A Little Inside Scoop

This morning I was doing a little "research" on one of my company's competitors. One of the hits led me to I-Tunes and specifically its free podcast from the Baylor Business Review. This is great stuff from their Business School and at this price...it's a great deal as well. The subject matter is very good and quite varied. Check it out...

Reaction to Obama's Escalation

AUSTIN, TEXAS - December 2, 2009 - Libertarians reacted strongly against President Barack Obama's escalation of the war in Afghanistan. "The Libertarian Party firmly rejects the concept of foreign nation-building adventures. We should not be in the business of propping up foreign leaders or using force to spread our uniquely American style of government," said LPT Executive Director Robert Butler."There is no difference between the Bush and Obama policies in Afghanistan," agreed LPT Chair Patrick Dixon. "The Libertarian Party is the only party on the ballot in Texas that has consistently advocated real change in policy. Those that thought they would see such change from the Obama administration are now politically homeless." "For those wondering how we can get people in Congress to change our policy and end these perpetual wars, we are recruiting candidates right now to give voters that choice." Compared to the obvious division that is seen within the Republi-Crat party, this party is clear on the issue of no nation-building, except our own! Now that would be real change...

Embracing American Diversity

It seems everyone, recently, is found of letting everyone else know where they "stand" on various (and sometimes sundry) issues. I've been on both side of these issues at different times in my life and relish the debate. The discussions and musings go something like this:
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-If a libertarian or conservative doesn't like guns, he doesn’t buy one.
-If a liberal doesn't like guns, he wants all guns outlawed.
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-If a libertarian or conservative is a vegetarian, he doesn’t eat meat.
-If a liberal is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone.
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-If a libertarian or conservative sees a foreign threat, he thinks about how to defeat his enemy.
-A liberal wonders how to surrender gracefully and still look good.
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-If a libertarian or conservative slips and falls in a store, he gets up, laughs and is embarrassed.
-If a liberal slips and falls, he grabs his neck, moans like he's in labor and then sues.
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-If a Black man or Hispanic are conservative, they see themselves as independently successful.
-Their liberal counterparts see themselves as victims in need of government protection.
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-If a conservative is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation.
-A liberal wonders who is going to take care of him.
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-If a conservative doesn't like a talk show host, he switches channels.
-Liberals demand that those they don't like be shut down immediately.
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-If a libertarian or conservative is a non-believer, he doesn't go to church, temple or mosque.
-A liberal non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced. (Unless it's a foreign religion, of course!)
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-If a conservative decides he needs health care, he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it.
-A liberal demands that the rest of us pay for his.

The Lil' Sneak

So, I'm out in Steiner Ranch the other day, doing the work thing...when I see this little weasel !! I asked the guy who's inspecting this roof "hey, what do think he's doing there?" " Clearly setting up a Speed Trap," says the contractor, "for folks coming down that hill, there." OK, I thought...I'm going to photograph what is obviously not allowed by Traffic Courts, entrapment !

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Then I zoom in on the little rat.
The back of his jacket should
read "vermin" and not what it does. Does this guy think he's on CHIPS or something?

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Anyway, and for the record, I don't know how it got there...but, up the hill and further down the street, look what I found planted on the curb ! A sign explaining exactly what's coming for the unknowing motorists... ; )~

Nobel Peace Prize...Really ?

The gravity of the Nobel awards has not been augmented by some of their recent selections, including last week's announcement or last year's award of the Economics prize to Paul Krugman, or the 2007 Peace Prize to Al Gore, whose global warming theories he will not defend in open debate. Maybe an early Springtime announcement date of April 1, would be more appropriate.
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I didn't know that it was the role of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee to be handicapping the future performance of individuals and organizations, given that the deadline for this nomination occurred only twelve days into this current Administration. Nonetheless, I congratulate President Obama on his award and hope that in three-and-a- quarter years from now the Nobel Peace Prize Committee will be seen as prescient. The reason I point that out is because this is same person who requested from Congress for twenty-five thousand additional troops to be sent to Iraq, within the next ninety days. Is that how you END a war...by sending additional troops ? The Republi-Crats are two sides of the same coin.
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Mr. Obama will best fulfill the promise of peace that the Nobel Committee apparently sees in him by not trying to cure all the ills of the world, but by working to make the United States an example for the other nations of the world through implementation of a Libertarian foreign policy--that is, military non-interventionism combined with free trade policies in fact, and not just in rhetoric as has been the case heretofore. With those guiding principles, the world will be a freer, safer and a more prosperous planet at the conclusion of the Obama Administration. Let us pray...

