[source]
Because if you oppose THAT, then you're either a racist or a sexist - or both!
Let's see if the Liberal-Progressive-Nutcases are willing to subject themselves to the rules they themselves set up in 2008... My prediction? It'll be a very coooooooooold day in Hell...
Well, let me distinguish between professional politicians and the public at large. The public is not paying close attention to the ins and outs of how a Treasury option goes. They shouldn’t. They're worrying about their family; they're worrying about their jobs; they're worrying about their neighborhood. They've got a lot of other things on their plate. We're paid to worry about it.
You know, our Founders were all about keeping the power in the hands of the people, the ordinary citizen.
Now Obama comes along and says, "Aw, folks, don't worry your poor li'l heads about all that nasty debt stuff. It's far too complicated for y'all, so just let me and the 'professionals' take care of it. Bless your hearts.*"
...
I am a Christian, and Christian longsuffering and self-control forbid me from saying what I REALLY think.
Bless his little ol' heart.
* - You'll only get it if, by God's grace, you live or have lived in the South.
(crossposted to Virginia Virtucon)
It has been rather amusing - and somewhat painful - to watch all the sturm und drang that Harold Camping's prediction of the world's end on 21 May stirred up. I wasn't too surprised when the media et al. hyped it because that's what they do - and God forbid that they should bring in, you know, an actual biblical scholar or theologian to discuss the matter and provide a real, non-sensational rebuttal to Camping's non-biblical bid for attention.
So, basically, my main reaction was amusement at the gullibility of 'most everyone who opined on the matter in their quest to sensationalize a topic that is really quite serious.
Which point brings me to the painful aspect of all the hoopla: you may not believe it, but the Bible - God's Word - does speak of the end of the world. Jesus, in fact, speaks more of unsaved man's fate in Hell more than any other person in the Bible; if He spoke of it so much, simple respect for His character should make us take a look at our eternal destination and the end of the world.
Since I've written about salvation a few times on this blog but not about the end of the world (not that I recall, anyway), I thought I'd toss in a few of my own thoughts on the matter as my blog-brother, Michael, has.
Full disclosure time: while I hold to the premillennial rapture view of the end times, it is not something which I hold with a "closed hand." What I mean by that is, since
Due to these points, I cannot be dogmatic on what Christian view of the end times is the "right" one - except, of course, for the fact that Jesus said He would return to judge the world, condemn the unrighteous to eternal punishment, take His Church to be with Him in Eternity, and to bring a "new heaven and a new earth" in which there is no sin and no tears (see Revelation 21).
OK, so what's the big deal about the end times, then? Why did I feel saddened by all the posturing and pontificating and derision heaped up on Camping and his deluded prediction?
Simple: because Christ IS coming back! When, we don't know - but it could be before I finish this post, or it could be hundreds of years from now: we just don't know. However, God knows. He has set the year and the day and the hour and the very minute that He will bring history to an end and usher us all into eternity.
Look, folks, you don't even know if you'll be alive five seconds from now, much less what the date is for the end of the world. Yet the Bible makes clear that NOW is the time for salvation, NOW is the time to repent of sin and turn to God for forgiveness. Once you die, there will be no second chance, and your eternity is fixed. There are no second chances!
So, Christian, while we wait in anticipation of Christ's glorious Return, we should be diligent in being committed disciples of Christ. We should be earnestly working out our salvation by immersing ourselves in His Word and rooting out sin in our lives. We should be loving and nurturing our families, working to support them and training our children up in the love and admonition of our Lord. We should be gathering together as a Church family to worship and praise the One who is our Salvation and our Strength, committing ourselves to proclaiming His name to all the earth. We should be dedicated bosses and employees, working honestly and fairly at our jobs as a witness to the character of Christ and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
We should be living lives of faithful service, forsaking indolence and foolishness, so that when our Savior returns, He will not find us idle or behaving shamefully.
Unbeliever, what about you? The End of the World™ has become rather a joke, hasn't it? I am sorry for that, but I do urge you to take a sober look at your life and at the reasonableness of the Christian faith (yeah, I know, you've been told it's all smoke and mirrors - but have you actually read any Christian apologists with any semblance of an open mind?). Christ is not narrow - "whosoever will may come" (John 3:16, naturally) and be welcomed. Christ is not a killjoy - "I have come so that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Christ does not ask you to come to Him blindly, but to count the cost carefully.
You know, there's a famous challenge given by Blaise Pascal, known as "Pascal's Wager." It basically says that, if you are an atheist and there is no God, you have lost nothing - but if there is a God, you lose EVERYTHING. However, if you are a Christian and there is no God, again, you have lost nothing.
But if you are a Christian and there is a God, you gain EVERYTHING.
Atheist futures: either neutral annihilation or eternal loss.
Christian futures: either neutral annihilation or eternal gain.
It's a poor reason to accept Christ, but perhaps it will put your feet on the path to understanding the depths of your own sin and the infinite love, grace, and forgiveness that Christ offers with an open hand.
At Pentecost (Acts 2), Peter stands up among the people in Jerusalem and quotes the prophet Joel. In Joel 2, God calls for Israel to repent and return to Him and then promises:
And it shall come to pass afterward
That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions.
And also on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth:
Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.
The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.
And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the LORD
Shall be saved.
& For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance,
As the LORD has said,
Among the remnant whom the LORD calls.
NOW is the day of salvation; you do not know know the hour of your reckoning. NOW is the time, before it really is the End of the World.
(crossposted to Virginia Virtucon)
Yeah, well, who really cares? It's just going to be more of teh One™ puffing himself up, blaming GWB and the Republicans for all our woes, saying that if we spend even more we'll finally dig ourselves out of this recession, encouraging us to tighten our belts and sacrifice while he and Michelle-My-Belle swan off to wherever at taxpayers' expense, and calling for a bipartisanship that he honors only in the breech.
Why should I bother to tune in for such vacuous, self-involved idiocy?
Thanks, I'm gonna get a good night's sleep instead.
My dear friend Shaun Kenney, who is a member of the Fluvanna BOS, was the sole dissenting vote -
The owner of The Fluco Blog, a Fluvanna County-based news site, has filed a lawsuit over an ordinance limiting the use of the official Fluvanna County seal.
Bryan Rothamel is accusing the county of violating the First and 14th Amendments by adopting the ordinance, which allows use of the seal only with permission from the Board of Supervisors. Under the county code, a violation of the ordinance is a Class 1 misdemeanor, which carries a maximum sentence of 12 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500. [link]
It seems that Mr. Rothamel irritated the BOS with one of his blog posts criticizing their actions (I'm not sure which post yet, but here's a link to the Board of Supervisors category), and they have retaliated in a truly petty and childlike manner -
The motion for the ordinance was adopted 4-1 after a Sept. 15 public hearing during which Rothamel asked about fair use of the seal during news reporting, according to the meeting minutes. Shaun V. Kenney, the vice chairman of the board, voted against the ordinance. He said that he thinks the ordinance was a “remedial action” against the blogger for writing something that a supervisor didn’t agree with.
“This seems like a simple First Amendment, slam dunk, common sense situation,” Kenney said. “I’m still appalled, with all of the other issues facing us in Fluvanna County, that somehow we chose to focus on this.”
