Captain Richard's Musings and Other Things

Jennifer Granholm’s response to Mitt Romney’s birther remark is a doozy

Funny, I have not seen one photo of Paul Ryan where he is smilling or laughing showing his teeth.  Just an interesting observation.   

Mitt Romney's Response when asked why he did not serve in the military during Vietnam. “That’s a good question, young man, and I would be happy to answer it. The Vietnam War came at a time in my life when I had other plans. I knew in my heart of hearts that I would one day serve my nation. That I would one day hold an office that would help not only our nation, but also the world. So I did what I could to make sure that I would be around to serve my nation, as well as serving God by teaching very important religious principles to a broader audience overseas. My father did not want me serving, and he convinced me that yes, I was too important to go to Vietnam. I had a greater purpose in life. I wasn’t neglecting my nation, but rather preparing myself for a future of service.” As a person who served during that period I find this remark highly arrogant and offensive.

Watching a young sailor retiring from the Navy after 20 years of service. This kid didn't join until 10 years after I retired. Really brings it home. Sent from Richard's iPhone See my blog at www.riburton.posterous.com

The Obama administration uses this money to help Medicare beneificiaries pay for prescription drugs and enable more seniors to get preventative care like cancer screenings. Romney/Ryan uses this money to cover the loss in federal revenue from tax cuts they want to give the rich. Sent from Richard's iPhone See my blog at www.riburton.posterous.com

Ok, I have a confession to make.  I am living entirely on your tax dollars.  Does that piss you off? Yes, I am living in Key West on my boat taking pics of sunsets every night on you.  I get my SS check and my military retirement check every month without fail.  I have my medicare and my tricare which pays 100% of my medical.  That's right no co-pays. I love my medicare and SS and I hope it is there for my children when they get my age.  My concern is that it will not be.  There are two philosophies being presented in this upcoming election. With Obama it will remain much the same.  There may be some adjustments such as raising the FICA limit or deleting it all together.  That would mean everyone would pay on all their wages. Currently people who make over $106,800 do not pay FICA for anything over that.  So someone making say $1,000,000 per year would exceed that after the first month of the year and would not have to pay more. If...

I had not read Ayn Rand in the past but since the selection of Paul Ryan, a devout follower of Rand’s, I figured it was time to see for myself a little of her work.  Initially I was going to read the novel but found that the library held a copy of the 1949 movie, starring Gary Cooper and Patricia Neal, on DVD format.  Sometimes movies don’t follow the book but since Ayn Rand also wrote the screen play, I figured it to be pretty accurate.  Many of the comments I have read have been critical of Ryan as a follower of Rand’s “Individualism” as portrayed in the novel and some of her other work, ie. “Atlas Shrugged”.  Somehow this Individualism was taken by the modern Republican Party and or Tea Party to espouse less Government and more emphasis on the individual accomplishments of people.  Words and phrases that come to mind as I watched the movie were the mob, the masses, compromise is bad, don’t give in to mediocrity, standing up for your principles against all odds.  Used in the cont...

Great Cloud distribution Sent from Richard's iPhone See my blog at www.riburton.posterous.com

As a kid I recall seeing huge signs on the hi way (yes I'm am old fart) calling for the impeachment of Earl Warren. The signs were sponsored by the John Birch Society. I really thought that organization had faded away, but alas, now I find out that not only has it not faded away but it has embedded itself deeply in GOP politics. Interestingly one if the 12 founding members was the elder Koch founder also of Koch Industries. Also of note is the fact that the JBS is headquartered in Wisconsin. http://www.jbs.org/news/congressman-ryan-as-vice-president

Paul Ryan, Ayn Rand Fan, Brings Writer's Philosophy To the Presidential Stage "“What are your masses but mud to be ground underfoot, fuel to be burned for those who deserve it? What is the people but millions of puny, shrivelled, helpless souls that have no thoughts of their own, no dreams of their own, no will of their own, who eat and sleep and chew helplessly the words others put into their mildewed brains?…I know no worse injustice than justice for all.” – Ayn Rand, first edition of the semi-autobiographical novel, We The Living" Sent from Richard's iPhone See my blog at www.riburton.posterous.com

"Obamacare? It's true: I do care" wp.me/pUgO9-lSF via @TheObamaDiary Read it online: http://twitter.com/carrieinco/status/235161535712993280 Sent via TweetDeck ( http://tweetdeck.com ) Sent from Richard's iPhone See my blog at www.riburton.posterous.com

Been payin Medicare tax since I was 16- now Romney wants 2 give me a FUCKING COUPON in exchange, while HE PAYS NO FEDERAL INCOME TAXES #p2 Read it online: http://twitter.com/ginsengity/status/235161392699822081 Sent via TweetDeck ( http://tweetdeck.com ) Sent from Richard's iPhone See my blog at www.riburton.posterous.com

This comes from a friend's post on Facebook that lives in Georgetown, SC. Unfortunately I can't paste the comments in but they they were all in support of Romney. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5glPz-4Rf98G7zuRdHA5taYgSaQq... Sent from Richard's iPhone See my blog at www.riburton.posterous.com

I kept hearing Ayn Rand associated with Paul Ryan so I did some research. It seems she was a Russian American philosopher that espoused a philosophy of life called Objectivism. It seems Paul Ryan is a big proponent of this philosophy, so much so he makes all his staffers read it.  Here is a synopsis of the concept as comes from Wikipedia.  " Objectivism  is a  philosophy  created by Russian-American philosopher and novelist  Ayn Rand  (1905–1982). Objectivism's central tenets are that reality exists independent of  consciousness , that human beings have direct contact with reality through sense perception, that one can attain objective knowledge from perception through the process of  concept formation and  inductive logic , that the proper  moral  purpose of one's life is the pursuit of one's own  happiness  (or  rational self-interest ), that the only social system  consistent with this morality is full re...

"It's a big exciting experience for my husband. I have to tell you, this is Mitt's vocation. I'm not even sure which day the election goes on. He'll get a chance to participate, I will not be voting in the event. I hope he does well." Sent from Richard's iPhone See my blog at www.riburton.posterous.com