Plax to the Jets

Giants fans remember that touchdown catch and remember it well. The guy had a reach above his opponents and an ability to get away from defenders to get open. Then, on that fateful night, while clubbing in New York City, (without NFL security) it all blew up.

As a Giants and Jets fan, I was following closely as to where Plaxico Burress will end up this season, in his return engagement to the NFL, after his 20 month sentence on a gun possession charge. The decision has been made and Plaxico Burress is now a Jet.

I'm still very frustrated with Plaxico's actions in blowing up the Giants 2008 season. It was unlikely the Giants were going to re-sign him, as they don't put up with malcontents. Examining this contract, it's a one year stint, so he's still on probation. Plax is on the clock and it's imperative he must avoid the drama, as the Jets are gaining the reputation of becoming an organization who gives malcontents a second chance, but will cut them loose if they don't meet their potential, as occurred with Braylon Edwards. There is the potential he will do well, as he will tandem with former Steelers teammate, Santonio Holmes, who just signed a new contract with the Jets.

The AFC East, to say the least, with the changes and additions three teams have made will be an interesting division to watch this year!

Down in Approval Ratings; Down in Twitter Followers

It hasn't been a good week for the president. First, he gives a speech that's more complaining than leading, and in that speech, he basically promised to use "community organizing" tactics against those who don't agree with him on how to resolve the debt ceiling issue.

Approval ratings were released this week that show his lowest ratings of his presidency; 15 months before the day he stands for re-election. And if that weren't bad enough, he's hemmoraging Twitter followers. While this may not seem like something at first glance, it is one of Twitter's largest follower drops and the majority of Twitter users fall into the young demographic that overwhelmingly supported Obama in 2008.

Apparently, the younger set in this country is waking up to the position this president has put them in, and we shall see if they follow through in November by voting for the Republican or staying home.

The NFL Returns!!!

Cue the music...


Fear not, ladies and gentlemen, there will be a football season, as the players and owners have come to an agreement to end the lockout! This would have ended badly for everyone involved (it took years for Americans to get over the Major League Baseball Strike) and for an industry that averages $9 billion in profit, there was NO WAY they were going to cancel the season! In the early days of player transactions, we've already seen some big moves with the AFC East Teams bulking up against the Jets, as the Patriots have signed Albert Haynesworth and Chad Ochocinco, while the Miami Dolphins have traded for Reggie Bush.

In the NFC East, the big question among Giants fans is whether or not Plaxico Burress, with his reinstatement, will re-sign with them. Giants fans are divided on this one and I'd like to remind them what happened in the 2008 Season as a result of this behavior.

With so much happening this week, I'll let the late Leslie Nielsen ask the big question:



YES, I AM!!!

Gollum is Back

After a hard turn to the right to push back JD Hayworth, Senator John "Gollum" McCain has returned with a floor speech, dripping with condescension and ire toward the TEA Party. They weren't his words, but instead he was reading a Wall Street Journal RINO Opinion Column. But the fact he read it and brought it forward was disgusting.

For those of you not familiar with the Lord of the Rings, Smeagol (who was once a Hobbit...one of the good guys) changes his personality and loyalties in his pursuit of the One Ring. McCain has been compared to this character from time to time because of his pursuit of wanting to be liked by the media and Democrats, changing his loyalties, especially within his own party. (On an unrelated note, a psychologist could have a field day on this one!)

In his spiel, he not only attacked the TEA Party, but singled out Senate candidates Sharron Angle (he campaigned for her) and Christine O'Donnell (who, rightly so, is fighting back). This was a really classless act, considering the fact those candidates won their primaries fair and square, along with the fact the "mainstream" Republicans cut out the rug from under them by talking down their campaigns, basically taking their toys and going home. Furthermore, it's BECAUSE of the TEA Party that the Republicans won the House and made gains in the Senate last November.

Let's remember that John McCain LOST in 2008 BECAUSE of his "love me" ways: he didn't go after Obama's connections because he feared he'd be looked at as a racist, he kept Sarah Palin (who SAVED him from losing by a landslide) hidden from more Conservative media types (e.g. Rush, Sean, Mark Levin, Bill O'Reilly) for too long because he didn't want to associate with them, his people tried to throw Sarah Palin under the bus and he was indebted to TARP and the Federal Government as the problem solver of the 2008 Financial Crisis. His interview with Hannity last night and Greta tonight were quite telling to the fact that McCain is no Conservative, is out of touch with not only the movement of the Republican Party, but culturally, as the Hobbits were the good guys.

While we hope he retires from the Senate gracefully, let's hope the people of Arizona remember this action, along with his past stabs at Republicans and Conservatives, when it comes time for re-election in 2016.

Landslideable?

