Monday, February 15, 2010

I Was Against It Before I Was For It (And I Was Right!)...

I often preached, during the term-limit movement of 15 years ago, that we've always had term limits -- called 'the vote' -- and we were better off not codifying it, as that would have the stench of more government.

I'll admit, I've wavered in my steadfastness to that position during the past 8-10 years, when even Republican lifers have acted not like platform-adhering GOP'ers, but rather "incumbent majoritarians". During the last couple of years I'd have willingly accepted term limits -- which, of course, neither party's national leaders would have entertained.

I've also remarked in various forums, both public and private, that it might be good for us to suffer the administration of the radical Left, if only to get our fill of it. So, you can imagine my guarded gratification today, with even Evan Bayh validating the inevitability of the political earthquake being wrought by the so-called 'tea party' movement among American citizenry.

Turns out, there IS a limit to our being fed up. And, finally, we are fed up with it! Ordinary Americans will no longer automatically vote for the most recognizable name if they recognize it isn't aligned with Main Street values and realities! Despite my inconstancy, I was right! The implied term limits of a public vote ARE a viable response to unresponsive representation.

It is no time to relax, though. I doubt the 'wag the dog' capacity of this administration's decision-making cadre even less than that of the Clintons. I fully expect some sort of political manipulation of current events by the Left -- tacitly orchestrated by the 'Chicago gang' -- between now and November. But, finally, a full year of administrative cynicism on top of a year-long campaign of cynically hiding a Leftist agenda behind 'empty-suit' rhetoric has, I trust, earned the Chicagoans a disregard they so deliciously deserve. If November is anything less than a stinging chastisement to them, I will reluctantly fall back into the term-limit camp. Because, in that case, American voters obviously can't be counted on to learn even lessons with which they are swatted in the face.


Bye-Bye, Bayh!

Indiana Senator Evan Bayh's announced retirement further erodes Democrats hopes to either ram through unwanted legislation this spring and/or summer, or maintain their large majority after the fall elections.

Bayh stated, "If Washington could be more like Indiana, it would be a better place." Well, yes -- and the same could be said for about 35 other states not dominated by the liberal bastions of bi-coastal academia and artsy-fartsy neverlands. If you want to understand AMERICA, not American elitism, you visit Indy, or Nashville, or Omaha, or Laramie, or the thousands of other towns and cities where celebrity and $1.50 can buy you a cup of coffee. That is where folks live who actually work for a living, and live for themselves, their families, and their communities. Who would you rather listen to for economic advice: the multi-millionaire, high-school dropout who looks good on a movie screen, or the political science major who got a CPA, married his/her high-school sweetheart, and whose net worth is tied up in the house and the kids' education?

Bayh should be commended for his four years of service as Indiana's secretary of state, eight years as governor, and 12 years as senator. Should he fancy himself a candidate for higher office at some later date, he should be questioned hard for his role and vote in advancing the radically liberal agenda abroad (and, seemingly, adrift) in Washington today. If he envisions himself as a viable alternative to Obama to Democrats in 2012, let's hope he realizes that his remaining votes in Washington should serve to augment that differentiation soonest!



Sunday, February 14, 2010

First Ride



I don't know if knowing you're biting off more than you can chew helps you masticate it any better, but I decided to at least attempt to ride my new motorcycle home from the dealership yesterday -- while also taking along a backup/experienced rider, a local motorcycle cop who's also the resource officer at the school where I teach.

Anyway, after a quarter-mile test ride to assure myself I could even hold the 600+-pound machine up, I took off in c. 40-degree weather to traverse the 24 miles home. The journey was not without some early frustration. After careening out of the dealership lot (right turns still are not my best friend), across the street and through an adjoining lawn before getting my bearings, I missed the first light because I stalled the bike twice. It happened again at the second light, and I got off and motioned for Officer Brad to take over. He pushed it to an adjoining parking lot, and took it around the lot a couple of times.

