links of the day

Food for thought on this lovely, hot summer Friday...

"You are terrifying us"...and no Peggy Noonan isn't talking about Republicans.

My favorite part re: the town hall meetings that have gotten "out of control":

"But you can’t get people to leave their homes and go to a meeting with a congressman (of all people) unless they are engaged to the point of passion. And what tends to agitate people most is the idea of loss—loss of money hard earned, loss of autonomy, loss of the few things that work in a great sweeping away of those that don’t.

People are not automatons. They show up only if they care.

What the town-hall meetings represent is a feeling of rebellion, an uprising against change they do not believe in. And the Democratic response has been stunningly crude and aggressive. It has been to attack."

Speaking of town hall meetings...check out these recent Rasmussen polls.

First - "Sixty-three percent (63%) of Republicans and the plurality (48%) of voters not affiliated with either party view the protesters favorably." So what I'm getting is first the obvious - Republicans think the town halls are good & view them as genuine grassroots events. But what's even more interesting to me is that half of unaffiliated voters - independents - also view these events favorably. Makes you go hmmm right?

Second - Going back to the issue at hand, universal healthcare. Turns out a whopping 68% of Americans are actually happy with their insurance coverage (rating it good or excellent)! So...if I were Obama, I would look at that number and say, uhoh. As the old adage says, if it ain't broke, don't fix it! Especially when our economy is crumbling as it is.

So there's the bad news - the Democrats & the policy of fear (Obama is cool with you turning in your neighbors if they tell you anything bad about his plan...scary). And there's the good news - most Americans don't want the monstrosity of healthcare. But I would be remiss if I didn't offer an alternative solution, and what do you know? Charles Krauthammer has one today!

The very best part echoes a conversation I had last year around election time, where we asked ourselves, why do employers provide healthcare benefits? Wouldn't it make more sense if healthcare was bought on a free market type basis just like auto, homeowners, life etc?

Take it away Charles!

"There is no logical reason to get health insurance through your employer. This entire system is an accident of World War II wage and price controls. It's economically senseless. It makes people stay in jobs they hate, decreasing labor mobility and therefore overall productivity. And it needlessly increases the anxiety of losing your job by raising the additional specter of going bankrupt through illness.

The health-care benefit exemption is the largest tax break in the entire U.S. budget, costing the government a quarter-trillion dollars annually. It hinders health-insurance security and portability as well as personal independence. If we additionally eliminated the prohibition on buying personal health insurance across state lines, that would inject new and powerful competition that would lower costs for everyone.

Repealing the exemption has one fatal flaw, however. It was advocated by candidate John McCain. Obama so demagogued it last year that he cannot bring it up now without being accused of the most extreme hypocrisy and without being mercilessly attacked with his own 2008 ads."

Daaaaaang. I read "McCain" and laughed. Because I remember that one of the biggest reasons I liked McCain was his healthcare plan. It just made sense! And it still does. I think I'm going to tweet him or something...it's not too late to try a better, more progressive plan rather than the convoluted mess that is being pushed through Congress now.

link of the day

I came across this link today - a post by Mitt Romney on healthcare. I think the biggest questions I had after reading were 1) why are our leaders rushing universal healthcare without thinking it through? and 2) why aren't more people pushing for plans that have had success, like Romney's?

link of the day

Check this out - Sarah Palin is pretty cool. I knew she was a runner, but I didn't know she ran a sub-4 marathon! Dang. She would totally smoke me in a race!

I'm a Runner - Sarah Palin - from Runner's World

Check out the pics too!

link of the day

I caved & started a twitter account last week (you can follow me @corrienav)...and this AM I found a really interesting link through @allahpundit. The gist is that 51% of Americans are now pro-life, and only 42% are pro-choice. This is the first time pro-life has been the majority since 1995. Interesting no? Esp in light of the Supreme Court nomination that Obama will have to make this year...just some food for thought on this awesome day before the weekend...Friday!

links of the (tax) day

Today is tax day. Yippee.

If you can't go to a tea party today, send a tea bag to your elected officials:

Here's a great timeline from Michelle Malkin on how the tea party movement started.

quote of the day

"My colleagues and I are sending a letter to [AIG CEO Edward] Liddy informing him that he can go right ahead and tell the employees that are scheduled to get bonuses that they should voluntarily return them," Sen. Charles Schumer said on the Senate floor. "Because if they don't, we plan to tax virtually all of [the money] ... so it is returned to its rightful owners, the taxpayers."

via CNN

Does anyone else get the feeling that our leaders have no real clue what they're doing?