Hey, Fluvanna BOS members? I'm going to join up in support of Fluco Blog's First Amendment rights and imitate my blog-brother JR Hoeft at Bearing Drift:
First Amendment rights: NOT just for governmental toadies!
Beyond that, we need to remember that Congress works for us. We’re their employers. So really, we should set their salaries. Why is it that they get to vote themselves raises? I did the math, and even at a 40% pay cut, they would still clear $100,000 a year, not including benefits so good they’d make you cry.
Dan Proft, candidate for governor of IL in the primaries, once suggested that representatives’ pay should be tied to the median income of their state. When the median income goes up, so does their pay. If it goes down, so does their pay. Talk about incentive to help the people!
I did a little research on median incomes across the nation. Only in California in some very ritzy areas did I find a median income at $103,000. Everywhere else in the states I sampled (NY, CO, IL, AK, AL, OR) the median income was between 50k-70k. If our new congress wants to make a big impression and a move in the right direction, they’ll cut $100,000 out of every representatives’ salaries. Multiplied by 535 that equals $53,500,000. It may be a drop in the bucket in the face of the trillions in debt we are facing, but it would go a long way in keeping faith with the voters by getting into the trenches with us.
via intolerantfox.wordpress.com
I must admit, this would be a really, really, REALLY good move on the part of the Republicans to show their voters just how seriously they're taking the second chance they've been given.
But more than that, I think it would be an excellent idea if congressional salaries were tied in to the average or mean income BY LAW. (Gee, I think I've mentioned this before...)
Earlier this week, I noted that two of the incoming Republican Congressmen are both black -- and therefore technically qualified to be members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Allen West (R-FL) and Tim Scott (R-SC) are black and, come January, members of Congress, so they meet the membership standards. Practically speaking, though, membership is limited to black Democrats (especially those scandal-ridden), so I didn't see either of them getting engraved invitations. I also said that West was too no-nonsense to waste his time with the whole worthless mess, but I didn't know enough (hell, anything) about Scott, so he might try it.
I couldn't have been more wrong. I didn't take into account West's willingness to fight, to get in his opponents' faces. This is the guy who, when dissed by Obama, offered to debate both his electoral rival AND Obama at the same time. He's a highly-decorated veteran of Iraq; he isn't scared of anything Washington might throw at him. So he's notified the CBC that he would like to be considered for membership -- and woe betide anyone who tries to tell him no.
via wizbangblog.com
Oh, between Alan West and Tim Scott (plus Marco Rubio, Nikki Haley, Susana Martinez, and...), the DemonRATS are going to learn that Republicans - conservatives - are not bigoted, racist hicks.
No, we just like/love/admire/adore self-sufficient, independent, Constitution-loving, law-respecting go-getters who like to challenge the accepted stereotype and get in the face of the smug, intellectually lazy, "intellectual" "elite."
I can respect ANYONE who can do what Alan West has done, and who can hold to the integrity of character he does.
... of course, they are all too few...
Alan West = hero!
Obama will make history for more than one reason during the Nov 6-9 visit. This will be the first time a teleprompter will be used in the nearly 100-feet high dome-shaped hall that has portraits of eminent national leaders adorning its walls.
Indian politicians are known for making impromptu long speeches and perhaps that is why some parliament officials, who did not wish to be named, sounded rather surprised with the idea of a teleprompter for Obama.
"We thought Obama is a trained orator and skilled in the art of mass address with his continuous eye contact," an official, who did not wish to be identified because of security restrictions, said.
Obama is known to captivate audiences with his one-liners that sound like extempore and his deep gaze. But few in India know that the US president always carries the teleprompter with him wherever he speaks.
Yeah, well, this is from IndoAsian News service, which apparently also "broke" the "Obama's Trip will Cost $200 million a day!" story (that sucked me in, I admit).
THIS, however, is very credible, considering how awful Obam has proven himself to be when off the teleprompter.
And so TOTUS racks up a few more travel miles... *snicker*
Obama, as Rush Limbaugh predicted, has in fact now failed. Nancy Pelosi is out of a job. And thanks to Rush Limbaugh, a new generation of Americans is learning that conservatism is not simply cool -- more importantly they are learning collectivism isn't smart.
But lest there be any doubt, this fight will continue. Not all races were won last night -- not all races will ever be won. Harry Reid is still there. No one in all of American history has won a unanimous election -- with the solitary exception of George Washington. 2012 lies ahead. Fortunately for conservatives, for the Republican Party -- and America -- there is one certainty as this battle continues:
Rush Limbaugh will be on the air.
via spectator.org
Yep. And the Tea Partiers and the Dittoheads and the Beckheads will be on the team.
What team is that, you say? Oh, it's not Rush's team - and he'd probably be the first to say that. No, it's not Rush's team; it's America's team.
Rush may have been a focal point, and he has certainly been a leader for the past 20-odd years. But the real team is American citizens keeping a critical and skeptical eye on Washington - and finally this year deciding to move like the giant we are to shrug off the chains of oppressive government.
In United States law, the first document is not, actually, the Constitution.
It's the Declaration of Independence.
It is that same Declaration which states:
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
Don't mess with the American people. Because if you abuse us and our trust enough, we get angry.
You liberals, politicos, and intellectual "elites" won't like us when we get angry...
And Rush Limbaugh will still be on the air!
(crossposted to Virginia Virtucon)
Barack Obama helped elect 255 Democrats to the House in 2008. This year, he helped elect 240 Republicans to the House.
Oh, yeah! I could definitely deal with this sort of *ahem, cough, cough* compromise!
For another article on good compromise, go over and read Mark Tapscott's article at the Examiner:
But there are genuine compromises and then there is obstruction masquerading as compromise. To achieve the former, congressional GOPers must have the backbone to negotiate from a position of strength so that the end result always moves the ball a significant distance in the direction dictated by the popular will.
Saying you will accept "tweeks" of Obamacare when the majority of Americans want that monstrosity repealed and replaced is not real compromise, it's obstruction. It was clear in Obama's post-election news conference that he doesn't understand such a distinction.
(UPDATE: Oh, and I forgot that Michelle Malkin has a lovely round-up of the President's hubris in her article yesterday, "Take Your Olive Branch and Shove It, Democrats." So. "Compromise"? *ak, pffft!* Fuhgeddaboutit!)
I'm wondering, Mr. President, if you remember saying this:
President Obama listened to Republican gripes about his stimulus package during a meeting with congressional leaders Friday morning - but he also left no doubt about who's in charge of these negotiations. "I won," Obama noted matter-of-factly, according to sources familiar with the conversation.
The exchange arose as top House and Senate Republicans expressed concern to the president about the amount of spending in the package. They also raised red flags about a refundable tax credit that returns money to those who don’t pay income taxes, the sources said.
The Republicans stressed that they want to include more middle class tax cuts in the package, citing their proposal to cut the two lowest tax rates — 15 percent and 10 percent — to ten percent and five percent, rather than issue the refundable credit Obama wants.
At another point in the meeting, sources said Obama told the group: “This is a grave situation facing the country.” White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama would hold another economic meeting in the White House Saturday for a "broader group."
After Friday's meeting, Democratic and Republican leaders publicly wrangled over the developing stimulus plan.
But perhaps taking a cue from Obama’s “I won” line when Democrats were asked if they were concerned about Republicans blocking the package, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had a swift one-word answer: “No.”
Mmmm? Remember that?
