Can't You Read The Sign

Nebraska ... the good life.

Indeed, it is a lovely place, free from many of the ills that are increasingly permeating our society.  It is a place that is ideal for raising a family, and a state that welcomes virtue, principle hard work. It has been said the N on the side of the University of Nebraska football helmet stand for "nice people" rather than "Nebraska".

Outside of some of the downtown areas of Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska is a very conservative state, as red a state as sea of red in beloved Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on football Saturdays with the Nebraska Cornhuskers on the field.

State Senator Ernie Chambers, a Democrat from Omaha, who tried to take down the storied 'Husker football program a few decades back, has emerged as a leader in an effort to do away with the death penalty in Nebraska.

Although Nebraska has the death penalty, it has not been used very often, and only approximately ten people are the list to be executed at this time.

Even so, led by efforts from Chambers and others and sadly including GOP members who consider themselves Conservative, legislation to end the death penalty in the Cornhusker state passed in the state legislature.

Governor Pete Ricketts, a republican from Nebraska City, vowed to veto such legislation should it land on his desk, which he promptly did.  However, with the help of a handful of "conservatives" there were enough votes to overturn the veto.  One of these individuals was Brett Lindstrom, a former 'Husker backup quarterback who considers himself a 21st century Reaganite, which is ludicrous.

Poof!  Just like that, Nebraska no longer has the death penalty.

The state has been in mourning this past week. Omaha police were serving a felony arrest warrant against an individual with a lengthy criminal record (do you ever wonder like I do how these people do not remain in jail?) when a firefight broke out, mortally wounding the suspect and a member of the Omaha Police Department.

Kerrie Orozco, a 29 year old female member of OPD, died at Creighton University Medical Center from her wounds. Kerrie Orozco, who is survived by her husband and three children, one of whom was reported to be a premature infant who remains in an Omaha hospital.  Orozco, described by Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer as a remarkable person and officer and a perfect representative of the profession, is the first OPD officer slain since 2003.

Omaha came together strong to pay tribute and offer their respects to Orozco and her family, even thwarting efforts by the idiots from the Westboro Baptist Church to cause a raucous.  In Omaha, BLUE LIVES MATTER!


With the legislative vote to repeal the death penalty, the state legislature governed against the will of the people, as Nebraskans overwhelming support it.  Individuals of the sort who have no regard for law and order and think nothing or murdering police officers are those that the death penalty suits perfectly.

Can't the legislature read the signs?

I remember a day, when Lincoln was terrorized by a crazed killer, where everybody and anybody wanted this serial murderer put to death promptly after his apprehension.  In fact, police nabbed him in Wyoming, Charles Starkweather was brought back to Lincoln and electrocuted in the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln in 1959.

The death penalty may not be a deterrent to all, but it is certainly a powerful tool of penance for those who recklessly disobey the rule of law resulting in the taking of innocent lives.  As former Nebraska governor Dave Heineman said, “It’s important for Nebraska to have a death penalty, for the most heinous of crimes. We just had the most recent situation in Omaha, the shooting in Norfolk and a variety of communities across the state.”

Right on Gov. Heinemen, particularly that recent situation in Omaha, which took the life of a top notch member of the community.  It was a sign.

Thankfully the Omaha fugitive was killed in the field, or given the mindset of the moronic legislators, he would be sentenced to a life of three squares a day, lifting weights, congenial visits and watching sports on our dime for the rest of his pitiful existence.

It is sad the members of the state legislature did not see the signs.

A sign noting Blue Lives Matter. A sign of heartbreak in Omaha and a heartfelt sign of welcome on the state borders describing Nebraska as the good life.  And the sign of a Nebraska city in terror in 1959.

Keep your eye on the signs, and Keep Calm and Kerrie On!

Crony, Phony and Downright Dangerous

Although GOP hopeful Carly Fiorina accurately notes logging mile flying worldwide is an activity and not an accomplishment, Hillary Clinton portrays the book of her life as containing volumes of significant achievement.  With the mainstream media labeling her the most qualified to seek the office of the presidency, which is fall off the stool laughable, it would appear from the dismal turnout on her recent book tour the electorate know better.

Editorial Essay/Micahel Ramirez/Investors.com

It remains an imponderable that seemingly half the country, after all this time, really has no idea who Hillary Clinton really is.  Readers of the blog will recall we have devastated her in previous blog posts, most notably the one describing her as lurking in the shadows.