"we plan to tax...so it is returned to its rightful owners, the taxpayers"

So let me get this straight. First, the govt taxes you and me. Then, they give the money away to these AIG execs. Then, they threaten to tax the money, which in essence is already tax money. So they want to tax the taxes and give the money back to...its rightful owners? Except that it's actually going back to the government. And you and I won't see a cent of it returned to us. And to put the frosting on the cake...who's bright idea was it in the first place to give them a loan? And now they want to tax the loan?

Someone please explain to Sen. Schumer how ridiculous this is.

link of the day

I have often wondered to myself...what if we achieved victory in Iraq, but the press never reported it? That seems entirely plausible to me, since I have rarely heard a positive story come out of Iraq from the mainstream media.

Well today, your link of the day, courtesy of Charles Krauthammer and the Washington Post, is a victory in Iraq. Not the be all, end all victory, but a big victory nonetheless. Have you heard anything about it yet?

This is what our President had to say:
This important step forward should continue the process of Iraqis taking responsibility for their future.

link of the day: No Stimulus!

Go here and sign the petition. It's not too late to put pressure on those Senators who are wavering in their support of the bill! There are useful links with more facts, contact officials, media etc. Check it out!

stimulating links of the day

Man there is so much good stuff out there on how bad the stimulus package & our elected officials are.

First from CNN/Rubin Navarette Jr., commentary on the now stripped funding for birth control.

"You know the nation's cupboard is bare when politicians propose limiting the number of births as a way of improving the economy. That's a conversation we shouldn't be having.

There is nothing more private -- that is, none of the government's business -- than the personal decision that a family makes about how many children to have. Besides, Pelosi's comments had an ugly ring to them."

Navarette goes on to compare Pelosi's comments to Margaret Sanger's ideas of birth control eugenics, social engineering, etc. Scary right? Good thing that funding is not in the bill any more, but it shocks me that it was even there in the first place. That we have politicans considering that kind of encroachment on the family unit as a solution to our economic crisis. Why don't we try tax cuts first? Give the American taxpayer a break.

Second, from U.S. News: Less than 25% of the bill is actually stimulus. Compare that to 40% of the bill that is actually agenda-relating.

Third, from Flip, a nice graphic that can help us grasp how much $1 trillion really is:

And last, yet another list of excessive spending and our politicians turning a blind eye:

"New York's Charles Rangel and five other Democratic members of the House enjoyed a trip to the Caribbean sponsored in part by Citigroup (see above) in November - after Congress had approved the $700 bailout for financial firms (including Citigroup)."

Anyone got some good news for me today??? Anyone?

16 mile plateau & link of the day

So I have reached the 16 mile plateau! I did it yesterday, back & forth W. Paces Ferry Rd. I have to say the first 6 were a breeze (maybe the 10k is my strongest run?). When I got to 12, I was starting to feel the pain. Miles 13-15 were painful (my little toe was bleeding :(!). Mile 16 was a little easier, because I knew I was at the end! Amazing what the mental aspect can do for you. I am so happy to be at this point in my training, although I was dreading it. I mean, 16 miles is a lot! But now that's one down, 2 more 16-milers to go. Then 18, then 20. Then marathon. When I think of it that way, each milestone becomes less heavy. Pushing the limits and watching myself break through...it's such an exciting time! It really reminds me why I decided to do this in the first place. I really wanted to challenge myself - mind, body & soul. Do something completely crazy, but still reachable. It's so rewarding to see what this goal has done for me in all aspects of my life. I have no idea how much more I will grow in the coming weeks, but I'm staying positive and excited about what these long & longer runs will bring!

I had a little incident on the way that caused me to take a little break...ask me personally if you want to know the details. It's pretty hilarious but I don't know that I should share my little escapade with the world.

And link of the day - I joined the Clif bar (even though I really don't like their products...see gel post) pace team for the Disney Marathon. Now I can run with a group and make sure I finish in under 5 hours. I thought this link was particular cool - make your own pace bracelet! So when you hear splits called out, you'll know if you're on or off your time.

link of the day: black friday

In the spirit of doing my part to stimulate the economy, here is an awesome site that will help you plan your Black Friday shopping. They post Black Friday flyers as they become available, so you don't have to wait til Thanksgiving to know what's going to be on sale. You can sign up for their email list and get updates as ads come out. They also include opening times for stores and a cool personalized shopping list.

I've already got a game plan for Best Buy and I hope they get WalMart's soon!

link of the day

A great article on conservatism's current state from SC Gov. Mark Sanford.

