A Disney Diversion

I need a break from time to time, as we all do, and what better a break than Disney! Below is the entire show of Fantasmic, shown nightly during the summer, and whenever the park is open late, at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. I saw this show for the first time over there and it is amazingly done: fireworks, fountains, live actors, props; the show has it all! Since I saw it in 2009 and since this video was made in 2009 (I didn't make the video), Fantasmic was slightly refurbished in that they have a new dragon in the Maleficent scene. Fantasmic is also shown at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida, but I believe the CA version is better. Enjoy!

The Journey, Part V...Rise of the 9-11 Generation

I am a proud member of "Generation X." Like myself, Michael Buonocore in The Calling to Lead is a proud member of "Generation X."

For years, many in my generation have been criticized by those older than us, specifically the Baby Boomers, in that we have not done anything significant. The Baby Boomers then run through the list of the things their generation has done. (some of which I don't think I could proudly say were good) To my Baby Boomer friends and others who have doubted us over the years, I believe our time has come.

Most historians put Generation X between the years of 1964 thorough 1979 births. Gen-Xers have learned about the greatness and history of this country from their parents, grandparents and teachers, have been inspired by leaders such as Reagan and events like the end of the Cold War; which have allowed those lessons to become reality. Applying what they have learned in those important life lessons, Gen-Xers played roles in the longest peacetime economic boom in United States history. Add another event to that list that will forever impact Gen-Xers: the attacks of September 11, 2001.

Fresh to the professional world, and some having just, or almost finished their four years of college were brutally and brazenly awoken to the evil in the world as terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. No longer was the United States exempt because of the two oceans that separate her from the rest of the world. On that day and since, members of Generation X have stood up to protect and defend the United States of America, whether spontaneously stopping terrorists from further attacking America in the way that Todd Beamer (born 1968) did, to the brave American soldiers, many of whom decided to carry out plans to fight for our interests abroad so citizens at home will not have to live through another September 11th. Members of Generation X have re-evaluated their positions in life as a result of this event, causing them to ask themselves, "How will I best contribute to America's Exceptionalism?" It may not be tomorrow, it may not be in two months or two years, but that fateful day will drive Generation X and they will then become known as the "9-11 Generation."

As stated above, Gen-Xers have learned about the United States and know what makes this country the best nation God has given man. Gen-Xers also know the importance of the individual to the American success story. As a result, they see what their Baby Boomer president (born 1961) is doing legislatively, in that he and the Congress are pushing though legislation that stifles individualism thorough Federal Government control. With large majorities in Congress, the president was able to pass health care legislation that increases the size, scope and influence of the Federal Government, the ARRA (Stimulus) that increases the size, scope and influence of the Federal Government, as well as the financial reform bill that increases the size, scope and influence of the Federal Government.

It will be a member of the eventually minted "9-11 Generation" that will stand up to this baby boomer president, get the American people on their side and right the ship, giving Americans the opportunity to succeed and use the Federal Government not to stand over, but to stand behind.

We may have that leader now, we may not; but in The Calling to Lead, I describe how that GenX/9-11 Generation leader can rise. Michael Buonocore is that leader and he was deeply affected by September 11, changed his life goal so that it best contributed to the continuation of American Exceptionalism, and rose in prominence because of his leadership skills and ability to articulate how America will continue to be the best nation God has given man. I hope that when The Calling to Lead is eventually published, readers and members of my generation can look at it as a handbook on how tomorrow's leaders in the "9-11 Generation" can be born, grow in influence and become celebrated, distinguished leaders who will positively impact the United States of America for years to come.

Chip Off the Old Block

I was always a fan of the late Tim Russert! He had his missteps, but I thought he made good attempts at being fair and impartial as a journalist, considering he worked for two of the most liberal politicians New York has seen. Russert also wrote two very good books about the bonds between father and son, (Big Russ and Me and Wisdom of Our Fathers) was a class act (a class that NBC is missing now) and he is missed. Tim Russert was a leader in his field!

His son Luke has followed in his footsteps in entering journalism. Check out this clip, boldly asking Congressman Charles Rangel questions about his ethics violations and not shying away from his snarky response.



Reporters need to follow Luke Russert's steps and ask politicians the hard questions, regardless of party. A tip of the cap to Luke Russert who has a promising career ahead of him.

What has left-leaning done for Young Voters in the US?

As has been the case, young Americans in the United States over the past 30 years, have, on a pattern, trended Democrat. While this is not the consistent case, this is significant and we have to look as to why. An argument can be made that they are rebelling against their more conservative parents, are easily led by pop culture, changing patterns in education, as well as aggressive teachers and professors who teach (indoctrinate) from a left of center to hard left point of view.

We look back at 2004, young voters talked a good game and stumped for John Kerry, but when push came to shove, Kerry lost and his heavily hyped youth vote did not show up. This tells me two things. First, the only thing that drove them in the campaign was the ABB (Anybody But Bush) vote. Kerry was not the most exciting candidate and they did not feel as though they had a stake in the man, as he was only a vehicle to end Bush's presidency. Second, young voters have historically been unreliable when actually going to the polls. Again, they talk a good game, wear their liberalism and left-leanings on their sleeves, but do not show up when it matters.

Fast forward four years later to 2008. The Youth of America was mesmerized by Barack Obama. We saw the fainting, we saw the chanting, the crying, and we even saw the insane! He said everything from closing Gitmo, to ending torture, to apologizing for America that drove them wild. They bought into him, his agenda, they embraced the hope and change that he would provide them and in many cases, they didn't refer to him as he, but He. Major figures in popular culture, who many of these young Americans closely follow, also endorsed Obama.

