Jack Langer just made my day. 

Or at least he confirmed my previous post on Protesting Just Ain't the Same Anymore .....

Makes me tired just to think of walking around the block beating a tambourine against my varicose veins.  

Huh????  A senior-citizen sit-in? 

Now you're talking!

Farewell, Valiant horse. 

Obviously folks hear what they want to hear.  Maybe some weren't really listening -- too busy nursing their drinks or sitting with critical pen in hand -- focusing only on how "he-should-have-said-it-this-way."  I'm also confident that those fixated on other presidential candidates didn't WANT to hear what he said.

Fortunately, someone else (who was present) heard what I heard in the audio tape.  Thanks, to Kevin Mooney for confirming my observations.

Mitt Romney Buffs His Conservative Credentials
By Kevin Mooney
CNSNews.com Staff Writer
January 29, 2007

America is at risk of becoming "the France of the 21st Century" unless policymakers curtail burdensome government policies and extravagant entitlement spending that work against the creative energies of free people, said former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.

Romney, who recently formed a presidential exploratory committee, delivered his remarks on Saturday at the National Review Conservative Summit, a gathering of conservative activists, lawmakers and pundits in Washington, D.C.

Romney said the "bar must be raised" in both domestic and foreign affairs at a time when Asian nations stand poised to challenge American primacy. The growing threat of "radical violent Islam" and the specter of a nuclear Iran also figured prominently in Romney's talk.

Present-day superpower status will not necessarily transfer over the long term, he said, if American policy-makers entertain false notions about the true source of the nation's strength.

Romney invoked the historical example of France to show how quickly once-great nations can lose power and influence when the wrong polices are embraced. To drive the point home, Romney quoted his father, who said, "Nothing is as vulnerable as entrenched success."

Unlike liberal Democrats who view government as the greatest source of American strength, Republicans understand that it is the "hard-working, innovative, risk-taking, God-fearing, family-loving and freedom-loving" American people who make the nation great and ensure its superpower status, Romney said.

Americans are fully capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st Century, he continued, so long as they have greater individual freedom, lower rates of taxation, less cumbersome investment opportunities and a more efficient government.

Romney expressed support for making the Bush tax cuts permanent and pointed out that has signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge."

He also expressed concern over what he termed a "disinvestment in technology" by corporations, driven in part by a high number of lawsuits. Americans corporations spent more money defending tort claims last year, Romney contends, than they did on research and development.

He also addressed the growth of entitlement programs.

"Spending in Washington is simply out of control," Romney said. America's long-term vitality is threatened by a mix of "pork-barrel" projects and extravagant entitlement expenditures, he argued.

Over two-thirds of federal spending will be directed to entitlement spending and the interest expense that goes with it by the time the next president finishes his second term, Romney claimed.

"How can we remain the world's military and economic superpower with that kind of entitlement expense trajectory?" he asked.

While he was governor, Romney said he pursued free-market reforms in health care and "choice" initiatives in education that could be applied on the national level. He also detailed efforts aimed at eliminating unnecessary and wasteful spending in the state budget.

Foreign policy

Romney said the threat of "jihadism" is "woefully misunderstood" and in some respects underestimated.

A network of radical elements -- including al Qaeda, Hizballah, the Muslim Brotherhood and others - is able to reach millions of people with a message that is "devastating to civilization," and those radicals are working "to replace all moderate Islamic governments with a single caliphate and to govern all nations that have ever been touched by Islam," he said.

"For that to happen, they need to crush the superpower that keeps the world order in check, [and] that's the U.S. They want to collapse our economy, our government and our military."

While this may seem like a far-fetched proposition to some, Romney argued that the jihad elements are "crazy but not stupid," and have identified certain points of vulnerability, such as the "interdependent" nature of the U.S. economy.

Romney said Iran is "at the heart of the jihadist threat" and "must be stopped."

Some of the key policy proposals Romney discussed included a call to indict Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for "incitement to genocide."

