Wednesday, April 27, 2011

The Long GOP Majority 1: Moby, Mobies and Infernal Affairs

There is Moby the musician here:

Moby, Lift Me Up



And then, within the Political Blogging community, there are Mobies:

An insidious and specialized type of left-wing troll who visits blogs and impersonates a conservative for the purpose of either spreading false rumors intended to sow dissension among conservative voters, or who purposely posts inflammatory and offensive comments for the purpose of discrediting the blog in question.

The term is derived from the name of the liberal musician Moby, who famously suggested in February of 2004 that left-wing activists engage in this type of subterfuge: “For example, you can go on all the pro-life chat rooms and say you’re an outraged right-wing voter and that you know that George Bush drove an ex-girlfriend to an abortion clinic and paid for her to get an abortion. Then you go to an anti-immigration Web site chat room and ask, ‘What’s all this about George Bush proposing amnesty for illegal aliens?’”

The strategy has been frequently attempted on conservative blogs, but has not been nearly as effective as Moby envisioned, since false rumors are easily debunked by fact-checking minions, and cartoonishly extreme commenter's often get immediately identified as mobys and banned.

(h/t: Urban Dictionary)

The Moby singer is very cool, I like his songs. 
The Mobies that try to jump on Blogs and disrupt them fail every time they try.

Why?




In the movie Infernal Affairs (Inspiration for the Departed; Martin Scorsese is great, but had he stuck to the original and not added the sequels of Infernal Affairs, it would have been tighter), [Here there be Spoilers] Chan (Tony Leung)  is chosen to go undercover with many Triads, while Lau (Andy Lau) is sent by Hon Sam, (the great Eric Tsang) to be the mole inside the Hong Kong Police Department. [SPOILERS END] 

The best scene in Infernal Affairs was when Hon Sang and Superintendent Wong (Anthony Wong)  are sitting across from each other after the failed raid; Inside the Police Station. Mobsters and police alike (along with Lau and Chan) are standing by their respective leaders when this conversation occurs:

SP Wong: Let me tell you a story. Two men need an organ transplant, but there's only one organ. So they play a game. They each put a card in their pocket. Whoever can guess the other's card wins the organ.
Sam: You know I can see your card.
SP Wong: I see yours as well.

To me, this was one of the best scenes written for movies (second only to: "Luke, I am your father,").  The older men, serious and sober, knowing that each one is playing a long game against each other.  Everything after this scene ties into the conversation.  Again, I can't praise it enough. 

How does this tie into the Mobies and Politics?


Within the Republican Party (National, State, Local), there are differing views on everything from tactics to policies, and given in certain places (right now), there are certain "tells," in the Blogosphere and Real time that one can see that we are members of the same (political) Tribe.


Hint: True Republican activists and Bloggers stay away from personalities and go for policies and hypocrisies. 


Most Mobies try for the most provocative statements that don't sound "right,"  I won't hint them here.  Just know that Mobies are pathetic pieces of offal. 


A Liberal cannot act like a Conservative, but the reverse is easy. 


If you don't believe me: argue foreign policy.  When Bush fils chose Wilsonianism, the Left chose Nixonian Power politics, that's why President Obama (who still does not understand Republicans) cannot argue a clear cohesive policy for anything.

We on the Right can easily mirror the Left; Their policy statements all have a by-sell date.

The Left cannot imitate because they don't understand one word: Proprietary.

More on that issue in Chapter 2.

My question: Why can't the Left figure out the Right, in policies or in politics?




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Thursday, April 21, 2011

The Long GOP Majority: Prelude

While the President is causing traffic havoc on the Westside of LA (Hey, Westside of Los Angeles, if you don't want the traffic havoc in 2013, vote for the GOP candidate!), I have been thinking of a conversation I had over Passover dinner.


(My Mom made the best Passover dinner EVAH and my sister and her boyfriend are AWESOME people, just needed to be said).



As someone who sees nodes that most people in politics don't, I can say "Signs point to yes," for a long GOP majority.




Here are the chapters to explain:
1: Moby, Mobies and Infernal Affairs
2.  Craziness, Lost Messages and the Army of the 12 Monkeys
3. Winning without an Angel's Heart



Yes, in each chapter, a movie is referenced.





But before we begin, please note a few things:




A) This is charity week in the Valley, please donate to either Fisher House and/or Freedom House.


