, and got taken out by Georgia Tech as the preseason number one Trojans limped home failing to not only finish in the final AP Top 25, but even receive votes.....In the best bowl game, Clemson got LSU at the gun.  Clemson coach Dabo Sweeney said the Tigers fought for every blade of grass out there, and he was nothing short of correct.  It was hard fought, and this much needed win for Clemson could pay later dividends.....Okie State bombed outclassed Purdue....Northwestern beat SEC Miss. State and are better than most think...Wisconsin fought hard, but could not stand up to Stanford in the end....Florida failed to take Louisville seriously and paid the price, getting stung in New Orleans which will leave a lingering bad taste in the mouth of Gator nation....Oregon ran all over K-State and smothered KSU's Collin Klein...Johnny Football and A&M bombed Oklahoma in the Cotton, and one has to wonder what has become of once powerful OU under Bob Stoops.....Ole Miss is emerging and dumped Pittsburgh.

In the Outback Bowl in Tampa, South Carolina got by a Michigan team that came to play. In a play late in the game, in perhaps the worst example of poor officiating we have sadly been witnessing recently, the officials awarded Michigan a first down when everyone but the three blind mice could see the Wolverines were short.  Take a look:




Many teams did not have the stomach to overcome a bad call late in a game, as witnessed after a Nebraska fumbled driving late in a tie ball game with Georgia over in Orlando.  But do not include the Gamecocks and Jadeveon Clowney in that discussion, because when the zebras dealt them a body blow, the Cocks took it out on their opponent.  In a truly outstanding individual play, take a look as South Carolina's Clowney take matters into his own hands.



Hope your team is not on the Gamecock schedule next fall, beacuse blocking this guy may be a mountain even Alabama cannot handle.  Needlesss to say, Clowney will be 2013 preseason All America and the favorite for the defensive player of the year, if not the Heisman Trophy.

Cliff Diving Propaganda

While the ball was dropping on Times Square New Years Eve, negotiations were well underway by our elected representatives to produce legislation to prohibit our nation from going over the "fiscal cliff".

Finally, at the very last moment, a deal was struck and the mainstream media outlets were quick to applaud the success and praise the leadership of President Obama, who interrupted his vacation to spearhead the effort.  At the corner of Wall and Broad, when the capital markets opened, the bulls were running with high end investors drunk with easy money swallowing manipulated government data, such as the unemployment rate, inflation levels and the consumer price index (CPI).

With the media gushing over the newly crafted legislation which "saved" America from the fiscal cliff, the level of propaganda distorting the truth and creating a false reality engulfing the non critical thinking low information voters would leave Edward Bernays orgasmic.

We drove off the cliff sometime ago, and the pomp and circumstance associated with crafting legislation in DC is propaganda designed to praise false successes while concealing the economic realities most cannot comprehend.

While the progressives rejoice the deal as victory, it is actually a significant defeat for not only the GOP, but American prosperity.  The deal consisted of more spending and higher levels of taxation for certain income levels while conspicuously stimulating others.  This would sadly include NASCAR, a sport I strongly support and enjoy and an corporation I am a shareholder of (ISCA:NASDAQ). 

This deal increases the deficit exponentially.  While Obama pontificates about a "balanced" approach to curbing the debt, the deal was approximately 41/1 spending to cuts.  Since we have a spending problem and not a revenue problem, contrary to the propaganda, the deal fails to address the looming catastrophe voters, and obviously many in DC, fail to recognize. Or do they?

As pathetic as it is, the government has aggravated the problem by increasing spending.  Fixing the debt will come later they proclaim, but kicking the can down the road has significant costs.

In addition, as we assist in crumbling ourselves from within, our enemies foreign, and domestic, are planning and positioning to accelerate our demise.

Sadly, Paul Ryan (R:WI) voted yes, and saying he supported it to “get this issue behind us, … prevent this massive tax increase and … focus on spending now". This is most concerning.  Ryan of all people should have a deep understanding who our opponent is.  Recall Obama, in response to Ryan releasing a plan, invited Ryan to a speech only to scold and ridicule him Saul Alinsky style.

