Ogre’s Politics and Views

An oldie, but a goodie:

Jesus and Satan were having an ongoing argument about who managed to get the most out of his computer. This had been going on for days and God, was tired of hearing all of the bickering.

God said, “Cool it. I am going to set up a test that will run two hours and I will judge who does the better job.”

So down they sat at the keyboards and typed away. They moused away. They did spreadsheets, they wrote reports, they sent faxes, they sent out e-mail, they sent out e-mail with attachments, they downloaded, they did some genealogy reports, they made cards, they did every known job. But just a few minutes before the two hours were up, a lightening flashed across the sky. The thunder rolled and the rains came down hard. And of course the electricity went off.

Satan was upset. He fumed and fussed and he ranted and raved, all to no avail. The electricity stayed off. But after a bit, the rains stopped and the electricity came back on. Satan screamed, “I lost it all when the power went off. What am I going to do? What happened to Jesus’ work?”

Jesus just sat and smiled.

Again Satan asked about the work that Jesus had done. As Jesus turned his computer back on the screen glowed and when he pushed “print it”, it was all there. “How did he do it.” Satan asked? God smiled and said, “Jesus Saves.”

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Tags: Silliness by Ogre
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Oh, did I forget to mention last week that this wonderful vacation from the world is lasting two weeks? I wonder if the world still exists after last week. Knowing this isn’t posting for quite some time from the time I’m writing it, I wonder if gas prices have continue to rise and wheat and corn prices as well. Ah well, just be prepared, I always say.

So this week I’ll be relaxing with the family in an undisclosed location. There will be much doing of nothing and lots of reading of all sorts of relaxing books. But yes, once again this week, there will be wonderful and thoughtful (and accurate) commentary here. Be sure to stop by every day to read the latest here. And comment away, I will read them all upon my return! And this week I’ll have electricity so I might stop by and visit algore’s Internet. If not, I’ll be sure and be back next Monday, ready to battle government for freedom again.

Popularity: 22% [?]

Tags: Blogging by Ogre
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Once upon a time the government had a vast scrap yard in the middle of a desert.

Congress said,”Someone may steal from it at night.” So they created a night watchman position and hired a person for the job.

Then Congress said,”How does the watchman do his job without instruction?” So they created a planning department and hired two people, one person to write the instructions, and one person to do time studies.

Then Congress said,”How will we know the night watchman is doing the tasks correctly?” So they created a Quality Control department and hired two people. One to do the studies and one to write the reports.

Then Congress said,”How are these people going to get paid?” So they created the following positions, a time keeper, and a payroll officer, then hired two people.

Then Congress said,”Who will be accountable for all of these people?” So they created an administrative section and hired three people, an Administrative Officer, Assistant Administrative Officer, and a Legal Secretary.

Then Congress said,”We have had this command in operation for one year and we are $18,000 over budget, we must cutback overall cost.” So they laid off the night watchman.

Popularity: 24% [?]

Tags: Silliness by Ogre
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Road sign in Roosevelt, Utah: “Rest Area Next Right” - the next right leads a person right into to a cemetery.

A sign in the local opportunity shop says, “If your going to steal, then smile for the camera.”

While stopped at an intersection I noticed a man standing on the corner in front of a Burger King. He was holding a ign that read “Will work for food.” If he had only looked up, he would have noticed that the Burger King sign directly above him read “Now hiring.”

At an office: “This job is only a test had it been an actual job, you would have recieved raises,bonses and promotions.”

SEEN ON A BILLBOARD ALONG A HIGHWAY: “Caution: Objects in the mirror may have flunked drivers education.”

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Tags: Silliness by Ogre
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Ah Friday, time for a bit of the lighter fare:

A man goes to a party and has too much to drink. His friends plead with him to let them take him home. He says no - he only lives a mile away.

About five blocks from the party the police pull him over for weaving all over the road, ask him to get out of the car and take the breathalyser test. Just as he is about to blow into the bag, the police radio informs the policemen of a robbery taking place in a house a short distance away.

The police tell the partygoer to remain where he is, they will be right back; and they run down the street to the robbery.

The guy waits and waits and finally decides to drive home. When he gets there, he tells his wife he is going to bed, and to tell anyone who might come looking for him that he has ‘flu and has been in bed all day.They insist on seeing his car, so she takes them to the garage and opens the door where they find the police car, lights still flashing.

