Okay, so I was Wrong

I was wrong about the Chefs, kind of. Don't misunderstand me. The Chefs are still an amazingly lousy football team, but they have surpassed my low expectations, and my prediction of a 2 win season. They beat the lowly Raiders for their second win. That was not much of a surprise and my 2 win prediction remained alive. But then a surprising and quality win against Pittsburgh was completely unexpected. Did we witness the collapse of last year's Super Bowl champion or the resurgence of a door mat team?

So what have the Chefs really accomplished with the 2 recent wins for a total of 3 on the season? All that was accomplished is they are now extreme long shots to get the first pick of the draft. In fact, the first pick is virtually impossible. Especially if you consider the next 3 Chef's opponents. They play Denver, Buffalo and Cleveland all at home in Arrowhead. You have to think they have a chance to win any, possibly all of these games. Of course, Denver, Buffalo and Cleveland are all looking at their game against the Chefs as their best opportunity for a win too.

I will admit the Chefs have improved slightly over the course of the season. The offense has shown they can occasionally move the ball and the defense has held up well a few times. It is not out of the question the Chefs will go 6-10 this year, an improvement over last year's 2-14. But in the end, the only accomplishment is they have proven Todd Haley to be correct. You really can get 22 guys off the street and win more than 2 games.

Death of a Religion

We are witnessing the sheer collapse of a young religion. You may have picked up on a subtle shift in their creed. For years, their religious leaders have warned us about man made global warming. The inconvenient truth is that our earth has been cooling over the past 10 years, so the creed was recently changed to "climate change". I guess now they can point to any weather event and claim it to be positive proof of climate change.

As those who perpetuate the global warming or climate change myth are finding, Abe Lincoln was right. You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all the people all of the time. Their lies are now seeing the light of day, and some people are paying attention. As it turns out, data manipulation was a key aspect supporting the myth - if the facts don't support your theory, change the facts. The basis data used to produce the infamous "hockey stick" increase in predicted global temperatures was discarded. That conveniently made validation of the hockey stick conclusion impossible. What remains is so-called "value added" data. Remembering the data is simply numbers - temperature readings taken in many locations over a long duration - how can you add value? You cannot. All you can do is manipulate the data to show what you want it to show.

Other evidence is now surfacing that indicates the leading global warming researchers blatantly quashed all dissent. The scientific "peer review" of global warming conclusions was also tainted a all peers were part of the same cabal. There was never a debate on whether the global warming science was accurate. Instead, temperature data was manipulated to produce the desired outcome, and anyone who challenged the conclusions were marginalized. Regardless, the supporters of the myth are now exposed in a manner even the mainstream media cannot ignore. Al Gore has been discredited. It was only a matter of time before their house of cards completely collapse.

Remember the basis of the man made global warming belief is that man burns fuels and produces CO2. CO2 is speculated to be a greenhouse gas that traps heat from the sun and warms the earth. Many scientists do not believe that CO2 is even a greenhouse gas, yet there is no debate on this basic pillar of the global warming theory. The hockey stick graph was used to instill fear that mankind was on the edge of a climate disaster that would radically change our planet for the worse.

There was one primary problem with their theory that if known would completely discredit the movement from a scientific perspective. CO2 levels in our atmosphere cannot be linked to temperature changes. Periods with the highest concentrations of CO2 are some of the cooler periods recorded. The converse is also true. That is why the scientists made such great effort to deceive their peers and the public by manipulating the data.

There are no facts to suggest the oceans are rising due to polar ice cap melt off. Yet, Susan Sarandon and Noah Wyle continue to pump the mindless for contributions to save the polar bear from man made environmental terrorism. Just commit to $18.95 per month, and they will send you picture of your foster polar bear, the one you personally saved from climate change. What rubbish!

