Rambix over at Rambix and the Red Star has done yeomans work documenting the breakdown of order in Amy Klobuchar's Minneapolis*. The following has all of the earmarks of one of his posts, but it's not.
"Mario Moreno should still have been behind bars the night he climbed into the passenger seat of a stolen car with two fellow gang members.He was carrying a rifle, some cartridges and, in his jacket pocket, a bag of marijuana. "Let's go do this," the car's driver recalled Moreno saying as they headed into the turf of a rival black gang.
They drove by a liquor store at 89th Street and Central Avenue in South Los Angeles. Two older black men were standing outside.Moreno, 18, aimed his weapon out the driver's-side window and fired. One bullet killed Darrell Dennard, 53, a grandfather who slept in an alley behind a nearby fish market and got by doing odd jobs. He had just bought a lottery ticket. It was about 9 p.m. on Oct. 11, 2004."
This is from the Los Angeles Times today. Yahoo has this take on the story! Los Angeles officials are finally coming to the realization of a fact that many law enforcement officials have been trying to tell them for a long time...that catch and release - while fine for fishing - does not work well in law enforcement.
"City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo said. "I think criminals have learned from this that there is a way to beat the system. ... For many, a few days in jail has become just a cost of doing business."
Rambix has documented how a large portion of offenders in Amy Klobuchar's Minneapolis* are also repeat offenders. If this is how Amy Klobuchar protects Hennepin County*, you have to wonder just how well she will do her job should she get elected to the Senate. However, KennedyVMachine gives you a hint about what she will do once she goes to DC...she will be fundraising and getting ready to run for her next elected position! Surely Minnesota deserves better than that...
* Hennepin County Attorneys Office Mission Statement - To protect the rights and safety of the people of Hennepin County.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
The erosion and the landslide
One of the most subtle principles in the pursuit of liberty, freedom and a constitutional republic, which we used to have, are property rights. Frederic Bastiat, in his excellent tome "The Law" takes and proves the point that private property is a direct extension of life:
We hold from God the gift which includes all others. This gift is life — physical, intellectual, and moral life.
But life cannot maintain itself alone. The Creator of life has entrusted us with the responsibility of preserving, developing, and perfecting it. In order that we may accomplish this, He has provided us with a collection of marvelous faculties. And He has put us in the midst of a variety of natural resources. By the application of our faculties to these natural resources we convert them into products, and use them. This process is necessary in order that life may run its appointed course.
Life, faculties, production—in other words, individuality, liberty, property — this is man. And in spite of the cunning of artful political leaders, these three gifts from God precede all human legislation, and are superior to it.
Life, liberty, and property do not exist because men have made laws. On the contrary, it was the fact that life, liberty, and property existed beforehand that caused men to make laws in the first place.
From this premise, Bastiat goes on to prove that government is formed to protect the rights of each individual. That when government starts to recognize groups, then there are no longer individual rights, but group priviledges. And at that point, you have groups that raise up to either ensure that their interests are protected or to take more from another group. And we have the descent into democracy where the majority rules over the minority, or sometimes vice versa, and the subtle, and sometimes not so subtle erosion of your individual rights. And consequently property rights. Eminent domain is the hot property rights topic. And how did we get to that point? Slowly, easily... and steadily. What would have resulted in riots a century ago is now regarded as business as usual. When your land can not be developed, when you When your money is forcibly taken from you via taxes, you have had your time, your effort and your property taken from you. And on a larger scale, we have the disaster that the collectivists have forced on General Motors. And on a large scale, what you see happening to General Motors mirrors perfectly the state of the American dependency state (Katrina and the socialist, leftwing hellhole disaster called New Orleans as prima facie evidence). And it comes back to you. You are going to pay for it. All of it. Every penny. How do I know? From my radical lefty friend who admits that the unfunded liability of Social Security and Medicare exists. But he claims it's ONLY $20,000,000,000,000 (not the $60,000,000,000,000-$80,000,000,000,000 that reputable economists tell). And this leftist's solution to the problem? After much thought and reflection and many calculations? A 100% inheritance tax. Total estate confiscation (BTW, the elimination of all inheritance laws is one of the ten points of the Communist Manifesto .I'd also recommend reading down the article and comparing the ten points with the Democratic party platform. Also read how a goodly portion of the ten points has already been implemented). When the WWII generation dies, the government takes all their money. He tries to throw you off the trail by calling it "their childrens' money". So what? It's still someone elses money. NOT the government's.
General Motors doesn't have the force of law behind it to force it's customers to buy it's cars and trucks to pay the huge burden of obligations that have been forced on it by it's unions and with the collboration of the government. Government DOES have the force of law to force YOU to pay for it's follies.
Now, what are you going to do about it?
Friday, May 12, 2006
Coleen Rowley....nothing has changed
Coleen Rowley (presumed candidate for Congress CD2) had an op-ed piece in today's Star Tribune. In it she takes exception to an editorial that the Strib ran last week.
"Radsan's piece began with the bold assertion that "no matter the jury's final verdict in Virginia, Zacarias Moussaoui's should be the last case in which the criminal justice system handles an operative in a major terrorist plot."
I certainly hope not. Despite some egregious mistakes, official bungling, prosecutorial improprieties, and legal irregularities -- e.g., Moussaoui not being allowed to call all witnesses, namely certain Al-Qaida operatives held under U.S. control, to testify in his favor -- the case proved our regular adversarial-jury trial system works. "
She can't be saying what I think she is saying, is she???? That we should be fighting terrorism in the courts???
"The mistakes that occurred in the Moussaoui case, however, do not support the proposition that we cannot use our criminal courts and their procedural and constitutional rights to combat terrorism. Instead, the Moussaoui trial proves we can. "
She is saying it!!!! She IS saying that we should be fighting terrorism in the courts.
"This is a huge issue, because if you fall into thinking that we cannot combat terrorism using our criminal justice system and all the rights and protections it affords, you open the door to all the extraconstitutional -- or more bluntly, illegal -- methods currently in vogue: the use of renditions, black sites and torture; lack of due process; and warrantless NSA monitoring on American soil. Enormous problems loom once we decide it's OK as a blanket measure to go around the constitutional rules and down this slippery slope. "
Coleen, Coleen, Coleen....apparently someone who knows more about the law needs to educate you on the legality of the NSA monitoring. Maybe someone we can get someone with a little better sense of history to explain to you the precident that was set by FDR. Maybe she will believe the US Supreme Court!
"The Constitution gives the president the responsibility to act quickly and decisively to defend the national security. Congress, freed from such responsibility, could indulge other preoccupations. At one point, Jackson wrote Rep. John Coffee that "I am confident that if you and any of the other liberals in Congress sat in my seat and were held to some degree of responsibility for the perpetration of acts of sabotage and espionage in this country you would feel differently about the wire tapping bill."
Let me repeat that for you Coleen....the Consititution gives the President the responsibility to act quickly and decisively to defend national security!!!
I really hate to be a "scare monger", but we can not afford to sit at home in November. As I said here, staying home in November will hurt the country more than it will hurt the Republican Party leadership. Captain Ed nails it! Rather than stay home, we refuse to give the leadership a dime until they start acting more responsively to the base. Instead, direct your donations directly to individual candidates instead!
"Radsan's piece began with the bold assertion that "no matter the jury's final verdict in Virginia, Zacarias Moussaoui's should be the last case in which the criminal justice system handles an operative in a major terrorist plot."
I certainly hope not. Despite some egregious mistakes, official bungling, prosecutorial improprieties, and legal irregularities -- e.g., Moussaoui not being allowed to call all witnesses, namely certain Al-Qaida operatives held under U.S. control, to testify in his favor -- the case proved our regular adversarial-jury trial system works. "
She can't be saying what I think she is saying, is she???? That we should be fighting terrorism in the courts???
"The mistakes that occurred in the Moussaoui case, however, do not support the proposition that we cannot use our criminal courts and their procedural and constitutional rights to combat terrorism. Instead, the Moussaoui trial proves we can. "
She is saying it!!!! She IS saying that we should be fighting terrorism in the courts.
"This is a huge issue, because if you fall into thinking that we cannot combat terrorism using our criminal justice system and all the rights and protections it affords, you open the door to all the extraconstitutional -- or more bluntly, illegal -- methods currently in vogue: the use of renditions, black sites and torture; lack of due process; and warrantless NSA monitoring on American soil. Enormous problems loom once we decide it's OK as a blanket measure to go around the constitutional rules and down this slippery slope. "
Coleen, Coleen, Coleen....apparently someone who knows more about the law needs to educate you on the legality of the NSA monitoring. Maybe someone we can get someone with a little better sense of history to explain to you the precident that was set by FDR. Maybe she will believe the US Supreme Court!
"The Constitution gives the president the responsibility to act quickly and decisively to defend the national security. Congress, freed from such responsibility, could indulge other preoccupations. At one point, Jackson wrote Rep. John Coffee that "I am confident that if you and any of the other liberals in Congress sat in my seat and were held to some degree of responsibility for the perpetration of acts of sabotage and espionage in this country you would feel differently about the wire tapping bill."
Let me repeat that for you Coleen....the Consititution gives the President the responsibility to act quickly and decisively to defend national security!!!
I really hate to be a "scare monger", but we can not afford to sit at home in November. As I said here, staying home in November will hurt the country more than it will hurt the Republican Party leadership. Captain Ed nails it! Rather than stay home, we refuse to give the leadership a dime until they start acting more responsively to the base. Instead, direct your donations directly to individual candidates instead!
The bio-terrorism of the illegals
Once again, I read this article that posted today. And it deserves a separate post.
The diseases coming across the border are dangerous, infectious and deadly.And if they were carried here by Al Qaida, Homeland Security would be on it immediately. With alerts galore.
And yet we have coming over the border, every day, multi drug resistant TB, which was formerly only endemic to Mexico, an outbreak of hepatitis A in Pennsylvania, leprosy, Chagas Disease, T-Cruzi protozoan that destroys heart tissue, hemmorhagic fever just to name a few.
And GWB dawdles. Congress compromises. Both complain that oil companies make too much money. Democrats demagogue. Republicans demagogue. And hospitals close. And Americans suffer and die.
And again, why should any of them remain in office?
The diseases coming across the border are dangerous, infectious and deadly.And if they were carried here by Al Qaida, Homeland Security would be on it immediately. With alerts galore.
And yet we have coming over the border, every day, multi drug resistant TB, which was formerly only endemic to Mexico, an outbreak of hepatitis A in Pennsylvania, leprosy, Chagas Disease, T-Cruzi protozoan that destroys heart tissue, hemmorhagic fever just to name a few.
And GWB dawdles. Congress compromises. Both complain that oil companies make too much money. Democrats demagogue. Republicans demagogue. And hospitals close. And Americans suffer and die.
And again, why should any of them remain in office?
Low numbers for Bush. Even lower for others!
I get regular mailings from The Patriot Post and always read them. Today, I got their recent mailing. They take apart Republicans and the NYT. The NYT has a poll that screams GWB's numbers are low. And then near the end of the article, they have a small piece of honesty (which I'm sure led to writer's immediate firing) where they state that John Kerry and Al Gore enjoy even lower approval numbers than GWB. The Patriot concluded that even with all the kudos and huggy wuggy articles on these two lefty Presidential aspirants, they still poll lower than GWB.