Today, Rush posed the question of whether Obama is not only beatable, but landslideable. I agree with Rush, and the National Journal article he cited today, yet there's a but to my yes.

My "but" comes in on who the Republicans nominate to challenge Obama in 2012. In making that decision, voters need to realize that they must support a consistent conservative who has no fear to challenge Obama. It is my hope that Republicans examine history and realize that when a candidate runs as a conservative, he not only wins, but does so by a couple of touchdowns. Moderates, on the other hand, lose. The one aspect of history Republican voters must NOT repeat is voting for the guy who came in second the last election (or primary).

Let's assume that GOP voters support (and overcome the jumpers-in within open primary states) the candidate who is a consistent conservative with no fear. We must also assume that the party elders unite behind that candidate and don't take their toys and go home like they did in 2001 against Bret Shundler and like they did in 2010 against Christine O'Donnell, to be specific. Looking at the battleground states, they will likely not support Obama. The National Journal article cites Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Nevada, New Hampshire and Colorado as battleground states where Obama is likely to have problems, but let's build on that.

I believe (and already have a few beer bets going) that Barack Obama will lose Florida. The I-4 Corridor of Florida (Central Florida; including Daytona Beach, the Orlando Metro area and the Tampa Bay area) can swing that state either way and that region has suffered extremely high unemployment numbers that were supposed to fall with the passage of the Stimulus. Furthermore, in 2010, two Congressional Seats have flipped from Democrat to Republican, in response to the Obama agenda. Couple that with a very strong Republican vote in North Central Florida, Northern Florida, the Panhandle and Southwest Florida; Democrat disillusionment in South Florida (which is heavily blue), along with a likely decrease in the Jewish vote supporting Obama, as a result of his position on Israel, there is no way he can win the state.

In Indiana, there is a very popular Republican in Mike Pence running for Governor and the soon to be former Governor, Mitch Daniels, has an excellent record of job creation and a cut in spending. He also has high approval ratings. Furthermore, there are more Republicans representing Indiana in Congress, as a result of the Obama policies. The state is now firmly back in the Republican corner.

In 2008, the Electoral count was 365-173, in favor of Obama. Assuming the mentioned states in the article, as well as Indiana and Florida, go Republican, Obama loses 312-226. Add on a few more battlegrounds on to that, as well any possible surprises, we are entering landslide territory.

After an analysis of the battleground states, a landslide defeat of Obama is very possible, however, the onus is on Republican voters to choose the right candidate.

Five Minutes of Common Sense

President Obama took 15 minutes to speak (short for him), Speaker John Boehner spoke for five minutes.



In those five minutes, he connected with Americans and summed up the main points clearly and articulately: if you don't have the money, don't spend it!

I may have worried about John Boehner's resolve in the past, but he is holding firm and standing strong against President Obama's unrealistic plan in dealing with the debt ceiling issue; and federal spending, in general. The president's excessive spending was appropriately cited as part of the reason the economy and job creation is where it is. Boehner knows his Speakership is at risk if he gets wobbly, and while I think he needs to go further (keep pushing for a repeal of ObamaCare) he did a good job in articulating solutions the president is not giving.

John Boehner has shown America the qualities of a good leader: stand strong against opposition, don't bend to pressure, provide solutions to problems and articulate them in such a way that supporters are gained.

Some should take notes!

No Solutions, No Leadership

This evening, President Obama addressed the nation tonight on the issue of the debt ceiling in a 15 minute prime time speech. Speech is below



From the first two minutes of the speech, Americans knew where this was going. He blamed Bush in his first breath and then talked down to Americans with his snide "I won't bore you..." Sadly, this president doesn't get it. His ridiculous, unnecessary spending is part of the problem we are in this pickle and in the end, he did not provide solutions or leadership. He dug in his heels like a petulant little child sitting in the carriage who wants mommy to buy the Lucky Charms instead of the Special K. This was nothing more than a campaign speech, where he used fear-mongering and tried to get Americans to call Congress so he can get his way.

While I believe the bully pulpit of the presidency is an effective tool, President Obama has greatly overused it, considering the fact that his poll numbers drop after every "major speech." Apparently, Americans are sick of hearing the President speak; the president who was supposed to be such an eloquent speaker.

November 2012 is not that far away!