So why would so many professionals bother to deceive? Follow the money. The scientists have a vested interest in promoting climate change because it helps them secure more funding for research. But there are also larger players involved. By far, the world's largest business is that of energy production. Today, most of the world's energy is produced using oil or coal. Both of these sources have been targeted by the global warmers as a root cause for increased CO2 levels. If only a small fraction of the earth's energy production is redirected to "greener" technologies, those that own or invest in related companies will received vast windfall.

Al Gore owns or invests his formidable wealth is such companies. He would become the world's next billionaire if greener energy technologies become mainstream. Hence his desire to perpetuate the myth. Our federal government also stands to increase revenues by fostering the myth. Cap and Trade would allow the government to impose a hidden tax on all energy users by selling carbon credits to industry. These businesses will then pass that cost on to every consumer. I suspect that President Obama is counting on this increase revenue to finance his multi-trillion dollar spending spree.

There are a few key items that we should keep an eye on during the coming months. Will the proponents of the man made global warming myth make another attempt to rekindle the conspiracy? Billions, if not trillions of dollars are at stake. The initial request in Congress to reopen climate change debate was rebuffed. Senator Barbara Boxer even went so far as to say she wants to investigate the theft of emails, but not the fraud exposed by the email content. How far will she go to protect this hoax?

Will the Cap and Trade bill now in Congress every make it to the floor for debate? At this point I cannot imagine our spineless representatives seriously contemplating such a costly bill based on fraudulent data, but I would not rule it out. Will the President participate in the United Nations Climate Change treaty scheduled to be held in Copenhagen later this month? Will he sign America up for massive and costly emission cuts in light of the newly proven fraud? Will he agree to a plan that will carbon-tax the global economy back to the dark ages?

Sadly, I think the answer to each of these questions is yes. Why am I pessimistic? Because the entire PC green movement is based on faith, not fact. It will be difficult to get the truth to them. In the end, truth will win. But what will be the cost?

Passing of the Torch

Just as in the Olympics, the torch of tradition is sometimes passed from one family member to another. I have seen this torch passed within my family during the Thanksgiving holiday and will see it passed again this coming Christmas season.

You might wonder what torch I am speaking of, so let me start by describing our Thanksgiving tradition. For all but one of the last 32 Thanksgivings, my mother in law, Mary Hansen, prepared the majority of our Thanksgiving feast. The lone exception was a year we all traveled to Memphis and had our holiday dinner at my brother and sister in laws. Even then, I am sure Mary did her share of the cooking. Each of the other 31 Thanksgiving turkeys were prepared by Mary, along with her special gravy, stuffing, cole slaw, cherry pie, and other specialties.

That tradition was halted this year due to Mary's cancer. She was not able to prepare any of the traditional dishes, and will likely not be able to do so in the future. So the torch was passed - to my sister in law, Lisa Hansen. Twenty years ago I would not have thought this could be remotely possible. Lisa was not known for, or interested in cooking. Her "specialty dish" brought to every holiday dinner was green bean casserole.

Not so anymore. Lisa has become very accomplished in the kitchen. Her potato soup is "to die for". Recently, for Terri and I, she prepared a dinner of steak, twice-baked potato and lettuce wedge with home made blue cheese dressing. The meal was better than found at many fine restaurants. And Thanksgiving diner 2009 will be remembered as the passing of the torch from Mary to Lisa. Not only did Lisa prepare the turkey, she also added her own twist by preparing her specialty, potato soup.

It is all too evident that meals of this quality are not just thrown together. The amount of effort required to cook several dishes simultaneously and have each ready at the same time is more than talent. It also requires precise planning, preparation and execution. Our dinner was every bit as good as what Mary was able to prepare over the last 32 years.

For that I am thankful and I think I speak for the rest of the family too. Thank you Steve and Lisa for opening your home and for the effort required to maintain the tradition. I am already looking forward to next year.

I Like to Watch - WWII in HD

I have always been sort of a WWII history buff. Ever since reading Guadalcanal Diary in my early teens, I have been awed by the courage of our military. Two of my favorite books are Citizen Soldiers and D-Day, both history books written by Stephen Ambrose. I rarely miss Discovery or History Channel shows on WWII. I was immediately drawn to The History Channel's newest series entitled WWII in HD.

