Fairly Conservative

I wasn’t going to enter any more posts but I just have to encourage my President.

Dear President Obama

Thank you Barack Obama. We thought you would never decide to go. We hear you are going to Massachusetts on Sunday to campaign for Martha Coakley in the Senate race. Please say and do the same things you did when you visited Virginia and New Jersey during their Governor’s races. You might also use some of the same power of persuasion you used in trying to get the Olympics to come to Chicago. Perhaps you can ask Vice-President Biden to repeat his visits also. And please don’t forget to talk up your health plan that now has the support of 35% of the American people. I’m sure you can remember when President Bush introduced a new approach to Social Security during the first year of his second term-he had 35% support also. Oh, that’s right, he relented to the will of the people. But we know you would never do anything like that.

Randy in Richmond

The Dems, remember how smart the media keeps telling us they are, ran an attack ad today against Scott Brown in Massachusetts and photo-shopped the World Trade Center in the backdrop of a picture of Brown. Never fear though, they have lots of experience in pulling ads–as they have already done on this one.

(Well, sort of anyway.)

As I mentioned, I’ll say good bye, but I’ll come back and update you once the lawsuit is over. A month or so after that, I’ll reduce the site to a few posts. I have decided that in addition to the few I’ve mentioned before, I’m going to keep all The Shire stuff up too. Might as well let it Google forever.

Ok. Back to the task of leaving.

I’ve written this thing in my head over and over, but really, there’s not that much to say. It’s been work. I’ve had fun. There are about a dozen things I didn’t get around to writing in the last couple of weeks, but life will go on.

Leaving the blog behind is a decision I’m making to move my life along. These last two years taught me a lot, but it’s time to learn more. I am convinced as long as I allow this to take up so much of my time I won’t be able to move ahead as fast as I’d like.

For me growth has always been like a bicycle ride. Sometimes you’re chugging along on the stationary bike in the basement, looking at the walls and wondering what’s next, but sometimes it’s like when you first learn to ride a bike. It’s like the moment your dad (for me anyway!) let go and you fly down the street on your own.

It’s time.

I’ll miss you guys, but we’ll have a final week together as comments stay open. Make the most of it!

Fox news would like to know.

No kidding. It was an e-mail waiting when I got to Atlanta. (Long story.)

She asked a particularly important question at the Feingold town hall last night.

If you know, please, let me know!

UDPATE:

Ok, this is amusing (warning, language)

From a very astute reader:

I may just be overly sensitive – but it bothers me that Boldt Consulting, C.G. Schmidt Construction and Plunkett Raysich Architects are sponsoring the upcoming Elmbrook Education Foundation Dinner at the SLWC. It seems inappropriate. Like a kick-back.

Evidently our school board and those fearless leaders at the Elmbrook Education Foundation have no problem with it all. It doesn’t help that Superintendent Matt Gibson now controls how EEF money is distributed. There’s no wall at all between the district and the foundation arm.

I know it’s the way of the world, but I will never like it. It feels dirty. Maybe that’s because it is. Perhaps as a taxpayer you could lobby for free tickets. You know, you’ve already paid for it all.

In the past the Foundation was able to generate funding from the public. I guess, indeed, that’s in the past.

I’ve been writing this one in my head for a few weeks now. Before I leave, it’s time to get it out there:

Maybe it’s time to start praying for our President.

America was founded with the understanding God would be watching. In particular, America was founded with the idea of a Christian God watching. I think it’s time to recall that, indeed, God is watching.

What could God possibly be thinking about us now?

Some of you have been reading long enough to know that I have a weakness for Doomsday shows on the History Channel. A couple of months ago I was watching when they reviewed the fall of Russia, and in particular, the Consecration of Russia by Pope John Paul II to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I am convinced that happened because of the power of prayer. What would happen to my America, I thought, if that power were made to better our President?

And that’s when it hit me.

I know I’ve done my share of putting Obama in a hole, but to be honest, I’m ready to change my ways. I may not like him yet, but I can certainly pray for him. After all, aren’t we taught to pray for the most unfortunate among us?

