Somebody’s Watching

Groups across America participated in “We Surround Them.”  Thousands have engaged in, or will a 21^st Century Tea Party.  Millions of citizens want illegal immigrants turned away at the front door.  In recent months 7 million of you went on government watch lists because you applied for a gun permit.Homeland Security Director Janet Napolitano in a 9 page paper released last week identified all off those people and more as potential terrorist.  She said in part, “…”right wing extremists are antagonistic toward the new presidential administration and its perceived stance on a range of issues, including immigration and citizenship, the expansion of social programs to minorities, and restrictions on firearms and use.”  She called her report, “Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment.” According to author Roger Hedgcock there are 850,000 federal authorities to keep an eye on right wing citizens—in other words the new terrorists of 2009.  Oh she did a paper on those crazy left leaning Americans—you’ll get yours too.  The 10^th Amendment reads,” The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”  In other words, this country was founded on the principle of strong and powerful states rights. No more!“I believe that our federal government has become oppressive in its size, its intrusion into the lives of our citizens, and its interference with the affairs of our state,” Gov. Perry said. He added, “I am here today to express my unwavering support for efforts all across our country to reaffirm the states’ rights affirmed by the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. If we don’t get a handle on our nation now and if good men and women of America don’t make a run office soon—soon there won’t be in offices left to apply for!Ankarlo’s Take is written for broadcast.  You can hear it here or live during Arizona’s Morning News at 6:20 on News/Talk 92.3 KTAR.

Old Glory At Sea

Old Glory, on the open seas, has always meant fairness, safety and protection. It has been with deep interest as the world as watched how our naval ships would react to a boatful of Somali pirates.  Those same pirates have kidnapped, killed and jettisoned away with millions in ransom money when other countries have been involved, but this time the thugs picked on a cargo ship flying our old red, white and blue.  No doubt the captain of one of the awaiting war ships will face some discipline, after all the kidnapped captain, 53-year-old freighter Capt. Richard Phillips was able to jump in the water and attempt a get away but by the time our military made a full ID he had be reclaimed. Folks, there should have been snipers who dared not blink an eye the first time but they got it right the second time around.  The Somali pirates aimed AK47s at Captain Philip’s head and that’s all she wrote.  Three terrorists were dead before they closed their eyes and the fourth threw his hands in the air.  And there was a great lesson learned.   Hijack, kidnap and attack other vessels and that’s one thing.  Mess with America and it’s the last story you’ll ever tell.

Ankarlo’s take is written for broadcast.  You can hear it here or live during Arizona’s Morning News at 6:20 on News/Talk 92.3 KTAR.

Be Great.

In my 30 years of hosting radio and television programs I have received the same question no less than 10,000 times if I’ve heard it once: “Darrell, how can I get into radio.”  And I usually take the time to tell them how I did it—which was to go to market 282 and work the overnight shift for nothing.  The rest is hard work and determination. That’s the key. Right now the country is in turmoil and I’ll bet you’ve asked yourself “what else can I do?”  What else can you do?  What else can little old me—stupid as a fly do if this job suddenly stops?  Sorry, but that’s what it sounds like.  The easy answer first:  make a list of things you’re good at and could earn money doing and start looking for a new gig or—and this is the harder one—believe in yourself.  And, yes, this is much more difficult.  Your first obstacle is getting past the BS you sell yourself about not enough schooling or training.  Man that’s lame. Believe in yourself.  I don’t know how many jobs I’ve won over the years because I owned the room when it was my turn to talk.  Look at the cars around you—now look at the zombies driving them.  Is this really the rest of your life?  You were made for excellence.  You were made to be better than all that.Today.   Before the sunsets.  Sit down with a pad of paper and an ink pen and dream.  Whatever pops into your head gets written down.  Read the list out loud from this morning until tomorrow morning and I’ll tell you what to do next.  I’m not kidding.  Be a winner or be zombie—your call.  Ankarlo’s Take is written for broadcast.  You can hear it here or live during Arizona’s Morning News at 7:20 on News/Talk 92.3 KTAR.