Well. Rush Limbaugh speaks for me - and, God willing, the new Congress - when he says this:
Every Democrat in the House, I don't care, every Democrat in the House, Blue Dogs that went out and openly campaigned, supporting Obama and health care lost. We are two Americas. We have flyover America and we have the coasts. Take a look at the map. It's 90% red. The blue is on the coasts, a little bit in Texas, a little bit here in south Florida. We do have two Americas and Obama is gonna do his best to continue to divide this country. I have to laugh. I laughed when I listened to these guys, Democrats, Obama and his aides talking about, "Well, now it's time to compromise." No. Compromise is off the table. They didn't want to compromise with us and we have no business compromising with them. They lost. Losers compromise. We don't. We've got nothing to compromise. [emph. mine - Kat] Where do we compromise with this agenda? There's not one aspect of this agenda that's worth compromising. This agenda must be stopped. That's what this election meant.
No. Just... NO.
American citizens are tired of "bipartisanship" meaning that people on the political right give in while people on the political left get what they want.
No.
Time for the country to come to the center right - not careen off into the far left.
You know you weren't elected because we love the Republican Party, right?
You were elected because either a) you said you supported the Constitution, were dedicated to fiscal reform and restraint, and would work for a smaller government that got out of the lives and business of citizens, or b) you pretended to support those values.
For those in the first category: Keep the faith. Hold fast. Stay strong. America may be a generally center-right country, but you are on trial - and you must show yourselves to be persons of integrity and honor who follow through on your stated principles. I, personally, don't care for you to "get a lot done" in D.C.; we don't need MORE rules, regulations and laws. What I want you to do is the best you can to defund Obamacare, restrict spending, lower the deficit, balance the budget, and get rid of as many un-Constitutional laws as you can.
I don't want you to DO as much as I want you to UN-do!
For those in the second category: We're watching you. As a matter of fact, we'll be watching you very closely. And, if y'all will forgive me for the poor language, we will primary your ass and kick you OUT if you step out of line. Therefore, you'd better straighten up and fly right - or your tenure in Washington will be extremely brief.
We're very skeptical; the Republican Party has betrayed its base before, and we will not tolerate it again.
Here are a few articles from this morning you should read carefully (all emphasis mine) -
From Douglas Holtz-Eakin at the Corner:
Today represents the beginning of answering the most interesting question: Will Barack Obama, for the first time, put action behind his words regarding bipartisanship and willingness to reach across the aisle, and work with Republicans? Or will this continue to be rhetoric only, with actions guided by his liberal instincts?
For Americans, this will matter greatly. But for Republicans, it should matter little. Their gains reflect the fact that voters want government based on first principles — a small, contained, efficient government — and Republicans campaigned on this. Voters also want accountability, so Republicans should cast every vote from a small government, efficiency perspective regardless of the agenda the White House presents.
From Paul Hseih at Pajamas Media:
The 2010 vote was a powerful message from Americans rejecting the socialist policies of President Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid — including the bailouts, the out-of-control federal spending, the higher taxes, and the nationalized health care scheme.
Voters elected Republicans to halt and reverse these policies — not compromise to pass watered-down versions of those same bad ideas.
Some Republicans like Congressman Mike Pence appear to understand this:
[T]here will be no compromise on stopping runaway spending, deficits and debt. There will be no compromise on repealing ObamaCare. There will be no compromise on stopping Democrats from growing government and raising taxes.
In contrast, others like Congressman Darrell Issa appear willing to compromise:
It’s pretty clear the American people expect us to use the existing gridlock to create compromise and advance their agenda. … They want us to come together [with the administration] after we agree to disagree.
Whichever philosophy takes hold amongst the Republicans will determine whether they succeed — or fail.
Americans don’t expect the impossible from the GOP. We understand that Obama still wields the presidential veto. But we do expect the Republicans to fight as hard as they can for principles of free markets, fiscal responsibility, and limited government.
From Erick Erickson at Redstate:
Many members of Congress will begin whispering sweet nothings in your ear wooing you to vote for them and their rules for the House and Senate. Remember that these same men are the exact same people that the voters rejected in 2006 and again in 2008.
Remember that every poll showing a Republican landslide on Tuesday also shows that the public hates these men.
And finally, from Jim DeMint, in an op-ed at the Wall Street Journal:
Many of the people who will be welcoming the new class of Senate conservatives to Washington never wanted you here in the first place. The establishment is much more likely to try to buy off your votes than to buy into your limited-government philosophy. Consider what former GOP senator-turned-lobbyist Trent Lott told the Washington Post earlier this year: "As soon as they get here, we need to co-opt them."
Don't let them. Co-option is coercion. Washington operates on a favor-based economy and for every earmark, committee assignment or fancy title that's given, payback is expected in return. The chits come due when the roll call votes begin. This is how big-spending bills that everyone always decries in public always manage to pass with just enough votes.
But someone can't be bribed if they aren't for sale.
Don't be for sale.
You have two questions, and two questions only, that you must consider for any vote you make:
Stand firm. Fight the good fight. Live and think and vote so that at the end of each and every day, you can honestly say:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
And having done all, you stood firm.
BE THAT PERSON!
Found here, thanks to Ed Driscoll, posting at Instapundit.
Yesterday, I had the opportunity of attending a seminar with Del. Bob Marshall and Jim McKelvey (former candidate for the Republican nomination for the House in VA-5),moderated by Pat McSweeny, and I didn't post anything about it... It was quite interesting, and I wish I had video, but my battery wasn't properly charged (*facepalm* - and that little issue is fixed now).
However, both of these gentlemen made some excellent points which really stuck in my mind. They're not terribly complex at all, but they are very much part of the foundation of the Tea Party movement. Mr. McKelvey pointed out that there are two simple questions which should direct elected officials in every decision they make:
Yes, folks, it really IS that simple!
Del. Marshall said, "As an elected official, we are supposed to serve you with the power you give us." I wish that more of our men and women - heck, ALL of them! - would have this attitude! After all, they are our employees, and we are not their subjects. Unfortunately, far too many people in government service think they're in office to rule over their fellow citizens - which should be a very dangerous assumption.
Finally, both these men stressed that it is each individual's responsibility to stand up and vote "NO!" when their representatives do not live up to their constitutional responsibilities.
I am enjoying myself immensely - lots of good information, friendly people, blog family, and a great deal of interesting things to see and learn!
(crossposted to Virginia Virtucon)
Well, folks, I'm having a wonderful time here - I've met up with Tom White of Virginia Right! as well as Norm Leahy of Tertium Quids. Tom is wonderful fun, and Norm, of course, is his charming self ;-) (Hi, guys! *waves*)
Lynn Mitchell - SWAC Girl - is manning the table at Bloggers' Row (so to speak), but I came back up to the Media ready room because I feel much better leaving my laptop alone here while I wander. Lynn seems to know everyone
The opening was wonderful - Bishop Jackson gave the opening prayer, and then also gave the initial keynote welcome. I've never heard him speak before, and WOW! His church is truly blessed to have a man of such eloquence, passion and faith in the pulpit. He began by asking us all whether the Tea Party is racist or hateful (an obvious and resounding NO!"),but ended by inviting anyone who loves our country, who loves our Constitution, who loves our Declaration, and who loves the Judeo-Christian foundations of our nation to join up with the Tea Party movement and get involved.
