It's that time of year when Freindly Fire heaps praise upon those most deserving. You probably aren't going to find these winners on the lists of typical media outlets, most of which bow at the altar of political correctness.
Illegal invaders, all 20 million of them. They are handed driver's licenses, free education, and first-rate health care. Most appallingly, their freedom exists because of our government's non-existent efforts to deport them.
Their presence has forced the closure of hospitals, taken jobs from American workers, depressed wages, and caused taxes to sharply increase. And let's not forget the biggest irony: illegals voting and actually deciding our elections. Every time they win, there is a bigger loser: us.
Michael Vick and the canine community. As quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, Vick has played spectacularly well. Often mentioned as an MVP candidate, many experts predict he will lead his team to the Super Bowl.Which was unexpected, given that Vick was in jail not long ago for executing canines in his dog-fighting operation. Given a reprieve by the league, he started this season as a backup.
He got his shot though, and, made the most of it. Perhaps most noteworthy, he never used his numerous injuries as a crutch when the team lost, and has demonstrated more leadership in one season than former-quarterback Donovan McNabb showed in his entire lackluster career.
Is Vick truly remorseful, or only sorry that he got caught? Tough to say, but second chances are what America is all about, and, for the most part, he has kept himself out of trouble. With dogs everywhere breathing easier (actually, breathing at all), and Vick on the right track, he is definitely the most unexpected winner this year.
Governor Ed Rendell. Ok, not really. Rendell’s eight-year tax-and-spend agenda has driven Pennsylvania off the financial cliff, leaving a $5 billion deficit debacle for incoming Gov. Tom Corbett to fix. And it’s been three years and counting since his promised interview with Freindly Fire — making that the only media entity with which he refuses to speak. I wonder why.
But fair is fair, and Rendell was absolutely correct when he recently hammered the NFL for canceling a football game in Philadelphia because of a snowstorm. Not a 2-foot storm of the century, mind you, but an 8-inch “weather event” that would have made an outdoor football game one to remember.
Roads were drivable, subway trains operational, and the fans would have shown up, loving every minute of it. Rendell labeled the NFL’s action the “wussification” of America.
China. The global recession is wreaking havoc on America, but China continues its unprecedented growth. Why? Because they put themselves in a position to win no matter what transpires, assuming that political will in America doesn’t raise its head. And since there’s a fat chance of that happening, China’s push toward domination continues.
Taking advantage of its favorable trade deals with the U.S. and benefiting from America’s business-killing tax rates (highest in the world), China is advancing itself with state of the art infrastructure — the world’s fastest train, biggest hydroelectric dam, and 25 nuclear power plants under construction — and a first-rate military that boasts quantity and quality.
If the dollar stays (relatively) strong, China’s boom will continue as its manufacturing expands. And if the dollar plummets, China, while taking a slight hit in the value of the considerable U.S. debt it holds, could well find itself a kingmaker by controlling the world’s reserve currency.
Freindly Fire will be publishing its biggest losers list later this week.
Chris Freind is an independent columnist, television commentator, and investigative reporter who operates his own news bureau, FreindlyFireZone.com He can be reached at CF@FreindlyFireZone.com
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