And the Congress gets even lower numbers than that.
Wake up kiddies!
And the Congress gets even lower numbers than that.
Wake up kiddies!
Just one illegal-x 800,000 a year x decades
A few years back I came across an article warning about illegal aliens coming to America that were carrying horrible diseases that were highly infectious. There was a story coming from Austin, MN where there was a strain of resistant tuberculosis that was found amongst the police and was traced to illegal aliens and their increase in numbers in Austin. Another article went on to talk about the complete lack of hygiene from illegals that bred disease.
And now, there is this article on just one illegal alien (from Anti-Strib).Read it. And that all his friends tested positive.
In fairness, the last paragraph gives kudos to this one illegal alien. But, read what the doctor's experience has been for countless others.
And now, there is this article on just one illegal alien (from Anti-Strib).Read it. And that all his friends tested positive.
In fairness, the last paragraph gives kudos to this one illegal alien. But, read what the doctor's experience has been for countless others.
And what do women say about Hillary? OW!!!!
Juanita Broadrrick, Kathleen Willey and Candice Jackson give an inside view of Ms. Rodham. And they urge you to read "I've Always Been A Yankees Fan". Hitlery's quotes follow her in this great book.
Yesterday I heard John Podhoretz talk about his new book "Can She Be Stopped?". He commented that if there are enough supposedly Republican women ( perhaps just 10%) who are just so in love with the idea of a woman President, then Hillary moves back to zip code 20006.
These women need to read Candice Jackson's book "Their Lives:The Women Targeted by the Clinton Machine". It will make your blood run cold...then hot if you're any kind of thinking woman.
Forewarned is forearmed.
Yesterday I heard John Podhoretz talk about his new book "Can She Be Stopped?". He commented that if there are enough supposedly Republican women ( perhaps just 10%) who are just so in love with the idea of a woman President, then Hillary moves back to zip code 20006.
These women need to read Candice Jackson's book "Their Lives:The Women Targeted by the Clinton Machine". It will make your blood run cold...then hot if you're any kind of thinking woman.
Forewarned is forearmed.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Bill Clinton and spreading HIV
No, it's not about spreading HIV THAT way.
This is another of those underreported events in the life of William Jefferson Blythe Clinton.
Seems that as governor, he was involved in an HIV, Hepatitis C infected blood selling program that has been ignored by, well, the usual suspects.
And now, he's being protested for his role in killing people with tainted blood.
Just another chapter in the story of the Rock Star of the National and International Lefties.
This is another of those underreported events in the life of William Jefferson Blythe Clinton.
Seems that as governor, he was involved in an HIV, Hepatitis C infected blood selling program that has been ignored by, well, the usual suspects.
And now, he's being protested for his role in killing people with tainted blood.
Just another chapter in the story of the Rock Star of the National and International Lefties.
Collectivists at Prairie Pravda or It's really not YOUR money
Once again, be warned, the only reason you, or anyone else works is not for you or your family. It's to keep Congress in power and control. So says Prairie Pravda . From their long disproved Keynesian outlook the reason for deficits is that there are tax cuts. That the solution to deficits is (of course)...RAISE TAXES!!! The only way to prop up failed, ineffective and in many cases counter-productive programs by taking even more of your money (see my post on riding dead horses. The editorial board at PP seems that point #9 is the way to get a dead horse to at least trot). Always remember, with lefties all tax cuts are unwarranted and too much, all tax raises are never enough, all programs (except the constitutional defense program) are underfunded, and any expansion of government is OK. The collectivists at PP always cry that you and I are idiots and just don't know how to spend our own money. It takes the combined wisdom,intelligence, compassion and foresight of 535 people under a marble dome to effectively and prudently spend your money. Well, PPP (Prairie Pravda Pukes), I have a splendid idea: show us your commitment and have the government take all our money and give us all that we need. Go all the way, not part way. Come on! Minimum wage at $25.00 an hour, government meals at 7 am, 12 pm and 6 pm. Make us all happy! Vitamins at breakfast and urine tests to make sure we're taking those vitamins. Mandatory and random dental exams to make sure that we're all flossing. Sniffer dogs ensuring that we're changing our government issued and washed underwear. TAKE ALL OUR MONEY AND BRING ON UTOPIA, YA' COWARDS!
As Savage Republican once said "Any deficit is not and will never be a taxing or revenue problem. Deficits are and will always be a spending problem."
The deficit problem solution is quite simple: cut programs. Cut spending.No deficits. Any questions?
As Savage Republican once said "Any deficit is not and will never be a taxing or revenue problem. Deficits are and will always be a spending problem."
The deficit problem solution is quite simple: cut programs. Cut spending.No deficits. Any questions?
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
IS thinking obsolete?
Thomas Sowell has an excellent article on the hysteria surrounding the current high gas prices.
"If the profit per gallon of gas were reduced to zero, would that be enough to reduce the price by even a dime? If the oil company executives were to work free of charge, would that be enough to reduce the price of gasoline by even a penny a gallon?
Surely media loudmouths making millions of dollars a year and the multibillion dollar TV networks they work for can afford to get some statistics and buy a pocket calculator to do the arithmetic before spouting off nationwide.
But this is the age of emotion, not analysis."
WOW - I don't think truer words have been spoken in the media.
"The very politicians who have piled tax after tax on gasoline over the years, and voted to prohibit oil drilling offshore or in Alaska, and who have made it impossible to build a single oil refinery in decades, are all over the television screens denouncing the oil companies. In other words, those who supply oil are being denounced and demonized by those who have been blocking the supply of oil." (emphasis mine)
OK maybe truer words HAVE been spoken in the media! Please go read the whole thing! There is nothing more to add, other than we need to hold Congress responsible, not "big oil". Congress needs to get off of the dime and allow drilling in ANWR and off-shore exploration and more refineries!
"If the profit per gallon of gas were reduced to zero, would that be enough to reduce the price by even a dime? If the oil company executives were to work free of charge, would that be enough to reduce the price of gasoline by even a penny a gallon?
Surely media loudmouths making millions of dollars a year and the multibillion dollar TV networks they work for can afford to get some statistics and buy a pocket calculator to do the arithmetic before spouting off nationwide.
But this is the age of emotion, not analysis."
WOW - I don't think truer words have been spoken in the media.
"The very politicians who have piled tax after tax on gasoline over the years, and voted to prohibit oil drilling offshore or in Alaska, and who have made it impossible to build a single oil refinery in decades, are all over the television screens denouncing the oil companies. In other words, those who supply oil are being denounced and demonized by those who have been blocking the supply of oil." (emphasis mine)
OK maybe truer words HAVE been spoken in the media! Please go read the whole thing! There is nothing more to add, other than we need to hold Congress responsible, not "big oil". Congress needs to get off of the dime and allow drilling in ANWR and off-shore exploration and more refineries!
Speaking of the Kennedys of Massachusetts
Senator Edward Kennedy has long talked a good game on alternative energy and yet when a wind farm is slated to go in Nantucket Sound where it could possibly spoil the good Senator's view from the family compound, well then all bets are off!
"A shoal in the center of the Sound is where Boston-based Cape Wind Associates hopes to build the nation's first offshore wind farm -- an array of 130 wind turbines capable of generating enough electricity to meet 75 percent of the Cape and Islands' energy needs, without burning any oil or emitting any pollution. The turbines would be miles from any coastal property, barely visible on the horizon. In fact, Cape Wind says they would be farther away from the nearest home than any other electricity generation project in Massachusetts."
Jeff Jacoby writes the above in an opinion piece about how the Senator is trying to change the rules in mid-stream for the operators of the Cape Wind Associates.
"Every child knows that you don't change the rules in the middle of the game," Kennedy says."
True enough Senator, so why is it you are trying to change the rules here. Could it be because you don't feel that the rules apply to you?
"A shoal in the center of the Sound is where Boston-based Cape Wind Associates hopes to build the nation's first offshore wind farm -- an array of 130 wind turbines capable of generating enough electricity to meet 75 percent of the Cape and Islands' energy needs, without burning any oil or emitting any pollution. The turbines would be miles from any coastal property, barely visible on the horizon. In fact, Cape Wind says they would be farther away from the nearest home than any other electricity generation project in Massachusetts."
Jeff Jacoby writes the above in an opinion piece about how the Senator is trying to change the rules in mid-stream for the operators of the Cape Wind Associates.
"Every child knows that you don't change the rules in the middle of the game," Kennedy says."
True enough Senator, so why is it you are trying to change the rules here. Could it be because you don't feel that the rules apply to you?
Irony
Here is the epitome of irony, from our friends at the Star Tribune.
"I find it very interesting that Rush Limbaugh managed to plea-bargain his way out of trouble for drug possession (Star Tribune, April 29).
On his own show, he had loudly advocated the imprisonment of all drug addicts. Yet when he is caught with his hand in the Oxycontin jar, a whole new set of rules suddenly apply.
If he were not who he is, a very rich celebrity, he would already be in jail. Truly there are separate systems of justice in this country: one for the rich and famous and one for the rest of us.
If justice is not meted out evenly, we cannot call ourselves a civil and just society. Paraphrasing George Orwell's "Animal Farm," in the United States, everyone is equal, but some are more equal than others.
DJV, CRYSTAL "
Now normally I leave the fisking of Strib Letters to those bloggers who do it best, but this was too rich to pass up!
Let's see, on one hand we have a Republican radio commentator who is prosecuted (in the courts and in the media) for 3 years and when push comes to shove no charges are filed and on the other we have a Democratic member of Congress with a history of drug abuse crashing his car into a Capitol barrier and no field sobriety tests are issued and there is minimal coverage in the media. Just lots of sympathetic "tsk, tsks" about how he's in need of rehab.
Yeah DJV, you're so very right...some Kennedy's are more equal than the rest of us. Cynthia McKinney...call your attorney - that discrimination case just grew legs!
"I find it very interesting that Rush Limbaugh managed to plea-bargain his way out of trouble for drug possession (Star Tribune, April 29).
On his own show, he had loudly advocated the imprisonment of all drug addicts. Yet when he is caught with his hand in the Oxycontin jar, a whole new set of rules suddenly apply.
If he were not who he is, a very rich celebrity, he would already be in jail. Truly there are separate systems of justice in this country: one for the rich and famous and one for the rest of us.
If justice is not meted out evenly, we cannot call ourselves a civil and just society. Paraphrasing George Orwell's "Animal Farm," in the United States, everyone is equal, but some are more equal than others.
DJV, CRYSTAL "
Now normally I leave the fisking of Strib Letters to those bloggers who do it best, but this was too rich to pass up!
Let's see, on one hand we have a Republican radio commentator who is prosecuted (in the courts and in the media) for 3 years and when push comes to shove no charges are filed and on the other we have a Democratic member of Congress with a history of drug abuse crashing his car into a Capitol barrier and no field sobriety tests are issued and there is minimal coverage in the media. Just lots of sympathetic "tsk, tsks" about how he's in need of rehab.
Yeah DJV, you're so very right...some Kennedy's are more equal than the rest of us. Cynthia McKinney...call your attorney - that discrimination case just grew legs!
Domestic Surveillance outrage!
Scott at Powerline points us to this.
