kMac

After years of buying iPods (Tom 3, Katie 1, Chris 2, Cam 1 and Jack 1 = 8), we finally bought an iMac for the house. It's the coolest thing ever and I haven't even upgraded to the new operating system.

It's actually not our first Mac... when we graduated from ASU we bought an original Mac and never took it out of the box. I sold it to my brother-in-law for the cash and used a PC that I got for graduation. Considering where my career took me it was best to be using a PC, but I always longed for a Mac. When the hard drive failed for the second time in a month on our home desktop - the Mac made sense.

The screen is so big, you could hide an entire terrorist camp behind it.

I was, and have been, worried about the compatibility of my software and hardware with the iMac. There were no challenges importing my music, photos and other documents after spending $150 on the Mac version of Microsoft Office.

My hardware (wireless router and printers) hooked up with almost no issues. My Xerox 6100 printer had a little hick up, but eventually we downloaded the driver that fixed the challenge. Other than that - we're good.

The one thing I love the most about our iMac is the one thing coming out of the back of it... a cord. One cord. That's it. The all-in-one iMac unit is truly a standard for the entire PC industry to emulate. The low-profile footprint compared to the screen size is amazing, but the one cord coming out of the thing blows me away.

With this type of product on the market it's no wonder Apple stock is at an all-time high, and with the holidays approaching, I predict $200 per share by the next quarterly earnings report.

Go Apple.

TK

Weis Makes Irish History

By losing to Michigan State today Charlie Weis took the program to a new level... low level that is. For the first time in school history, 119 years of playing football, the program is 0-4. Unbelievable!

Despite some good looking drives in the first half the boys just couldn't hang with the Spartans and were man-handled in the third and fourth quarters. Weis doesn't know what to do and I'm not sure what can be done. I can say this - Weis may not be the hero he was herald to be a few years ago.

Although the dial on the stove will be moving slowly... the heat is coming.

One thing that really bothers me about Weis is his mouth. If you watch a game you can't help but pick up on his nasty language. Now you may say that this is "big time" football; however I would assert that the University of Notre Dame deserves a couch that can communicate without using profanity.

Last year when the program was cruising along Weis was featured on 60 Minutes and in the first 90 seconds of the piece you get a glimpse of Charlie's vocabulary. Potty mouth. Well that may be normal in college football, but I bet I could find a number of successful coaches that don't speak to players, coaches and referees without dropping the F-Bomb.

Anyway I'm frustrated and I'm blaming the coach. Let's see what this week brings Charlie Weis.

GO IRISH!

TK

USA TODAY READS TOMKAUFFMAN.COM

I awoke early this morning and opened up USA Today only to read the headline on the front page of the sports section... the title read:

"Irish Eyes are NOT Smiling."

That's the exact title of a post I wrote over the weekend (see below) on the state of Notre Dame football of which I am a huge fan. You can imagine my shock that USA Today would steal MY headline. Although they lifted the title they failed to grab the premise of my post, which is that Charlie Weis could be in a huge hole by the time the leaves start to turn in South Bend and little ones come begging at your door for candy.

We'll see how things turn out for Chuck - but shame on you USA Today. Come up with your own headlines!

TK

Lack of Negotiation in US Politics

Have you ever been on an airplane and noticed the advertisements for the Karrass Negotiation Seminars? A few years back I had seen the piece so many times I decided to check it out and signed up for a class in Phoenix.

It was about a grand and lasted two days. I came away with two keys pieces of information that I use every day and will never forget.

1. Everything is NOT negotiable and 2. Win-Win is not a cliche, every successful negotiation, that will stand the test of time must have a win-win component.

That's what's missing in the American political debate. Both parties, and their fringe groups, want to engage in win-lose negotiation. When that's apparent in debate, the opposing side will always dig in their heels. Now we have some very well educated individuals running our congress so why haven't they applied the simple truths of a Karrass seminar?

Quite simply because they are in the spotlight, and if they don't attack, someone underneath them looking to gain ground will. Attacks attract sharks and media attention creates buzz and buzz leads to face-time. Face-time is what every unknown politician need to become known on capital hill. The noble gesture of serving in political office has been absent for more than a century...

To make the climate as hostile as possible the fringe groups who are willing to fight and demonstrate for their minority causes speak with a loud voice. Throw money behind a group like that and you have a monster that no politician can overcome. Rather than fight they embrace the monster - then become dependent on them for survival.