B) Any Long GOP majority requires investment in the Los Angeles GOP; and finally,



C) Keep your eye on the Valley! We catch the Political trends early.
Before we rise, here is a song about falling,
Tom Waits, The Earth Dies Screaming



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Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Freedom, Resurrection, Bunnies: Support the Valley's Favorite Charities this Holiday Season

Passover is one of my favorite Jewish holidays.



Around the table, the family re-tells the story of Exodus; How Moses and G-d freed the Jewish slaves from Egypt and found their way home to Israel.




And for those who enjoy the secular?  Bunnies!


And if you don't feel like hitting the Tip Jar right now, here are two charities to support. 



The first charity helps the families of wounded veterans,
Please Support Fisher House! 

And the second Charity was founded by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Freedom House

Here is what they stand for:

Freedom House is an independent watchdog organization that supports the expansion of freedom around the world. Freedom House supports democratic change, monitors freedom, and advocates for democracy and human rights. We support nonviolent civic initiatives in societies where freedom is denied or under threat and we stand in opposition to ideas and forces that challenge the right of all people to be free. Freedom House functions as a catalyst for freedom, democracy and the rule of law through its analysis, advocacy and action.


In a way, both charities tie together if you believe in Wilsonianism, as I do. 

Please donate to Freedom House! 

Enjoy your holiday(s)!


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Saturday, April 16, 2011

Doctor Who -- Underworld

It's the weekend, time for another Doctor Who episode! 




Tonights episode is about the backstory of the Time Lords with the Fourth Doctor and Leela's rush to solve the mystery.  This episode is called Underworld.





Speaking of history, this week I am reading the History of California and Los Angeles in preparation for both my upcoming speech and my book proposal.





In all the information I am reading, it is how the concept of a vision became real.  I have also spoken to many people at the County and State level about the book.  Any information I do not know about any part of Los Angeles, I will learn. 





The Southland is Paradise -- the game to win politically in Paradise is almost a three tiered Chess Game (Does that make me a Vulcan?). But, by 2020, I expect to win. 





While I am trying to save the Southland, please be so kind as to hit the Tip jar.  It will help all the writing (both Blog and Book).  If I could get $800 per week that would be very helpful.  (be ready, you will see this a lot more often)

And now, enjoy Underworld!






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Friday, April 15, 2011

For Tax Day, a Debate of Spending Cuts v. Tax Cuts

Happy Tax Day (or not).


Back when I interned on Capitol Hill in Rep. Dan Miller's office (R-FL-13), I had a front seat to a debate between House and Senate staffers over Tax Cuts and Spending Cuts (this is after Congress went home for the day). One of the debaters at the time was a guy by the name of Matt Kibbee. I hope he goes far.



The Senate (Republican) staffers argued for Tax Cuts and the House (Republican) Staffers went for Spending Cuts.




In the end, President Clinton backed tax cuts in his second term. In his first term, under his first budget, Clinton started with raising taxes.

If a Democratic President can go from Raising Taxes to Tax Cuts, why not other Democrats?

Let's start with a point of fact: If Government spending and regulation outweighs Private spending, nothing moves. Don't believe me? Take a tour of Wilshire Boulevard and Ventura Boulevard. After dealing with multiple potholes, you will see many, many empty storefronts and For Sale signs on Office Buildings.



That's what overeegulation and excess Government spending will get you (Hint: the all Democratic Los Angeles City Council has not fixed any potholes on Wilshire or Ventura Boulevards).



Here is what the Government Debt Limit is Now:

And here is a comparison chart for all Presidents since Carter:
Finally, here is the Unemployment rates (Reagan v. Obama first two years):



Now, let's return to the Cannon House Office Building and have the debate in the modern era.



The concept of Spending Cuts is that the Government has taken on more then it can afford.  During the Bush fils Administration, the war budget was considered off-budget (Budget rules allow this) so that Government spending would not overwhelm the private sector.



President Obama's first movement was to put them on-budget, and the economy, already in free fall, continued to crash.


Where do spending cuts come from?  There are 13 Appropriation subcommittees and multiple agencies under the Executive Branch, some even repeating others (Or the Department of Redundancy department).  The Congress can cut and so can the Presidents own budget.


 But the Left, who believes more Government is the solution, can never find anything to get rid of.

