After watching the last two debates, the polls, and finally the results of the South Carolina Primary, I am finding myself consistently surprised that the American people are choosing candidates with poor records. Both Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney have horrible records. They seem to have changeable opinions based on what they think will get them elected (which I consider business as usual for politics in America). But my point is, I really thought that after doubling our debt in three years to $15 trillion, and seeing how Obama has flipped on so many promises he made as a candidate (ending the wars), the people of this country would be looking for somebody incorruptible. Only Ron Paul has the record to back up his rhetoric! He has never had an inconsistent vote! His record is unassailable! Even if you don't agree with everything he says, at least you know what you are getting, and you can count on him to abide by the limits set by our constitution.
No President can come in and just do whatever they want, though we are getting close. Wouldn't it be nice to have somebody in office that you could trust not to abuse it's considerable power, for a change. With Mitt and Newt as our anointed front runners, we are left to wonder what agenda they would push as president, and what parts of the constitution's limits they would choose to follow. Would we end up in another war (with Iran), without the people's representatives in Congress getting a vote?
The race is still young, but I fear that if Ron Paul doesn't score a victory soon he will be completely marginalized, and the American public will get in line to follow whoever they are told the favorite is. If you want somebody you can trust in the oval office, I suggest you do whatever you can to lend your support to Ron Paul now. There is no time left to decide. Volunteer time or money, or both, so we can get America on the right path again. I have.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
CES Fun!
Good stuff coming out of CES so far, here's some stuff that has stood out to me:
Innovations for TV:
Canonical (maker of Ubuntu Linux) has come to CES for the first time, and they dropped a whopper with Ubuntu TV. It is still in the alpha stages, but they demonstrated some working software and it looks great! It'll be open source too, which I love. So hopefully they can shake up the market for smart TV's a little since Google and Apple have let it grow a little stale. On the subject of Google however, it looks as it Eric Schmidt knew what he was talking about when he said GoogleTV would be on a majority of new televisions this year! It seems like every major manufacturer, with the notable exception of Sharp, is cramming El Goog's open source GoogleTV software onto their big screens. I say that Sharp's exclusion is notable because they are expected to team up with Apple to bring an AppleTV offering sometime this year, though Apple does not attend CES and has a lockdown on their software and products, so information on their new platforms (no open source here) will be forthcoming when Apple decides it's ready.
Tablets:
The best announcement I've seen so far is Asus's 7" Prime, this bad boy has Nvidia's Kal El processor and Android 4.0 (Ice cream Sandwich), and will retail for an incredible $249! My prediction it that this will really shake up the Tablet market, and that's great for consumers. Unfortunately, along with this came Asus's announcement of another Transformer Prime that is an upgrade of the current Transformer Prime, adding some new design elements to improve some wifi and gps issues with the current product and some other minor upgrades like a 2.0 megapixel front camera, and costing $100 more than the current Prime. To me, it looks like a re-release of the Prime where they are trying to fix what they got wrong the first time around, and a little bit of price gouging too. It also feels a little like an admission that the current Prime is a broken product, that they have little confidence in. We'll see if my perception is true however, the current Prime is selling well everywhere and has gotten mostly favorable reviews, and the new version isn't slated for release for a couple of months. I have the original Transformer and have been incredibly pleased with Asus customer service and support, and I am consistently in the earliest groups of tablets to receive updates ( I'm waiting on my guaranteed ICS update now, which should be within a few days :) Another interesting offering that I saw was a product from Lenovo that essentialy copies the Transformer's design. I hope this is the sign that quality first party keyboard docks are catching on, because it would be nice to have some competition in that segment of the market to drive innovation. Also, after owning the Transformer, I don't think I'd be in the market for a tab without this functionality.
Toys:
Only one real entry here so far, the upgraded AR Drone! If you haven't seen this yet, you must check it out on YouTube. It is basically a mini spy drone with two high def cameras on it, that you control from your Android device. And it's under $300! Just talking about it doesn't really do it justice though, you have to check this one out for yourself.
Hope you are enjoying all the cool new tech, I know I am! There's more to come too, so stay tuned, lol.