Now, this particular motorcycle is essentially a 10-speed -- 1-5 in both a low and high range. Somehow, I'd managed to nudge it into high range, making 'takeoff' a much more delicate operation. Brad coaxed me around the lot a couple of times, proffered a couple of pointers, and cajoled me into trying again. This time, I got through the light and out of town without further stoppages. Thus, I had c. 20 miles of lightly-traveled highway before getting near home.

Finally, I got a chance to just relax and ride, without much panic about the newness of the experience. I'd dressed with plenty of layers to keep out the chill, mostly -- only the wind over the windshield, but under the shield of my 3/4-helmet caused any discomfort, which was manageable. So, I just practiced taking the appropriate line into and out of curves, looking to where I wanted the bike to go, and gently getting up to highway speed, trusting Brad to act as my rear guard in my car.

Coming back into town as I approached home, I suffered the bad luck of having a slow-starting car at an intersection in front of me, and I stalled the bike again when I didn't get down-shifted fast enough while stopping more quickly than I would have preferred. I wound up with a right-turn lane to cross to get back into a high-traffic, through lane, so just turned right instead and headed toward my school, adding a couple of 90-degree turns and a pair of 4-way stops to my itinerary. Still, getting onto quieter side streets reduced some stress. I DID have to negotiate one more major intersection prior to my neighborhood, but the little experience I'd accumulated just on this journey finally got me through without further mishap. I was reasonably calm as I dismounted in the carport with Brad pulling in behind me. I'd survived, anyhow.

Doesn't look like the weather is going to allow me to get back on the street for a few days, but I think the county park just a half-mile down the street will be getting plenty of motorcycle traffic during the next few weeks. It has light traffic, low speeds, plenty of curves and hills, and several parking lots -- near perfect for low-stress learning. In any case, the bike is home, so now it's up to me to keep it from becoming a white elephant.



Sunday, February 7, 2010

I'm a MINO (Motorcyclist In Name Only)!

Well, today I passed the Bacis Riders Course driving test sponsored by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, and can claim my driver's license endorsement to operate a motorcycle on public roadways.

I got a 100% on the written portion (pretty easy, really, if you just pay attention and read!), but the driving part was a whole 'nuther matter! After yesterday's range introduction, I wouldn't have gone beyond 50-50 on my odds today of passing. Yet, as far as I know, I didn't lose any points on any of the driving tests (though I DID get a second chance on a cornering ride-through).

Anyway, when I pay off my 'classic' motorcycle purchase next weekend -- and weather permitting -- I will be legal, and may be brave enough, to drive it home myself (though I will have experience support on hand in case I suffer some nerves).

Notations:

  • I'm pretty good at straight-line braking/stopping, left-hand-turns, and shifting.
  • I need extra practice on smooth starts and right-hand turns.

I'll probably split my riding time during the next month or so between leisurely, off-peak traffic drives on a rural highway, and parking lot maneuvers at the local community college. If I can actually plan to 'go somewhere' by bike before next fall/winter, I'll consider my education successful, though likely (never) complete.




Saturday, February 6, 2010

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

The Lyndon Johnson Moment?..

"...I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your president..."

President Lyndon Johnson, March 31, 1968

Take a look at the White House's "Economic Assumptions" (Page 13) from its Economic and Budget Analyses accompanying the new budget presentation to Capitol Hill earlier today. The forecast civilian unemployment rate falls only to 8.2% in 2012. Lest you miss my point, 2012 is a presidential election year!

When we un-elected Jimmy Carter in 1980, his highest unemployment rate had been 7.6%, with a 6.7% average for his entire term. Even Ronald Reagan's was higher, though we also saw the greatest decrease ever during his term of office. Even George W. Bush -- the so-called 'failed' president, according to the current administration -- oversaw an average unemployment rate under 6%.

I can't, for the life of me, figure out how or even why the Obamans can try to lay the blame for 4 years of the highest Post-WWII unemployment ever on a previous administration which suffered a rate barely half of their their own.

So, will Barack Obama see the handwriting on the wall predicted by his own White House staff (frankly, he doesn't seem like much of a wall-reader, to me) and not seek re-election, or will he go down disclaiming the historically lousy economy he oversaw? Because, really, I very much doubt Americans will volunteer for a second round.