End The Fed

The Daily Show interview gave Dr. Paul a great chance to not only state why the Fed (i.e., the federal reserve) should be ended, but also to articulate why personal liberties are better protected when government is limited, not the other way around. Host Jon Stewart asked serious, thoughtful questions and emphasized that Dr. Paul's stand for small government has been a consistent one throughout the years no matter which political party held power.

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At the end of the interview, Stewart highly recommended End the Fed to his audience, saying that it was "really thought-provoking," as well as "really well-written" and "clearly from the heart." Click on the title, as a video image link to watch The Daily Show interview on CampaignForLiberty.com; it is also on You Tube:

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The most provound statement, I thought, in the book was when Dr. Paul notes that "It's hard to regulate or enforce fraud laws when the government, itself, participates in fraud." Again, he is clearly talking about both Republicans and Democrats...and this has to stop.

Flower Petal

The Subdudes have done it again !! This time it's Flower Petal. This may be their best yet. A little Americana music that is both soulfull and very expressive. What's there not to like? As I listened to it, I decided to rename it...I'll call it Flower Petal Power. Yeah, I like that. : )~

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OK, it's shuffle loading time.

Cali Folk

Californians...So as not to be outdone by all the redneck, hillbilly, and Texan jokes, somebody had to come up with this, you know you're from California if:

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1. Your coworker has 8 body piercings and none are visible.

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2. You make over $300,000 and still can't afford a house.

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3. You take a bus and are shocked at two people carrying on a conversation in English.

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4. Your child's 3rd-grade teacher has purple hair, a nose ring, and is named Flower.

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5. You can't remember .. . Is pot illegal?

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6. You've been to a baby shower that has two mothers and a sperm donor.

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7. You have a very strong opinion about where your coffee beans are grown, and you can taste the difference between Sumatran and Ethiopian.

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8. You can't remember .. . . Is pot illegal?

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9.. A really great parking space can totally move you to tears.

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10. Gas costs $1.00 per gallon more than anywhere else in the U.S.

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11. Unlike back home, the guy at 8:30 am at Starbucks wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses who looks like George Clooney really IS George Clooney.

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12. Your car insurance costs as much as your house payment.

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13. You can't remember .. . .is pot illegal?

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14. It's barely sprinkling rain and there's a report on every news station: "STORM WATCH."

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15. You pass an elementary school playground and the children are all busy with their cells or pagers.

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16. It's barely sprinkling rain outside, so you leave for work an hour early to avoid all the weather-related accidents.

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17. HEY!!!! Is pot illegal????

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18. Both you AND your dog have therapists, psychics, personal trainers and cosmetic surgeons.

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19. The Terminator is your governor and even he can't seem to balance the state's budget.

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20. If you drive illegally, they take your driver's license. If you're here illegally, they want to give you one.

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21. And lest we forget...you buy a pet bed for your girly SNAKE.

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I love those folks, especially when they stay home...

And Then There Were Six !!

To all my Longhorn friends out there, please do not read this post...I'm sure you have better things to do anyway.

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This week was a lot of fun, spanking the Longhorns and all. It's not that LSU fans hate the Horns, say the way OU or A&M fans do. To us, it's more of a mild amusement, especially in the way UT fans will one minute doubt their team's ability to win and the next will be telling you how they are going to (somehow) kick your ass. Tigers fans simply laugh at this mild rendition of trash talk. You see...we come from the SEC. There, not only do opposing teams tell you what Texas does but (get this...) they will also tell by what score it is going to happen. It surely has the tendency to make you doubt or at least wonder about your poor, little ole team. I mean, how do they know that? Quite simply, you come to know, is that they really don't and you've just been "schooled" in Trash Talk 101, SEC style.

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So, to all of you Horn Fans who ventured on to continue reading this thing...I say Thank You, from the bottom of my heart. Texas fans are indeed the classiest that Tigers fan have ever had the honor of competing against, in any of our National Championships, ever !! (Bare in mind that since 1991, LSU has won eight in "The Big Three"...six in baseball and two in football) Geaux Tigers !!

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Thanks, Donna, for the pix. I especially like the "Augie Burrito" one. That was Uber-Cool...

