A tribute to my wife, a true Proverbs 31 woman: When Blue Bell Ice Cream does killeth a few Yankees and production ceases, she maketh room in her freezer for gallon upon gallon, so that her husband does not go without until a Fort Worth billionaire investeth in the company and production resumes.
So what does everyone make of the Ben Carson story?
I’ve read a few articles, including some on conservative sites that say this will do him in, but from what I’ve seen it sounds to me like he remembered the incident unfolding that way in his youthful mind and so that’s how he’s told it ever since. I don’t think it was an intentional embellishment, personally.
But his unimpeachable character has been his biggest draw politically so this is a vulnerable area for him.
And how about O’Reilly going after George Will, calling him “a hack”? No matter how you feel about Will, that was a classless meltdown on O’Reilly’s part — not that he doesn’t exhibit those regularly, but this one sounded like it was over the top even for him.
I really liked Will’s column which defended Reagan and revealed O’Yankee’s latest book (like all of his utterances) to be complete garbage. O’Yankee is much like Trump. Both appeal to idiots, and that is the fasting growing group of people in the country.
When we were at West Point for three years, our two eldest developed a very solid reputation with some of the staff. They were assured an acceptance as Cadets should they choose that. It is not that tough. The military, as with the Olympics and other business opportunities, I presume, is open to fast tracking through connection. He turned it down, as did my boys. It is okay. Will the people accept that? Not the liberals or people not aware of how things work in business.
As some of you know, I’m close to the global energy manager for an international high tech company. I asked this individual about the Keystone Pipeline deal going bust, and FYI, it’s not that big a deal.
Ever since fracking began in the US, we have been energy independent and as long as the fracking is allowed to continue, the US will not need to important oil for at least 100 years. Or, my great-grandchildren should have sufficient energy to live a “normal” life.
Keystone was always a “shovel-ready” project that was about putting people to work not about US energy needs. So, don’t sob any crocodile tears on this one and Congress would be smart just to let it go. We don’t need it or the hassle.
Dr. Carson is not wrong in calling it a scholarship, one he wasn’t interested in and didn’t pursue.
From the West Point website:
“As a cadet, you are a member of the U.S. Army, receive a full scholarship and an annual salary from which you pay for your uniforms, textbooks, a personal computer, and incidentals. There is no tuition charge, but there is a requirement for an initial deposit. Room, board, medical, and dental care are provided by the United States Government.
Upon graduation, you will be awarded a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission in the U.S. Army. In turn, you are obligated to serve five years on active duty in the U.S. Army, and three years in an inactive reserve status.”
Nobody actually nominated him. He was simply approached with an idea that he declined. Surely they would not have records of conversations. Oh, wait, never mind.
Obama was almost completely unvetted — sad to say. People (and the media was swept up in it, too) were completely carried away in ’08, one of the most bizarre political seasons I’ve ever seen in my lifetime.
That said, as they say, any chink in Carson’s armor when it comes to character issues — which are his mainstay — can do a lot of damage. My sense is this is making a mountain out a molehill, but the charge is that Mr. Clean lied — or at least bent the truth. I still think it was a youthful memory that perhaps wasn’t understood for what it was at the time and was unintentionally portrayed as a hard-and-fast offer of a full scholarship (when it was maybe a bit less than that, although something along the same lines had he decided to pursue it).
But my thought is that it was not just youthful memory. When we were there, we were told, if our boys wanted to get in, contact such and such and they would see to it. That is not a youthful memory, that is how it was done. It never went beyond that for the boys or for Carson. If they had wanted to pursue it, they probably would have found open doors. That is how those operations operate. Nepotism. Others get in the traditional way of having one’s Senator or Governor give a letter of recommendation. And on what is that based? Reputation. Not that the official knows the applicant, but the references do.
The MSM usually chooses the the Republican candidate. They prefer a moderate with baggage that they can praise in the primaries and demonize in the general election (McCain, Romney). During the primaries they tend to conduct witch hunts on each candidate who dares to begin to catch up with the anointed. Remember how they went after Perry, then Bachman then Cain four years ago. It usually comes down to their candidate and a harmless social conservative who won’t give it up and they can’t find enough dirt on. (Huckabee, Santorum) I believe they wanted Bush this year so they went after Trump first. That backfired. They’re still trying, but they have taken some time out to go after Carson and Rubio. I predict they may give up on Bush and take up the cause for Kasich or even Christie. We’re already seeing praise of Christie on CNN and MSNBC.