It seems there are miles of WWII battle film in color captured by the soldiers or combat reporters, but rarely if ever seen by the world. The History Channel spent 2 years rounding up these rare films and presenting them along with compelling first hand accounts told by 11 men and 1 woman (an army nurse). The series begins with the Nazi blitz through Europe and into Asia, Pearl Harbor, to the eventual defeat of both aggressors. The horrors of Tarawa and the mass suicides of Japanese civilians on Saipan are chronicled, as is the retaking of the Philippines and freeing of the Death March of Bataan survivors. Some of the bloodiest battles near the end of the war in the Pacific and in Europe are detailed in ways I have never seen before.

As I watch the series, I return to the same thought - would our generation step up to the same challenge the "greatest generation" did? My initial reaction is that we would not. We have never been asked to sacrifice as our parents and grandparents did.

Current warfare is sterile. Planes, missiles and smart bombs do the work men once did. Most soldiers do not see their enemy. Yet, these same soldiers and their families bear the entire sacrifice of this nation. Citizens back home only know what they hear during a highly filtered and manipulated version on the 6:00 news.

Would the modern American save scrap metal for war material? Would we contribute to war bonds to finance a war? Would we endure rationing of gasoline, rubber and certain foods that we take for granted? Would we allow our young men in the military to be killed by the thousands, sometimes in a single day? How would we react to a massive war waged on every continent?
Will we ever be asked to do any of these things our ancestors were asked to do?

I don't know the answer to this question because the situations that led to WWI and WWII have thankfully not recurred. But I do believe if called upon, our military and the citizens of America would do whatever is necessary to stop a maniacal dictator set on world dominance. We would unite as we briefly did on 9/11/2001. Democrat, Republican, Liberal and Conservative labels would disappear.

Thank God we haven't seen a modern Hitler with the military assets needed to start World War III. If one does rise up, we will beat him down as we did with Germany, Italy and Japan. But it may require sacrifice this country has not seen since the 1940's.

My Sampling Rights

I use this blog to rant against many of the things I see in the world that are just wrong. Today, I will rant against one of the most egregious offences one person can commit against another. It is something that happens in every major city across America every day. Chances are that it has happened to you. I am speaking out about the Costco Sample Impeder.

If you are a Costco member, you know what I am talking about. It is that person who parks their cart directly in front of the Costco sample station and exercises their member right of sampling the product, but then goes way over the line by engaging the sample worker in conversation. It is as if they not only feel the right for the free morsel, but also the obligation to linger in their sampling to give a review of the product. Do they think they are a frozen spinach ravioli connesuir? Did Costco place that sampling cart today only to get their opinion?

These people need to be dealt with harshly! Not only do they restrict my right to sample the product they are sampling, but the resulting cart jam also restricts my ability to get to the next sample booth. This is simply unpardonable. I doubt if Costco would be willing to place sample traffic officers around the sample stations, so other Costco customers should begin enforcing a sampling standard. That standard should be:

1. No more that 5 seconds should be allotted for selection of the largest of the 2 remaining samples at any location.
2. Minimal time (under 3 seconds) is required to thank the worker and MOVE ON!
3. Under no circumstances should a single customer select more than one sample, even if "it's for my husband who is in the frozen food section".
4. Shopper groups of more than 3 should stage their sampling so not to exhaust all sample inventory or impede the right of other customers to access a sample.
5. Exception is given to any offender if the samples constitute frozen broccoli linguine or tofu burgers. Since these products blow, the "Sample Impeder" is really doing everyone a favor and should be thanked.

Violators should be confronted by other customers and must immediately provide their Costco member number upon request. Week day violations will be considered a misdemenor, however weekend violations are felonies and qualify for 3 strikes and out consideration. Stiffer punishments should be considered for violations commited during the Christmas season.

Stand up for your rights Costco members!