Not even corruption.


Now let's go to the Senate side of the debate, Tax Cuts and why they help.


The idea of (modern) Tax Cuts come from that hard core Conservative President, JFK.  It worked in his time, then his predecessor added The Great Society to the budget (the budget process was reformed on the Hill under Nixon) and the Vietnam War, and welcome to Inflation and Stagflation. (and multiple Oil shocks like today -- the more things change the more they stay the same)


The concept of Tax Cuts is that business' will hire and people will invest if the Tax Burden is lifted. 


With Tax Cuts, commerce succeeds and more taxes get paid.  Without commerce, no State can survive.  Under the Obama Administration, the State weighs more then private commerce, so why should Private business' hire with all the regulations and taxes? 


Again, walk down Wilshire Boulevard and tell me high taxes and regulation works well.


Tax Cuts and Spending Cuts are the carrot and stick approach to keeping Government under control.


What does an out of control Government look like?


Soviet Russia (or even Tsarist Russia) and Cuba -- anyplace where the individual can be destroyed, with impunity by the State.


Think of a Caesar or a dictator:  If they say they don't like one subsection of society, what percentage of that society survives to create and grow?  The Government that can give life can also take it too; Hence the Conservative philosophy.

My questions: If you grow Government, will commerce survive? If you cut Government taxes and regulation, will more storefronts open on Wilshire Boulavard? And finally: Why oppose Tax Cuts? 
Happy Tax Day!



















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Thursday, April 14, 2011

RPLAC April Meeting 2011

Whilst I've been to busy to Blog (I'm writing a speech and a book proposal -- both about LA!), we find ourselves back again at RPLAC for the month of April (where has the time gone?).

As always, let's start with a song....

The Church, Under the Milky Way Tonight



 This will be a live-blog. Get ready!

7:00 PM Jane Barnett calls the meeting to order
(Prayer and Pledge)

7:06 Happy Birthday to Mark Basil Vifaldes, 1st VP of RPLAC (Yay!)

7:07-10 In-house work

7:15: JB: Cleanup from CRP Convo (in Sacramento)

7:18: JB: RED STRIKE for Lydia Gutierrez for Community College Board #5

7:20 43rd AD Info (Win in Burbank! Win in Glendale!)

7:21 Reach out to Mandarin and Spanish speakers for new citizens (cmte chair)

7:22 JB: There are over 1,000 volunteers in LA and weare  striking block by block.

7:23 - 45 In-house work (now with a quorum!) To know about this section, SHOW UP.
Robert's Rules rules! 

7:46: Log Cabin GOP having Kevin James (Intro by Brad Torgan)
7:47 Ashley Nicole Ingram thanking LA Delegates for CYRF.
7:48: David Hernandez running for 42nd AD Seat (My AD!)

7:49 Univision to meet RPLAC next month

7:50 F. Tweedy: Road tour by Chairman around CA. Reaching out with media and public.

7:53 A NEW Toastmasters this Saturday!  I'm going! (maybe)

7:59 - 8:10 Transistion to debate of 36th CD GOP Candidates.

8:10: The Debate begins and the Valley shuts down for this month's meeting.

Get busy, get local, LA is in play!



 




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Before I get back to Blogging tonight...

I am still working on the book project and the speech. 
For now, a song while I wait to begin......





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Sunday, April 10, 2011

A Philosophical Treatise on Friendship and Humankind

Last night, I went out to Ruin, where I saw some old friends (and new ones).  I danced with my Muses (as always, pining for one).


But then a ghost of the early past reared it's head.


Remember how upset I was during the Arizona shooting and subsequent demonization? The person who de-friended me (and then proceeded to kick when I was down on his page) showed up at the Goth club I've been going to for over two years. 


Friends and family tell me he shouldn't bother me, treat him like a flea, etc.


But here's the thing, he had a business that uses Ebay a lot.  His bete noire was Meg Whitman, and if you read my Blog over the last election cycle, I stuck my neck out because I listened to my friend. 


When the election was over (to his happiness) I never even got a "Thank you," for putting my neck on the line. 


Then Arizona happened.



Anyone who knows me in real time or on the Blogosphere know of my disease (as I have re-capped over The Plague year and Shaking the Disease); Everyone knows I am dealing with Government run health care and it's not as good as the theory.  (TRUST ME, I HAVE STORIES).