He also outlined steps that could be taken both diplomatically and financially to isolate the regime in Iran. Romney, for instance, favors the imposition of restrictions on investments that would go to corporations doing business in Iran.

"Military options are not off the table," he added. "Nor are they coming off the table."

Cultural issues

Several high-profile issues assumed center stage in Massachusetts during Romney's term as governor, including same-sex marriage and the role of the judiciary.

At a time when the state supreme court was ruling in favor of homosexual marriage, Romney said he did "everything within my power and within the law to stand up for traditional marriage." He also expressed the view that marriage is not primarily about adults and adult rights but rather about "the development and nurturing of children."

While he acknowledged he was once "pro-choice" and not always a "Ronald Reagan conservative" on the question of abortion, Romney said he has "changed his view."

The turning point came, he explained, when he began to study stem cell research and found that a "bright line" could be crossed making it possible to create life simply for purpose of "experimentation and destruction," he added.

From that point forward, Romney said he squarely aligned himself with the pro-life cause and sought to advance measures as governor that would protect the "sanctity of life."

Nicely said, Mitt Romney. 

Updated:  Speech videos added.

Little Green Footballs had an interesting debate this afternoon.  Folks were trying to figure out what those floats and banners in today's Washington protest march symbolized.

I think I've figured it out.                

But first a little background.

For anyone who's never been to a REAL protest, simply re-wind that anti-war rally scene from Forrest Gump.  Now THAT was a protest, baby.  And today's speakers?  Errrrrrr .... well .... they were basically the same ones  speaking at protests 40-some years ago. 

Their tone seems to have mellowed a bit, though ... Was it just me or didn't  those voices from the past seem to be more "preachy" than inciting?   

In her time -- Jane Fonda could rouse a crowd into a frothing mob. (Including Vietnam vets.)  While I've never been able to decipher Jesse Jackson, I assure you that Tim Robbins didn't used to talk about God, either.  (What the heck was that all about, anyway?) 

Those Singing Grannies?  If you can find an old Woodstock video, you might recognize some of them.  (And no -- the second lady from the end is neither Joan Biaz, Judy Collins nor Janis-Joplin-reincarnated.) 

Protest sponsors just aren't what they used to be, either.  Ever hear of the SDS?  Black Panthers?  Weathermen?  Yippies?  The original NOW group?   Believe me -- no hippy worth his/her stash would wear pink (by any hippy code) unless it was a tie-dye color blend on a tee shirt.  (Exception:  Dennis Kucinich's wife wore a pink coat today, but she looked much younger than Dennis.)  Good grief -- if you've ever been to an SDS-sponsored rally -- you'd know what a protest really was, comrade.  And you'd definitely know how to dress.  Jeans, tee shirts, cotton hippy moo-moo dresses, love beads, second-hand military jackets, floppy hats and flowers.  Lots of flowers.  And headbands.  Humph -- no real hippy would be caught outside the VW van dressed like some of the freaks you saw today.

You younger folks will just have to trust me on this:  What you saw today was a demonstration -- not activism as it was in its heyday -- but what happens when  well-beyond-their-prime'ers try to revive those ole activist juices.  Won't work.  I'm not implying that Jesse Jackson, Jane Fonda, Susan Sarandon,Tim Robbins or any other has-been's burned their brains out or anything.  I'm just suggesting that their promotional-time would best be  utilized hawking TV commercials for the geriatric crowd.  LIke Viagra.  Electric scooters.  Pill crushers.  Metamucil.  Depends.  Laxatives.   Botox. Supplemental medical Insurance.

And those protest floats and banners from today's march simply validate my premise(s) about elder-hippies -- in general and in particular.

Here we have a float supposedly  representing the spineless nature of Congress in not doing something congressional about the war. 

To the elder-hippy, however, this is a facsimile of a colon. 

See Metamucil and laxative commercials referenced above.

While designers may want you to think "dove," this symbolic sheeted fowl is either a loon (denoting Fonda's shallow-water back-flip performance in On Golden Pond) or an insurance-promoting duck.  

Same difference. 

