Ed Koch RIP

Video:

Edward I. Koch, the master showman of City Hall, who parlayed shrewd political instincts and plenty of chutzpah into three tumultuous terms as mayor of New York with all the tenacity, zest and combativeness that personified his city of golden dreams, died Friday morning at age 88.
Mr. Koch’s spokesman, George Arzt, said the former mayor died at 2 a.m. from congestive heart failure. He was being treated at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia hospital.
Mr. Koch had experienced coronary and other medical problems since leaving office in 1989. But he had been in relatively good health despite — or perhaps because of — his whirlwind life as a television judge, radio talk-show host, author, law partner, newspaper columnist, movie reviewer, professor, commercial pitchman and political gadfly.

He will be, however, remembered for this:

Out of office, Mr. Koch remained influential in New York politics. He crossed party lines to support Mr. Giuliani in the 1993 mayoral election, an endorsement crucial to Mr. Dinkins’s defeat. But Mr. Koch later turned against Mr. Giuliani, flaying him as “a good mayor but a terrible person” and refusing to endorse him for a second term.
Mr. Koch endorsed Mr. Bloomberg’s successful races for mayor as a Republican in 2001 and 2005, calling him about “as Republican as I am.” (Mr. Bloomberg later refashioned himself as an independent.) And when Mr. Bloomberg engineered a legislative finesse of term-limits laws to run for a third term in 2009, Mr. Koch backed him and called for an end to term limits.
In presidential races, Mr. Koch went back and forth. He supported the losing Democratic ticket of Al Gore and Joseph I. Lieberman in 2000, but joined the Bush-Cheney re-election bandwagon in 2004 and promoted the Republican National Convention in New York, urging New Yorkers to “make nice” to conventioneers. By 2008, he was back with the Democrats, supporting Hillary Rodham Clinton’s bid for the nomination and, when she lost, switching to Mr. Obama.

Now, I do not normally speak ill of the dead; but I will say this: Mayor Koch switched to a Republican stance, because of terrorism and what it did to NYC — that ,I fully understand. I was one of the many who watched 9/11 unfold on television in 2001 on CNN. I found it to be totally unbelievable that we were witnessing an attack on American soil. It was worse than pearl harbor. At the time, I was not really politically active. But, I found the Democrats response to 9/11 and the subsequent cries for “no war” to be sickening. At the time, I felt that we should bombed the entire Arab world for what happened on that day.

Koch also understood that what happen on 9/11 was a horrible thing and when the Democrats decided to play the role of “lets all just get along,” Koch switched sides. It earned him the praise of the people of NYC at the time; but it earned him the scorn of the political elite of the Democratic Party.

As for the man’s sexuality, I could honestly give two flips about that; if he was gay at all. You would have never known it about him, he never looked the part at all. Except for that high-pitched Curly Howard sounding voice of his — which is very common in that ethnic group.

Put very simply; the man was a leader, something that New York City needed at the time; and he did well at leading the city during a very tough time. One thing he said in that video up there, that I posted; which I found to be very poignant is “You don’t spend money that you do not have!” I only wish that our leaders in Washington D.C. would truly learn that lesson; before America goes into a meltdown. My friends, that is not a Republican or a Conservative position; that is a position of common sense. Something that is sorely lacking in this modern day and age.

Rest in peace Koch, you damned well earned it.

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Will Anti-White racial bias play a part in this case?

I am thinking so:

Two strikingly different portraits emerged Tuesday of the Lilburn resident charged with fatally shooting a 22-year-old who mistakenly pulled into his driveway.
According to his lawyer, Phillip Sailors was a frightened retiree who fired his .22 revolver at Rodrigo Diaz because he feared for his life.
But Diaz’s girlfriend painted a more menacing imagine of Sailors as a elderly vigilante who shot without asking questions. According to Angie Rebolledo, after he shot Diaz, the 69-year-old Vietnam vet pointed the gun at her.
The couple, accompanied by two other friends, had pulled into Sailors’ driveway by mistake, thinking it was the home of another friend. The group had planned to go ice skating.
Rebolledo, 17, was sitting next to her boyfriend in the front seat when he was struck in the side of the head. As she tended to Diaz, she said Sailors showed no remorse and offered no assistance.
“I want him to spend all his life in prison,” she said. “He is a crazy man.
via Two portraits emerge of Lilburn shooter | www.ajc.com.

