Bullies

SONY has been hacked.  A lot of what had been assumed as private information was suddenly public.  Who was to blame?  The FBI tells us it was North Korea.  I have my doubts.

Maybe they had a hand in it but somehow I doubt they evey knew  the movie spoof about doing in their "Young One" was being made.  No, I think some insiders had a hand in it.  But no.  The FBI says it was North Korea.  After all they have information the rest of us don't.  Like where the perps of Benghazai hang out.

The President assured us he would retaliate appropriately.  We've placed some more sanctions on them.  They don't have anything anyway so I don't see that they'll have any impact. But such is the way our government does business these days.

Now, if you really want to let someone know we can't be bullied by some two bit caricature, why don't we start with Al Sharpton?  The same Al Sharpton who sits with the Mayor of New York and the President of the United States on one hand and on the other  extorts large cash contributions from corporations to keep him and his National Action Network from accusing them of racism. Companies like Macy's, Honda and AT&T.

Also those organizations who demand politicians sign a pledge to favor their cause or a candidate will be run against them. Or the office holders who are in positions of power who won't allow legislation to come to a vote because it's not what the man wants.

They are all bullies.  Their behavior is despicable.  If anyone takes a pledge to do anything, let it be to give the likes of these no sway.  I wonder if we even recognize that we're being held hostage to these people and their special interests.  It's part of what's wrong with government because it starts at the local level and embeds itself forever after. That's what lobbiests do.  That's what political action groups do.  Those who cater to them get ahead, those who don't don't.

Perhaps it's time we get behind those who have the guts "to just say no". When you look at the players you see it isn't at all racist.  Sure, Sharpton, the President and Holder are black but Kim Jong Un isn't. The House and Senate leadership is lily white.  So are the Christian Conservatives who demand their pound of flesh.

It goes to show that unsavory behavior has nothing to do with race.  It has to do with character. Just because a person is a caricature doesn't mean he has character.  At least not a good one.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

As the year draws to a close I look to toward the future hoping for signs that the world situation will improve.  Unfortunately the evidence is lacking while we still negotiate with the rogue state of Iran bringing them ever closer to nuclear capability and have even been told not to discount the possibility of reopening our long closed embassy.

This of course comes from a petulant President who insists on doing things his own way regardless of what the consequences may be.  That is what brought about his "normalizing" relations with Cuba without getting anything in return, releasing known jihadists and piling more regulations on our own energy industries.

The good mixes with the bad with the announcement that Michael Grimm, a now convicted felon, is resigning from Congress.  For those Republicans among us it is bad news because he'll probably be replaced by a Democrat.  It's okay if the Democrat cares about the country first but if another ideologue it will only add to the contentiousness already in Congress.

Then there is the news that Hillary's camp is already trying to dig up dirt on Jim Webb, a potential candidate who is merely exploring the possibility of challenging her.  Why must dirt always be sought rather than burnishing one's own capabilities? Perhaps it's because he is the far more capable of the two.  Do the Clinton's know how to play anything except dirty?

And the ugly.  Al Sharpton.  No one among the power players who have welcomed him into their inner circles have denounced him for what he is.  A racist agitator who doesn't deserve the time of day. Especially from the likes of the President of the United States, the Attorney General and the Mayor of New York City.

Too bad slates are no longer wiped clean at years end but they aren't.  Tomorrow is New Years Eve. New Years Day many will be nursing hangovers or watching football.  When you think about it, neither is the best way to start a new year but I'll take football over the hang over.  Then comes January 2 and everything will be much the same as December 31. Life goes on.  It doesn't miss a beat. There will no doubt be some good, too much bad and way too much ugly.

Crooks In Congress

Well, we elect them. This is nothing new.  Even when we know they are under investigation we elect them anyway.  Then we wonder why we aren't well served.

The problem is that they don't have to resign.  Oh, sure, they may be censured but to what end? It's no more than a smack on the wrist.  They stay in office and collect their pay, benefits and retirement when the time comes.

Charlie Rangel is the current Democrat poster boy for getting away with offenses for which the rest of us would be jailed.  Now the Republicans have their own.  Michael Grimm.  Both hail from New York.  What is it, the air?

Then there is the hypocrisy of Nancy Pelosi who's calling for Grimm's resignation.  Okay.  Call for Rangels too.  Not a chance.

What are the crimes?  Traffic tickets?  No.  Both actually are charged with and convicted of tax evasion.  That would be a felony.

It is disappointing at the very least when a former FBI agent, Grimm, succumbs to such temptations.  What kind of an example is that?  When it's said we have the government we deserve perhaps it's true.  We do elect them. How many more are in Congress who have legal indiscretions yet to be uncovered?

Maybe we're numb to it now.  After all the Pinocchio's that are awarded for untruths mean something.  They mean our elected officials are lying to us.  They are also defying their oath of office as well as disgracing themselves. And in turn showing contempt for us.

There should be consequences for criminal actions.  Until there are, those so inclined will continue to serve and we will continue to be under served. If they won't police themselves, why won't we? The government we deserve.  I guess so.  We elect them over and over again. It's a crime, really.