A few hours later the police knock on the door. They ask if Mr. X lives there and his wife says yes. They ask to see him and she replies that he is in bed with ‘flu and has been there all day. However, the police have his driver’s license. They ask to see his car, and she asks why. They insist on seeing his car, so she takes them to the garage and opens the door where they find the police car, lights still flashing.

Popularity: 25% [?]

Tags: Silliness by Ogre
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I like traveling in foreign countries. I think at last count I’d been to about 16 of them. And I have seen quite a few strange English translations…

The following are items found overseas in which people have made inappropriate use of English words for various products, and bizarre menu items in restaurants.

Cold shredded children and sea blubber in spicy sauce - China

Indonesian Nazi Goreng - Hong Kong

Muscles Of Marines/Lobster Thermos - Cairo

French fried ships - Cairo

Garlic Coffee - Europe

Sole Bonne Femme (Fish Landlady style) - Europe

Boiled Frogfish - Europe

Sweat from the trolley - Europe

Dreaded veal cutlet with potatoes in cream - China

Rainbow Trout, Fillet Streak, Popotoes, Chocolate Mouse - Hong Kong

Roasted duck let loose - Poland

Beef rashers beaten up in the country peoples fashion - Poland

Fried friendship - Nepal

Strawberry crap - Japan

Pork with fresh garbage - Vietnam

Toes with butter and jam - Bali

French Creeps - L.A.

Fried fishermen - Japan

Teppan Yaki - Before Your Cooked Right Eyes - Japan

Pepelea’s Meat Balls - Romania

Popularity: 25% [?]

Tags: Silliness by Ogre
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Book Review: Illinois Deserves Better, 2008. Bambenek, J., Behrend. B. Booksurge Publishing.

I purchased this book on the advice of the author. Well, who else would know that it’s a good book, right? Well, I bought it, not being a citizen of Illinois, to see what was in it. Did you know that the state of Illinois, the Land that brought us the one president who did the most to destroy states’ rights (Lincoln) actually requires a vote every 20 years to determine if the citizens want to hold a Constitutional Convention. This book is written in support of voters requesting a convention this year when voters go to the polls.

The book is plain and well-written. It is divided into 5 sections — Introduction, The State of the State, The Constitutional Convention Process, Arguments against a Convention, and Potential Reforms. The supports for a Constitutional Convention are clearly outlined and very well-supported. After reading this book, you will have a hard time saying that Illinois does NOT need a Constitutional Convention — unless you just live in complete denial of the facts described in the book.

A good portion of the book is spent on the hope for a better Illinois. Instead of being just a book that tries to scare people into supporting one political position, almost half of the book describes all the wonderful possibilities that can be brought about should the voters decide to hold a Convention. If you’re interested in the Constitutional Convention process, or if you are a voter in Illinois, I strongly suggest you get your hands on this book. Of course, it would be even more significant if states actually had rights today…

Popularity: 28% [?]

Tags: Book Reviews, Government by Ogre
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Today is the last day to join in with Remember a Soldier. Please go sponsor a care package now. It doesn’t matter your political affiliation. You should support these troops even if you don’t support the war. Do it now, please.

Popularity: 23% [?]

Tags: America by Ogre
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Another quote from that incredible classic and prophetic novel, Atlas Shrugged. And this one, although written back in the 1950s, could and does apply to 95% of today’s Congressman. This speech is addressed to every last one of those people in Congress who is voting to take tax money from working people to give it to anyone else who didn’t earn it: welfare, corporate tax breaks, “non-profit” organizations, and “disaster” relief:

“That’s what you want — that’s what all of you really want — not money, not material benefits, not economic security, not any of the handouts you keep demanding.” She spoke in a flat monotone, as if reciting her thoughts to herself, intent upon giving the solid identity of words to the torturous shreds of chaos twisting in her mind. “All of you welfare preachers — it’s not unearned money that you’re after. You want handouts, but of a different kind. I’m a gold-digger of the spirit, you said, because I look for value. Then you, the welfare preachers… it’s the spirit that you want to loot. I never thought and nobody ever told us how it could be thought of and what it would mean — the unearned in spirit. But that is what you want. You want unearned love. You want unearned admiration. You want unearned greatness. You want to be a man like Hank Reardon without the necessity of being what he is. Without the necessity of being anything. Without… the necessity.. of being.”

Popularity: 25% [?]

