Thursday, December 27, 2012
Muskie and Kerry
In 1980 Secretary of State Cyrus Vance had resigned due to his opposition to the proposed military mission code named Eagle Claw to rescue the US hostages held in Iran. Operation Eagle Claw ( The first ever use of the US Delta Force) proved to be a complete failure and claimed the lives of six servicemen. US prestige in the world was at an all time low due to the hostage crisis and the USSR flexing its muscles in Afghanistan.
Whoever assumed the duties of Secretary of state was sure to be grilled in Congressional hearings and was not assured of confirmation by any means. Grudgingly President Carter proposed the nomination of the late Maine Senator Edmund Muskie to be Secretary of State. The US Senate is a unique fraternity and they do not eat their own. Muskies nomination was easily approved saving face for not only for President Carter but also the State Department.
Moving ahead to 2012 four US citizens including the US ambassador to Libya were massacred at Benghazi. The Obama administration and State department seemingly fumbled through any legitimate explanation as to why the massacre occurred for several weeks. UN Ambassador Susan Rice as a sacrificial lamb to the Sunday talking head TV shows to explain away the massacre as a reaction to a U-tube video. Having fallen upon the company sword Ms. Rice was proposed as the next Secretary of State and whether competent or not to hold the office she was damaged goods.
Since the Benghazi incident Secretary of State Clinton has pretty much fallen off the face of the planet and was unavailable for hearings on Benghazi due to a concussion. The Arab spring has turned into the winter of Islam and democracy has been replaced by a theocracy in Egypt..
What does one do when the credibility of State Department lies in shambles and any potential nominees to Secretary of State face potential grinding damaging testimony in front of the Senate?
The answer is simple and tried and true. You nominate John Kerry to be your Secretary of State.
No nasty questions , no explanations for past actions because he was not there, and no problems because he is a US Senator and a member of the club.
One small caveat is that the nomination of Kerry may be held up pending Hillary Clinton giving testimony concerning Benghazi to the US Senate. It conj ours up images of the great awakening sermon Sinners in the hands of an Angry God by Johnathan Edwards. And yes the image of Hillary dangling as a spider above a candle flame is quite amusing.
A Modern American Whig
Joey Porter
Sunday, December 9, 2012
The Compromise of 1850 and 2012
In 1850 a historic compromise was reached which delayed what seemed to be an inevitable war between the states for a period of 10 years. The burning issue of the time was to determine whether the territories won as a result of the Mexican American war would enter the union as slave or free states.
The compromise ended up being five separate pieces of legislation with the most controversial part being the Fugitive Slave Act. The Fugitive Slave Act made any federal official who did not arrest a runaway slave liable to pay a fine of $1,000 (About $26,600 in USD as of 2011). In addition any person aiding a runaway slave by providing food or shelter was subject to six months' imprisonment and a $1,000 fine.
The Slave Act was the impetus that split the northern Whigs from the southern Whigs and led to the formation of the Republican party.
In 2012 we await what to most seems to be a non historic compromise as to revising or elimination of the Bush era tax cuts. And although there have been petitions of secession issued by
several states few of us would believe that we are actually heading to a war among ourselves.
However I believe whatever form the compromise of 2012 takes it will accentuate a schism between the tea party and the old line GOP. Will this schism give birth to a third political party? The answer is probably no. History has never been kind to third parties no matter how noble their purpose or standard bearer. One of two things will happen.
The compromise ended up being five separate pieces of legislation with the most controversial part being the Fugitive Slave Act. The Fugitive Slave Act made any federal official who did not arrest a runaway slave liable to pay a fine of $1,000 (About $26,600 in USD as of 2011). In addition any person aiding a runaway slave by providing food or shelter was subject to six months' imprisonment and a $1,000 fine.
The Slave Act was the impetus that split the northern Whigs from the southern Whigs and led to the formation of the Republican party.
In 2012 we await what to most seems to be a non historic compromise as to revising or elimination of the Bush era tax cuts. And although there have been petitions of secession issued by
several states few of us would believe that we are actually heading to a war among ourselves.
However I believe whatever form the compromise of 2012 takes it will accentuate a schism between the tea party and the old line GOP. Will this schism give birth to a third political party? The answer is probably no. History has never been kind to third parties no matter how noble their purpose or standard bearer. One of two things will happen.
- The GOP will fall upon its own weight like a giant redwood whose roots no longer support it and a new party will rise to take its place.
