On January 14, 1999 Sheila MacVicar reported for ABC News that Mamhoud Mahmud Salim had been arrested. Salim was (at the time) close associate and confidate of one Osama bin Ladin. The US government alleged that Salim was under orders to procure enriched uranium for the purpose of developing nuclear weapons - a charge that Mr. bin Ladin never denied. During the course of the report. I am quoting the report now....."With an American price on his head, there weren't many places bin Laden could go, unless he teamed up with another international pariah, one also with an interest in weapons of mass destruction. Osama believes in the'enemy of my enemy is my friend, and someone I should cooperate with.' That is certainly the current case with Iraq. Saddam Hussein has a long historyof harboring terrorists: Carlos the Jackal, Abu Nidal, Abu Abbas. The most notorious terrorist of their era all found shelter and support at one timein Baghdad. Intelligence sources say bin Laden's long relationship with the Iraqis began as he helped Sudan's fundamentalist government in their efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruction. Three weeks after the bombing, on August 31st,bin Laden reaches out to his friends in Iraq and Sudan. Iraq's vice president arrives in Khartoon to show his support for the Sudanese after theUS attack. ABC News has learned that during these meetings, senior Sudanese officials, acting on behalf of bin Laden, asked if Saddam Hussein would grant him asylum. Iraq was indeed interested. ABC News has learned that in December, an Iraqi intelligence chief, named Farouk Hijazi, now Iraq's ambassador to Turkey,made a secret trip to Afghanistan to meet with bin Laden. Three intelligence agencies tell ABC News they cannot be certain what was discussed, but almost certainly, they say, bin Laden has been told he would be welcome in Baghdad.''
Did you get that dear readers? ABC News reported back in 1999 that Osama bin Ladin was in discussion with Saddam Hussein for assylum in Baghdad! Now fast forward to the days leading up to the Iraqi war....the same so-called independent media is now reporting that Saddam had "no ties" to Osama and al Qaeda. Which leads to one question....which report is correct?
Audio transcript of the whole report can be found at:
http://www.radioamerica.org/audio/MR_ABC-Osama-Hussein-connections.mp3
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Follow up to a previous topic
The Washington Times reported today that the Montgomery County (MD) Board of Education has reached an agreement with a conservative parents group and a group of "former" homosexuals (see my May 6, 2005 post). The agreement says that the board must give Citizens for a Responsible Cirriculum and Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays (PFOX) each a place on the new cirruculum committee that will be responsible for drawing up the new sex ed cirriculum for the Montgomery County Schools. While the agreement does not guarantee the content of the cirriculum, it does guarantee that the groups will have a say in what is presented to the students (and how).
The schools are also responsible for paying the court costs that the 2 groups incurred in suing to stop the last flawed cirriculum.
Maybe if the school district had not copped such an attitude toward the parents that objected to said cirriculum, they wouldn't be in the situation where they are having to incurr this extra "cost". I hope that they (and school districts across the nation) have learned a valuable lesson in being responsive and responsible to their employers - the taxpayers of their district!
The schools are also responsible for paying the court costs that the 2 groups incurred in suing to stop the last flawed cirriculum.
Maybe if the school district had not copped such an attitude toward the parents that objected to said cirriculum, they wouldn't be in the situation where they are having to incurr this extra "cost". I hope that they (and school districts across the nation) have learned a valuable lesson in being responsive and responsible to their employers - the taxpayers of their district!
Regarding Kelo vs. City of New London
I think the Founding Fathers had the right idea.....
"The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence." --John Adams
I don't think it can be said any better than that!
"The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence." --John Adams
I don't think it can be said any better than that!
Well, it WAS eradicated...
Some time ago I came across an article that talked about a silent killer that was raising it's head here in America. The reference was to Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB). It was an unknown disease here in the U.S. but was endemic to Mexico. The article went on to talk about the incredibly bad hygiene of third world aliens (such as throwing used toilet paper into the corner of the lavatory or into the wastebasket). Three years ago the Austin, MN police department came down with eight cases of TB. The reason? Contact with illegal aliens-illegal Mexicans (www.frostywooldridge.com/articles/art_illegal_immig_invades_small_town_2003.html )
Today I got an email with a list of articles. One that caught my attention was one titled Hospital to the world:Welcome illegals and contagious diseases" ( http://eco.freedom.org/el/20050602/cosman.shtml ).
I had been looking for a year or two for data on this unreported danger from illegals. I've wondered how many American citizens have died because of these diseases brought to this country by illegals.
The article by Dr. Cosman also alerts us to the fact that terrorist are in the market for highly contagious strains of bio-weapons. A combination of Tom Clancy's "Executive Orders" and "Teeth of the Tiger".
Read the article by Dr. Cosman.
And ask, AGAIN,why the incredible reluctance of the President and Congress to protect us and seal the border with Mexico.
Today I got an email with a list of articles. One that caught my attention was one titled Hospital to the world:Welcome illegals and contagious diseases" ( http://eco.freedom.org/el/20050602/cosman.shtml ).
I had been looking for a year or two for data on this unreported danger from illegals. I've wondered how many American citizens have died because of these diseases brought to this country by illegals.
The article by Dr. Cosman also alerts us to the fact that terrorist are in the market for highly contagious strains of bio-weapons. A combination of Tom Clancy's "Executive Orders" and "Teeth of the Tiger".
Read the article by Dr. Cosman.
And ask, AGAIN,why the incredible reluctance of the President and Congress to protect us and seal the border with Mexico.
Monday, June 27, 2005
"Congratulations, you are now officialy a modern serf", or "the fraud that lefties are for the 'little guy'"
Just read a great column by Vox Day at WorldNetDaily regarding the Kelso decision (local governments have the right to take from private property and give it to another private party, or, in other words, you don't own it. Period!) (www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=44997 ) where he outlines that you and I have no private property any longer. The government has the final say over what you own, if you own it. And what you will do with it, or rather what you'd better do with it...or else. Basically”use it the way we want you to use it or lose it!"
I heard a talk show host make the cogent point that the reason your house or property has value is that it's protect
Day, in his column makes a chilling, and accurate analysis:
"Merely substitute a few terms in describing the system and it becomes clear that the Supreme Court has establish
I tri
Strange (not really) that the Supremes apply the 14th Amendment construing the FEDERAL Constitution into a NATIONAL Constitution and yet sid
And how many times have you heard over the years, decades "The Republican Party is the party of the rich"? And that "Democrats look out for the little guy"? Well, the Supremes in Kelo put a wood stake through that fiction. From Day again:
"Although perhaps the court's actions would be better view
The radical left wing jurists on the bench sid
The judiciary was SUPPOSED to be our firewall against the abuse of power by the government.
Now, the jurists have become the arsonists.
It’s the second time in 24 hours I’ve heard a call to physical action to protect our inalienable rights.
Oops...listening to Rush, make that three times.
Plus read this article, then be sure to read the postings following.
www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1187052/posts
PPS-
Just read this at letters to WorldNetDaily (and there is a firestorm brewing over Kelo):
Property ownership a sham already
Though the recent decision by the Supreme Court shows egregious disrespect for the People, the Constitution and traditions of property ownership in our country, it is by no means surprising.
I recently ask a woman I know if she owned her home. She proudly responded that she does. I gently corrected her that, in fact, she did not and that she was, like me, only a renter. She strongly reasserted that she in fact owned her home and that she and her husband paid a mortgage.
I was forced then to explain that like me, she may own her home, but she is renting her property. If she did not pay her "rent" in the form of property taxes, her "landlord," the government, would have her evicted. If she resisted, she'd be jailed. This is the same thing that would happen if she rented an apartment or hotel room and refused to pay or leave.
She continued to assert that the difference was she was paying for the "right" to do what she wanted with her property. To which I responded by pointing out the numerous housing codes that regulate how tall her trees could be, what "aesthetically" pleasing colors she could paint her house, where her garbage cans could be and for how long they could be at the curb, how much water she was allowed to use in the flush toilet, etc.
The only real difference is that we elect our government landlords based on how little they say they'll raise the rent.
ML Hawk
Friday, June 24, 2005
You have treatable cancer? Please take a number...
I always enjoy reading Dr. Walter E. Williams columns. He has the talent of making a complex situation understandable. Or, as I like to say, he puts the cookies down where the kids can get them.
That being said, how many times have you heard the radical, anti-American, anti-Constitutionalists lefties proclaim the virtues of a single payer (read government/socialized medicine) health care system? That we should emulate the incredibly successful system that Canada employs? I've read of weeks and months wait for MRI's and 6 to 8 months for an angioplasty, etc. Well, Dr. Williams has a column( www.townhall.com/columnists/walterwilliams/ww20050622.shtml ) where he starts out telling about a lawsuit that sought to overturn the statute that outlawed, that's right, outlawed private health insurance. It was illegal to buy private health insurance in Canada. What I found incredible was the findings of fact from the Canadian Supreme Court.
The high court found the Canadian single payer/socialized medicine system literally inflicts unwarranted and needless pain and suffering on its citizens. And that the system also kills those who it's supposed to help.
But, the very simple question from Dr. Williams that I found so intriguing was why, if this system , much heralded by Hitlerary Clinton, Barbara Boxer and their ilk, is such a superb system, why is there any need for private insurance?
And once again, the arrogance and self-piety of all socialists and leftists is that they are willing to let you suffer while they get it right. This reminds me so much of Dr. Thomas Sowell's comments about the self-righteous left and their outlook on the failed systems they inflict on us. As Dr. Sowell puts it from his book "The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation As a Basis for Social Policy-"The anointed steadfastly refuse to acknowledge mountains of evidence that their policies have failed while accusing their critics of dark motives ".
