The New World of Budget Airlines

{Now and then a respite from politics}

The new world of budget airlines

Attendant: Welcome aboard Ala Carte Air, Sir. May I see your ticket?


Passenger: Sure.

Attendant: You're in seat 12B. That will be $5, please!

Passenger: What for?

Attendant: For telling you where to sit.

Passenger: But I already knew where to sit.

Attendant: Nevertheless, we are now charging a seat-locator fee of $5. It's the airline's new policy.

Passenger: That's the craziest thing I ever heard. I won't pay it.

Attendant: Sir, do you want a seat on this flight, or not?

Passenger: Yes, yes. All right, I'll pay. But the airline is going to hear about this.

Attendant: Thank you. My goodness, your carry-on bag looks heavy. Would you like me to stow it in the overhead compartment for you?

Passenger: That would be swell, thanks.

Attendant: No problem (grunts). Up we go, and done! That will be $10, please.

Passenger: What?

Attendant: The airline now charges a $10 carry-on assistance fee.

Passenger: This is extortion. I won't stand for it.

Attendant: Actually, you're right - you can't stand. You need to sit, and fasten your seat belt. We're about to push back from the gate. But first I need that $10.

Passenger: No way.

Attendant: Sir, if you don't comply, I will be forced to call the air marshal. And you really don't want me to do that.

Passenger: Why not? Is he going to shoot me?

Attendant: No, but there's a $50 air-marshal hailing fee.

Passenger: Oh, all right, here - take the $10. I can't believe this.

Attendant: Thank you for your cooperation, sir. Is there anything else I can do for you?

Passenger: Yes. It's stuffy in here, and my overhead fan doesn't seem to work. Can you fix it?

Attendant: Your overhead fan is not broken, sir. Just insert two quarters into the overhead coin slot for the first five minutes.

Passenger: The airline is charging me for cabin air?

Attendant: Of course not, sir. Stagnant cabin air is provided free of charge. It's the circulating air that costs 50 cents.

Passenger: I don't have any quarters. Can you make change for a dollar?

Attendant: Certainly, sir! Here you go!

Passenger: But you've given me only three quarters for my dollar.

Attendant: Yes, there's a change-making fee of 25 cents.

Passenger: For cryin' out loud. All I have left is a lousy quarter? Whatever will I do with it?

Attendant: Hang on to it. You'll need it later for the lavatory.

Reviews Are In For Palin Hate Movie "It's Rotten" Joins McGinnis/Johnston Flops.

The reviews are in for the latest in the seeming never ending flow of Palin hate books and movies. This time it's a movie "a documentary" (sic) by British muckraker Nick Broomfield entitled "Sarah Palin You Betcha" (what an oh so clever clever title eh?)


When the positive movie about Palin "The Undefeated" came out the left hate sites were in a frenzy to describe how, in their opinion, poor the attendance was in the movie houses, and the lack of good reviews. 


Since not a peep will be heard from them about what a disaster this Palin hate movie is-5 "rotten" reviews so far (and what a disaster the McGinniss/Johnston books are sales and credibility wise) here a just a few of the worst part of the reviews of "You Betcha" from the aptly named "Rotten Tomatoes" film review site (you can read the lot HERE)


"shovels enough dirt on the Tea Party guru and self-described hockey mom to satisfy her haters,"


"what's the point of all this muckraking?"


"begins with the promise of neutrality-but it's a promise the film can't keep.

"Sarah Palin Can Save This Republic" Crista Huff At Town Hall Finance.Com

Crista Huff from Town Hall Finance.Com has a column up "Sarah Palin Can Save This Republic."
As befits a finance page (retired stockbroker) columnist Crista describes herself;
"I am a conservative, which means that I believe in fiscal responsibility, free markets, personal responsibility and the Constitution." 


Which leads her to state;


"That’s why I want a presidential candidate who has no history of cozying up to terrorists; nor do I want a candidate friendly with religions and countries which do not denounce terrorists; or who allow illegal immigrants to come here; or those that support socialist policies. 

For me that means I must omit Chris Christie, Ron Paul, Rick Perry and Mitt Romney from receiving my support. That’s the way I roll, to save the Republic."

And thus the natural conclusion is;

"That’s why I want to see Sarah Palin run.

Sarah Palin’s record in Alaska shows her to be the bravest, most effective executive I’ve ever seen.  She accomplished incredible feats as Governor and united Democrats and Republicans in order to succeed with projects which brought great prosperity to her state. "

And;

"You want to save the Republic? Elect somebody who has already saved her state: Sarah Palin."

To get the full flavor of this exceptional column please read the entire post AT THIS LINK

Fair use notice:
This website contains copyrighted material, the use of which may or may not have been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Excerpts of such material is made available for educational purposes, and as such this constitutes 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Act. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this website is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Original material published on this website may be excerpted and the excerpt reproduced for the purpose of critical reviews. However, such original material may not be reproduced in full on another website or in any manner without prior approval from this website's owner. In all cases when material from this website is reproduced in full or in part, the author and website must be credited by name and a hyperlink provided to this website.

Enter Palin /Giuliani Stage Right And Stage Left?

After the supposed shock result of the Florida straw poll that saw Herman Cain run away with the result, the GOP nomination is, as it has always been from the start of the campaign season, wide open.