- The GOP will be morph like a butterfly from a caterpillar maintaining its name but changing its identity.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
A Modern American Whig
After the 2012 election many conservatives such as myself went quite
frankly into a state of mourning. After spending a billion dollars
Romney lost the election and the GOP failed to gain control of the
senate.
I also watched in bewilderment as my state and local CA GOP gave financial preference to establishment candidates and spent money they did not have on GOP versus GOP contests in the primary election. After the general election the CA GOP went from being the minority party in the state to being a minor party.
I and I sure others had feeling that we somehow had failed as individuals that we could have done more. I made two trips to Nevada to walk precincts. Perhaps I could have skipped more time with the family and locked myself in the guest room so I could make annoying phone calls for Romney.
In retrospect as I watched the GOP convention several months ago I was taken aback by the lack of utterance of two words over four days. The words Tea Party somehow never made it past the lips of Christie, Rubio, Mia Love, Walker or Romney. Surely the GOP professionals who were totally in charge and knew what they were doing right?? I ordered a Romney yard sign and it never showed up and then I ordered a second one and it took five weeks to ship. Surely this was not a sign of incompetence? I assured myself the signs were being shipped to where they were needed ... right?
But what ever doubts I had about the GOP were solidified when I watched the total lack of response by them as Allen West was being robbed due to election fraud in FL and when John Boehner proclaimed there would be no more Tea Party caucus.
I then started to think is the GOP relevant and do we need a new political party? This led the historian in me to do some research on the old Whig party and why it ceased to be relevant.
The Whig party was formed to be in opposition to President Andrew Jackson and the policies of the Democratic party to which he belonged. The party ceased to be relevant when it failed to take a stand against slavery and with the passing of its most famous spokespersons Senators Daniel Webster of NH and Senator Henry Clay of KY. The term "going the way of the Whigs" meant being obsolete or irrelevant. In 1856 the Whig party was dead and the Republican party took its place.
The term Whig also means Patriot from its British party roots. If there is one thing us tea party people believe is that we are patriots. It is not inconceivable to me that a new political party could arise simply in opposition to President Barack Obama and the policies of the Democratic party to which he belongs.
As an individual there is one thing I can do to gain the attention of the GOP. I plan on changing my voter registration to independent. This is more like a dating relationship where I am letting the other person know I am open to seeing other people and available to a new suitor. If millions of tea party people do this one of two things will happen either the GOP will come running back to us for our attention or they simply "will go the way of the Whigs."
As for now I am a modern American Whig are you??
Joey Porter
I also watched in bewilderment as my state and local CA GOP gave financial preference to establishment candidates and spent money they did not have on GOP versus GOP contests in the primary election. After the general election the CA GOP went from being the minority party in the state to being a minor party.
I and I sure others had feeling that we somehow had failed as individuals that we could have done more. I made two trips to Nevada to walk precincts. Perhaps I could have skipped more time with the family and locked myself in the guest room so I could make annoying phone calls for Romney.
In retrospect as I watched the GOP convention several months ago I was taken aback by the lack of utterance of two words over four days. The words Tea Party somehow never made it past the lips of Christie, Rubio, Mia Love, Walker or Romney. Surely the GOP professionals who were totally in charge and knew what they were doing right?? I ordered a Romney yard sign and it never showed up and then I ordered a second one and it took five weeks to ship. Surely this was not a sign of incompetence? I assured myself the signs were being shipped to where they were needed ... right?
But what ever doubts I had about the GOP were solidified when I watched the total lack of response by them as Allen West was being robbed due to election fraud in FL and when John Boehn
I then started to think is the GOP relevant and do we need a new political party? This led the historian in me to do some research on the old Whig party and why it ceased to be relevant.
The Whig party was formed to be in opposition to President Andrew Jackson and the policies of the Democratic party to which he belonged. The party ceased to be relevant when it failed to take a stand against slavery and with the passing of its most famous spokespersons Senators Daniel Webster of NH and Senator Henry Clay of KY. The term "going the way of the Whigs" meant being obsolete or irrelevant. In 1856 the Whig party was dead and the Republican party took its place.
The term Whig also means Patriot from its British party roots. If there is one thing us tea party people believe is that we are patriots. It is not inconceivable to me that a new political party could arise simply in opposition to President Barack Obama and the policies of the Democratic party to which he belongs.
As an individual there is one thing I can do to gain the attention of the GOP. I plan on changing my voter registration to independent. This is more like a dating relationship where I am letting the other person know I am open to seeing other people and available to a new suitor. If millions of tea party people do this one of two things will happen either the GOP will come running back to us for our attention or they simply "will go the way of the Whigs."
As for now I am a modern American Whig are you??