As Dr. Sowell says in another column (www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell042103.asp ) , the "anointed" (left wing elites and their acolytes) don't want you to be independent:
"Canada's Prime Minister Paul Martin responded to the court's decision saying, "We're not going to have a two-tier healthcare system in this country. What we want to do is strengthen the public healthcare system." That's the standard callous political response. He's telling Canadians to continue waiting, continue suffering and perhaps dying until the day comes when there's no more waiting. And though Canadian politicians can't give their citizens a date certain when there'll be no more waiting, they're determined to deny them alternatives to waiting for government-provided healthcare. I'd bet you the rent money that Prime Minister Martin and members of the Canadian Parliament don't have to wait months and years for a medical procedure."
Yup. It's what I once heard 10 years ago from a lefty on why all their programs are such failures "Well, we need just a bit more time and adequate funding."
Once again, it's the failure of a democracy versus a constitutional republic (like we're supposed to have).
That being said, how many times have you heard the radical, anti-American, anti-Constitutionalists lefties proclaim the virtues of a single payer (read government/socialized medicine) health care system? That we should emulate the incredibly successful system that Canada employs? I've read of weeks and months wait for MRI's and 6 to 8 months for an angioplasty, etc. Well, Dr. Williams has a column( www.townhall.com/columnists/walterwilliams/ww20050622.shtml ) where he starts out telling about a lawsuit that sought to overturn the statute that outlawed, that's right, outlawed private health insurance. It was illegal to buy private health insurance in Canada. What I found incredible was the findings of fact from the Canadian Supreme Court.
The high court found the Canadian single payer/socialized medicine system literally inflicts unwarranted and needless pain and suffering on its citizens. And that the system also kills those who it's supposed to help.
But, the very simple question from Dr. Williams that I found so intriguing was why, if this system , much heralded by Hitlerary Clinton, Barbara Boxer and their ilk, is such a superb system, why is there any need for private insurance?
And once again, the arrogance and self-piety of all socialists and leftists is that they are willing to let you suffer while they get it right. This reminds me so much of Dr. Thomas Sowell's comments about the self-righteous left and their outlook on the failed systems they inflict on us. As Dr. Sowell puts it from his book "The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation As a Basis for Social Policy-"The anointed steadfastly refuse to acknowledge mountains of evidence that their policies have failed while accusing their critics of dark motives ".
As Dr. Sowell says in another column (www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell042103.asp ) , the "anointed" (left wing elites and their acolytes) don't want you to be independent:
"Those things that help human beings be independent and self-reliant -- whether automobiles, guns, the free market, or vouchers -- provoke instant hostility from the anointed.
Automobiles enable you to come and go as you wish, without so much as a "by your leave" to your betters. The very idea that other people will go where they want, live where they want, how they want, and send their children to whatever schools they choose, is galling to the anointed, for it denies the very specialness that is at the heart of their picture of themselves.
Guns are completely inappropriate for the kind of sheep-like people the anointed envision or the orderly, prepackaged world in which they are to live. When you are in mortal danger, you are supposed to dial 911, so that the police can arrive on the scene some time later, identify your body, and file reports in triplicate.
The free market is a daily assault on the vision of the anointed. Just think of all those millions of people out there buying whatever they want, whenever they want, whether or not the anointed think it is good for them.
Think of those people earning whatever incomes they happen to get from producing goods or services for other people, at prices resulting from supply and demand, with the anointed cut out of the loop entirely and standing on the sidelines in helpless rage, unable to impose their particular vision of "social justice."
The welfare state is not really about the welfare of the masses. It is about the egos of the elites."
Listen to what the Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin says about their mutilating and mis-named health care system:"Canada's Prime Minister Paul Martin responded to the court's decision saying, "We're not going to have a two-tier healthcare system in this country. What we want to do is strengthen the public healthcare system." That's the standard callous political response. He's telling Canadians to continue waiting, continue suffering and perhaps dying until the day comes when there's no more waiting. And though Canadian politicians can't give their citizens a date certain when there'll be no more waiting, they're determined to deny them alternatives to waiting for government-provided healthcare. I'd bet you the rent money that Prime Minister Martin and members of the Canadian Parliament don't have to wait months and years for a medical procedure."
Yup. It's what I once heard 10 years ago from a lefty on why all their programs are such failures "Well, we need just a bit more time and adequate funding."
Once again, it's the failure of a democracy versus a constitutional republic (like we're supposed to have).
Thursday, June 23, 2005
My, my, my...
I take off for a couple of weeks (a family reunion in the Keystone state) and all heck breaks loose. Rather than opine on old news (the new MN GOP Chair, Dick (Turban) Durbin) I'll opine on some very recently breaking news....
Last night, Senior White House Advisor Karl Rove spoke before New York State Conservative Party. During the course of his speech, he said "Liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers." Conservatives, he said, "saw the savagery of 9/11 and the attacks and prepared for war." Well, that just sent the Congressional Democrats into apoplectic fits! They are now demanding that Mr. Rove apologize and resign - preferably both! I find this to be quit ironic after the stunning silence of the same Congressional Democrats when one of their senior leaders, on the floor of the Senate, called our men and women in uniform "Nazi's". When the Republican leadership reacted in the same manner that the Democrats are reacting now, we heard (out of the Star Tribune no less) that no apologies are necessary and that the Senator was well within his free speech rights in opening this "necessary" discussion. The calls for resignation/apology were nothing more than "more noise from the right wing noise machine".
Well I am here to say now, Karl Rove has the same free speech rights that Senator Durbin has. If the "right wing noise machine" needs to quit their complaining about what Democratic leadership has to say about them, then the "left-wing noise machine" needs to do the same. After all, free speech is a right for ALL AMERICANS - not just the elites in the Democratic Party and the MSM......
Last night, Senior White House Advisor Karl Rove spoke before New York State Conservative Party. During the course of his speech, he said "Liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers." Conservatives, he said, "saw the savagery of 9/11 and the attacks and prepared for war." Well, that just sent the Congressional Democrats into apoplectic fits! They are now demanding that Mr. Rove apologize and resign - preferably both! I find this to be quit ironic after the stunning silence of the same Congressional Democrats when one of their senior leaders, on the floor of the Senate, called our men and women in uniform "Nazi's". When the Republican leadership reacted in the same manner that the Democrats are reacting now, we heard (out of the Star Tribune no less) that no apologies are necessary and that the Senator was well within his free speech rights in opening this "necessary" discussion. The calls for resignation/apology were nothing more than "more noise from the right wing noise machine".
Well I am here to say now, Karl Rove has the same free speech rights that Senator Durbin has. If the "right wing noise machine" needs to quit their complaining about what Democratic leadership has to say about them, then the "left-wing noise machine" needs to do the same. After all, free speech is a right for ALL AMERICANS - not just the elites in the Democratic Party and the MSM......
The Tyrananny State (part I...I'm sure many will follow).
You ever come across that story that proves what you knew all along? Even though it's anecdotal, it is so illustrative. There is a story that proves, once again, Jefferson's quote about the natural order of things is for government to increase and liberty to decrease.
Years ago, there was no seatbelt law. If you wished to impale yourself or launch yourself through the windshield in an accident- your body, your choice. Then a few years ago, there was a seatbelt law passed, but was passed with the proviso that it was going to be a secondary violation. That you wouldn't be pulled over for not wearing your seat belt, but would get a ticket if you weren't and were pulled over for something else.
Welllllll....that won't do!!! My lands no!! So, because all of us are idiots and perhaps can only tie our shoelaces without GOVERNMENT, OUR legislature in collusion with and under threat from the Feds-see Dr. ) made the seat belt law a primary violation. Government grows, liberty shrinks.
Jack Gordon has a great article on this www.startribune.com/stories/1519/5471209.html and ends it with a great summation "That's when I realized what I love so much about the click-it-or-ticket commercial. It provides a perfect Nanny State moment, a quintessential illustration of the snake swallowing its own tail. Our police agencies' Big Honking Initiative for the entire month of May (National Seat Belt Awareness Month) was to protect us -- from ourselves -- by tracking down and punishing those who threaten us -- namely, us...Your government, elected by you, is fed up with standing idly by while its citizens -- you -- are endangered by reckless criminals -- you. And your government -- that is, we -- means to put a stop to it. That is, to you."
The whole article is a great read.
Dr. Walter E. Williams writes an excellent (as usual) article on this very subject of "Click it or Ticket"www.townhall.com/columnists/walterwilliams/ww20050615.shtml ".
Years ago, there was no seatbelt law. If you wished to impale yourself or launch yourself through the windshield in an accident- your body, your choice. Then a few years ago, there was a seatbelt law passed, but was passed with the proviso that it was going to be a secondary violation. That you wouldn't be pulled over for not wearing your seat belt, but would get a ticket if you weren't and were pulled over for something else.
Welllllll....that won't do!!! My lands no!! So, because all of us are idiots and perhaps can only tie our shoelaces without GOVERNMENT, OUR legislature in collusion with and under threat from the Feds-see Dr. ) made the seat belt law a primary violation. Government grows, liberty shrinks.
Jack Gordon has a great article on this www.startribune.com/stories/1519/5471209.html and ends it with a great summation "That's when I realized what I love so much about the click-it-or-ticket commercial. It provides a perfect Nanny State moment, a quintessential illustration of the snake swallowing its own tail. Our police agencies' Big Honking Initiative for the entire month of May (National Seat Belt Awareness Month) was to protect us -- from ourselves -- by tracking down and punishing those who threaten us -- namely, us...Your government, elected by you, is fed up with standing idly by while its citizens -- you -- are endangered by reckless criminals -- you. And your government -- that is, we -- means to put a stop to it. That is, to you."
The whole article is a great read.
Dr. Walter E. Williams writes an excellent (as usual) article on this very subject of "Click it or Ticket"www.townhall.com/columnists/walterwilliams/ww20050615.shtml ".
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
When the minority becomes all the Senate
Just went to the Pravda on the Mississippi website and saw this story:"Bolton nomination again blocked by Senate". www.startribune.com/stories/587/5467149.html
and I decided to read the story for what I suspected was the real story of Bolton's nomination being blocked. I was not disappointed. Nice to know that Pravda is consistent even if it's not truthful or honest.