Cycling De Coded

Cyclists are the biggest sandbaggers and secret trainers around. They'll say anything to soften you up for the kill. Don't let this happen to you. Study this handy rider's phrasebook to find out what they really mean when they say:

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"I'm out of shape"

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Translation: I ride 400 miles a week and haven't missed a day since the Ford administration. I replace my 11-tooth cog more often than you wash your shorts. My body fat percentage is lower than your mortgage rate.

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"I'm not into competition. I'm just riding to stay in shape"

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Translation: I will attack until you collapse in the gutter, babbling and whimpering. I will win the line sprint if I have to force you into oncoming traffic. I will crest this hill first if I have to grab your seat post, and spray energy drink in your eyes.

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"I'm on my beater bike"

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Translation: I had this baby custom-made in Tuscany using Carbon Fiber blessed by the Pope. I took it to a wind tunnel and it disappeared. It weighs less than a fart and costs more than a divorce.

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"It's not that hilly"

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Translation: This climb lasts longer than a presidential campaign. Be careful on the steep sections or you'll fall over -- backward. What... you only have a 39x23 low gear? Here's the name of my knee surgeon.

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"You're doing great honey"

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Translation: You, lard ass, I'd like to get home before midnight. This is what you get for spending the winter decorating and eating chocolate. I shoulda married that cute Cat 1 racer when I had the chance.

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"This is a no-drop ride"

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Translation: I'll need an article of your clothing for the search-and-rescue dogs.

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"It's not that far"

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Translation: Bring your passport.

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The bottom line is that runners tend to be an honest lot and cyclists are NOT !! ; )

Da Vinci De-Coded

Written across the wall of a cave outside of Jeruselum were the following symbols:
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It was considered a unique find and the writings were said to be at least three thousand years old! So, the piece of stone was removed, brought to the museum, and archaeologists from around the world came to study the ancient symbols. They held a huge meeting after months of conferences to discuss the meaning of the markings.
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The President of the society pointed to first drawing and said: "This is a woman. We can see these people held women in high esteem. You can also tell they were intelligent, as the next symbol is a donkey. So they were smart enough to have animals help them till the soil. The next drawing is a shovel, which means they had tools to help them."Even further proof of their high intelligence is the fish which means that if a famine hit the earth and food didn't grow, they seek food from the sea.
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The last symbol appears to be the Star of David which means they were evidently Hebrews. The audience applauded enthusiastically.
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Then a little old Jewish man stood up in the back of the room and loudly explained, "Idiots! Hebrew is read from right to left..... It says: 'Holy Mackerel, Dig The Ass On That Chick!'
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Eventhough I was a Liberal Arts Major, I love archeology... ; )

Are You Kidding Me !?!

While running with my training group this week, a random thought popped into my mind. (BTW, this type of thing happens during running, all the time) Why the hell can I not keep up with this running group of mine? I've been running with them for about a year, now, and I should clearly be doing better than this. Or so I thought.

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Am I slow? Am I a secret lolligager and I just don't know it? I mean really. What happens is I'll be running along with the group for a while, keeping up and everything. And then...those bastards just sloooowly pull away, once they get warmed up.

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It's like the recurrence of a bad dream. About that time, a second thought hit me. One part of my little Scooter mind (the creative side, not the squirrely one) told the other part (the more analytical side) "Are you kidding me, Dude?" Those running group clowns are really freakin' fast. I mean of the total group of twelve, seven are Boston Marathon qualifiers !! My analytical side kinda took over at this point and came up with this about my running buddies:

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Ann-I-Am: 42, 3:43 (What a hoot.)

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Missy: 43, 3:37 (Silent but deadly)

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Gary-Gary: 41, 3:16 (A sneaky little devil, indeed)

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Coach Bill: 52, 3:01 (he actually paced the 3:15 group for the Austin Marathon this year...friggin' nutz !!)

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Jay Bird: 32, 2:36 (double friggin' nutz)

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What A Joy: 31, 3:17 (at one point, last year when she was seven months pregnant, I thought if she passes me...I quitting this running crap!)

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Wild Bill: 51, 3:31 (He's like the Energizer Bunny!)

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Santa Santos: 36, 3:17 (He's close...but you get the point)

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The bottom line is: what was I thinking? As my grand pa LaFleur was apt to say about these situations "You gotta eat a lot more cornbread before you can hang with those folks." Oh well...here I go. Wish me luck! ; )~

Que Paso ??

This much is true...the Republi-Crats have lied to you and I.
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The media tells us that "deregulation" and "unfettered free markets" have wrecked our economy and will continue to make things worse without a heavy dose of federal regulation. But the real blame lies elsewhere. In Meltdown, bestselling author Thomas E. Woods Jr. unearths the real causes behind the collapse of housing values and the stock market--and it turns out the culprits reside more in Washington than on Wall Street.

