Obama’s Economy For Idiots-He Gets an A+ for Wasteful Spending

The White House yesterday boldly proclaimed that 1 million jobs were saved or created as a direct result of Obama’s Stimulus package.

Well, isn’t that special?

Lets set aside for a moment that the “saved or created” statistics is pure hogwash like I’ve written about on my prior post. If you look on the Recovery.gov website without laughing your head off, you'll see a chart that says that 207.54 Billion dollars have been spent thus far into the economy. If the 1 million jobs save or created stat is true, which we know its not, but lets say it is, that means each job cost taxpayers $207,000 per job.

Do you really think these jobs are pay more than it takes to save or create them?

Of course not!

This is what “Hope and Change” is costing the American people.

President Obama, who doesn’t know what an economics text book looks like if you put it in front of him in a photo array, is sending this country into financial ruin.

But hey, he looks like a president, right?

Samuel Gonzalez, The Last Tradition

The Democrats New Bogus “Created or Saved” Statistic

The only thriving industry in Obama’s economy seems to be the “focus group” firms. Can you imagine where the Democrat Party would be without them?

They wouldn’t be able to walk and chew gum without these businesses telling them how to think and speak. They wouldn’t know what buzz words to use in their speeches and press conferences.

Yeah, throw in a lot of words like “choice”, “competition”, or “insurance company profits”. Everybody likes to have a “choice”. People think “competition” is good. Most people hate “insurance” companies.

But the latest invention of the focus groups is the “created or saved” job statistic. And the Dems have latched onto this phrase like a crackhead jonezing crack. But, are these statistics really valid?

Please, they’re as valid as Charlie Rangel being the Chairman of the House Ways and Means committee.

The only jobs government can create are jobs working for the government. Although these hirings may slow down the unemployment rate, it’s an artificial solution that doesn’t solve the underlying problems of high unemployment.

Governments can’t hire their way out of recession and into recovery.

True recovery only happens when the private sector starts hiring again.

So what is a saved job?

It’s pure hogwash!

This bogus statistic is a fraud intended to deceive a misinformed public into thinking the Obama Administration has a clue of what’s its doing.

This is now the famous, “had it not been for this (Obama’s stimulus) many more jobs would have been lost." Yeah, and if my Aunt had a pair, she’d be my uncle.

It’s impossible to prove a negative!

But, I guess in Obama’s world, all things are possible, even malicious deception.

Shame on you, Mr. President!