The Clinton's are everything the Progressives claim to despise. Rich and powerful members of the 1%, they award gifts and access to those who pay for them, engaging in crony capitalism making the system inefficient and crowding our opportunities for those on the outside to achieve success. If the Progressives were legitimate in their quest for the working family, they would run from these folks like their hair was on fire. But, the Progressives are far from who they claim to be, and it should be easily obvious to all.

Since the very bizarre beginning of her 2016 campaign, each step has been a train wreck, not withstanding the news media carnage while foot chasing her around while she rides aimlessly in her rented econoline van.

Sure, we laugh at the meetings with ordinary folks in random areas of Iowa that are actually orchestrated with campaign operatives playing the roles of Hawkeye voters.  HRC, who has reportedly not driven a car sine 1996 (yeah, she is just like you) rolls up to your local fast food outlet like it is an everyday occurrence.

By the way, have you seen Bill around?  Have you ever wondered the last time they slept in the same bed together like 99% of most other married couples?  Oh, they are in the 1%; I almost forgot.

Everything about this woman presented in the mainstream media is propaganda, except now that the curtains have been pulled on the Clinton Global Initiative, it may be a matter of fraud.  Frequently lying to the American public is certainly not considered virtuous as the Founders hoped our leaders would be. Selling access to a public official usually ends in jail, but somehow it seems jail is not a place a political darling will end up, although former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell may quarrel with you.

But selling weapons to friends and enemies without proper Congressional approval could be considered treason based upon who actually got the weapons.  Yes, ever widening pay to play scandal has entered the realm of international arms dealing, as reported by DC Whispers.  The more we learn, the closer we come to preparing a cell in the Graybar Hotel next to Mr. McDonnell.

A logical look at Hillary Clinton would conclude she has been champion of distortion and failure throughout her career.  However, if you approach it from what she would deem successful, from a basis of the teachings of Saul Alinsky and Cloward and Piven, you consider her a rousing success.

For those of us who are stewards of the Founding Fathers, who believe in limited government, liberty, freedom and the right to pursue happiness free from excessive government intervention through regulation and taxation, she is in no way, shape or form is this an individual we should even remotely consider for our highest office. She is a champion of distortion and failure, an oppressor of the little people and someone who lies at the shift of the wind to bolster her personal position.

She is a crony, a phony and as it turns out, a very dangerous individual to the freedoms American holds dear.

As noted by Cleon Skousen in his brilliant book "The 5000 Year Leap, "The most promising method of securing a virtuous and morally stable people is to elect virtuous leaders."

Without question, this does not describe Hillary Clinton.

The Candidates Cruz

The copy of the painting below is outstanding, and may be foretelling as we approach the 2016 election.

There are several candidates seeking the GOP nomination, and I would support each and every one of them in a battle against Hillary Clinton.

Many candidates have officially jumped in, while others are waiting around, raising money and sizing the electorate.

Commentary about the candidates will be held back at this time as the field settles in but will come at a later date.

For now, I will rank them in four tiers as I see the field right now. Tier 4 are candidates that I am not crazy about. Tier 3 will include some I am intrigued by and want to hear more from. Tier 2 includes those who are positioned to perhaps gain some traction, and among the group a VP candidate may come from. Tier 1 will include those that I am strongly considering and among the group my choice will likely come from.

The list only includes individuals that appear likely to jump in the race.

Tier 1:   Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, Scott Walker and Marco Rubio

Tier 2:   Rick Santorum, Rick Perry and Allen West

Tier 3:   Carly Fioirina, Dr. Ben Carson, Bobby Jindal, John Bolton, and Donald Trump.

Tier 4:   John Kasich, George Pataki, Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, Mike Huckabee, Peter King and Lindsey Graham

I am looking to eject from the status quo, which as Ronald Reagan said, is Latin for "the mess we're in".

Stay tuned!

BAHL's Babes: Amanda Sudano Ramirez

Forging your own path as the daughter of someone very famous can present difficulties, but for Amanda Sudano Ramirez, it has been a wonderful ride.  Amanda is the daughter of the Queen of Disco, the beautiful Donna Summer, and her husband Bruce Sudano.  Amanda, along with her two sisters, have each made successful lives for themselves, and the sky seems the limit for the striking Amanda.

Amanda, with model looks and a simply mesmerizing voice, seemed destined to follow the footsteps of her ever so talented mother, and has.  Along the way, Amanda attended Vanderbilt University.




Amanda, along with her husband Abner Ramirez, make the musical duo of Johnnnyswim, who are really making quite a name for themselves.  Amanda and Abner as Johnnyswim consistently plays music festivals, have made appearances on David Letterman, Live with Kelli & Michael and The Tonight Show and continue to play before sellout venues across America.

