2007: Cal Ripken, Hall of Fame

Back in 2007, we watched Cal Ripken get officially inducted into The Hall Of Fame.

My first memory of Cal Ripken goes back to 1981.    It was the crazy strike season and I caught a game on TV with Ripken at shortstop.   

In 1982, he was the regular third baseman and hit a home run on opening day.  By mid-season, Cal was playing shortstop and the rest is history:  MVP in '83 and the O's won the World Series.  Then came the another MVP in '91 and the "streak" that went on until 1998.

Unfortunately, Ripken played in bad Oriole teams.  Yet, he was out there every day playing and putting some good numbers, such as 431 Hrs and over 3100 hits.

We remember a great guy who clearly belongs in the Hall of Fame.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

July 2007: The investors loved President Bush!

A post from July 2007:

Yesterday, the stock market hit 14,000! It is a new record high! Obviously, someone likes what President Bush is doing:

"In just the past year alone, the Dow has gained a remarkable 30 percent. Meanwhile, Europe and Asia are up about 30 percent, Japan 23 percent, and emerging markets more than 60 percent. Clearly, the world is voting -- with real money -- for the American system of free-market capitalism. And it's my strong suspicion that the majority of the global investing community supports the Iraq War and a steadfast U.S. commitment to stop terrorism. They seem to know that if the United States doesn't do it, no one else will." (A Stock Market Vote of Confidence for BushBy Lawrence Kudlow)

So cheer up. The economy is doing well.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.

July 2007: A word about the young people who are wearing the uniform

A post from July 2007:

In past blogs, I have written about the courage, commitment and sacrifice of US troops. For a long time, US troops have freed more people than any author, writer, poet, singer, "Hollywoodie", journalist, college professor or pacifist.

From France '44 to Iraq, US troops have liberated more people than any other military force in history.

Bottom line: US troops are liberators!

I see this in my neighborhood. I know two young men who went into the military because they wanted to serve their country. They had other options but they chose to serve their country during war. Our own #3 son is considering a military career.

Let's salute the troops!

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.

July 2007: The majority that can't do anything!

A post from July 2007:

Have you ever seen anything like this? The Democrats won the mid-term elections and declared a mandate to change everything.

Today, they are facing a huge backlash from the country.

Why? Because they have not done anything.

Back in '95, the new Republican majority passed a bunch of new laws and made a difference. The current Dems have not done that!

Divided government is actually good. It forces compromise. It usually results in better government.

In this case, divided government has not worked. My guess is that the Democrats have another 6 months to change the public perception. Otherwise, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid will be electoral liabilities to the party's nominee in 2008!

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.

July 2007: Soccer gives the Iraqis something to smile about

A post from July 2007:

During Saddam's reign, Iraq was a police state. There were mass graves, unspeakable repression and unbelievable brutality.

Since Saddam fell, Iraqis have voted three times and put up with daily terrorist attacks.

Yesterday, Iraqi had a chance to smile and cheer for something. The soccer team won and everyone was thrilled.

Iraq has so much potential. It has oil and a wonderful people. Let's hope that this is the beginning of something new.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.

July 2007: What's going on at NASA?

A post from July 2007:

For years, many of us admired NASA for its astronauts and incredible achievements. Unfortunately, NASA has been hit by some very bad news, from a woman chasing another woman to drinking on the job.

Of course, it represents a few people. Most NASA employees are first rate professionals. Sadly, they have given NASA a black eye!

Clean up the bad apples and reach for the stars!

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.

July 2007: Could it be that we are actually winning?

As usual, I checked the Internet early this morning for some overnight stories. I was very happy to read A War We Just Might Win By MICHAEL E. O’HANLON and KENNETH M. POLLACK:

"Here is the most important thing Americans need to understand: We are finally getting somewhere in Iraq, at least in military terms.

As two analysts who have harshly criticized the Bush administration’s miserable handling of Iraq, we were surprised by the gains we saw and the potential to produce not necessarily “victory” but a sustainable stability that both we and the Iraqis could live with."

Not bad. Could it be that we are winning and so many Democrats can't stand it?

In the end, O'Hallon and Pollack urge Congress to keep it going until 2008.

Put me down as one of those who thinks that we've turned the corner in Iraq. It won't be easy sailing but we are navigating down the right path.

At the end of the day, good news is good for the US and Middle East stability. Unfortunately, good news is bad news for the party of Michael Moore and Cindy Sheehan!

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

July 2007: Gracias, Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan

A post from July 2007

We started this month with a post about Mexican politicians blaming the US for their problems. 

Today, we say "thank you" to Arturo Sarukhan, Mexico's ambassador to the United States, for telling the truth:

""It's very hard for Mexico to preach to the north what it does not do to the south," Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan said in a meeting with editors and reporters at The Washington Times, referring to Mexico's felony penalties for, and sometimes cruel treatment of, those caught crossing its southern border.