Our President, though he feigns to have power now, certainly has scraped the bottom of the barrel. He was abandoned by both of his parents: his father as he sought to sow more seed; his mother as she pursued more men. He has, as far as we know, faked his way to the top. Remember, there are few records of his college experience under the Barrack Obama name. He’s voted present rather than lead. Some even question his legitimacy to be elected.

He is, in short, a man without much support behind him. He is failing, but is that what’s good for America? Maybe I’m not quite to the point where I can pray for his success, but if I pray for his healing, maybe he’ll be able to do a better job. Perhaps, at least, he will do less damage.

The other issue that’s breaking my heart right now is that Obama refuses to be churched. He used a congregation until that went badly for him, then he never went back. I am, yes honestly, fearful that Obama will determine he’s more willing to return to his Muslim roots than direct his family to a Christian life. I have no intentions of living in a America with a Muslim leader.

Pray that Obama and his family return to the teachings of the Christian church.

If there’s one thing Obama does well, it’s fake humble. I don’t need teleprompters that help deliver a fake humility, bring a crowd to their feet while he pretends to genuflect. I need real humility. Darn near to his knees humility. I’ve seen it from other presidents in my lifetime. It’s time to see it from this guy.

Pray that Obama finds true humility.

That’s it. In summary, I’ll be praying that Obama

1) be healed from his issues of abandonment
2) return to the Christian church, and
3) find humility.

I will be praying for President Barack Hussein Obama, because I will be praying for America.

Today there will be a Sunday sermon, so put on your best and head to the pews. It will, however, be written during the Packers football game (Trying to pack (giggle) it all in today.) so don’t expect it until later.

Monday is going to be unpredictable. I’ve got stuff to do, so I may not even be around. We’ll see.

Tuesday – ta da! – will finish with a last post around 8 p.m. central. Comments will stay open for about a week after that.

There’s just no doubt in my mind they read my blog and then decided to publish this editorial.

The intelligence process works in large part because of trust. A reliable sense of confidence must exist between superiors and subordinates, agents and sources, and the intelligence community and policy makers. Without trust, people will not take the risks needed to do their jobs successfully.

(For you sane readers out there, of course I’m kidding. The editorial is a quick read and summarizes my thoughts much better than I did.)

We’ve joked about this off and on, but I’m game if you’re willing. As one comment said, though, I think it’s best to keep the location out of the knowledge of a certain someone.

Sooo…let me think. If you’d be coming to a last post party, that means you are willing to let your ID be exposed. I’m thinking you may have to do it a bit earlier than that evening. E-mail me if you are really interested, and if more than a couple are considering it, we’ll set a place and time.

I’m not sure this will come together, but it’s worth a try.

Well, blogging for here was a fun experience, and I’ll have lots of memories from my time here. But that’s a whole other post.

Instead, most of you are wondering, what’s going to happen after I leave? Well, I’ve found my calling.

As some of you know, I’ve been doing web design for quite a while. What used to be just a bunch of experiments and following tutorials eventually led to actually making some pretty cool looking stuff.

Eventually, I got a request from a business to design a website for them. I met the owner at a Barnes and Noble, they paid me in advance, and I did it. While the guy ran to the ATM to get me my money, someone else came up to me. We had a discussion that eventually evolved into him becoming another client!

That’s when I had an idea: I could turn what became a hobby into a business! So therefore, I’m starting my own web design firm. I got some materials, some books, some advice, and I’m on my way!

I don’t want to reveal details about the business name and such, because I don’t want the opinions I posted on here being linked to my business, and therefore impacting whether customers come to me or not. But comment here, or drop me a line (details in my next post) and I’ll be glad to serve you!

As the sun heads down on another day,
It dawns on me – we’re only three away.

(Someone’s rather influential!)

But really,

There are some things you should know. But first, a melancholy moment:

I’ve mentioned before how growing up I always liked politics. Never in my life did I ever dream I’d have the opportunity to participate in a presidential election like I did in the last one, though.