Donna J, We are at the point where Republican primary voters either ignore or despise the mainstream press. The best evidence of this is that a bozo like Trump could rise to the top of the polls almost entirely by fighting with the press. Carson will rise and fall based on his current statements and those of his primary opponents. Any “expose” of Carson by the mainstream press will work to boost his popularity among Republicans and conservatives.
Mencken wrote the editorial below while working for the Baltimore Evening
Sun, which appeared in the July 26,1920 edition.
“As democracy is perfected, the office of the
President represents, more and more closely,
the inner soul of the people. On some great
and glorious day, the plain folks of the land
will reach their heart’s desire at last and the
White House will be occupied by a downright
fool and complete narcissistic moron.”
– H.L. Mencken, the Baltimore Evening Sun, July 26, 1920
So it was written, and so it has come to pass…
Since the regular American media (which parrots US govt. propaganda) was not giving us any reports on the Russian intervention in Syria, I concluded that things must be going well. Sure enough…
And what Mencken said was the issue when it came to Obama in ’08.
Even when the media went big with stories such as Jeremiah Wright, no one seemed to care much. I remember mentioning it to someone at the dog park who was intelligent (but obviously a loyal Dem) and she literally just shrugged. So what?
I thought sure that would sink his prospects, but it made literally no difference to those who already had become so enamored of this sexy, young new candidate.
So to be fair, most of what WAS exposed and covered seriously by the media simply never stuck or made any difference with the voting/adoring public.
While we’re on the subject (we are, aren’t we?),
An interesting thing occurred Thursday evening. Interesting to me, anyhow.
There is a show on Fox Business, named “Kennedy” run by Kennedy.
Same time, O’rilley is on.
Dana Pirion was on both shows at the same time Thursday.
Apparently, both shows are pre-recorded.
She was wearing the same outfit.
I am with you, Chas. The other day my wife and I were listing the common things we had never done and SNL was on that list which included:
1. Watch a Robin Williams movie;
2. Get drunk;
3. Vote for a Democrat;
4. Attend a rock concert;
5. Watch SNL; or
6. Go to a NASCAR, Indy, or Formula 1 race.
Things I have done but have sworn never to do again include:
1. Attending a cocktail party;
2. Going to an opera;
3. Watching a Meryl Streep movie; and
4. Voting for a Bush.
Ricky, you might notice on the Saily Thread that I discussed our common conversation about judgment and the Ten Good Men in the SS lesson I taught today. A bit of conversation about it. I mentioned “A guy named Rick”.
As for the above list, I have never done the entire list, except two.]
1. I got drunk once while in the AF. Acted like the fool I was, but got away with it.
2. I voted Bush every time.
I’ve watched SN off and on since it first started. Their political stuff is usually pretty funny but, of course, pretty slanted. Some on the left believe they messed up and made Bush look too likable.
And while I wasn’t a big fan of Robin Williams, he actually was a very good serious actor.
After his death, reading comments from those who knew or just came into casual contact with him, it seemed he was a very kind and gracious person in “real” life. 😦
Wandering Views 
Great news from Russia: Free clean Internet!
https://www.rt.com/politics/321064-holy-wi-fi-russian-church/
I would hope that the banned porn, perversion and heresy would include MSNBC, Joel Osteen and American movies made after 1960.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😆
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A tribute to my wife, a true Proverbs 31 woman: When Blue Bell Ice Cream does killeth a few Yankees and production ceases, she maketh room in her freezer for gallon upon gallon, so that her husband does not go without until a Fort Worth billionaire investeth in the company and production resumes.
LikeLike
So what does everyone make of the Ben Carson story?
I’ve read a few articles, including some on conservative sites that say this will do him in, but from what I’ve seen it sounds to me like he remembered the incident unfolding that way in his youthful mind and so that’s how he’s told it ever since. I don’t think it was an intentional embellishment, personally.
But his unimpeachable character has been his biggest draw politically so this is a vulnerable area for him.
And how about O’Reilly going after George Will, calling him “a hack”? No matter how you feel about Will, that was a classless meltdown on O’Reilly’s part — not that he doesn’t exhibit those regularly, but this one sounded like it was over the top even for him.
Someone suggested he needs an intervention.
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I really liked Will’s column which defended Reagan and revealed O’Yankee’s latest book (like all of his utterances) to be complete garbage. O’Yankee is much like Trump. Both appeal to idiots, and that is the fasting growing group of people in the country.