The couple stays quite busy, and to add to that, Abner and Amanda welcomed their first child this past February. So, congratulations are in order.

In addition to her outstanding musical career, Amanda has appeared in national commercials, most notably for Target, and has been a model with the Bella Agency, having done modeling campaigns for Louis Vuitton and Vogue.

Recently, Amanda had the honor of participating with The Doobie Brothers on their new soundtrack "Soutbound", where artists guest in recreating the old Doobie's classics.  Michael McDonald specifically requested Amanda to join him in performing the stellar hit "You Belong To Me".

Amanda and Abner made an appearance with famed musician Daryl Hall on "Live From Daryl's House", where they joined Daryl in performing Hall and Oates hit song "Adult Education".

The talented and beautiful Amanda Sudano Ramirez is welcomed as the latest BAHL's Babe.

In Honor of the Ultimate Price for Freedom

When thinking of Memorial Day, President Reagan offered appropriate commentary during his inaugural address to the citizens of The United States of America:

"As for the enemies of freedom, those who are potential adversaries, they will be reminded that peace is the highest aspiration of the American people. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it; we will not surrender for it, now or ever. We are Americans!"

Those that gave all, paid with the ultimate sacrifice, will never be forgotten. Our deepest thanks to all for your sacrifice and we honor of Those that we miss.

A quote today presented by Dinesh D'Souza needed no accompaniment:

How inadequate our words are to convey what these men did so that we can remain safe, prosperous, and free!

Thank You and God Bless you all!  #NeverForgotten

Legacy

Presented without obvious commentary.

Read The Facts

While interviewing legendary former Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden on his radio show earlier this week, ESPN's Paul Finebaum noted that in his mind former Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, the first pick in the recent NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was an embarrassment to Florida State University, and asked Bowden to comment.

Bowden made some candid comments which have caused quite a stir, blowing up social media and pitting FSU fans against one another.  A Google search gave indication Bowden considered Winston "an embarrassment" to FSU. Even Tampa Bay Buccaneer coach Lovie Smith expressed his disappointment in Bowden.

Problem is, Finebaum appeared to misrepresent Bowden in a Tweet and Smith and most everyone else failed to read the entire quotation.

Read the entire quotation:

"Well, I think it's a consensus among Florid State fans, and boosters that he was an embarrassment in a lot of ways to the university," Bowden said. "He won a lot of ball games, probably one of the best football players that ever attended Florida State, but he hurt himself off the field. The good news is that he's young enough to get over that, ya know it, and he's gotta do that. He just can't make those junior high school decisions that he made while he was in college."

Coach Bobby Bowden is being taken out of context. Bowden's comments were quite true, as Winston has embarrassed the fan base on a handful of occasions, yet were inspirational about his future and not a condemnation of his past. We all hope Jameis makes more sound decisions as he grows as an individual.

Furthermore, folks, particularly those deemed millennials, need to not go popping off after hearing parsed sound bites from a liberal media without getting command of the facts first.  When I hear people making political commentary, from top level members of the mainstream media to folks I meet sitting at the bar who offer general commentary on a subject I know to be false, I am reminded of the words of Ronald Reagan:

"Well, the trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so."

And don't think for a moment that the goings on behind this misdirection and distortion of the facts through out the media landscape is not political.  Recall Bob Costas lecturing America on gun control?

Free Market Capitalism an Economic Sky Hook

Like many, I was very saddened by the recent goings on in Baltimore, from concern over the possibility that the suspect Freddie Gray was mistreated, to the horrendous and unlawful actions  of violence and lawlessness of by hundreds of thugs and the despicable leadership just about all of the political leadership in this once proud town.  Although I have not been to the city in decades, as a direct descendant of Lord Baltimore, it was somewhat personal.

Among the destruction, the fact that we again have lost the rule of law in a major US city is of grave concern. The lawlessness led to the unthinkable; forcing the Baltimore Orioles to cancel a game, then play a home game in front of nobody because the police were unable to protect fans, and then move a home series with the Tampa Bay Rays down to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, again, for safety purposes.

How about arresting those who fail to follow the lead of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr by engaging in looting, violence and the destruction of private and public property? Well, in Baltimore, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake doesn't think much of private property, and ironically, she is not related to the Rawlings Co. that makes baseballs.