Just two short years later, I wonder if many feel the same way. Taxes will soar for them in 2011, as they will be the ones paying for the financially (and just plain choking) health care bill, unemployment rates among America's youth are ridiculously high, legislation from the health care bill, to extended unemployment, to tax hikes, discourages young people from going out on their own making them even further tethered to the government and their hope in Obama is turning to despair.

Analyzing the whole situation, I hope young people realized they were taken advantage of by Obama and the Democrats, as they are now living the consequences of following through on their adulation and awe of a man and his policies before reading up on the history of these policies, realizing that these policies have not worked in the past and will not work in the present in the future. It is my hope that a political leader will emerge and not tell America's youth what he (or she) will do for them, but instead how he (or she) will empower them to discover and hone their strengths in order to become financially successful and independent thinking Americans, who can become leaders in their own right and train tomorrow's leaders to continue the American story.

One to Watch: Congressman Thaddeus McCotter

Having attended the Young Republican Leadership Conference this weekend, I had the pleasure of watching Congressman Thaddeus McCotter speak. Below is an excerpt of his speech: (And uploaded to YouTube)



Hailing from Livonia, Michigan, Thaddeus McCotter has served in Congress since 2002. Prior to Congress, he was an attorney, a Wayne County Commissioner (where he made it more challenging for the county to raise taxes) and a Michigan State Senator. I rather enjoy his style of speaking as he reminds me of a former professor of mine. This professor, one of my favorites at Drew, may have seemed dry in tone, but his lectures were informative, and to catch his humor, you had to listen. The same applies to the Congressman. He has a gift for words, but he also has a gift for humor, as he proved in his keynote speech on Saturday night and in his many appearances on Fox News's Red Eye. Here is one below:



Another interesting item about the Congressman is he plays the guitar and was once in a band! McCotter has made a name for himself in Congress, being the first Republican to come out against the Paulson bailout/TARP and also being the first to implore the President to apologize to Officer Crowley, who was accused by the president of "acting stupidly", impugning the Sgt. before knowing about the incident. Congressman McCotter has stepped ahead to speak his mind and should be admired. I'm glad to see leaders like Thaddeus McCotter are in Congress, I would love to see him in a Congressional Leadership Position, and let's see if we can elect more like him this November.

UPDATE: Congressman McCotter on the YRLC

Leave it to Congressman Bill

I'm no political fan of Congressman Bill Pascrell (NJ, CD-8) as I disagree with him on pretty much every issue, but I do admire his ability to tell it like it is. And sometimes, it's entertaining, as in exhibit A:



He does it again today in the Washington Post, calling out the White House for its lack of loyalty to Congress and its Democrat members who supported the President. This weekend, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said on Meet the Press, publicly for the first time, (most of America already realizes this) that Democrats may lose Congress, revealing Obama's strategy to throw Congress under the bus when they lose in November, making them take the blame for the loss and not tainting the president. A pattern with this president in refusing to say "my bad" is something I've previously blogged about and here is further evidence.

Congressman Pascrell makes a really good point on loyalty, which was also touched upon previously in "The 'Right' Solutions." Obama should be doing more to help these Congressman to show them that he has their backs, the same way George W. Bush did in 2002, when the Republicans had gains in the House and re-took the Senate. (And the political realities are that Republicans want Obama to help Congress, when considering his really low approval rates) This is a dangerous path to take, especially since the President will be fighting for his political life in 2012, not just from the Republicans, but from within his own party.

As I said, I'm having a lot of fun watching this! I again congratulate and thank the Congressman for calling it like it is.

Might you want to be advertising...NOW?

Back at Drew, one of Dr. Mastro's favorite topics in his American Government Intro class was pork-barrel spending. I still remember laughing and shaking my head at some of the ridiculous things on which our leaders wasted Federal tax money (and not only in West Virginia) If Dr. Mastro would have lived today, he would have cringed at the level of spending we see today.

Driving around, I have seen many signs advertising construction projects as part of the "American Investment and Recovery Act," aka, "The Stimulus." Today, an article stated these signs cost taxpayers $20 million!

Around New Jersey, I have seen these signs for the most minor of projects and have also seen them in other states around the Northeast. We remember the platitudes of the stimulus and the president: jobs created/saved, a step forward, etc. We've even been told by Vice President Biden that the stimulus is working.

As I remember, the stimulus should have created/saved jobs, yet the unemployment rate is nearly 10%. Let us not forget that these statistics only include those who are receiving benefits, as those who have "given up" or are under-employed are not counted, thus making the full unemployment rate nearly 17%!

If the Summer of Recovery were really taking place, Congress and the President would have either supported additional tax cuts or extending the Bush tax cuts, giving businesses incentives to create jobs. Had this been the case, this would have been a true Summer of Recovery. It is unfortunate our leadership refuses to realize the Stimulus isn't working and Americans, especially those who want to work, would be a lot happier if they changed course and embraced the tax cut route. When the Bush tax cuts expire on January 1, 2011, it will only get worse.

Looking at the reason why the these "Brought to you by..." signs are all over the place, those who designed ARRA wanted to remind Americans these projects are because of Obama and the Democrat passage of this massive spending bill. As we see the Stimulus is an abject failure, I wonder if the Democrats are rethinking this policy. And if they tear down the signs hoping the voters forget, think of the money that will waste! (I'll look forward to Darrell Issa's investigation on that one in 2011.) The "Brought to you by..." signs won't help them very much come November, as it's just further evidence of broken leadership and policy that needs to come to an end.