Rob’s Rant – 2010 in Review

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.

Crunchy numbers

The average container ship can carry about 4,500 containers. This blog was viewed about 15,000 times in 2010. If each view were a shipping container, your blog would have filled about 3 fully loaded ships.

 

In 2010, there were 37 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 277 posts. There were 11 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 754kb. That’s about a picture per month.

The busiest day of the year was April 6th with 323 views. The most popular post that day was First Pitch Smackdown – Obama vs. Bush.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were facebook.com, mail.yahoo.com, greatoutdoorsacademy.wordpress.com, en.wordpress.com, and thegreatilluminator.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for unemployment, retarded animals, cosby show, the cosby show, and butts.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

1

First Pitch Smackdown – Obama vs. Bush July 2009
9 comments

2

Is Unemployment Really Down? August 2009
7 comments

3

How About a Side of Swine Flu With Your Meal? April 2009
1 comment

4

The Cosby Show and the Supreme Court May 2009

5

I Like Big Butts…er…um…I Mean Burgers April 2009
1 comment

Drill For Oil Everywhere!

Here is a video from a local TV station featuring Jamie Allman, a popular radio talk show host in St. Louis.

I say drill everywhere possible with the current technology (that uses very little land.)

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

Those Crazy Republicans

Crowder and Zo are at it again. This time they tackle the Republican stereotype weaved by all those lazy people on the left.  You know, all those fair minded people like…Keith Olbermann…Rachel Maddow…Chris Matthews…etc…etc..etc. that nobody actually watches. 

After all we’re just all a bunch of red neck hicks in our pickup trucks chewing tobacco and having fun with farm animals. 

 

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

Silly Canadians, America is for Americans

Just kidding, I love Canada.  Tim Horton’s Coffee, Maple Syrup, Hockey, Gravy on their Fries…what’s not to love!

This video is from Steven Crowder.  Best stuff out there outside of those geniuses at The Onion.

I’ll Have Tea With My Revolution

What a great day Tax Day was!  In my 40 years on this earth, not sure I’ve actually said that statement on April 15.

 

I was fortunate to be one of the 10,000 or so people that attended the Tax Day Tea Party in Downtown St. Louis.  What a great way to spend a couple of hours – with people who were actually courteous and genuine.  No cars set on fire – no windows broken – no violence.  What a change from the typical liberal protest rally!

 

I have found some great video from before the event and after the event along with the St. Louis media coverage. 

 

St. Louis Tea Party on Glenn Beck – Before the event.

 

St. Louis Event Individual Video

 

 

CNN Idiot trying to understand these crazy protesters

 

This is how the St. Louis media reported the event.

 

KMOV – CBS

http://www.kmov.com/video/?z=y&nvid=351933&shu=1

 

KSDK – NBC

 

 

 

 

 

A parting picture from the St. Louis Protest is this picture of an “Anti-Protester”.  We found out on Thursday morning that this was one of the local radio personalities, Jamie Allmon, in disguise.  He wanted to see how the people at the event would treat him.  Not surprisingly, they treated him very well.  All I can say is Awesome!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Of course, this is just my opinion.

 

Rob’s Rant

The Main Event – Reagan Vs. Obama

I came across a great article on RealClearPolitics.com comparing Reagan and Obama. I can’t say it any better.

The actual copy of this “debate” is located on their website at http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/02/the_gipper_vs_obama.html. Chilling.

Of course, that’s just my opinion

Rob’s Rant

500 Million Jobs Lost???

Maybe it was a gaff. Maybe it was sheer stupidity. Maybe a combination of both.

Nancy Pelosi commented during a press conference about the “Spendulus Bill” that if nothing is done, 500 million jobs would be lost. I was shocked that I would actually loose my current job nearly 1 1/2 times. How can that be?

Last time I checked there were roughly 300 million men, women and children in the US. Maybe Madam Speaker is counting pets and farm animals in that figure. If former President Bush would have said something like that he would have been skewered – and justly. As of now, you kind of have to search for this news. Interesting…

Of course, that’s just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

I Just Love Blago!

How could you not love Blago? He gives so much joy to so many. With his references to strange poems or a crazy western, there is never a dull moment. Considering Oprah for Senate is really the icing on the cake.

I really love the fact that he is starting to mention all kinds of people in his press conferences. Jesse Jackson, Jr, Rahm Emanual, John McCain…man…he’s going for the Gold. And why not, what does he have to loose?

I’ll have to admit, I’m loving watching everything unfold. Even though this is a disgrace to my home state of Illinois, it really shows the vast corruption in Chicago (us downstaters call it the State of Chicago). I’m hoping for a special Governor wing at Menard State Prison – or maybe Joliet! Chicago Rod and Springfield George. Not the same ring as Joliet Jake, but it will do.

My only question is….who is going to play Blago in the After School Special? Maybe we could dress up a female army drill sergeant to play his wife. No need to parse the typical drill Sergeant language here for Mrs. Blago. In fact, I’ll bet she could cuss rings around them.

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

Hitler is a Longhorn Fan

The BCS is crap. I know I’m not the only one with that idea.