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And the trillions of dollars in federal bailouts? Our politicians' ham-handed attempts to fix the problems they themselves created will only make things much worse. Woods, a senior fellow at the Ludwig von Mises Institute and winner of the 2006 Templeton Enterprise Award, busts the media myths and government spin. He explains how government intervention in the economy--from the Democratic hobby horse called Fannie Mae to affirmative action programs like the Community Redevelopment Act--actually caused the housing bubble.
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Most important, Woods, author of the New York Times bestseller The Politically Incorrect Guide to American History, traces this most recent boom-and-bust--and all such booms and busts of the past century--back to one of the most revered government institutions of all: the Federal Reserve System, which allows busy-body bureaucrats and ambitious politicians to pull the strings of our financial sector and manipulate the value of the very money we use.
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Meltdown also provides a timely history lesson to counter the current clamor for a new New Deal. The Great Depression, Woods demonstrates, was only as deep and as long as it was because of the government interventions by Herbert Hoover (no free-market capitalist, despite what your high school history teacher may have taught you) and Franklin D. Roosevelt (no savior of the American economy, in spite of what the mainstream media says). If you want to understand what caused the financial meltdown--and why none of the big-government solutions being tried today will work--Meltdown explains it all.
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I highly recommend it...its the best book I've read this week ! ; )

Puzzle Du Jour

I really enjoy doing one of these, to start the day.
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Have fun with it !!
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9:57; 8:23; 1:32; 11:25; 9:13; 2:48

In what way are the start and end of each of these six times identical?
(answer is below...unless, of course you know it already)
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They start and end with the same letter:
9:57...Nine fifty-seveN
8:23...Eight twenty-threE
1:32...One thirty-twO
11:25...Eleven twenty-fivE
9:13...Nine thriteeN
2:48...Two forty-eighT
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As you were... ; )

Yumeaux !!

A little secret that I've been keeping for quite some time has timely emerged. It's a long term project that has recently come to....ahem, fruition. The grapes have been planted many years ago and the winery is finally open !!

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Check it out if you're in the area: http://www.pedernalescellars.com/ The goal, here, is quite simple...to make the best, low production, wine in Texas !

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And (quickly looking left and now looking right) if anyone asks, just tell them a little bird told you about it...the secret wants to continue. Shhh...

The Law of Attraction

"Like draws to like, and the goods which belong to you gravitate to you." (Emerson)

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I suppose this is why Congress and the current administration are having so much trouble with this "Stimulus Package" thing. Borrowed money doesn't create anything...except more debt. Bad Karma on their part indeed ! BTW, I've always really enjoyed Ayn Rand's ideas and insight on this very subject matter. A woman ahead of her time, she was.

Big Abe

As an old History/Political Science major (and Philosophy minor) I dearly love to read about significant historical figures, especially those who have directly contributed to matters or situations impacting my lifetime. It's for this reason that I recently began reading and in some cases re-reading literature on Abe Lincoln. He's best known for his thinking, writing and speeches as I'm sure you all know quite well. Most notably among his writings are the following expressions, that are my favs:

-"No man resolved to make the most of himself can spare the time for personal contention." Amen to that...

-"I am rather inclined to silence, and whether that be wise or not, it is at least more unusual nowadays to find a man who can hold his tongue than to find one who cannot." Bingo !! Man do we need more of these...


-"Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing." Read that one again...it's worth it.


-"I want it said of me by those who knew me best, that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow." He was a Dowist, indeed.


And so he did...Lincoln is known for having planted many, wonderful "flowers" in his time. We learned many of these in school.

Also, I recently came across and also enjoyed the photo, above, and how it dovetails nicely into the nascent idea of Lincoln that came to mind during these recent readings: i.e., a person going along quite well in life, fully knowing and seeing the cold, hard and possibly tumultuous times just ahead. However, they continue to bravely advance and make their way towards it anyway. It is their destiny to do this.

