If you cannot tell from the photo, that is a man poking out of a huge windmill. It is three times as tall as the Statue of Liberty.  Not only is it huge, but is a huge profit to the land owner.  He gets $500 per month for each of the 78 windmills on his property...  That is $39,000 PER month just for letting them use the land.  Not like they will be pulling those out any time soon :)

Read all about it here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/23/business/23wind.html?_r=3&pagewanted=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

I had a video sent to me in email and tracked down the source of it.  The video was about handling an oil fire on the cook stove.  While I could not find the exact video at the site they do have some interesting ones.

First,  word about what to do with an pan of oil on fire.  Do not throw water on it.  Do not use a fire extinguisher either.  Wet a towel and ring it out then cover the pan and let it cool down.  Do not try to move the pan.

Here is a the site:

http://www.firekills.gov.uk/home/07.htm

The one to really see about oil fires is "Don't try this at home".

The "Black" video makes you want to get up and check the batteries of your smoke detector.

I thought "Doorstep Distraction" and "Feet" were kind of humorous for such a serious topic.

As is obvious by now, I am a supporter of Mike Huckabee.  Yes, that candidate that everyone has said stands no chance of winning since way back right after he won Iowa.  In a thread in the hannity.com forums:

http://forums.hannity.com/showthread.php?t=540011

It was pointed out to me in the www.HucksArmy.com forums about the signature of one of the posters in the above thread:

Mitt-Mac, paddy-whack,
they'll go it alone,
this conservative's staying home!

:)

Let's hope it does not come to that!

This company, www.daz3d.com is has 3D software and 3D models for free.  In a recent post, a person pointed out this picture:

To be taken seriously, Huckabee needs to come out and announce that he is not seeking a VP slot and that he will not take one if offered.  That would stop the talking heads for continuing to rip him up as only seeking the VP position.

Additionally, he really needs to make it clear he is targeting a Brokered Convention so that they get off the spin that he cannot 'win" the delegates.

These two things would help defuse most of the negative press that has gone on the last week or so.

Probably too late for the following, but in the future these ideas should be considered to help build the proper infrastructure to reach people against the media spin.  There is no way a good candidate can trust the the media will "allow" him to win unless the candidate is a Liberal Democrat.  The message has to be taken directly to the people, beyond the spin and talking heads.

Campaign Site

Future campaigns need to use technology better.  We have it available and it should be used more.  For an example:

• The Campaign team needs to have someone on the team who records every place the candidate speaks (along with maybe a live feed) and keep the archive online so anyone can view any speech.
• The Campaign website should include videos of the Candidate stating what he believes and why on every issue.  Text can be included, but most of us our on Broadband, so use video.
• There should be a series of videos meant to promote the candidate available online for download.
  • DVD ISO (DVD Images you can burn), one devoted to reaching those that are on the edge and are not committed and another that is for those that do not support him.  Supporters could burn those DVDs and send them to their friends or people they are trying to reach.  If you get a DVD in the mail or someone hands it to you, the odds going to be you will at least watch it to see what it is unless you just flat out hate the candidate.
  • DVD should include all the "issue videos" also.
  • Possibly a video by someone on what the other candidates formally have declared as there stance on the issues - comparative guide on the issues.
• Should have a section with text and video of every endorsement the candidate receives along with a summary of all the names probably ranked by issue / importance.

National Local Supporter Site

Then there needs to be a more structured form of grassroots movement in every city in the USA.  This would be driven by a site (say something like "LocalsForHuckabee.com") grouping supporters in every town.  The goal of the site is:

• Gather those that support the candidate so that they can regularly get together and talk about the campaign and the issues. 
• The site would be used as a door to those that are curious or would have questions can go and receive help from other locals.  Perhaps local supporters could hold public events to help bring people in to talk about the candidate and his stance on the issues.
• Provide an effective means to disseminate information and calls to action quickly.

The process would be:

1. With no local supporters in a city that have grouped together, focus would be and finding local supporters.  In such a situation, supporters from nearby cities could chip in and run an ad in inexpensive avenues such as classifieds something like: "Do you support Huckabee?  If so, come now and join us at "LocalsForHuckabee.com"
2. Once there are a couple supporters in the area, they would take over the running of the ads and continue with a message such as "Do you support Huckabee?  Undecided, but would like more information?  Do you have questions about him or his policy?  Come to www.LocalsForHuckabee.com for the answers and get together with fellow locals!"

Visitors to the site

When a visitor first comes to the site, they would be prompted for their zip code which will direct them to the section for their city.  At that point, the site would provide the ability to browse videos, literature, local supporter group events or candidate events along with the option to ask a question of the group.  The materials may be created by local supporters with local issues involved of redirections to the campaign site resources.

One of the most important parts would be the Question form that allows the person to submit a question.  Once submitted, the local supporters would try to answer it, but if they did not know, they would push it up nationally for all supporters to view and find the answer.