The real story is in the second paragaph: "The failure to end Democrats' delaying tactics...". The failure to nominate is because the out of the mainstream left wing senators are blocking the nomination, NOT the Senate.
So, the real headline should read " Bolton nomination again blocked by Senate Democrats".
But, then again, the meeting of the truth and Pravda on the Mississippi would be termed a random event.
P.S. I just wrote an email to one of the article's author's.
I'll update you on any reply.
Also,so as not to tar Pravda unnessarily, the article was written by Wahington Post reporters.
1:57pm- Mr. Babington replies to my question of "Therefore, wouldn’t a more accurate headline be “Bolton nomination again blocked by Senate Democrats”?"
Mr. Babington replies "that would be fair, yes. Thanks."
and I decided to read the story for what I suspected was the real story of Bolton's nomination being blocked. I was not disappointed. Nice to know that Pravda is consistent even if it's not truthful or honest.
The real story is in the second paragaph: "The failure to end Democrats' delaying tactics...". The failure to nominate is because the out of the mainstream left wing senators are blocking the nomination, NOT the Senate.
So, the real headline should read " Bolton nomination again blocked by Senate Democrats".
But, then again, the meeting of the truth and Pravda on the Mississippi would be termed a random event.
P.S. I just wrote an email to one of the article's author's.
I'll update you on any reply.
Also,so as not to tar Pravda unnessarily, the article was written by Wahington Post reporters.
1:57pm- Mr. Babington replies to my question of "Therefore, wouldn’t a more accurate headline be “Bolton nomination again blocked by Senate Democrats”?"
Mr. Babington replies "that would be fair, yes. Thanks."
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Best complaint about the new MN Chair
From one of the MN liberal blogs:
Nice to have the left reveal their "tolerance."
First Howard Dean's comments and now this.
So everyone who has a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ - remember not to run for office or vote or even speak.
That is the left's new way.
And they wonder why they keep losing elections.
Ron Carey, who attended Northwestern College, a "Christ-centered" college, whose web site asks: Would you like to begin a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ? Carey also headed the Minnesota Christian Coalition, the organization founded by religious fanatic, Pat Robertson.
Nice to have the left reveal their "tolerance."
First Howard Dean's comments and now this.
So everyone who has a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ - remember not to run for office or vote or even speak.
That is the left's new way.
And they wonder why they keep losing elections.
I Give You Evidence of the Dangers of Inbreeding...
As we all know, inbreeding of any type leads to diminishment across most areas.
And this is abundantly evident in the majority of radical, intellectually dishonest columnists at Pravda on the Mississippi. For evidence, I give you Doug "Welfare is Evil Except For Those Programs I Choose" Grow. In his screed www.startribune.com/stories/465/5451506.html he claims corporate welfare is bad. But, of course any other welfare is good. Supporting a failed entity is bad as long as that entity is a private company. When that entity is failed government education or failed any governmnet program, well, of course that's good. Seems that he and Nick Coleman ("Beanie Babies and an Intellectual Field Sobriety Test") drink from the same water fountain labeled "The Anointed" (from Thomas Sowells book "The Anointed: Self Congratulation As a Basis for Social Policy" ( http://tinyurl.com/b54hv ).
I recommend these sites for some great quotes and overview of Dr. Sowell's book:
http://www.townhall.com/bookclub/sowell3.html
http://www.fee.org/vnews.php?nid=3388
http://www.rightwingnews.com/quotes/anointed.php
And this is abundantly evident in the majority of radical, intellectually dishonest columnists at Pravda on the Mississippi. For evidence, I give you Doug "Welfare is Evil Except For Those Programs I Choose" Grow. In his screed www.startribune.com/stories/465/5451506.html he claims corporate welfare is bad. But, of course any other welfare is good. Supporting a failed entity is bad as long as that entity is a private company. When that entity is failed government education or failed any governmnet program, well, of course that's good. Seems that he and Nick Coleman ("Beanie Babies and an Intellectual Field Sobriety Test") drink from the same water fountain labeled "The Anointed" (from Thomas Sowells book "The Anointed: Self Congratulation As a Basis for Social Policy" ( http://tinyurl.com/b54hv ).
I recommend these sites for some great quotes and overview of Dr. Sowell's book:
http://www.townhall.com/bookclub/sowell3.html
http://www.fee.org/vnews.php?nid=3388
http://www.rightwingnews.com/quotes/anointed.php
Friday, June 10, 2005
Beanie Babies and an Intellectual Field Sobriety Test
A few years ago, our Teaching Minister was at a McDonald's when they had a first offering of a certain mini Beanie Baby. He watched as children and some adults descended on the bin like a piranha feeding frenzy. As he watched, he thought "There's a sermon topic here..." I read an article by local left wing screed artist Nick Coleman at Pravda on the Mississippi. From the column lead in, about the proposal for a Twins Stadium built at public expense, I thought that I'd probably agree with him (www.startribune.com/stories/357/5449231.html ). I went to the article and for most the article, I did. I do not oppose a Twins Stadium. Not at all. I do vehemently oppose public financing for a Twins Stadium.
Mr. Coleman talks about public money going to subsidize a privately owned concern, owned by a billionaire who employs millionaires. So far, so good. But, at the eighth paragraph, good ol' Nick shows how he is absolutely incapable of walking an intellectual straight line. He screams that this forcible taking of money from the citizens of Hennepin County benefits the rich but screws the poor. That all this money could go to pay for early childhood education for all at risk kids in the county. And he never mentions that taking this money screws the taxpayers. He ignores all the facts and studies that paying for public education does not get anyone an education. He says that welfare for billionaires is bad, but ineffective welfare is OK if it sounds like it's for a good purpose. That the forcible extraction of someone's hard earned money for a well intentioned, but perfectly useless and therefore dangerous program to the development of children is OK. And so this is a program where the taxpayer really gets screwed! If government education were a product sold on the open market, school boards, Superintendents and the like would be indicted for fraud and deceptive practices. And rightfully so.
And about a minute later, I went to Drudge ( www.drudgereport.com/ ) to look at Joseph Sobran's column. He had posted a column that he'd written just after the Clintonistas sued Microsoft for giving something away. He talked about monopolies. I had some questions during this time to my socialist friend. I told him, if I gathered correctly from his statements about Bill Gates, that Big Software-BAD, Big Oil-BAD,Big Pharmaceuticals-BAD, Big Education---GOOD, Big Regulations-Good, Big Government-Good,no BETTER tending toward BEST. And my friend saw absolutely no intellectual inconsistency in his stance at all. And that the fact that this lawsuit started the avalanche in tech stocks that resulted in the citizens of the United States losing over $2,000,000,000,000 (that's trillions kids) in value. And he thought nothing of it. No connection at all.
And the connection between the two: the coercive force of government. And this while I'm listening to Dr. Walter E. Williams talking about the forceful taking the property of one person and giving it to one that it doesn't belong. Most people would call that theft. The law calls it theft. If I were to go to someone and put a gun to their brainstem and force them to give me $50 and I were to go downtown and give a homeless person that $50, or buy him a meal and a coat with that $50, most people would recognize that as armed robbery nonetheless. Theft. Illegal theft. And yet, the Congress of the United States, through their agents the IRS, takes that same $50 from that same person and gives it to a homeless person. And most Americans see absolutely no problem with the last example. They see one as wrong and the other as perfectly OK. One is illegal theft. The other is legal theft. But both are the taking of someone else's property by force. And just because it's legal doesn't make it right. It was legal to take the property of Jews in Germany in the 1930's and 1940's. And then round them up and kill them. It was legal to own slaves 150 years ago in America. Legal doesn't mean moral.
Anyhow, here is the Sobran column titled "Bill Gates, Robber Baron". It's good. And always timely.
Mr. Coleman talks about public money going to subsidize a privately owned concern, owned by a billionaire who employs millionaires. So far, so good. But, at the eighth paragraph, good ol' Nick shows how he is absolutely incapable of walking an intellectual straight line. He screams that this forcible taking of money from the citizens of Hennepin County benefits the rich but screws the poor. That all this money could go to pay for early childhood education for all at risk kids in the county. And he never mentions that taking this money screws the taxpayers. He ignores all the facts and studies that paying for public education does not get anyone an education. He says that welfare for billionaires is bad, but ineffective welfare is OK if it sounds like it's for a good purpose. That the forcible extraction of someone's hard earned money for a well intentioned, but perfectly useless and therefore dangerous program to the development of children is OK. And so this is a program where the taxpayer really gets screwed! If government education were a product sold on the open market, school boards, Superintendents and the like would be indicted for fraud and deceptive practices. And rightfully so.
And about a minute later, I went to Drudge ( www.drudgereport.com/ ) to look at Joseph Sobran's column. He had posted a column that he'd written just after the Clintonistas sued Microsoft for giving something away. He talked about monopolies. I had some questions during this time to my socialist friend. I told him, if I gathered correctly from his statements about Bill Gates, that Big Software-BAD, Big Oil-BAD,Big Pharmaceuticals-BAD, Big Education---GOOD, Big Regulations-Good, Big Government-Good,no BETTER tending toward BEST. And my friend saw absolutely no intellectual inconsistency in his stance at all. And that the fact that this lawsuit started the avalanche in tech stocks that resulted in the citizens of the United States losing over $2,000,000,000,000 (that's trillions kids) in value. And he thought nothing of it. No connection at all.