Tags: Freedom, Government by Ogre
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Well, I’m still off on vacation, but I know some of you still have to work. This one’s for you.

Popularity: 25% [?]

Tags: Silliness by Ogre
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I have to post this speech, not just because it’s one of Harvey’s favorites, but just because it’s so darn good.

(As a side note, this often misquoted verse actually says, “For the love of money is the root of all evil” - 1 Timothy 6:10)

“So you think that money is the root of all evil? Have you ever asked what is the root of money? Money is a tool of exchange, which can’t exist unless there are goods produced and men able to produce them. Money is the material shape of the principle that men who wish to deal with one another must deal by trade and give value for money. Money is not the tool of moochers, who claim your product by tears, or of the looters, who take it from you by force. Money is made possible only by the men who produce. Is this what you consider evil?

“When you accept money in payment for your effort, you do so only on the conviction that you will excahnge it for the product of the effort of others. It is not the moochers or the looters who give value to money. Not an ocean of tears nor all the guns in the world can transform those pieces of paper in your wallet into the bread you will need to survive tomorrow. Those pieces of paper, which should have been gold, are a token of honor — your claim upon the energy of men who produce. You wallet is your statement of hope that somewhere in the world around you there are men who will not default on that moral principle which is the root of money. Is this what you consider evil?

“But you say that money is made by the strong at the expense of the weak? What strength do you mean? It is not the strength of guns or muscles. Wealth is the product of man’s capacity to think. Then is money made by the man who invents a motor at the expense of the man who did not invent it? Is money made by the intelligent at the expense of the fools? By the able at the expense of the incompetent? By the ambitious at the expense of the lazy? Money is made — before it can be looted or mooched — made by the effort of every honest man, each to the extent of his own ability. An honest man is one who knows that he cannot consume more than he has produced.”

Francisco d’Anconia, from Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand. And I agree.

Popularity: 23% [?]

Tags: Freedom by Ogre
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Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged should be required reading for all citizens in a free country, despite the wordiness of it. One of my favorite speeches is Hank Reardon’s defense of capitalism where he is actually on trial in a courtroom:

“No, I do not want my attitude to be misunderstood. I shall be glad to state it for the record. I am in full agreement with the facts of everything said about me in the newspapers — with the facts, but not with the evaluation. I work for nothing but my own profit — which I make by selling a product they need to men who are willing and able to buy it. I do not produce it for their benefit at the expense of mine, and they do not buy it for my benefit at expense of theirs; I do not sacrifice my interests to them nor do they sacrifice their to me; we deal as equals by mutual consent to mutual advantage — and I am proud of every penny that I have earned in this manner. I am rich and proud of every penny I own. I made my money by my own effort, in free exchange and through the voluntary consent of every man I dealt with — the voluntary consent of those who employed me when I started, the voluntary consent of those who work for me now, the voluntary consent of those who buy my product. I shall answer all the questions you are afraid to ask me openly. Do I wish to pay my workers more than their services are worth to me? I do not. Do I wish to sell my product for less than my customers are willing to pay me? I do not. Do I wish to sell it at a loss or give it away? I do not. If this is evil, do whatever you please about me, according to whatever standards you hold. These are mine. I am earning my own living, as every honest man must. I refuse to accept as guilt the fact of my own existence and the fact that I must work in order to support it. I refuse to accept as guilt the fact that I am able to do it and do it well. I refuse to accept as guilt the fact that I am able to do it better than most people — the fact that my work is of greater value than the work of my neighbors and that more men are willing to pay me. I refuse to apologize for my ability — I refuse to apologize for my success — I refuse to apologize for my money. If this is evil, make the most of it. If this is what the public finds harmful to its interestes, let the public destroy me. This is my code — and I will accept no other. I could say to you that I have done more good for my fellow men than you can ever hope to accomplish — but I will not say it, because I do not seek the good of others as a sanction for my right to exist, nor do I recognize the good of others as justification for their seizure of my property or their destruction of my life. I will not say that the good of others was the purpose of my work — my own good was my purpose, and I despise the man who surrender his. I could say to you that you do not serve the public good — that nobody’s good can be achieved at the price of human sacrifices — that when you violate the rights of one man, you have violated the rights of all, and a public of rightless creatures is doomed to destruction. I could say to you that you will and can achieve nothing but universal devastation — as any looter must, when he runs out of victims. I could say it, but I won’t. It is not your particular policy that I challenge, but your moral premise. If it were true that men could achieve their good by means of turning some men into sacrificial animals, and I were asked to immolate myself for the sake of creatures who wanted to survive at the price of my blood, if I were asked to serve the interests of society apart from, above and against my own — I would refuse. I would reject it as the most contemptible evil, I would fight it with every power I possess, I would fight the whole of mankind, if one minute were all I could last before I was murdered, I would fight in the full confidence of the justice of my battle and of a living being’s right to exist. Let there be no misunderstanding about me. If it is the belief of my fellow men, who call themselves the public, that their mood requires victims, then I say: The public good be dammed, I will have no part of it!