One could argue the current leaders of the federal government are not unhappy about since it gives them the opportunity gain even more control over the citizenry.  Al Sharpton, a proxy mouthpiece for President Barack Obama, quipped that due to the events of Baltimore, and the previously orchestrated protests in Ferguson, MO outside of St. Louis, it is now time to federalize the nations police departments.

Let that one sink in for a moment.  Sharpton, and make no mistake, Obama, want the power in Washington and not locally in our communities, cities and states.  This directly contradicts the wishes of our Founding Fathers, but Obama and his teammates view our founding documents as charter of negative liberties, limiting what the federal government can and should do.  The Founders, of course, sought to limit government.

Those that have weighed in on these events include anybody and everybody. I was interested in the thoughts of two individuals; Dr. Alveda King and Dr. Ben Carson.

Dr. Alveda King, is the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, who so eloquently and effectively championed the civil rights movement.  She knew both her father and her uncle would strongly disapprove of the protests in Baltimore, and said so in an editorial, although the political leadership of the city did not want to hear of it. You see, to the progressive leadership in this county, King's message is considered weak, failing to include the grievances and reparations this group feels they are owed.

As the chief neurosurgeon at John's Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Carson, who has announced his candidacy as a republican for president in 2016, could offer informative commentary given his longtime residency in the city.  Carson did an interview printed in GQ, noting "Obviously I'm sad to see what's going on there."

Jesse Lee Patterson had a brilliant piece over at World Net Daily, pontificating if white America just said no!

One of my all time favorite NBS stars, legendary NBA Hall of Fame player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of the Los Angeles Lakers. Although I am not sure if it is deserved, Abdul-Jabbar is getting hammered over his written comments about the unrest in Baltimore.

“I suggest we all pay attention to what’s happening in Baltimore, because it’s very likely that unless the economic and injustice issues raised there are addressed in a meaningful way across the country, we will be seeing many more Baltimores throughout the election season.”

Maybe Abdul-Jabbar sees thing differently than I do.

I blame much of the inner city issues in Baltimore and other major cities on the failed experiment of The Great Society, where government has infiltrated, and help break up, the family by introducing incentive killing entitlements. Marriage rates have tanked, leaving many youngsters to be raised without a Dad, or in many cases, without parents.

Entitlements from the government have placed many low income inner-city individuals and families in a box, with decreasing avenues of escape; just as it has been planned. School choice, ended by President Obama who frowns upon folks leaving the inner city for the suburbs, has reduced opportunities for those who seek to advance their education beyond the capabilities of the inner-city schools.

Government has established a permanent voting base in these cities, for those who are in regular receipt of the entitlements will likely never vote to have them taken away.  Of course, they fail to recognize they have become a slave to the state.  Do they even know the are rioting against the Man while voting to become a continuous slave to the Man in supporting the progressive Democrats.

There is no easy answer here. However, I have a few simple ideas:

*Faith needs to regain its rightful place as the centerpiece ones spirit.
*The family needs to re-established as paramount.
*The election of city leaders who inspire greatness; not race hustlers who claim the residents are victims. As noted in Proverbs 29:2, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn."
*Firmly establish the rule of law.  If the city is lawless, commerce and brotherhood is lost.
*Educational opportunities need to be expanded, not squelched.
*Mentoring is a vehicle which can provide a vision for youngsters to find avenues of success
*Freedom; the removal of shackling governmental regulations and taxation, assisting in the establishment of the entrepreneurial spirit and individual discipline required to achieve gainful employment.  Freedom to try, buy, sell and fail.
*Elimination of the grievance industry.  No reparations, no social justice; just free market capitalism.

Why not give it a try?  Free market capitalism is the equivalent of basketballs' unstoppable sky hook shot, a staple of Abdul-Jabbar's game.  After all, how's the progressive big government Great Society working for the inner city folks?  It is where dreams go up in flames; literally and figuratively.

Cash is King

Recently, trial balloons regarding the move to a cashless society have been appearing in various media outlets.  Among those who champion this effort are Bill Gates, an elite progressive who along with his colleagues conclude that the ruling class can make your decisions better than you can, given their elite intellect.

While a cashless society seems pretty cool and reasonable on many fronts, including efficiency, the effort to push the idea is not by accident, and should be considered yet another clandestine effort to seize additional control over the citizenry.

In the aftermath of the housing bubble crash of 2008-09, which decimated wealth and left the economy staggering, President Obama and his team, in concert with the FED, made incorrect decisions that are cascading negatively behind the scenes.

The stock market has almost tripled since '09, which is good news; unless you note the money supply is up over 5 fold during that time making your investment worth less. Legalized theft. So, all the big banks got bailed out, but who bailed you out?  Nobody.

