PRICE OF LIGHT SKYROCKETS

MAYBE IT'S TIME TO GO BACK TO CANDLES AND BICYCLES

     Among the many attacks on low-cost energy waged by the Obama regime, probably none is more telling than the mandatory replacement of the 4-for-a-dollar incandescent lightbulbs you use in your home.  Yes, when they burn out you'll have to replace them with something a LOT more expensive.  How expensive?
     You know that your Ostrich Killer has the answer to that question, right?  So here it is: instead of 4 for $1, you can now expect to get 4 for $200.
     That should please the 'green' crowd almost as much as $6 a gallon gasoline.  Or killing the oil pipeline from Canada.
     Maybe the people who elected Obama last time will ask themselves, during the next election, if they can afford to drive to their local polling places.  Or, if they're using mail-in ballots, if they should make plans to fill them out during daytime so they won't have to use electricity to read them at night.  And hopefully that vast throng of stupid white people who voted for Obama last time because they thought that would prove they're not racists (it proved the exact opposite, of course) will now say to themselves something like 'Okay, I did something really stupid last election.  I voted skin color instead of qualifications' and vote more responsibly this time.
     Naaah.  As Ron White correctly points out, 'You can't fix stupid.'  So these delusional voters will find another excuse for not voting issues and qualifications.

FRENCH AND AMERICAN JOURNALISTS KILLED

JOURNALISTS KILLED IN SYRIA


  So?  What did they expect?
  Did they think the Syrian gov't would treat them differently than they treat their own citizens?
  Here's a thought for you journalists out there:  covering wars is a dangerous business, especially when one or more of the combatants doesn't want that coverage.  Duh.
  You news agencies would be doing the population as a whole a big favor by sending young journalists who haven't had time to reproduce yet.  Those stupid enough to go could be culled from the gene pool, thereby improving our species.
  And now, another cup of coffee . . . 

RETURN AFGHANISTAN TO THE 12TH CENTURY

As We Leave, Return Afghanistan to its Former Pristine State

Obama wants us out.  The Afghans want us out.  Your Ostrich Killer wants us out - not because I don't believe in freedom, but because I believe that freedom is for those who are willing to fight for it, not against it.  It cannot be imposed, it can only be captured.


So where are the Afghani police and security forces during these hyped-up 'koran burning' riots?  Where is the Afghani leadership?  Why, with the rioters of course.  On their side.  And why?  Because the trash left behind by Afghani prisoners was about to be burned.


Well, ok.  Enough is enough.  I propose that as part of the overall withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan, we return that country to its former pristine 12th century condition - you know, the condition it was in before American forces arrived.  


So we should start with roads, dams, power plants, rail lines, bridges and schools.  If we built them or even repaired them, take 'em all down.  Sewers?  Dynamite them.  These are people of the left hand, after all, and they didn't need sewers before we arrived.  You'll have to look that phrase up to truly understand, and your Ostrich Killer has too much class to describe it here.  Or you could drop me a note and ask, as my personal review of Google's search results don't return the proper descriptions.  Maybe Mr. Google is the polite sort.


Internet? Cell communications?  Factories?  Industrial facilities of any sort?  Motorized farm equipment?  Turn them to slag.  And then leave them to fight themselves as they have for millennia.  Drop incendaries on Opium poppy crops.  Wherever pockets of terrorism crop up, carpet-bomb them from 50,000 feet.  Don't waste smart bombs on dumb targets.  With a little luck and enough collateral damage, maybe the population will take steps to keep organized terror out of their communities.  If not, well - that's what Arclights and collateral damage are for.  Otherwise just leave them alone.


And good riddance.  

PEACE RECIPE FOR THE MIDDLE EAST

THE CAB DRIVER IN TEL AVIV


Your Ostrich Killer just returned from Tel Aviv.  First time ever to that part of the world.  An Israeli taxi cab driver passed along a couple interesting thoughts:


First, he said "All we (Israelis) want is to be left alone.  If we were left alone we could be another Switzerland."


A few moments later he said "If the arabs put their weapons down today, there'd be peace in the Middle East today.  If the Jews put their weapons down today, there'd be no Jews tomorrow."


I wonder if our State Department ought to put this fellow on retainer.

Whitney Dead. Darn!