"IN A BOLD AND CONTROVERSIAL DECISION, the president authorized a program for the surveillance of communications within the United States, seeking to prevent acts of domestic sabotage and espionage. In so doing, he ignored a statute that possibly forbade such activity, even though high-profile federal judges had affirmed the statute's validity. The president sought statutory amendments allowing this surveillance but, when no such legislation was forthcoming, he continued the program nonetheless. And when Congress demanded that he disclose details of the surveillance program, the attorney general said, in no uncertain terms, that it would get nothing of the sort. "
George W. Bush???? No - Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Read the entire article. It's one of those things that makes you go "hmmmmmm". So there is precident for what President Bush has done...and it was legal then....therefore...
"IN A BOLD AND CONTROVERSIAL DECISION, the president authorized a program for the surveillance of communications within the United States, seeking to prevent acts of domestic sabotage and espionage. In so doing, he ignored a statute that possibly forbade such activity, even though high-profile federal judges had affirmed the statute's validity. The president sought statutory amendments allowing this surveillance but, when no such legislation was forthcoming, he continued the program nonetheless. And when Congress demanded that he disclose details of the surveillance program, the attorney general said, in no uncertain terms, that it would get nothing of the sort. "
George W. Bush???? No - Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Read the entire article. It's one of those things that makes you go "hmmmmmm". So there is precident for what President Bush has done...and it was legal then....therefore...
When "God" is insulted
"The DaVinci Code" movie is coming out soon...yawn! I read some of the book, but found it rather boring - although I had a manager at a previous job who SWORE it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. She kept talking about the "revelations" in the book as if the book was fact based instead of fiction.
This Reuters story got me to thinking though. While I don't agree with the Cardinal's call to sue over the book/movie, I do find his reaction to be a striking contrast to the "Islamic World's" reaction to the "Mohammed" cartoons. Let's see - burning embassies, killing people or filing a legal brief. Which do you think is the more civilized reaction to a percieved insult?????
This Reuters story got me to thinking though. While I don't agree with the Cardinal's call to sue over the book/movie, I do find his reaction to be a striking contrast to the "Islamic World's" reaction to the "Mohammed" cartoons. Let's see - burning embassies, killing people or filing a legal brief. Which do you think is the more civilized reaction to a percieved insult?????
We'll show them....
Lots and lots of Republican supporters feel (as Amendment X does) that since the Republicans have turned their legislative backs on us, we should turn our backs on them and not show up to the polls in November. I fully understand that frustration, I was NOT happy with Governor Pawlenty when he passed that $.75 per pack tax - er fee - on cigarettes and I told him so! I am still unhappy (and get more unhappy with each visit to the gas station) with Senator Coleman and Congressman Kennedy for their votes against drilling in ANWR and I told them so. I am not totally pleased with the stadium bill that came out of the Senate and the House bill is only partially palatable (I still believe that the voters of Hennepin County deserve the right to vote on the new tax).
Amendment X asks (in the above linked post) "Do these people deserve re-election? Do they represent me? The Republican Platform? Small government?" valid questions all. I would answer that we have the opportunity, especially now as early in the convention/primary process as we are, to hold these people accountable! Now is the time to let the Governor and the State Senators and the Federal legislators know that they are NOT representing their party and that the grass roots is not happy. There is no guarantee that they will listen and if they don't, then you do have to vote your conscience. However, before you decide to stay home in November I would ask you to consider the following.
Just who will really suffer should the Republican base stay home and refuse to vote. Would the Republican candidates suffer? Yeah they may not be re-elected but they would hardly "suffer"? Would the Party suffer? Hardly - they might pay a little more lip service to the base, but really would it change much? No, the ones who would really suffer is the country as a whole! Take a look at what we are in for should the Democrats get control of the House and Senate.
On a Federal Level, you have John Conyers (D-MI) who would become Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee should the Democrats regain control of the House. He has already declared that he would IMMEDIATELY start investigating the President for "lying" us into the War in Iraq. He has also sponsored a bill (HR 40 - for 40 acres and a mule) to investigate the impact of paying reparations for slavery to African Americas living today! Or consider Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) who would become Speaker of the House should the Democrats take control. She vowed (in a Washington Post interview and on Meet the Press) to "raise the minimum wage, roll back parts of the prescription drug plan, repeal the Patriot Act, roll back the Bush tax cuts and investigate the Bush Administration."
On the state level you have the two DFL candidates for Governor promising to raise taxes IMMEDIATELY on the top earners. The DFL controlled Senate has already passed a stadium bill that would tax EVERYONE in the seven county metro area to pay for all 3 stadiums and REFUSE private donations from TCF Bank (because they asked for naming rights). We have DFL candidates at all levels campaigning for more light rail, universal health care, education and publically funded stadiums and all of those proposals are going to require MAJOR tax hikes to pay for them!
So in the long run, just who would be hurt worse if the Republican base stayed home this November????? I would submit that it would be worse for the country and the state if we disgruntled Republicans refused to show up on election day.
Amendment X asks (in the above linked post) "Do these people deserve re-election? Do they represent me? The Republican Platform? Small government?" valid questions all. I would answer that we have the opportunity, especially now as early in the convention/primary process as we are, to hold these people accountable! Now is the time to let the Governor and the State Senators and the Federal legislators know that they are NOT representing their party and that the grass roots is not happy. There is no guarantee that they will listen and if they don't, then you do have to vote your conscience. However, before you decide to stay home in November I would ask you to consider the following.
Just who will really suffer should the Republican base stay home and refuse to vote. Would the Republican candidates suffer? Yeah they may not be re-elected but they would hardly "suffer"? Would the Party suffer? Hardly - they might pay a little more lip service to the base, but really would it change much? No, the ones who would really suffer is the country as a whole! Take a look at what we are in for should the Democrats get control of the House and Senate.
On a Federal Level, you have John Conyers (D-MI) who would become Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee should the Democrats regain control of the House. He has already declared that he would IMMEDIATELY start investigating the President for "lying" us into the War in Iraq. He has also sponsored a bill (HR 40 - for 40 acres and a mule) to investigate the impact of paying reparations for slavery to African Americas living today! Or consider Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) who would become Speaker of the House should the Democrats take control. She vowed (in a Washington Post interview and on Meet the Press) to "raise the minimum wage, roll back parts of the prescription drug plan, repeal the Patriot Act, roll back the Bush tax cuts and investigate the Bush Administration."
On the state level you have the two DFL candidates for Governor promising to raise taxes IMMEDIATELY on the top earners. The DFL controlled Senate has already passed a stadium bill that would tax EVERYONE in the seven county metro area to pay for all 3 stadiums and REFUSE private donations from TCF Bank (because they asked for naming rights). We have DFL candidates at all levels campaigning for more light rail, universal health care, education and publically funded stadiums and all of those proposals are going to require MAJOR tax hikes to pay for them!
So in the long run, just who would be hurt worse if the Republican base stayed home this November????? I would submit that it would be worse for the country and the state if we disgruntled Republicans refused to show up on election day.
Monday, May 08, 2006
In the name of Allah
This is the hardest post I have had to write and the hardest story I have ever read.
The Times of London bring us this horrific story.
"EVEN by the stupefying standards of Iraq's unspeakable violence, the murder of Atwar Bahjat, one of the country'ss top television journalists, was an act of exceptional cruelty. "
Atwar Bahjat was a 30 year old woman journalist in Iraq. She built quite a following for her reports for al Arabiya on the day to day fighting in Iraq. She was abducted at the edge of her native city of Samarra after a day of reporting on the bombing of the Shi'ite mosque (reportedly bu Sunni factions).
"Two men drove up in a pick-up truck, asking for her. She appealed to a small crowd that had gathered around her crew but nobody was willing to help her. "
One can only imagine the terror and betrayal that she was feeling as she begged her follow Samarrans to help her. However, the horror she felt then was just a faint shadow of what was to come. What follows is not rated PG.
" First she was stripped to the waist, a humiliation for any woman but particularly so for a pious Muslim who concealed her hair, arms and legs from men other than her father and brother.
Then her arms were bound behind her back. A golden locket in the shape of Iraq that became her glittering trademark in front of the television cameras must have been removed at some point — it is nowhere to be seen in the grainy film, which was made by someone who pointed a mobile phone at her as she lay on a patch of earth in mortal terror.
By the time filming begins, the condemned woman has been blindfolded with a white bandage.
It is stained with blood that trickles from a wound on the left side of her head. She is moaning, although whether from the pain of what has already been done to her or from the fear of what is about to be inflicted is unclear. "
By the time the filming begins.....the animals that had taken Bahjat were filming the torture that they were inflicting on this defenseless woman! WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE FROM NOW?????
"A large man dressed in military fatigues, boots and cap approaches from behind and covers her mouth with his left hand. In his right hand, he clutches a large knife with a black handle and an 8in blade. He proceeds to cut her throat from the middle, slicing from side to side.
Her cries — “Ah, ah, ah” — can be heard above the “Allahu akbar” (God is greatest) intoned by the holder of the mobile phone.
Even then, there is no quick release for Bahjat. Her executioner suddenly stands up, his job only half done. A second man in a dark T-shirt and camouflage trousers places his right khaki boot on her abdomen and pushes down hard eight times, forcing a rush of blood from her wounds as she moves her head from right to left.
Only now does the executioner return to finish the task. He hacks off her head and drops it to the ground, then picks it up again and perches it on her bare chest so that it faces the film-maker in a grotesque parody of one of her pieces to camera."
But the monsters were not finished with Bahjat...
"She had nine drill holes in her right arm and 10 in her left, he said. The drill had also been applied to her legs, her navel and her right eye. One can only hope that these mutilations were made after her death. "
DRILL HOLES in her arms, legs, abdomen and head! What kind of animals are they?
Captain Ed wrote about the "cowardice" of the monsters that murdered Bahjat, Michelle Malkin called them "insanely evil" neither of which captures (for me) the revulsion that courses through me at the thought of what these animals did. I don't think that there is anything "insane" about this. It is pure evil.
John at Powerline reminds us that there are those who harp on US "abuses" all the while ignoring the real atrocties that aatrocities done in the name of Allah and the guys at Anti-Strib continue to remind us why Islam "stinks". However, this story, more than any other that I have seen so far, drives home (to me) the reality that was revealed to me when I read when I read the Koran a couple of years ago. It reminds me of my visceral reaction, my "gut feeling" to reading the words of "Allah". That feeling was fear. The writings of the "Prophet" scared me more than anything I had ever read in my life. Prior to my reading of the Koran, all I knew about Islam came from reading "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran - a book that was given to me as a gift (from a young man I was dating at the time). Until I actually read the words of the "prophet" I, like my President, thought that Islam was a "religion of peace". If that were an accurate representation, then the outcries of outrage from "mainstream Islam" against this kind of barbarity would be deafening. Instead the only cries of outrage we get are when someone "insults" Islam. I tried to convince myself that there were "moderate Muslims" out there and that they would indeed speak out against the atrocities. The silence was deafening. Meanwhile, Islams believers insult the Gods of other religions on a daily basis.
Until the rest of the "civilized" world, stands up with one voice and DEMANDS that Islam grows up and becomes part of the 21th century (as opposed to living in the 2nd century like they do now) we will continue to be at war with Islam. No amount of sugar coating by the press or the President will change that fact - I fact that I have finally come to admit.