Repeat Past Mistakes?

Almost 60 percent of the home loans that were modified about a half a year ago were back into default territory as of February.  That’s some bad news; it tells you that many of the Americans who took advantage of the financial opportunity still couldn’t see things through.  But now we’re getting word from DC that there are fresh signs that President Obama’s $75 billion home mortgage bailouts—the program he announced in Mesa is actually seeing signs of relief to thousands of Valley homeowners who were either in mortgage default or prepared to go there.  Financial counselors say for the first time in a long time they are actually showing people programs that will help them stay in their homes.  I’m hoping my $75 billion will help a whole bunch of folks stay in their homes and grow their neighborhoods and do well enough that they can repay the taxes used for the program.  But what really worries me is that the same offers of home modifications from a half year ago will be seen all over again.  Time will tell. 

Ankarlo’s Take is written for broadcast.  You can hear it here or live during Arizona’s morning news at 7:20 on News/Talk 92.3 KTAR.

New World Order

On Thursday, England’s Prime Minister finally used the phrase that has been quietly—secretly uttered for quite some time.  Mr. Brown was explaining the enormous financial investments G-20 nations would be bringing to the table—though it should be noted that America is expected to drop about five times as much as the next country. Anyway, while the prime minister was stirring the crowd with his wonderful British accent and rhetoric that sounded like he may have actually had a clue he slipped.  Looking at the crowd he said, “This is collective action…we have resolved that from today we will together manage the process of globalization…I think that with this a New World Order is Emerging.” (Hear Gordon Brown here) He then went on to explain how the poorest will be maintained by the richest (sounds vaguely familiar to a presidential candidates promises but this man was speaking to the globe about something that sounded mater-of-fact, not something coming but something here—a New World Order.  Do a little reading and see what’s waiting.  A single currency, that’s kid’s stuff.  How about shared property ownership, which country’s laws are used and sovereignty-something a lot of Americans have died for—it vanishes.  Think I’m fear-mongering?  Give it time and watch as we’re slowly sold on acceptance, then we’ll see what’s waiting—and how very late we are to do anything about it. 

Ankarlo’s Take is written for broadcast.  You can hear it here or live during Arizona’s Morning News at 7:20.

Ha! April Fool’s.

Yesterday, we the fine folks at KTAR played a practical joke on the city of Phoenix by reporting that 350 new red light cameras were going up everywhere.  As the day went on we told you the grace limit would go from 11 miles per hour to 5 over the limit, that people could buy passes allowing those with money to speed without getting a ticket and that x ray technology would let law enforcement see everything in your car—including you, if you know what I mean.  Some listeners were angry at the stunt.  Some, knew immediately and helped others believe it was true and even other people started mad then loved it once they were “in” on the joke.  Friends, and you are our friends, if was just a joke—a crazy April Fools joke.  With all the nasty news at every turn it was kind of nice to just goof around a little.  What frightens me out of this lesson—the way things are heading in this country—every single item suggested in the joke is just one dumb politician away from reality. 

Ankarlo’s Take is written for broadcast.  You can hear it here or live during Arizona’s Morning News at 7:20 on News/Talk 92.3 KTAR.

IRS Bedtime Story

Last year I bought a wonderful little house that overlooks some of the Valley’s most beautiful hills.  The price had already dropped so I felt the money I would sink into it would be worth it so we took the plunge.  I moved money from an IRA based on advice from my financial advisor.  Boy, did I make a mistake!  Nope, not on the house, I still love it!  But my guru, who promised to hold our hands as we made some sophisticated moves has earned me the chance to hear from the Gestapo of the USA, better known as the IRS.  Seems they want to put a levy on everything I own and everything I make.  How nice.  And my money-man—he hasn’t answered a single call.  I’ve promised to be transparent with Ankarlo Mornings so I’ll share the good and the bad stuff with you and I’ll start with IRS agent Hyde who could easily get a job in a slasher psycho film if this government work doesn’t pan out.  You think times are ugly for you right now, and for many they are—wait til you hear my bed time story.  It’s best to hear it with Vodka in one hand and pills in the other.  Okay, I’m kidding about that last part—sort of.