Joey Porter
A Modern American Whig
After the 2012 election many conservatives such as myself went quite frankly into a state of mourning. After spending a billion dollars Romney lost the election and the GOP failed to gain control of the senate.
I also watched in bewilderment as my state and local CA GOP gave financial preference to establishment candidates and spent money they did not have on GOP versus GOP contests in the primary election. After the general election the CA GOP went from being the minority party in the state to being a minor party.
I and I sure others had feeling that we somehow had failed as individuals that we could have done more. I made two trips to Nevada to walk precincts. Perhaps I could have skipped more time with the family and locked myself in the guest room so I could make annoying phone calls for Romney.
In retrospect as I watched the GOP convention several months ago I was taken aback by the lack of utterance of two words over four days. The words Tea Party somehow never made it past the lips of Christie, Rubio, Mia Love, Walker or Romney. Surely the GOP professionals who were totally in charge and knew what they were doing right?? I ordered a Romney yard sign and it never showed up and then I ordered a second one and it took five weeks to ship. Surely this was not a sign of incompetence? I assured myself the signs were being shipped to where they were needed ... right?
But what ever doubts I had about the GOP were solidified when I watched the total lack of response by them as Allen West was being robbed due to election fraud in FL and when John Boehnor proclaimeed there would be no more Tea Party caucus.
I then started to think is the GOP relevant and do we need a new political party? This led the historian in me to do some research on the old Whig party and why it ceased to be relevant.
The Whig party was formed to be in opposition to President Andrew Jackson and the policies of the Democratic party to which he belonged. The party ceased to be relevant when it failed to take a stand against slavery and with the passing of its most famous spokespersons Senators Daniel Webster of NH and Senator Henry Clay of KY. The term "going the way of the Whigs" meant being obsolete or irrelevant. In 1856 the Whig party was dead and the Republican party took its place.
The term Whig also means Patriot from its British party roots. If there is one thing us tea party people believe is that we are patriots. It is not inconceivable to me that a new political party could arise simply in opposition to President Barack Obama and the policies of the Democratic party to which he belongs.
As an individual there is one thing I can do to gain the attention of the GOP. I plan on changing my voter registration to independent. This is more like a dating relationship where I am letting the other person know I am open to seeing other people and available to a new suitor. If millions of tea party people do this one of two things will happen either the GOP will come running back to us for our attention or they simply "will go the way of the Whigs."
As for now I am a modern American Whig are you??
Joey Porter
I also watched in bewilderment as my state and local CA GOP gave financial preference to establishment candidates and spent money they did not have on GOP versus GOP contests in the primary election. After the general election the CA GOP went from being the minority party in the state to being a minor party.
I and I sure others had feeling that we somehow had failed as individuals that we could have done more. I made two trips to Nevada to walk precincts. Perhaps I could have skipped more time with the family and locked myself in the guest room so I could make annoying phone calls for Romney.
In retrospect as I watched the GOP convention several months ago I was taken aback by the lack of utterance of two words over four days. The words Tea Party somehow never made it past the lips of Christie, Rubio, Mia Love, Walker or Romney. Surely the GOP professionals who were totally in charge and knew what they were doing right?? I ordered a Romney yard sign and it never showed up and then I ordered a second one and it took five weeks to ship. Surely this was not a sign of incompetence? I assured myself the signs were being shipped to where they were needed ... right?
But what ever doubts I had about the GOP were solidified when I watched the total lack of response by them as Allen West was being robbed due to election fraud in FL and when John Boehnor proclaimeed there would be no more Tea Party caucus.
I then started to think is the GOP relevant and do we need a new political party? This led the historian in me to do some research on the old Whig party and why it ceased to be relevant.
The Whig party was formed to be in opposition to President Andrew Jackson and the policies of the Democratic party to which he belonged. The party ceased to be relevant when it failed to take a stand against slavery and with the passing of its most famous spokespersons Senators Daniel Webster of NH and Senator Henry Clay of KY. The term "going the way of the Whigs" meant being obsolete or irrelevant. In 1856 the Whig party was dead and the Republican party took its place.
The term Whig also means Patriot from its British party roots. If there is one thing us tea party people believe is that we are patriots. It is not inconceivable to me that a new political party could arise simply in opposition to President Barack Obama and the policies of the Democratic party to which he belongs.
As an individual there is one thing I can do to gain the attention of the GOP. I plan on changing my voter registration to independent. This is more like a dating relationship where I am letting the other person know I am open to seeing other people and available to a new suitor. If millions of tea party people do this one of two things will happen either the GOP will come running back to us for our attention or they simply "will go the way of the Whigs."