UPDATE: Captain Ed and Michelle Malkin both report that there are those who are casting doubt on the veracity of this Times story. The video is accurate, but the victim may not have been Atwar Bahjat, but a Nepalese man who had been captured in 2004. Regardless, what was done in this video, be the victim male or female, is reprehensible and those that practice this should be dealt with swiftly and firmly.
The Times of London bring us this horrific story.
"EVEN by the stupefying standards of Iraq's unspeakable violence, the murder of Atwar Bahjat, one of the country'ss top television journalists, was an act of exceptional cruelty. "
Atwar Bahjat was a 30 year old woman journalist in Iraq. She built quite a following for her reports for al Arabiya on the day to day fighting in Iraq. She was abducted at the edge of her native city of Samarra after a day of reporting on the bombing of the Shi'ite mosque (reportedly bu Sunni factions).
"Two men drove up in a pick-up truck, asking for her. She appealed to a small crowd that had gathered around her crew but nobody was willing to help her. "
One can only imagine the terror and betrayal that she was feeling as she begged her follow Samarrans to help her. However, the horror she felt then was just a faint shadow of what was to come. What follows is not rated PG.
" First she was stripped to the waist, a humiliation for any woman but particularly so for a pious Muslim who concealed her hair, arms and legs from men other than her father and brother.
Then her arms were bound behind her back. A golden locket in the shape of Iraq that became her glittering trademark in front of the television cameras must have been removed at some point — it is nowhere to be seen in the grainy film, which was made by someone who pointed a mobile phone at her as she lay on a patch of earth in mortal terror.
By the time filming begins, the condemned woman has been blindfolded with a white bandage.
It is stained with blood that trickles from a wound on the left side of her head. She is moaning, although whether from the pain of what has already been done to her or from the fear of what is about to be inflicted is unclear. "
By the time the filming begins.....the animals that had taken Bahjat were filming the torture that they were inflicting on this defenseless woman! WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE FROM NOW?????
"A large man dressed in military fatigues, boots and cap approaches from behind and covers her mouth with his left hand. In his right hand, he clutches a large knife with a black handle and an 8in blade. He proceeds to cut her throat from the middle, slicing from side to side.
Her cries — “Ah, ah, ah” — can be heard above the “Allahu akbar” (God is greatest) intoned by the holder of the mobile phone.
Even then, there is no quick release for Bahjat. Her executioner suddenly stands up, his job only half done. A second man in a dark T-shirt and camouflage trousers places his right khaki boot on her abdomen and pushes down hard eight times, forcing a rush of blood from her wounds as she moves her head from right to left.
Only now does the executioner return to finish the task. He hacks off her head and drops it to the ground, then picks it up again and perches it on her bare chest so that it faces the film-maker in a grotesque parody of one of her pieces to camera."
But the monsters were not finished with Bahjat...
"She had nine drill holes in her right arm and 10 in her left, he said. The drill had also been applied to her legs, her navel and her right eye. One can only hope that these mutilations were made after her death. "
DRILL HOLES in her arms, legs, abdomen and head! What kind of animals are they?
Captain Ed wrote about the "cowardice" of the monsters that murdered Bahjat, Michelle Malkin called them "insanely evil" neither of which captures (for me) the revulsion that courses through me at the thought of what these animals did. I don't think that there is anything "insane" about this. It is pure evil.
John at Powerline reminds us that there are those who harp on US "abuses" all the while ignoring the real atrocties that aatrocities done in the name of Allah and the guys at Anti-Strib continue to remind us why Islam "stinks". However, this story, more than any other that I have seen so far, drives home (to me) the reality that was revealed to me when I read when I read the Koran a couple of years ago. It reminds me of my visceral reaction, my "gut feeling" to reading the words of "Allah". That feeling was fear. The writings of the "Prophet" scared me more than anything I had ever read in my life. Prior to my reading of the Koran, all I knew about Islam came from reading "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran - a book that was given to me as a gift (from a young man I was dating at the time). Until I actually read the words of the "prophet" I, like my President, thought that Islam was a "religion of peace". If that were an accurate representation, then the outcries of outrage from "mainstream Islam" against this kind of barbarity would be deafening. Instead the only cries of outrage we get are when someone "insults" Islam. I tried to convince myself that there were "moderate Muslims" out there and that they would indeed speak out against the atrocities. The silence was deafening. Meanwhile, Islams believers insult the Gods of other religions on a daily basis.
Until the rest of the "civilized" world, stands up with one voice and DEMANDS that Islam grows up and becomes part of the 21th century (as opposed to living in the 2nd century like they do now) we will continue to be at war with Islam. No amount of sugar coating by the press or the President will change that fact - I fact that I have finally come to admit.
UPDATE: Captain Ed and Michelle Malkin both report that there are those who are casting doubt on the veracity of this Times story. The video is accurate, but the victim may not have been Atwar Bahjat, but a Nepalese man who had been captured in 2004. Regardless, what was done in this video, be the victim male or female, is reprehensible and those that practice this should be dealt with swiftly and firmly.
Tribal Wisdom
Got this from a friend at CD2. Unfortunately wisdom and common sense (along with a any desire to keep the oath of office) is lacking in St. Paul and Washington.
The tribal wisdom of the Dakota Indians, passed on from generation to generation, says that, "When you discover that you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount."
However, in government and education inAmerica
1. Buying a stronger whip.
2. Changing riders.
3. Appointing a committee to study the horse.
4. Visiting other countries to see how other cultures ride dead horses.
5. Lowering the standards so that dead horses can be included.
6. Reclassifying the dead horse as living-impaired.
7. Hiring outside contractors to ride the dead horse.
8. Harnessing several dead horses together to increase speed.
9. Providing additional funding and/or training to increase dead
horse's performance.
10. Doing a productivity study to see if lighter riders would improve
the dead horse's performance.
11. Declaring that as the dead horse does not have to be fed, it is
less costly, carries lower overhead, and therefore contributes
substantially more to the bottom line of the economy than do some other
horses.
12. Rewriting the expected performance requirements for all horses.
And of course my favorite. .
13. Promoting the dead horse to a supervisory position.
The tribal wisdom of the Dakota Indians, passed on from generation to generation, says that, "When you discover that you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount."
However, in government and education in
1. Buying a stronger whip.
2. Changing riders.
3. Appointing a committee to study the horse.
4. Visiting other countries to see how other cultures ride dead horses.
5. Lowering the standards so that dead horses can be included.
6. Reclassifying the dead horse as living-impaired.
7. Hiring outside contractors to ride the dead horse.
8. Harnessing several dead horses together to increase speed.
9. Providing additional funding and/or training to increase dead
horse's performance.
10. Doing a productivity study to see if lighter riders would improve
the dead horse's performance.
11. Declaring that as the dead horse does not have to be fed, it is
less costly, carries lower overhead, and therefore contributes
substantially more to the bottom line of the economy than do some other
horses.
12. Rewriting the expected performance requirements for all horses.
And of course my favorite. .
13. Promoting the dead horse to a supervisory position.
Threat as encouragement
I happened to catch the lead "Rove Seeks to Re-Energize Conservative Base" on Drudge. I thought "this could be interesting". Well, the lead doesn't quite do justice to the article title "Rove Is Using Threat of Loss to Stir Republicans ". No surprise here. The Republicans are so far off the reservation, the only way to get people like me back on board is the "it will be worse with the lefties." I've been hearing this same line from a number of talk show hosts for years. Not a real convincing argument. At all. For me, the issue is do these people deserve re-election? Do they represent me? The Republican platform? Small government? I've held my nose in the voting booth way too many times. I've seen the Republican House and Senate expand government way beyond what the lefties had ever envisioned. But to save face, the ultra-collectivists needed to say something along the lines of "the Republican programs should have gone further", while in private I'm sure the lefties were high fiving like Super Bowl winners.
Karl, a quick FYI- I'm energized. But not in way you'd like.
Karl, a quick FYI- I'm energized. But not in way you'd like.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Confident Dems lay out their agenda
Thus says the Washington Post in this article. What is that agenda you ask? Sue the President, censure the President, impeach the President.....are you sensing a trend here? Do you see anything about what they would do to solve the current Social Security solvency problem? How about solving the high cost of fuel? Or fighting the Global War on Terror?
You can not run solely against the President. You have to run ON something. In 1994, the Republicans had the "Contract for America" which listed all of the things that they would DO should they get elected. It was not all "Anti-Clinton". Until the Dems get that simple fact they will continue to lose elections.
You can not run solely against the President. You have to run ON something. In 1994, the Republicans had the "Contract for America" which listed all of the things that they would DO should they get elected. It was not all "Anti-Clinton". Until the Dems get that simple fact they will continue to lose elections.
Immigration fallout
In the wake of the illegal immigrant protests, comes this lovely bit from the New York Times.
"Warnings of a crippling immigrant boycott did not come true yesterday. The economy survived. But what may not survive — we hope — is people's willful misunderstanding of the nature of the immigrant-rights movement. The worst among our citizens and politicians are eager to depict illegal immigrants as criminals, potential terrorists and alien invaders." emphasis mine
Here is a news flash for the editorial staff at the Times. When someone comes into this country in a manner that does not follow our existing immigration laws, then that person is a criminal! That is something that has gone horrifically under-reported during the last 4 weeks of debate on the issue.
What the proponents of preferential treatment (and that is what they are demanding when they demand to be given immediate citizenship) neglected to take into account was the possibility of a backlash. John Podhoretz writes about it in the NY Post and Senator Trent Lott (R-MS) went on Fox News and started that he was "highly offended when illegal people come into this country, take jobs illegally, and then protest and wave foreign flags." I know a lot of people that were also offended by that, myself included.
Well finally some cities and states are starting to do what the federal government refuses to do. Daily stories like this are popping up around the country.
"In response to what the Board of Health sees as a growing health crisis, local restaurants may be banned from employing illegal immigrants as a condition of their food serving licenses. "
Well New York Times editorial board...what do you have to say about that???? Is the Milford Board of Health "the worst among our citizens"?
Meanwhile, you have American citizens and other immigrant groups who need jobs who can't get them because there are people willing to take these jobs at below prevailing wages.
"Warnings of a crippling immigrant boycott did not come true yesterday. The economy survived. But what may not survive — we hope — is people's willful misunderstanding of the nature of the immigrant-rights movement. The worst among our citizens and politicians are eager to depict illegal immigrants as criminals, potential terrorists and alien invaders." emphasis mine
Here is a news flash for the editorial staff at the Times. When someone comes into this country in a manner that does not follow our existing immigration laws, then that person is a criminal! That is something that has gone horrifically under-reported during the last 4 weeks of debate on the issue.
What the proponents of preferential treatment (and that is what they are demanding when they demand to be given immediate citizenship) neglected to take into account was the possibility of a backlash. John Podhoretz writes about it in the NY Post and Senator Trent Lott (R-MS) went on Fox News and started that he was "highly offended when illegal people come into this country, take jobs illegally, and then protest and wave foreign flags." I know a lot of people that were also offended by that, myself included.
Well finally some cities and states are starting to do what the federal government refuses to do. Daily stories like this are popping up around the country.