The most recent debacle involving Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech outlines part of the problem. I know, the Big 12 Conference caused this problem, but they went by the computer rankings to choose the Big 12 South winner (which everyone knew would beat Missouri in the Championship game and go onto the National Championship).

Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy with the result. I’m a huge Oklahoma Sooner fan. But…I do think that Texas got screwed. They beat us, pretty handily. Head to head – Texas wins. It’s hard to take Texas’ side, but that’s the way it is.

Either way, the National Championship game will ge a great, great game. I’m hoping that OU can actually win a bowl game this year. Boomer Sooner.

Of course, that’s just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

The Barak Obama Plan – Part III

This is Part III of the Barak Obama plan. I’m not covering his whole plan for America, just the parts I have problems with philosophically.

Issue #7

Invest In A Clean Energy Economy And Create 5 Million New Green Jobs: Obama and Biden will invest $150 billion over 10 years to advance the next generation of biofuels and fuel infrastructure, accelerate the commercialization of plug-in hybrids, promote development of commercial scale renewable energy, invest in low emissions coal plants, and begin transition to a new digital electricity grid. The plan will also invest in America’s highly-skilled manufacturing workforce and manufacturing centers to ensure that American workers have the skills and tools they need to pioneer the first wave of green technologies that will be in high demand throughout the world.

Problem

Green jobs? What constitutes a green job? I’m very dubious of this distinction. I’m all for creating new opportunities to offset our need for oil, but folks, we need to drill for more oil – bottom line. All this other stuff is great, but this idea of “Going Green” is ridiculous. The world lives on oil, nothing else is comparable. If we get some type of technology, like Natural Gas, that can replace this, great, but it’s not there in the foreseeable future. How about building more Nuclear Power Plants? Let’s use all the vast amounts of Natural Gas available in the US? Clean Coal? – great – use it all. “Going Green” is a smokescreen.

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Issue #8

Raise the Minimum Wage: Barack Obama and Joe Biden will raise the minimum wage, index it to inflation and increase the Earned Income Tax Credit to make sure that full-time workers earn a living wage that allows them to raise their families and pay for basic needs.

Problem

This will reduce the amount of jobs. A minimum wage is such a bad idea for America. The market will always decide what is a good wage for the particular job. Jobs that take no skill should pay a lower wage, those will higher skill should bring a higher wage. Artificially raising the wage will actually reduce jobs and opportunity for small businesses.
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Issue #9

Encourage States to Adopt Paid Leave: As president, Obama will initiate a strategy to encourage all 50 states to adopt paid-leave systems. Obama and Biden will provide a $1.5 billion fund to assist states with start-up costs and to help states offset the costs for employees and employers.

Problem

Shouldn’t this be up to the employer? This is called welfare in my book where the business cannot rely on that person if they need to take a leave – for whatever reason. If an employer wants to offer this as a benefit, so be it, but don’t make it compulsory. When my wife and I had children, I took days as a part of the FMLA (Family Medial Leave Act). As part of this act, I first take any sick days in my bank and then vacation days. This is not a free ride, but a part of the benefits my employer offers me. I don’t know how all employers handle this, but the FED should not be involved in this type of behavior. Where to the madness end?
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Of course, that’s just my opinion

Rob’s Rant

Source: http://www.barackobama.com/issues/economy/index.php

The Barak Obama Agenda – Part II

This is Part II of the Barak Obama plan. I’m not covering his whole plan for America, just the parts I have problems with philosophically.

Issue #3 Tax Relief for Working People

Provide a Tax Cut for Working Families: Obama and Biden will restore fairness to the tax code and provide 150 million workers the tax relief they need. Obama and Biden will create a new “Making Work Pay” tax credit of up to $500 per person, or $1,000 per working family. The “Making Work Pay” tax credit will completely eliminate income taxes for 10 million Americans.

Problem

How can we actually do this and who is considered a “Working Family”. According to the IRS, those families making a mere $30,000 per year are in the top 50% of income earners. So…who’s paying the freight on this tax credit. Seems unfair to me, but who am I?
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Issue #4 – Simplify Tax Filings

Simplify Tax Filings for Middle Class Americans: Obama and Biden will dramatically simplify tax filings so that millions of Americans will be able to do their taxes in less than five minutes. Obama and Biden will ensure that the IRS uses the information it already gets from banks and employers to give taxpayers the option of pre-filled tax forms to verify, sign and return. Experts estimate that the Obama-Biden proposal will save Americans up to 200 million total hours of work and aggravation and up to $2 billion in tax preparer fees.

Problem

How about doing away with the IRS altogether? Seems to me that agency is a drag on the system and a Flat Tax or a Fair Tax would be much more Fair to all, not just a small group of people.
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Issue #5 – Amend NAFTA

Amend the North American Free Trade Agreement: Obama and Biden believe that NAFTA and its potential were oversold to the American people. They will work with the leaders of Canada and Mexico to fix NAFTA so that it works for American workers.