I have to say, I really like him...maybe 2012? And I'm also a big fan of LA Gov. Bobby Jindal and FL Gov. Charlie Crist. I think the Republican road to the White House will need to go through a governor next time around...just my 2 cents though.

links of the day

Two interesting political links for ya today:

CaucusAnalysis - this is a website put together by a Hillary supporter, Dr. Lynette Long. She has a master's in math and has been studying the data from the Democratic caucuses. Basically, she has amassed a wealth of information on voter fraud in connection to the Obama camp. Amazing stuff really. If you don't want to pore over the whole site (although I recommend it!), you can get a .pdf summary here. In her own words:

This site represents the fruits of my research. It's a work in progress, obviously, and also a central repository for a vast array of data: articles and blog posts from around the web, personal emails to me, interviews with witnesses, affidavits and testimonials, campaign communications, and videos of the caucuses themselves.

I have elected to make this information public. I hope that it sheds light on the caucus process and inspires reform or total elimination of the caucuses. I also hope it gives pause to those Democrats who believe that Barack Obama is the rightful nominee and that Hillary supporters should just "get over it." I have been a Democrat my entire life, but I will not support the Democratic Party at the cost of democracy.

"Almost Everyone Would Do Better Under the McCain Health Plan" - a great opinion article from the Wall Street Journal on how good McCain's health plan is. I like these words - "highly progressive" - doesn't that sound like change to you?

links of the day

Fun link - a list of possible places to live if Obama becomes President. I'm personally favoring Australia/New Zealand. Ireland could be cool too.

Serious link - the best, most thorough article I have read yet arguing against Obama for President. Really a must read. It goes through each issue with supporting material from Obama videos, links to other articles etc.

link of the day: Sukkot

Today is Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, the last and most joyous feast of the Jewish calendar. Mart DeHaan talks about this day on his blog here. It is a great read, as it is not only about Sukkot but also an overview of all the Jewish feasts.

I like this link so much, because I got to the end and said "yes!" in my heart. I feel the same way Mart feels about the feasts & Jewish history/culture. Just so cool!

"I find the story of the Holidays of God as compelling as it is provocative. What a picture of provision, of history, of the work of the Messiah. Seven holidays. Seven reasons to stop, to think, and to remember that everything we have comes from God...

...Seven reasons to deepen our confidence in a Provider God, to take us back to our spiritual roots, and to prepare us for days which will come to pass."

links of the day

This is pretty sweet: a Google map of great running trails around Atlanta. It was started by a guy named Dave who used to live & run in Atlanta. It is great because it's a collaborative effort to map all the good running trails. Each point has a length, difficulty rating, and some of them have lengthy descriptions or helpful hints. I am sure I will find this extremely useful in finding new runs and challenges! :) And maybe some day I'll be cool enough to find a trail to add to the map.

Also here is a link to the Atlanta Singles Running Organization public run calendar. A long time ago, when I first started marathon training, I couldn't even consider running with someone. I was so out of shape and so slow! (And actually, I'm still pretty slow. I can just run farther. haha.) But I found this site today and am thinking of meeting up with these runners. Now that I can actually keep up for more than 3 miles :) I really like their motto: run to eat! Is that not so me!?

links of the day

Today's links:


Fundrace - this is too cool. You can look up people to see who/what they have donated politically to. For example, I know that Scarlett Johansson is a huge Obama supporter, so I looked her up. And voila, she has donated $2300 to Obama's campaign this year. Then I looked up Carly Fiorina, one of McCain's big supporters and former head of HP, and voila, $2300 to John McCain. The only bad thing is that this cool link comes to you from the Huffington Post.

Hulu - I'm sure pretty much everyone knows Hulu by now, but I just had to give it a little plug here. I also think it's related to my blog because you can see the Tina Fey Sarah Palin sketches. They're kinda funny. But besides those, you can watch all kinda of TV shows and movies for free. Gotta have a little fun every once in a while :)

links of the day

Ok I'm going to start a new thing...posting favorite links I've come across in a day. I probably won't do this every day, and the links might not be related...but I don't want to give each link it's own post. If that makes sense.

Anyway! Today's links:

A cool article from Ann Coulter on one of the causes of this financial mess we're in. A few teasers: affirmative action, political correctness, welfare. (via Ryan - thanks!)

A neat map of all the gas prices in the US. Not surprising, Georgia is bright red, meaning the most expensive gas in the nation. You can also search by zip code to see who has gas and how much it costs. Very useful in desperate times!