"In response to what the Board of Health sees as a growing health crisis, local restaurants may be banned from employing illegal immigrants as a condition of their food serving licenses. "
Well New York Times editorial board...what do you have to say about that???? Is the Milford Board of Health "the worst among our citizens"?
Meanwhile, you have American citizens and other immigrant groups who need jobs who can't get them because there are people willing to take these jobs at below prevailing wages.
Voter ID is legal
Here is some bad news for the DFL. A Federal Judge has ruled that Indiana's Voter ID law is NOT an undue burden on voters! The law requires that all voters must show a state issued photo id in order to vote! This is a huge win for anyone who wants to ensure that our elections are fair for all!
Now we just need to push the Minnesota State legislature for similar legislation here!
Now we just need to push the Minnesota State legislature for similar legislation here!
Welcome to the Party
I wrote a couple of weeks back about the silence of the liberals in the media to the suffering in Darfur. Well apparently George Clooney has discovered Darfur and is making a cause of it. Good for you Mr. Clooney - glad to have you on board! There was also a rally (that went largely unnoticed thanks to the rallies of illegal immigrants the following day) on the Washington Mall to try to bring America's attention to the genocide in Darfur! Many of the planners of the Washington Mall Rally were US Jews, something that will never get mentioned by the anti-Semitic factions around the country and around the world.
The NY Sun brings to our attention, though, the total hypocricy of some of the organizers and protestors.
"We'd be remiss, however, if we didn't say that we also hope that the Darfur rally yesterday helps to illuminate the hypocrisy of some of those on the left. They want military action now to oppose a genocidal regime in Sudan and to protect its victims. Yet they opposed military action in Iraq to oust a regime, in that of Saddam Hussein, that had engaged in ethnic cleansing of Iraqi Kurds and Shiites and had rained scud missiles on Israeli cities."
OUCH! However, they are so very, very acurate in that assessment. Several vocal anti-war Congressmen and women are equally vocal that we should send troops to Darfur! An anti-Bush, anti-war group called Working Assetts is lobbying to get our troops pulled out of Iraq and shipped to Darfur!
The editorial writer concluded with this bit of common sense/logic:
"Opposing the war in Iraq while favoring an intervention in Sudan is akin to the position of an American during World War II who favored fighting Japan but taking a strictly pacifist stance toward Germany. It's so illogical as to make one wonder why."
All I can say to that is AMEN.
The NY Sun brings to our attention, though, the total hypocricy of some of the organizers and protestors.
"We'd be remiss, however, if we didn't say that we also hope that the Darfur rally yesterday helps to illuminate the hypocrisy of some of those on the left. They want military action now to oppose a genocidal regime in Sudan and to protect its victims. Yet they opposed military action in Iraq to oust a regime, in that of Saddam Hussein, that had engaged in ethnic cleansing of Iraqi Kurds and Shiites and had rained scud missiles on Israeli cities."
OUCH! However, they are so very, very acurate in that assessment. Several vocal anti-war Congressmen and women are equally vocal that we should send troops to Darfur! An anti-Bush, anti-war group called Working Assetts is lobbying to get our troops pulled out of Iraq and shipped to Darfur!
The editorial writer concluded with this bit of common sense/logic:
"Opposing the war in Iraq while favoring an intervention in Sudan is akin to the position of an American during World War II who favored fighting Japan but taking a strictly pacifist stance toward Germany. It's so illogical as to make one wonder why."
All I can say to that is AMEN.
Pandering at the pump
Because I am so behind on things, I am going to probably do a couple of generic subject posts. Please go to the links provided for more in depth details.
Charles Krauthammer said it best in this article. It's Economics 101 - when demand for a product is high - the price goes up accordingly! Meanwhile, our Republican legislators are pandering to us by proposing a $100 per family gas rebate check. Well whoop-de-do...
Meanwhile, China is starting to drill in the Gulf of Mexico - thanks to their friend Fidel Castro! They are getting rights to drill in the same sensitive areas that our oil companies are NOT allowed to drill in due to environmental restrictions!
And then there are the Democrats....the same people who are now demanding lower gas prices are the same ones who have, for years, been pushing for higher gas taxes in order to reduce driving and thus reduce greenhouse gases.
The New York Times said it best in an editorial (no longer available online)...the price of gas today is a direct result of years and years of horrible energy policy. This is not a Republican or a Democratic failure - it is a House and Senate failure. We need to get a real energy policy in place - on that encourages development of alternative fuels as well as drilling and refining available oil deposits, no matter where those deposits are (ANWR or off the coasts of California or the Gulf of Mexico). Until we get that, we are destined to have even higher gas prices than we are seeing today!
Charles Krauthammer said it best in this article. It's Economics 101 - when demand for a product is high - the price goes up accordingly! Meanwhile, our Republican legislators are pandering to us by proposing a $100 per family gas rebate check. Well whoop-de-do...
Meanwhile, China is starting to drill in the Gulf of Mexico - thanks to their friend Fidel Castro! They are getting rights to drill in the same sensitive areas that our oil companies are NOT allowed to drill in due to environmental restrictions!
And then there are the Democrats....the same people who are now demanding lower gas prices are the same ones who have, for years, been pushing for higher gas taxes in order to reduce driving and thus reduce greenhouse gases.
The New York Times said it best in an editorial (no longer available online)...the price of gas today is a direct result of years and years of horrible energy policy. This is not a Republican or a Democratic failure - it is a House and Senate failure. We need to get a real energy policy in place - on that encourages development of alternative fuels as well as drilling and refining available oil deposits, no matter where those deposits are (ANWR or off the coasts of California or the Gulf of Mexico). Until we get that, we are destined to have even higher gas prices than we are seeing today!
Back in the saddle...
Thanks to some personal issues, I have been AWOL from the Savage Republican. However, now that I am back and have a few scant minutes, I will try to get a couple of quick posts in before the catch up process begins in earnest.
Is it any surprise that the media did not react with the same faux outrage that greeted VP Cheney when Patrick Kennedy didn't report his automobile accident (which higher ups in the Congression Police force apparently tried to cover up a la his father in Chapaquiddick) for 19 hours? Did you also notice that the press had more sympathy for Congressman Kennedy than they had for radio talk show host (Rush Limbaugh)? If we are indeed, equal under the law, then why isn't Congressman Kenndy being charged with any drug related crimes? I find that curious indeed.
Is it any surprise that the media did not react with the same faux outrage that greeted VP Cheney when Patrick Kennedy didn't report his automobile accident (which higher ups in the Congression Police force apparently tried to cover up a la his father in Chapaquiddick) for 19 hours? Did you also notice that the press had more sympathy for Congressman Kennedy than they had for radio talk show host (Rush Limbaugh)? If we are indeed, equal under the law, then why isn't Congressman Kenndy being charged with any drug related crimes? I find that curious indeed.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Bullwinkle and Congress, Part III
It just doesn't end, does it ? Do any of these clowns remember the disaster of the unconstitutional Nixon price controls? So, now Congress, knowing how companies are run, and especially oil companies, are proposing price controls via fear and intimidation. And when you hear conservatives say in frustration that there is no difference between Democrats and Republicans, and hear many "conservative" talk show hosts say there is a huge difference, remember this quote from the left: " Congressional Democrats, meanwhile, chided Republicans for now pushing a proposal that Democrats tried to get through last fall after the run-up of gasoline prices in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. " And Never mind that price is one of those economic signals that allows the market to function. Oh, no. Not from OUR Congress that knows better that millions of Americans making independent decisions.
And as Bruce Barlett points out, what about anti-gouging in pharmaceuticals, real estate,banking, software? Coca-Cola and Yahoo made bigger profit margins. And especially the government where every dollar they bring in is coerced? And again, not a single paragraph, sentence or even word about cutting the gas tax, from the state or feds.
Republicans...
And as Bruce Barlett points out, what about anti-gouging in pharmaceuticals, real estate,banking, software? Coca-Cola and Yahoo made bigger profit margins. And especially the government where every dollar they bring in is coerced? And again, not a single paragraph, sentence or even word about cutting the gas tax, from the state or feds.
Republicans...
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Bullwinkle and Congress, Part II
Thanks to Thomas Brewton over at The View From 1776 , he has an excellent posting showing what Senator Norm "Bio-diesel" Coleman and his friends and predecessors in Congress have been spending our money on and what the vote pimps in Congress call Big Oil price gouging.
Oh, and ethanol ? Again, a contrived fraud by, well, you know.
Yup. The Senate and House idea to produce more oil and gas? Punish success. That's the ticket!
Oh, and ethanol ? Again, a contrived fraud by, well, you know.
Yup. The Senate and House idea to produce more oil and gas? Punish success. That's the ticket!
Hey Rocky, watch me lower gas prices! This time for sure!
Most of you who are Boomers will recognize the title of this entry. The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show was an adult cartoon series, badly drawn (another of it's endearing qualities) that was loved by kids like me. The hapless Bullwinkle with Rocky...I'll still watch them over 45 years later. One of the beginning sequences was Bullwinkle telling Rocky that he was going to pull a rabbit out of a hat. Time after time, no rabbit. A lion, rhinoceros, wrong hat, wrong size. But never, ever a rabbit. Despite many attempts and each attempt preceded by a promise, no rabbit. Which brings me Senator Norm "Bio Diesel" Coleman.(The reason for the "Bio Diesel" sobriquet was at the 2002 CD2 Convention, Senate Candidate Coleman said that he was against drilling in ANWR because he believed in bio-diesel. I posited the questions as to how much lubricants, plastics, gasoline, explosives, fiber cable, paint could be gotten from "bio-diesel"? I have a friend who flies for Northwest. If he were to fuel up with "bio-diesel" in Gandor on a flight to Amsterdam, would his wife and daughter ever see him again? And what is the mileage efficiency in many cars with a tankful of "bio-diesel" propelling them down the road? "Bio-diesel" Norm!).
So, "Bio-diesel" and the rest of the Senate and House are now hot on the path to correct what Big Oil has done to the economy...and to you! Ladies and gentlemen, we have for your pondering in total and consuming awe and amazement: The Enhanced Energy Efficiency Act of 2006!!!!! Yup. I kid you not. It's true. Wonder all you like and wish, but they've done it again. Read the clip so you'll be totally convinced (if perchance you weren't already) as to how this wonderfully insightful and mystically crafted piece of legislation will allow at least 10,000,000 less, oops, sorry, more barrels of oil to flow into America and gas will be $10.00 a ,uh,no, yah ,$.10, yup I'm sure $10, no, no,it's $.10 , yah it's $.10 a gallon, I'm sure, with the ultimate end that all machinery will run on pure thought, with no use of oil ever again! And we'll all have teleporters to eliminate the automobile forever! We won't even hear of the Kyoto Protocol anymore because ALL energy requirements will have been met. It's all in The Enhanced Energy Efficiency Act of 2006!!! Remember, you heard it here first---. Now, we can ignore a few minor past failings of the House and Senate- like the Senate and House having had 70 years to correct and get the disaster called Social Security right, 40 years to get Medicare on sound financial footing, and the Senate let ting $600 toilet seats go unchecked for years, and we still have honey, mohair and kapok subsidies, still stockpile helium for lighter than air ships (blimps and dirigibles), 8 months after Katrina New Orleans is still a disaster despite billions of dollars and FEMA. Oh, and that the first oil crisis was 33 years ago and the Senate and House have done nothing but spent billions of dollars on, well, I don't know, but that ethanol is exactly what they say we need, but we have an ethanol shortage (that Congress created) but we need it to satisfy the forced use of ethanol, but Congress has imposed a $.54 a gallon tariff on imported ethanol to protect the subsidized ethanol industry that Congress created. But, this time, for sure, they will get it absolutely right and everything that's in that bill will come true!!! After all, they promised!
