I know it’s been quite a while since my last post. There have been times when I’ve been too upset to post anything; so, I’m trying baby steps.

AFP has reported on the results of a Transparnecy International (of Berlin) report of Sri Lanka’s usage of Tsunami Aid. Of the $2.2B of aid, $603.4M was spent on non-related projects and and another $471.9M was missing. That would be over $1B of aid that went for Tsunami relief, but will never be spent on such projects. The brief article does not indicate whether the remainder of the aid has been spent, but assuming it has (and that’s a big assumption) that is just over 51% of the aid is being used for its intended purpose. The article also does not indicate the sources of the $2.2B (aid organizations, governments, private donations, etc), which would be interesting. Regardless, how conforting is this news?

You can reach Transparency International’s website here.

Hey everyone,

Blogging is fun but it doesn’t pay the mortgage. I am all over the web and will probably be back blogging, one of these days. But not in overtly political commentary. I’m retiring to blogger emeritus status here at logipundit. Thanks, all.

John Broussard

Some conservative groups that I’ve never heard of said they had 20-30k people commit to the rally on their website.  How many came?  This Many:

Also interesting is the following time lapse of the march:

And further coverage on CSPAN.

While I really want to applaud Gov. Perry for sending the a special group of Texas Rangers to the border to do the job that the Federal Government either can’t or won’t, but why oh why did he wait until now?  Could it be that there is a Democrat in the White House?  Or could it be like the teetotaler who were in DC and this is just when the water boiled over?  Somehow I think it’s the former, especially since Perry is part of the opposing political party and the teetotalers , while fiscal conservatives, are pretty much a blend of several parties (or not affiliated at all).

Late tonight Van Jones resigned.  Robert Gibbs  says that despite the resignation, Jones “continues to work in the administration.” (AP Story)

US Department of Education website advises that the address will be moved up to 12pm EDT.

On our way to the public library this evening with my family, we passed by a very peaceful demonstration of approx 30 people in downtown Leesburg.  I noticed the signs for “Support Public Option” (or something very similar).  As I passed by the group and turned north on 15, I adamantly shook my head in disagreement.  That’s when I saw the other signs (most likely the opposite side of the sign I first saw), “Health Care for All”.  So, by expressing my disagreement with the public option, I am also displaying by my opinion AGAINST Health care for all? 

These two are obviously not synonymous; the public option has to do with insurance not the providing of health care.  No one ever states that anyone (with cash or without) can get health care from almost any emergency room across the country.  Regardless, the goal seems to be to link the Public Option with an emotion triggering idea such as “Health care for all.”  Anyone who opposes the public option surely opposes health care for all, right? Ummm….not really.

It’s the same emotional carrot that is dangled in front of the public when politicians/activists promote higher funding for educational programs; it’s FOR THE KIDS, you hate monger!   Sure does generate an emotional response.   I don’t want to be thought of as an uncaring unenlightened schnob that thinks that if you can’t pay for health care, then tough titties.  Who does?  And that’s the bitch of it.  It allows the debate to never talk about the basic fundamentals for each argument. 

In one corner, we have a group that believes that the government is the solution.  Government control is best; government knows best.  Through the government’s intervention, we can provide everyone healthcare.  Popular thoughts:  “Why doesn’t the other side care about the folks who are hurting and struggling; we’re a rich country so we should do something.  If it meant health care for all, I would pay more taxes.”  The rub:  By providing everyone healthcare, the only way to reduce cost (to even sustain this coverage) is to limit access.

In the other corner, we have a group that believes in limited Government.  The Government has its place for regulation and removing barriers to competition (if they actually do this, seems rare now a days doesn’t it?).  It’s only through competition that you can lower costs.  Besides if there more completion, there’s more options and more choices.  Popular thoughts:  “If the other side is so willing to pay higher taxes to provide health care for all, how many people’s health care are they currently paying for (my guess is zero)?  If I feel that I have a case against my insurance company, I can bring them to court.  I can’t bring my government to court if I suspect wrong doing, unethical behavior or otherwise.  How can a private company compete with the government?  Why doesn’t the government allow insurance companies to compete against each other across state lines?”  The rub:  It’s easy to give power to government and it’s hard to give people responsibility for their own well being.