The slate is indeed about to be wiped clean, and arenas to hide in are very limited, and the collective damage could knockout the US economy,  which would likely have a nasty ripple effect globally.  Would the IMF step up to bail the FED out, and what price would US sovereignty pay for such action?

Or will you bail the US out?

In 2013, the Cyprus government took, or stole, approximately 10 percent of cash deposits from its citizenry without consent as a described "bail-in" to help the crumbling economy gain solvency.  Should the United States suffer an unprecedented crash, don't think for a moment it could not happen here.  It would be much easier for the government to seize cash in a digital economy than to confiscate cash from the citizenry.

But that is not all.

Have you ever had a credit card cancelled, or had your available charge amount decreased?  In a cashless society, just so to limit risk on potential defaults, your purchases may be declined by the ruling class who deem you incapable of making correct low risk purchases.

With the government in charge of health care, items in your grocery cart may be declined for purchase because they do not fit the dietary regime you have been placed on by the food police.  No chocolate cookies for you!

2015 V8 Chevy Camaro

That new 6.2L 426-horsepower V8 Chevrolet Camaro you have been saving for simply does not meet the common guidelines for fuel mileage and is deemed a threat to the governmental efforts in combating global climate change; therefore, that purchase will not be granted through your bank. And cash is not legally accepted.

The list could go on, and on, and on.

While progressives make the push for a cashless society to become a reality, many are aware of the ominous threat to our freedom it really is.  Martin Armstrong, over at his Armstrong Economics blog, has an in-depth and outstanding piece where he discusses The New Age of Economic Totalitarianism.

Signature Bank Chairman Scott Shay was recently on CNBC discussing this topic, and wrote an essay noting the wide ranging threat to our freedom a cashless society is. As noted in the excellent piece attached, it would be most wise to keep your hand invisible to an oppressive and untrustworthy government.

"This would be the ultimate form of control. Because – without access to money – people couldn’t resist, couldn’t hide and couldn’t escape".

Forget going off the grid with any measurable success.

While a cashless society may ring logical to many, for those who embrace freedom, cash should always remain the base of financial operation in free markets eliminating potential manipulation.

After all, cash is king!

Dreams They'll Never See

Entitlements from the government have placed many low income inner-city individuals and families in a box, with decreasing avenues of escape; just as it has been planned. The inhabitants of the inner-city, most with limited educational acumen, hit the voting booth to cast ballots for those who have proclaimed they are here to help.

However, most of these folks gaining the confidence of the inner-city population, are impostors; power hungry individuals and charter members of the ruling class who make a business of keeping trouble and utilize the low information crowd as permanent supporters.

With regard to the inner-city residents, do you think they can tell?

They cannot, and most will not force the issue, refusing to seek freedom from an oppressive government. Those with the benefits to dole out control those who receive them, from day to day life to dreams of dignity and success.

Therefore, it is said.

"Welcome my son, welcome to the machine. What did you dream? It's alright we told you what to dream". Imagine being placed in a box by a ruling class which limits what you can dream?

Dreams are in flames in Baltimore.  Dreams these youthful Orioles will never see.

The Big One

This afternoon, with the good ole boys running the White Knuckle Highway at Talladega Superspeedway, Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the checkered flag. At Talladega, where pack racing is prevalent, drivers are always weary of the "big one", a wreck that usually collects much of the field and radically changes the dynamic of the race.

With regard to the stock market, those in the know seems to think the big one, in the form of a stock market crash, is imminent.  I agree.

No matter the horrendous that hits the news cycle, with the recent reporting of the GDP numbers which find the economy has grounded to a halt, the stock market continues to rise. Nothing seems to be able to take it down, and even a healthy correction has no chance of gaining friction.

It is up, up and away!

Not so fast may friend.

Fueled by free money, the stock market appears to be on parabolic rise, which never ends well for an individual stock or any of the indices. In fact, a chart of the S&P 500 reveals a rising wedge technical pattern, which is considered bearish.

The numbers of market analysts who are sounding the alarm bells is growing, and while much of the noise from these folks is self serving and often incorrect, the basis of caution is sound.

With the media will continue to sing the praises of the market and the economy, the time to protect your investments is now.  Looking back at the crash of 2008, it seems like a theft, as the transfer of wealth was staggering.  This time, the current valuations are based on far less tangible assets than in 2008, with the fundamental basis for trades seemingly based on less and less reality, which will make the next crash much worse.