Samuel Gonzalez, The Last Tradition

Farewell to the Fjords

The rain sounded on our metal roof all through the night and continued to echo around us as the alarm sounded at 5:00 am; the second time it sounded that morning. The first time was at 4:00am and signaled Steven to get up to feed the horses that were in the corrals at Purple Point, a fenced in area just a few hundred yards from our house. Today was going to be the day they left on the barge headed towards Manson for the winter and a typical barge day it was; cold and wet. We both got dressed and ate a quick breakfast before bundling up and heading to their corral. Our plan was to catch them all, tie them together, and have them at the barge loading area by 6:15. Most of them still had shoes on from the last few packing trips and those shoes needed to be pulled before they went on the barge. So, rain still coming down, I grabbed the wet halters and lead lines and climbed the fence to start the process. As I lifted their heads from the few remaining hay piles to slide their furry noses in the halters, I reminisced about all the fun I had with these animals over the summer. Each horse has so much personality and character that played a part in the stories created over the summer. I realized this may be the last time I ever see some of the guys...ever. I moved from horse to horse, as Steven did the same, to ensure they all had halters on. We both worked quietly and I think both realized our time in Stehekin was coming to an end as different parts of our experience were ending as the weeks rolled by. Then we started tying tail knots. Once we had two strings, we lead them down to the road and walked along the pavement towards the barge. Their is something about the sound of metal shoes clinking on the road; it is a sound I won't forget. The horses were tied to trees and trailers as they waited to have their shoes removed before loading onto the barge. Now this is an exciting time for them as winter is here and work is over for the season so of course each one willingly loaded on and locals helped tie them up to prepare for departure. I stood and watched as the barge pulled away, the sun just starting to light up the sky, mist rising from the water, and rain still trickling down. There is just something about this herd I will never forget, so my goodbyes go to (in no particular order):
Leroy - the cute little mustang always ready for some attention and a chance as a lead horse
Trymm - a true Fjord ready to work and get down to business, no time for playing around
Domino - the cow, I mean horse, that was burdened with all the "healthy" riders this summer
Bute - the lead pack horse of choice and Cragg's riding horse for many pack trips this summer
Rosy Bay Maverick - a newbie to the herd and without a name, so we gave him three
Vegar - a riding and pack horse with one awesome mane making the other horses jealous
Axle - a beautiful horse to all with a nicker ready to share anytime you walked into the corral
Guri - a great mare that never missed a beat, willing and ready for any rider that approached
Biscuit (aka Houdini) - great for kids and a master of making cute faces to get some extra grain
Jaws - a smart horse that preferred leading pack strings on trails than day rides to the lake
Espen - solid as a rock and able to pack anything from anywhere anytime you needed him
Junko - a spunky horse that mellowed out this summer and worked hard alongside the pros
Narve' - another pack horse known as a "tank" for his size, steadiness, and calm nature
Atla - a gelding with a great attitude ready for adults or kids
Ally - a cute little mare always waiting at the gate for a chance to go on a day ride to eat grass
Finn - an older guy set aside for valley kid lessons this summer
Oates - a bundle of energy and eager to work once her attitude was in check
Skoal & Tyrus - the scruffy babies of the bunch with their first riding experience this year
Lilly - a mare to entertain you on the trail with ears up and nostrils open ready for action
Layla - another loaner for a few weeks with a great attitude that loved being with the herd
Foss - a local's "ranch pony" and Fjord look-a-like able to outwork the big Fjords any day of the week

One More Ride

About two weeks ago, the remaining Fjords in the valley needed to be lead down the road from the Ranch in preparation for packing in hunters at Moore Point. I realized this may be my last chance to spend an afternoon riding one of the horses along the quiet Stehekin Road, so I volunteered. My only stipulation was that Steven get at least one good picture for the blog and he did :-) Of course that meant I had to get a picture of him with the truck loaded with gear he collected while I was riding. In case you are trying to count tails in that last picture, I ended up with 10 horses plus my riding horse after we added two at the bakery corals. I only have to retie a tail knot once!

The Good and Bad Newt Gingrich

This is the good Newt Gingrich.




This is the bad Newt Gingrich.



Newt! Come back to us, babe!

Unfortunately, Newt Gingrich has lost his way and has become the kind of Republican that part of the problem with the Republican Party. No matter how much he may try to explain himself, he made a huge mistake endorsing a Liberal Republican over a Conservative candidate.

It’s time to cast Newt aside for the good of the Conservative cause that believes Conservatism does not need to be modified, watered down, or become Liberal light.

Lines need to be drawn now before the 2010 elections and beyond and Conservatives need to take over the Republican Party once and for all to battle the Liberals that have taken over the Democrat Party.

It’s just that simple!

Samuel Gonzalez, The Last Tradition

Obama’s Public Option Violates Middle Class Tax Pledge

All throughout his presidential campaign, Barack Obama promised that 95% of the American people would receive a tax cut. Most of us, meaning people who did not buy into Obama’s Messianic personhood, saw through his rhetoric for what is was, blatant pandering and outright lies.

Now I don’t have the expertise of a Betsy McCaughey who can better explain the ramifications of overhauling our health care system better than anybody else on the planet.

But, common sense tells me there’s no way in the world can Obama and the Democrats say that you can insure an extra 40 million uninsured/nonproductive people on the backs of insured/productive citizens and not have costs rise to cover the difference.

The money has to come from somewhere to pay for it all?

And when all is said and done if this obscenity is passed in congress, it’s the middle class that will suffer the burden with any new oppressive taxes or fees that the Democrats can think of to fund the entitlement.

How does this not violate Obama’s “no tax” pledge to the American people?