And the connection between the two: the coercive force of government. And this while I'm listening to Dr. Walter E. Williams talking about the forceful taking the property of one person and giving it to one that it doesn't belong. Most people would call that theft. The law calls it theft. If I were to go to someone and put a gun to their brainstem and force them to give me $50 and I were to go downtown and give a homeless person that $50, or buy him a meal and a coat with that $50, most people would recognize that as armed robbery nonetheless. Theft. Illegal theft. And yet, the Congress of the United States, through their agents the IRS, takes that same $50 from that same person and gives it to a homeless person. And most Americans see absolutely no problem with the last example. They see one as wrong and the other as perfectly OK. One is illegal theft. The other is legal theft. But both are the taking of someone else's property by force. And just because it's legal doesn't make it right. It was legal to take the property of Jews in Germany in the 1930's and 1940's. And then round them up and kill them. It was legal to own slaves 150 years ago in America. Legal doesn't mean moral.
Anyhow, here is the Sobran column titled "Bill Gates, Robber Baron". It's good. And always timely.
www.sobran.com/columns/2005/050526.shtml
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
I Need Someone to 'splain This To Me...
I am pro life. I'd like to think that I'm rational. I can entertain an opposite point of view while not agreeing with it (Ask Rep. Mark Buesgens about this).
That being said, am I the only one that sees no small discrepancy in the law in this story http://tinyurl.com/94eqf ?
That being said, am I the only one that sees no small discrepancy in the law in this story http://tinyurl.com/94eqf ?
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Deep Throat Spoke...And Millions Died
Seems to be much joyful reminiscing and reliving the good old days when the radical and hate fill
It's the intention that counts...or the revenge.
As Deep Throat comes to the surface (like a dead fish breaks through pond scum) Peggy Noonan explains it very well www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/?id=110006763 .
The Treaty of Paris (Paris Peace Accords) that ended direct
The North invaded. Ted (Water Safety Instructor of the Year 1969) Kennedy and the hyenas in his clique, seeing that they had President Nixon on the ropes, betrayed an ally and a people and did not authorize the support of the South. Yup, Teddy was on a roll- doing to the South Vietnamese exactly what he did to Mary Jo Kopechne.
Rush Limbaugh pointed out the hypocrisy of the left...AGAIN, with their extolling a disgruntled government employee (Deep Throat Felt) for being a whistleblower and demonizing Gary Aldrich for being a whistleblower. The differences? Deep Throat kept his identity secret. He hid.And he attacked a Republican. Gary Aldrich's name was out there for all the world to see. Oh, and the most unexcusable of all, he exposed the rock star of the left, Bill Clinton. (Oops. Maybe exposed isn't the right term. Sorry.)
The lefties are like the Bourbons: They never learn and they never forget.
Political revenge from the left on one man is easily worth the lives of millions, including hundreds of thousands of children . Just ask the lefties.
Nah, don't waste your time.
Peggy Noonan got it right. Read her article.
I'm trying to find the transcript of an interview yesterday between Michael Reagan and G. Gordon Liddy. Things you never heard about John Dean. And should.
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
The Most Successful Political Party in America
I usually describe myself politically as a conservative with libertarian leanings. I agree with Joseph Farah of WorldNetDaily www.worldnetdaily.com/ that I'm not conserving anything. That implies a defensive posture, hanging on to what's left.
I want my liberty back!
The Libertarian Party has pretty much marginalized itself. They are purists and compromise does not exist in the ranks. Though I agree with much of what they represent, they don't live in the real world of politics.
I went to Captains Quarters www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/ and he linked to a site which bills itself as The New Libertarian (or Neolibertarians). They go on to define themselves with a new magazine www.qando.net/articles/tnlv1i1.pdf (I'm going to let you do all the linking here).
The magazine defines a paleo and neo libertarian quite nicely.
And they go on to quote Milton Friedman in telling which political party he believes is the most successful of the 20th Century. His choice? The Socialist Party of 1928. By 1980,nearly every economic plank in the 1928 Socialist Party Platform had been passed by the Unted States Congress (re-read the link "If You Stop Their Touchdowns..." tinyurl.com/9bb8h ) .
Good going boys and girls of the Congress.
And BTW, here is the first thing that nearly all (save one, Ron Paul, R-TX) Congressmen and Congresswomen break:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.
They immediately throw out this oath of office and conduct themselves and the business of the nation as a democracy, not the constitutional republic that they just took an oath to uphold ( www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2003/cr012903.htm )
I want my liberty back!
The Libertarian Party has pretty much marginalized itself. They are purists and compromise does not exist in the ranks. Though I agree with much of what they represent, they don't live in the real world of politics.
I went to Captains Quarters www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/ and he linked to a site which bills itself as The New Libertarian (or Neolibertarians). They go on to define themselves with a new magazine www.qando.net/articles/tnlv1i1.pdf (I'm going to let you do all the linking here).
The magazine defines a paleo and neo libertarian quite nicely.
And they go on to quote Milton Friedman in telling which political party he believes is the most successful of the 20th Century. His choice? The Socialist Party of 1928. By 1980,nearly every economic plank in the 1928 Socialist Party Platform had been passed by the Unted States Congress (re-read the link "If You Stop Their Touchdowns..." tinyurl.com/9bb8h ) .
Good going boys and girls of the Congress.
And BTW, here is the first thing that nearly all (save one, Ron Paul, R-TX) Congressmen and Congresswomen break:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.
They immediately throw out this oath of office and conduct themselves and the business of the nation as a democracy, not the constitutional republic that they just took an oath to uphold ( www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2003/cr012903.htm )
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
June 11th - Change will come to Minnesota
It looks like the Savage Republican's are not the only ones upset with the direction and leadership of the Republican Party (See one of our early posts on the subject here)
When we starting seriously discussing a need for a change back in March, we hoped to find someone to run against the current chair (The Fourth Rules of Savage Politics: It is easy to be against something, a Savage Republican must find or offer an alternative)
By the time we were ready (and had the votes) to get something done at convention at least one alternative appeared.
Various reports have seen the race as either too close to call or leaning towards Ron (based on his polling).
Well in the past few days, a number of events have come together and momentum seems to be building against Ron.
1st, a poorly conceived letter was received from the current chairs of the house caucus. This was met by either a yawn or a quick rebuttal (see reprint here)
2nd, I came home to find a message from Ron Carey annoucing his candicy for chair - he stated "the time for a change leadership". While I know nothing about his positions, the fact that a current member of the executive committee calls for a change is a big deal indeed.
and then today -
Another letter, this one from not one but six current and former executive members saying that it was time for a change in leadership.
Now the big question is not if we will replace Ron, but who will replace him.
The State Central Meeting on June 11th will be fun indeed.
And what does this do for Hoplins bid for Vice Chair - Since he hooked his wagon to Ron, I would hope his bid is gone also.
He seems to suffer from the same problem as Ron - lack of connection to the grassroots.
While we often hear about how many people he has recruited, those of us who were in the trenches during the last election know how false those numbers were - when it came to help at the grassroots level.
He seemed more interested in getting numbers not worrying too much why they were joining or if they would turn out when needed.
For all the talk about the thousands of volunteers, When called upon all you saw from the College Republicans was Flip and Flop and two other recruits.
Things were so bad in CD2 that we actually had to divert campaign funds to hire a professional liaison to work with youth, since the CR was no where to be found.
There are many good CR chapters on our local campuses, but I think their success has more to do with those leaders and support from the Northern Alliance, then anything Hoplin could claim credit for. While he did do a good job of bringing attention to the College Republicans (and himself also), when it can time to deliver - nothing.
Stay tuned for more - The upcoming rules meeting should shed some light on what the Chair may be planning to do - will he read the writing and go quietly - or will he try and pull some last minute trick to try and hold onto his seat.
(Of course after seeing how well he did for the party late in 2004, not sure anyone need to worry)
When we starting seriously discussing a need for a change back in March, we hoped to find someone to run against the current chair (The Fourth Rules of Savage Politics: It is easy to be against something, a Savage Republican must find or offer an alternative)
By the time we were ready (and had the votes) to get something done at convention at least one alternative appeared.
Various reports have seen the race as either too close to call or leaning towards Ron (based on his polling).
Well in the past few days, a number of events have come together and momentum seems to be building against Ron.
1st, a poorly conceived letter was received from the current chairs of the house caucus. This was met by either a yawn or a quick rebuttal (see reprint here)
2nd, I came home to find a message from Ron Carey annoucing his candicy for chair - he stated "the time for a change leadership". While I know nothing about his positions, the fact that a current member of the executive committee calls for a change is a big deal indeed.
and then today -
Another letter, this one from not one but six current and former executive members saying that it was time for a change in leadership.
Now the big question is not if we will replace Ron, but who will replace him.
The State Central Meeting on June 11th will be fun indeed.
And what does this do for Hoplins bid for Vice Chair - Since he hooked his wagon to Ron, I would hope his bid is gone also.
He seems to suffer from the same problem as Ron - lack of connection to the grassroots.
While we often hear about how many people he has recruited, those of us who were in the trenches during the last election know how false those numbers were - when it came to help at the grassroots level.
He seemed more interested in getting numbers not worrying too much why they were joining or if they would turn out when needed.
For all the talk about the thousands of volunteers, When called upon all you saw from the College Republicans was Flip and Flop and two other recruits.
Things were so bad in CD2 that we actually had to divert campaign funds to hire a professional liaison to work with youth, since the CR was no where to be found.
There are many good CR chapters on our local campuses, but I think their success has more to do with those leaders and support from the Northern Alliance, then anything Hoplin could claim credit for. While he did do a good job of bringing attention to the College Republicans (and himself also), when it can time to deliver - nothing.
Stay tuned for more - The upcoming rules meeting should shed some light on what the Chair may be planning to do - will he read the writing and go quietly - or will he try and pull some last minute trick to try and hold onto his seat.
(Of course after seeing how well he did for the party late in 2004, not sure anyone need to worry)
7 in a day? Yah, not too bad for a... rookie!