Supporters

For supporters, the site would be geared at bring them in, educating them on the issues and the candidates strong and weak points.  To help this out, there would be a chat forum for each city where the supports and share on a local level.  The most important aspect would be regular meetings together (weekly, daily, whatever works for the area and number of supporters).   The chat forums would only be available to supporters.

Focus of supporters should be to do what they can to introduce the local population to the candidate in an organized manner.  Each city should have people with Huckabee signs standing on the busy corners of the city as much as possible.  Important to be their during rush hour or at special events.  These people should have a ton of materials to pass out and be educated enough on the issues that they are ready to answer tough questions.  It should not just be one guy out there, small groups should be there at scheduled times.

Groups of supporters should get together with nearby cities and hold larger public meetings inviting the public to come and learn more about the candidate.  Open air meetings with a PA system to ensure people hear it who are passing by.

Depending on the local group size, they might be able to chip in and burn a good number of DVDs and then pass them around to influential people in the local community to help them understand what the candidate is all about without all the media spin.  Winning a few of these type of people can mean hundreds or thousands of votes.  In even larger areas, supporters might be able to get together and produce enough DVDs to for door-to-door and pass them out to people.

If the group has the resources they can chip in an host a BBQ, Pizza party, etc.  Make it friendly, but always of those DVDs ready to go, lots of them.  They do not have to be expensive, could be handled as large potlucks where supporters bring something.  Just make sure to have plenty for the public that comes in.

Summary

I believe, had all this been in place, Huckabee would have been the nominee on Super Tuesday or even before.  He surely would not have lost to McCain by those few votes in SC which would have had momentum to carry Florida.

Everywhere you look, you hear about Ronald Reagan and not just the Republican party, but everywhere.  Yes, he accomplished much and set the bar high.  This campaign you hear people comparing the Republican candidates to Reagan. 

What I put forth is something where many might not agree, but I feel this year we might have a "Greater than Reagan" running for office.  Yes, I think Huckabee could be a "greater than Reagan" over the long haul, if he is given the chance.  At every turn this man has been torn down and ripped up.  By the Democrats?  No, by those that claim to be for the Republican party, and have voiced the need for exactly the stance on issues that Huckabee promotes.  Not only those, but some who call themselves Christian also.

Mike Huckabee is not perfect, I am the first on to admit that.  But he sure appears so when held up to the other candidates.  But what makes me feel there is such a difference?  Is it policy his stance on the issues?  Maybe it is his flair for speaking?  Maybe it because he claims to be a Christian and truly supports the pro-life movement, not governed by the current winds, but has and always will be pro-life?  Actually, it is all of this and a bit more.

Beyond the obvious reasons Huckabee should be President, he is a great uniter.   He may not completely unite the Republican party at this time, but that is okay with me.  He will help cross the isles and work with the Democrats to help pull this country out of the mess we are in and end this polarized non-functioning government.  Additionally, he will work to unite our allies and give us a strong foreign policy.

One of the most important areas  of uniting, will be in the class wars.  He reaches not only to the business community (while not being in the back pocket of corporate America), but also to the middle class and the important working class.  I do not know of any Republican that has accomplished that in recent history.  He even pulls in some labor unions that have not supported a Republican in over 160 years!

In his home State, he held to his conservative values, but did not let them lock his hands when he saw his people and State in need.  He had to raise some taxes to fix what had been broken in his State and the people were behind it.  Much like other so called Conservative candidates, he could have stood on the party line and not raised the taxes and let his State suffer, but that is not Huckabee, he does not put the party ABOVE people, he understands it is "We The People" and that trumps party if required.

Given the chance, I believe in years to come, beyond an eight year term, future candidates would be held up and compared to Huckabee.  Not to negate what Ronald Reagan accomplished, but more on what Mike Huckabee WILL accomplish.  By the end of his term, he just might have a united Republican party as well.

Let the man have a chance and watch this country flourish!

This election season opened my eyes to many facts.  One of the most saddening is there is no on running that believes in protection for our nation of the working class.  Yes, I used the word "protection" and that is a word that should ring throughout every hall of our government!

People treat Protectionism as a plague, they run for the hills chanting their mantra  "Global Economy, Global Economy, that is the answer".  They have been drinking the Kool-Aid of globalism again.  The have been deceived into believing with our capitalistic structure that globalism is the answer and it will all work out as we blend into the new global economy.  Well, the wealthy elite will blend in but the working class will have to blend down, down into more poverty, down with less rights and down with less benefits, if the nation is to truly blend into the "Global Economy".

That is a big claim, but it is obvious, it should bring those who are not part of the wealthy elite, out into the streets in protest, standing proudly for protectionism and demanding that no trade will happen in this country unless it is trade which is good for our working class.  No more exporting our manufacturing, no more exporting our tech jobs, nor more shall we lose our working class, they are the ones our nation is built upon!