The shooter:

The so-called victim:

It is the usual story, crazy old white man shoots an Mexican immigrant that can do no wrong. Here is a novel idea, had this stupid immigrant not been here and had been in his own damned Country, where he truly really belonged; he would still be alive. But, no, he was in this Country, taking a job away from an American citizen and was out running around and pulled into a driveway of a 69-year-old man, scaring him to death and got shot. I got four words: Cry Me a River. 🙄

Furthermore, I would like to see this man’s papers, if he even has any to start with; was this man and his family here legally? If so, show his papers. If not, get out my country and shut the hell up!

NEXT!

Roundup of the leftist open border people, via Memeorandum: Colorlines, JONATHAN TURLEY, Stinque, WSB-TV, Crooks and Liars,The Political Carnival, Alan Colmes’ Liberaland, Atlanta News, Weather …, Gawker,The Mahablog and The Hinterland Gazette

New book says My Lai massacre was not an isolated incident

I did kind of suspect this.

The Nation reports:

The My Lai massacre, in which US soldiers gunned down hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians, shocked America and helped turn public opinion against the Vietnam War. Now, a new book by Nick Turse, an Investigative Fund Fellow at The Nation Institute, has revealed that My Lai was not an isolated atrocity: The United States deliberately killed civilians throughout the course of the conflict.
The killing of non-combatants “stemmed from deliberate policies that were dictated at the highest levels of the US military” and was amplified by excessive firepower, Turse said in an interview on NPR’s Fresh Air. The author also recounted how he slept in his car in the National Archives parking lot for several nights in order to copy files on atrocities that were later removed.

Check out the NPR interview:

[powerpress]

I am not quote from the NPR story, go over and read it, please. It make for some seriously riveting reading. This massacre right here, is why I never really cared to go involved with the Military. Because I know that sub-culture very well and it is not a Christian one, I can tell you that much. Another reason was a bullying incident, that happened when I was about 19 years old and working my first job. I really do not want to get into details about it. But, after that happened, I decided I wanted nothing to do with the Military at all.

All I will say about it is this: It is a good thing that I was not armed with a gun, the day that little incident happened. Because if I had been, I would have written this as a former prison convict, who went to jail for second degree murder of two Military recruiters. What happened to me, should never happen to American citizen, who decides that Military is not for them. But, it did, and it made a very lasting impression on a 19-year-old kid, namely me.

Now do you understand?

Hope and Change: Government drops probe of possible inside trading by media companies

Hmmmmm… Maybe Cornell West has a point:

The dismissal of an investigation into major media companies suspected of giving clients a sneak peek at crucial data drew great surprise on Wall Street, where traders make their living profiting from blips of information moving at the speed of light. Federal authorities had been pursuing allegations that various media companies — including Bloomberg LP, Thomson Reuters and Dow Jones and Co. — leaked key economic data to select investors, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday. But the investigators dropped the probe, according to the paper, in part because they could not conclusively determine that investors were able to use the advance look at the numbers to extract profits. Wall Street analysts pronounced that explanation baffling, noting that in modern markets — fueled by high-frequency trading and robotic transactions — a mere fraction of a second can be enough to execute trades worth billions of dollars. — Government Drops Insider Trading Probe Of Media Companies, Baffling Investors

How much you want to bet that these companies told Obama, “You want our support? You had better call off your dogs on this probe.” How much you want to bet that this is what went down? I would be willing to bet you a nice steak dinner, with all the trimmings that is what happened here. This is why I did not support the Democrats this time around; because I knew this is what was going to happen. Believe you me, it would not have been any better with Hillary either; she is bought and paid for like the rest of them.

This is why I won’t be voting for Democrats in 2014 or 2016; because they are two sides of the same coin. Bought out, corrupt, self-serving vermin is all that they are, anyone that believes anything else; is crazy.

Funny blog quote of the day

This is too good to pass up:

I’ve learned that using my wife’s blush brush to put on my own TV makeup is more than a little problematic from both a marriage stand point and the extra color it adds. I’ve also learned that my make up is more expensive than my wife’s make up, but that’s a whole other story.

Hmmm… I wonder if their dress sizes are the same too? Rolling on the floor

Sorry, I just had to. Tongue

Video: An important Message to my readers

(video removed)

UPDATE: I thought I would let you all know why I removed the video. Upon further investigation, I discovered that “A Sheep No More” group on facebook, was nothing more but an Anti-Jewish, Anti-Israel — as in Anti-Semite kind of Anti-Israel group. It is one thing to not agree with the goings on inside Israel; it is another to make baseless accusations against Israel which are steeped in Antisemitism. I discovered it last night. For the record, the man had a point, okay? But, if he is using his “Sheep no more” group to promote Anti-Israeli views, I want nothing to do with it. I don’t hate Jews or Israel at all. I might not agree with the Wilsonian Jewish Right or with the actions of the prime minister of Israel; but that does not equate to the hatemonger idiocy of these people.