America Surrenders its Space Superiority

With the landing of Space Shuttle Atlantis, America ends its presence in space. (Hopefully, only for the time being)

Beginning in 1981, two years into my lifetime, the Space Shuttle program allowed for America to continue its superiority in space that was cemented in the 1960s. The technology used in the shuttle was highly advanced, was perfected from researched started in the 1960s and these crafts were the first designed for reuse. Putting the science and technology aside, the Space Shuttle was just darn cool and awe inspiring, especially for fellow Gen-Xers, who were growing up during its heyday. I remember watching takeoffs on television from a young age, and still enjoy them to this day. I've been in Florida on takeoff days and while I haven't seen the actual takeoff from Cape Canaveral, or while flying into/out of MCO, the Space Shuttle can be seen in flight 50 miles west, from Disney and the Orlando Metro Area. The program has suffered two major tragedies in Challenger and Columbia, but we have learned from them and turned that tragedy into triumph. The Space Shuttle program has achieved the following positive results: continued and consistent human presence in space along with work done on the International Space Station, the Hubble Space telescope, and the maintenance and placement of various satellites so we can learn more about planet Earth and the universe around us.

A good leader should know his or her successes and proudly showcases them. The Space Shuttle Program has been an American success story. To give up on this program and let Russia, China and others pick up the slack is like throwing a race one is winning and definitely brings into question, the president's leadership skills and abilities. With the cancellation of the Constellation Program, and President Obama's redirection of NASA's mission causes the United States to lose major footing and take a back seat to space exploration. The retirement of the Space Shuttle Program will also hurt the states of Texas and Florida, as unemployment will rise, with Central Florida already hit particularly hard by the economic problems in the United States.

For now, we will longingly remember the Space Shuttle Program in video, museums and books. Florida MUST remember this in 2012, and I believe they will. Hopefully, America will have a president who will pick up where the Space Shuttle Program left off, allowing the United States to, once again, reach for the stars.

Double Standards between Conservative vs. Liberal Women

This is no surprise, but in American politics, we see a very questionable double standard in public treatment of Conservative and Liberal women in politics. Two such incidents come to mind.

"Comedian" Bill Maher, on his HBO show, let off on a scurrilous attack on Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann, using some very nasty terms (things that if I said to a woman, regardless of politics, I guarantee I'd get a slap in the face, knee in the you know where, etc) that could, if a conservative man was attacking a liberal woman, could be cause for firing. Just as occurred in California back in October, there was no pushback, no comments from NOW and no calls for a retraction.

On the other side, Congresswoman/DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman-Schultz has picked a fight with her neighboring Congressman, Lt-Col. Allen West, calling him out on the House floor and trying to make the argument that he wants old people to die. He has been on her radar for quite some time, as this is DWS's MO; she attacks and thinks she can get away with it because she's a liberal woman and can play the victim card if someone fights back. West isn't playing her game and fired off a direct email, while respectful, (devoid of profanities) calling her out on her actions and lack of character. Women's groups and Democrat Congresswomen have come to DWS's aid and are strongly condemning West's comments, and are attempting to drum up a collective condemnation of a man who was unfairly attacked.

This incident reminds me of an experience I had in college. As College Republicans President, I was invited, by one of our professors (One who happens to be a liberal feminist, and was nearly sure I was going to ask a question), to a session with a representative from NOW. After her presentation, it came time for questions and I raised my hand. I asked her about Bill Clinton (who had just been in the midst of Monica-gate, at the time) and how women's rights groups like NOW can support him with a straight face when one takes into account his behavior toward women: cheating on his wife, sexually harassing Paula Jones, having inappropriate sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky, aggressively touching Kathleen Willey and allegedly raping Juanita Broaddrick. After the gasps from the leftists in the audience subsided and the speaker stopped looking at me with evil eyes, the individual answered, "We don't care about his personal life, we care about the policies he has supported and advocated for, especially his willingness to fight for a woman's right to choose."

What we see with NOW and this experience nearly 11 years ago is that it's all about politics for those on the left who think they state the terms of how women are treated. It is clearly inconsistent and individual Americans will realize this if they study the inconsistencies and as a collective body, call these people out and give support to those who are unfairly criticized and not appropriately defended.

Steve Wynn Sounds Off

Democrat casino mogul, Steve Wynn, the man who rebuilt Las Vegas, has just sounded off on Obama and his relations with the business community



Wynn supported Obama in 2008 (also supports Harry Reid) and it took him three years to finally get hit with a dose of reality and speak the truth about why job creation has been next to nill in this "recovery." With continued/expanded regulation, the albatross of ObamaCare hanging over the heads of business owners and the possibility of higher taxes, it's unfortunately, most savvy for businesses to sit on the sidelines and wait it out.

For the benefit of the American economy and those who are unemployed, we just hope that this talk turns into action on November of 2012, and then the American economy can finally kick into gear!

Marco Rubio Hits One Out of the Park

Florida Senator Marco Rubio appeared on Face the Nation and did a masterful job in the interview by Bob Schieffer (embedded below...volume may be a little low)



Republicans must take note of this young man and articulate themselves in interviews the way he does

1) Never accept the premise of the interviewer: Each time Schieffer tries to set up the question to favor a liberal response, Rubio shatters it and put the Conservative alternative in the spotlight in a positive manner!