This past weekend, I went to the R
I'm a member of the 8th Air Force Historical Society of Minnesota (8thmn.org/ ). These are the guys who were the air and ground crew for the B-17's, B-24's, C-47's. We also have guys from the 15th Air Force (
We set up a PX at the airport and I go to help. This weekend one of our members (Larry) went to take part in the ongoing seminar of the different aspects of WWII and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Larry is a B-24 pilot with 35 complet
And the other thing that impress
As we were setting up the interview, and before I knew his background, I ask
I am always aware that when I have lunch with these guys on W
And I am so honor
Lunch with the 8th Air Force Historical Society of Minnesota is at legion Post 550 (NW corner of 94th and Lyndale in
Mr. Swett: www.acepilots.com/usmc_aces.html#Swett and www.tcpilots.org/bios/swett.html to cite a few.
Mr. McNiece: tinyurl.com/9gxs3
AND if you want a surprise, go to www.combataircrew.net/ and ask for the DVD or tape of Mr. Swett's interview to hear his thoughts about Greg "Pappy" Boyington and the Black Sheep Squadron on the mission they both flew.
Friday, May 27, 2005
"We don't need you. We have your children."
Yesterday morning I was helping a good friend pour concrete for an egress window. Another mutual friend was there. A few years ago Bob asked me what he could do to get involved in politics. I gave him a few suggestions. He decided to work for The Maple River Education Project which is now EdWatch www.edwatch.org . I have gone to some of their presentations and have always been impressed. Yesterday Bob told me that EdWatch was having their year end wrap-up. I went. Now, what was interesting is that Bob and I were talking as my friend Greg was working the concrete. As he overheard Bob and me talk about government education in
Well, I went to the wrap up and supper. And what I heard come from these people as they reported what the government (even GWB!) has planned for children made my blood run cold.
Profiles of Learning is dead...so to speak. Son of Profiles of Learning is alive and well. And is pointed at infants to 4 year olds!
Mental health screening for 1 year olds. Drawing games for 3-4 year olds where there is an outline of a child and the kids are asked to fill in as many body parts as possible and are then asked if this is a drawing of a boy or girl...and why? Text books where all references to the Founding Documents are highly edited and all references to God are omitted. Early writings on and about the republic are twisted to make it sound as if the Constitution is a product of the French Revolution and the Enlightenment (which gave us socialism)!!! The Mayflower Compact (from the Pilgrims, who were Congregationalist, as am I, who also gave us the townhall meeting, among other things) is heavily edited to omit the dedication of the Pilgrims to God and the reason for their writing the Mayflower Compact (this editing of the early documents and comparing the edit to the originals comes from Mike Chapman. You can find a DVD of his presentation on the website www.edwatch.org . Very much worth the purchase!).
EdWatch is THE premiere watchdog group on government education in the nation! They are called upon as a resource from all over the country. They provide expert testimony and means to combat the wholesale true exploitation of children by government and the left.
They richly deserve to be supported. Make a donation. Make a purchase at their online store. Get involved with them or start an organization like theirs in your state.
This is something you can really do for the children.
It occurs to me that the evil of the left is like a vapor: it finds any crack and then seeps in to fill the room.
That being said, the reason for a group like EdWatch is because of the abandonment of the Constitution and the 10th Amendment. There is absolutely nothing in the Constitution that allows the Federal government to be involved in education. Nothing! Zip! Zero! Null and void! Empty set! This is what happens when we have an unrestrained government that operates as a democracy. And these fine people in EdWatch need to fight to keep the government away from our children. Rather than putting their energies into their families, they, and we, have to fight the government.
We have to fight the government to protect our rights. Does anybody, other than me and a select few, see anything wrong with that? Class? Class?
Welcome to the democracy!
Once again, two websites that you absolutely need to go read:
www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2003/cr012903.htm
and www.constitution.org/law/bastiat.htm .
Or for the last link go buy the book "The Law".
BTW, this blog title comes from a quote from a Nazi in Germany:a German citizen told the Nazi that the Nazis would never conquer the German people.
Outlaw socks as you can put a rock in them..
Yup. We knew it was coming: tinyurl.com/b8eh6 .
And next...looks that can kill.
Do it for the children.
And next...looks that can kill.
Do it for the children.
Thursday, May 26, 2005
It may indeed be the end for the Chairman...
I received the following e-mail today from one of my fellow central committee delegates...
Dear Fellow Republican,
I had to laugh when I read the letter I received today from Representatives Hoppe and Finstad in support of Eibensteiner’s re-election (paid for by Eibensteiner).
The piece said, “In the few months since we took over the campaign committee, we have been impressed with the level of cooperation and the commitment coming out of the Republican Party of Minnesota. On every level, from finances to communication to grassroots organizing, it is clear that the state party is ready to work with us and ready to win.”
Really? Hoppe and Finstad obviously didn’t attend Eibensteiner’s “Feedback Forum” on April 16th in Bloomington.
I did. And I listened to Eibensteiner harshly criticize and blame the Republican House Caucus for losing 13 seats. Eibensteiner said the party wasn’t remotely involved in the 2004 rep races because Speaker Sviggum and the house caucus assured him that everything was under control and not to worry.
Eibensteiner took no responsibility whatsoever for our losses and proceeded to specifically blame Speaker Sviggum, Majority Leader Eric Paulson, Representative Jeff Johnson and Gregg Peppin.
Surely, Speaker Sviggum turned Eibensteiner down for a letter of support.
Now, I don’t know much about Representatives Hoppe and Finstad other than neither one of them are State Central Delegates and Hoppe and Finstad have been vocal supporters of publicly-funded sports stadiums for millionaires.
Hoppe and Finstad should sit down with Eibensteiner and read our party’s platform instead of telling me who to vote for.
I have made up my own mind and it certainly isn’t Eibensteiner.
Now I did not attend the Chairman's feedback forum either, however, I was a member of a small group of people who met with both the Chairman and his challenger (Bill Pulkrabek). During the course of discussions with the Chairman we heard the same assignment of blame described above. The chairman is a venture capital fundraiser in his full time job and I wonder how that attitude (it wasn't my fault that the project failed it was Johnny's fault) would go over. I know that in my job, if I am project lead all successes and failures would fall at my feet. The Chairman has one job - get Republican candidates elected. When the Party succeeds, the Chairman is a hero and when Party fails the Chairman needs to be accountable. Chairman Eibensteiner needs to "own the problem" just like he owned the successes of 2000 and 2002. Blaming the House and Senate Caucus is not going to endear him to the people he needs to most - the grass roots activists.
The problem, Mr. Chairman, was a failure to communicate. I really don't care who started the problem, your job was to fix so that all of our hard work was focused into a successful effort. That is what project leaders do. You did not do that Mr. Chairman and now you must face your employers (the State Central Committee) and try to save your job.
Dear Fellow Republican,
I had to laugh when I read the letter I received today from Representatives Hoppe and Finstad in support of Eibensteiner’s re-election (paid for by Eibensteiner).
The piece said, “In the few months since we took over the campaign committee, we have been impressed with the level of cooperation and the commitment coming out of the Republican Party of Minnesota. On every level, from finances to communication to grassroots organizing, it is clear that the state party is ready to work with us and ready to win.”
Really? Hoppe and Finstad obviously didn’t attend Eibensteiner’s “Feedback Forum” on April 16th in Bloomington.
I did. And I listened to Eibensteiner harshly criticize and blame the Republican House Caucus for losing 13 seats. Eibensteiner said the party wasn’t remotely involved in the 2004 rep races because Speaker Sviggum and the house caucus assured him that everything was under control and not to worry.
Eibensteiner took no responsibility whatsoever for our losses and proceeded to specifically blame Speaker Sviggum, Majority Leader Eric Paulson, Representative Jeff Johnson and Gregg Peppin.
Surely, Speaker Sviggum turned Eibensteiner down for a letter of support.
Now, I don’t know much about Representatives Hoppe and Finstad other than neither one of them are State Central Delegates and Hoppe and Finstad have been vocal supporters of publicly-funded sports stadiums for millionaires.
Hoppe and Finstad should sit down with Eibensteiner and read our party’s platform instead of telling me who to vote for.
I have made up my own mind and it certainly isn’t Eibensteiner.
Now I did not attend the Chairman's feedback forum either, however, I was a member of a small group of people who met with both the Chairman and his challenger (Bill Pulkrabek). During the course of discussions with the Chairman we heard the same assignment of blame described above. The chairman is a venture capital fundraiser in his full time job and I wonder how that attitude (it wasn't my fault that the project failed it was Johnny's fault) would go over. I know that in my job, if I am project lead all successes and failures would fall at my feet. The Chairman has one job - get Republican candidates elected. When the Party succeeds, the Chairman is a hero and when Party fails the Chairman needs to be accountable. Chairman Eibensteiner needs to "own the problem" just like he owned the successes of 2000 and 2002. Blaming the House and Senate Caucus is not going to endear him to the people he needs to most - the grass roots activists.
The problem, Mr. Chairman, was a failure to communicate. I really don't care who started the problem, your job was to fix so that all of our hard work was focused into a successful effort. That is what project leaders do. You did not do that Mr. Chairman and now you must face your employers (the State Central Committee) and try to save your job.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
So you're mad about the "Compromise"...
So you're mad that seven Republicans stabbed the Senate leadership in the back this week with their little compromise. So you say you really, really want to do something about this to show your displeasure about the compromise. Well there is something you can do.
I have heard a lot of people saying that they are no giving "one more dime" to the RNC senatorial campaign. I have heard people saying that they are no longer voting for candidates from either party - that they are withdrawing from the process. While those are certainly valid options however you are not hurting the party with that at all. They only ones hurt by that are the candidates that could bring about the necessary changes.