Samuel Gonzalez, The Last Tradition

Grayson Is Out of His Cage Again

No Congressman Grayson, the Republicans are not the enemies of America. I won’t even sink to your level and say that the Democrats are the true enemy instead.

There’s no need for that among gentlemen—a distraction that can’t possibly apply to you.

All we have here is a difference of opinion about what’s better for America. The ideas the Republican Party represents, freedom and free markets, to name a few, helped build this nation. It’s the reason we left England, fought a war against her because we refused to live under her yoke any longer.

Your ideas that you share with President Obama and the Democrat Party, are the same tired thoughts that have failed throughout history. Demagogues like you come and go. So it really doesn’t matter that you hurl bombs instead of honestly debating ideas.

Samuel Gonzalez, The Last Tradition

It’s Time to Put Newt Gingrich in Old Folks Home

Thank you, Newt for your service, the Contract for American in 1994 was great, and all that, but it’s time for you to fade into the sunset and not be heard from again. It’s time to wheel you into the Home for Useless Republicans, tie a bib around your neck and call it a career.

Newt Gingrich and the Republican National Committee is officially on my list as being part of the problem with the Republican Party for endorsing Dee Dee Scozzafava in New York’s special election for the 23rd congressional seat who not only has the backing of Planned Parenthood and The Daily Kos, other indignities include her support for Homosexual Marriage, Abortion Rights and Card Check.

Something is terribly wrong with the Republican Party when Newt Gingrigrich supports a Liberal Republican and Sarah Palin endorses a Conservative, Doug Hoffman, for the same seat. If we can’t get on the same page for a stinking little congressional district, how can we ever expect to reclaim the White House?

This party better get its act together or we’ll be stuck with President Barack Obama for the next 7 years and 2 months.

In the words of Casey Stengel, “Does anybody know how to play this game?”

Samuel Gonzalez, The Last Tradition

Collection Of Lauren Conrad Pictures Gallery

Lauren Katherine Conrad is an American television personality, celebrity actress, author and fashion designer. Lauren Conrad is the eldest of three children of Jim and Kathy. Her younger siblings are Breanna and Brandon.

She is best known for being featured in the MTV reality series Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County and for her spin-off show, The Hills.
Conrad has previously dated fellow Laguna Beach cast members Stephen Colletti and Jason Wahler. She also dated Brody Jenner and baseball player Doug Reinhardt. In 2008, Conrad began dating My Boys actor Kyle Howard.

Birth Name: Lauren Katherine Conrad
Birth Date: February 1, 1986
Birth Place: Laguna Beach, California, U.S.
Profession: Television personality, Fashion student, People's Revolution coordinator, author, fashion designer
Years active: 2004–present
Height: 5 ft 7 in

sexy Lauren Conrad in a trendy fashion dress


hot and happening Lauren Conrad


pic of Lauren Conrad kissing


Lauren Conrad coming out of water in a beach


Lauren Conrad with beautiful hair


sexy Lauren Conrad posing for the photos


hot Lauren Conrad in a yellow bikini


celebrity Lauren Conrad in a sexy outfit


the beautiful Lauren Conrad on maxim cover

Collection Of Lauren Conrad Pictures Gallery

Lauren Katherine Conrad is an American television personality, celebrity actress, author and fashion designer. Lauren Conrad is the eldest of three children of Jim and Kathy. Her younger siblings are Breanna and Brandon.

She is best known for being featured in the MTV reality series Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County and for her spin-off show, The Hills.
Conrad has previously dated fellow Laguna Beach cast members Stephen Colletti and Jason Wahler. She also dated Brody Jenner and baseball player Doug Reinhardt. In 2008, Conrad began dating My Boys actor Kyle Howard.