AFLAC:  In over-the-hill protest-speak, this means Aging Female Liberal Against Constipation. 

This sign not only confirms my assessment, but literally AND figuratively sez it all --

   Just Poop.

Photo Credits:  C-Span and Little Green Footballs

Not sure why Alexandra Pelosi had to come to the "Bible Belt" to learn about evangelical beliefs and lifestyles. 

Few fringe personalities are hardly indicative of the actual beliefs and lifestyles of a practicing evangelical.  (It's not like they DON'T walk amongst us ....)  She could have saved the air-fare and driven to Southern California to get that scoop!

But filming southerners doing and saying things "southern" in the south  connotes credibility, yes?

Wrong.

For two years I attended a Sunday morning evangelical music program  smack-dab in the hills of Hollywood-land.  Great music by aspiring musicians (paid and volunteer) .... hundreds in attendance .... replete with waste-basket collection plates, testimonies, and a to-die-for massive video screen and professional video tech staff -- flashing lyrics (for those not closing their eyes while waving hands and arms skyward) or to span the faces of  musicians and fixated parishioners who mouthed silent prayers while swaying to the music. 

The music was awe-inspiring .... a holistic blend of new age Christian rock and classic gospel hymns.  Which is why I attended.  Back in my bible-belt youth, I attended all-night "singings" (in my grandfather's living room) or at the high school gym.  Even today, I often rise early to listen to gospel music programs ....

But I digress.

And after the singing, Southern California folks would do what most church-going folks in the bible-belt-and-beyond do.  They served coffee and cookies in the social hall.  Real-time religious congregations might even return to the sanctuary for some evangelical teachings.  Others likely just chat with friends as they amble toward the parking lot and then head home to have lunch, watch football, play golf, pick up a book or browse the Sunday paper again, maybe take a nap, etc. 

Similar to Alexandra Pelosi (who refers to her self as a "lapsed" Catholic), hell-fire-and-brimstone expositions by fringe fanatics ain't my thang.

Unlike Alexandra Pelosi, however, in all my evangelical exposures -- I've never heard the term "Hell's Box Office."   Come to think of  it -- I don't even know any evangelicals who subscribe to HBO!

But then, I'm more a Showtime-Encore/Starz! gal.  How else could I "ace" this test or find monthly re-runs of Elmer Gantry?

I'm confident that the thousands of bloggers and blog-readers who are signing THE PLEDGE are sincere in their commitment to withhold financial support for any Republican who joins Democrats in voting for a resolution against expanded military strategies in Iraq.

As a registered "independent" who has never contributed to a national political party, I signed The Pledge because of my fundamental stance against terrorism.  I support our troops AND their mission in Iraq.  My personal pledge, you see, goes beyond financial support and beyond party lines.

I vow to hold every elected official who either abstains from voting or who votes for any resolution-which-implies-non-support-for-the-military-mission-in-Iraq as morally accountable for

1) conveying irreparable damage to troop morale
                                       and
2) providing encouragement to Iraqi insurgents and to global jihadists. 

This is my personal pledge.  This will be my commitment.

* I'm not sure this rises to the level of Kerry forgetting who was President of the US when he was stargazing in Cambodia one memorable Christmas Eve -- but did anyone else note that Sen. Clinton stated that she watched one of her favorite movies (when in college in the 60's and 70's) "over and over" until she and friends had memorized the dialog?  The movie was Casablanca.  Great movie.  But someone pointed out that it wasn't released on VCR/video until the mid-90's .......

So maybe it ran for a couple of years in the local theater? 
Algore loaned her his VCR player while he was inventing the internet?
She remembers a guy named Sam, but doesn't recall the year?

Ehhhhh.  Chalk it up as an over-statement to appear steeped in average American cultural experiences.  That old connectivity thang.  You know -- Something to talk about when she drops by to chat ....

*  I have an idea why Speaker Nancy Pelosi was ::::blinkblinkblink:::: batting her eyes during the SOTU address last night. 

To stay awake.

Which obviously demonstrates the need for term limits. 