If you are really serious about changing the situation, then what you need to do is to find out when these particular Senators are up for re-election and find a primary challenger for that person! Three of the GOP "turncoats" (Chaffee, Snow and DeWine) are up for re-election in 2006. Two of the Democrats (Nelson and Byrd) are from "red states" - states that President Bush carried handily in the last election! Chaffee and Snow have declared primary challengers (Cranston Mayor Stephen Laffey and State Representative Brian Duprey respectively) and Nelson and Byrd have declared opponents (former Attorney General Don Stenberg and Iraq war veteran and Judge Advocate General officer Hiram Lewis respectively). Put your time and money where your mouth is and help these candidates with their campaign. After all, no one figured John Thune stood a chance against Tom Daschle. However with a lot of help from some very unconventional sources (the blogosphere) he pulled off the biggest upset victory that we have seen in a long long time.
These five need to be the ones to bear the brunt of the wrath of the voters! Not the RNC Senatorial Committee! If you really want to help facilitate a change find a challenger and donate your time and money to him/her! Make sure that those who are responsible for this travesty feel the wrath of the voting public.
If you still want to express your displeasure to Senate "leadership", you can use this form to send your coments to Senator Frist or send you comments via fax at 202/228-1264..
I have heard a lot of people saying that they are no giving "one more dime" to the RNC senatorial campaign. I have heard people saying that they are no longer voting for candidates from either party - that they are withdrawing from the process. While those are certainly valid options however you are not hurting the party with that at all. They only ones hurt by that are the candidates that could bring about the necessary changes.
If you are really serious about changing the situation, then what you need to do is to find out when these particular Senators are up for re-election and find a primary challenger for that person! Three of the GOP "turncoats" (Chaffee, Snow and DeWine) are up for re-election in 2006. Two of the Democrats (Nelson and Byrd) are from "red states" - states that President Bush carried handily in the last election! Chaffee and Snow have declared primary challengers (Cranston Mayor Stephen Laffey and State Representative Brian Duprey respectively) and Nelson and Byrd have declared opponents (former Attorney General Don Stenberg and Iraq war veteran and Judge Advocate General officer Hiram Lewis respectively). Put your time and money where your mouth is and help these candidates with their campaign. After all, no one figured John Thune stood a chance against Tom Daschle. However with a lot of help from some very unconventional sources (the blogosphere) he pulled off the biggest upset victory that we have seen in a long long time.
These five need to be the ones to bear the brunt of the wrath of the voters! Not the RNC Senatorial Committee! If you really want to help facilitate a change find a challenger and donate your time and money to him/her! Make sure that those who are responsible for this travesty feel the wrath of the voting public.
If you still want to express your displeasure to Senate "leadership", you can use this form to send your coments to Senator Frist or send you comments via fax at 202/228-1264..
If you stop their touchdowns and they only score field goals...they win,you lose!
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=44434
"From the same man who brought you..." or "Can't Find It in MY Copy!"
Yah...heard it yesterday so it must be true: the gang of 14 saved the republic! The compromise on the filibuster saved what the Founding Fathers put together. They can now confidently reply to Dr. Franklin that we..well, they, have preserved the republic. Whew!!! Glad that's been resolved.
But, I'm just an uneducated schlub. My masters in the Emerald City know what's best for me, so I appeal to them to tell me where in the Constitution Senator McCain (The Savior of the Republic, the Defender of the Constitution and Grand Upholder of His Oath of Office) precisely where in the Constitution he thinks the Senate can propose a Clean Sports Act?
tinyurl.com/8n8e3
From the same guy that brought you George Soros and 527's, who brought you 14 Senators that now control the Senate, we now have the Whizzinator Act!
Reminds me of an old 3M ad slogan; "What won't they think of next?"
Hugh Hewitt is right: McCain is a great American,a lousy senator and a terrrible Republican.
And I feel NO sympathy for Hewitt at all as he whines on and on about this travesty (read my column archived April 10th and titled
I Ain't A Clue Why We Have A Problem Here!)
And as for the Republic? Again I post tinyurl.com/9kzub
10:18 a.m.: This just in from Dr. Thomas Sowell tinyurl.com/dpqf9
But, I'm just an uneducated schlub. My masters in the Emerald City know what's best for me, so I appeal to them to tell me where in the Constitution Senator McCain (The Savior of the Republic, the Defender of the Constitution and Grand Upholder of His Oath of Office) precisely where in the Constitution he thinks the Senate can propose a Clean Sports Act?
tinyurl.com/8n8e3
From the same guy that brought you George Soros and 527's, who brought you 14 Senators that now control the Senate, we now have the Whizzinator Act!
Reminds me of an old 3M ad slogan; "What won't they think of next?"
Hugh Hewitt is right: McCain is a great American,a lousy senator and a terrrible Republican.
And I feel NO sympathy for Hewitt at all as he whines on and on about this travesty (read my column archived April 10th and titled
I Ain't A Clue Why We Have A Problem Here!)
And as for the Republic? Again I post tinyurl.com/9kzub
10:18 a.m.: This just in from Dr. Thomas Sowell tinyurl.com/dpqf9
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
At least one Republican sees this for what it is
Kennedy v. Machine has a statement from Mark Kennedy about the Republican Surrender.
Wonder if we can get him to move to AZ, he seems to do a good job of getting rid of liberals.
“The so-called compromise does not end a fundamental injustice: For the first time in our nation’s 216-year history, judges are now being held to a 60 vote standard, not the simple majority intended by the Constitution.Glad to see at least one Republican stand up. Always liked Mark as a person, if he can continue showing this kind of leadership, he has my vote for Senate.
Wonder if we can get him to move to AZ, he seems to do a good job of getting rid of liberals.
Republicans Top 11 List...
From Nihlist in Golf Pants: nihlist.blogspot.com/2005/05/top-11-things-republicans-get-in.html
Monday, May 23, 2005
Top 11 Things the Republicans Get in Exchange for Surrendering on Judges
11. Democrats agree not to compare Bush to Hitler except in extraordinary circumstances.
10. John McCain gets a better parking spot.
9. Democrats agree not to filibuster Lawrence Tribe should Bush appoint him Chief Justice.
8. Hillary will be allowed to choose only one in ten judges.
7. Harry Reid agrees to refer to Bill Frist as "my bitch" only in private.
6. Senator Byrd agrees not to burn a cross in Clarence Thomas’ yard.
5. Republicans get Herschel Walker for their Senate football team.
4. Bill Clinton agrees to set Lindsay Graham up with one of his interns.
3. Democrats will make a good faith effort to stop being a**holes.
2. Democrats agree to finance the Senate Republican Caucus production of “No, No, Nanette”.
1. Democratic caucus promises to refer to Mike DeWine as “Senator Sexy”.
10. John McCain gets a better parking spot.
9. Democrats agree not to filibuster Lawrence Tribe should Bush appoint him Chief Justice.
8. Hillary will be allowed to choose only one in ten judges.
7. Harry Reid agrees to refer to Bill Frist as "my bitch" only in private.
6. Senator Byrd agrees not to burn a cross in Clarence Thomas’ yard.
5. Republicans get Herschel Walker for their Senate football team.
4. Bill Clinton agrees to set Lindsay Graham up with one of his interns.
3. Democrats will make a good faith effort to stop being a**holes.
2. Democrats agree to finance the Senate Republican Caucus production of “No, No, Nanette”.
1. Democratic caucus promises to refer to Mike DeWine as “Senator Sexy”.
Say after me Governor "It's 'the SENATE', not' the Legislature' "
I clicked on the Doug Grove column today http://www.startribune.com/stories/465/5419388.html with the title "Two Problems" and went on to say in the title descriptor that both problems were of the Governors making. I immediately knew what the column was about: not enough taxes or the wealthy weren't being taxed enough, or there were too few programs.
There in the article was a quote from party switcher, Minnesota's answer to Jumpin' Jim Jeffords, Sheila Kiscaden-I-Rochester . As I read through the article, Grow always referred to proposals from the left wing controlled Senate. And every time the Governor replies, he refers to "the legislature". This is one of the reasons the Republicans lost 13 House seats last year.
The gridlock in 2004 was all in the Senate. The House was finished with it's business about a month before the end of the legislative session. The Senate was mucked up because of the radical left wing Metrocrats that controlled all the Senate Committees. And when the Governor was out campaigning, every single time he referred to the gridlock, he always referred to "the Legislature". Never "the Senate" where the gridlock was occurring.
And as the Senate wasn't up for election, who did the electorate vent their anger on? Yup, the House. Oh, and it didn't help at all that Tim went on a "we need to expand gambling" tour six weeks before the 2004 election (good golly, where do you think ALL that Mystic Lake 527 money went? Republican 527's? And as all that money went to get out the left wing vote, I doubt very much that those people who voted for left wing House representatives pulled the lever for George Bush. And Bush lost by 5%).
And now, with all the listed proposals for taxes, higher taxes, more inefficient, ineffective programs all coming from far left wing Senators, he STILL refers to the Legislature! And of course, the extreme left wing Senators, and of course Doug Grow also refer to the left wing Senate as "the Legislature" or "legislators".
Tim, you ain't going to ever get to Washington D.C. by cutting the legs from under your party.
SENATE, not legislature Governor.SENATE!!!
There in the article was a quote from party switcher, Minnesota's answer to Jumpin' Jim Jeffords, Sheila Kiscaden-I-Rochester . As I read through the article, Grow always referred to proposals from the left wing controlled Senate. And every time the Governor replies, he refers to "the legislature". This is one of the reasons the Republicans lost 13 House seats last year.
The gridlock in 2004 was all in the Senate. The House was finished with it's business about a month before the end of the legislative session. The Senate was mucked up because of the radical left wing Metrocrats that controlled all the Senate Committees. And when the Governor was out campaigning, every single time he referred to the gridlock, he always referred to "the Legislature". Never "the Senate" where the gridlock was occurring.
And as the Senate wasn't up for election, who did the electorate vent their anger on? Yup, the House. Oh, and it didn't help at all that Tim went on a "we need to expand gambling" tour six weeks before the 2004 election (good golly, where do you think ALL that Mystic Lake 527 money went? Republican 527's? And as all that money went to get out the left wing vote, I doubt very much that those people who voted for left wing House representatives pulled the lever for George Bush. And Bush lost by 5%).