It is not about color, it is not about race. It is about cherishing and honoring and protecting our Founders' vision for a free country of citizens who will self-govern and do not want the government bureaucracy interfering with the liberty given to us by our Creator.
I hope that I will have the opportunity to get at least some of these speeches on DVD; someone is filming in the central exhibition hall... ;-)
(crossposted to Virginia Virtucon)
OK, I'm all checked in at the Convention, set up in the Media Room (E21b), and have done my initial pass through the outer hallway. Quite a few organizations set up with a LOT of items which will be quite dangerous to may wallet.
I've also met Jim Bacon, founder of Bacon's Rebellion and author of Boomergeddon (a very worthwhile read - please go BUY IT!)
Our first breakout sessions starts at 11a.m. and although I'm probably going to be at "First Principles and the Founders' Constitution: How to Think About America and Spread the Message" by Matt Spalding, I'm also tempted by Robert Rector's "A Nation at Risk - Illegal Immigration," and John Taylor's "Private Property and Eminent Domain Reform."
The second session at noon and the third at 3pm also present some excellent choices, so I'm obviously going to be dithering for a bit before I make my choices. ;-)
So, I'm ready and waiting for my blog buddies to come on in so we can get to work and cover this Convention and spread the word!
After dropping my beloved daughter off at school, I packed up my bag and began the trek up to Richmond for this weekend's Virginia Tea Party Convention.
I stopped at two wonderful quilt stores along the way, JoJo's and Quilting Adventures, and then swung by the Penzey's Spices store on West Cary Street. Penzey's was a real treat, because I've never been in one of their stores, even though I've been ordering from their wonderful catalog for years. My only disappointment - even though it was probably a good thing for my sinuses - was that the rich scent of the spices and herbs didn't waft deliciously through the store...
Of course, that didn't stop me from spending a bit *ahem* more than I'd originally planned!
So, here I am at the Hilton (lovely property, and definitely living up to the high standards of Hilton hospitality!) and about ready to go over to the Convention Center and get registered. God willing, I'll have some great photos, video and commentary to post!
via www.youtube.com and THANK YOU! to Gateway Pundit for the video tip!
You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on Earth, or we will sentence them to take the last step into a thousand years of darkness." -- Ronald Reagan
So. Are we going to choose liberty and freedom and a small, controlled government?
Or shall we descend into slavery and bow to political masters?
I have another quote for you:
The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.
... Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
-- Patrick Henry
Michelle Obama thinks being America’s First Lady is ‘hell’, Carla Bruni reveals today in a wildly indiscreet book.
Miss Bruni divulges that Mrs Obama replied when asked about her position as the U.S. president’s wife: ‘Don’t ask! It’s hell. I can’t stand it!’
That's OK, Michellemabelle. God willing, in just about two years, y'all will be packing up to leave.
Then perhaps we can get someone worthy to live in the Peoples' House...
UPDATE: Make sure you scroll to the end for the link to Kevin McCullough's piece at FoxNews!
You know, I'm already getting very tired of the sour grapes of establishment Republicans (yeah, I mean you!) on last night's Delaware primary results. Folks, the NRSC and NRCC et al. have been ignoring their base for YEARS - and now they're going to take their ball and sulk home like they did with Scozzafava? Seems to me to be an indication they don't want to listen to their base - and will continue to descend into penury and irrelevance.
Perhaps if these committees LISTENED to their base and LISTENED to the Tea Party people demanding fiscal restraint, transparency, and less government interference and then SOUGHT OUT good candidates, we wouldn't be in this predicament.
Will O'Donnell win in November? I don't know - but if the Republican Party organizations don't grow up and grit their teeth and SUPPORT her (you know, kinda like a lot of the BASE did for McCain because he selected PALIN as his running mate), the odds go even further down. It seems to me that too many Republicans would rather be defeated by the Democrats' candidate than TRY to get the Republican candidate elected.
This sort of attitude simply reeks with the elitist snobbery I despise in my own party (except, of course, I don't really consider myself a Republican anymore...). You know what I'm "hearing" in this? "Well, we believe in the people and we want to have limited government and get out of the way of the people and the country belongs to the people - except when the people are morons and don't like the candidate we have chosen for those ignorant, unwashed ignoramuses."
Like I said - "sour grapes."
Suck it up, Republicans. Get behind the candidate chosen by the people and TRY TO **blinking** WIN for once!
(And thanks to Jerry Fuhrman for his post which encouraged me to state MY thoughts on the matter - 'cause I'm very fed up with certain people-who-would-know-who-they-are-but-don't-read-me-anyway-but-that's-life*shrug*)
UPDATES: More good stuff at
Ed quotes Kevin McCullough at FoxNews, and I simply MUST quote him also:
For far too many years conservatives within the Republican party have been lectured to time and again by party officials, talk show hosts, syndicated columnists, et al that conservatives had to perform their wifely duties as it related to voting for the choices left for them in general elections. For conservatives these have been bitter pills to swallow for the liberal republicans have far too often been far too similar to the liberal democrats they opposed to generate any real excitement about the distinction of their candidacy.
In election cycle after election cycle conservatives in northeastern states and along the Atlantic coast have had fingers wagged in our faces and been told to accept the fact that reelecting and putting up with candidates like Mike Castle in Delaware was somehow better than electing a Democrat. But after we'd sent them back to Washington we would watch as those same Republicans, the Susan Collins, the Olympia Snowes, the Arlen Specters of the world would proceed to vote for programs and spending that a Democrat would have voted for anyway.
[...]
... if "establishment" candidates are willing to give anything more than lip service to the party they wished to represent, then they should be willing to roll up their sleeves and do the hard work of campaigning for someone they disagree with on issues. And they should do so remembering they are in it for the greater good.
The problem, at least on the GOP side of the equation, is that so many "establishment candidates" did not/do not wish to hold to the platform of their party. There is a platform adopted by the party for specific reasons. It gets re-drafted every presidential election cycle. And in the GOP it has been candidates who did not hold to the ideas of lower taxes, pro-life, pro-marriage, gun ownership rights, and strong national security that have been causing the problems for Republicans nationally. And for the same length of time, conscientious conservatives have been told to grin and bear it.
We were told that in the end having a majority with an (R) after their name was the best thing of all.
Well I see no reason why that statement can't hold true when a genuine Republican conservative wins a primary.
Amen, amen, and AMEN!
UPDATE 2.0 on 09Sep2010 - Go over to Dan's place - he says it so much better than I do....
You know, it's really a somewhat interesting topic... Frankly, I am of two minds about it, which shouldn't surprise my fellow Christians at all ;-)
For those of you who don't know, there's a "pastor" in Gainesville, FL - Terry Jones - who is planning on having a Burning of the Koran Party (for lack of a better term) on September 11th. I haven't posted anything about it until now, but one of my favorite authors on the whole web, Jay Tea at Wizbang! (who is an agnostic), chimed in on the subject today, and I just had to clarify something.
Frankly, in my fleshly nature (for non-Christians, that means in my natural, sinful, in-rebellion-against-God side), I don't care two pins about the "atrocities" anyone wants to commit on the Koran. Burn it? Sure. Cover it in excrement? Fine. Warp it in bacon and deep fry it? No problem. After all the Muslim hypersensitivity on how WE must honor and be tolerant of their rules when WE find them irrelevant, noxious or intolerant, and after their consistant and extremely over the top reactions to what they perceive as "insults" to their religion or their soi-disant "prophet," I find it very difficult to dredge up anything more elevating than profound indifference.