Win-Win negotiation requires that both parties are willing to let the other win - or at least feel as if they have won. This requires diplomacy, tact and a willingness to see the other persons point of view. None of this is happening in US politics.

The next person to enter the White House and hopefully the leadership positions in the congress need to attend a Karrass Negotiating event. Check them out at http://www.karrass.com/.

TK

Irish Eyes Are NOT Smiling

There is nothing Charlie Weis can say that will explain away the dismal 0-3 start the Irish have posted so far this year. Not only are they losing games, they just look like crap.

Jimmy Clausen isn't going to solve the challenges you see on the line, in the backfield or anywhere else. The hype Clausen brought to the program ended last week when he lost for the first time in four plus years of stepping on a football field.

I'm an Irish fan because I love the tradition of the program and the passion of the fans. The same emotion that makes ND fans exciting makes them demanding. My gut tells me that Charlie is only a loss away from being questioned in the media and questioned by the alumni.

I understand rebuilding a program (that's what I've been telling the people yanking my chain), but five fumbles? Let's get it together men.

Charlie you better figure something out quick - your record this season has you in the same league as Bob Davie... 0-3.

GO IRISH!

TK

Mormon Mission Provides Wisdom

I was reading an article in the Arizona Republic Friday about a young man who recently returned from a Mormon mission and is now playing football for UCLA. Apparently this guy is a solid quarterback and is looking to make his mark with the Bruins. I was impressed by the following quote from the article:

"Some people don't really quite understand what you do on a mission. You're not out there working out, improving as an athlete. Your focus is other people. That was my life for two years." Olson goes on to say, "I do believe I was able to gain experience and gain wisdom in other areas of life that I've hopefully been able to apply to the football field." Ben Olson

I should say so, before leaving for his mission Olson was a member of the BYU football team. Upon gaining much wisdom, and maturing mentally, he returned from his mission and quickly transferred from BYU to UCLA.

Was it a good decision... UCLA 27 BYU 17.

That would be a yes...

TK

Ready to Get Serious about Terrorism?

"Dude pass the hash-pipe"

I've been direct about my position on our troops fighting in Iraq, and the unique challenges there that make it almost necessary to fight the right way or get the hell out of the country.

Then tonight I read the transcript from the latest tape from Osama Bin What's-his-name... and I'm ready to kick some butt. Here's what he said regarding the two ways to end the war on terror (aka the war in Iraq):

"The first is from our side, and it is to continue to escalate the killing and fighting against you."

And the second...

"It has now become clear to you and the entire world the impotence of the democratic system and how it plays with the interests of the peoples and their blood by sacrificing soldiers and populations to achieve the interests of the major corporations."

The assumption being that our country and the freedom we enjoy now needs to come to an end... so either Islamic insurgents will defeat us in Iraq and around the world or we can simply all become Muslims and start saying our prayers five-times a day. Right.

This joker and what he's not joking about should have every able bodied individual in this country ready and willing to grab a weapon and defend ourselves against radical Muslims.

If this tape doesn't get the liberals in congress attention I don't know what will. Bin-Wacko isn't thinking or saying anything today he wasn't thinking or saying pre 9/11. He's just been putting his money where his mouth is with the absolute conviction we won't do anything to stop him.

What will stop him and his Islamofascist followers? The United States of America and a full-court press against him. United and full-court implies our elected officials stop politicizing this threat and start working together.

TK

No Peace - No Vacation

Once again President Bush has chosen to vacation while we have men and women dying in the Middle East. It makes me so upset, I can actually imagine myself chewing him out.

When our nation is at war, the commander in chief needs to be working around the clock. Relax in private - not in public. This is another error in judgement by this president and the people that advise him. Poor leadership was never more visible... except in the Iraqi Parliament.

TK

Liberal Nightmare - Dick Cheney is POTUS

Here's a headline on USA Today's website that's sure to scare the crap out of liberal democrats...

"Dick Cheney will be acting president tomorrow" According to the Associated Press:

"President Bush is scheduled to undergo a colonoscopy tomorrow, meaning that Vice President Cheney will be standing in while the commander in chief has what the White House describes as a routine procedure.

AP says the procedure will be performed at Camp David.

Back in 2002, Bush was out for about 2 1/2 hours during a similar exam, according to press secretary Tony Snow."

