"Danke Shoen"

Think Wayne Newton.... it'll make sense in uno momento.

First, Tony Snow passed away. My condolences to his family. He seemed like a very decent guy, a convert to Catholicism, and flat out the best hire of the Bush Administration to date in terms of matching skills to the position. He was very apt, in my opinion, as Press Secretary, and that's not just being gracious to the deceased, he was just good at that job. And given PR is one of the Bund's chief White House complaints, I wanted to mention one bright spot on that front - Tony Snow.

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Well, well, well. Yet another day, yet another speech, and yet another opportunity for Obama to proclaim yet another reason America, and in this case Americans, embarrass his delicate nuanced social sensibilities. Modern Democrat presidential nominees, they go together with European elitism like veggie hot dogs and public radio fans. But I'll get to that in a second, let me quickly knock out my list (and fyi, I'm adding northern Africa to the parameters):

1.) Normandy - for obvious reasons.
2.) Bastogne - again, for obvious reasons.
3.)Thermompalaye - Western "democrats" pushing back hordes of Persian fanatics bent on world domination ... I find that slightly rellevent. Besides, it's got to be in the top ten notable battles in all of history.
4.) Zama - this is my non Euro addition, as Carthage was not in Europe (modern Tunisia and Algeria, Africa). Hannibal and Scipio, ringside for one of history's most daring commanders and the Roman General that vanquished him, I'm diggin it.
5.) Battle of Issus - Modern day Turkey if I remember correctly (I'm not quite ready to lump them in with France on America's blocked sender list by the way). Alexander (one of my personal favorite characters of History) inflicts 50,000 casualties on Darius's boys and takes only 500 casualties within his Macedonian ranks. Damn, now that's a route. Oh ya, and he reshaped the known world barely out of high school.

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Back to Barak Millhouse Obama (a good line - I stole - given its not PC to use his middle name, which is nutty in and of itself, but I digress) ....

As you all have undoubtedly heard the good Senator from the land of Lincoln says it's "embarrassing" to him that Europeans visit the US and are able to speak several different languages yet, "we go over there and all we can say is "Merci Buquo." I don't know how to spell it, and I'm quite proud of that fact. Well I think this is a fantastic campaign approach: "higher taxes and more French", that's a bumper sticker for change in America if one ever existed.

To be serious for a moment, does anyone see how obscene this is? Forget the issue of being bilingual, I don't care about his thoughts on that. The man whom wants to be president of these United States stands in a forum and trades on the "ugly American" stereotype, chuckling at us, enjoying treading on the most advanced nation God ever gave man as if it were a joke to be mocked, ridiculed and looked down upon. He spoke as a man in a Parisian cafe, sipping warm wine and rolling his eyes as Yanks scurry by with their fannie pacs looking as if their belt had devoured a small rodent. This RATHER then speaking inspiringly about a nation that has afforded he personally with uncapped opportunity. I'll tell you what buddy - I'll take from July 4th 1776 through to right this second and stack the technological, philosophical, economic, medical, and military innovations and accomplishments of the American people up against any other 232 year period in European history! I'll even spot them an extra century. To belittle this nation and its citizens in such a juvenile, dismissive way shows a level of disconnect with what this country stands for and has done that quite frankly boggles the mind. But perhaps I'm being too rash, too judgmental... maybe following Europe's lead is precisely what America needs to do senator. Yes, lets do it ... ready? First lets follow Italy's lead and outlaw abortion here. Then as we work our way around the European map we arrive at England - and we'll establish an official church in the US. Next is France (your favorite, man) and we make it a trifecta - establish an official language, build nuclear power plants at break neck speed, and maintain double digit unemployment for two straight decades ... yes, lets follow our brothers from another Anglo mother dear Barak, and bring this country the "change" it deserves ....danke shoen Barry.

The second portion of this speech that I found particularly revealing was when he spoke of Hispanics ... or rather Hispanics speaking. "Don't worry about whether they're going to learn English, make sure your kid can speak Spanish.." Is he mad? Again, the attributes of a bilingual education is not at issue. He literally has no qualms with Hispanics never learning the language of economic success. Were I Hispanic I would see that as an attempt to literally "keep me in my place" at the lower end of the job scale. This is the ultimate in enabling unhealthy activity. Hispanics need to learn English not for F.Ryan's convenience nor F. Ryan's comfort, but for THEIRS. Obama is so wrapped up in rejecting or changing the landscape of core American traditions and values in an effort to right "whiteys" historic sins, that not even the language passed down by these white slave owning so-called founding father's escapes his wrath. And he will gladly sacrifice an entire ethnicity's economic future in order to satisfy his sense of what America should be.
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On energy. All due respect badboy, how many times must I say this? The Bund Energy Initiative has been laid out by me (with input from Jambo) countless times.
1.) New drilling in scores of places as laid out in "THE" energy post of the decade I made some weeks ago. Drill sites and rigs are 11 times less prone to oil spills and accidents then imports.
2.)Dozens of new nuke plants.
3.) 50 new refineries (so we can actually bring to market the oil we recover).
4.)Inspire truly new renewable energy innovation with a "moon-shot" initiative which awards lucrative "prizes"to the likes of everyone from the person or company who finds a new brand source all together, to those such as the gentlemen with the 69' 110 mile a gallon Stang whom has developed a brand new method. What don't you see in there? Solar. Solar is no more "the" answer then just drilling in ANWR is ... and what we need now is "the" answer. Take my approach and now you've got yourself a bold new energy policy. Were Mac to push this macro plan, and then get into the micro issues of private gear leases etc, he would establish himself as the adult in the room. This gives him 2 GOP bread and butter issues at once - national security and pocket books. It's there for the taking Mac, just grab that ball and run ... I'm begging you.