Innovations for TV:
Canonical (maker of Ubuntu Linux) has come to CES for the first time, and they dropped a whopper with Ubuntu TV. It is still in the alpha stages, but they demonstrated some working software and it looks great! It'll be open source too, which I love. So hopefully they can shake up the market for smart TV's a little since Google and Apple have let it grow a little stale. On the subject of Google however, it looks as it Eric Schmidt knew what he was talking about when he said GoogleTV would be on a majority of new televisions this year! It seems like every major manufacturer, with the notable exception of Sharp, is cramming El Goog's open source GoogleTV software onto their big screens. I say that Sharp's exclusion is notable because they are expected to team up with Apple to bring an AppleTV offering sometime this year, though Apple does not attend CES and has a lockdown on their software and products, so information on their new platforms (no open source here) will be forthcoming when Apple decides it's ready.
Tablets:
The best announcement I've seen so far is Asus's 7" Prime, this bad boy has Nvidia's Kal El processor and Android 4.0 (Ice cream Sandwich), and will retail for an incredible $249! My prediction it that this will really shake up the Tablet market, and that's great for consumers. Unfortunately, along with this came Asus's announcement of another Transformer Prime that is an upgrade of the current Transformer Prime, adding some new design elements to improve some wifi and gps issues with the current product and some other minor upgrades like a 2.0 megapixel front camera, and costing $100 more than the current Prime. To me, it looks like a re-release of the Prime where they are trying to fix what they got wrong the first time around, and a little bit of price gouging too. It also feels a little like an admission that the current Prime is a broken product, that they have little confidence in. We'll see if my perception is true however, the current Prime is selling well everywhere and has gotten mostly favorable reviews, and the new version isn't slated for release for a couple of months. I have the original Transformer and have been incredibly pleased with Asus customer service and support, and I am consistently in the earliest groups of tablets to receive updates ( I'm waiting on my guaranteed ICS update now, which should be within a few days :) Another interesting offering that I saw was a product from Lenovo that essentialy copies the Transformer's design. I hope this is the sign that quality first party keyboard docks are catching on, because it would be nice to have some competition in that segment of the market to drive innovation. Also, after owning the Transformer, I don't think I'd be in the market for a tab without this functionality.
Toys:
Only one real entry here so far, the upgraded AR Drone! If you haven't seen this yet, you must check it out on YouTube. It is basically a mini spy drone with two high def cameras on it, that you control from your Android device. And it's under $300! Just talking about it doesn't really do it justice though, you have to check this one out for yourself.
Hope you are enjoying all the cool new tech, I know I am! There's more to come too, so stay tuned, lol.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Debates and the week ahead...
I watched the the two republican primary debates last night and this morning, kind of a debate double header, which I liked. But I was constantly struck with how out of touch and petty the moderators were. In both cases, they seemed more intent on getting the candidates to argue with each other than to delve into the issues and policies. They seem deliberately counterproductive. It makes me wonder where the agenda comes from... is it a top down type of thing where corporate tells them what the questions should be, or do these "reporters" follow their own ambitions. One thing is for certain, they have little interest in asking about what the public wants to hear. In the great majority of the posted questions online, people wanted to hear the candidates speak about NDAA, and SOPA. These are huge topics for the Facebook crowd, and somehow they were never mentioned in the Facebook Debate! Instead we had a bunch of crap about what "so and so" said in an ad about "so and so," and who controls their Super PAC's. What a waste of debate time, that stuff is easily handled by a press release, or an interview.
I also feel that Ron Paul didn't get his fair share of time to speak, though I suspect everyone feels that way about their favorite candidate. Dr. Paul did get some good words in, but if he's going to attack someone I wish he would go after Mitt more instead of wasting time on Santorum (who I don't perceive as much of a threat). There just isn't any sense in fighting over 2nd place, who want's to be second? In any case, it is clear that Mitt needs to take some hard knocks if he is going to have his momentum stopped.
One thing that I have come to realize, and I hate to admit it, but Ron Paul is not a great debater. He is soft spoken, stumbles over his words at times, and often gets ahead of himself. Some of this disadvantage is negated by the 24hr news cycle, and the new nature of the news (internet based for most people), because his quotes get played over and over which helps get the message across. Still, it is difficult to predict how a debate with him and Obama will go. It could go very badly, though I do think RP would do much better in a setting where issues and policy are the focus, and he can expound more on his policies. Unfortunately, it seems as if the media is hellbent on keeping this from happening.
On a lighter note, CES is this week! I know all the tech writers out their are whining about it, but that is just because it is work for them. But this really is the CONSUMER Electronics Show, and I am a consumer after all :) So, I can't wait to see all the new tech everyone has been working on, and it should be a nice vacation for my brain when all this political bs gets too overwhelming.