SPARE US ANY MORE MEDIA MASTURBATION ABOUT WHITNEY HOUSTON

Okay, someone should just say it:  she probably offed herself.  Poor little rich girl.  While your Ostrich Killer is as saddened as anyone else by suicide, the act alone is enough to deprive her of any honors.


Suicide is an act of hate, and people should line up to piss on the graves of those who commit it - they should NOT honor them.  It's a mortal sin.  Ask any major religion.


I'm being unfair?  She had golden tonsils.  It's true.  Very good singer.  Lousy wife.  Lousy mother.  Crack and coke head.  Juicer.  Kid in rehab or needing to be.  So other than being a good singer, of what use was she to her family or society?


None.  So let's stop all this whining and hand-wringing and eulogizing.  Say "it's too bad rehab didn't work for her," and move on.  There are other singers.  Some of them are actually decent human beings.


Good thing your Ostrich Killer hasn't had his second cup of coffee yet.

WHAT EXACTLY IS 'INSTITUTIONAL RACISM?'

Your friendly Ostrich Killer only asks the above question so that he can answer it for all the people who SHOULD be reading this blog.  My regulars already know the answer, so my apologies to you.


To properly answer the question, we first have to agree that the word 'institution' means any structured system involving people, such as a university, or a government, or your local day care center.  All these institutions have policies or laws governing many things.  Including dealing with the race issue.


Okay, so now for the definition:  "Institutional Racism" is any enforceable policy or law that treats one group of people differently than another, based at least in part on their race.


End of definition.


What?  You have a question?  Oh - okay, it is true that Affirmative Action programs are institutional racism.  In fact, they're one of the very best examples of it.  Good point.  Oh, and yes, also the university preferential treatments of various races so that they can 'diversify and enrich' their student body population.  And so are so-called 'hiring preferences.'  And yes, Obama's recent address to black Americans, appealing for their support in the next election, was racist.  Can you imagine what the press would make of a white conservative appealing to white Americans? - - but the press is another topic, for another time.


Good points, all of them, o Gentle Reader.  As usual, you're spot on.  Now if we could only get the people who SHOULD be reading this blog to read it . . . And now, another cup of coffee.  You're welcome.  

TOM BRADY DOES NOT AN ENTIRE TEAM MAKE

A SAD SUPERBOWL


   First, let your Ostrich Killer make it clear that he didn't pull for one team or another.  He pulled for quality football.
We watched the team with probably the most talented quarterback in the history of the game lose to a lesser team - a team beaten by the Seattle Seaturkeys this season.  Why did New England lose?
   They lost because of a questionable franchise philosophy:  score a vast number of points, and it doesn't matter how many points the other team scores.  So it's offense, offense, offense - and just enough defense to slow down the other side.
But if you don't score a boatload of points - well, that's what happened.
   Many megabucks spent on offense, lip service to defense.  No interceptions by New England.  Few drive-stopping plays.  And just when New England couldn't afford it, three dropped passes in a row near the end of the game.
   A statistical certainty that happened at just the wrong time, despite Tom Brady setting the all-time consecutive pass completion record for a Super Bowl.
   This game is just another in a universe of examples of why balance is a necessity.  Mrs. Brady, Tom's wife, has it right.

ALARMING FEMALE VIOLENCE INCREASE IN LAST DECADE


No, we're not talking about guys beating up gals.  We're talking about gals whupping up (or trying to) on everyone.  News stories lately say 'experts' are puzzled by this strange phenomenon.


But not your friendly Ostrich Killer.  Nope, I've got it all figured out, just like you probably do too.  


So this post is for the other readers out there.  The ones who should be reading this blog, not you.  


Here it is, all nice and tidy: the increased violence is a result of all those TV shows and movies where the hot babe kicks the living crap out of some big-muscled bad guy.  You've seen them on all the cop shows on TV, all those thrill shows at the box office.  Hot babes, kicking big guy butt.  So it's no wonder that the airheads in the audiences think Hey, I bet I could do that too!


And then they try it and get totally trounced.  Why?


Because a male the same weight as a female is about twice as strong as and can take several times the punishment that a female can.  That ain't sexism, folks, it's physiology.  


Another myth of 'equality' shattered, courtesy of your Ostrich Killer.  You're welcome.

'OCCUPIERS' ARE NO MYSTERY

WHO ARE THESE 'OCCUPIERS' OF WALL STREET AND OTHER PLACES?

  First, my apologies to my reader(s). It's been a long time, and I'll be sure to post more often, because, like myself, you are getting fed up and want to read the thoughts of someone else who's getting fed up.

