As the year comes to a close...

...there are quite a few items I wanted to pontificate on while there's still time, so here's goes:

1) Neil Abercrombie and the Birthers
The newly inaugurated Governor of Hawaii, Neil Abercrombie, has expressed intentions to put to rest for good the controversy over Barack Obama's birth certificate.  For once, I applaud a progressive Democrat's actions.  The matter of President Obama's natural birth should've been resolved during the 2008 elections.  I hope the President's birth certificate will be released, so questions can finally be answered.

And, in case anyone is wondering, I'm neutral; until irrefutable proof arises to decide the issue one way or the other, I regard both sides as being full of cow manure and nothing else.

2) Having Scottish cake and eating it too?
You may not be familiar with the publication The Scotsman, but I came across an article where the leader of the Labour Party there, Iain Gray, criticized the First Minister, Alex Salmond of the Scottish National Party (SNP), for not moving forward with SNP's goal of independence from the United Kingdom.

Putting aside the fact the SNP hasn't succeeded in its goals, I find the matter a little funny because a regional leader in a British political party, which doesn't advocate independence for Scotland, is criticizing the leader of a regional political party which came about because of the desire for independence from the UK for not moving fast enough in securing independence from the UK.  All's fair in love, war and politics, huh?


3) It's a truce, not a capitulation!
The more I hear criticism of my Governor, Mitch Daniels, for suggesting a truce on social issues in order to focus on our economic problems, especially from my fellow pro-lifers, the more annoyed I get.  From the time Governor Daniels suggested this truce back in June, he's drawn the ire of social conservatives, who believe the focus should be equally on both social and economic issues.

My beef isn't with the debate on what our priorities are, but it is with some social conservatives who think Governor Daniels suggested some kind of surrender on the social issues; as if somehow he's taken a 180º turn on social issues.  Governor Daniels sees the biggest problem right now as having to do with our economy, and with the spending that's been going on for the past two years, I see his point (something he elaborates and clarifies here).

When it comes to social issues (especially abortion), Mitch Daniels has been and continues to be a consistent social conservative, but his reason for the truce has been very simple: It's the economy, stupid!

4) When the snow fell on New York
When national news began covering the recent snowfall on the streets of New York City, I had no idea it would get as bad as it has.  I first noticed when it was mentioned how long people were waiting at JFK Airport, then there was the ire drawn against Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the city government for their inaction after days had passed and streets were still unplowed (with New Year's around the corner, talk about the worst possible timing!).

The worst part, however, is the revelation of union workers in the city's Sanitation Department sabotaging efforts to plow the streets to protest budget cuts.  Considering several people have died because first responders couldn't get there due to all the snow, I can't think of a word to adequately describe how angry I am.  Tammy Bruce does a far better job damning the bastards than I could.

5) Ronald Reagan and the Rose Parade
With the upcoming Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California on New Year's Morning, there's been a bit of buzz about a float which will feature our 40th President, Ronald Reagan.  The float (here's pictures of it, with much thanks to Michael Reagan) is to commemorate the centennial of the late, great President.  For the first time in my life, I can't wait to see the Rose Parade.

Well, that's it.  See you next year!