Say, Bullwinkle-how ya doing on that rabbit?
So, "Bio-diesel" and the rest of the Senate and House are now hot on the path to correct what Big Oil has done to the economy...and to you! Ladies and gentlemen, we have for your pondering in total and consuming awe and amazement: The Enhanced Energy Efficiency Act of 2006!!!!! Yup. I kid you not. It's true. Wonder all you like and wish, but they've done it again. Read the clip so you'll be totally convinced (if perchance you weren't already) as to how this wonderfully insightful and mystically crafted piece of legislation will allow at least 10,000,000 less, oops, sorry, more barrels of oil to flow into America and gas will be $10.00 a ,uh,no, yah ,$.10, yup I'm sure $10, no, no,it's $.10 , yah it's $.10 a gallon, I'm sure, with the ultimate end that all machinery will run on pure thought, with no use of oil ever again! And we'll all have teleporters to eliminate the automobile forever! We won't even hear of the Kyoto Protocol anymore because ALL energy requirements will have been met. It's all in The Enhanced Energy Efficiency Act of 2006!!! Remember, you heard it here first---. Now, we can ignore a few minor past failings of the House and Senate- like the Senate and House having had 70 years to correct and get the disaster called Social Security right, 40 years to get Medicare on sound financial footing, and the Senate let ting $600 toilet seats go unchecked for years, and we still have honey, mohair and kapok subsidies, still stockpile helium for lighter than air ships (blimps and dirigibles), 8 months after Katrina New Orleans is still a disaster despite billions of dollars and FEMA. Oh, and that the first oil crisis was 33 years ago and the Senate and House have done nothing but spent billions of dollars on, well, I don't know, but that ethanol is exactly what they say we need, but we have an ethanol shortage (that Congress created) but we need it to satisfy the forced use of ethanol, but Congress has imposed a $.54 a gallon tariff on imported ethanol to protect the subsidized ethanol industry that Congress created. But, this time, for sure, they will get it absolutely right and everything that's in that bill will come true!!! After all, they promised!
Say, Bullwinkle-how ya doing on that rabbit?
Monday, May 01, 2006
Why I can't wait for November!
Mark Dayton reported back to the true believers on Portland Avenue today.
"When I began my Senate term in January 2001, our country was at peace, the federal budget was in surplus, and, shortly thereafter, Senate Democrats were in the majority. "
and all was right with the world, eh Senator????
"But the terrible attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, drastically altered my legislative agenda, as they did so many other plans for America. "
Yeah - the voters of America woke up to what you and your fellow Democrats were doing with our national security Senator!
"Losing Paul's seat put Senate Democrats in the minority for the next two years. "
Yeah that's the ticket....losing St. Paul's seat is what put the Democrats in the minority. It surely couldn't have had anything to do with the Dems lack of vision and ideas now could it???
"I have been unable to accomplish much of my legislative agenda. It was not for lack of trying. Six times I tried to amend Senate bills to fully fund the long-promised federal share of special education. It would have given Minnesota's schools an extra $250 million this year, money that is badly needed."
I couldn't bring the pork home because of those evil Republicans.....they hate children...heck they EAT children for breakfast - did you know that????
"At the same time, tax cuts for the rich and super-rich, which I opposed, will cost the U.S. government over $200 billion this year. "
Maybe when Senator Dayton comes home in January, King Banaian can show the esteemed Senator how those tax cuts that the Senator opposed increased the amout of tax dollars that the federal government took in!
Remember - this is the same Mark Dayton who just last week gave himself an "F" grade for his term in office. Yet here he is bragging about all of the legislation that he sponsored and would have passed if it weren't for those evil House Conferences. Maybe someone forgot to tell the Senator that conference committees are a vital part of our political process!
What is funny is that Senator Dayton, in listing out all of the agenda items that he tried so hard to get passed, didn't list that he sponsored a bill to form a new cabinet level department....the Department of Peace and Non-Violence. You would think he would be proud of that particular piece of legislation.
"When I began my Senate term in January 2001, our country was at peace, the federal budget was in surplus, and, shortly thereafter, Senate Democrats were in the majority. "
and all was right with the world, eh Senator????
"But the terrible attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, drastically altered my legislative agenda, as they did so many other plans for America. "
Yeah - the voters of America woke up to what you and your fellow Democrats were doing with our national security Senator!
"Losing Paul's seat put Senate Democrats in the minority for the next two years. "
Yeah that's the ticket....losing St. Paul's seat is what put the Democrats in the minority. It surely couldn't have had anything to do with the Dems lack of vision and ideas now could it???
"I have been unable to accomplish much of my legislative agenda. It was not for lack of trying. Six times I tried to amend Senate bills to fully fund the long-promised federal share of special education. It would have given Minnesota's schools an extra $250 million this year, money that is badly needed."
I couldn't bring the pork home because of those evil Republicans.....they hate children...heck they EAT children for breakfast - did you know that????
"At the same time, tax cuts for the rich and super-rich, which I opposed, will cost the U.S. government over $200 billion this year. "
Maybe when Senator Dayton comes home in January, King Banaian can show the esteemed Senator how those tax cuts that the Senator opposed increased the amout of tax dollars that the federal government took in!
Remember - this is the same Mark Dayton who just last week gave himself an "F" grade for his term in office. Yet here he is bragging about all of the legislation that he sponsored and would have passed if it weren't for those evil House Conferences. Maybe someone forgot to tell the Senator that conference committees are a vital part of our political process!
What is funny is that Senator Dayton, in listing out all of the agenda items that he tried so hard to get passed, didn't list that he sponsored a bill to form a new cabinet level department....the Department of Peace and Non-Violence. You would think he would be proud of that particular piece of legislation.
Donate Now - Watch the Savage Republican Have a Heart Attack
In an effort to show how out of shape I am, I will be running in a 5K this weekend to raise money for Alpha Pregnancy Resource Center.
It is my way of doing more than just putting a "Pro Life" bumper sticker on my car.
It is a small way to help out an organization that truly saves lives by helping Mothers and Fathers with an unexpected pregnancy get the help they need. They even have a home to help Mother's before and after the birth (and one of the coolest house moms I have met).
Anyway if you want to help you can donate directly with them as a way to sponsor me in the run.
No big donations necessary (but certainly appreciated). Even a donation of $5 can help out.
If you donate, leave me a note using the info tab or just e-mail me at info@savagerepublican.com
I'll put up details of the totals.
Here is the address for Alpha:
http://www.alphaprc.com/supportus.htm
Now back to out regulary scheduled Opinion pages.
It is my way of doing more than just putting a "Pro Life" bumper sticker on my car.
It is a small way to help out an organization that truly saves lives by helping Mothers and Fathers with an unexpected pregnancy get the help they need. They even have a home to help Mother's before and after the birth (and one of the coolest house moms I have met).
Anyway if you want to help you can donate directly with them as a way to sponsor me in the run.
No big donations necessary (but certainly appreciated). Even a donation of $5 can help out.
If you donate, leave me a note using the info tab or just e-mail me at info@savagerepublican.com
I'll put up details of the totals.
Here is the address for Alpha:
http://www.alphaprc.com/supportus.htm
Now back to out regulary scheduled Opinion pages.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Open mouth, insert foot.
You all remember when Senator Dean Johnson said (to a group of fellow pastors) that the Marriage Amendment was not necessary because he had the assurances of certain members of the State Supreme Court that they would not touch marriage because "we stand for election too". Well, now the state board of judicial standards is investigating the 7 sitting Supreme Court Justices to make sure that no inappropriate conversations took place. If (as Senator Johnson first claimed) the Justiced did indeed assure Senator Johnson that they would not act on the current marriage statute, then they are guilty of making a "ruling" on a case before a case is even brought before them. If (as the Senator now contends) those conversations did not take place, that Senator Johnson "embellished" the story, when then he is guilty of lying to these pastors! Either way, Senator Johnson is in trouble.
Friday, April 28, 2006
A boat, a dock and a foot on each
I like Ann Coulter. A lot. She has a great way of pointing out the gross hypocrisy of the left. And no more so than in her recent column.
The left has been screaming at us about global warming. Their 2000 hero, Al Gore, equated the internal combustion engine as satan incarnate and a greater threat than nuclear weapons (strange though. I never remember seeing him ride a bike cross country or take the train. Oh that's right, he's a lefty. He knows best for me. Therefore he needn't take his own advice or lead from the front.) And so with John Kerry wanting to tack on a $.50 a gallon tax, Harry Reid saying we aren't taxed enough on gasoline, a number of proposals that would add $.25 or more a gallon, now the lefties are screaming that the price of gasoline has risen. Haven't they finally gotten their wish? And they're upset that they finally got what they've wanted!
Go read Ann Coulter's column. She makes mincemeat of these hypocritical pukes.
And Dr. Thomas Sowell weighs in on the economics vs. politics in the oil and gasoline markets. And another great read.
The left has been screaming at us about global warming. Their 2000 hero, Al Gore, equated the internal combustion engine as satan incarnate and a greater threat than nuclear weapons (strange though. I never remember seeing him ride a bike cross country or take the train. Oh that's right, he's a lefty. He knows best for me. Therefore he needn't take his own advice or lead from the front.) And so with John Kerry wanting to tack on a $.50 a gallon tax, Harry Reid saying we aren't taxed enough on gasoline, a number of proposals that would add $.25 or more a gallon, now the lefties are screaming that the price of gasoline has risen. Haven't they finally gotten their wish? And they're upset that they finally got what they've wanted!
Go read Ann Coulter's column. She makes mincemeat of these hypocritical pukes.
And Dr. Thomas Sowell weighs in on the economics vs. politics in the oil and gasoline markets. And another great read.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
The mainstream media....missing in action
"I'm sitting in the dark on the edge of a camp for displaced people in Darfur. I can hear the loud, persistent crying of one child rising above the murmur of the camp as the people settle down for the night. "
Thus begins a BBC News article on a subject that you probably have not heard anything about here in the US media.
"A UN force for Darfur is still in the planning stages, an attempt to punish Sudanese leaders with sanctions has been blocked, and relief agencies have been denied access to 300,000 people desperately in need of emergency supplies."
Says this article from the Independent (UK - payment required).
This sad, sad story has been brewing for years. Twenty one years to be exact and it is yet another example shining example of the actions of the "religion of peace" - for you see the aggressors in this are Muslim militias!
When are we going to see something about this story in the American media?
Thus begins a BBC News article on a subject that you probably have not heard anything about here in the US media.
"A UN force for Darfur is still in the planning stages, an attempt to punish Sudanese leaders with sanctions has been blocked, and relief agencies have been denied access to 300,000 people desperately in need of emergency supplies."
Says this article from the Independent (UK - payment required).