"Unless we correct the fundamental challenge of the violation of human rights of Latin American or Central American migrants crossing the border into Mexico, it's very hard for me to come up and wag a finger and say you guys should protect the rights of my citizens in this country," he said, adding that changes to the Mexican law are now pending.

Mr. Sarukhan, who presented his credentials as ambassador to President Bush in February, said his government is taking a new tack since the December inauguration of President Felipe Calderon, who has toned down the public relations push for an immigration bill in the United States and is instead trying to build infrastructure, combat corruption and create jobs to keep workers at home." (Mexican envoy hits own policies)

It's about time. It's refreshing to see Mexican officials publicly admitting what they know privately.

Last year, Banco de Mexico's chief came to Dallas and delivered a similar message.

Why is this happening? I think that Pres. Calderon understands that Mexico must change rather than export people to the US. This is a good start. It's good to see that Mexico is addressing its structural problems. You can not improve yourself until you admit that you have a problem.

P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.

July 2007: We are fighting Al Qaeda in Iraq!

A post from July 2007

What is the Democrats' message: Fight Al Qaeda everywhere except Iraq!

Here is the bottom line: We are fighting Al Qaeda in Iraq:

"In a global struggle against Islamic extremism, it is an incontestably welcome development that ordinary Sunnis in the Arab heartland are spurning al-Qaida. The extremist group has been on a campaign of savagery in Iraq that has discredited its own cause. The grassroots revolt against it means that it is within our reach to deny al-Qaida its most important current geopolitical objective, which is plunging Iraq into a bloody chaos in which it can thrive." (The Fight Against al-Qaida in Iraq By Rich Lowry)

At some point, we have to get our heads out of the partisan hole and see the big picture. How would an Al Qaeda victory in Iraq help out the next Democrat president?

July 2007: I was a guest on The Will and Nikki Show

Back in July 2007, I was on The Will and Nikki Show to talk about Hispanics and the political parties:

July 2007: The Democrats should listen to George McGovern!

A post from July 2007:

The Democrat Party changed in 1972. It nominated George McGovern and the party moved to the left.

To be fair, McGovern was a good man and a World War II hero. However, he was misguided about Vietnam and paid the electoral price by losing 49 states, including his own state of South Dakota.

What advice is McGovern giving today's Democrats:

"He is 84 now, is as opposed to the Iraq war as he was to the one in Vietnam -- and is paying close attention to the race for president.
"I'm not sure that an anti-war Democrat can win," McGovern said in an interview. "We haven't proved that yet."
"Some people point to the fact that the war in Vietnam was dreadfully unpopular," he said, "but that when I came out for an immediate withdrawal, it helped me win the nomination but not the general election. And there may be some truth about that." (McGovern: Not sure anti-war Dem can win)

McGovern is right. The Democrats are going to far to the left.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.

July 2007: The House vote is all about giving the angry left something to chew on!

A post from July 2007:

Last night, the House voted 223-201 to set a timetable for bringing troops home. It was along party lines but 10 Democrats voted with Republicans!

Speaking of Republicans, they stuck together which should settle some concerns about the party breaking with Pres. Bush. 

Where are we? This vote won't please the angry left.

First, this is setting a timetable. The angry left wants immediate withdrawal. They don't care about consequences because they are obsessed with "getting Bush".

Secondly, Pres. Bush will veto this proposal and the House needs 67% to override the veto.

Third, the US Senate has to vote. The Democrats do not have the vote in the US Senate either!

So, where are we? Nowhere! We are back to the stalemate, i.e. giving the base something to chew on because the Dems do not have the courage to cut the funding and assume any responsibility!

P.S. By the way, our troops continue to do fine work in Iraq. We are making huge gains against Al Qaeda. Of course, who cares about beating Al Qaeda in Iraq! The Dems want to fight Al Qaeda everywhere except where they are, which is Iraq!

July 2007: Rudy is OK!

A post from 2007:

My money is on Rudy!

My liberal friends are betting that Rudy Giuliani will not get nominated. They claim that he is too liberal for the conservative party!

I disagree.

Indeed, Giuliani is not a 100% conservative on social issues. However, it does not matter in a post 9-11 world.

Why are liberals betting that Giuliani will not win? The answer is that they fear Rudy-G a lot

Giuliani will force Democrats to defend New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. At the same time, a Giuliani-Huckabee or Giuliani-Thompson ticket would do very well in the South.

P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.

July 2007: Why does Michael Moore love Cuba's health care?

A post from July 2007:

Michael Moore loves Cuba's health care for these reasons:

1) There are no conservative talk show hosts in the island. No Rush Limbaugh in Cuba!

2) Abortion is legal.

3) Cuba has socialized medicine.

Who cares about freedom in Cuba? They have abortion on demand paid for by the state.

As for Cuba's hospitals, they are a disaster but they are free!

Michael Moore is another example of a crazy liberal who has a horrible case of hating the US!

You are not fooling me, Michael!

P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.