And now, with all the listed proposals for taxes, higher taxes, more inefficient, ineffective programs all coming from far left wing Senators, he STILL refers to the Legislature! And of course, the extreme left wing Senators, and of course Doug Grow also refer to the left wing Senate as "the Legislature" or "legislators".
Tim, you ain't going to ever get to Washington D.C. by cutting the legs from under your party.
SENATE, not legislature Governor.SENATE!!!
Monday, May 23, 2005
RINOs Sells out the Constitution - Again
John McCain continues his attack on the Constitution in order to keep his membership at the NY Press Club.
I just saw the Press conference where they made a great compromise - The Democrats promise they will not filibuster any candidate but those that are extreme (Uh - Didn't they say all of bush nominees are extreme) and in return, John McCain throws two of the judges under the bus (Saad and Myers I think) and takes away the Senates duty to vote on the judges.
So why would the Democrats agree to this - because they were going to lose the vote so they have everything to gain: keep the ability to not do their constitutional duty and filibuster judges and get rid of two judges, and nothing to lose - the judges they agree to appoint would have been appointed anyway.
What do the Republicans Gain, nothing!
What do the RINO gain - Lots of media reports about how wonderful they are.
Ahh - It's worse then I though, just read the details.
Check Out Post on:
Michelle Maklin Captain Quarters
The Democrats agree to not filibuster unless the candidate is extreme (In their opinion).
The Republican agree to not change the rules this congress. No wiggle room - No unless the candidates are unfairly filibuster - just "We will not change the rule in the 109th Congress"
I think it is time to make sure that at least some of these folks don't get a chance to make this same kind of deal in the next Congress.
I plan to support anyone who will run against these cowards!
I have lost more of my Constitutional Rights to John McCain then to John Kerry -
It is time to stop!
John McCain - Az
Mark DeWine - Oh - 2006 Dem Candidate looks like Ted Strickland
Snowe - ME
Warner - VA
Graham - SC
Collins - ME
Chafee - RI - 2006 Dem Candidates Matt Brown or Sheldon Whitehouse
Not One Dime more to RNC Senate,
See also KennedyvMachine
More to come....
One note that is very telling of these folks, as I went to their web sites to see when they were up for re-election, I went and saw their press releases.
Page after Page of how much money they got for their state - so if they are not social conservatives and they are not fiscal conservatives, what does the R by them stand for?
I just saw the Press conference where they made a great compromise - The Democrats promise they will not filibuster any candidate but those that are extreme (Uh - Didn't they say all of bush nominees are extreme) and in return, John McCain throws two of the judges under the bus (Saad and Myers I think) and takes away the Senates duty to vote on the judges.
So why would the Democrats agree to this - because they were going to lose the vote so they have everything to gain: keep the ability to not do their constitutional duty and filibuster judges and get rid of two judges, and nothing to lose - the judges they agree to appoint would have been appointed anyway.
What do the Republicans Gain, nothing!
What do the RINO gain - Lots of media reports about how wonderful they are.
Ahh - It's worse then I though, just read the details.
Check Out Post on:
Michelle Maklin Captain Quarters
The Democrats agree to not filibuster unless the candidate is extreme (In their opinion).
The Republican agree to not change the rules this congress. No wiggle room - No unless the candidates are unfairly filibuster - just "We will not change the rule in the 109th Congress"
I think it is time to make sure that at least some of these folks don't get a chance to make this same kind of deal in the next Congress.
I plan to support anyone who will run against these cowards!
I have lost more of my Constitutional Rights to John McCain then to John Kerry -
It is time to stop!
John McCain - Az
Mark DeWine - Oh - 2006 Dem Candidate looks like Ted Strickland
Snowe - ME
Warner - VA
Graham - SC
Collins - ME
Chafee - RI - 2006 Dem Candidates Matt Brown or Sheldon Whitehouse
Not One Dime more to RNC Senate,
See also KennedyvMachine
More to come....
One note that is very telling of these folks, as I went to their web sites to see when they were up for re-election, I went and saw their press releases.
Page after Page of how much money they got for their state - so if they are not social conservatives and they are not fiscal conservatives, what does the R by them stand for?
They really think that we are that dumb....
The nanny staters are at it again. This http://www.startribune.com/stories/535/5415743.html reports on legislation introduced by the honorable Senator from the great state of Iowa (Tom Harkin). This legislation would force the FCC (who has nothing better to do btw) to police how companies advertise "to children". It seems that Senator Harkin fears that parents are so dumb and so incapable that their children will not be able to know if they should listen to Shrek "telling" them to eat sugary candy or listen to Mom or Dad telling them to eat healthy foods.
"Shrek says yes, Mom says no," the Iowa Democrat said in an interview. "Dad says fruit, Shrek says candy. ... " Perhaps, Senator Harkin needs to meet my 12 year old, for my 12 year old has an insight into this issue that the Senator appearantly does not have and I will gladly share with the Senator if he asked. What is that insight, you ask? Simple - Senator Harkin, Shrek is NOT A REAL PERSON and Mom and Dad are! Maybe when the Senator grows up he will figure that out and realize that this legislation is a waste of taxpayer time and money.
"Shrek says yes, Mom says no," the Iowa Democrat said in an interview. "Dad says fruit, Shrek says candy. ... " Perhaps, Senator Harkin needs to meet my 12 year old, for my 12 year old has an insight into this issue that the Senator appearantly does not have and I will gladly share with the Senator if he asked. What is that insight, you ask? Simple - Senator Harkin, Shrek is NOT A REAL PERSON and Mom and Dad are! Maybe when the Senator grows up he will figure that out and realize that this legislation is a waste of taxpayer time and money.
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Is the end really near for King Ron?
It's a rainy, dreary Saturday afternoon in Minnesota. With nothing better to do, I decided to do a little on line reading. I stumbled across this and immediately thought of my friend Savage Republican. From http://thefirstringblog.blogspot.com/.
This paragraph caught my eye (emphasis mine)....
By comparison, the GOP Chair for Party Chair between incumbent Ron Eibensteiner and Bill Pulkrabek is deathly quiet. Both sides are calling delegates and alternates for the GOP’s June Central Committee convention and lining up support. Pulkrabek continues to attack Eibensteiner’s leadership, releasing another letter suggesting the party’s fundraising has seriously dipped and needs to rebound. With Eibensteiner’s venture capital background, the fundraising issue is perceived as his strongest and Pulkrabek’s weakest. Whether this new line of attack does anything for Pulkrabek’s chances may be a moot point according to multiple sources close to the Eibensteiner campaign who are quoting internal polling numbers showing the current Chair with a large delegate lead. The Eibensteiner camp concedes a fair number of delegates remain uncommitted, but supposedly not by a margin that could significantly close the gap for Pulkrabek. How accurate the Eibensteiner camp’s assessment is will be known in a few weeks.
Given the conversations that I have had with the rank and file in the state Republican Party, Chairman Eibensteiner is not the most popular chairman. I find it a little hard to believe the Chairman's numbers, but if they are correct, he will have one last term to hopefully undo some of the damage done (to the State Party) in the last election cycle. However, if (as First Ringer hints) the Chair's numbers are not all that accurate...Hmmmmm - June 11ths Central Committee meeting should be wildly entertaining.
This paragraph caught my eye (emphasis mine)....
By comparison, the GOP Chair for Party Chair between incumbent Ron Eibensteiner and Bill Pulkrabek is deathly quiet. Both sides are calling delegates and alternates for the GOP’s June Central Committee convention and lining up support. Pulkrabek continues to attack Eibensteiner’s leadership, releasing another letter suggesting the party’s fundraising has seriously dipped and needs to rebound. With Eibensteiner’s venture capital background, the fundraising issue is perceived as his strongest and Pulkrabek’s weakest. Whether this new line of attack does anything for Pulkrabek’s chances may be a moot point according to multiple sources close to the Eibensteiner campaign who are quoting internal polling numbers showing the current Chair with a large delegate lead. The Eibensteiner camp concedes a fair number of delegates remain uncommitted, but supposedly not by a margin that could significantly close the gap for Pulkrabek. How accurate the Eibensteiner camp’s assessment is will be known in a few weeks.
Given the conversations that I have had with the rank and file in the state Republican Party, Chairman Eibensteiner is not the most popular chairman. I find it a little hard to believe the Chairman's numbers, but if they are correct, he will have one last term to hopefully undo some of the damage done (to the State Party) in the last election cycle. However, if (as First Ringer hints) the Chair's numbers are not all that accurate...Hmmmmm - June 11ths Central Committee meeting should be wildly entertaining.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Well maybe I'm not the only one who noticed...
It appears that someone in the press also noticed the difference, between Jews, Christians and Muslims, in their reaction to the news that someone has "defiled" their holy sites/texts (see my post entitled "Outrage" from May 17). Jeff Jacoby of the Boston Globe - no less - picked up on the theme and expanded the discussion in his article here http://tinyurl.com/agumq
The paragraph that struck me the most was this:
Christians, Jews, and Buddhists don't lash out in homicidal rage when their religion is insulted. They don't call for holy war and riot in the streets. It would be unthinkable for a mainstream priest, rabbi, or lama to demand that a blasphemer be slain. But when Reuters reported what Mohammad Hanif, the imam of a Muslim seminary in Pakistan, said about the alleged Koran-flushers -- ''They should be hung. They should be killed in public so that no one can dare to insult Islam and its sacred symbols" -- was any reader surprised?
Well finally - someone gets it!
The paragraph that struck me the most was this:
Christians, Jews, and Buddhists don't lash out in homicidal rage when their religion is insulted. They don't call for holy war and riot in the streets. It would be unthinkable for a mainstream priest, rabbi, or lama to demand that a blasphemer be slain. But when Reuters reported what Mohammad Hanif, the imam of a Muslim seminary in Pakistan, said about the alleged Koran-flushers -- ''They should be hung. They should be killed in public so that no one can dare to insult Islam and its sacred symbols" -- was any reader surprised?
