Skyfall - 007 Movie: C- Rating

                I watched the new movie Skyfall last night and posted my “C- rating” on FB.  I’ve been astounded by how many young and middle-age adults feel it was the greatest 007 movie ever. 

 

                The Huffington Post (HP) just published an article today that may explain my view point and those posting the opposite view about the new James Bond movie.  Previous 007 Bond movies were amazing with new gadgets, amazing cars, wild women and unbelievable plots with incredible antics like taking over all the gold in Fort Knox, turning all the satellites into weapons of mass destruction and riding a nuclear bomb out of a B-52.  Lately, they have lost their edge.  Skyfall blows up a building and tells us “with the push of a button on a keyboard” they could do all kinds of nasty stuff… but then does nothing.  I found it boring.

 

                According to the HP this explains it, “If you're type A, you may have a hard time with this life transition.”  I have higher expectations because I’ve lived and seen exceptionalism, like a new frontier space program in less than ten years.  Men walking on the moon and miles of freeways built in a year, not decades.  Microwave ovens, computers, zip-lock bags and even disposal dippers.  When I was in college the first time I used a slide-rule, now we just push buttons on a calculator and few understand how these equations get solved. 

 

                Maybe I was, as the HP described it, “So you’re a Type A personality: hard-charging, status-driven and impatient. How do you think that’ll work out for you in retirement?”  It’s not working out well.  HP, “In retirement nobody knows you were a chief executive or a heart surgeon. Out of uniform, a Type A retiree looks just like all the other retirees and is typically viewed no differently by the people he or she encounters.”  It’s not that we want special recognition, but we can offer another viewpoint that is being wasted and ignored.

 

                I’m in college full time and have found this enlightening.  Nobody has much interest in your past successes or how you did it.  They just want to learn how to push the button. Go back just one or two generations and the youth would be clamoring for more knowledge on how to get further ahead in life.  I find today’s students really don’t care; they just want to get through class as fast as possible.  It’s not about learning, it’s about graduating and the instructors are the same way.  Let’s just process these kids through the system. 

 

                                Where is the new crop of Type A people, those with high expectations and deep passion?  We seem to becoming a nation of passive, accepting, system and regulation loving individuals.  Are they the students we see sitting quietly in class from Pakistan, China, Asia and even Mexico?  Are they here because they have passion, dreams and high expectations of a new future? 

 

                Is this what Military people feel when they come home from war?  Is this all just post traumatic stress of a senior citizen… or is there a core change facing America.  Have we lost our expectations and passions and settling for the status quo?  If that’s so, the HP is right.  I am going to have a tough time watching this transition of America. Come-on Young Americans, get some passion we’re better than this.  Today is Veterans Day, they fought and died so life could be safe, easier and give you greater opportunities.  Not so you can “just show up”, sit around and push buttons and have low expectations for tomorrow.  Make their sacrifice worth it, get some passion.  Watch Skyfall, the new James Bond 007 movie with a critical eye, it was, at best, a “C- movie.”  Go do something amazing.  

 

Excerpts from the Huffington Post of 11-11-12, “When Type A Personalities Retire: It Isn't Pretty”

Obama Did Not call the

Benghazi Attack

that killed four Americans,

an act of terror

in the Rose Garden the next day.

Obama lied at last nights debate!

 

Obama, in fact, even told the UN two weeks later it was a caused by an anti-Islamic video, mentioning the YouTube comment six times in his speech.

 

THIS WAS A BOLD FACE LIE TO AMERICA

BY OUR PRESIDENT.

Candy Crowley's intervention in favor of Obama caused the president's cheering section to burst into applause, in violation of the rules, and there was little that Romney could say in response.

 

But she was wrong--Obama's reference to "acts of terror" in his Sep. 12 statement was in a general, abstract sense, and came long after he had described the 9/11 attacks on U.S. diplomatic missions as demonstrations against an anti-Islamic video. Even Crowley seemed to realize what she had done: it wasn't long before she walked back her own comment.

Worst untruth told by a moderator in presidential history.

 

Obama LIED to America

just like Clinton and Nixon did. 

Are we feed up with these lies enough to

vote Obama out of office?

 

 

Failed American Security

by our Administration

Incompetence or is it Deception?

