Cool Hand Luke

I gotta say I was shocked when I heard the news yesterday that my hero Paul Newman had passed away. Even though he was a lib, he was still a good man. I first became aware of this man at the age of 14 when I first saw my favorite movie of all time, "Cool Hand Luke". If you haven't seen this movie, I highly recommend it.

I have to comment on this financial crisis. I am highly disappointed with our incompetent government, democrats and republicans, for allowing the credit markets to get so out of hand that there is no longer market value for mortgage backed securities. The root of this problem goes back over a decade, but most recently, the push to give out mortgages to everyone, regardless of ability to pay it back is the direct cause. I'm highly disappointed by the attempt by the majority party in congress to blame the minority party simply because their party is in the White House. It was the democrats who, in the name of compassion and equality, pushed to give mortgages to minorities at the lowest income levels. The administration has also gone along with this in the name of "bipartisanship" and for many years boasted of record home ownership in this country. It was all a ruse, and now everyone is suffering because of the political pursuit of power and money despite the risks to the country's economic well being. The finger-pointing and blame for political expediency isn't encouraging. This bill will pass in Congress this week and will be signed by the President, and it will be a national tragedy. Some say the taxpayers will make money on this bailout, but I say once the government gains a little power, it rarely gives it up. What scares me even more is what an Obama presidency would do with this increased power and money.

If the democrats gain the White House this November, and larger majorities in Congress, the blame should be placed squarely on the shoulders of the Republicans and the Bush administration for abandoning conservative principles in the name of bipartisanship over the past 8 years. They will have gotten what they deserved. I am still a strong conservative and still firmly believe that the democratic party is the party of Lucifer, but I'm also ashamed to call myself a Republican. If we do lose in November, it will be a long awaited wake up call for conservatism. It took a Carter to get a Reagan. Perhaps it will take a disastrous Obama to stimulate the rebirth in strong conservative principles. In 1999, President Gordon B Hinckley said "there is a portent of stormy weather ahead." I'm afraid he was right. This country doesn't realize the sore trials that await her. God help us.

Family Trial

Our thoughts and prayers are with my Brother Brian and his family at this difficult time. Check out their blog www.ourmagnumopus.blogspot.com for more details and updates on little Ezra Nolan McCombs.