May 25th, 1961

The race to the moon defined my youth and set the direction of my adult life. America then seemed to be about what we could do. Today it seems to be so much more about what we can't do. I grieve for what has been lost, but even more for the society that refuses to see it.

QOTD

From Jeremy Clarkson, one of the boys on Top Gear regarding the Honda Insight:

And the sound is worse. The Honda’s petrol engine is a much-shaved, built-for-economy, low-friction 1.3 that, at full chat, makes a noise worse than someone else’s crying baby on an airliner. It’s worse than the sound of your parachute failing to open. Really, to get an idea of how awful it is, you’d have to sit a dog on a ham slicer.

I haven't driven one yet, but from what I've seen so far, I haven't been impressed. I was impressed by the drivability of the Prius. I still wouldn't want one for myself, but at least it is a decent car, and not merely a fashion statement.

QOTD

Again from the inestimable Mark Steyn:

Not to be too gloomy, but the country feels like it's seizing up. It's as if California and New York have burst their bodices like two corpulent gin-soaked trollops and rolled over the fruited plain to rub bellies at the Mississippi. If you're underneath, it's not going to be fun.

Read the whole thing.

You Can't Make This Up

Two shot at an anti-violence rally.

May 18

There's much that I could talk about today as we rush headlong into the abyss. Instead, let me note the irony that Abraham Lincoln was nominated for President the same date that the Supreme Court issued Plessy v. Ferguson thirty-six years later.

Payback Time

So, people are starting to notice that GM's new business plan includes moving a significant number of jobs offshore to China and are wondering why. It seems rather obvious to me. China, is receiving a quid pro quo for continuing to finance our government's debt. No other explanation makes sense.

Thanks for the Memories

68 years ago today, Bob Hope performed his first show for troops in Riverside, California. I often listen to his old radio show on XM, and his humor stands the test of time. A true patriot, even during the Vietnam years, he cared when few others did.

Two Guys I'd Like to Know

I think I'd get along well with both these guys. Our country, and theirs, is full of such men. It's been my privilege to know a number of them, and I would dearly like to add these two to the list.

Unsufferably Haughty

For one person alone to have the Government of a people in his hands, would be too great a Temptation. It tends to excite and draw forth the Pride of a man, to make him unsufferably haughty; it gives him too much liberty to exert his corruptions and it encourages him to become a Tyrant and an oppressor, to dispense with Laws and break the most solemn oaths. -- John Barnard, 1746

Sound like anything out of the news these days? H/T Instapundit

“When did it become the government’s job to intervene in the bankruptcy process to move junior creditors who belong to favored political constituencies to the front of the line? Leave aside the moral point that these people lent money under a given set of rules, and now the government wants to intervene in our extremely well-functioning (and generous) bankruptcy regime solely in order to save a favored Democratic interest group. No, leave that aside for the nonce, and let’s pretend that the most important thing in the world, far more interesting than stupid concepts like the rule of law, is saving unions. What do you think this is going to do to the supply of credit for industries with powerful unions?” -- Megan McArdle

Is there any doubt in anyone's mind that our President is completely and utterly craven?

I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that in the best case scenario, we are in for a 30's type depression. You really don't want to know what I think is likely.

Never Again

I have had a life-long lust for a Corvette, and as I am in my peak earning years, was actually thinking I might just be able to sate the desire. No more. I will never buy either GM or Chrysler products again. Both firms should have been allowed to die a graceful death in bankruptcy court. Instead, they decided to suckle at the government teat and make the rest of us responsible for their irresponsibility. Now, instead of gladly supporting GM and its workers by buying one of their products I've long desired, I'm being forced to underwrite their mismanagement with my tax dollars.

I'll be driving my 13 year old Toyota pick-up a bit longer, and when the time comes, my next purchase will be a Ford. In fact, both the Fusion and Escape hybrids look pretty good to me and would meet my needs well. My son has driven the Escape hybrid at work, and says that it gets better mileage than his Focus. Not bad at all for something that can be taken into the boonies once in a while.

Is it Just Me...

or is the Obama administration shaping up to make the Grant administration look ethical, and the Carter administration competent?