I recognize many in GOP are progressives, and are addicted to the spending as long as they get theirs, but I am stunned so many, most notably Ryan, found Obama had characteristics as an honest broker.  Obama is a charlatan, an ideologue who governs outside of the reasonable rhetoric of his public persona and has already threatened to stranglehold the GOP with blame through media enhanced propaganda.

Now, after additional predicted failures, Speaker Boehner says he is "done negotiating with Obama".  Really?  Negotiations with parties that are dishonest are doomed to failure, and those "working" with Obama have been exposed as fools. Many claiming to oppose Obama, in the end, are progressives and that is why so few are willing to really step up the fight.

Even after all his failed leadership, Boehner was re-elected Speaker with little opposition.  Boehner, no friend of the Tea Party, should have been vigorously challenged.  Until the GOP stands up to fight, Obama will continue to destroy this nation through his implementation of social justice running roughshod over his political opponents who he carries significant disdain for.

Uncle Sam is broke, and cannot pay his debts.  The country is, and has been, in recession, although the government propaganda informs us otherwise. The economy is about to really bog down and not withstanding governmental intervention, economic realities are continuing to flood the marketplace. 

Reasonable efforts to kick start and grow the economy have not been presented, and the reasons are clear for those willing to look. The Obama administration is actively seeking the collapse of the economy, as we have pointed out repeatedly, noting the Cloward and Piven theory.  They abhor the current system, and aim to remold a new system structure after the collapse.  The new system presents significant limits on freedom and liberty, confining economic prowess and thus handicapping those aiming to better their lives through financial growth and independence.

The American public is being lied to in significant and alarming fashion, and without an increased level of involvement by the electorate, dishonest and evil people are stealing your money and freedom.

Make every effort to separate yourself from the propaganda you are hit with on a daily basis.  Find and utilize alternative sources for information, and do your own homework.  Increasing governmental power over the people, from entitlements to government run health care, reduces freedom and enhances dependency.

Founding principles must be adhered to, as free market capitalism remains the best path to prosperity.  Saving our freedom will depend on your participation, sooner or later.

Huskies Harnessed

EJ Manuel (Photo/SunTimes)

The current BCS criteria served up cold fish for supper as BCS buster Northern Illinois, MAC Champion, found themselves in the 2012 Fed-Ex Orange Bowl to face ACC Champion Florida State.  Debate all over the place about whether UNI deserved to be in the game raged on for weeks, with ESPN's Kirk Herbstriet calling their presence a "joke".

Northern Illinois did deserve to be there due to the criteria previously set forth, but there were at least a dozen teams clearly superior to the Huskies which could have been in Miami.  As such, that left the Seminoles in a lose lose situation.

Crush UNI, and of course they did not deserve to be in the game.  Win a tight one, and UNI is considered a fair team and Florida State is the one who is questioned.  God forbid the Seminoles, unfortunately known for playing down to the level of inferior opponents, snatches defeat from victory.

Husky signal caller Jordan Lynch, a dynamic player who had offensive yardage totals which garnered him Heisman Trophy and All America consideration, mouthed off prior to the game that "We plan on wearing them down. In the fourth quarter, we plan to have them on their knees, and then just keep pounding away." Lynch said. "They're just like us. They're human, too. If you cut them, they bleed."

The comments appeared to motivate the Seminoles, who smothered the Husky offense early and often.  FSU defenders dominated the line of scrimmage and were swarming to the ball.

On offense, FSU was accumulating furlongs of real estate without much to show for it, which is par for the course.  The Seminoles offensively resemble Jimmie Johnson wheeling his #48 Lowes Chevy around a parking garage, as top level talent seems to get hardly anywhere.

Then came versatile running back Lonnie Pryor, a favorite of Seminole Nation, who busted loose for 60 yards and a touchdown.  EJ Manuel controlled the game, connecting on short throws the UNI defense was giving.  Manuel hit Rashad Greene right before the half for a score, and the 'Noles were in control.

Lonnie Pryor (Photo/Boston Herald)

FSU had trouble putting the game away, keeping it close, which is sadly customary.  However, Pryor struck paydirt again, as did EJ on a quarterback draw, and it was night night for the Huskies. Florida State owned the line of scrimmage and pounded Lynch all night.  UNI was successful on some trickery, but outside of one second half drive, they were handcuffed.  Lynch said after the game "They were fast, physical and well-coached. Definitely the best defense we've played all year." Imagine that!