Don’t you wish there were just 5 members of Congress today that understood those ideas, instead of working hard to reject and destroy them?

Popularity: 24% [?]

Tags: Freedom by Ogre
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Once again, we have yet another example in America of someone being fired for the crime of being Christian. Don’t believe the crap about “branding crosses,” that’s just totally made up crap. Look at the picture. You really have to WANT to see a cross to see a cross there. And no one was ever injured. Nope, sorry, they weren’t.

What were the biggest “crimes” committed by this man? Two of them. The first is that he dared science students to question science. That’s heresy to government today. You’re simply not allowed to question ANYTHING that the government or government scientists claim are fact. No, it’s not the middle ages where the church is not allowed to be questioned, it’s America today where the church of science is not allowed to be questioned. That shows you how much science has changed in the years. When I went to school, science was ABOUT asking questions and finding answers. Apparently today it’s about accepting what you are told without question.

The second, and more serious offense this man committed was that he dared own a Bible. And yes, he actually took it into the government house of worship (school) where such things are not allowed. You see, in the government house of worship, you may only worship government and may not question ANYTHING government says or tells you. If you bring any other sort of Christian religious emblem there, you will be removed by force.

Unfortunately, there’s really not any other country where you actually have more freedom of religion. Christians, welcome to the end days where you will be persecuted for your beliefs. It’s in America now, whether you want to admit it or not.

Popularity: 28% [?]

Tags: Freedom, Government, Right and Wrong by Ogre
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Welcome to vacation week here at Ogre’s Politics and Views! No, really. Ogre’s on vacation this week. Yay, vacation! Everyone needs to step back now and then and relax. Ignoring the daily news is indeed a very good and relaxing thing. So this week Ogre will be out doing some camping. And whitewater rafting, and bicycle riding and maybe some horseback riding. I think he’ll also stop by the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. That should be very exciting. In the meantime, one place he won’t be is here. It is doubtful that he will have access to electricity, much less algore’s Internet. But never fear, good and loyal reader, there will be content this week!

Instead of live reports and commentary on the news and government, stay tuned this week for quotes and passages from various different sources — all helping to point out where government has gone, and why it shouldn’t be there.

As always, thank you very much, loyal readers, for continuing to stop by. Feel free to leave comments, I will read and reply to every one when I return. I realize I have been bad about reading and commenting on other blogs — I am sorry. I’m trying to work things out to find more time for that — but upon my return from vacation I’ll be working about 12-1/2 hour days from Monday to Friday. I’m not complaining, because it’s good to have work — but it doesn’t give me much time to goof off and read the excellent commentary from you other folks!

So stop on by later on, I’ll be sure to have at least one, maybe two posts a day showing up on a regular schedule this week!

Popularity: 25% [?]

Tags: Blogging by Ogre
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I’m starting to understand more and more why true conservatives don’t want to have anything to do with government. Just look at the company you’d be forced to keep. Look at John McCain, speaking in Iowa:

Whatever assistance you need I’m sure you will get.

Or, to finish that statement more accurately, what McCain is saying is:

I want you to like me. Therefore, I’m going to help you. Oh, I’m not going to give you anything myself. Instead, I’m going to help you by forcing as many people as I can to help you. I’m not going to work. I’m not going to give you one thin dime of any money I earn. But I am going to find men with guns who will do my bidding. I will get those men with guns to take money from people. I’ll use part of that money to pay the men with guns. I’ll use more of that money to pay myself for helping you. And I’ll use even more of that money to pay people to give you whatever money remains. And I hope you like me, because me taking money from people who don’t want to give it to me by force is compassionate in my mind.

And the other slimeball for president is the same:

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama recalled paying off his own mountain of student loan debt and promised struggling college students Tuesday he would help them pay for school.