What I Want to Be When I Grow Up

The last few years of uncertainy around my job once led Terri and I into a conversation about what I would like to do if I needed a new job. My first choice would be one where I spend the mornings surfing the Internet, checking facebook and reading personal emails. I would then be required to monitor the quality of lunch menus at local BBQ joints before returning to the office for an afternoon nap and maybe some time with a good book. We both realized fairly quickly this job did not exist, so started to focus on what I know, enjoy and would be best at. I have expanded my acceptable job selection to 2 additional choices.

1. Rock Star - I know music and would be really good at it. Since I would first need to buy a guitar and then learn to play it, I don't really have time to start playing bars and work my way up. My stategy is to play Arrowhead as my first concert venue, and based on that success, start booking other stadiums across the country. The music industry would owe it to me since I am committed to putting forth extraordinary effort.
2. Major League Baseball Player - Baseball has always been my sport. Ever since the time I tripled during a practice game when substituting on an older team, I knew I was good at it. Being voted as captain on the Junior High student All Star softball team only served to validate that knowledge. We creamed the facilty team that year, based in large part on my skill at managing the team. I won't recount my stellar statistics at slow pitch softball (>.750 batting average, nearly error free 3rd baseman). Since fielding is my strength, I am thinking I am qualified to replace Jeter.

Let me know if you see any suitable job postings.

Presidential Legacies

I find it someone interesting to see how a president's legacy change over time. It never turns out to be what we thought it would when the president left office. The best example is Richard Nixon. Many will remember the Watergate fiasco which ultimately led to his resignation in dishonor. Most would have bet the farm that would be his legacy. Many still remember him as being a "crook", mainly because of his quote "I am not a crook". But his legacy is much different. He is remembered as the president that opened up China to the United States. The rest has been reduced to trivia.

Jimmy Carter left office during a dark time in our history. Interest rates and inflation was at all time highs in our history. Iran had captured and held hostage over 100 American citizens who were released as he turned the office over the Ronald Reagan. At the time, Carter was seen as a timid president who never left the White House Rose Garden. There were no great accomplishments during his administration, so his legacy was assumed to be one of a very weak presidency. Since leaving office, Carter has been rather successful in changing that perception to that of a humanitarian and statesman, all based on his actions after being president.

I wonder how our last 2 president's legacies will be formed. Many will believe Bush's legacy will be either the 2 wars he left office without finishing, or the deficit spending. I think he will be remembered for neither. Instead, his legacy will be the Middle East for better or worse. If our pursuit of Osama bin Laden only serves to kindle the hatred of Muslims, leading to jihad after jihad, 20 years from now we will blame Bush. If by chance, there is a democratic fire spreading throughout the Middle East, that will be to Bush's credit.

Obama's legacy is far harder to predict since his administration is still in the first year. Yet, his legacy may already be written, we just don't know what it will be yet. It could be one of the following:

• National Health Care - If his initiative works and health care costs are under control with no rationing, his legacy will be that. If on the other hand, national health care becomes another underfunded entitlement on top of the others, Obama's legacy could be that he bankrupted America.
• Energy Policy - If alternate energy becomes a booming industry creating millions of jobs, Obama will be seen as wise having great foresight. Otherwise, he will be remembered for his pandering to the tree huggers that result in Cap and Trade legislation, increasing the cost of all forms of energy production.
• Inflation - The rapid increase in deficit spending will eventually cause inflation to return to America's economy. Inflation benefits no one, and is the most egregious hidden tax on the poor and fixed income elderly.
• Unemployment - Most analysts that are not tied to the administration are now conceding that unemployment will not improve much if any in 2010. Without job creation, any positive economic recovery movement will be tenuous at best, and could quickly reverse sending us into a new recession. Obama's job killing policies make the chance of unemployment improvement very remote.

To me, a negative legacy associated to inflation or unemployment are far more likely than a positive legacy related to either alternate energy or health care. It is just too difficult to imagine energy or health care legislation being well crafted or executed by the federal government. In terms of legacies, Obama's downside is far greater that his upside.