This sad, sad story has been brewing for years. Twenty one years to be exact and it is yet another example shining example of the actions of the "religion of peace" - for you see the aggressors in this are Muslim militias!
When are we going to see something about this story in the American media?
Whose windfall profits shall we tax?
The US Senate, in it's ultimate wisdom, has decided that it needs to consider imposing a "windfall profits" tax on the profits of big oil companies. That is a ludicrous proposition on a number of levels.
Level #1 - the Federal goverment makes an 18.4 cent per gallon profit on every gallon of gas that you and I buy.
Level #2 - the State government makes an average 18.7 cent per gallon profit on every gallon of gas that you and I buy. The state of Minnesota takes 22 cents per gallon out of our pocket.
Level #3 - the oil companies make a paltry 7.4 cents per gallon profit on every gallon of gas that you or I buy.
Level #4 - read Amendment X's most excellent post on the circumstances that led us to be in this predicament. It is Economics 101 and is a must read for any and all of our representatives in Washington DC.
Hopefully now we can put to rest the meme that it is "big oil" that is profiting from these near record high gasoline prices. Then we can get around to doing something that will make it less painfull to the consumer. And no Amy, adding more regulations to the already burdensome regulations already in place is not going to do that. A good start would be for the states and federal governments to repeal (even temporarily) the sales taxes that they impose on customers and thus take care of their own "windfall profits".
Level #1 - the Federal goverment makes an 18.4 cent per gallon profit on every gallon of gas that you and I buy.
Level #2 - the State government makes an average 18.7 cent per gallon profit on every gallon of gas that you and I buy. The state of Minnesota takes 22 cents per gallon out of our pocket.
Level #3 - the oil companies make a paltry 7.4 cents per gallon profit on every gallon of gas that you or I buy.
Level #4 - read Amendment X's most excellent post on the circumstances that led us to be in this predicament. It is Economics 101 and is a must read for any and all of our representatives in Washington DC.
Hopefully now we can put to rest the meme that it is "big oil" that is profiting from these near record high gasoline prices. Then we can get around to doing something that will make it less painfull to the consumer. And no Amy, adding more regulations to the already burdensome regulations already in place is not going to do that. A good start would be for the states and federal governments to repeal (even temporarily) the sales taxes that they impose on customers and thus take care of their own "windfall profits".
Nick is wrong, but right
Nick Coleman...nah, I'm not gonna beat him up..too badly.
Today he screams that "democracy is getting nuked" by the stadium deal.
Well, no it's not. This is democracy on parade and display. This is exactly what democracy looks like and how it works. The residents of Hennepin County are in the minority compared to the rest of the state. Nicky asks what we have here in Minnesota: a representative democracy, corporate government or just plain tyranny? Yes to two and possibly the third. We have a representative democracy in function. What we are supposed to have is a representative republic that is constitutionally mandated and therefore constitutionally limited. In a democracy might and the majority make right. Period. Not so in what should be our constitutional republic. In a democracy the minority have no protection. In a constitutional republic each citizen is protected.No groups can have either rights or privledges as it's the citizen that is protected. In a democracy the rule of people is supreme. In a constitutional republic, the law is supreme. A democracy can be called the tyranny of the masses. What the majority want, the majority gets. Or without the constraints of a constitution,what the majority of the representatives want, they get. I once heard that a gang rape and a lynching are democratic events.
So, Hennepin County...too bad for you. We have a democracy, not a republic. And really, too bad for all the non-Minneapolis residents as the stadium is not a travelling stadium. After all, look at the great deal Sharon Sayles Belton and the Minneapolis City Council did with the Target Center. Wonder why they didn't want to repeat that great inner city victory and triumph of left wing thinking ?
The Founding Fathers did not trust democracy. Nowhere in the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution does the term "democracy" exist.And the reason it doesn't is evidenced by the Stadium deal.
So, Nicky, how does it feel to be hoisted on your own petard? Adios constitutional republic, hello, hail and welcome to democracy.
It sure do hurt,don't it Nicky?
Now, go read Bastiat's "The Law".
Today he screams that "democracy is getting nuked" by the stadium deal.
Well, no it's not. This is democracy on parade and display. This is exactly what democracy looks like and how it works. The residents of Hennepin County are in the minority compared to the rest of the state. Nicky asks what we have here in Minnesota: a representative democracy, corporate government or just plain tyranny? Yes to two and possibly the third. We have a representative democracy in function. What we are supposed to have is a representative republic that is constitutionally mandated and therefore constitutionally limited. In a democracy might and the majority make right. Period. Not so in what should be our constitutional republic. In a democracy the minority have no protection. In a constitutional republic each citizen is protected.No groups can have either rights or privledges as it's the citizen that is protected. In a democracy the rule of people is supreme. In a constitutional republic, the law is supreme. A democracy can be called the tyranny of the masses. What the majority want, the majority gets. Or without the constraints of a constitution,what the majority of the representatives want, they get. I once heard that a gang rape and a lynching are democratic events.
So, Hennepin County...too bad for you. We have a democracy, not a republic. And really, too bad for all the non-Minneapolis residents as the stadium is not a travelling stadium. After all, look at the great deal Sharon Sayles Belton and the Minneapolis City Council did with the Target Center. Wonder why they didn't want to repeat that great inner city victory and triumph of left wing thinking ?
The Founding Fathers did not trust democracy. Nowhere in the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution does the term "democracy" exist.And the reason it doesn't is evidenced by the Stadium deal.
So, Nicky, how does it feel to be hoisted on your own petard? Adios constitutional republic, hello, hail and welcome to democracy.
It sure do hurt,don't it Nicky?
Now, go read Bastiat's "The Law".
Pariahs of the Republican Party (Unclean! Unclean!)
This morning I received an email from a good friend of mine who seems to share a common thought with other liberty loving, Constitution respecting, smaller government desiring soon to be former voters for Republicans. The thought we share is in the last seven words of the previous sentence. His suggestion was to sit out the November elections. Or even vote for a Democrat. His, and our frustration boileth over. And all our elected representatives, from locals to state to federal, are oblivious or nearly so. I sense that the "I'll hold my nose and vote for him/her" feeling of the past is rapidly evaporating as many of us see only one political party: The Party of Big, Intrusive Government with it's two wings-The Left Wing where no tax is high enough, no amount of money is ever enough for any program, any slow down of the rate of increase in spending is termed "draconian cuts" any and all taxes are on the backs of the poor. And we have the Right Wing where they believe the same thing, but just a little less. And the politicos will leap to their own defense-and fail miserably. When we see all these increases in spending and intrusiveness.
A decade ago I received this Imprimis in the mail. I read it and was very heartened. We Reagan conservatives were off the beach and into the interior. We were on our way. We had opened up a front in the 1994 elections. We kept Bill Clinton in check. And I kept thinking about Imprimis over the next ten years as I watched Republicans become more and more like the lefties I thought we had finally defeated. And over the last five years I've watched "us" morph into "them". I wrote to Mr. Norquist about his article. And he wrote back that, in essence, it was taking more time than he thought it would. I wrote that I was rapidly losing hope. He replied that I should hang in there. That people of my political bent were needed. I doubt it. I'm only pandered to with statements. Words are cheap. And this from Arlen Specter:"the Republican party of the 21st Century is "now principally moderate, if not liberal.""And we had a real conservative to run against Arlen. But GWB campaigned against him in the run up to the primary to support Arlen.
And the Hugh Hewitts of the world keep exhorting us to keep voting for these same people with the warning "It could be worse!!!"
I find no comfort with a broken arm with a Hugh Hewitt telling me "The Democrats would have broken BOTH arms!" These Republicans will be breaking my other arm soon enough.
A decade ago I received this Imprimis in the mail. I read it and was very heartened. We Reagan conservatives were off the beach and into the interior. We were on our way. We had opened up a front in the 1994 elections. We kept Bill Clinton in check. And I kept thinking about Imprimis over the next ten years as I watched Republicans become more and more like the lefties I thought we had finally defeated. And over the last five years I've watched "us" morph into "them". I wrote to Mr. Norquist about his article. And he wrote back that, in essence, it was taking more time than he thought it would. I wrote that I was rapidly losing hope. He replied that I should hang in there. That people of my political bent were needed. I doubt it. I'm only pandered to with statements. Words are cheap. And this from Arlen Specter:"the Republican party of the 21st Century is "now principally moderate, if not liberal.""And we had a real conservative to run against Arlen. But GWB campaigned against him in the run up to the primary to support Arlen.
And the Hugh Hewitts of the world keep exhorting us to keep voting for these same people with the warning "It could be worse!!!"
I find no comfort with a broken arm with a Hugh Hewitt telling me "The Democrats would have broken BOTH arms!" These Republicans will be breaking my other arm soon enough.
Our historic President
I am an amatuer historian. Have been for a long time. WWII is my specific area of high interest, but, when a historic moment occurs, I like to take note of it. And GWB has a place in history. Seems he is only the second U.S. President to go through an entire term without ever using a veto. The first? President John Quincy Adams. Been a long, long time.
Read here in the WSJ some of the bills that escaped the now dusty veto pen. Wonder even if the ink is good anymore ?
Read here in the WSJ some of the bills that escaped the now dusty veto pen. Wonder even if the ink is good anymore ?
Monday, April 24, 2006
The goods on government and gasoline
The hailstorm of lefty (and RINO's) rhetoric on gas prices continues showing why we desperatly need people who understand real world (versus Marxian or Keynesian) economics. There are reasons for gas and oil prices spiking:
As Gerald Ford once said "Government couldn't brew beer for less than $50 a six pack."
Oh, and to date, I don't hear anyone, anyplace, anytime screaming for Congressional investigations into the bottled water industry where we spend $5-$10 a gallon...for water-that from the tap costs a quarter of a penny per gallon.
- ANWR- Here's a shocker-anyone know why and how ANWR came into existence? Oil. Not as a dating service for caribou. In 1923 ANWR was designated as a strategic oil reservation. It was originally called the Naval Petroleum Reserve Number 4. When oil was found on the North Slope (Prudhoe Bay) attempts were made to develop the oil reserves in Naval Petroleum Reserve Number 4. All that changed in 1980 because of the watermelons (green on the outside, red on the inside) with the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act . And you know nothing good is coming from an act with a name like that. There is absolutely NO good reason that the field in ANWR is not online right now. ANWR has been debated for decades. And again, no good reason. Radical enviromentalism and laws and regulations (passed and enforced by government) has stopped oil production there and elsewhere. Reason 1-government interference.
- Lack of refinery capacity versus demand. One of my clients has an oil well service company. I asked him over a year ago when was the last oil refinery built in America. He said over 30 years ago. I asked him why? Way too many enviromental regulations, way too much ongoing compliance and lawsuits. And he mentioned there have been many refineries that have closed because of the onerous compliance hurdles. There is a view that it's more profitable to import gas and diesel. Could be because it costs too much to build and run a refienry here because of regulations and compliance, all that add to costs and cut profit. So you have a Reason 2-government interference.
- Katrina and Rita. Taking #2 above with the 2005 hurricane season, we have this comment from a year before Katrina and Rita :Despite this (minimal) expansion (at existing refineries), however, domestic refining capacity is still stretched to the limit, as utilization at U.S. refineries is now averaging nearly 90% -- leaving no cushion room if something unforeseen happens." And now we've been hit. and with no cushion to begin with, supply is behind demand. Reason 3-natural forces coupled with government interference.