I have Bipolar depression.  Everyone knows it -- I do what I can to deal with it. 


After sticking my neck out for someone I thought was my friend, he felt it necessary to kick me when I was down.  What kind of human does that?



And his attitude is, he is always affected by the news, no one else is; And his way of helping is THE only way of doing things, others are peons.  Only egotists think like that.



A guiding force in my life is "PLAY WELL WITH OTHERS,"  If I am on the battlefield of political ideas, how I treat my friends and others is a weapon that can be used for or against me.  If someone wants to get involved and they feel closer the Democrats, I point them in the Right (ahem) direction.  The kindness shown today will pay back later.

Except for those who hate Meg Whitman.


My theory on humankind and friendship is that without our small hypocrisies, our private side (as long as others are not hurt by it), no one should judge that people are flawed.  We are all flawed.  Hence, why I am a Conservative.


If you run around saying: "Oil Companies suck," Then don't drive a car in Los Angeles.  Or better yet, move out of Los Angeles and live in a place with public transportation; You can't lead on that issue if you are plainly hypocritical of what you do. 


(That's why no one of the Right believes in Global warming  -- those screaming "The Sky is falling," are doing nothing in their personal lives to back it up.)


I am nowhere near perfect, I don't expect everyone to take my views 100% of the time (G-d help me! That would be a boring world!).  But I can convince, I can argue, in real time and in the Valley. about my views.


Because I am Old School, I keep a sense of honor in an Industry filled with backstabbing and underhandedness (usually a bug not a feature), not unlike the Movie/TV Industry.  A sense of honor can keep the craziness down.


I don't complain when the voters don't vote my way, nor do I call them stupid.  To what end? The voters are always smarter then the politicans.  It's my job to figure out the tide of opinion and get my Political tribe to ride it.  That's what Partisans do. 


OK, rant over.  People can be flawed and hypocritical, but not when they are shouting from the rooftops. 


I still don't get anyone who needs a "Hate-gasm," to express their political opinion. 

Otherwise, I shall go back to dancing in the dark. 

 
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Saturday, April 09, 2011

Doctor Who -- The Sun Makers

It's the weekend, settle back, pick up a pint and watch another episode of Doctor Who!

This week's episode is good for my politico friends and sci-fi geeks.  Here is an episode where the dangers of the State's growing taxation destroys a society on Pluto.  This episode is known as The Sun Makers.


In other news, the book proposal has begun!  The unpublished article is Chapter One in the book and I am now writing the introduction.  On paper, I have broken the book down chapter by chapter.  I will be all over Los Angeles researching this book.  I will also haunt the Libraries on the story of Water and Los Angeles and the history of this City.  

Parallel to the non-fiction book (written with help from Robert McCain), I have the basis for a fiction book.  All you need to know is Los Angeles is where it takes place.  The when? A few days after tomorrow.   To be continued....

And thanks to the Great Little Miss Attila, I will be giving a speech in late May to the renewed "Bear Flag League,"  (Watch the sidebar for more news on that!)


Also, tonight, at Ruin, I will be putting together the beginnings of a Los Angeles Goth GOP/Tea Party/Libertarian Group.  More news on this probably in a few months.  The seeds get planted tonight.  

And now, I hope my politico friends, tea partiers and sci-fi geeks all watch, The Sun Makers!




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Friday, April 08, 2011

High Noon on Pennsylvania Avenue

There is a simple process if you want your vision to be promoted in the Country through the federal Government:


Get your Appropriation Bills (or one big Omnibus Bill) through Congress and let the President sign it.



During the last Congress, with a supermajority in the Senate (59/60 votes) and a supermajority in the House of Representatives (255 -- over the 2/3 requirement in the House), but they didn't do what was expected:



PASS A BUDGET FOR FY2011!



The Majority Democrats in the 111th Congress, second session (2010) did not pass any Budget for FY2011 -- thus we are running on Continuing Resolutions, and that gives power to the Tea Party Republicans (i.e. Fiscal Conservatives), and establishment Republicans (Speaker Boehner).  Continuing resolutions is Government by last years check.


This is not 1995 where the GOP runs the whole Congress. 
This is not 1995 where unemployment was at normal rates.
This is not 1995 where the Speaker is an ideologue, Boehner is establishment.


