A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-08-05.... Bush booming, Democrats still depressed

JohnHuang2/DollyCali | December 8, 2005 | JohnHuang2/DollyCali

[DollyCali]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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Bush Boom still booming,
Democrats still depressed
by JohnHuang2

With the execution last week of convicted killer Kenneth Boyd and the killing of a key al-Qaeda leader in Pakistan, it was not a good week for the Democrats. Saddam was back in the courtroom. Democrats were back in the courtroom defending Saddam. Moreover, Bush still refuses to say he's sorry he kicked Saddam's butt. The President's speech at the U.S. Naval Academy in Maryland was superb. Yes, a roadside bomb Thursday killed 10 Marines on foot patrol near Fallujah, but that was the only bright spot for Democrats -- these wonderful patriots.

On top of that, there's growing worry that the milestone Parliamentary elections set for December 15 may go well. The last thing Democrats need. The party is broken, worn out and living hand-to-mouth as it is. Even worse for Democrats, a string of reports showing the U.S. economy is booming. The economy is so good that Democrats can't stop yammering about Iraq. But if you think I'm here to gloat, you're wrong. I'm not.

Reuters reports that President Bush "has launched a push to take credit for recent positive economic news the public has largely shrugged off." Immediately after the release of Friday's bullish employment report, Bush was on the South Lawn of the White House trumpeting the news. On Monday, he was in North Carolina. Gloating. I'm not sure that's the right approach, though.

That's why you won't hear a peep from me about how pessimists were wrong. They predicted spiraling gas prices, a string of hurricanes and the cost of the Iraq War would push the economy into recession. Surely, tightening by the Fed would. They were wrong. The Commerce Department last week reported that the "stagnant" economy surged by 4.3% in the third quarter, annualized. The pessimists and naysayers had egg on their faces, since 4.3% was the best rate posted in more than a year. We've seen 10 straight quarters of GDP growth at or over 3.3%, the best performance in 19 years. And the stock market has been on a roll. But should I rub it in? No.

In fact, you won't even hear me mention how the "jobless recovery" created 215,000 new jobs in the month of November, as reported by the Labor Department Friday. The number beat expectations. It was the biggest jump in non-farm payroll jobs in four months. Almost 2 million new jobs have been created in the past year, and more than double that since March 2003 -- but nary a word about it from me.

Here's what else my lips are firmly sealed about: The recovery in manufacturing. The economy last month added 11,000 new manufacturing jobs, after a gain of 15,000 such jobs during the month of October. We hadn't had two consecutive months of manufacturing job growth in over a year. The data shows the economy withstood the full brunt of three major hurricanes and the full fury of 7 gloomy New York Times editorials per week!

I suppose I could gloat that the overall jobless rate is 5% -- essentially full-employment -- but I won't. Not even going to mention that 5% unemployment is below the average jobless rate posted in the 70s, 80s and the 90s.

Look, if I were gloating, wouldn't I mention that gas prices have fallen by 30% since September, sending consumer confidence soaring by 13 points in November? Nationally, self-serve regular averaged just $2.13 a gallon. That's a drop of 88 cents a gallon since September. As energy costs eased, consumer spending surged by 4.2% in the third quarter and business spending swelled by 10.8%, annualized. October saw the biggest one-month spike in sales of single family homes in 12 years -- 13%!!! But, again, my lips are completely sealed.

And all this with low inflation. The core personal-consumption-expenditure prices index dropped from a 1.7% annualized rate for the second quarter to 1.2% for the third quarter.

Sure, it's tempting to mention all of this, but I haven't yet and I'm not about to start now.

;-)

Anyway, that's...

My Two Cents...

"JohnHuang2"

09-27-05 ~ Hall of Fame #13

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 12-05-05 Military Monday 12-06-05 Finest Christmas Tables, Part I 12-07-05 Christmas in New York

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[DollyCali]

[DollyCali]

HE IS BACK PING


After a nightmare of time & events following Hurricane Wilma, JohnHuang2 is back with us today. Come join his look at avoiding the good news on the economy!