- Regional blends. The gas here in Minnesota is different than the gas in California that is different than New York that is different than Louisiana. Mostly due to environmental "concerns". And all the laws demanding different blends. Reason 4- government interference.
- Ethanol. With the new ethanol blending regulations the refineries are trying to keep up...and can't. Just a little something that those "smarter than EVERYONE else" politicos overlooked when they passed ethanol blend laws. Oh, and the fact that ethanol doesn't work, pollutes more, gives less mileage, costs more and drives up the cost of the food you eat...well, the politicos don't care. They're busy "doing something". Reason 5-government interference.
- Onerous taxes and Windfall profits taxes versus profits. Remember a low hanging fruit maxim of economics- if you want less of something, tax it. If you want more of something, subsidize it. Now, combine that with the term "the profit incentive" and see that the average oil company gross profit margin is 9%, which is normal American corporate profit. The Feds and states get between 300%-600% more than that in taxes. And that tax is paid by you. And you heard once, even once anyone in government even remotely suggesting that taxes be lowered ? That government take even a penny a gallon less? I haven't. And all they spew is that executives are paid too much. And with the threat of Windfall Taxes the incentive to go out and find more oil is gone. Why work more when your efforts result in less? Reason 6-government interference.
- Summer driving. Summer is car trip season. The refineries need to switch over to summer blends (see above). And they can't do that in a week. Higher driving demand, higher imported crude costs versus a seasonal changeover = higher cost.Reason 7- real world economics.
- Increased world demand. With decreased national exploration and an increase world demand (particularly in China and India) America competes for oil in a global market. Oil is a commodity. Reason 8- real world economics.
- "Alternative energy resources". This delusion has been around, and heavily subsidized, now into four decades. And with billions and billions of dollars spent and wasted, what do we have? Same thing we did at then outbreak of the first oil crisis in 1973. So, your money has been spent, again, on what "the smartest people in the world", politicians and regulators, know is best. Reason 9-government waste...and interference.
As Gerald Ford once said "Government couldn't brew beer for less than $50 a six pack."
Oh, and to date, I don't hear anyone, anyplace, anytime screaming for Congressional investigations into the bottled water industry where we spend $5-$10 a gallon...for water-that from the tap costs a quarter of a penny per gallon.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
When you can't admit you're wrong...
Christopher Hitchens has been a one man wrecking crew when it comes to destroying Ambassador Joe Wilson's credibility on the whole Iraq/Niger uranium story. He has had two articles in as many weeks that take about Ambassador Wilson's report, point by point.
For those who don't know, Mr. Hitchens is a former Socialist and self described "contrarian". He has the typical biting British wit that those of us who grew up watching Monty Python have grown to love. He was a very vocal critic of Presidents Reagan and George HW Bush and he criticized the first Gulf War, claiming that Saddam Hussein was "lured" into the war - so one could hardly mistake him for a long time Republican apologist! He has, however been a vocal critic of radical Islam and "theocratic facism".
Now in addition to this, the revelations from the "Saddam tapes" have been flowing out fast and furious. All of which leads a thinking person to ask "why has the media insisted on maintaining the claim that Saddam had no a)WMDs and b) connections to al Qaeda?". I don't know if we will ever know the answer to that for sure, but some believe that it is simply that the press loathes to admit that maybe, just maybe the "cowboy" knew more about what was going on than they did. Maybe it's because the press can not admit that they were wrong!
For those who don't know, Mr. Hitchens is a former Socialist and self described "contrarian". He has the typical biting British wit that those of us who grew up watching Monty Python have grown to love. He was a very vocal critic of Presidents Reagan and George HW Bush and he criticized the first Gulf War, claiming that Saddam Hussein was "lured" into the war - so one could hardly mistake him for a long time Republican apologist! He has, however been a vocal critic of radical Islam and "theocratic facism".
Now in addition to this, the revelations from the "Saddam tapes" have been flowing out fast and furious. All of which leads a thinking person to ask "why has the media insisted on maintaining the claim that Saddam had no a)WMDs and b) connections to al Qaeda?". I don't know if we will ever know the answer to that for sure, but some believe that it is simply that the press loathes to admit that maybe, just maybe the "cowboy" knew more about what was going on than they did. Maybe it's because the press can not admit that they were wrong!
Coming soon to a state near you
Sharia law????? It is a possibility if you believe some people. The Australian government has already told its Muslim population that Sharia law would not be a possibility there (link not available anymore).
"SYDNEY (AFP) - Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law should get out of Australia, a senior government minister has said, hinting that some radical clerics might be asked to leave. Australia was a secular state and its laws were made by parliament, Treasurer Peter Costello told national television late Tuesday. "If those are not your values, if you want a country which has Sharia law or a theocratic state, then Australia is not for you," said Costello, who is seen as heir-apparent to Prime Minister John Howard. "I'd be saying to clerics who are teaching that there are two laws governing people in Australia, one the Australian law and another the Islamic law, that that is false. "
That led to this Front Page Magazine symposium. Why the concern about Sharia law, you may ask. Well this story tells the tale.
"Lawyer Osman Karahan said Bigley's death sentence was based on Islamic law.
"According to Shariah, according to Islamic law, they sentenced him to death," Karahan said.
"He was guilty of helping non-believers in invading Muslim lands and providing all kinds of support, technical logistical support. Isn't that true?" he said"
So according to this, anyone over there helping the Iraqi people are guilty of a crime - just for being there! Lovely...
But then again what crime did these teachers commit to deserve beheading?
"Separate groups of gunmen entered two primary schools in Baghdad and beheaded two teachers in front of their students, the Ministry of State for National Security said.
"Two terrorist groups beheaded two teachers in front of their students in the Amna and Shaheed Hamdi primary schools in Shaab district in Baghdad," a ministry statement said.
A ministry official said he believed the attacks were aimed at: "intimidating pupils and disrupting learning".
That would definatly disrupt learning...What about this poor child? What did he do to deserve death?
That can't happen here you say. Don't be so sure.
"The Times has obtained extracts from medieval texts taught to the students in which unbelievers are likened to pigs and dogs."
It is way past time for the so-called "moderate Muslims" to speak out against the hate that is being taught in the "name of Allah". Until such time as they do, the outrage against Islam will continue to grow. Don't wait too long, or it will be too late for us all.
"SYDNEY (AFP) - Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law should get out of Australia, a senior government minister has said, hinting that some radical clerics might be asked to leave. Australia was a secular state and its laws were made by parliament, Treasurer Peter Costello told national television late Tuesday. "If those are not your values, if you want a country which has Sharia law or a theocratic state, then Australia is not for you," said Costello, who is seen as heir-apparent to Prime Minister John Howard. "I'd be saying to clerics who are teaching that there are two laws governing people in Australia, one the Australian law and another the Islamic law, that that is false. "
That led to this Front Page Magazine symposium. Why the concern about Sharia law, you may ask. Well this story tells the tale.
"Lawyer Osman Karahan said Bigley's death sentence was based on Islamic law.
"According to Shariah, according to Islamic law, they sentenced him to death," Karahan said.
"He was guilty of helping non-believers in invading Muslim lands and providing all kinds of support, technical logistical support. Isn't that true?" he said"
So according to this, anyone over there helping the Iraqi people are guilty of a crime - just for being there! Lovely...
But then again what crime did these teachers commit to deserve beheading?
"Separate groups of gunmen entered two primary schools in Baghdad and beheaded two teachers in front of their students, the Ministry of State for National Security said.
"Two terrorist groups beheaded two teachers in front of their students in the Amna and Shaheed Hamdi primary schools in Shaab district in Baghdad," a ministry statement said.
A ministry official said he believed the attacks were aimed at: "intimidating pupils and disrupting learning".
That would definatly disrupt learning...What about this poor child? What did he do to deserve death?
That can't happen here you say. Don't be so sure.
"The Times has obtained extracts from medieval texts taught to the students in which unbelievers are likened to pigs and dogs."
It is way past time for the so-called "moderate Muslims" to speak out against the hate that is being taught in the "name of Allah". Until such time as they do, the outrage against Islam will continue to grow. Don't wait too long, or it will be too late for us all.
Religious Freedom redux
Just a quick follow up to my post here about the tolerance that is shown to Christians in this country. Read this article and weep - a man is being made to choose between his job and his desire to evangelize (via a Christian radio program)! We are not talking about a situation where the radio job would interfere with his primary job. What is this country becomming?
Here is the million dollar line in the story?
"Kelly McBride, who teaches journalism ethics at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Fla., said Turner's behavior, on and off the air, casts doubts on his journalistic objectivity... "There is this standard in the industry that you forgo much of your personal First Amendment rights so that the (news) corporation can exercise its First Amendment rights," she said..." (emphasis mine)
Katie Couric....Meridith Viera...please call you agents....your contract could be in jeopardy!
Here is the million dollar line in the story?
"Kelly McBride, who teaches journalism ethics at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Fla., said Turner's behavior, on and off the air, casts doubts on his journalistic objectivity... "There is this standard in the industry that you forgo much of your personal First Amendment rights so that the (news) corporation can exercise its First Amendment rights," she said..." (emphasis mine)
Katie Couric....Meridith Viera...please call you agents....your contract could be in jeopardy!
Prune an oak, get a...bigger oak
I rarely disagree with Captain Ed, but we depart on point.
In a recent post he referred to the disaster in New Orleans. No, I don't mean Katrina. I mean the man made disaster called "government help". Near the end of his post, he says "Bureaucracies don't work for emergency response efforts, and FEMA isn't unique among government agencies either. Solving the problem requires a different model, one that puts more of the decision-making power into local hands while assisting them financially." I would add the word "local" or "state" before financially. There is no such a thing as "small" or "minute" or in government. Nothing shrinks. FEMA started as a very small independent agency. Little Jimmy "I Want a Nobel Prize So Badly, I'll Sell Myself Out" Carter decided that bigger is more efficient (which seems to be a virus that seems to infect all people whose principal office is either oval or under a marble dome).
FEMA was once non-existent. San Francisco came back from a $300,000,000,000 disaster a century ago without FEMA. Same for Chicago in 1871. Same for Gavelston, TX in 1900.
So, Ed, never ever think anything in government will stay small.
Ever heard of Medicare?
In a recent post he referred to the disaster in New Orleans. No, I don't mean Katrina. I mean the man made disaster called "government help". Near the end of his post, he says "Bureaucracies don't work for emergency response efforts, and FEMA isn't unique among government agencies either. Solving the problem requires a different model, one that puts more of the decision-making power into local hands while assisting them financially." I would add the word "local" or "state" before financially. There is no such a thing as "small" or "minute" or in government. Nothing shrinks. FEMA started as a very small independent agency. Little Jimmy "I Want a Nobel Prize So Badly, I'll Sell Myself Out" Carter decided that bigger is more efficient (which seems to be a virus that seems to infect all people whose principal office is either oval or under a marble dome).
FEMA was once non-existent. San Francisco came back from a $300,000,000,000 disaster a century ago without FEMA. Same for Chicago in 1871. Same for Gavelston, TX in 1900.
So, Ed, never ever think anything in government will stay small.
Ever heard of Medicare?
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