As for now I am a modern American Whig are you??
Joey Porter
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Ending Barbarians at the Gates
The last year and a half has proved challenging both politically and professorially. After I recovered from a knee replacement I have been managing 4 to 5 construction projects. It takes a certain amount of energy and yes a small amount of anger to do a political blog posting. What little energy and anger I had were channeled given to the real world of politics and not just blogging about it.
But now is a time for reflection and ultimately what our nation needs is out of the box thinking.
Now is a time for a new blog and new ideas. This is the last posting as the Barbarian. I am starting a new blog called A Modern American Whig. I welcome you to follow me there.
But now is a time for reflection and ultimately what our nation needs is out of the box thinking.
Now is a time for a new blog and new ideas. This is the last posting as the Barbarian. I am starting a new blog called A Modern American Whig. I welcome you to follow me there.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Joey Porters Unofficial 2012 CA Primary Voting Guide
Sorry I have not had the time or energy to post on my blog recently. I continue to be blessed with a workload that would give a mule a hernia.
This posting is for my friends , neighbors and acquaintances in Solano and Contra Costa County CA and I encourage you to share it. . With the new open primary system in CA and redrawn districts for many offices I am sure many of you are confused as to who you should be voting for or against. Having been mildly involved with politics for the last couple of years I have a working knowledge of many of the candidates running. If you disagree with my recommendation at least you will be a better informed voter and can vote the opposite way. With the new open primary system in CA the top two vote getters will go into the general election so you may have two Democrats or Republicans to vote for. The open primary allows you to vote for a person you may not vote for in the general election but are worthy of further consideration
HERE ARE MY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE 2012 CA PRIMARY ELECTION
US Senate: Dan Hughes not exciting but good conservative values
US Congress: District 5: Vallejo and Benicia are no longer represented by George Miller and are now represented by Mike Thompson who is infamous for having a BBQ with Saddam Hues-sen
My suggestion is Randy Loftin a military veteran and flat tax advocate
US Congress District 3: If you live in F airfield or Vacaville Please vote for Rick Tubbs. If you don't live there consider making a donation to his campaign. You will never find a better candidate for Congress than this man
US Congress District 7: A large part of Contra Costa County - Virgina Fuller is a smart lady, a tea party leader and a strong pro life advocate. I am proud to say my first political contribution was to her.
State Senator Solano County
Here is a chance to be creative . Incumbent Lois Wolk was running unopposed until last week when a great person threw his hat in the ring as a write in candidate. That person is Gary Clift. Gary is a good honest man and an advocate of smaller government that stays out of our personal lives.
State Assembly Vallejo
Susan Bonilla is running unopposed
State Assembly Fairfield Vacaville and eastern Contra Costa County
Mike Hudson- A good man to send to Sacramento to fix our mess and my personal friend
County Supervisor District 1; Vallejo represented by Barbara Kondlysis who has the intelligence of an eggplant and fortunately is retiring here are your choices
Initoll- Former Mayor of Vallejo while it was going bankrupt- NOPE
Hannigan- Former city council person advocate for public employee unions- NOPE
Susan B Anthony- Inconsistent on issues all over the place--Seems to be suffering from Blond.... -NOPE
Katy Messinger- Part of the reform Democrats in Vallejo- liberal but honest - YES
County Supervisor District 2- Benica
My friend Gary Wing Supports Messina- that is good enough for me
District 3:
In the words of the late John Belushi " Its time to start drinking heavily" After the second bottle of tequila hold your nose and vote for none of the above
Measure 28- Term limits revision- Backed by public employee unions who want career politicians
HECK NO
Measure 29- I don't like cigarettes I like taxes even less - NOPE
Solano County Measure L - Keeps part of sales tax paying for libraries
YES YES YES DID I
SAY YES
Hope this has been informative , a little irreverent and entertaining
This posting is for my friends , neighbors and acquaintances in Solano and Contra Costa County CA and I encourage you to share it. . With the new open primary system in CA and redrawn districts for many offices I am sure many of you are confused as to who you should be voting for or against. Having been mildly involved with politics for the last couple of years I have a working knowledge of many of the candidates running. If you disagree with my recommendation at least you will be a better informed voter and can vote the opposite way. With the new open primary system in CA the top two vote getters will go into the general election so you may have two Democrats or Republicans to vote for. The open primary allows you to vote for a person you may not vote for in the general election but are worthy of further consideration
HERE ARE MY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE 2012 CA PRIMARY ELECTION
US Senate: Dan Hughes not exciting but good conservative values
US Congress: District 5: Vallejo and Benicia are no longer represented by George Miller and are now represented by Mike Thompson who is infamous for having a BBQ with Saddam Hues-sen
My suggestion is Randy Loftin a military veteran and flat tax advocate
US Congress District 3: If you live in F airfield or Vacaville Please vote for Rick Tubbs. If you don't live there consider making a donation to his campaign. You will never find a better candidate for Congress than this man
US Congress District 7: A large part of Contra Costa County - Virgina Fuller is a smart lady, a tea party leader and a strong pro life advocate. I am proud to say my first political contribution was to her.