If I don't bother to dredge up anything edifying, I confess I feel a rather snarky and somewhat gleeful satisfaction... But, as I said, that's my sinful nature speaking.
If I react as a Christian, however, I really cannot condone the plan of Mr. Jones and his church.
Is is because I'm worried about the "Muslim reaction"? No, not at all - except that, in this case, the church is acting in a very un-Churchlike - un Christ-like! - manner. I believe this is deliberately provocative in a way that has no biblical support whatsoever. It is one thing to provoke unfavorable reactions when acting appropriately - Jesus actually promises blessings for that:
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Taking a hit because of righteous action or righteous provocation is just fine - but smearing the name of Christ because you are taking unrighteous action is, as far as I'm concerned, just blasphemeing His name. Not only that, but this pastor and his church, if they follow through on this, are also encouraging others to tear down the name of Christ!
And that's why Mr. Jones and his church should not burn the Korans this Saturday.
Meanwhile, I'll be over here in the corner, trying to battle my snark and glee into submission....
UPDATE: Alber Mohler opens his Briefing podcast with this topic today (first 6 minutes or so).
Sen. (Dirty) Harry Reid (D-NV), seems to have pulled a John Kerry (D-MA)... Recently he made the outrageous statement that he couldn't understand how Hispanics could possibly be Republicans... and yet back in 1993, he supported revoking "birthright citizenship" for illegal immigrants, something that conservatives (and proper Republicans) support.
One would assume that this might upset one or two people of Hispanic descent, yeah?
Hey, Harry - aren't you glad you and the DemonRATS seem to be so good at fooling so many people with your corruption and hypocrisy while you destroy this country? [headdesk]
I will say, though, that I never would have thought I'd ever agree with Dirty Harry on anything... I suppose this is another example of a broken clock being right twice a day.
*sigh*
Vote 'em out. Vote them ALL out!
This is from the Institutes, Book 1, chapter 5, section 4:
But herein appears the shameful ingratitude of men. Though they have in their own persons a factory where innumerable operations of God are carried on, and a magazine stored with treasures of inestimable value—instead of bursting forth in His praise, as they are bound to do, they, on the contrary, are the more inflated and swelled with pride. They feel how wonderfully God is working in them, and their own experience tells them of the vast variety of gifts which they owe to His liberality. Whether they will or not, they cannot but know that these are proofs of His Godhead, and yet they inwardly suppress them. They have no occasion to go farther than themselves, provided they do not, by appropriating as their own that which has been given them from heaven, put out the light intended to exhibit God clearly to their minds. At this day, however, the earth sustains on her bosom many monster minds—minds which are not afraid to employ the seed of Deity deposited in human nature as a means of suppressing the name of God. Can any thing be more detestable than this madness in man, who, finding God a hundred times both in his body and his soul, makes his excellence in this respect a pretext for denying that there is a God?
I find it very interesting that, while Calvin wrote this back in the 1500's, it is still so true today. We have "monster minds" running around everywhere we look. Leaders in science, politics, society, and - God help us! - even in religion, who use the minds and intellect given by God to deny that He exists!
God knows the human heart inside and out and centuries ago, He inspired a man to write the book of Ecclesiastes which says:
That which has been is what will be,
That which is done is what will be done,
And there isnothing new under the sun.
Is there anything of which it may be said,
“See, this is new”?
It has already been in ancient times before us.
There is no remembrance of former things,
Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come
By those who will come after.
We are indeed a race of madmen...
From Playgirl to ... politico?
That's right: Levi Johnston's manager, Tank Jones, is confirming a report that Johnston is planning to run for city office in his hometown of Wasilla, Alaska, as part of a reality TV show.
via www.foxnews.com
That lying, hypocritical, irresponsible, snide little hack as mayor?? Oh, just hand me the Pepto before I puke...
*sigh* If this idiotic concept is the basis for a reality show, it proves that TV producers are convinced of the American public's shallowness.
I hope Wasilla has enough self-respect to refuse to give this pretender even a single vote!
GAH!!!!
UPDATE -
Asked whether he believed people would take Johnston's run for office seriously, with TV cameras rolling, Jones said: "People questioned Jesus Christ, so I definitely don't care about these mere mortals questioning Levi Johnston. [!!! - so Lying Levi is the equivalent to Jesus?! - K]
"People can question whatever they want. I mean, he's going to keep on doing his thing," he said. "He was going to do this, even if this wasn't a reality show."
Oh, can we just say delusional, arrogant, egotistical... And freakin' CLUELESS??? I simply cannot comprehend how people can be so incredibly out of touch with REAL reality!
From the excellent Mr. Ramirez, over at Investors' Business Daily...
Yeah, you got that right!
(UPDATE: My latest comment on this issue, and I would urge you to read the whole thread. Although there are some supporters, most of the comments lean heavily in favor of enforcing the law.)
How. Many. Times. Does. That. Have. To. Be. Said?!
I'm very tired of seeing this argument, but even more so from someone whose opinion I respect. Usually.
We neglect for a moment that 20 million people are within our borders because they want a better life for themselves and their family. 20 million people willing to work hard, build businesses, make money, and be a part of the community. You know, the things America used to stand for?
That's wonderful! GREAT! America also stands for - or it used to - the rule of law. You want to come here? Do it legally!
Oh, but, Kat, those poor people are in such dire economic straits, they only want to better themselves, and it is great for the free market! Where's your Christian compassion?!
That's the logical fallacy of the appeal to pity. It's exactly the same fallacy as, "Baby, if you love me..." that some unscrupulous people use to get something to which they have no legitimate claim.
Folks, I have compassion for them, but compounding the wrong THEY do by flouting the law when entering this country with simply giving up on enforcing that law is insanity. Two wrongs do not - and can never - make a right!
Allow me to entertain a different idea. Conservatives ideally believe in the power of the free market. Instead of rounding up and deporting every non-English speaking Hispanic, why don’t we encourage work visas? Extend business opportunities to Central America? Take those 20 million “illegal” persons (as if such a concept existed) and recognize that 20 million potential Americans who believe in hard work and free enterprise are ready to enlist in the American Experiment?
As I said over in the comments, I have never heard of any conservative put forth the idea that people who have entered this country are "illegal persons" (i.e. - just so I'm absolutely clear - persons whose very existence is illegal). To phrase the argument that way is disingenuous and commits the logical fallacy of equivocation.
When conservatives refer to "illegal aliens/immigrants," we mean that these people have arrived in this country by illegal means - they have broken our law. That is, by definition, illegal. Period. Shall we try to keep that in mind?
Now.
Are our immigration laws broken? Yup.
Is enforcement of those laws a joke? Yup.
Are there opportunities for people from other countries to come here and work for a better life? Yup.
Would I - or any conservative - welcome people who show respect for our national sovereignty and culture by coming here legally? You bet yer shiny-white-hiney!
The answer is NOT to have open borders: there are people who want to come here so that they can - effectively - rape, pillage, burn, murder and destroy. They hate us. It would not be a good thing to let them in; on the contrary, it would be wise to make all efforts to keep them out.