  So let's start with who the people are who are sitting in - 'occupying' - the various sites. You know instinctively who they are, don't you? When you were in grade school you stole their lunch money and beat them up. In high school they hid out behind the shop building and did dope. They dropped out during their junior years to pursue other opportunities, often wrecking their cars to gain insurance windfalls. They went from one job to another - burger flipping, counter sales at the Party City, auto detailing and car washing, rake manager for landscapers - but were most often drawing unemployment and welfare payments or, more likely, living at home with Mommy.

  Yes, these are the people who never got over having their mommies feed them and wipe their butts. There they are, sitting in parks and sidewalks, but instead of Mommy they have George Soros and ANSWER and other insurrectionists feeding them, and the city picking up their butt wipes. They have their hands out for your money - somehow, it should be theirs if there is 'economic justice.' Not that they earned it, of course. But they're entitled to it anyway because they need it. Otherwise they'd have to learn a useful trade and become productive.

  Even worse, they have our Instigator in Chief, Mr. Obama, smiling and winking at them and assuring them that 'we are with you.' Big surprise. Guess who led 'Occupy Chicago' in 1988? Look it up.         Now try to imagine a US President backing an attempt at national insurrection. Does that boggle your mind, or what? Isn't the President supposed to help PUT DOWN insurrection? But it should be no surprise. After all, he was a 'community organizer' in Chicago, which is another name for 'rabble rouser,' 'insurrectionist,' 'trouble maker,' and 'fomenter of civil disobedience.'

  We don't have a President, but what we do have is a bunch of whining, tantrum-throwing brats holding their hands out for free food, free housing, and your money. Your Ostrich Killer's suggestion on how to deal with them? Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow . . .

HOW TO TELL A LIB FROM A CONSERVATIVE

But first, a definition of terms: A 'lib' is a liberal, a democrat, a leftist, a socialist, a big government advocate. A 'conservative' is a Constitutionalist, promotes free trade and business-for-profit, a small government strong defense advocate, a 'rightist' politically.

So, how to tell the two apart, assuming at least a little observation?

A 'Lib' decides how he / she should 'feel' about an issue, and takes that position and will not change her / his mind in the face of facts, no matter how compelling or numerous.

A 'Conservative' looks at the facts, mentally models them, and comes up with a thought-out position on the issue. A conservative re-evaluates their position when new facts are brought to light.

To summarize: a 'Lib' feels and facts don't matter; a Conservative thinks and facts are what matters.

I know most of you already knew that. But maybe someone who isn't already a fan of this blog will happen along and learn something.

You're welcome. Now, another cup of coffee . . .

GM SHAFTS BUYERS AGAIN

Hey, guess what? GM says that engineering or mechanical defects on automobiles built before their bankruptcy will not be corrected even if they are under warranty, because '. . . under the terms of the bankruptcy agreement, we don't have to. That was a different company. We're post-bankruptcy, and a different more enlightened and not responsible company."

Or similar words. Hard to believe? Read about it here.

So, if you're one of the 400,000 or so 2007 - 2008 Chevy Impala owners with defective spindle shafts, you - well, you're shafted. This is the official GM position. Oh, and the resale or trade-in value of your "old" GM vehicle? Tanked. In short, you are - I'll say it again - shafted. Who in their right mind would buy an unsupported used car that needs a factory recall that the factory refuses to recall? Who in their right mind would buy a product from any company, if they know in advance that the company has a history of not standing behind their products?

My take on the current typical GM buyer IQ is that it must be well below 100. If you're thinking of buying anything GM makes, and you're a regular reader of this blog, you're probably already thinking about what happens after the next round of Government Motors bankruptcies, coming soon to a dealership near you. If you aren't thinking about that, you probably don't read this blog very often. Welcome!

HOW TO KNOW IF AN ATTACK IS TERRORISM

The recent attacks in Israel, of military buses and vehicles, has been labeled 'terrorism.' Read the story here. Yes, it appears there may have also been civilian casualties.

Attacking a military target is not terrorism, folks. It is an act of warfare, a military strike. It does a disservice to public opinion to label every bombing, strafing, or shooting 'terrorism' when in fact what has taken place is a fairly conventional military operation.

Terrorists target helpless and vulnerable non-military people, preferably women and children and shoppers and tourists. Blowing up a busload of soldiers, especially those that shoot back as in the above cited story, is decidedly not terrorism.