Well finally - someone gets it!
The End is near for King Ron!
Looks like the grassroots are finally going to rise up in MN and take back our party.
Here is an interesting link to what happened at the CD 4/5 convention.
The part that got my interest,
But I think there is a statewide trend for change.
Stay tuned.
Here is an interesting link to what happened at the CD 4/5 convention.
The part that got my interest,
The interesting thing for me as an observer is the acute blame the party at this grassroots level accords to the State functionaries. Ron Eibensteiner is State Chairman and he is not appreciated in his role. Blame for disappointing losses last November to the DFL are not shrugged off as a reality of city political life, but are attributed to a disconnected leadership. Mr. Eibensteiner was in attendance, as were his opponents. They all gave speeches during the proceedings, asking for support when that office goes up for election this summer, I believe. Ron has very, very little support at this level and I do not see much chance that he will be reelected as State Chair. From where I sit it looks like the new Chair will be Bill Pulkrabek. He knows which side the toast is buttered on and talked an emphasis on grassroots politics.I will lay out in the next few weeks my case for change and why Ron should not be chair.
But I think there is a statewide trend for change.
Stay tuned.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
The Fight of our Lives
As I stated below (in the post entitled "Outrage") I am an evangelical Christian who has studied the "Big Three" of religion (Christianity, Judiaism and Islam). As such, I feel that it is important that someone (I guess that would be me) mention that we Americans are in the fight of our lives. The fight is against radical Islam. Some would say that all of Islam is our enemy. According to the Koran and the teachings of several Imams (both here and abroad) you would be correct, but I would argue that there are probably just as many "marginal" Muslims as there are "marginal" Christians. For the sake of this post, I am referring to the Wahhabist view point of the Koran and Islamic teachings (this is the Muslim sect that brought us Osama bin Laden and his followers and it is the primary sect of Saudi Arabia).
Wahhabist Imams teach that ALL people have 1 choice. Convert to Islam or DIE!!! Any who "coroborate" with the infidels (that would be us folks!) are to be killed as well. Don't believe me? Think I am exaggerating? Check out this news story from Yahoo http://tinyurl.com/7azlg. Or this one http://tinyurl.com/cvjxa In the first story, Abu Musab al Zarqawi said that it was ok to target Muslims who participate in the new government of Iraq. The second is a story about a Palestinian Imam who, in a televised broadcast, said that Muslims will one day "rule America". Think about this people. You think the evangelical Christians make life miserable for homosexuals? Care to guess what happens to "outed" homosexuals in an Islamic country? The same thing that happened to all of those who were kidnapped in the early days of the war - beheading! What happens to women who dare to want to go to work? They are killed for the sake of "honor".
So the next time you hear someone say that evangelical Christians are just as bad as the radical Islamists, remember which side beheads homosexuals and which side kills women who have the audacity to step out of their prescribed roles.....
Wahhabist Imams teach that ALL people have 1 choice. Convert to Islam or DIE!!! Any who "coroborate" with the infidels (that would be us folks!) are to be killed as well. Don't believe me? Think I am exaggerating? Check out this news story from Yahoo http://tinyurl.com/7azlg. Or this one http://tinyurl.com/cvjxa In the first story, Abu Musab al Zarqawi said that it was ok to target Muslims who participate in the new government of Iraq. The second is a story about a Palestinian Imam who, in a televised broadcast, said that Muslims will one day "rule America". Think about this people. You think the evangelical Christians make life miserable for homosexuals? Care to guess what happens to "outed" homosexuals in an Islamic country? The same thing that happened to all of those who were kidnapped in the early days of the war - beheading! What happens to women who dare to want to go to work? They are killed for the sake of "honor".
So the next time you hear someone say that evangelical Christians are just as bad as the radical Islamists, remember which side beheads homosexuals and which side kills women who have the audacity to step out of their prescribed roles.....
Nancy Pelosi, Oath of Office, Amendment X and me.
I caught just a snippet of CSPAN last night. There was Nancy Pelosi, D-CA, the House Minority Leader, with an easel and a list titl
For ANY House member, Repub or Demo, to even mention ethics and not murmur "Mea culpa..." is comic relief. The VERY first thing they do after taking their oath of office is to break their oath of office. What part of the phrase "Congress shall make no law..." do these people not understand?
I will now reveal why I call myself Amendment X:
"Amendment X
The powers not delegat
This means Article 1, Section 8. Look it up.
This Amendment from the Bill of Rights was meant to guarantee that we would remain a republic, not a democracy.
It was meant to guarantee that Congress would not mandate how much water would flush from a toilet, outlaw the selling of oranges that were smaller than 3 1/8 inches in diameter, Social Security, tatoo removal programs, fund
It was meant to trust that a citizenry could, and would run their own lives quite nicely, as long as they were protect
The other day I was stopp
HE has erect
Officers to harrass our People, and eat out their Substance. From the Declaration of
Ethics...PUHLEASE!!! Just start with keeping your oath of office.
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Gas taxes hurt working poor and families
Gas prices are at an all time high with no relief in sight and the Minnesota House decided that we need to add another $.10 in gas taxes to the mix. Their reasoning is that we need more money to build new roads and fund mass transit. While I understand their budgetary need, I would like them to stop and think about how their actions adversely affect the rest of us – especially the working poor who are just barely able to afford to get to work as it is now.
Because of increased gas prices, bus fares will go up. For those that are fortunate enough to have a car, the added $2-$3 a week (depending on how far they have to drive to their job) is money that they don’t have to buy things their family really needs – like milk for their kids. For those that buy goods that are shipped into the state, expect the costs of those goods to go up as shipping companies are going to pass these additional costs on to retailers, who in turn pass them on to consumers! This does not even include the increases in registration fees for vehicles.
“Real wages” for the average hourly worker in the US actually FELL in 2004 (after adjusting for inflation) according to the US Dept of Labor statistics. Workers can not go to their employers and DEMAND an increase in pay in order to cover their budgetary “shortfalls”. Why should the MN House be any different? If roads need to be worked on, prioritize that needs to be done based on what is in the budget Do we really need more mass transit right now? If not, we should not be spending the money for it. These are the same real budgetary questions that working families have to ask themselves every month. Until the economic recovery is complete, the state should not be punishing struggling citizens by raising taxes on a product that is already too expensive for many to afford as it is.
Because of increased gas prices, bus fares will go up. For those that are fortunate enough to have a car, the added $2-$3 a week (depending on how far they have to drive to their job) is money that they don’t have to buy things their family really needs – like milk for their kids. For those that buy goods that are shipped into the state, expect the costs of those goods to go up as shipping companies are going to pass these additional costs on to retailers, who in turn pass them on to consumers! This does not even include the increases in registration fees for vehicles.
“Real wages” for the average hourly worker in the US actually FELL in 2004 (after adjusting for inflation) according to the US Dept of Labor statistics. Workers can not go to their employers and DEMAND an increase in pay in order to cover their budgetary “shortfalls”. Why should the MN House be any different? If roads need to be worked on, prioritize that needs to be done based on what is in the budget Do we really need more mass transit right now? If not, we should not be spending the money for it. These are the same real budgetary questions that working families have to ask themselves every month. Until the economic recovery is complete, the state should not be punishing struggling citizens by raising taxes on a product that is already too expensive for many to afford as it is.
Outrage?
Let me start this off by stating, upfront and for the record, I am a Christian. I am (according the the leftists) one of those evangelical right wing nut-jobs because I do believe that the Bible is the word of God and that we should live our lives according to the teachings of the Bible, in other words, I hold the Scriptures as sacred. However, I am not a typical (again according to the leftist defination) evangelical Christian inasmuch as I have studied the major Christian "sects" and the other 2 major world religions (Judiaism and Islam). Having said that, here is what I wanted to say today.
The internet is all abuzz over the Newsweek "Periscope" item of May 9, 2005. As you all know, Newsweek stated (and has since retracted) that American soldiers "desacrated" a Koran by sticking it in a toilet. Now we don't know if that really happened or not, former detainees at Gitmo have long claimed it but there has yet to be any proof of these allegations. Because of this printed rumor, radical Islamists rioted and people DIED! Now others have discussed (at great length) the irresponsible behavior that Newsweek exhibited. I would like to, instead, focus on the "excuse" for the riots.
So you are mad that someone MAY have desecrated your holy book? Where was your "righteous" anger when the Buddhist temples and statues and holy documents were destroyed by your friends in the Taliban 10 years ago? What about when that the Palestinians defiled the tomb of Joseph when the Jews pulled out of Nablus(in 2002)? What about when Christian Holy Symbols are defiled in the name of "art" (a la "the Piss Christ")? Where was your "righteous" anger over that desacration? Please tell us Newsweek....where was your outrage over the desacration of THESE sacred items.....
The internet is all abuzz over the Newsweek "Periscope" item of May 9, 2005. As you all know, Newsweek stated (and has since retracted) that American soldiers "desacrated" a Koran by sticking it in a toilet. Now we don't know if that really happened or not, former detainees at Gitmo have long claimed it but there has yet to be any proof of these allegations. Because of this printed rumor, radical Islamists rioted and people DIED! Now others have discussed (at great length) the irresponsible behavior that Newsweek exhibited. I would like to, instead, focus on the "excuse" for the riots.
So you are mad that someone MAY have desecrated your holy book? Where was your "righteous" anger when the Buddhist temples and statues and holy documents were destroyed by your friends in the Taliban 10 years ago? What about when that the Palestinians defiled the tomb of Joseph when the Jews pulled out of Nablus(in 2002)? What about when Christian Holy Symbols are defiled in the name of "art" (a la "the Piss Christ")? Where was your "righteous" anger over that desacration? Please tell us Newsweek....where was your outrage over the desacration of THESE sacred items.....
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