2) Provide clear and understandable alternatives and solutions

3) Show strength, confidence, resolve and conviction

Senator Rubio has made waves in not only his campaign, but his time in the Senate. Forget about citing the President as an excellent speaker, Marco Rubio is! He also had a great interview on Rush the other day!

I have said it before and I'll say it again, there are big things to come for Senator Marco Rubio!

Stand Strong on the Debt Ceiling

This week, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell came up with a plan cave-in to the debt ceiling debate, basically, giving the president, whose conflicting statements on solutions have made this debate hard to follow for the average American, along with the fact that he destroyed this economy while in office; the power to raise the debt ceiling. It is likely that the House will not agree to this plan, but the fact that it's being proposed is rather troubling. Republicans were given a mandate with their win in November and voters expect their representatives in the House and the Senate to follow the leads of Sarah Palin and Donald Trump: hold firm and show no fear.

Instead of agreeing to this, the Republicans need to do two things:

1) Stand by principles. If they "compromise," they lose, those who voted for them become disenchanted and the President wins (which means the economy loses)
2) In their talks, they must stick to their terms and put additional items on the table. Ask for MASSIVE spending cuts, the elimination of new programs, such as ObamaCare, a Balanced Budget Amendment (which New Jersey has in their state Constitution) and hold firm on NO NEW TAXES before agreeing on anything.

Voters want their representatives to "fight the good fight" and will likely go shopping for new candidates in 2012 if they cave, which will be detrimental to Republicans in the years to come!

Remember, winners set the terms and losers compromise!

The Airport Body Scanners Back in the News

The DC Court of Appeals ruled that while the body scanners used in American airports are constitutional, they were rolled out too fast and public comment must be solicited by the TSA. There have been some ugly scenes created as a result of these machines and many still refuse to go through them. Constitutional issues aside, there is the health risk of going through these machines that emit a larger than normal amount of radiation.

In my recent travels this month, I was finally asked to go through the body scanner and refused. Unfortunately, the TSA individual did not know the law that travelers can refuse and opt for a pat down. After educating this individual and threatening to report his badge number to the Governor's Office, as well as Congressman John Mica, who happens to be the Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, he relented and allowed the pat down to take place. The TSA individual who did the pat down, to his credit, was very professional in his actions. And to further credit the offices of John Mica and Governor Fortuno, I was pleased with their attempts at following up my complaint!

As citizens, we play a role in this conflict. If any readers feel they have been wronged or mistreated by the TSA as a result of their refusal to go thorough the airport body scanners, it is imperative to not only contact your local Congressman, but also Congressman John Mica's office, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Tranportation and Infrastructure. His contact info is as follows:

Congressman John Mica
2187 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-4035
Fax: (202) 226-0821
email page

235!

On this day, America celebrates her 235th Birthday! In the midst of summer, families and friends gather to go the beach, have cookouts, drink a few beers, maybe shoot off a few fireworks (in the states where it's legal, of course) and spend time outside celebrating!

"The 'Right' Solutions" would like to take the time to wish the United States a Happy 235th, wish for God to continue to Bless America and also give thanks to the military as it's because of them, we have stayed a free people for the past 235 years and will be free for another 235!

Thaddeus McCotter is In

Congressman Thaddeus McCotter has declared a run for the presidency. Some of you are saying: Who?

I had the pleasure of meeting McCotter/hearing him speak at last year's Young Republican Leadership Conference and had previously blogged about his background and experience.

Making the jump from the House to the Presidency is a rather large one (the same challenge Michele Bachmann faces) and history is not on his side, but once people pick up upon McCotter's intelligence and dry wit, name recognition may not be a problem. His candidacy will be closely watched!

Glenn Beck Heads into the Cable News Sunset

Last week, Glenn Beck said his good-bye at the Fox News Channel, after a nearly two year run in the 5-6PM slot. Similar to Rush, Beck had his fill with television, wishing to "leave with his soul," and is moving on to what he deems, bigger and better things, namely GBTV.

I rather enjoyed his show, finding it both ground-breaking and educational. He returned to prominence the 20 minute monologue, made effective use of animals, props and food to articulate his message, made various economists, historians and authors such as Amity Shales, David Buckner and Larry Schweikart more household names, encouraged citizen activism and clearly and factually back up his arguments with fact that had ramifications at higher levels, as we saw with Anita Dunn and Van Jones. (NOTE: I did not find the Mao doll in Epcot's China earlier this month...could Beck have had something to do with this? Hmmm...)

While I didn't agree with Beck on everything, he had a positive affect on cable news, American politics and the awareness of the American citizen.

As the sun sets on Glenn Beck's FNC show, he leaves his viewers, and enemies with the following quote:

"You will pray for the time when I was only on the air for one hour a day."