The only person worse than President Bush to the dems, and especially the fringe groups with loud agendas... Dick Cheney. (That's pronounced Cheeney according to Chris Matthews.)

Good luck Mr. President and get Mr. Cheney into a bomb shelter because if anything happens to President Bush or President Cheney (give him his two hours), Nancy Pelosi is next in line for the presidency and that is the real nightmare.

TK

Time for McCain to Take a Powder

It's time John McCain take a powder and drop his pursuit of the presidency.

If he were to back out and put his energy and connections behind the top republican who will be in the race by the end of the summer (Romney and Thompson), he have a lot less stress and enjoy a lot more popularity.

His position on immigration may have been right, or my have been wrong, but associating himself with extreme liberal democrats and such an unpopular president were political suicide. You may say "well he's a man of conviction." Fine - he'll remain a senator with his convictions and will never be able to display such convictions as POTUS. Someone in his campaign screwed up and should have been giving him better counsel.

The fact is the immigration bill was so full of holes that to stake a presidential candidacy on it was a telling lack of judgement. Iraq - same situation - it's such a hot topic that a more moderate position is called for if your running to take the job of the current commander and chief.

This is a pretty easy decision for McCain... just not pleasant. The campaign is in debt and and cash flow is tight. It would make sense for him to pay the bills he's got and walk away with a cool million for later political use.

He'll get all the attention he's getting now and more from the media. Best of all, every republican and some democrats will come courting and he'll be back on top of the world.

Let it go Mr. McCain and get behind Romney and Thompson early... don't play games with the dems or think independent.

TK

Listen to Me Now... Believe Me Later

Have you ever heard this phrase? I love it and cannot remember where I first picked it up (if someone reads this and I got it from you - call me!)

"Listen to me now and believe me later!"

I'm passing this along for you to use in your daily conversations at work, home and anywhere else where you'd like to make a pithy point. It works great with your kids... check this out:

"Listen to me now and believe me later, you get the weeds out of that garden or you'll be grounded for the rest of the summer!" I recently used this one to try and get my boys to clean up before the July 4th party we recently had. It didn't work... right away, but the believe me later finally kicked in this week after a few "play dates" were vetoed. The garden is now weed free - oh yeah. Listen to me now and believe me later - this phrase works!

I love whipping this out when people haven't heard it before. By the time they "get it" you've already delivered the second part of the statement (the point) and your target audience will already be agreeing with you.

Recently I made a comment about John McCain's presidential campaign and the fact that he doesn't stand a chance to win the republican nomination considering his stance on Iraq and his support of the failed immigration bill.

It went something like this... "Listen to me now and believe me later, Mr. McCain doesn't stand a chance and may not even make it to the first primary." The news this week for the senior senator from Arizona - fund raising is down, money is low and top advisers are out! (Later didn't take very long to materialize in this case.)

Well try this with your friends, business associates and especially at home with the children. I guarantee the first time you lay this on the kiddies their jaws will drop, they will look very puzzled and the first words out of their mouth will be "what did you just say?"

TK

Sharpton Does Hardball

What’s the connection between Chris Matthews and Al Sharpton? Aside from both being extremely religious… Sharpton hosted Matthew’s program "Hardball" this week and if anything solidifies the fact that Matthews is an extremely liberal democrat, picking Sharpton to host his show is it.

Here’s a review of the program: The “reverend” interviewed two liberal hacks, Howard Dean and Terry McAuliffe. Dean was flashing his famous “Joker” grin and telling “his holiness” how wonderful it is to be alive and be a democrat. McAuliffe brushed off Al’s concern over the fact that Mr. Obama raised 10 million more dollars in the second quarter than Ms. Clinton. Terry said no big deal, Hillary has enough money to win the primaries and the general election – it’s good to have money.

Next up, republican powerhouse candidate… Duncan Hunter. Mr. Hunter actually had good things to say, but what did Al want to talk about? Ann Coulter. Ann likes Duncan Hunter and instead of hearing Mr. Hunter's views Sharpton wanted to get the gossip.

Following Duncan Hunter was Chris Dodd, another presidential candidate and a democrat. Mr. Dodd makes sense and speaks very logically and forcefully about his position on Iraq. His position? Leave very quickly. Something I’ve called for the last 16 months. If the rest of Mr. Dodd’s colleagues could articulate their points without engaging in the “politics of hate,” they might be leading instead of destroying this country.

