War is a Racket
“War is a racket. It always has been.
It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives.
A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of the people. Only a small “inside” group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few, at the expense of the very many. Out of war a few people make huge fortunes.”
Major General Smedley Butler, USMC, in 1935
Who is Smedley Butler? Wikipedia starts off as follows: “…nicknamed ‘The Fighting Quaker’ and ‘Old Gimlet Eye’, was a Major General in the U.S. Marine Corps, and at the time of his death the most decorated Marine in U.S. history. During his 34-year career as a Marine, he participated in military actions in the Philippines, China, in Central America and the Caribbean during the Banana Wars, and France in World War I. By the end of his career he had received 16 medals, five of which were for heroism. He is one of 19 people to twice receive the Medal of Honor, one of three to be awarded both the Marine Corps Brevet Medal and the Medal of Honor, and the only person to be awarded the Brevet Medal and two Medals of Honor, all for separate actions.”
If there ever was a man that knew war he has to be among the elite. The quote is the start of his book, War is a Racket, published in 1935. Continue reading “War is a Racket”
Abe Lincoln and Eric Cantor
There floats around a story of a trusted advisor of President Abraham Lincoln who recommended a candidate for Lincoln’s cabinet. Lincoln declined and when asked why, he said, “I don’t like the man’s face.”
“But the poor man is not responsible for his face,” his advisor insisted.
“Every man over forty is responsible for his face,” Lincoln replied, and the prospect was considered no more.
Personally, I think there is a lot of truth in the above story. Most folk can recognize a face that is habitually angry or happy or sad. It does take living awhile for what has happened to you and what is inside of you to become stamped on your features.
I don’t like Eric Cantor’s face. It strikes me as a combination of arrogant, angry and prudishness (picture someone sucking on green persimmons). Every time I see a picture of this fellow it appalls me that he is a Congressman, let alone a leader in the not so august body. I want to see someone with compassion and acceptance stamped on their face.
On the other hand John Boehner looks like he wants to fleece me. Not so surprisingly that is exactly what he is doing to the middle class and poor in this country.
Gays at The Values Voter Summit???
This picture is from the recent Values Voter Summit. This group is about as homophobic as they come. However, the two “fellows” in this picture appear to be as gay as you can get. The only thing missing is for one of the boys to give a reach around to the other.
Japanese Emperor Bangs Demonic Sun Goddess
C. Peter Wagner, an endorser of Gov. Rick Perry’s “The Response” prayer rally, explains that the nation of Japan is controlled by a demon spirit (The Sun Goddess) because the Emperor had sexual intercourse with her.
Wagner has been credited with founding the New Apostolic Reformation. This group conducts spiritual warfare against demons, seeks dominion over public institutions and government. Their goal is make America a “Christian” nation as they define it. As I understand they believe that the church leaders are apostles and prophets. Apparently the prophets have conversations with God and relay the skinny to the apostles. Scary stuff.
Why American Education Will Never Be Fixed
George Carlin sums it up very nicely…
Maybe the kids occupying Wall Street will be a start. It is way past time to take OUR country back from these $h!theads.
Most welfare fraud by doctors, hospitals, pharmacies…
I’ve been looking for a statistic on the percentage of welfare/Medicare fraud by recipients. I kept seeing this quote all over the Internet. While I did not find the original study, I am going to trust the Boston Herald.
“A study in Massachusetts showed that more than 93 percent of the money recovered from welfare fraud came from vendors.”
Read the full story at the Boston Herald at this link: The real cheaters
My Sentiments
Want more Candorville…check out Darrin Bell’s web site candorville.com
Welfare Mama, My A$$
One of the reoccurring themes when I talk to my fellow citizens on the right of the political spectrum is freeloaders. They seem utterly outraged and maybe terrified that someone might be getting something with their tax money. I keep hearing stories about the welfare mama driving a Cadillac. Another favorite story is the teenage bimbo driving a hot car, living with her boyfriend, and paying for cigarettes with food stamps. Then we have malingers collecting workers comp for a fake injury. The stories go on and on.
I have no doubt that there are cases like the above. I spent an afternoon a while back Googling for statistics on this type of fraud or abuse of the system. I did not have a lot of luck finding any numbers. My gut feeling is that the dollars pale in comparison to the real welfare cheats, doctors, lawyers, hospitals, and corporations.
A while back I worked for a large corporation involved in the care of the elderly. Their standard business practice was to bill Medicare for every possible thing. Apparently they were a little too zealous about it. The government pushed back at them and they had to pay back a rather large sum of money (in the millions). If memory serves there was also a fine involved, but I am not entirely sure on that part.
A news story just broke, 91 charged in Medicare fraud crackdown. They have just arrested 91 individuals, including doctors and other medical professionals. They are claiming $295 million in false billings. Continue reading “Welfare Mama, My A$$”
Texas please secede
Upon secession you can stop sending us idiots like Bush and Perry.