Saturday, August 23, 2008

C L O S E D

We finally closed on the house last night.

We were supposed to close @ 11 but the closing was pushed back to 4 due to some last minute documentation the bank needed to finalize the financing.

It came through and we are now homeowners.

We move in a week from today.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

48 Hours

It is Wednesday August 20th.

We are scheduled to close on Friday August 22nd.

Less than 48 hours till we own a new house. Myself, WW and WD are all three excited.

We drove by the house, the new roof has been installed, and the "For Sale" sign has been taken from the front yard. WW noticed the realtor box, the universal code box agents use to access the property, is also gone.

One week after we close we will be moving, So far, a friend of mine from high school, two of WWs co workers, and our pastor will be helping. Another church member may be able to assist but he will let me know closer to the date. Once moved, we will start a new chapter in our lives as homeowners.

As I said earlier, I'm not counting down at all.

Please do not accuse me of counting down the days again. :-)

Monday, August 11, 2008

S O L D

We drove by the house WW and I are buying and noticed a wonderful sight.

Where the For Sale sign sits in the yard, right under the realtor information, was a big SOLD sign.

We're set to close in less then two weeks.

No, I'm not counting down the days at all.

Liberal Childishness

This last weekend, I (again) discovered a truth in life.

Liberals do not like to argue issues. Not in the way gorwn-ups do anyway.

My second brother (I am the oldest of three, the liberal I'm blogging about is 21 mos younger, the other who seemed to just recite what he was told is 14 years younger) is almost as liberal as I am conservative. Of course with all his liberalism comes all the liberal hang ups. Let me explain.

Now, let me state for the record I do love both my brothers. If they were in need, I'd be at their side in a New York minute, but younger bro (the liberal) and I are as different politics wise as night and day.

Saturday the family gathered at my father's and went out to celebrate his birthday. The talking soon went to politics where, of course, I offered my opinion. while I was talking with my little brother (14 years younger) he recited the same liberal speak about Bush screwing up the country, we don't need to be fighting terrorists, the war is a losing cause, etc. I asked him to qualify his comments, that is, do something liberals can't stand, provide facts. My other brother, the liberal, then jumped in saying I parrot everything Bush tells me to say. Not once in our conversation did he ever offer to refute my points. The closest he came was when youngest brother and I talked oil. After blaming Bush for the high gas prices, I corrected him giving him facts that, no little bro, it's the Eco loons that have driven up oil by not letting us drill or build refineries. My other (liberal) brother countered that if we did that "all it would do would increase our addiction on oil" I think I might've asked him what his solution was. That or was amazed at the thinking of that comment. Of course, it did not address the issue of higher gas prices. I asked both what their solutions were again. Liberal brother could do nothing but accuse me of not thinking for myself and/or parroting everything I hear. This brings me to two observations about liberals I noticed in my younger liberal brother.

1. Liberals have a condescending attitude to anybody who does not share their enlightened way of thinking. It doesn't matter that their ideas don't jive with history. (more on that) To lefties, you are no better than a child if you hold different views, especially conservative ones. Doubt me? Watch the evening news or read our daily paper. To my younger, uninformed brother, I was a simpleton, devoid of thinking for myself.

2. Liberals can't or won't argue facts. Of course this is impossible because anybody studying history will see how Liberalism is one big failure. If one starts arguing from the lessons of history, their religious convictions, or pointing out liberals ideas of "rights" (e.g. killing one's baby, gay "marriage" "gun control" or giving rights to terrorists) are nowhere in the Constitution, they will answer with scorn. You will either be branded a right wing nut job, religious bigot, just plain stupid, or all the above. It doesn't matter if the liberal is in government, a collage kid reciting what his professor told him to think, or church leader. Liberals are the same. I confirmed with WW, not once did my liberal, uninformed younger brother offer any counter points to my positions.

That's why I titled this post "Liberal Childishness" An adult realizes the discussion can't move forward when one side either does not argue facts or is reduced to calling the other side names. To any adult, that's child's play. It's "Liberal Childishness"

Of course, I got mad, challenging both brothers to do just that. Start thinking and acting like adults. That didn't go over too well but my point was made.

I don't appreciate my younger brother thinking I'm an idiot, but, then I just have to sit back and laugh, knowing it's just a product of him being a liberal.

It's his (and theirs) liberal childishness.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

I Don't Trust em.

I came on in the middle of a conversation between Pat Campbell and City Councilor Bill Martinson. The Councilor was discussing the expensive streets package voters will need to approve.

I am sorry Bill but until I see city leaders do an acceptable job managing what we already give them I'm voting no.