If Matthews was on vacation he couldn’t stand to be left out of limelight. At the end of this evening’s program the news broke regarding President Bush commuting the prison sentence of Scooter Libby… and Matthews was on the beach somewhere – he must have crapped his pants. He was back the next night and Reverend Al was given the hook. Good thing too, Sharpton was staring so intently at the teleprompter up close like that was freaky.

TK

Hillary Clinton and YouTube

No this is not Hillary Clinton... but make no mistake, Hillary will be singing at the top of her lungs when she becomes the nominee of the Democrat Party. As sharp as Senator Obama may seem, he just doesn't have the political capital that comes with having your husband be a former two-term president, even if he was a scuz bag.

More than that, Hillary is campaigning HARD and coming up with some pretty good viral marketing too. How good? She got ME to watch her YouTube video spoofing the Soprano's and I even went to her website to see what song she picked for her campaign anthem. (Celine's You and I, very moving.)

She is the candidate to beat from the red side of the aisle. My prediction for the upcoming presidential election... bloody.

TK

JFK on Taxation

Want to blow your fiscal mind? Listen to John F. Kennedy speak to the Economic Club of New York in 1963 on the topic of taxation and the American economy.

44 years ago JFK proposed that cutting taxes would grow tax revenues. Brilliant. Listen to him speak and you would think that you were listening to a conservative Republican president. Check it out at American Rhetoric.com.

If you've never been to this site I highly recommend it. Some of the most powerful words ever spoken can be read, heard and in some cases watched.

TK

Thompson's Speaks - People Listen

Fred Thompson spoke in Virginia this weekend and in contrast to President Bush, Mr. Thompson is a pleasure to listen to... and he makes sense too.

I'm not taking shots at the president, I'm expressing how much I enjoy hearing Thompson and his ideas... they resonate with me at a time when other candidates are simply "positioning."

Here's my suggestion to Governor Romney, my favorite pick, polish up your stump speech and start talking to people like it's your last shot to convince them to vote for you. Why? Because Thompson does it naturally.

Here's a fact - I've never seen Law and Order - not once. So I don't like Thompson because of a television character he's portrayed. I like him because he has the ability to communicate, and I would, as others have, compare him to Ronald Reagan.

I don't know about his personal life, but I'm sure we'll hear about it very soon. Until then, every Republican presidential candidate should be tweaking their strategy.

TK

Fred Thompson... Interesting

I like Fred Thompson.

He played an Admiral in the 1990 movie "The Hunt for Red October." Here's a great line he delivered from that film:

"This business will get out of control. It will get out of control and we'll be lucky to live through it."

What a perfect description of the events taking place in the movie... and today's presidential politics.

The senator is going to run for POTUS and everyone knows it. Welcome to the race Mr. Thompson. With this heavy weight entering the ring I believe it will be much easier to distinguish the serious contenders from the rest of the pack.

Romney, Thompson, McCain and Giuliani are the top tier candidates and everyone else is just clutter. Evaluate Thompson and he instantly becomes one of the top two picks of conservatives. How? It's a simple process of elimination:

McCain - The Border
Rudy - Abortion

Enough said.

Here's another quote from Thompson's character in Red October... "Russians don't take a dump, son, without a plan. " You can bet your Confederate Dollar that this southern senator has a plan. He's been waiting in the wings and weighing his options. He'll come out swinging this summer. He's on the Republican ticket.

TK

Memorial Day 2007

As I've done the past few years I find myself thinking about our troops around the world this Memorial Day. The controversy in Iraq looms large and is on the minds of those of us who have served, those who have lost loved ones and in fact most Americans.

This is Section 60 in Arlington National Cemetery (one of the most powerful pieces of ground in this country), this is where we are burying our men and women who are dying in the middle east. I've walked for hours and hours in Arlington and I've covered this ground. I estimate a few thousand bodies have been laid to rest since I last visited the grounds with my 10 year old son Jack. Amazing.

As we head into the day I can't help but think that we need a "new plan." It's not our fighting men and women that's the problem - it's our politics. Democrats need to be exposed for the weak SOB's that they are - voting for funding the war, while opposing the war, is proof they have no principles. Look at the pork they stuffed into the bill...

I've said this before, I'll say it again, I don't want to see George W. Bush laughing in public. If we're at war, let's put on our war face and keep a serious tone in front of the national press and the world press. Stop taking vacations and "working at the ranch."