Working 3 days a week year-after-year-after-year-after-year takes its toll -- doncha know?

Me? 
I do what Nancy does. 
I blink a lot!

From the "Hey-how-about-this department:  If you believe "if ya snooze, ya lose," stand up and applaud!!

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

UPDATE/Disclaimer:  okokok .... it is not unlikely that some of the folks  pictured above WERE either reading along with the President's speech or may have been toying with their blackberrys ....  It's just no fun giving them any benefit of doubt when they're unwilling to give the same to the Iraqi plan. 

photo credits:  multiple sites, including Bill's Bites.

I'm gonna throw up, I tell ya.  Thu-rooooow up. 

What is this motherhood fixation these dem women (i.e., Granny Pelosi, Mother Boxer and now Mommy Hillary) are pushing?   I'm expecting favorite recipes to suddenly appear on congressional web sites.  Testimonies on the pros and cons of breast feeding ....  How to maximize the empty-nest syndrome for fun and profit ...  Creative uses of menstrual distress ....

It's about time we separate moon-bats from womb-bats!!!

I don't know about Paul Pelosi or Mr. Boxer, but I've just gained insight into why Bill probably found his thrill sans the shrill ..... Anyone who saw the Hillary announcement video surely wondered where that calm and cool demeanor came from -- hard to fake some things, yanno?  'Specially while wearing makeup and sittin' up straight on a sofa.

Now there's nothing wrong with women in politics or any other leadership role -- nothing wrong whatsoevah -- but pleeeeeease stop with this moon-bat-womb-bat pretense.  It's so ... so .... so un-womanly.  Everytime I see a womb-bat gushing over kidlets in front of a camera, I think of those cowardly terrorists who hide behind children or dress as women to carry out some dastardly deeds. 

Know what I mean?

No skill needed ... shifting ... power run ... head walling ... trough .. ditching ... group rates ... whoopdeedoo ... down the chute... catching a rut ... cold feet ... leaning ... dragging a foot ... power shove ... spin ... run-off ... hitting a rough spot ... catching wind ... wipe out ... rump bump .... it's all about children -- snow tubing reminds me of politics.

What a wonderful weekend! 

Until Hillary invited me to talk.  She wants to talk with me?  Ha!  Errrrr ... no thanks, Hill.  First of all -- your "conversations" with New York were one-sided, at best.  Why should I expect anything different now that you've formalized your ultimate power run?

If you really want to talk, I suggest we cut to the chase. 

How long will it be before you name Bill Richardson as your choice for vice president?  He's been a long-time favorite for years .... successful New Mexico governor .... Hispanic ... foreign envoy .....  Not to mention his work for Bill (including hiring Monica to get her out of your House). 

Pound for pound -- Bill Richardson would probably make a better president, but we know first hand your ways and wiles for using people ....

How to beat you at your own game?  Match Mitt Romney with a vice-presidential candidate (McCain?) as Bill's counter-part.  You'll be no match for Mitt in a debate. 

McCain probably has enough voter and regional appeal to match Bill's -- unless another mid-westerner comes down the chute.  But will McCain be happy riding shotgun? 

Whoopdeedo.  I see the makings of a major head walling with a few rump bumps in this run, Hill!  Better catch wind while you're at the top!

So much for exploration, eh?  Looks as if Hillary has her committees confused, but we'll give her a pass this time.  After all -- she's been campaigning for this job since Bill let her orchestrate his national health care debacle.

#################################

Me?  I've been in a trough most of the day.  A snow tube trough, that is.  Lots of fun with the family and (fortunately) total strangers of all ages, stages and attributes in an unmaneuverable tube.  I'm sure that most of us older lead-bottom tubers used to ski the nearby slopes.  Back when the knees and hips and ankles allowed it, that is.  Thank the winter gods for remembering that even older bodies love to play in the snow .... Now if someone would just come up with a way to steer an errant rubber donut!

"Lady, can I help you out of your tube?"

Nahhhh.  Just push me over to that tow rope, sonny.  I'm good for another run or two."