So, media: call it what it is, and spare us the inflammatory headlines.

NUTRITION FREE FOOD - STOP THE INSANITY!

The typical American knowingly buys 'foods' that have no nutritional value. Examples: zero-calorie sodas (news flash: sugar is an essential nutrient), light beer (more news: wheat, barley, rice, water, hops are all foods), sugar-free candies, fat-free this or that, meat-free burgers, etc. And then we go out and buy gallon jugs of 'protein supplement' powders, energy drinks, and so on.

Why does our personal budget contain money for foods that lack discernible nutrition? Because we enjoy putting stuff into our mouths. Why are there fat people? You know, those who have 'glandular' or 'metabolic' problems. Another news flash: everything in that spare tire around our flabby waists first passed through our mouths. So is the answer buying nutrition-free foods? No. The answer is to save the money we'd spend on those foods, and instead eat good food, but only as much as our bodies actually need.

How do we know how much we need, you ask? It's simple thermodynamics. Running a body's machinery for an average day requires a certain amount of fuel, measured in calories. Any good calorie calculator will tell us how much we need. Then all we'll need is some way to count calories as we eat, so we'll know when to stop eating every day. So now we have the tools and the knowledge. What else do we need?

Will power. There's no web page for that. We either have it and can exercise it, or we don't. Our friends, neighbors, families, and anyone who sees us knows whether we have it or not. And so do we.

Remember: we can't pack on what doesn't go into our mouths. Forget excuses like genetics, glands, metabolism, blah blah blah. If it doesn't go into our mouths, it won't show up on our thighs. Simple as that.

And that's your Ostrich Killer's public service blog for the day. Hope you found it boring and unneeded.

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

Read it here first, folks. Since raising income taxes even to 100% on every dollar made by "those who can afford to pay a little more" (Obama's words) will not generate even a half trillion dollars - much less revenue than needed - it's clear what's been waiting on Obama's back burner for the right time to serve it up.

Ready?

Asset taxes.

Sounds harmless, doesn't it? We already pay income taxes, why not 'Asset' Taxes?

Many of you know of states that already do that. They tax every sofa, every refrigerator, every this or that you own. Every year. It goes by a variety of names, sometimes called 'property taxes,' with property being defined as anything you have. In those states, you don't own anything. You have something, you have to pay what amounts to annual rent to the state in order to keep it.

Now try to imagine this on a federal basis. Taxes on everything you think you own. You'll pay sales taxes to the state to buy anything, in some states you'll continue to pay taxes every year on those things, and now - you'll pay a similar tax to the Federal government.

Imagine your 401K, your IRA, your Keogh plan, your corporate-funded vested retirement plan all being taxed over and above the income tax you'll pay as you start having to rely on them for your retirement. And keep in mind that anything they can tax, they can confiscate. They can 'Federalize.'

How to counter this threat? - - buy now, with cash or trade (any check / credit / debit transaction can be traced), items that will always be of value in a barter society, because that's where this country is headed; the 'alternative' economy is about to become the 'mainstream' economy. Think essentials useful for barter, not baubles. What items are essentials?

I propose to get an idea what those essentials might be, your Ostrich Killer recommends reading a best-selling novel titled 'One Second After.' Here are some of those essentials: First, some sort of skill valuable to a small community's survival. Next, and I make no apologies for this - standard caliber guns and ammo. By 'standard caliber' your Ostrich Killer means .22, .30-06, .223 (5.56 mm), 7.62 Nato, and high-base 12-gauge shotgun ammo. This will be very sought-after barter material, especially because sales of ammo and guns will be encumbered with massive new 'limits' and Federal paperwork / approval required.

Non-perishable food and health items will be valuable. Tools, especially garden implements. Power generation equipment. Let your imagination run, and read 'One Second After.'

Your Ostrich Killer hopes even more than you do that this prediction is wrong. But your Ostrich Killer has a very unfortunate record of making accurate predictions. Read this that I put together more than 10 years ago, and see for yourself.

POLITICS? or PERSONAL ATTACKS?

I have a friend who runs a personal blog much like this one, but which deals with different subject matter. However, there is a Politics subsection. In the latest posting there, this friend commented on how nothing defines the GOP better than Trump and Palin getting together for pizza at what some natives to that area have described as the worst pizza parlor - and opened by some Polish immigrant, can you imagine?

