Cinco de Obama or Bomber Biden

"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves money from the public treasure. From that moment on the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most money from the public treasury, with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world's great civilizations has been two hundred years. These nations have progressed through the following sequence: from bondage to spiritual faith, from spiritual faith to great courage, from courage to liberty, from liberty to abundance, from abundance to selfishness, from selfishness to complacency from complacency to apathy, from apathy to dependency, from dependency back to bondage." --Lord Alexander Tytler on the fall of the Athenian republic.

Wow---that about sums it up, doesn't it? My wife found this gem and I think I can hardly add to it. So I won't!


In addition to the great historical context this quote frames for us, here is something contemporary and much more banal (is there is any longer a distinction in this Administration?) from our President (imagine how the 4th estate would have greeted this from GW Bush !):

In trying to enagage in a little word play with the Mexican Ambassador about Cinco de Mayo, yesterday (May 4), the President says Monday was "Cuatro de Cinco". When questioned about what he meant, he said it again, apparently never realizing what he was trying to say was "Cuatro de Mayo"---as silly as THAT was. A great intellect, truly and bilingual to boot. Not.

Meanwhile, the Veep says everyone should avoid trains and planes, so as to avoid H1N1- and then proceeds to take the train home! Such an example for the Nation. His spokesman says (really!), Joe Biden misconstrued what he meant to say.

Say what?

M.C.

New World Order

Well, shortly, it will be out with the Trilateralists and the like and in with...what? According to recent press reports, it appears that President-Elect Obama is building a coalition government. But this coalition is unlike any seen before in this country.

Carol Browner, the Obama Climate Change 'Czar', formerly DEP Secretary in Florida a few administrations ago and subsequently EPA Secretary in the Clinton administration, has been revealed as a member of the Socialist International! Any mention of this was immediately disappeared down the memory hole by removal of Ms. Browner's name from the SI website once the 'word' was out (although there is still a picture on the site, as of yesterday, of Ms. Browner receiving an award). Interestingly, references to Ms. Browner also disappeared from the Gore and Audubon websites. The old Clinton memory hole is at work in these modern times! Tepid efforts at mitigation were mentioned in some reports, such as "even Tony Blair" is a Socialist. Interesting. The mention is sanitized from the SI and fellow traveler websites but, then the now 'non-existent' Socialist membership is defended. Mixed signals and opinions, one supposes.

Further to the point, Hilda Solis, Labor Secretary nominee has apparently been outed as either a member of, or associated with, the CPUSA. That's right- the Communist Party of the United States. Hmm, sorta makes sense, Labor Secretary and all that. Marx would think it apropos.

And, in the related and always interesting field of Democratic nominees gaffes and slip-ups*, it turns out that Obama's nominee for the Treasury post failed to pay quite a few years of self employment taxes until just before he was nominated. This is however not expected to be a problem since he paid them (and the Democrats are in the majority, after all). One wonders---did he not have the money to pay the taxes, and if so, where did the money suddenly come from? Or, if on the other hand, he didn't think he HAD to pay the taxes, what does that say about him as the Treasury nominee? (* Were this a Republican nominee, charges would be
proferred ever after withdrawal---and of course, the Republican nominee would withdraw!)

Of course, Bill Richardson had to withdraw as a nominee due to a 'hiding in plain sight' lingering investigation that the "Obama vetting team" couldn't "see" ( there is more here than meets the eye, don't believe for a second that the Chicago candidate's team didn't know about this!).

One would think that 'nomination confirmation hearings' would imply a fact gathering process and suspension of final opinions or the taking of positions on the matter until the hearings are at least underway, yes? Not for some prominent REPUBLICANS who felt compelled to announce yesterday and today that they will not oppose Eric Holder's nomination as AG. I guess that will be a pro forma hearing? So much for 'Advise and Consent'! I guess 'Loyal Opposition' emphasis on loyal, i.e. lapdog loyal, is the trend with 'pubbies these days?

And one last note, in the 'why was that questions asked department'. Why did Senator Kerry ask Hillary Clinton in her confirmation hearing what she could say to detail how she would ensure (or words to that effect) that the troops are withdrawn, expeditiously, from Iraq?

Isn't her nomination for Secretary of State, not Defense?

Actually, we think her trajectory will be quite a bit different from the current expectations, over time. Keep an eye on Biden and his fortunes, there's a cross current there that will become more apparent as time goes by; more on this topic, another time.

Next time---how so many science fiction novels in the 50's and 60s have scored direct hits on their 'forecasts' for our times! And more of course.

And, so it goes.

Stay tuned.

M.C.