—-

Now as for the video, I happen to think that this is pretty smart advice. I am not a big fan of the current Government at all. But, I will not be the first one to start the fight with them at all. I believe that anyone that encourages others to violence is hindering the freedom movement ought to be outed. As for whom is a Government agent, I don’t know and could care less, really.

We can win the battle of ideas and push back against the Government behemoth, we just have to do it wisely.

Another thing too, is this: We need to learn from the mistakes of the old radical left from the 1960’s. They tried violence and you know what? It failed them greatly and hindered their cause. We on the Indy/right of center/no sheep crowd should learn from that and not allow ourselves to be fooled into starting fights that we cannot win. Like it or not friends, the Government has more guns and ammo; and they will turn on their own citizens to protect the empire. Remember that, fight wisely, and no not be fooled into believe that you will out gun them. We must win with intelligence and ideas; not with violence.

Just my two cents…

For those who disagree, I present to you these:

And…:

Remember Waco? – You cannot win against the Government. – Be Smart.

(Via a sheep no more on Facebook) (linked removed)

So, Where are the jobs Governor Snyder?

Nothing Unusual, my ass. 😡

(LANSING, Mich.) — Unemployment went up in all of Michigan’s major labor markets, including in the Detroit area, but officials say this is nothing unusual. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget released a report on Thursday stating that in December the unemployment rate for the Detroit-Warren-Livonia market stood at 10.2 percent, up from 9.7 percent in November. Overall, Michigan’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 8.9 percent from November to December. —- Detroit Unemployment Rate Increases In Dec. 2013, Joblessness Steady Across Michigan

I have been unemployed since 2005. Nothing unusual my ass! I have to ask our lying piece of crap Governor. Where are the jobs? I voted for you, and then you turned around and lied to every Independent voter and passed “right to starve.” So, Governor? Where are the jobs? 🙄

There aren’t any jobs, at least nothing that I am qualified for, that is. 😡 I thought this new Governor was going to bring in the jobs, I guess I was lied to, just liker Obama lied to the Democrats, this joker lied to us here in Michigan too. Never trust Democrats or Republicans; ever. They lie too much.

I think Americans understand the Republican message just fine

I really do:

(Reuters) – Days after President Barack Obama’s inauguration, Republican leaders said on Sunday their party needed to change the way it communicates, not its ideas, to win back the White House. Former Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan, appearing in his first live television interview since the November 6 election, said his party needs to demonstrate that Republican ideas can improve people’s lives. “We have to show our ideas are better at fighting poverty, how our ideas are better at solving healthcare, how our ideas are better at solving the problems people are experiencing in their daily lives,” the Wisconsin congressman told NBC’s “Meet the Press” program. Governor Bob McDonnell of Virginia, where Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney campaigned aggressively and lost by 4 percentage points, said his party’s message has failed to reach voters who don’t pay close attention to politics. “I think they don’t understand the conservative message,” McDonnell told CNN’s “State of the Union.” — Republicans blame message, not ideas, for failures | Reuters

The Republican message is understood just fine by Americans; and that is that we should privatize social security, and that we should turn medicare into a voucher system and put many disabled Americans at risk and that we should get rid of all the social safety net.

Which is why the Republican Party will never be in power again, unless they back away from the extremism of the far right or the Tea Party. The GOP could take some good steps to pay for the social safety net and pay down our debt. I have written about this many times before. Instead, the GOP would rather let it’s lackeys, like the Koch Brothers, who are Jewish, by the way; pick fights with the labor movement and have people like Governor Snyder pass bills that will do more to hurt Michigan’s economy than it will to help it.

Which is why the Republican Party, as far as this Independent Political writer is concerned, is the stupid party anymore. It is controlled by the banksters, and the protected minority thugs, who would sell America’s soul for the right price. Which why, in 2014 and 2016; my vote is up for grabs.

Taking Religion out of the Military?

I have mixed feelings about this one:

“Soldiers with minority religious beliefs and atheists often feel like second-class citizens when Christianity is seemingly officially endorsed by their own base,” American Atheists president David Silverman told Fox News. “We are very happy the Pentagon and the Army decided to do the right thing.” A military spokesman told Fox News the cross was literally dismantled and will be removed from the base to be in “compliance with Army regulations and to avoid any misconception of religious favoritism or disrespect.” “After a Christian prayer, the cross was removed from the roof of the chapel,” the spokesman said. “During the removal, the cross was dismantled; however the cross was reassembled and currently awaits transportation to a larger operational base.” The military told Fox News the cross will only be brought out during Christian services and will be designated as a “non-permanent religious symbol.” Silverman said a Christian chapel on an Army base in Afghanistan could have put American troops in danger. “It inflames this Muslim versus Christian mentality,” he said. “This is not a Muslim versus Christian war — but if the Army base has a large chapel on it that has been converted to Christian-only, it sends a message that could be interpreted as hostile to Islam.” An Army spokesman said all chapels must be religiously neutral. “The primary purpose of making a chapel a neutral, multi-use facility is to accommodate the free exercise of religion for all faith groups using it,” he said. “We take the spiritual fitness of our Soldiers seriously and encourage them to practice their faith and exercise their beliefs however they choose.” Retired Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykin, of the Family Research Council, told Fox News a Christian cleansing of the military is under way. “I don’t think you can categorize it any other way,” he said. “There is a strong effort, led partially by the Administration as well as by atheist groups to destroy the identity of who we are as a nation and that means robbing us of our history.” —- Military: Crosses Removed ‘Out of Respect for Other Faiths’ | FOX News & Commentary: Todd Starnes

On one hand, I would hate to think that having Christian symbols on a battle front could be putting our Military at risk. On the other hand, I would hate to see Christianity being removed from the Military entirely. However, we are in a Muslim Nation is Afghan region; one would think that the Military would want to be respectful of those people and their culture.

It is a mixed bag, and all the more reason why we really need to get out of that Country. Our mission is done there; we killed Osama and we need to leave. We do not want to make the same mistake the Russians made there. Besides all that, Al-Qaeda has moved into other regions and is much more a threat to other interests in other parts for the world now.

So, to this Independent, the quicker we leave, the better.

GOP, Social Media and Democrats

Just a little comment about InstaPundit and Bryan Preston’s posting about Obama’s ground game.

Instapundit Says:

The GOP has some learning to do.

Bryan Preston says:

Obama’s personal political army posted it on the web and require a valid email to obtain it. So I downloaded it and have posted it right here. Download it for yourself and take a look.
The GOP had better not only pore over every detail of this at the national and state levels, they must build something better for 2014 and beyond. The Romney campaign’s ORCA project was supposed to be the GOP’s technological answer, but it was a total failure.
Last night, Gov. Bobby Jindal pushed the GOP to stop being the “stupid party.” They not only have to stop being stupid, they have to become very, very smart.

So, I did, I took a look at it; and I have to tell you all something. If the GOP thinks that they are going to be able to get anyone, who is that well versed in social media; who is a Conservative — they are crazy. Silly

The majority of the people that are well versed in social media are, unlike me, committed leftists. They will not just switch for the right some of money, they are liberal purists through and though and they will not do anything to help out a Republican cause at all. This is and has been the huge handicap and disparity between the left and the right. Most, if not all, of silicon valley and the social media world is of the liberal mindset.

It is a sad thing, but it is very true. Obama might be many things; but he is no idiot. Obama knew exactly what he was tapping into, when he decided to do the ground game for 2012. He learned from his mistakes and this time, he did very well. Romney did well himself, he just did not have the ground game to fight Obama well enough to get his message out. Plus too, there were demographic issues as well.

What needs to happen with the Republican Party is that they need to broaden the tent a bit. They need to moderate out their message a bit. They need to stop pretending to be something that they are not; and that is some sort of Democratic Party light. They need to quit doing the “Go along to get along” nonsense as well. They also need to stop pandering to protected minorities and get in touch with what true Conservatism really is. They need to also move away from this Feminist nonsense and move towards a Christian message, without being overly offensive about it. In other words: Celebrate being pro-life, but lose the silly rape comments.

They need to embrace the Huckabee crowd, and the Pat Roberson crowd, and maybe even the Pat Buchanan crowd a bit more. They part also needs to get in touch with the Conservative grassroots a bit more, and move away from the Elitist beltway crowd, as the cocktail crowd might get the big donations; but the heartland people are the ones that vote. An outreach to the farmers, and I do not mean the large corporate farmers either, I mean small-town farmers; this would help things out a good deal.

What needs to happen is the Republican Party needs to get back to the people that the Democrats left behind. Like the small-town farmer who’s making about $250.000 a year, but is barely able to keep his farm. Like the screw machine shop owner and employees, who put in a honest days work; just to put food on the table. Tell them, that they want to help them keep more of their own money. Reagan did this, and won big.

Populism is where the real people live, and if the Republican Party does not meet with these people and let them know, that they want to represent them; they will go the way of the Whig party. The American people will vote for someone that they can relate to; Mitt Romney was not that kind of a person and Ronald Reagan happened to be that kind of a person.

I just hope the GOP figures this out, before it is too late.