It was probably the perfect storm: blogging was new, Wisconsin was a swing state, I had the time. But when I think about it, it still blows me away how close I was to the President when he came to Waukesha County. (Remember that discovery?) I’m still amazed how casual the gathering was at the Sheraton one cold morning to see John McCain.

Blogging did all that. It was really, really, cool.

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Of course you know other bloggers are out there, but I thought I’d share with you who I read.

If you like candor and a right-sided look, go read Ol’ Broad. She’s out of Tennessee now, but has Wisconsin roots. She calls it like she sees it. And her editorial cartoon links are legendary!

If you want to stick to the meat of a discussion, No Runny Eggs will give you something to gnaw on.

Mary from Freedom Eden is a slam dunk to keep up with what’s being talked about today. She often does a commentary of the late-night political jokes. She’s up on news for Catholics, too.

Have an economics question? My favorite thinker is Jeremy Shown from Rhymes with Clown. I’m often impressed with his understanding and perspective. (J. Strupp, you’re on your own with this man.)

My favorite place to argue with a liberal is Blogging Blue. Zach updates frequently, and it’s stellar how often I think exactly the opposite of what he’s proposing. Still, Zach has class. I’m glad to have known him in this capacity.

To keep up with the younger minds, I read Letters in Bottles. These are some sharp young men. (Uhem, you could always interview a girl to join the gang, you know. ) I’m glad to know they are part of America’s future.

Sometimes editor Dean Mundy is posting again at Musings of a Thoughtful Conservative. When the term compassionate conservative was invented, that person had just met Dean. He is a good man. If you read him you will know that soon enough.

To keep up with Congress, Keith Hennessey is my very best go-to guy. Almost everything he posts I end reading with, “Wow! I didn’t know that.”

I keep an eye on The New Republic.

I’ve been remiss not to teach you all how to use a feed reader. Here’s a little something to get you started. If you aren’t quite sure how to keep up with all those guys above, a reader will help. Then you can click on the topic that catches your eye and make comments if you want.

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I will say I don’t think anyone else in Wisconsin is running my type of blog. We did a fairly (cough) good job of listening to the arguments over the last couple of years. With the exception of one perpetual creep, there has been reason and logic in our discussions. I’m really proud of that.

However, if you are entering the discussion for these other folks on the opposite side of the posted opinion, please take caution. Many Wisconsin bloggers will toss you on your ear for stating an opposite viewpoint. At least I’d bounce you around a bit first.

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WHERE TO TAKE YOUR NEWS

I have developed some amazing contacts over the last couple of years. For the three or four of you who are beaming right now, know there are an equal number who have done the same but never left a comment on this blog. I am honored to have won the trust of so many. I know I’ve stumbled on occasion, but hopefully I haven’t let you completely down. In any event, I thought I’d offer where I’d go with news.

First, Kyle Prast is as amiable a woman as you will ever find. She has been the angel on my shoulder for years. If you have school district or Brookfield news that needs to get out, head to her blog and make contact. It’s extremely unfortunate that the blog comments on BrookfieldNOW are more often than not a gaggle of grumpy old men attempting to amuse themselves in public, but still, folks read her, and she’s very, very trustworthy.

As far as real reporters (you know once Kyle runs with something, it will get picked up anyway), they are learning. Isral Debruin is doing a good job with Elmbrook news. Alan Hamari needs to develop some deeper contacts at City Hall as he tends to only quote one Alderman. Maybe one of you can help him with that?

There’s hardly anyone left at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, but they will all listen if you offer a tip.

From a blogging perspective, grooming contacts is an enormous part of the business. I learned early on to listen to everyone. One of my very best local news conveyors would never, ever, in my wildest dreams, have been on that list a couple of years ago. He is nothing short of awesome in what he provides. (I’d honor you by offering initials but everyone with the same initials would be stalked for life by that certain someone, so I’m going to keep my fingers quiet.)

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Ok. That’s it. As always, I reserve the right to amend the above.