Once again, a more accurate description:

I borrowed money to get through school. And can you believe I actually had to pay it back? I know, that’s just crazy! And I’m going to make sure all of you people who vote for me can get as much money as you want and you won’t have to pay it back! I’m going to make sure all college students that I like will be able to go to school for free. I’ll make sure that they can have whatever they want in school and that they won’t have to work for it. I’ll make sure you can all buy computers and have HD TVs while you’re in school, and I’ll make sure that you have time to drink beer and have sex so I’ll make sure you don’t have to work to PAY for that education. And yes, like Juan, I’ll hire men with guns to get the money from people who actually work and earn it. No, I won’t give you ANY of the $4.2 million *I* earned last year, because that’s MY money. Instead, I’m going to take money from OTHER people who actually work for a living.

These two are perhaps some of the most selfish, miserable, horrible, evil people I have ever seen. And the worst part of it is that so many people believe they are nice, caring, and compassionate people. They’re not. They’re horrible, horrible, selfish bastards. And they do hate freedom, whether anyone wants to admit it or not.

Popularity: 27% [?]

Tags: Freedom, Government by Ogre
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Are you aware that there are various countries around the world where you can be arrested simply for mentioning the words, “Jesus Christ?” I was just the other day talking with someone who had just returned from Laos. The government there puts up with people talking about Jesus, but only if it’s done in private. You’re allowed to go to a Christian church, but you are not allowed to invite anyone else to go with you. In fact, if you ask people who attend the church to accept Jesus Christ, “back pockets” will turn you in to the government and you will be jailed.

In China, things have been getting worse as the Olympics approach. The government in cities has started allowing churches to exist. You can have a church, and you can go to that church. But as with Laos, if you invite someone else to come to church with you, or if you attempt to tell someone about Jesus Christ, you will be jailed.

And did you know there’s another country that’s getting worse? Yes, it’s America. Right here in America, more and more, if you dare to mention Jesus Christ in public, you can be jailed. Sure, you’re allowed to go to a church, but if you show up in the wrong place and ask others to come with you, the government throws you in jail. As far as I can tell, the only difference regarding religious freedom in America and Laos is the time you spend in jail.

Popularity: 28% [?]

Tags: America, Freedom, Right and Wrong by Ogre
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One of the biggest problems with a government that pays people who don’t work is that you get people who have no purpose in life — who then decide they need to lobby the government for, well, whatever lunatic idea they can come up with (besides anything that gives them cash, of course).

This past week at the NC General Assembly, there were actually groups of people pressuring Democrats to pass a law making torture illegal. Apparently in the minds of these wackos, there’s a big problem with torture in North Carolina. No, no problems with billions of dollars in taxpayer money being used for illegal alien invaders. Nope, no problems with crimes and murders. Instead, we’ve got to pass MORE laws according to these wackos.

Feel free to read the linked story, but be prepared to be dumber for reading it. The article babbles on about how this state law will somehow stop the CIA from torturing terrorists in foreign countries. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

An added side effect of giving me back my freedoms is that people like this who have nothing to do all day except collect their government checks will be required to work for a living and leave me alone. Wouldn’t that be nice?

Popularity: 25% [?]

Tags: North Carolina Government by Ogre
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On June 17, 1962, in a game between the Mets and the Cubs at the Polo Grounds,
“Marvelous” Marv Thronberry slammed a two-run triple. But while he was catching his breath on third base, Chicago firstbaseman Ernie Banks called for the ball and appealed that Marv had missed first base. The appeal was upheld and he was called out. Mets manager Casey Stengel ran out from the dugout to argue the call until umpire Dusty Boggess said, “Forget it Casey.He didn’t touch second either!”

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Tags: Silliness by Ogre
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Pitcher Bill Werle got Bill Nicholson to hit a high infield popup in front of the mound. As trained, he called for an infielder to make the play. “Eddie’s got it! Eddie’s got it!,” he yelled.

Then, he watched the ball fall untouched as catcher Eddie Fitzgerald, first baseman Eddie Stevens and third baseman Eddie Bockman looked on.

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Tags: Silliness by Ogre
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The other day was take your daughter to work day. The Cubs had a fun time, played a little scrimmage against their daughters.

Unfortunately they lost, 15-3.

Popularity: 25% [?]

Tags: Silliness by Ogre
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