 

                In the Vice President Debate, Joe Biden emphatically stated that he and Obama had no idea that the killing of Ambassador Stevens in Libya, and three other Americans, was done by terrorists at the time. President Obama was contenting two weeks later the tragedy was caused by the release of a YouTube video and purported that to the United Nations.  It took the Administration almost four weeks to get the FBI into the embassy to investigate, yet CNN had a reporter there in three days. 

 

A month after this attack on America,

we still have no answers from the Administration.

 

                Joe Biden also said they had not received any information about the embassy needing more security surrounding the 9-11 date.  This is all contrary to the security agencies testimony before congress this week.  Someone is hiding the facts or lying. 

 

                Biden’s answers in the debate, about this issue, were that they had the best information available, yet knew nothing about what was going on in Libya! 

 

                In the next segment VP Biden then promises there is no need to worry about Iran getting a working nuclear bomb because they will know for certainly if that was to happen.  The credibility of that statement is ludicrous. 

 

                One possible reason for this failure is that the Administration, Obama and Biden, are skipping at least 60% of all the daily briefings by their security council.  Or are they lying for political purpose?  Regardless, Obama and Biden are failing to do their jobs. 

 

In this case, it cost the lives of four Americans. 

    V.P. DEBATE ISSUES

 

 

Critical Differences!

 

 

      I’m bothered by the Debate Issues last night between Joe Biden and Paul Ryan. 

 

     Between all the laughs and smirks, were huge dramatic differences. 

 

This is my take on these stark opposite issues: 

 

Democrats (D)… [Stay the course, things will get better... we are doing fine]  

Republicans (R)… [We might be in real trouble if we don’t address some critical issues right now]

 

JOBS:

D – We’ve recovered most of the jobs lost under the recession, just stay the course we’re doing fine. The government will create the jobs we need to overcome this recession.

R – We could do more if we stop enacting government regulations and cut taxes that stifle individuals and businesses.  Too many people are hurting we need to let business create more productive jobs.

 

DEBT:

D – Debt doesn’t matter; we’ve only added another $6 trillion.  We should have borrowed more for jobs for teachers, police, fireman and projects like bridges, roads and green energy.  We just need to spend more.  Tax the rich, they’re not paying enough.  If more people paid more, the government could do more and get this economy rolling again.

R – The debt is killing our economy; interest alone on the debt is a burden.  Our kids will be left with this problem.  Most of this debt money is coming from China; we have to stop spending what we don’t have. Let business create jobs, and the increase in tax revenue from those workers will, reduce the debt and grow the economy.  

 

TAXES:

D – The rich need to pay more and we need to reduce taxes on the middle-class.  The rich need to pay their fair share.  We need more tax revenue in DC to create more safety nets, grow government programs and agencies.

R – Everyone needs to pay less in taxes and we need to reduce government spending.  Get rid of loopholes and all pay a lower reasonable fair tax.

 

MILITARY:

D – Reduce the troops and all our military, we killed Bin Laden and took the terrorists out, were safe now the problem in the middle-east is their problem now.  It won’t affect us ever again.

R – We need our military even more now; because we have shown weakness the last four years and terrorists are gaining renewed strength.  We might not even be safe on American soil again.

 

KILLING OF FOUR AMERICANS in SYRIA – including our Ambassador:

D – It was tragic. We are looking into it; we told America what we knew at the time, we thought it was from that YouTube video.  Will keep you informed.

R – It was irresponsible. This was a terrorist attack.  The WH is either incompetent or deceitful.  With the fighting going on in Syria, they should have had more protection.  The embassy had asked for more security, but was denied by this administration and it cost them their lives.

 

IRAN’S NUCLEAR BOMB

D – They aren’t even close, we’ll be fine.  Sanctions are working; if they get closer to a nuke, we will stop them.

R – Iran is moving even faster the last four years and creating even more resources to build bombs.   They are too close now, and we must take this a lot more serious.

 

ABORTION:

D – Let anyone get an abortion at anytime.

R – Abortions should only be done in case of rape, incest or the mother’s health.

 

SOCIAL PROGRAMS:

D – Medicare, Social Security are doing fine, they will be around for years, not to worry.  What we need is a healthcare program, ObamaCare to give everyone access to healthcare.

R – These programs are in financial problem because we are spending and giving more than we take in.  We can fix them now, or they will be bankrupt in the future.  ObamaCare is just another government program we can’t afford right now.  Fix what we have, not create a new government program.