God bless our men and women fighting and keeping peace across the world. Give them the strength they need to stay sharp, stay honorable and be safe.

TK

Don't Mess with My God

It took Al Sharpton to get me past my "posting vacation." So much has been happening I could have written every day on any number of issues, but there I was... dormant. Then Al Sharpton questioned my belief in God and obviously my belief in Christ as well when he made a comment about Mitt Romeny.

Sharpton's comment regarding Governor Romney (a fellow member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints), were reprehensible and proved, once again, that Sharpton is the real bigot and a racist, not the people he typically shakes down or calls for their head.

Here's his quote verbatim:

"As for the one Mormon running for office, those that really believe in God will defeat him anyway, so don't worry about that."

What an idiot. Who listens to this butt-head? Obviously not the mainstream press or they would have vilified him for his comments (just as he did Don Imus last month.)

As a Christian first, and a Mormon second, I've been personally offended. I do believe in God - the same God as all Christian men and women and I'm having a difficult time turning the other cheek. Don't mess with my God or my core beliefs.

If you want to debate the doctrine or question the historical past of my faith - go for it. It doesn't make a difference in what I believe. However question my relationship with God and my Savior Jesus Christ... now we have an issue.

Political expediency calls for Romney to let this one go. The fact is that Sharpton's gaffe may signal other idiots to just keep their mouth shut rather than risk the bad press that Sharpton clearly has dodged.

What is this clown the reverend of anyway - the church of the bad hair?

TK

Good Friday 2007

Being raised Lutheran, and learning more about Jesus Christ later in life, has always brought me special feelings about Holy Week… the last week of the earthly life of Christ.

The traditions of my past, enhanced by knowledge I’ve gained since gives me an understanding of the divinity of Christ and His ministry here on earth.

It is not like me to say or write things like this very often… I am more of a sinner than a saint, but that's exactly why the Gospel Christ resonates with me. It gives me hope, not only for this life, but for the life to come.

This very evening, over two thousand years ago, Christ sat down to His last supper, gave his disciples final instruction and then went into the Garden of Gethsemane and took upon Him the sins of all mankind. After experiencing incredible physical pain, and mental anguish, he arose from the garden only to be betrayed by his friend and then tortured throughout the night.

Friday he would be crucified, a hideous form of punishment, having his hands and feet nailed to a cross.

Sunday he would rise from the dead and change the world forever, even unto the very moment you read these words.

My knowledge helps me to understand these events, but the Holy Ghost (the same Being that provides the goose-bumps whenever I hear the truth), testifies to me that these events actually happened.

Good Friday to You!

TK

Pelosi in a Hijab - Unbelievable!

This is a sight to behold... the leader of the House of Representatives traveling to the middle east wearing a scarf submitting to the submissive requirements of middle eastern women - Unbelievable!

The truth is she looks like she fits in perfectly and I suggest she keep her weak-butt in Syria.

Personally, as an America Citizen, I'm appalled that she in any way represents me or my country. Her divisive politics, rhetoric and now her poor wardrobe selection makes me believe even democrats cannot stand this woman.

According to a New York Post article dated March 31st 2007, "Pelosi ignored requests from both the White House and State Department officials to scrap the trip as she set off on a junket to the Middle East, including Syria - designated by the United States as a state sponsor of ism."

Of course she ignored the requests... she's the Speaker of the House and she doesn't need to listen to the White House or the State Department. Especially if her defiance emboldens her politically to party fundraisers. Her verbal assaults on the President, his policies and his character are in line with other world leaders - those who happen to also be ISTS.

It won't be long before Speaker Pelosi literally tells the President to "shove it." She already thinks that way, expresses that to others in her "posse" so it will slip sooner or later and some journalist or news anchor will lead with it the next day!

How did the Syrians feel about having the person third in line to be President of the United States (and wearing a scarf) spend tens of thousands of dollars to come shoot the breeze? According to Stan Goodenough's April 04, 2007 article on the website Jerusalem Newswire "One veteran Middle East journalist reported afterwards that Syria was 'feeling very satisfied that this visit has gone ahead over the heads of the US administration and even of the president himself.'”

Wonderful. Embolden ist leaders by legitimizing them and defying the leadership of your own country. Who is this woman?

I am convinced that until this country unites behind one another, and we break the divisive lock that has us by the throats, our enemies with gain the high ground.

TK