Like most of you, I find this sort of thinking repulsive. First, where's the political connection? Surely a choice of restaurants can't rate up there with, say, their views on the American economy. Secondly, aren't we a melting pot? Don't we applaud any immigrant successes? Such as a Pole founding a successful pizza restaurant?

Yet all we hear, day in and day out, is how the left is tolerant and inclusive and reeking of the stench of diversity. So what could be more diverse than a female governor, a male entrepreneur, and a Polish immigrant's family getting together over pizza? But no. The left is inclusive, I guess, but even they have limits. Poles? Beyond the pale, it would appear, especially if they are purveyors of pizza. That sort of cross-cultural assimilation simply can't be tolerated.

In thinking further, and reflecting upon the rhetoric from the left about potential GOP candidates for office, or GOP ideas, we hear that these candidates and ideas are an uninspiring lot, and lack charm, or in other ways are not appealing. But politics is about none of those. Politics is about the value of ideas, and the election of people who will help carry out the ideas and agendae that the electorate most support. Charm and inspiration aren't there. Neither of those built this country, with the possible exception of the inspiration of the freedoms that the phrase "with liberty and justice for all" brought with it.

So expect the election to be mostly personal attacks from the left, and policy attacks from the right. As usual.

BORN THIS WAY

Yes, tonight your intrepid Ostrich Killer will take on Lady GAGA, whose hit song with the above title would lead the airheads that will (shudder) become our next generation of leaders to think that homosexual behavior is an inevitable result of genetics.

But first, a 'Hats Off' to Tom, who surprised your Ostrich Killer one day recently by addressing me as "Hello, Ostrich Killer." Living proof that your Ostrich Killer now has at least two readers who recognize me on sight. I'd better see about enlarging my server space to accommodate all the readers.

But back to Lady GAGA. First off, I'm not sure the title 'Lady' is appropriate. She seems more like a campy sleaze in expensive make-up. The lady, as the saying goes, is no lady. But hey. That's just my take. Her message in the song is she's 'born this way' (homosexual) so she has no choice but to rejoice in behaving as a homosexual. I doubt that she actually does, but the lyrics would have us believe she does.

So let's examine the intellectual vacuum in which her assertion resides: that genetics dictates how we behave, and we're helpless to do anything about it. The fact that we have a brain matters not. The fact that we can reason things out matters not. The fact that we, as thinking and rational Humans (most of us), can CHOOSE how to behave matters not. No, she would have us believe, we're slaves to those implacable task-masters, our genes.

What utter crap. All behavior is a choice. Assuming mental acuity (let's not get into a discussion over whether homosexual behavior is a manifestation of some sort of mental disorder. I already get enough hate mail.), one chooses how to behave.

Sometimes we hear something like "I'm homosexual, but I know that to live a normal life I have to pretend to be straight, so I got married and have kids." News flash: we are how we behave. That's the ONLY criteria anyone has to determine what sort of person anyone is. Words mean nothing, what goes on between our ears is invisible to everyone, so only behavior matters. So to those out there who think they're really homosexual, good news: you're not, if you're not behaving like one.

Look at it from the other perspective: can you imagine a straight pretending to be homosexual, up to and including behavior? Most of us, if we could even get it up, would puke at the idea. So too, one might think, would a homosexual when trying to pretend to be straight. How would a guy even get it up for a woman, if he didn't feel desire? But most (about 85%, according to a recent survey) so-called homosexuals have had both straight and homosexual experiences. Complete without puking.

Hmmmm . . . .

So what's operating?

Behavioral choices. Not genetics.

Maybe Lady GAGA can record another hit single, "I Behave This Way."

OPEN LETTER TO MITT ROMNEY

You aspire to be President, sir, but you are evasive on your own record. As one who measures a man by his actions rather than his words, I have not seen you demonstrate any disappointment, remorse, or other evidence of second thoughts about Romney Care.

The state of which you were governor, and which implemented your health care plan (Romney Care, it's commonly called), is now in a financial shambles because of that care. Medical professionals are fleeing your state by the trainload. Every measurable patient satisfaction index is down dramatically. Wait times have become a joke.

Yet you remain silent.

What's going through your mind about this? I read your plan for improving health care for the nation. I have yet to hear or read of you repudiating your own state's health care system. So I have to wonder if we're going to trade in Obama Care for Romney Care, on a national basis? I mean, it wouldn't appear that you are bothered by the impact your health care plan is having on your home state. Can we expect that you'll care on a national scale?