Bandera 25k

This past Saturday was the annual Bandera run. I opted for the 25k as, for reasons obvious in photo #2, I didn't need to run any more on this particular day !! ...lol

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The race was a load of fun, up to the point were I was a little fatigued but I hadn't noticed it yet. That's the recipe for the "spill" as I've come to call it. It's about 2/3's of the way through the race, I'm doing well and then I hear the infamous 'thump' sound that indicates the first step (of which there are at least three by my definition) in the spill process. The second step is where you actually hit the deck, all the while wondering "hmmm....what exactly just happened to me?" Then you come to know that you just fell and immediately, if possible, hop up from the ground, dust yourself off and quickly look around to see if anyone saw that. (here comes #3: mild embarrassment) Two guys behind me did see it...as soon as I indicated that I was ok, the snickers and giggles commenced. Myself included. Yeah, I thought, when the legs get just a little rubbery but you haven't yet fully noticed it, that can be dangerous. That little Queen song came to mind: "another one bites the dust...let's go !!" So I did...

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Now, I'm fully aware of my condition and went on to finish the race a little more conscious of my condition and at a little more careful pace. All in all, not too bad for a rookie: a 3:21 25k, through the woods, no less.

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The last pix is of my ice bath in my in-law's pool in Kerrville. That water was like 50 friggin degrees. So, my already sore legs hurt like the devil when I first stepped into the pool. But, after about 30 seconds, POOF !, they went numb from the cold water. I gotta say, afterwards is always a better feeling than going into those ice bath things !

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All in all, Bandera was a fun race that I'll probably do again in the future...

When to Quit

Sometimes, you just gotta know when enough is enough...

A Libertarian's New Year's Resolutions

These resolutions were originally developed by Harry Browne, one of the very influential persons (along with Ayn Rand) who introduced me to the ideas of this party, to which I try to adhere to today, and will continue to do so into the future. As many of you know, my party affiliations have run the gamut from a somewhat Liberal Democrat in and immediately following college to a brief stint as a Republican Dude in my late 20's. Now I believe that I feel most comfortable in the Party of Liberty (as a Libertarian). Therefore, I am going to make these my own for 2009.

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1. I resolve to *sell* liberty by appealing to the self-interest of each person, rather than *preaching* to people and expecting them to suddenly adopt my ideas of right and wrong. (my college profs were good at this)
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2. I resolve to keep from being drawn into arguments or debates. My purpose is to inspire people to want liberty -- not to prove that they're wrong. (to anyone who I've offended on this one, I hereby apologize)
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3. I resolve to *listen* when people tell me of their wants and needs, so that I can help them see how a free society will satisfy those needs. (Ron Paul is credited with further developing this idea)
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4. I resolve to identify myself, when appropriate, with the social goals that someone may seek -- a cleaner environment, more help for the poor, a less divisive society -- and try to show him that those goals can never be achieved by government, but will be well served in a free society. (I thank Ms. Rand for this one)
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5. I resolve to be compassionate and respectful of the beliefs and needs that lead people to seek governmental help. I don't have to approve of their subsidies or policies -- but if I don't acknowledge their needs, I have no hope of helping them find a better way to solve their problems. (my old Sunday school teacher's introduction of the Old Testament's Book of Samuel immediately came to mind on this one)
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6. No matter what the issue, I resolve to keep returning to the central point: how much better off the individual will be in a free society.
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7. I resolve to acknowledge my good fortune in having been born an American (corny but true). Any plan for improvement must begin with a recognition of the good things we have. To speak only of America's defects will make me a tiresome crank. (Amen to that !!)
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8. I resolve to focus on the ways America could be so much better with a very small government -- not to dwell on all the wrongs that exist today.
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9. I resolve to cleanse myself of hate, resentment, and bitterness. Such things steal time and attention from the work that must be done.
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10. I resolve to speak, dress, and act in a respectable manner. I may be the first libertarian someone has encountered, and it's important that he get a good first impression. No one will hear the message if the messenger is unattractive.
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11. I resolve to remind myself that someone's "stupid" opinion may be an opinion I once held. If *I* can grow, why can't I help *him/her* grow?
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12. I resolve not to raise my voice in any discussion. In a shouting match, no one wins, no one changes his/her mind, and no one will be inspired to join our quest for a free society.
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13. I resolve not to adopt the tactics of Republicans and Democrats. They use character assassination, evasions, and intimidation because they have no real benefits to offer Americans. We, on the other hand, are offering to set people free -- and so we can win simply by focusing on the better life our proposals will bring.

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14. I resolve to be civil to my opponents and treat them with respect. However anyone chooses to treat me, it's important that I be a better person than my enemies.
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When I first read these, I thought that this guy was well ahead of his time. Then I remembered: this is very similar language to the very people who formed this country of ours... We apparently have lost our way and simply need to make a correction.

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Happy New Years Everybody !!