Are all illegal aliens "out to get us"? No, of course not - but by the same token, not all passengers flying planes are terrorists. Does that mean we can have "open boarding" for everyone who has a ticket? Yeah, I know, TSA screening is a joke, too - does that mean we just throw our hands up in disgust and give up?! Good Lord, no!
Geeze, people, show a little common sense! (Oh, yeah, "oxymoron" - right [headdesk])
I have no idea who this commenter is, but when - in response to my comment, which is the first on that post - he says
Kat seems to again stumble into the legal positivism, rejecting natural law. Kat says “But I do not want, as a citizen, to welcome people who deliberately and intentionally break our laws”. Is one’s desire to come to America and live a better life now equated to a desire to deliberately break the law? Or is the breaking of the law the unintentional side effect of seeking self betterment in this case? One must assume from Kat’s comment that the position being taken is that the driving goal of illegal immigrants is NOT to live in land of opportunity, but to break laws. Seriously? That’s fundamentally ridiculous. Respect for the law is key. Love for your fellow man is far superior.
he sets aside the fact that
Good Lord, I've seen clearer thinking from rabid liberals!
... OK, maybe not, but it's a pretty close call.
People. There are a lot of proposed solutions out there, and I would love to see this broken system fixed, but rolling over and giving up is not reasonable, rational, wise, frugal, profitable OR compassionate. No market is completely free, no borders are completely secure. But one of the mandates of our Federal government is to protect the lives and rights of American citizens first.
Our laws can be changed by legal means. If you feel that passionate about the plight of the poor, beleaguered people who come here by illegal means, then use the existing system to change the laws and fix the bloody problem!!!!
But do not set aside existing law just to soothe your hurted widdle feeewings and make yourself feel better and morally superior because you waved your hand and helped those law-breakers in their lawlessness.
And, yeah, this is a pretty harsh post with strong language. I can do that you know - just because I prefer not to smack people upside the head doesn't mean I won't.
And, Shaun, I still love you.
The deepening notes of disenchantment with Barack Obama now issuing from commentators across the political spectrum were predictable. So, too, were the charges from some of the president's earliest enthusiasts about his failure to reflect a powerful sense of urgency about the oil spill.
There should have been nothing puzzling about his response to anyone who has paid even modest critical attention to Mr. Obama's pronouncements. For it was clear from the first that this president—single-minded, ever-visible, confident in his program for a reformed America saved from darkness by his arrival—was wanting in certain qualities citizens have until now taken for granted in their presidents. Namely, a tone and presence that said: This is the Americans' leader, a man of them, for them, the nation's voice and champion. Mr. Obama wasn't lacking in concern about the oil spill. What he lacked was that voice—and for good reason.
Those qualities to be expected in a president were never about rhetoric; Mr. Obama had proved himself a dab hand at that on the campaign trail. They were a matter of identification with the nation and to all that binds its people together in pride and allegiance. These are feelings held deep in American hearts, unvoiced mostly, but unmistakably there and not only on the Fourth of July.
A great part of America now understands that this president's sense of identification lies elsewhere, and is in profound ways unlike theirs. He is hard put to sound convincingly like the leader of the nation, because he is, at heart and by instinct, the voice mainly of his ideological class. He is the alien in the White House, a matter having nothing to do with delusions about his birthplace cherished by the demented fringe.
Read the whole thing - excellent article, and the title is priceless! (Thanks to my Beloved Husband, who forwarded the link)
I was poking around the Internet yesterday, looking at State parks in reasonable driving distance. We have a lovely RV that hasn't been anywhere in too long, and I thought I'd look around and see if anything piqued my interest. I remember that may years ago we stayed in the general area of Phohick State Park -Westmoreland, I think - and had a great time.
So, I was googling around, and saw that in the Pohick area (or at least, I think it was in that area, I wasn't looking at maps) is also Mason Neck. And for some reason, I came across this blog post, essentially saying that Gov. McDonnell doesn't love our State parks, because he's closing five of them.
I see that Blue Virginia has also jumped on the bandwagon, with an approving mention of that post by Benny-Wenny over at Not Larry Sabato (get your own link to that reprobate).
Now, Norm over at Tertium Quids as well as Krystle at Bearing Drift have already chimed in on this - and far more eloquently than I might - but I do want to ask the leftosphere something. A few somethings, actually.
Do you really think that, after only a month in office, Gov. McDonnell really holds a particular animus for these parks? Or do you think that, maybe, in an attempt to look over the budget snarl the recent *ahem* Democratic *cough* governors have bequeathed to the Commonwealth and bring some sanity to spending, Gov. McDonnell reviewed various proposals by the many departments of government to see where they said they could cut costs? Perhaps - possibly - the Governor saw that the Department of Conservation and Recreation said that these parks were losing money for the State due to low visitation revenue vs upkeep expenses... And, perhaps, the Governor saw this as a way to cut costs with the least impact possible to jobs?
I realize jobs will be lost in this move - but I didn't realize that Virginia had a policy of guaranteeing jobs so long as there were breathing bodies to occupy them. I'm sorry some people will be out of work, but what if it's a case of 100 jobs in the recreation section vs 500 jobs in education or health?
Folks, everyone is having to tighten their belts in these difficult times, including the Commonwealth.
Would you rather we keep spending money we don't have, placing more of a burden on future generations and eventually teetering on the edge of bankruptcy like, oh - California? Hard times mean hard choices. Get with the program, pare down non-essential services as much as possible, make wise spending decisions, and get inside sensible budget restrictions, and we'll weather the storm and come out better.
But as long as y'all keep whining, things are just going to get worse.
C'mon, Virginia Democrats - don't be like your big brother.
(crossposted to Virginia Virtucon)
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Folks, we Christians in the United States (and I do include myself) are selfish, complacent and unfeeling.
We live in the richest nation on earth - resources, opportunities, finances, families - and yet, although America is the most generous nation on earth, the Christian Church has not stepped up to the plate and given to God's work proportionately to the blessings He has HEAPED upon us.
I am convicted and shamed by my own selfishness and concern for the future. I need to be slapped in the face with God's promises to provide for the needs of His children and His promise to pour out blessing to faithful givers. He does not promise financial blessings, but rather to bless the influence and grace of our inheritance in Heaven.What a treasure could be waiting for us, if we only open wide our hands and give back to God that which is already His!
Yes, for some, He will add blessing upon blessing financially - because He has found faithful servants (or is testing the servants whom He has blessed with financial assets) who will still put His Kingdom before their own needs. God is searching for men and women to bless richly so they can bless others according to His provision in their lives.
Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church spent 30+ hours in Haiti after the earthquake. I ask you to please watch the whole video... And then do what God lays on your heart.
We in America have been given riches beyond measure. The poverty line in Haiti is roughly $1300.00 a year, and 80% of the population can't even make that...
As Christians, we have no percentage guideline for giving to the Church in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Folks, for us, Jerusalem is our home, Judea is our community/state, Samaria is our nation... And the "end of the earth" is all our brothers and sisters in Christ who need our help to spread the wonderful Gospel of Salvation.
Do you earn $10,000? Can you offer $10 - at least???? Do you earn $60k? Can you give $500? Do you earn whatever, and realizing the blessings God has given you - just by being born to this prosperous and blessed country!! - you realize you need to give back to His Kingdom by loving, supporting and encouraging your brothers and sisters in a far country?