I also feel that Ron Paul didn't get his fair share of time to speak, though I suspect everyone feels that way about their favorite candidate. Dr. Paul did get some good words in, but if he's going to attack someone I wish he would go after Mitt more instead of wasting time on Santorum (who I don't perceive as much of a threat). There just isn't any sense in fighting over 2nd place, who want's to be second? In any case, it is clear that Mitt needs to take some hard knocks if he is going to have his momentum stopped.
One thing that I have come to realize, and I hate to admit it, but Ron Paul is not a great debater. He is soft spoken, stumbles over his words at times, and often gets ahead of himself. Some of this disadvantage is negated by the 24hr news cycle, and the new nature of the news (internet based for most people), because his quotes get played over and over which helps get the message across. Still, it is difficult to predict how a debate with him and Obama will go. It could go very badly, though I do think RP would do much better in a setting where issues and policy are the focus, and he can expound more on his policies. Unfortunately, it seems as if the media is hellbent on keeping this from happening.
On a lighter note, CES is this week! I know all the tech writers out their are whining about it, but that is just because it is work for them. But this really is the CONSUMER Electronics Show, and I am a consumer after all :) So, I can't wait to see all the new tech everyone has been working on, and it should be a nice vacation for my brain when all this political bs gets too overwhelming.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Presidential Politics
I have been a news junkie for ten years now, and presidential politics always gives me a charge. When the race for the presidency rolls around I instantly become even more engrossed than usual. I love to see the dynamic of the candidates, and sometimes incumbents, play out. Doing the research, studying records, evaluating character, and picking my champion has always been enjoyable for me. It's a learning process too, my ideals and understanding evolve with each passing moment.
Over these past ten years, I have grown into a strong Libertarian. For me, this was a natural evolution as I progressed into manhood. The United States of America has provided a framework in which I can be successful, and I have done so by the sweat of my own brow, and with the support of the ones I love. I have watched as others have squandered these same opportunities, and that is their choice. The trend I have noticed however, is moving more towards rewarding the lazy and penalizing the prudent (no matter how much they make or save). It seems we have reached the point where people have learned that they can vote themselves money.
To say that we are in an unsustainable pattern seems obvious to me. The federal government is basically operating under an ad hoc set of rules, the paradigm under which they function shifts as they see fit. The constitution has been trampled, and our government has ceased to be representative of the people.
This has been going on for some time now, and it is accelerating. We have been warned since our country was founded , to beware this type of creeping tyranny. Now we stand on the cusp of losing our identity as Americans.
In short, the only way I see this changing is to get Ron Paul elected somehow. I am not usually an activist, but it is so rare to see a politician so ideologically pure, with the record to back it up, that I feel I must do what I can. For the country that I love, I see it as imperative to bring the American Revolution full circle again. In order to avoid a slow ugly decline, we must return to the first principals, and our identity as Americans.
If you read this and have something to add, agree or disagree, drop me a message or comment and lets discuss. I am under now illusions that one man can do it all, but I think electing Ron Paul is a good first step to putting the USA back on the track to peaceful strength, and prosperity through individual excellence. What do you think?
Over these past ten years, I have grown into a strong Libertarian. For me, this was a natural evolution as I progressed into manhood. The United States of America has provided a framework in which I can be successful, and I have done so by the sweat of my own brow, and with the support of the ones I love. I have watched as others have squandered these same opportunities, and that is their choice. The trend I have noticed however, is moving more towards rewarding the lazy and penalizing the prudent (no matter how much they make or save). It seems we have reached the point where people have learned that they can vote themselves money.
To say that we are in an unsustainable pattern seems obvious to me. The federal government is basically operating under an ad hoc set of rules, the paradigm under which they function shifts as they see fit. The constitution has been trampled, and our government has ceased to be representative of the people.
This has been going on for some time now, and it is accelerating. We have been warned since our country was founded , to beware this type of creeping tyranny. Now we stand on the cusp of losing our identity as Americans.
In short, the only way I see this changing is to get Ron Paul elected somehow. I am not usually an activist, but it is so rare to see a politician so ideologically pure, with the record to back it up, that I feel I must do what I can. For the country that I love, I see it as imperative to bring the American Revolution full circle again. In order to avoid a slow ugly decline, we must return to the first principals, and our identity as Americans.
If you read this and have something to add, agree or disagree, drop me a message or comment and lets discuss. I am under now illusions that one man can do it all, but I think electing Ron Paul is a good first step to putting the USA back on the track to peaceful strength, and prosperity through individual excellence. What do you think?
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