State Senator Solano County
Here is a chance to be creative . Incumbent Lois Wolk was running unopposed until last week when a great person threw his hat in the ring as a write in candidate. That person is Gary Clift. Gary is a good honest man and an advocate of smaller government that stays out of our personal lives.
State Assembly Vallejo
Susan Bonilla is running unopposed
State Assembly Fairfield Vacaville and eastern Contra Costa County
Mike Hudson- A good man to send to Sacramento to fix our mess and my personal friend
County Supervisor District 1; Vallejo represented by Barbara Kondlysis who has the intelligence of an eggplant and fortunately is retiring here are your choices
Initoll- Former Mayor of Vallejo while it was going bankrupt- NOPE
Hannigan- Former city council person advocate for public employee unions- NOPE
Susan B Anthony- Inconsistent on issues all over the place--Seems to be suffering from Blond.... -NOPE
Katy Messinger- Part of the reform Democrats in Vallejo- liberal but honest - YES
County Supervisor District 2- Benica
My friend Gary Wing Supports Messina- that is good enough for me
District 3:
In the words of the late John Belushi " Its time to start drinking heavily" After the second bottle of tequila hold your nose and vote for none of the above
Measure 28- Term limits revision- Backed by public employee unions who want career politicians
HECK NO
Measure 29- I don't like cigarettes I like taxes even less - NOPE
Solano County Measure L - Keeps part of sales tax paying for libraries
YES YES YES DID I
SAY YES
Hope this has been informative , a little irreverent and entertaining
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Scared of a Hoodie ??
I was raised in WV which is 95% Caucasian . I had one African American classmate in the eighth grade and no more until I went to college. Yes I was exposed to prejudice toward blacks and Jews growing up but never understood it. In fact I grew to hate it.
Many years latter I figured out the root cause of the prejudice was more economic than anything else. If only a few jobs exist than people will fight for those few jobs to provide for their families even if it meant perpetuating myths and stereotypes.
Having learned not to hate I learned not to fear. Many years latter I settled in the city of Vallejo CA which is a diverse a population as you will ever find. I often see African Americans walking in my city wearing winter coats on 80 degree days. I assume they are cold. When I see a young man in a Hoodie I assume he is cold and nothing else.
What do you see??
A Voice In the Wilderness
Many years latter I figured out the root cause of the prejudice was more economic than anything else. If only a few jobs exist than people will fight for those few jobs to provide for their families even if it meant perpetuating myths and stereotypes.
Having learned not to hate I learned not to fear. Many years latter I settled in the city of Vallejo CA which is a diverse a population as you will ever find. I often see African Americans walking in my city wearing winter coats on 80 degree days. I assume they are cold. When I see a young man in a Hoodie I assume he is cold and nothing else.
What do you see??
A Voice In the Wilderness
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
THE BARBARIAN IS BACK
For quite I while I have not given this blog very much attention. I have listened to others as to what was important in taking our county back and that involved getting up and off the couch. To an extent that is true but today I had a meeting with a friend of mine who is running for office.
Much of that discussion involved what I can do and not necessarily what I want to do in the coming year which is our most important election since 1864.
My friend told me that I had a gift for writing. With that gift he explained I had the ability to really help his campaign along with another local prominent politician running for office. I also would be able to effect public opinion and facilitate growth for groups and causes I admire on a scale that I could never have imagined through resources my friend opened to me.
Yes the Barbarian is Back and he is taking no hostages. Join me on my journey.
Much of that discussion involved what I can do and not necessarily what I want to do in the coming year which is our most important election since 1864.
My friend told me that I had a gift for writing. With that gift he explained I had the ability to really help his campaign along with another local prominent politician running for office. I also would be able to effect public opinion and facilitate growth for groups and causes I admire on a scale that I could never have imagined through resources my friend opened to me.
Yes the Barbarian is Back and he is taking no hostages. Join me on my journey.
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