Please watch the whole video... and then give all that you possibly can to rebuild, uplift and encourage the Church in Haiti and all her people.
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Women's Wear Daily reported today that Michelle Obama wore a dress that retails for $1850 to the State of the Union address given by her husband, Barack Obama, on Wednesday night.
Last week, the White House featured as the 'photo of the day' a picture of Michelle Obama wearing a $2763 designer coat with matching dress of unknown cost and $850 custom made designer boots.
During the Obama's $4000 per day Christmas vacation, Michelle Obama was photographed wearing a $635 pair of designer shoes. A recent study of five pairs of designer shoes worn last year by Michelle Obama showed an average price of $700 per pair
OK, the Presidential salary s $400,000. The tuition for the Obamas' daughters at Sidwell Friends is about $30k per, although I'd say the total would be about $56k-ish, since it's fairly common to give a tuition discount on additional children from the same family.
Assuming the Obamas don't itemize (yeah, right), they're paying taxes on $374,000 ($400k - 4[3650.00 personal exemptions] - 11,400 [standard deduction, married filing jointly]). That places them in the 35% tax bracket, so that's about $130,000 the Obamas are shelling out to their "fair share" of the national tax burden.
So, $400k - $130k - $56k = $214,000.
Now, out of that - because, of course, they wouldn't accept illegal GIFTS, would they? - teh One™ also must pay some of the living expenses at the White House. It's my understanding, for instance, that he'll have to pay his food expenses, although the government does pick up the tab for state functions.
I'm sure that the Obamas have other sources of income, but it does make me wonder how far $214k can stretch when you're going on $4,000 a day vacations and your wife likes $700 shoes...
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MSNBC host Chris Matthews is under fire for commenting on air that President Obama has done so much to heal racial divides that "I forgot he was black" as he watched Obama's first State of the Union address Wednesday night.
Matthews, who appeared on the cable network shortly after the speech, said of the president:
"I was trying to think about who he was tonight. And uh, it's interesting. He is post-racial, by all appearances. You know, I forgot he was black tonight for an hour....
"I was watching, I said, 'wait a minute!' He's an African-American guy in front of a bunch of other white people and there he is president of the United States and we've completely forgotten that tonight -- completely forgotten it!"
via www.foxnews.com
I mean, really!!! Only someone to whom skin color is an actual issue would bring this up.
I don't care if Obama is orange with pink stripes and green polka-dots - I still despise his big government, socialist policies. I would despise them if he were a dedicated white supremacist, or an Asian immigrant, or an Hispanic "undocumented worker," or a woman, or the average "guy on the street." I don't care WHO puts forth these policies - I think they (the policies) are wrong, and should be abhorrent to any true American.
Chris Mathews - like most loony liberals - is still too concerned (and falsely so) with skin color, and cannot seem to separate a minor genetic issue with the content of someone's character or the intelligence of their policies.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.
Gee. Wonder where that quote came from?
But, no. Chris Matthews, like the rest of the hypocritical liberal left, cannot let a healing wound HEAL. He and his ilk keep picking at the scab - and if they have their way, eventually that wound won't heal. Instead, it will develop into a scar that nothing will erase - and it will be the fault of people like Chris Matthews.
Obama's policies (the DemonRATIC party's policies!) are crap, and they're going to bankrupt and ruin this country while putting its citizens in danger and releasing our sovereign rights to foreign powers. All tha has NOTHING to do with skin color!
Matthew's condemnation is just. God willing, this will be the straw that breaks the camel's back and forces him off the air in ignominious disgrace.
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| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Stealth Care Reform | ||||
| ||||
My, my, my... It seems to me that Buyers' Remorse is on the rise on the Left...
If you'd listened to us, people, you would have SEEN the guy is an empty, spineless suit! Ah, well. Maybe the Left will learn the value of that old adage, "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice - shame on ME!"
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Via Wired: "TSA Threatens Blogger Who Posted New Screening Directive" -
Special agents from the TSA’s Office of Inspection interrogated two U.S. bloggers, one of them an established travel columnist, and served them each with a civil subpoena demanding information on the anonymous source that provided the TSA document.
The document, which the two bloggers published within minutes of each other Dec. 27, was sent by TSA to airlines and airports around the world and described temporary new requirements for screening passengers through Dec. 30, including conducting “pat-downs” of legs and torsos. The document, which was not classified, was posted by numerous bloggers. Information from it was also published on some airline websites.
“They’re saying it’s a security document but it was sent to every airport and airline,” says Steven Frischling, one of the bloggers. “It was sent to Islamabad, to Riyadh and to Nigeria. So they’re looking for information about a security document sent to 10,000-plus people internationally. You can’t have a right to expect privacy after that.”
Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman Suzanne Trevino said in a statement that security directives “are not for public disclosure.”
“TSA’s Office of Inspections is currently investigating how the recent Security Directives were acquired and published by parties who should not have been privy to this information,” the statement said.
My gosh, it's like TSA is doing it's best to replace the Keystone Cops!
Frischling, a freelance travel writer and photographer in Connecticut who writes a blog for the KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, said the two agents who visited him arrived around 7 p.m. Tuesday, were armed and threatened him with a criminal search warrant if he didn’t provide the name of his source. They also threatened to get him fired from his KLM job and indicated they could get him designated a security risk, which would make it difficult for him to travel and do his job.
“They were indicating there would be significant ramifications if I didn’t cooperate,” said Frischling, who was home alone with his three children when the agents arrived. “It’s not hard to intimidate someone when they’re holding a 3-year-old [child] in their hands. My wife works at night. I go to jail, and my kids are here with nobody.”
Oh, no, not the Keystone Cops - try the Nazi SS!
Frischling wrote on his blog that he decided to publish the TSA directive to clear up much of the confusion and speculation that was circulating among the public about changes that were being instituted in airport security procedures after a passenger unsuccessfully tried to ignite a bomb Dec. 25 using a syringe and explosive chemicals hidden in his underwear.
“We are a free society, knowledge is power and informing the masses allows for public conversation and collective understanding,” Frischling wrote on his blog. “You can agree or disagree, but you need information to know if you want to agree or disagree. My goal is to inform and help people better understand what is happening, as well as allow them to form their own opinions.”
You would think that TSA would WANT the traveling public to know about new security measures so there is less confusion and fewer delays at airports. Accurate information also helps keep frustration levels down, because travelers are not surprised with unexpected restrictions and packing requirements.
*sigh*
What a bumbling mass of idiots - but then, look at their "leadership."
God help us.
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(Via my Cotillion sister, Greta)
Oh, yeah, right! Women have no brains, so they have to use sex and flirting to get others to do what they want. There's no need for point-by-point discussion and rebuttal, all you need to do is ignore the opposing view and lie to anyone who holds it.
Rock the Vote should be ashamed - and where the heck are the feminists? Shouldn't they be up in arms in outrage over the sexism running rampant through this video?
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via blog.cagle.com
Merry Christmas, America - you've been so wonderful and awesome in electing TehOne™ and his DemonRATic cohorts, that here's a nice smelly, steaming pile called "health care reform" to sit under your tree...