Birth Name: Lauren Katherine Conrad
Birth Date: February 1, 1986
Birth Place: Laguna Beach, California, U.S.
Profession: Television personality, Fashion student, People's Revolution coordinator, author, fashion designer
Years active: 2004–present
Height: 5 ft 7 in

sexy Lauren Conrad in a trendy fashion dress


hot and happening Lauren Conrad


pic of Lauren Conrad kissing


Lauren Conrad coming out of water in a beach


Lauren Conrad with beautiful hair


sexy Lauren Conrad posing for the photos


hot Lauren Conrad in a yellow bikini


celebrity Lauren Conrad in a sexy outfit


the beautiful Lauren Conrad on maxim cover

At MSNBC All Black Ministers Look Alike

The lack of professionalism at perpetual Obama-suck up cable channel, MSNBC, is on display when Contessa Brewer mistakes the Reverend Jesse Jackson for the Reverend Al Sharpton.

Honest mistake or does it really make a difference to confuse one Overseer for another?

However, the interview itself raises another question about the quality of journalism, or lack thereof, at MSNBC. Why are they interviewing the Rev Jesse Jackson in the first place on the matter of executive compensation? Why not interview an expert in economics, or some other financial analyst that knows what he’s talking about?

The truth is that kind of stuff doesn’t matter to the O-Bot network. All this presentation is really doing is stoking the base in lieu of providing competent journalism.




Samuel Gonzalez, The Last Tradition

Cascade Loop and More

Two weeks ago, Steven and I took a few days off to travel around Washington. The weather was great and the colors were bright as we drove across the Cascade Loop, around the Olympic Peninsula, and through Seattle. Enjoy the sites and scenes we did as you scroll through the pictures.

Day one was starting from Chelan as we headed toward Twisp and found our way onto Hwy 20. The leaves were bright, the sky was blue, and the mountain tops were speckled with white snow.

Time for a top - Ross Lake and Dam. We found this old tug sitting along the road as we walked down to check out the dam.

The Skagit River provides power for Seattle and still has an operating power house and old intake. This train was rebuilt and placed here for tourists to enjoy.

Time for Autumn and beautiful colors!!

Catching a glimpse of this waterfall in the garden area behind the powerhouse. The area was previously set up with lights and evening music for guest enjoyment as they walked along the paths to glance at exotic plants.

Steven was fascinated by these fish and kept pointing out schools of them as we walked along a bridge. Salmon spawning for the season....or so we think.

Power House

The first day ended along Widbey Island and we made it there just in time for an amazing sun set. One of our favorite places was Fort Casey. You will notice that I was working on my sunset pictures during this trip and trying my hand at some flare.

The beach at Ebey's Landing

Fort Casey

Oh yeah...sunsets and silhouettes. I love this picture of Steven looking out over the fort into the water.

Lighthouse at Fort Casey

There goes the sun

So we will add a cool silhouette! Any guesses on who that might be??

We stayed with some friends on Widbey Island that first night and were served a great meal! Thanks to Eric and John (and family) for giving us a comfy bed too. The next morning we rose early to make the 7:15 departure on the Ferry to Port Townsend. Here is a picture from the ferry looking towards the town.

First stop - the harbor! Check out some of those sailboats and I (of course) like the reflection of the sky in the water. There were boats everywhere! Most of them had people living on them...or so it appeared.

Another boatAfter spending some time in Port Townsend, we headed toward Olympic National Park. One of our stops there was the Hoh Rain Forest. It kinda looked like the Congoree Swamp in SC, but we did see this elk there and thought he posed nicely in front of the colorful trees.

Hurricane Ridge...more snow covered peaks and sunny skies. We found a dirt road to drive down and caught some distant glimpses of Mount Rainer when looking down at Port Angeles.

As the day came to an end, we decided to drive all the way around Lake Quinalt. It was a neat drive and we saw a family of elk as well. While coming to the end of the loop, we glanced across the lake to see these great view! We made it to Rochestor that evening to stay with Katie (the one featured in previous posts) for a day or so. Steven made a trip to Cabella's, we enjoyed a party complete with karaoke, and went for a great trail ride. A big thanks to Katie and her family for having us for two nights.

The plan for the last day was a few hours in Seattle. It was great to walk around the market and enjoy all the stands selling flowers, produce, and fish. Seattle is complete with offers for a carriage ride. A fountain in the Seattle Center near the Space Needle.The harbor at Seattle with Mt. Rainer in the background.The city on the water.