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Here is Will’s column:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/bill-oreilly-slanders-ronald-reagan/2015/11/05/d11300d6-83e3-11e5-9afb-0c971f713d0c_story.html
The funny thing is I really doubt that O’Yankee writes any part of any of “his” books.
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Ben Carson,
When we were at West Point for three years, our two eldest developed a very solid reputation with some of the staff. They were assured an acceptance as Cadets should they choose that. It is not that tough. The military, as with the Olympics and other business opportunities, I presume, is open to fast tracking through connection. He turned it down, as did my boys. It is okay. Will the people accept that? Not the liberals or people not aware of how things work in business.
LikeLike
As some of you know, I’m close to the global energy manager for an international high tech company. I asked this individual about the Keystone Pipeline deal going bust, and FYI, it’s not that big a deal.
Ever since fracking began in the US, we have been energy independent and as long as the fracking is allowed to continue, the US will not need to important oil for at least 100 years. Or, my great-grandchildren should have sufficient energy to live a “normal” life.
Keystone was always a “shovel-ready” project that was about putting people to work not about US energy needs. So, don’t sob any crocodile tears on this one and Congress would be smart just to let it go. We don’t need it or the hassle.
LikeLike
Dr. Carson is not wrong in calling it a scholarship, one he wasn’t interested in and didn’t pursue.
From the West Point website:
“As a cadet, you are a member of the U.S. Army, receive a full scholarship and an annual salary from which you pay for your uniforms, textbooks, a personal computer, and incidentals. There is no tuition charge, but there is a requirement for an initial deposit. Room, board, medical, and dental care are provided by the United States Government.
Upon graduation, you will be awarded a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission in the U.S. Army. In turn, you are obligated to serve five years on active duty in the U.S. Army, and three years in an inactive reserve status.”
http://collegeapps.about.com/od/collegeprofiles/p/west-point.htm
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/military-academy-west-point/583281-is-west-point-free.html
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Don’t let the words of leftist haters shut you down…
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“Dead as a beaver hat.” 🙂
And love the fringe.
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Nobody actually nominated him. He was simply approached with an idea that he declined. Surely they would not have records of conversations. Oh, wait, never mind.
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If only the press was as interested in candidate Obama, huh?
🙄
Oh but let Carson or any other R take a little artistic license with their story and it’s the worst thing ever.
Just a big, fat Yawn.
And on a related note, here’s your tweet of the day. 🙂
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And here’s the video of the O’Reilly/Will dust up.
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Obama was almost completely unvetted — sad to say. People (and the media was swept up in it, too) were completely carried away in ’08, one of the most bizarre political seasons I’ve ever seen in my lifetime.
That said, as they say, any chink in Carson’s armor when it comes to character issues — which are his mainstay — can do a lot of damage. My sense is this is making a mountain out a molehill, but the charge is that Mr. Clean lied — or at least bent the truth. I still think it was a youthful memory that perhaps wasn’t understood for what it was at the time and was unintentionally portrayed as a hard-and-fast offer of a full scholarship (when it was maybe a bit less than that, although something along the same lines had he decided to pursue it).
LikeLike
But my thought is that it was not just youthful memory. When we were there, we were told, if our boys wanted to get in, contact such and such and they would see to it. That is not a youthful memory, that is how it was done. It never went beyond that for the boys or for Carson. If they had wanted to pursue it, they probably would have found open doors. That is how those operations operate. Nepotism. Others get in the traditional way of having one’s Senator or Governor give a letter of recommendation. And on what is that based? Reputation. Not that the official knows the applicant, but the references do.
LikeLike
The MSM usually chooses the the Republican candidate. They prefer a moderate with baggage that they can praise in the primaries and demonize in the general election (McCain, Romney). During the primaries they tend to conduct witch hunts on each candidate who dares to begin to catch up with the anointed. Remember how they went after Perry, then Bachman then Cain four years ago. It usually comes down to their candidate and a harmless social conservative who won’t give it up and they can’t find enough dirt on. (Huckabee, Santorum) I believe they wanted Bush this year so they went after Trump first. That backfired. They’re still trying, but they have taken some time out to go after Carson and Rubio. I predict they may give up on Bush and take up the cause for Kasich or even Christie. We’re already seeing praise of Christie on CNN and MSNBC.