After the media beat-ups for the totally unvetted candidates, Bachmann and Perry, saw their support erode, dramatically in Bachmann's, case once the blowtorch of scrutiny was placed on them, reality has taken over again.


For all of Romney's Beltway/Country Club/Media/Pundit support he clearly does not have the support of the most important grouping-the rank and file. With Perry's support collapsing, under the weight of vetting and his own incompetence in debate, Romney would have been expected to have picked up that support and have sealed the deal.


That Herman Cain, again a totally unvetted candidate, with none of the traditional political history in governing (in fact in even winning an election) or foreign affairs, ran away with the straw poll speaks volumes. Cain is personable, speaks well, and most importantly for the Florida voters looking for an alternative to Perry whose conservative bona fides were blasted in the last debate, Cain is not Mitt Romney.


With Romney unable to break out of his vote support level, Cain unvetted, and Perry in danger of joining Bachmann as yesterday's person the search for a viable non-Romney continues.  


This is why the Beltway elite are frantically pushing the Christie barrow. Christie is certainly an alternative to Romney, and stands on the traditional side of the GOP ledger, even as his personality is non-traditional. 


How the elites consider Christie would have any more appeal to the rank and file-who have signalled clearly they want a true conservative, is a mystery to rational minds, but desperation coupled with elitism has clouded their judgement.  


It would be unfair I think to submit Christie and his family to the depth of attacks and satire about his weight that would ensue. Even the most thick skinned would wilt under the attacks, and frankly it might endanger his life if he were to have to submit to the physical challenges of a long campaign (he has recently had a hospital episode).


The stage is very much set, should they choose to enter the lists, for Giuliani from the left and Palin from the right to enter. Giuliani, when he has been included in polls, has done extremely well (ahead of all candidates) considering he has not declared.  One poll had him out in front of President Obama in a head to head match up. He appeals to Independents, would attract support from Catholics, has a proven record, is admired and has been vetted.


He could well take on Romney in debate and would lift the tenor of the campaign all round.


Giuliani could  attract the support of Independents in the industrial states, polls well in New Hampshire and Florida, and could give a genuine contest on the left of the party without the distortion of the Beltway elites intervention.


Should Palin declare, the rank and file would of course have a vetted candidate. She could absorb the support of the eventual non-candidacies of Santorum/Cain/Bachmann which, added to her currentproven third place support level, would put her at or near the top. 


If Perry's support collapses further, especially if Palin declares and she picks up his supporters, then if Giuliani ran and split the vote with Romney her path to the nomination would be made that much clearer.


With that scenario, if Trump endorses her, (he is waiting upon her decision) with his million plus level of public support, and financial backing, she should have the nomination sewn up.


The time has never been better for Palin and Giuliani to tip their hands. If both enter Palin has every chance of being the nominee. If both enter and Giuliani splits the vote on the right he has every chance of being the king, or rather queen maker, if nobody comes to the convention with enough votes to ensure the nomination . 


At that point a little horse trading could see a Palin/Giuliani ticket which is, to my mind a winning one. It is a perfect balance of east/west, city/country/experience in governing / foreign experience, Protestant/Catholic/male/female conservative/ liberal.


A ticket for the times. A further examination of why Palin is the best for the GOP including the most recent Giuliani vs Obama poll where he leads Obama  AT THIS LINK

Jonathan Tobin At Commentary 09/07 "Perry Set Up To Win Nomination/GOP Race A Snore.Pundits Know Zip

Not that I am any better with my predictions and I am not singling out Mr. Tobin for his apparent lack of skill (or his possible wishful thinking) but this is just an example that shows that nobody should take pundits seriously.

Here's George Will advising that in January 2013 either Pawlenty or Daniels will be sworn in as president.

Tobin made his prediction (my emphasis) that the GOP race would be a snore-fest and that basically Perry had it all sewn up on September 7th at the height of media Perry mania. After the Miami straw poll the media/pundits have gone in the total opposite direction and are now musing as to whether or not Perry is finished.

The have been  in a similar chorus advising at one time that Bachmann was the new Palin, Palin was irrelevant, and latterly Palin would not enter the race. The media has its own agenda, mostly not in the best interest of the GOP, or if favorable to the GOP, acts in the interest of its paymaster in the GOP establishment.

As was shown in Miami the game has changed however and the rank and file, as exemplified by the Tea Party, are in the ascendency. If Palin enters the list forget all the "common wisdom" of the Beltway and Romney backers.The prognostication ability of Messrs. Will and Tobin are a classic example of how out of date and out of touch they are.
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The GOP Race is Going to be a Snore
Jonathan S. Tobin | @tobincommentary
09.07.2011 - 10:38 PM

The big story at the Republican debate at the Reagan Library was Rick Perry’s debut on the presidential stage. The question for the GOP was whether the Texas governor who vaulted to a huge lead after entering the race last month could sustain that margin in the heat of the battle. The answer was that by the end of the evening nothing had changed. Despite constant attacks from his opponents, Perry is still way ahead and set up to win the nomination easily



Fair use notice:This website contains copyrighted material, the use of which may or may not have been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Excerpts of such material is made available for educational purposes, and as such this constitutes 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Act. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this website is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Original material published on this website may be excerpted and the excerpt reproduced for the purpose of critical reviews. However, such original material may not be reproduced in full on another website or in any manner without prior approval from this website's owner. In all cases when material from this website is reproduced in full or in part, the author and website must be credited by name and a hyperlink provided to this website.


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