If it's you or Obama, I'll vote for you. But the Primaries are another matter altogether. There, we will have several conservative candidates to select from. If I don't hear from you one way or another on Romney Care, you probably won't get my support in the primaries.

One last thought: health care is not a right. Check your US Constitution.

OBAMA AND LIBYA - - POLICY? WHAT POLICY? (posted April 11)

Let's see . . . paraphrasing him, we have (in chronological order):

1. "We're going to fire a s--tpot full of cruise missiles, but we're not going to put troops on the ground. No sir, we're not going to put troops on the ground, and that's my final word on the matter. Our objective is to stop the slaughter of innocent rebels by slaughtering Kadhafi military forces."

2. "It's American policy that Kadhafi has to go."

3. "This very limited military action does not have the removal of Kadhafi from office as an objective. But it's our policy that he has to go."

4. "Yes, that was a U.S. Air Force F-15 that crashed in Libya. It had mechanical problems. Sorry I didn't mention we'd be using Air Force and Navy aircraft in this effort."

5. "We apologize for the strafing of friendly rebels by the door gunner on the rescue aircraft retrieving the U.S. Air Crew from the crashed F-15."

6. "We are not going to put American troops on the ground in Libya. Nor is it our objective to force Colonel Kadhafi out of office. That is my position, and I'm sticking to it."

7. "The use of Special Operation troops in Libya will be temporary."

8. "The U.S. has withdrawn all its aircraft from operations over Libya, as the NATO forces have assumed responsibility for all operations including the No Fly zone."

9. "U.S. Air Force fighters under NATO command are being used to help enforce the No Fly zone."

April 15: This just in:

10. "On second thought, we're going to keep bombing until Colonel Kadhafi leaves office. Oh, and those U.S. Air Force fighters helping enforce the No Fly zone in the air? They are also being used to enforce a No Tread zone on the ground, as well as a No Artillery or other Libyan Military Assets zone on the ground."

Does anyone know what American forces are supposed to accomplish in this 'effort?' Can anyone identify just why we're involved at all? Can anyone explain how anyone can believe anything that comes out of Obama's mouth?

Let your friendly Ostrich Killer know.

THE OSTRICH KILLER'S BUDGET SAVER

All of us have our favorite ideas on how to bring spending in line. Let's face it - in our personal budgets, we either have to cut spending to match our income, or increase our income to match our spending. At the federal level, that means either less spending, or more taxes.

We all love taxes, don't we? As long as it's the other guy who gets taxed, not me. I'm no different. But since we can't all go untaxed, maybe we should look at how to cut spending.

So here's my list:

1. Entitlement programs: First, any entitlement program not funded by its beneficiaries are scrapped. Gone. Done. Including all those federal employees who work on those programs. Close the offices, sell the buildings. You get the idea. Next, any entitlement program funded by its beneficiaries are kept apart from the general fund and may NOT be used as collateral or otherwise leveraged for any purpose other than paying its beneficiaries. Further, only those who pay into these sorts of programs - such as Social Security - may receive benefits from it, and then only in proportion to their participation in funding their personal accounts. Personal accounts may be willed to beneficiaries other than oneself in the same manner insurance policies can. This means NO DEADBEATS, ILLEGALS, OR NON-PARTICIPANTS WILL GET A DIME OF FEDERAL MONEY. Productive citizens will, non-productive won't. Yes, that's social Darwinism. This will save in excess of a trillion dollars a year, all by itself.

2. Welfare programs: Hey, didn't you read paragraph 1, above? No federal welfare. Of any nature. If the states want to provide any form of welfare, more power to them. But they can expect productive people to leave those states for states where there is no welfare.

3. Social Engineering Programs: We're talking things like Planned Parenthood, NEA (both types - National Endowment for the Arts and the National Education Association), PBS, "cultural awareness and appreciation" brainwashing in public schools, any affirmative action programs, etc. Elimination of these programs will save more billions.

4. Foreign Aid: You may be surprised to read this, but I'm not opposed to foreign aid. I'm just opposed to how it's done, although it doesn't amount to many billions. In the Ostrich Killer's budget, all foreign aid would be in the form of in-kind help, targeted to specific non-politically affiliated organizations in the various countries meant to receive such aid. For example, aid to Ethiopia would likely include drilling and irrigation equipment, farming equipment, seeds, etc. But no dollars. And any in-kind materials sent to these organizations would be built or grown in the US. Further, those countries who are not whole-heartedly pro-American would receive no foreign aid of any type. Nor would we allow imports from those countries.