LikeLike
Donna J, We are at the point where Republican primary voters either ignore or despise the mainstream press. The best evidence of this is that a bozo like Trump could rise to the top of the polls almost entirely by fighting with the press. Carson will rise and fall based on his current statements and those of his primary opponents. Any “expose” of Carson by the mainstream press will work to boost his popularity among Republicans and conservatives.
LikeLike
From an e-mail that I got:
Mencken wrote the editorial below while working for the Baltimore Evening
Sun, which appeared in the July 26,1920 edition.
“As democracy is perfected, the office of the
President represents, more and more closely,
the inner soul of the people. On some great
and glorious day, the plain folks of the land
will reach their heart’s desire at last and the
White House will be occupied by a downright
fool and complete narcissistic moron.”
– H.L. Mencken, the Baltimore Evening Sun, July 26, 1920
So it was written, and so it has come to pass…
LikeLiked by 4 people
I watched the dust up, finally. That is why I do not watch O Reilly any more. Or listen to him. Or whatever folks do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Forty years ago, virtually all Americans understood the the truths set forth in the article below.
http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2015/11/there_is_no_such_thing_as_transgendered.html
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I sent the Mencken piece on to the grown sons.
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Since the regular American media (which parrots US govt. propaganda) was not giving us any reports on the Russian intervention in Syria, I concluded that things must be going well. Sure enough…
http://www.unz.com/tsaker/week-five-of-the-russian-intervention-in-syria-the-russians-are-digging-in/
LikeLike
And what Mencken said was the issue when it came to Obama in ’08.
Even when the media went big with stories such as Jeremiah Wright, no one seemed to care much. I remember mentioning it to someone at the dog park who was intelligent (but obviously a loyal Dem) and she literally just shrugged. So what?
I thought sure that would sink his prospects, but it made literally no difference to those who already had become so enamored of this sexy, young new candidate.
So to be fair, most of what WAS exposed and covered seriously by the media simply never stuck or made any difference with the voting/adoring public.
Which brings us back to what Mencken said. 😦
It starts at the bottom, with the people.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Anyone see Trump on SNL last night? I haven’t watched that show since the 1970s and didn’t see it last night, either. 😉
But I did watch this week’s Blue Bloods episode (belatedly on On Demand), which featured a story line involving the 1968 Mustang from “Bullet.”
That was such a good movie, great car chase for its day. And who didn’t love Steve McQueen in the 1960s?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have never seen SNL. I have never watched any late night show.
I generally turn the TV off before Megyn goes off.
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While we’re on the subject (we are, aren’t we?),
An interesting thing occurred Thursday evening. Interesting to me, anyhow.
There is a show on Fox Business, named “Kennedy” run by Kennedy.
Same time, O’rilley is on.
Dana Pirion was on both shows at the same time Thursday.
Apparently, both shows are pre-recorded.
She was wearing the same outfit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Being a night owl, I’ve seen lots of late-night TV. 🙂
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I am with you, Chas. The other day my wife and I were listing the common things we had never done and SNL was on that list which included:
1. Watch a Robin Williams movie;
2. Get drunk;
3. Vote for a Democrat;
4. Attend a rock concert;
5. Watch SNL; or
6. Go to a NASCAR, Indy, or Formula 1 race.
Things I have done but have sworn never to do again include:
1. Attending a cocktail party;
2. Going to an opera;
3. Watching a Meryl Streep movie; and
4. Voting for a Bush.
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Ricky, you might notice on the Saily Thread that I discussed our common conversation about judgment and the Ten Good Men in the SS lesson I taught today. A bit of conversation about it. I mentioned “A guy named Rick”.
As for the above list, I have never done the entire list, except two.]
1. I got drunk once while in the AF. Acted like the fool I was, but got away with it.
2. I voted Bush every time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A couple of the SNL skits were funny. Larry David does a great Bernie Sanders and his bit with Trump was funny.
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I’ve watched SN off and on since it first started. Their political stuff is usually pretty funny but, of course, pretty slanted. Some on the left believe they messed up and made Bush look too likable.
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As for Robin Williams, rock concerts and NASCAR, interesting but way over rated. 🙂
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I went to a lot of rock concerts back in the day. 🙂 Never a NASCAR race, though. But Meryl Streep has made some very good films.
On all the rest, I take the 5th.
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And while I wasn’t a big fan of Robin Williams, he actually was a very good serious actor.
After his death, reading comments from those who knew or just came into casual contact with him, it seemed he was a very kind and gracious person in “real” life. 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person