While FSU left a lot of opportunities on the field, the Seminoles got the win, and the importance of this win, the first BCS win since 2000, cannot be understated.  As Coach Fisher said, this is a big step in the process of building a team who expects to win championships, both conference and national.  The Seminoles won 12 games, and the contributions of this senior class should be properly recognized.

EJ Manuel, who is far from the best FSU signal caller to hit the gridiron, has won four bowl games in a row and displayed outstanding leadership during his career, on and off the field.  With talent few have, perhaps he can improve and sharpen his game, which may actually be better suited for the next level.  We wish him the best of luck!

Florida State is primed for additional accomplishments in 2013. The Seminoles must replace Manuel and Xavier Rhodes, who is off the NFL. Bjoern Werner may jump also, but even still, FSU is loaded for bear and should be preseason top ten and then some.

Runzaway Victory

The Nebraska Cornhuskers, reeling from getting nothing short of embarrassed in the Big Ten Championship game by Wisconsin, were selected to make a return trip to beautiful downtown Orlando to face the highly ranked Georgia Bulldogs in the Capital One Bowl.

Would Nebraska limp down and absorb another beating at the hands of Georgia, who was four yards away from facing Notre Dame in the BCS Championship?

In watching the practices, the Big Red seemed to embrace the challenge.  Kenny Bell and Taylor Martinez, although enjoying the trip, were very focused come practice time.

All the fanfare associated with the game was well attended by the fans, including a pep rally.



After a shaky start, which included a blocked punt for a safety and a touchdown pass leading Nebraska to fall behind 9-0, the Big Red seemed to be ready to win the game.  The 'Huskers led 24-23 at the half as Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead kept the Junkyard Dawgs off balance.



Taylor Martinez on the scramble

Nebraska stormed out of the half to build upon the lead 31-23 and were poised for more when Ameer Abdullah fumbled the ball away after securing a short yardage first down at the Georgia 39.  From the vantage point of the stands and the Husker sideline, it appeared Abdullah was down, and if he was not, Nebraska recovered the ball. The play was not reviewed, and Georgia got the ball.

From that point on, Georgia and quarterback Aaron Murray, from nearby Tampa Plant, made plays when it counted coming from behind to beat Nebraska 45-31.

There was some kind of officiating going on out there by the crew from the Big XII (really?), absent consistency and collectively perhaps the worst I have seen.  From seeing highlights of other games on the day, the Capital One Bowl was not alone in poor officiating.

 

Unlike last year, with Nebraska ahead as quarter four began, the Big Red could have won the game.  Georgia is every bit as good as advertised, and in the end, took control with their superior talent stepping up and making plays.

 

Nebraska, as usual, had plenty of offense to win the game.  The Big Red is hard to defend with a strong running attack, a fleet footed quarterback who is much better than most everyone give him credit for and a group of receivers who are quite good.  Even the much maligned offensive line performed well.

 

It is on the stop side where the problems for Nebraska begin and end.  This is the strong suit of NU Head Coach Bo Pelini; therefore, the lack of execution by this unit cannot be further tolerated.  In the 2012 losses, the highly touted Blackshirts gave up zip codes of yardage and pinball machine points.  In fact, in each of the losses, Nebraska put up over 30 points, and when you do that, you fully expect to win.

 

I happen to like the defensive staff, and maybe it is a lack of talent that is the main issue.  The secondary has been strong most of the year, but they looked awful against Aaron Murray, no RGII to be sure.  With players playing out of position, the defensive line played better than I anticipated.

 

As the Omaha World Herald points out, there is some sunshine peeking out of the clouds, and 4 loss seasons getting punked in bowl games against I don't care who are dark clouds.  The 2013 offense could be special behind Martinez and the schedule is very forgiving.  If Pelini can get a handle on the defense, and his history says he can, Nebraska may have a Rosey season.

 

If not, with Tom Osborne having retired, some real hard questions will demand answers, not time.  I am hopeful those questions will not need to be asked.