Majority leader Reid and President Obama are both Democrats could easily negotiate against one House of Congress.  Reid's complaints fall upon deaf ears, HE SHOULD HAVE PASSED THE APPROPRIATION BILLS IN 2010!!!!!



And as I mentioned earlier in the Valley, President Obama does not know what Republicans believe in.

Here is what Speaker Boehner (as Clint Eastwood) faces:



Senator Reid is Tuco, always ready to be uncivil with a kind face and President Obama is Angel Eyes, he betrays any ideal that will get him closer to the gold. 


Again, this standoff could have been avoided is Reid and Pelosi would have passed the Appropriation bills LAST YEAR!!!!!



Finally, don't believe the hype about the standoff, the Republican "Adults," are cleaning up the Democrats mess, again, (i.e 1980)

My question: Why did the Democrats wimp out on passing the budget, LAST YEAR?!?!

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Wednesday, April 06, 2011

If Everything is Wrong, Then Nothing Is (Or Chaos Theory in International politics)

I like the concept of Chaos Theory; A butterfly flaps its wings in Africa, and it rains in Spain, which causes a landslide in the Malibu Hills, and it keeps going...



Yes, it proves the world interconnects; Yes, the preacher in Florida was stupid.  And Yes, the folks who killed the UN were worse. 



Here's the thing:



Throughout my life, I have heard reason upon reason to not anger the "Arab Street," 



Whether it was America's support of Israel (used by the Left and PaulBots), our (former) base in Saudi Arabia (by OBL himself -- didn't President Obama say he would find him?  HA!) or the Gulf war or the Invasion and Democratization of Iraq, or.......



I can go on and on and I'm only 40. 



Here's what I know (and many props to my friend, Pamela Geller for being in front of this issue):



 Israel is the only Lighthouse for Jews when Anti-semitism rises around the world, and we're supposed to worry what people who hate us think?



How about this solution?

The Arab league recognizes Israel as is, the Islamic Countries have a religious reformation where Religion is a part of Life, not the basis of it. 



And finally, maybe the Democrats and Liberals should worry about their alliance with people who kill people when a book gets burned across the world. 




My question, why do Leftists, who supposedly support Gay Rights, Women Rights (except when it comes to Conservative woman) and Free Speech (except for Conservative speech), make friends with people who want to destroy all three? 
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Saturday, April 02, 2011

Doctor Who -- Image of the Fendahl

If it's the weekend, it's time for another Doctor Who episode!



This time the Fourth Doctor face magic, science and an ancient evil.  This episode you can watch with the light on.  Welcome to Image of the Fendahl!



In other Valley news, I will go back to Fisking 60 Minutes for season 43 after the season is over. When I left that beat, it did not look like the numbers balanced:


So, get ready for that soon. 



Another article will tie in Moby, Mobies, The Departed and Infernal Affairs.  Expect it between Monday and Wednesday.   This week, I will be in Political meetings on Monday and Tuesday.  Find me at Cravings in West Hollywood (42nd AD mtg) on Monday and Galpin Ford (SFVRC) on Tuesday.


Also, I am writing the book proposal (with some help from Robert McCain) about winning Los Angeles.  Names will be named and the truth will out. Everything I write in the Valley is the Truth as I see it.



Unlike others, I choose to be "The man in the arena,"  that's why I sleep well at night. 



In the battle of ideas and the soul of America, it helps to have both.  (And be predisposed to playing well with others).




And now, on this spring night enjoy the Doctor fighting the Dark Magic and science in Image of the Fendahl!




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Friday, April 01, 2011

New (old) News from CalTech and JPL

Sometimes you find the most interesting news on Google News.

Today, some scientists at JPL and CalTech (in association with NASA and The Singularity Institute) has discovered a way to send monkeys back 10 minutes in time. 

If done correctly, the first Astronauts will travel backward and forward in time and space, getting to the core of the Big Bang. 

Who needs a TARDIS when you have JPL and CalTech in town?

The question becomes, did the monkeys meet their past selves, or have they always been here?

It might be easier getting a meal at Milliways then figuring out this equation....

Or I can say....................

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APRIL FOOLS DAY!!!!!!

On Tax Day, any time traveler is invited to come here:



Enjoy your April Fools today! (Or is it yesterday?)





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