The first question is "Why free trade"?  Well, people will give you all kinds of answers usually about promoting or products and/or services to another nation or that our people will have products they can afford.  This usually ends up with losing jobs, businesses or sovereignty of our great nation.

Need proof "Free trade" or trade in general as it is handle today does not work?  The first 11 months of 2007 shows our trade deficit is at $709.1 BILLION.  That means we are losing almost three quarters of a Trillion dollars per year (and last year even more).  How is that helping our economy?  Yes, some will say that the items imported, helps our economy grow and that this loss of almost a Trillion dollars per year is just the cost of doing business.  What a lie!  We have everything we need right here, if our resources were handled properly and OUR corporations did not sell out everything to foreigners.

For an example of this, what about China?  We had a trade deficit with China of $237.5 billion in the first 11 mounts of 2007!  Our large corporations sold off our manufacturing base to China and we lose a quarter of a Trillion dollars to them every year?  That is not fair to our working class, they were told we are moving into a service society and they just need to retrain for new jobs.

Now that those "Service" jobs are being exported, they say our innovative people will bring us new products to serve in our new global economy and keep the USA floating.  I think this is more their hope than anything else.  Let us say we come up with all kinds of products the world cannot do without.  They will probably be manufactured in China and sold to the USA masses thus enlarging our trade deficit, but where is our working class at in this process? 

The scary part is that we no longer have a sovereign nation.  Oh, don't go screaming off, here is the proof.  If an international event happened tomorrow and an embargo came against the USA, what would happen to our country overnight?  It is really quite simple:

• Stock market crash
• Inflation through the roof
• Total collapse of the US Dollar
• Most retailers close their doors as they have no imports to sell
• Transportation stops as we do not have enough fuel and all our native resources would be pumped into keeping the government and wealthy elitists going
• Starvation of a level we have never seen

Those are off the top of my head.  In a short time we would have total anarchy and the once might would be fallen, our nation leaders would be working hard to broker any kind of deal.  The nation could not survive such an embargo.  How is a nation sovereign if they cannot function independently of other nations? 

The truth is hard but something we all must face.  The large corporations have sold out this nation and our sovereignty for their own profit.  Here is the sad part, all of us helped!  Yep, we stood by while they exported our manufacturing base and then bought all those cheaper products they shipped back to us.  And now we continue to do so and many think you are some kind of cultist when you say we should be products with a made in the USA label.

I get so inflamed when I see an American flag sticker on the back of an imported vehicle.  What, we are to believe the owner supports America?  You actions speak louder than your words!

So, what is the answers?  I am just a little nobody out here in nowheresville, but there seems to be a few obvious steps we can take:

• Become energy independent  -
  • Mandate all vehicles sold in the USA to be electric, hydrogen, or only run on biofuel by 2012
  • Government investment of at least $100 billion into Solar power plants *
  • Government investment of at least $100 billion into Geothermal power plants
  • Mandate all power companies must use at least 50% of power from renewable resources and 100% by 2015.
• Legislate new laws governing trade and outsourcing -
  • Impose tariffs on all products being imported into this country that have a competing product available natively.  The tariff would move the price of the imported product to a competitive level of USA made products.
  • Require outsourced manufacturing adhere to the same regulations of manufacturing and labor as the USA regardless of country.
  • Impose fees on every job outsourced to other nations based on competitive market salary by industry/skill - ensures employers will pay the same wage regardless if the job is located in India, China or the USA.
• Prohibit Government State and Federal from:
  • Purchasing products that compete with native products.
  • Outsourcing jobs or services to other nations
• Adoption of the FairTax system to help promote saving and encourage business grow **
• Buy products with a "Made in the USA" label, even if the price is higher ****

Even if all the above were to begin today, I am not sure there is enough time to make it through this crisis.  Our dollar is heading to the floor and energy prices are soaring, driving the price of everything to climb.  And we remain just one word from total and complete collapse "Embargo"...

Some will say "this is the nature of capitalism and it will all work out under free trade, not protectionism and isolation".  To those, I say, do not stick your head and the sand and not see the realities for what you utter.  Capitalism does NOT WORK at all unless it is founded with morality and ethics, without which it is nothing more than a greed driven beast that crushes everything in its path.

That leads us to the real issue, most of our business community has lost their morals and ethics.  Their only goal is to worship at the altar of profits. While there profits are great to have, we should not sacrifice our morals and ethics to them.  The business owners need to remember everyone has a boss and their boss will require much at their hands when their lay their bodies down....

Note: * Solar power can provide all energy need of this world if tapped.  Lots of changes are underway and power plants are growing in power.  Here are some references:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_solar_thermal_power_stations

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_One

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevada_Solar_One

** For those that may not know about the FairTax, you can find more information here:

http://www.fairtax.org

http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_faq

*** If the product quality is poor, then contact the manufacture and talked to them about it - tell them you want quality over price.  Many manufactures think they have to produce cheap products to compete with imports, quality of USA products should be the first consideration.