Well, I'm quite disappointed with Robert Hurt: his website is still only very basic, and has nothing up on the issues of taxation, immigration, health care, the War on Terror, government bureaucracy, jobs, etc. Not good, especially since I'd like to completely support my "hometown guy." Sen. Hurt, you are experienced at campaigning (albeit at the state level), and you should know that you have GOT to get this information out and on the record. Also, I am still concerned for your vote in favor of increased taxes when you were in the House of Delegates.
Ken Boyd also has an extremely simplistic website, and whoever is coding it is not doing a very good job. Just as an FYI, your front page (at the minimum!) should not show up as "Main" on the browser tab; it should at least display the candidate's name! Mr. Boyd is also not showing where he stands on the important issues that interest Virginians. His home page has only a very cursory mention of a few issues, but no specific statements on where he stands and how he intends to implement his positions. Also not good.
Feda Morton now has a real web presence (she used to only have a FaceBook page), and it seems to be nicely straightforward and clear. Her issues page is also very simple and blunt, which I rather like, and her positions match up very well with my own. I have very little patience for flowery rhetoric when gathering information, and the no-nonsense approach is quite attractive, however I would like to see more detail about how she plans to carry out these policies.
Ron Ferrin is a new name to me, and he's GOT to disable the autoplay for the first video on his site (a personal peeve). I very much like his style and stances on the issues he mentions on his front page (his support for the Second Amendment is particularly notable *grinz*), but it quite possibly comes across as a bit too "cowboy" for many. I would like to see a lot more written detail about who he is and what he's done so far because there is no bio. Plus, it might be nice if he started Twittering or FBooking. His videos are quite informative, however, so it's a "fault" I can forgive. He's not terribly polished - which is not a ping - but he is well-spoken. I'll have to keep an eye on him.
Lawrence Verga's site is well-organized, and he has clear and detailed descriptions of where he stands on the issues. I might quibble that he needs a new favicon, but then... that's a quibble! He is a self-described constitutionalist and has vowed to self-limit to serving only three terms as our Representative. He is a businessman, not a lawyer, according to his bio, and is very involved with charity development. He does have a health issue (polycystic kidney disease), which I assume requires careful management, but does not appear, at first glance, to be a large barrier. He's definitely an interesting candidate, and I like his positions on the issues.
Finally, there's Mike McPadden. He's a retired Navy pilot (hey! He flew the same airframe my Beloved did!), which is certainly a plus in my mind *grinz*. Mr. McPadden, like Verga, is NOT a lawyer (thank God - I do confess to being very tired of lawyers going to D.C.). He likes the Fair Tax - it seems most of these candidates do - and also has excellent statements on energy and conservation. I like his military experience, which might put him up a bit in a field of candidates who do not seem to have a lot of practical familiarity with national security issues.
All of the last four candidates are pro-life, all support lower taxes and less government interference in some way. All of them support our Second Amendment rights (again, make sure you watch Ron Ferrin's video!), a strong national defense, and fiscal and governmental conservatism.
Sen. Hurt - although I was inclined to support him after his initial announcement - has not kept current on the issues on his website, and still has much explaining to do on his previous votes in the House of Delegates. Mr. Boyd joins with him in being the most "non-present" pair in the web arena. At this point, I'm kinda leaning for 1) McPadden, 2) a Verga/Morton tie, 3) Ferrin, 4) Hurt and 5) Boyd for my order of preference to go against Perriello.
(UPDATE: Rees? Rees who? C'mon, get serious!)
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Image via Wikipedia
To use the word "sexist" against Newsweek Newsweak (ed. - sorry, Stacy, had to correct your spelling there *snicker*] is to accuse enlightened liberal elitists of violating their own egalitarian standards -- which is all fine and good. But "sexist" also sounds like one of those grim, humorless Women's Studies professors ranting at a campus "Take Back the Night" rally.
Ick. Don't go there, governor. You are a happily married Christian conservative pro-life woman who -- oh, glorious coincidence! -- looks good in shorts. Your husband is a certified USDA prime slice of hunkalicious beef, your son is a soldier in Bravo Company, and your daughter is a single mom with a selfish douchebag ex-boyfriend.
All of which is to say, you are the 21st-century all-American woman, a symbol to which a lot of moms can relate. Just think of the enormous untapped electoral potential in the "My Daughter's Ex-Boyfriend Is A Selfish Douchebag" Coalition.
Lean into the curve, governor. Be yourself. Relax and have fun. Avoid the humorless feminist victimhood pose. If Hillary Clinton couldn't make that work against Obama, the media sure as heck won't let you use it, so let it go.
Yep. Don't fight them on their terms - the sour-grapes rhetoric of the willfully blind and politically correct - fight them with the joy and humor and passion you showed on the campaign trail!
I just got her book yesterday (and for only $9, when Amazon and WalMart were having their price wars), so I'm pretty excited - I'm sure it's going to be a great read!
GO, SARACUDA!!!!!!
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With his state under an emergency declaration because of heavy rain and floods, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine headed to Arkansas for a Democratic fundraiser.
via www.google.com
Well... Ya think?
Tim Kaine: GINO (Governor in Name Only)... From an *ahem*unnamed source*cough*
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
(crossposted to Virginia Virtucon)
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Via e-mail:
Virginia Attorney General Bill Mims tonight released the following statement on the execution of John Allen Muhammad:
“Tonight, John Allen Muhammad was executed by the Commonwealth of Virginia for his role in a killing spree that shocked our nation. Families of Virginia were held hostage in their homes, fearing they would be the next victim of a sniper’s bullet. Muhammad was executed for the murder of Dean Meyers, who was shot and killed while fueling his car at a gas station in Manassas. Meyers was one of 10 people murdered, with six additional victims shot, across four states and Washington, D.C., during 47 days of terror by Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo. The murder of Meyers was the 12th in the string of 16 shootings. A jury convicted Muhammad of the premeditated capital murder of Meyers in the commission of an act of terrorism, and the premeditated capital murder of Meyers within three years of the premeditated murders of other persons. The jury sentenced him to death for those crimes.
“While nothing can bring back the loved ones lost and lives shattered, tonight justice was served to the fullest extent of the law. Muhammad’s acts seven years ago remain particularly vivid in our minds today.
“Muhammad’s death penalty was exhaustively reviewed and affirmed by the trial court, Virginia Supreme Court, U.S. District Court, U.S. Court of Appeals and U.S. Supreme Court, and the Governor has declined to intervene. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the surviving victims and their families and friends, and with the families and friends of the 10 innocent victims slain by Muhammad during the unprecedented time of terror in the fall of 2002.”
And all I have to say is:
Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. (Romans 13:2-4, ESV)
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The Hartford Courant reports:
Pfizer Inc. will shut down its massive New London research and development headquarters and transfer most of the 1,400 people working there to Groton, the pharmaceutical giant said Monday....
Pfizer is now deciding what to do with its giant New London offices, and will consider selling it, leasing it and other options, a company spokeswoman said.
Scott Bullock, Kelo's co-counsel in the case, told me: "This shows the folly of these redevelopment projects that use massive taxpayer subsidies and other forms of corporate welfare and abuse eminent domain."
via www.washingtonexaminer.com
All that illegal and unconstitutional legalese, and these people ended up losing their houses for nothing anyway. Kelo vs. New London was a terrible miscarriage of justice, and it looks like true justice will prevail, with New London getting its comeuppance.
The wheels of justice grind slowly, but they do grind exceedingly fine.
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