[GeronL]

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all DUmmies too, they need to be merry before they all start wearing explosive belts in the malls.

Merry Christmas to the ACLU, whether they want it or not

Merry Christmas to PETA, we be snacking on reigndeer jerky y'all

Merry Christmas to bin Laden and those other terrorists around the world, we be sending those JDAM's giftwrapped!!

Merry Christmas to the MSM folk who have to stand in line for unemployment benefits! neener neener neener

Merry Christmas Democrats, please please nominate Howard Dean in '08!!

You all are getting a chunk of low-grade coal in your stockings.

[GeronL]

that was for you too

[lysie]

Good morning. Thanks Dolly.

Since we are not mentioning....I won't mention that it's nice having you back.

[DollyCali]

Heheheheheheh.. yup!

[DollyCali]

JH2 after being withi his sister for quite a long time while home dried out etc has been "itching" to begin writing again.. But we wont mention that either!

furnace man will be here at 9. this is the wrong time of year to NOT have heat for over a week! might hop back in bed to warm up a little..

[MEG33]

WOO HOO! "Tis the season to be merry!" John is back...and how!

Great presentation, Dolly..John, just keep on avoiding telling us the good news about the economy! ;)

[SheLion]

Welcome back John!!!

[visualops]

Thank goodness!!!

[GailA]

Good morning everyone...welcome back JH2..on target as usual.

[The Mayor]

December 8, 2005

Use Your Weapons

Read:
Ephesians 6:10-20

Above all, [take] the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. —Ephesians 6:16

Bible In One Year: Ephesians 4-6

While visiting a museum, I was intrigued by a small inscription describing a class of Roman gladiators—the Retiarii—who fought using only a net and a trident. Of all the fearsome and lethal weapons available to those warriors, who often battled to the death, these men were given two items—a piece of webbing and a three-pronged spear. When they entered the arena, their survival depended on how well they used their weapons.

In the spiritual battle we face as Christians, God has chosen our weapons: "Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

It's worth pausing to look at ourselves in the mirror of Ephesians 6:10-18 to see if we are properly equipped with "the whole armor of God." From the helmet of salvation to the shoes of the gospel of peace, we are to be protected and armed for a conflict that depends not on human strength but on the power of God.

When we realize the nature of that warfare and the forces against us, it's foolish to enter the fray with anything except our God-given weapons. —David McCasland

Does all the world seem against you
And you're in the battle alone?
It's often when you are most helpless
That God's mighty power is known. —Anon.

Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. —Isaiah 40:31

FOR FURTHER STUDY
What In The World Is Satan Doing?

[The Mayor]

Excellent!

I just wish NY would get it!

[apackof2]

Wow, I just quoted this Scripture yesterday to encourage my friend, thanks

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Good Morning Dolly!

Great essay John!

[Redleg Duke]

That photo montage of all those sad RAT faces is priceless!

[NewRomeTacitus]

Gas prices. Not the subject I'd address if I were a President tied throughout his life to that industry. Yeah, I read all the explanations but the huge post-Hurricane jump still looks like a bunch of ravenous zombies feasting on a basket of weakened puppies.

But we're hear to praise John Huang 2, not criticize him. John is dependable for posting every relevant story from the Washington Times moments after they put them on the internet. He also has a talent for thoughtful analysis and humorous insight. Way to go, John!

But I'm still curious as to why you chose that screen name reflecting a guy who probably is a compromised or coerced agent of the ChiCom government. Fill us in?

[Temple Owl]

Great job! Thank you.

[GodBlessUSA]

This is Fantastic!!! :)

A most Wonderful Thread

[proud2beconservativeinNJ]

JohnHuang2 is back with us today.

It is going to be a great day today. Thank you DollyCali, the Mayor and JH2 for getting us started. Sure hope that furnace man works some magic and gets your home warmed up.