Sarge

The Fed II

Simply explaining the Federal Reserve System’s operation isn’t easy if you’re not an economist. There’s a specific jargon, that jargon’s definitions and usage illustrates more of the governmental “newspeak” used in Orwell’s classic 1984. I feel the victim of a “thought crime”.

The Fed

Trying to describe how the Federal Reserve System works in 700 words is darned nigh impossible. So, I think (with your permission) I’ll try simplifying it as much as is possible. I’ll take a couple of days to give you an idea of how this might have gotten out of hand. There are great sources from Wikipedia on up for you to do your own research in this matter.

The Road Less Traveled

Metaphorically Robert Frost doesn’t normally step into the battering realm of politics. Accordingly, few people ever try equating him to circumstances devolving in Congress. But, allusions creep quietly into a writer’s mind as his deadline stealthily glides into range to strike like a viper with an attitude.

Doomed to repetition

Barack Obama’s been criticizing the “do-nothing Congress”. An allusion to Truman isn’t a smart move because people can inspect the whole “ox being gored” and find exactly what good this allusion can accomplish. In this case not much good can come from it.

This be a test

This is a test. This is only a test. If this made sense it wouldn't involve politics. This is ONLY a test.

Now the smoke clears

The names have been read, the memorials were washed with the freshened tears of loved ones remembering those lost to the machinations of madmen. A quiet settles across America and many people are already planning the memorial to be played out in five, ten and fifteen year increments.

Distant thunder

Reading the LA Times is akin to drinking fermented orange juice first thing in the morning. It probably won’t kill you if you have enough sense to put it down quickly enough. It’s not pleasant; it doesn’t taste right, is sometimes outright nasty; but it will wake you up quickly. Today was no different. In my efforts to see the world I live in from the perspective of people living outside of Louisiana I read newspapers on-line from traditionally “Blue” states to know what the opposition is thinking at times. (That’s IF they’re thinking at all at times.)

Schizophrenia

One of the strange dichotomies noted with respect to the Democratic Party is their drive to interpret “progress” by denigrating the Constitution. It’s the “living Document” theory. Their thinking’s in conflict with their stated goals of progressively moving America’s people toward the Golden Sunset they predict if we’ll just understand everything they say is right and everything anybody else thinks is wrong.

Don’t kill the messenger

I despise Eggplant. Knowing I’ve just ticked-off every Eggplant farmer on the planet I ask humbly for mercy. Please: don’t kill the messenger. Without more than a little umbrage I ask: what gives you the right to judge me of unsound mind for not liking Eggplant. Or, (dragging out the metaphor) that I’m lacking in patriotism or love for my country based on my opinions?

The American Resistance

I was present with a group of friends when we were graced with the presence of Representative Jeff Landry (R-3rd district). He spoke of his activity in the House of Representatives and commented on much of what’s going on in Washington.

Heart and Soul

Secularism (n): 1. a view that religion and religious considerations should be ignored or excluded from social and political matters. 2. an ethical system asserting that moral judgments should be made without reference to religious doctrine, as reward or punishment in an afterlife -- Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia 2011

Pass the spirit

Hurricane Irene is stomping her way closer and closer to the East Coast. She’s packing Category 4 winds and a sure outlook toward massive destruction. It seems most people are taking this storm seriously with mass evacuations taking place

It’s time to awaken

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Regularly, people say we need to “Impeach the bustard (sic)” (Obama) for high crimes and misdemeanors. And, just as regularly they’re informed it probably won’t happen in this lifetime. The problem is defining High Crimes and Misdemeanors. Those definitions are decided by people obscuring any issue as long as is necessary to arrive at a point where negotiation favors their side of the argument. They’re called lawyers.

A line in the quicksand

The “Super Committee” delegated the responsibility to decide how best to “save $1.5Trillion (or through recognized sacrifices of intellect, integrity and ingenuity as little as $1.2T) has been selected. DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!! AND THE LOSER IS! THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!!!

Whale herding

Whenever people describe doing something with a moderate to severe difficulty factor they refer to “herding cats”. Cats are independent and only care about what interests them at the moment. They have the attention span and interest factor of a gnat on a bowl of jello; they touch a lot but carry away next to nothing.

Sounding Presidential

One of the most dangerous things a columnist can do is admit his ideas come from others; but here I go. The Advocate (8-17-2011) attributed a letter to the editor to a gentleman named Roder (sic?) Russo. Mr. Russo works in the “oil industry” allegedly.

Bull’s eye

Political activism has exploded more than evolved lately. Aside from the fact the desire’s been there the logistics were always a problem. Before the speed of telephonic communication you had to travel to speak with your representative in government. You needed appointments because the (you name the office holder) always had a full schedule and was therefore always strapped for time. After the advent of telephones it was always a matter of handing off the responsibility for the contact. The reasons remained the same but the contact was always some low-level minion who lost the latest bet and was forced to man the switchboards.

This is NO flesh wound

As a big fan of old westerns and film noir, the black and white detective thrillers of the thirties, forties and fifties, it’s always amazed me how somebody gets shot with a bullet like a .45 caliber. The wounded guy sucks it up and asks: “is it bad, Joe?” Joe looks at it, sticks a rag on it and says: “Nah, it’s only a flesh wound.” And, together, they get the bad guy. Another case in point was when Magnum P.I. was shot with the equivalent of an elephant gun in the last scene before the finale. This bullets created caverns rivaling Carlsbad. But ol’ MAGNUM is playing Beach Volleyball and has NO scar tissue at the wound site during the finale. It’s a miracle worthy of endless repetition at Lourdes.

From a different facet II

One of the publications I enjoy studying weekly is a magazine called: The Week. It reflects news coverage from around the world and showcases many of the actual editorials and commentary offered concerning foreign perceptions of American politics, culture, morals and demeanors.

Estates in peril

Recently I inaccurately stated the Press (the modern media) was the “Fifth Estate” as quoted from Edmund Burke, famed 18th century orator and political theorist. Based on the feudal European class structure known as the “Estates of the Realm”, he referenced the First Estate as “the clergy”; the Second Estate as “the nobility” and the Third Estate as “the commoners”. Burke went further with the statement: “There are Three Estates in Parliament; but, in the Reporters” Gallery yonder, there sits a Fourth Estate more important far than they all.” He meant the press could hold the other three to accountability.