The fact this same council voted to move City Hall, our mayor threw over 7,000,000 at BOK, and said mayor has more than once raised our utility rates makes me not trust our elected leaders when it comes to our money.

It didn't help that the package was laden with pork. (fixing city buildings, building trails, etc)

You guys are gonna to have to do better with our money before you regain my confidence. That's why my new strategy will be to vote NO on any new tax hikes that go on the ballot.

Monday, August 4, 2008

New House.

Our household has been very busy the last several weeks.

WW and I are in the process of purchasing our first house together. Needless to say, we are excited to finally live somewhere we OWN.

I know home ownership carries with it responsibility. We both are aware a house contains several big ticket items that, when malfunction, can cost quite a bit of money to repair/replace.

However, both of us are excited to finally have a large back yard for my German Shepherd. We're also looking forward to finally have the yard space to entertain family and friends or play yard games when people visit

I grew up on a corner lot so I am glad WD will have more yard for her and her friends to play. I've already promised her she could invite friends over once we're through unpacking and she is also excited.

I will be paying closer attention to politician's stances on property taxes since I'll soon be a homeowner.

I do already but will have more due diligence.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Christmas in August

WW, WD and myself spent the weekend shopping for clothes thanks to the tax holiday.

Both malls were the busiest I have seen them since Christmas. In fact, Woodland Hills was so crowded I had to leave because I started feeling claustrophobic.

You know? This proves when people have more money they spend more. If they spend more, that's money put into the economy. Gee, am I missing something? If we lower taxes, people will spend more, invest more, and put more money in the market place. In a time of a slowing economy, what better way to jump start the economy than to.....

Lower taxes.

Makes too much sense; that's why it won't ever get done.

What Now?

Sally will now face off against Karen Keith in the November general election. What can Bell do to defeat a well financed candidate?

Bell should not run away from Bell's. She shouldn't focus on the eviction, but use the park as an object lesson for the voters. Show the public what happens when County Government gets too powerful. What better example of this than the forced eviction of a family owned business who has been a Tulsa fixture for more than 50 years?

Although Bell needs to be civil, hold Karen Keith accountable for past stances she took. Remember, Keith was a PR person for Mayor Misfortune. As such, Keith was for Vision 2025 and higher taxes. Ask the public.....do you want more of the same in Karen Keith? Didn't you just vote out Randi Miller who was also for higher taxes and back room deals?

Make it clear there is a difference between her grass roots campaign and the campaign of Karen Keith. Although likable, Keith is for the higher taxes and enlargement of County Government that got our city in the mess it's in now .

Remember we Tulsans have a choice. More of the same or real change.

Why Randi?

Or: What lessons can elitists learn from Randi's defeat?

Reform minded citizens of Tulsa got a shot in the arm last Tuesday when Sally Bell defeated incumbent Randi Miller in the Republican primary. What lessons can other elected officials learn from the debacle that was her reelection campaign?

It would be shortsighted to dismiss such a large (81% Bell 19% Miller) margin on vengeful voters disgusted with the part Randi played in the eviction of Bells. I am sure many voters saw the election as payback for Bell's, but rather vengeance, I believe most voters saw the eviction as an eye opener. Before Bell's eviction this blogger was unaware of many of Randi policies. I knew a few stances she took and disagreed with some, but not until Bell's were my eyes opened. Once I saw Miller on the news leading the charge to force Bell's out I not only started paying more attention to her antics, but researched her past positions. By the time Randi was cheer leading for the River Tax I was better informed. I knew about the double standard between Big Splash and Bells. It was discovered Randi received a sizable donation from Murphy Bros. making her do their bidding. From there the public learned of Big Splashes inability to pay rent; no actions taken against the water park and Randi's attendance record. Oh, did I mention Big Splash was owned by the same Murphy Brothers that gave her such a sizable campaign donation?

All this to say Randi lost touch with the base. Somewhere along the way she started paying more attention to those who had power and money than the common folk. When caught, there was always an excuse but the more Randi talked, the worse of a liar she proved to be. By the time of the election July 29Th, most Republicans in her district had enough. They were tired of the secret meetings, back room deals, Randi's inability to stand up for them, and her constant love affair with higher taxes.

Other elected officials better take notice. Tulsans are slowly getting sick of being taxed higher and higher while seeing their utility rates go up. Our leaders better look to the defeat of Randi and learn from it. Even KIT in her multi million dollar mansion is not immune from getting voted out of office.

Remember elected officials. Different areas of the county also killed three different tax hikes.

It's worth repeating. Tulsans have had enough.