 

SUMMARY:

DEMOCRATS – We’ve made some progress, things are fine we just need to spend our way out of the failed policies of the past.  We have this under control.  The only problem is the rich aren’t paying their fair share, so we can’t do more until they do.  Stay the course, things are and will get better.

REPUBLICANS – America is better than this and can do a lot more.  We are on a path to a financial disaster; the next generation will have to pay for our mistakes.  Growth is horrible, jobs aren’t increasing, the economy isn’t getting better and we are dismantling our military.  We might be in real trouble if we don’t address some critical issues right now.

Democratic Convention Distraction Speakers

I Just Trust Them...

BAD LUCK OBAMA

Bad Luck - Obama

Community Organizer trained Obama continues to whine about what he inherited from Bush three years into his own Presidency.   This year he has blamed the GOP for blocking his plans when in fact he had two years with a Democratic controlled senate and house.  Now Obama is blaming the Tea Party, Japans earthquake and his latest bellyache, “Bad Luck” for all America’s woes.  Yet our country continues to teeter on another recession, no jobs, a disastrous housing market and a massive exodus of American corporations to foreign countries.

A Real-Leader would tout about inheriting the most powerful Triple-A rated richest nation in the world with the strongest military.  A country abundant in natural resources and entrepreneurship and would have done something with its strengths.   When times get tough a Leader would hunker down and solve the unexpected problems… before going off to play golf. 

Three years into his Presidency, Bush wasn’t blaming Clinton for 9-11. 

A Community Organizer continually moans about not having enough money to advance all his social ideas and programs.   Why should we expect anything else out of President Obama?   Obama simply lacks the experience to be President of America.  We need to take a strong look at the experience and skills of the candidates for this highest leadership position. 

Made in  CHINA UTAH?

Utah’s Governor, Gary Herbert, just hosted a five day trade conference with several high ranking Chinese Officials here in SLC.  He signed a trade agreement which he hasn’t made public yet, but holds that...  China is destined to become the world’s economic leader soon.  Therefore Herbert thinks it’s prudent to get in bed with China. 

Herbert, historic agreements with China

Our Governor also wants to establish a student trade program.  Bring their brightest Chinese students to our Universities to further their education and skills.

Will someday history write about America's ...“Trojan Ships”?

This five day event is expected to cost $1.5 million, money that was raised privately, mostly by corporations in Utah and elsewhere in the US.  That raises even more questions, why?

I challenged the Governor on his Facebook page on those issues and asked for his comments.  The Governor did not respond but one of his supporters did by saying: 

“Dave, remember that China is as dependent on us as we are them. There will always be a rivalry, but only between governments, not the citizens. And the way to out-do the Chinese is not by turning away their people, it's by improving our own country and education.  In fact, the more their citizens come here to study and work, the more likely they will return to China with a desire to reform their own government.  Hats off to the governor.”

I have to admit I posted back to that individual that I guess the Governor will next invite Taliban, al-Qaeda and Mexican Drug Lords to Utah for the same purpose of “converting them” and making them productive democratic free citizens.  Maybe that is why he so strongly supported HB 116 the Illegal Alien amnesty bill passed and signed by him this year.  Alright, I know that was sarcastic but how could I resist. 

What I found interesting was that within a few hours, all of my posts had been deleted by the Governor on his Facebook page.  I guess he can’t take a joke or answer questions about his opinions.  But wait, isn’t that what they do in China, censorship?  So I guess he’s learning fast?  [That was sarcastic also, for those who don’t know me that well]

            This is why I have a problem with what the Governor is doing.  China is a COMMUNIST country and the goods and services they produce are made by maybe the most oppressed people in the world.  China is strong and shows no inclination of changing.  In fact just the opposite, they are more determined than ever about the dominance over their people and eventually the control over us… without firing a shot.  Should we be supporting that kind of regime? 

            The Governor said: “We look at China as a country that has 1.3 billion customers of products that we can manufacture in Utah and sell.” 

            I’m not really sure I understand his statement. 

Military Might ... paid for by American's

           

          Is he saying that the huge population of Chinese people earning 75 cents per hour will purchase goods made here in Utah (with our manufacturing and labor costs, taxes, fees and regulations) including the costs to be shipped to China?  Really, they will find them affordable?  