Problem

I wonder how the Canadians and Mexicans will view this? Seems to me that it works as it was supposed to – good produced in these countries are able to be traded without the other impediments that other countries are subjected to.

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Issue #6 – Patriot Corporations

Reward Companies that Support American Workers: Barack Obama introduced the Patriot Employer Act of 2007 with Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) to reward companies that create good jobs with good benefits for American workers. The legislation would provide a tax credit to companies that maintain or increase the number of full-time workers in America relative to those outside the US; maintain their corporate headquarters in America if it has ever been in America; pay decent wages; prepare workers for retirement; provide health insurance; and support employees who serve in the military.

Problem

Why should be dictate where a company is located? Seems very isolationist to me. Let the free market decide where a product will be produced, where it will be sold, etc. If a company wants to provide benefits, that is up to them. It’s an incentive to get the best worker – not a right of the individual. Also, what the heck is a “decent wage”? Kind of opened ended.

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Of course, that’s just my opinion

Rob’s Rant

Source: http://www.barackobama.com/issues/economy/index.php

The Barak Obama Agenda – Part I

As we transition into the Obama Era (or Obamanation as I like to put it), I thought it might be useful to go issue by issue of what ideas our new President has for our great country. I’m convinced that most of the voters who actually voted for Senator Obama have no idea of his radical agenda for America. I can only hope that he governs from the center, but we have to take him at his word.

Since there are so many issues to cover, I’m going to pick out the ones that I have a problem with, so this is going to take some time. I’ll cover a few issues at a time and stretch this out as long as possible.

Issue #1 – Windfall Profits Tax

Enact a Windfall Profits Tax to Provide a $1,000 Emergency Energy Rebate to American Families:Barack Obama and Joe Biden will enact a windfall profits tax on excessive oil company profits to give American families an immediate $1,000 emergency energy rebate to help families pay rising bills. This relief would be a down payment on the Obama-Biden long-term plan to provide middle-class families with at least $1,000 per year in permanent tax relief.

Problem

It is an easy target to blame the oil companies for all our ills. Those of us who know the truth know that oil is an international commodity and thus the price is dictated by the market. There are several things that go into this, but the oil companies really don’t have that kind of power. Supply and demand is the king in this industry. The oil companies make very little on each gallon of gas. When compared to the Federal and State Taxes that are collected on each gallon of gas, maybe we should create a Windfall Profits tax on the Federal and State Governments! Fat chance. This is a prime example of class warfare on corporations.

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Issue #2 – $50 Billion Give Away Program

Provide $50 billion to Jumpstart the Economy and Prevent 1 Million Americans from Losing Their Jobs: This relief would include a $25 billion State Growth Fund to prevent state and local cuts in health, education, housing, and heating assistance or counterproductive increases in property taxes, tolls or fees. The Obama-Biden relief plan will also include $25 billion in a Jobs and Growth Fund to prevent cutbacks in road and bridge maintenance and fund school re­pair – all to save more than 1 million jobs in danger of being cut.

Problem

It was a problem when President Bush and both branches of Congress voted on the $700B bailout bill. All that is happening is that we are printing money to put into the system. This devalues our currency and causes a whole host of problems – not to mention higher inflation. What we need is someone who will stand up and say, “How about taking some personal responsibility for your own situation”. Sounds a lot like the New Deal to me. Maybe President Obama will start a new war to fire up the tank and ship builders like FDR.

Of course, this is just my opinion

Rob’s Rant

Source: http://www.barackobama.com/issues/economy/index.php

Racist Voters in Missouri???

A story appeared in the St. Louis Beacon about the possibility of voters in Missouri being racist because they refused to vote for Obama in the Presidential election. What a crock.

Are there still racists in America? Of course. But this goes both ways. I don’t accept the argument that if you’re not black and didn’t vote for the Democratic candidate, who just happened to be black, you’re a racist. Didn’t Obama receive around 90% of the black vote? Did all of those voters pull the lever for Obama because they like his policies or was that based soley on his race? I would opt for the later.

Personally, I really don’t care about these things. I’m much more concerned about what the candidate believes and will actually do for this country. I still believe that President -Elect Obama (still hard to say) is a Socialist. If he keeps all of his campaign promises, there is no way we will come out of our economic problems. I would really like it if we actually got some type of centrist Obama who governs near the middle instead of the far left ideas that he usually espouses. We’ll see.

Of course, that’s just my opinion

Rob’s Rant

Source: http://www.stlbeacon.org/issues_politics/election_analysis/why_did_nixon_win_so_many_votes_while_obama_seems_to_have_narrowly_lost

Long Live Joe the Plumber

Senator Obama’s real tax plan came out to the rest of the American public through the innocent Joe the Plumber in northern Ohio. Many of us have known that he is a socialist and want’s to redistribute the “wealth” for those of us who actually pay the taxes.

Right now over 50% of the American public pay no tax. That’s right, no tax. The people who are considered “rich” are those who actually created the jobs. Why would we take more of their money? If that happens, we’ll have a higher unemployment rate and really wreck the economy. If Obama comes into office, that will surely happen.

Of course, that’s just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

Long live Joe the Plumber.