Front Row Seat

General Motors Chairman Rick Wagoner is no more.  To most of us, this bit of news won’t change a thing—after all, we didn’t know the guy personally.  32 years with GM, he arranged one of the most far-reaching union agreements ever—an agreement that has saved the companies millions.  He closed under-producing plants, trimmed the man- power by almost half and demanded that General Motors vehicles return to the quality oriented leaders of yesteryear.  By most analysts accounts, the guy has done a decent job.So, why after three decades is he gone?  Those who watch the automobile industry call it “political theatre.”  As soon as the federal government put money into the mix and our president decided he should call the shots—even in private enterprise, Mr. Wagoner’s days were numbered.Grant it, GM has lost a lot of money in recent years–$82 billion in the last four alone but he saw the issues coming and had already made moves to fix them.  And, if he has to go, shouldn’t the president fire a bunch of other leaders in private companies?  After all, they’ve lost a lot of cash too and if this is all for political grand standing, wouldn’t it be really smart to appease all of us who wield pitchforks and torches by firing the whole lot?The analysts are right, this is political theatre and we’ve bought front-row tickets to watch and watch we will, as the federal government goes where it should never have gone in the first place.

Legalized Theft

Have you wondered why those idiots in DC picked the 90% figure to tax the AIG bonuses?  New York Democrat Charley Rangel answers it this way, ““We figure the local and state governments will take care of the other 10 percent.”  The actors on the Hill used the word “outrageous” to describe the bonus money but it also outrageous for elected leaders to create specialized taxes out of thin air.  And, we should scream our lungs out that 73% of citizens support the move.  I feel like I’m watching one of those horror flicks where the pretty trampy vixen gets set to walk into a dark room where the killer awaits.  No matter how loud I scream at the screen, she still gets slashed.  The bonuses are wrong but as I’ve explained too many times to count—politicians helped put the deal together so why aren’t they taxing themselves at 100 %?  If you are part of the majority who supports this un-Constitutional and un-American activity you had better watch the small print in the deal—families making $250,000 including bonuses working at the main bailed out companies will legally robbed too—100% tax!  But if you live overseas don’t worry about it, House members said they will leave their money alone.  If you aren’t sickened by this just wait.   Your day is coming.

Ankarlo’s take is written for broadcast.  You can hear it here or live during Arizona’s Morning News at 7:20 on News/Talk 92.3 KTAR.

Congress is a Circus

Everyone loves a circus, with big elephants, whacky out-of-control donkeys and even the pooper scoopers make you laugh.  On Wednesday we had it all when Congress staged its own BS circus with Barney Frank playing the ringmaster and Chris Dodd doing an unbelievable disappearing act.  All while a guy appointed to fix the issues—with a buck a year as compensation got sawed in half more often than not.  Folks, what we witnessed should cause us to riot.  Literally!  Frank passively suggested he doesn’t care what happens to AIG employees getting bonus money.  In other words, so what if citizens hang ‘em.  They deserve it.  Maybe they do.  But only after those liars in the congressional chambers learn their lessons first.  Chris Dodd had to back track all day for blatantly lying about his role in creating the language that allowed the huge bonuses.  Indeed, Dodd and other politicians created the AIG deal.  Indeed they acted shocked at the hearing though Time Magazine reports many knew about it all weeks ago.  Indeed, the legislators say they will create a tax to get the money back.  I call BS on the whole charade.  This is not a little bending of truth people; these are planned and executed lies aimed to keep your minds off the real criminals.  Throw the whole lot of them into a jail cell with Bubba, maybe he can teach them something about honor codes—their mammas obviously failed. 

Ankalro’s Take is written for broadcast.  You can hear it here or live during Arizona’s Morning News at 7:20 on News/Talk 92.3 KTAR.

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