I am sure there are items made here that could possibly not be available in China that someone over there could want at any cost.  I can think of at least a couple of items like Krispy-Kream Donuts [ok, we didn’t create KKD’s] but we did Café Rio and even my kids would cross an ocean for that meal.  (No I haven’t forgotten about KFC, but that’s old news)  Just seems crazy that Utah’s global might would be created with Mexican fast-food.  Is that what the Governor was talking about?  Or might one honestly think that whatever we do here that is unique, the Chinese will find a way to create over there… that’s what America use to do, the masters of innovation!  

            Besides, China has never played fair with trade agreements and the financial equality of the currencies.  In fact it is so unbalanced that America is now indebted to China for Trillions of dollars.  It is estimated that forty cents of every dollar we produce in tax revenue is used to pay the interest on these debts.  Why would we want to increase that equation?

China Cyber Attacks US Daily

            China steals technology.  According to a recent government report by our own U.S. Defense Department; “China is developing [disruptive] technologies for nuclear, space and cyber warfare.  We were just hit this year by a cyber attack that netted 25,000 documents from a contractor about our Pentagon, and China is the top suspect.  Reports say that we receive thousands of cyber attacks every day by guess who… China.  Let’s teach their brightest students in our Utah Universities, that makes total sense.  (Sarcasm again, sorry)

            Lastly, what is China’s history in working with American manufactures?   They either reverse-engineer, steel or purchase the technologies, ok the last one is kind of a myth.  They just purchase our equipment and reassemble it in China, then send the goods we use to make back over here at “roll-back” Wal-Mart prices and put our companies and jobs out of business.  Call the former president of West Bend (blenders, toasters, irons…) he will tell you the whore-stories first hand.  Our one incredible industrial manufacturing might has now been dismantled and moved to China alone with the jobs. We currently have an unemployment rate of 9.2% by the government’s fuzzy calculations.  It is estimated that the actual number is at least double that.  Does anyone think these trade agreements with China haven’t had a profound effect where the economy is today?  

So this all begs the question, why does our Utah Governor really want to bring Chinese Government Officials and their brightest students here to Utah and open our doors and roll out the red carpet to them?

Is Governor Gary Herbert caught up in the causes of the “New World Order” and “Progressive Social Justice”?  That would fit perfectly with his passing of HB 116 on illegal immigration and pathway to citizenship.  It also fits with his “eco-partnership” day decree with Utah-Qinhai and the signed agreements between the Chinese and the Utah Clean Technology Alliance.  Isn’t China the most polluting nation in the world?  Wait, isn’t Utah fighting to get more coal out of our enormous reserves.  I guess the Governor doesn’t see any conflicts, really?

The only other rational explanation I can think of is this is a golden opportunity for Utah corporations that want to ship more jobs, technology and production over to China.  Why else would corporations in Utah and other states pony up $1.5 million for this event.  So is the Governor looking for the “golden goose” after his term in office expires and just using his power and position to create his own future dynasty at our expense?

            Did the governor travel to Florida and the space center to secure more rocket booster jobs for the hopeful next generation of spacecraft for our Thiokol plant in Tremonton?  Or are we letting that plant close and sit empty like the plant in Brigham City that use to make Lay-Z-Boy’s which is now Made in Mexico?  (There it is again that HB116 connection, amazing). 

If this is happening in the most conservative state in the nation, what will become of America?

Friends and family ask why I blog about my observations.  I am the grandfather of seventeen great kids.  I would like them to be able to live under the divine constitution I grew up with but I fear those days are numbered with the current slate of politicians and their seemingly never ending own personal gain agendas. 

People are busy with jobs, raising kids, texting, World of Warcraft, Angry Birds and Farmville.  Many folks may not have the time to “ponder”, I do.  This blog is my attempt to read between the lines and spew forth thoughts.

They "March" to a different Drum than Americans

I find if you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything. 

Lots of people are drinking the cool-aid.  Just look at who we last elected for President and how that “Change” has worked out for most people.  I believe far too many politicians are caught up in their own egos and greed.  This blog is my stand… for my Grand-kids.

Uncle Charly Wants YOU!

       I don't think the Governor is a bad guy, I just can't uncover his real agendas.  But do your own thinking and research.  Find facts not spin.  Start thinking again, get a vision of our future, and if you don’t like it… do something about it.  It is getting a little scary… in my opinion.

        I’ll make it easy:  Please write, text, email or call the Governor’s   Office and voice your opinions on this or any other topic, he needs your input!     

http://governor.utah.gov/goca/form_governor.html   

Phone #’s:   800-705-2464 or 801-538-1000

Dapapa