Since these fundamentals do not readily fit on a sign that any person can hold on the corner of a street or in a town hall meeting, I guess we will never get down to brass tacks.

On the first day of school, public school kids will have a treat:  they will be addressed by the POTUS for the first time “about persisting and succeeding in school.”  While I can’t imagine anyone having a difference of opinion regarding the importance of persisting and succeeding in school, I can foresee difference of opinion in how this is to be accomplished.  As it stands now, I feel that the current and previous administrations believe that such success is not possible without the government.  Loudoun County School District has not published this unprecedented piece of news; I can only assume that all schools will air this broadcast.  My questions are:

1.  Will they air the broadcast?
2.  Will participation be mandatory?
3.  Will students receive a diffing perspective or will only one be presented?
4.  Is this the first of many addresses to students? 

There are some who are calling for boycotting the address by keeping kids home from school that day and others who will politely and boldly asking these questions from their local school board.  What will you do?  While I feel that the government has it’s uses, like creating opportunities for success it is not their responsibility to ensure such success.  The broadcast will broadcast live on the Whitehouse website September 8th at 1pm.

Here’s a study in Hong Kong where half of health care workers would refuse swine flu vaccine.

If this happens in Massachusetts, then half of the health care work force could face a $1000 fine and land in jail. 

How’s this for irony:  Robin Starr’s 16 year-old blind and deaf dog died after accidentally leaving him in her hot car. Who’s Robin?  She’s the CEO of the Richmond Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Virginia.

Meanwhile, Republican representative Thaddeus McCotter (MI) introduced the “HAPPY Act” or Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years.  The bill allows for pet owners to take tax deductions for their care up to $3500 per year.  You should be proud as this is some really ground-breaking legislation that will make a huge impact in our lives!  Makes me think of a news story about the “Cat Lady” found dead in her home with 258 80 cats and their feces.  She should’ve taken better care of herself; she could’ve gotten $280,000 in tax deductions.  Somehow I suspect that this legislation will not result in the promoting of the welfare of animals (or Americans for that matter).  Wonder what Robin Starr would say?

Also from DC:  Bill Richardson will not be indicted for pay-to-play accusations.  “The decision not to seek indictments was made by Justice Department officials in Washington, they said, speaking on condition they not be identified because prosecutors had not disclosed results of the probe.  ‘It’s over. There’s nothing. It was killed in Washington,’ one of the people told The Associated Press.”

Seems Metro is having more troubles here in the DC area:  A rail car struck another train in West Falls Church (no one seriously injured).  Meanwhile, NoVa are awaiting toll road hikes to pay for this nonsense to be extended out to the Dulles Airport.  Remember the hikes introduced in 2005?

 While back in February Peter Orszag (Obama’s Budget Director or Budget Czar as Glenn Beck likes to call him) states in this video (at 4:36) that Obama will half the deficit by the end of his first term, Mr. Orszag recently raised the 10-year deficit projections to $9 Trillion (many think this to be a very conservative estimate).  Later in the video (6:00), Maddow asks the “Budget Czar” (her words, not mine) to address the accusations that Obama is “soaking the rich” to pay for all of this spending.  Orszag replies that “This is exactly what the President campaigned on…through shared sacrifice.”  I don’t see where the sharing comes in…at least not sharing of sacrifices.  We all know what happens when the rich feel the squeeze of taxes:  they jump ship .  Wonder where our rich will go when the tax collectors come a calling?

I just love used book sales!  Wonderful way to “recycle” your books and pick up a few for you and the family for very cheap…all the while supporting your local libary.  This one is at the Cyr Gates Community Center, 300 Parkview Drive, New Iberia on November 6th.  Check it out!

Here is one in McLean, VA, a little earlier in September.  We’ve found some good ones here!

Better yet, check out this Book Sale Finder website to find one near you!