5. The Space Program: They need a lot more money if they're going to reduce the chances of killing more astronauts and still do meaningful exploration. The Ostrich Killer is a big fan of space exploration. So I'd start by doubling their budget. That might almost bring their budget up to an amount roughly equal to the annual pizza expenditures by our citizens.

6. National Defense: This is an area where the question is not "how much can we afford?" but "how much is required?" Without a decisively dominant military, we don't continue to exist as a country. We hear that we have a 25-year technology lead on the rest of the world when it comes to defense items. Well, let's make that 50 years. Sitting on our collective asses and enjoying that technological lead won't keep us safe.

7. Other Programs, Agencies, etc: A deep review of every government agency - dept of agriculture, education, commerce, interior, etc - will be undertaken with the abiding question "does this agency or organization benefit the country more than it costs?" at the top of the list of questions. Any who are doubtful will be canned. Doors closed. People fired.

Do you like the above? Send a copy to Obama. Don't like it? Send a copy to Obama.

IPAD AND IPAD2 REVIEW

Yes, you're reading a first for the Ostrich Killer's blog. A techno-review of a popular product type. Why? Let me tell you a story.

My kids gave my wife and me an iPad for Christmas. Naturally, we were impressed and pleased. But once we got it home we discovered the truth about this gadget. Here's what we found:

1. No USB port into which to plug anything useful - unless you went to an Apple store and bought one of their items. The port is of a proprietary sort, and can only fit Apple things.

2. No additional memory card slot.

3. No productivity programs - not even if you could use the non-standard keyboard displayed on the screen.

4. Anything you wanted to load into the iPad had to come from or through iTunes. We would have to open an iTunes account.

5. There was nothing of any value in iTunes when I went looking for productivity software. There were simple, micro-versions of word processors and spreadsheets that required using the useless, klutzy non-standard keyboard on the screen, but that's it. There were hundreds of apps that were mostly novelties and games, and that wouldn't work in an environment where one was not connected to the internet.

6. To do anything - even games - one had to download - and usually pay for - them from iTunes. To send a file to yourself, you first had to send it from your laptop to your iTunes email, where you could then get it for the iPad.

7. There was plenty of memory for a full-fledged operating system, but instead they had a non-compatible, minuscule reduced instruction set type of OS. There was plenty of RAM for installing actual programs, but there was no provision for that.

I suppose that, in the interest of full disclosure, I should report that I have little respect for Apple zombies. You know what an Apple zombie is - the guy who stands in line overnight to be sure of getting a new Apple gadget on the first day it's released. They're living proof that P.T. Barnum, or whoever, was right about there being a sucker born every minute. So far only Panasonic (Toughbook) and Itronix have come close to creating a useful tablet-type PC.

An iPad and other current generation tablet devices, such as the Motorola Xoom, have a long way to go yet. They won't be there, from the Ostrich Killer's perspective, until they:

1. Allow for the plug and play connection of standard peripherals (keyboards, mice, speakers, ethernet, etc.) through standard ports;

2. Allow for loading actual programs, not just cute little apps (why not an Apps window, all by itself, available through an icon click on the desktop, while the rest of the desktop is used for 'traditional' computing stuff?)

3. Enough environment headroom to allow for running real programs and storing their resulting files;

4. Built-in G4 or better cell connectivity;

5. Built-in GPS;

6. Grey scale option switch in lieu of color to free up RAM and prolong battery life;

7. Ability to switch OFF wifi and cell connectivity and operate in true stand-alone mode;

8. Weatherproofing, or at least the option of buying a true weatherproof case that will still allow operating the device.

Your Ostrich Killer says that Apple could give the iPads away and make money on everything people have to pay for from iTunes in order to make the iPad do anything fun or even marginally useful. Realizing that, the logical definition of an iPad is: a hand-held portal to the iTunes store. That's all it really is.

Nope. Tablet devices aren't there yet. Who'll be first to make something useful? Apple? I truly doubt it. They're into toys. And so are their customer, who delude themselves that they're 'cutting edge' or some other euphemism meaning they're visionaries among the blind.