Wednesday, January 31, 2007

WaPo To Military: You Can Help Yourself But Don't Take Too Much

I almost fell out of my chair watching this video. NBC actually broadcast a video in which some American Troops were allowed to voice an opinion counter to the leftwing Democrat/ics.

Did you watch it? Awesome isn't it?

Here is the (insert adjective here, none of the ones I know are vile enough) response from the Washington Post.
The Troops Also Need to Support the American People
By William M. Arken
The Washington Post

~snip~

Through every Abu Ghraib and Haditha, through every rape and murder, the American public has indulged those in uniform, accepting that the incidents were the product of bad apples or even of some administration or command order.

Sure it is the junior enlisted men who go to jail, but even at anti-war protests, the focus is firmly on the White House and the policy. We just don't see very man "baby killer" epithets being thrown around these days, no one in uniform is being spit upon.

So, we pay the soldiers a decent wage, take care of their families, provide them with housing and medical care and vast social support systems and ship obscene amenities into the war zone for them, we support them in every possible way, and their attitude is that we should in addition roll over and play dead, defer to the military and the generals and let them fight their war, and give up our rights and responsibilities to speak up because they are above society?



Hat tip to Ward's View for video link and Just A Nobody for WaPo link.
UPDATE: Blue Crab Boulevard has lots of links to bloggers' reactions and a great email from his son in the sandbox.
Cat House Chat has a great post.

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Is Obama First African-American Politico To Shower Daily?

Presidential hopeful, Sen. Joseph Biden (D) seems to think so.


The New York Observer
Biden Unbound
By Jason Horowitz

~snip~
Mr. Biden is equally skeptical—albeit in a slightly more backhanded way—about Mr. Obama. “I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy,” he said. “I mean, that’s a storybook, man.”

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Brits Foil Islamist Plan to Kidnap and Behead Citizens in Brittian

The Brits have foiled a plot by “British-Muslim Islamic terrorists” [my words, not theirs] to kidnap “a British Muslim soldier” hold him hostage and execute him in a “Ken Bigley-style execution:”

Eight people were arrested during a series of pre-dawn raids in the city as part of a major nationwide anti-terror investigation. Sources said it marked a
"new departure" for terrorism in the UK and that a major "close quarters" terror strike had been thwarted.
The alleged plot, said to have been in the later
stages of planning, would have mirrored the kidnappings of Mr Bigley and fellow British hostage Margaret Hassan by Iraqi insurgents. The intended hostage - said to be a young Muslim soldier in the British army who had served in
Afghanistan - would have been filmed, made to plead for his life and ultimately executed, sources alleged.
One of the men arrested in the Alum Rock area was named locally as Amjad Mahmood, 29. His brother, who did not want to be named, told reporters: "The police won't let me know where he is. His wife and kids are very distressed. My mother and father are very distressed. The police
won't tell them where he is." Local councillor Ansar Ali Khan said he had spoken to the father of the arrested man. Councillor Khan said: "He was in shock to know that his son had been arrested." He described him as "a very hard
working local businessman", adding: "He has served the community for 30 years and he is proud to be British. He can not imagine his son having any link to this sort of activity."

Much has been said about how “moderate muslims” wouldn’t attack us and don’t support terrorism. That is probably true. But this can show 1.) just how close radical jihad can be to them and 2.) It can be anyone around them – even the ones they think could not possibly be involved.

The report says this incident “raises the possibility of an individual being randomly snatched off the street and held hostage, with 'demands' issued in return for their release. Such a tactic has not been employed in the UK but is a constant threat for foreigners in Iraq.

Sorry my friend, what you’re thinking about is called a hostage for ransom. That’s not what the Islamists are doing. This is FAR more sinister. What’s going on here is called “psychological warfare.” Any demands met by the countries of origin or the families of those who have been taken are purely icing on the cake for islamists. Their real intentions are to string out the countries anxiety, get all media attention on them, and then kill the hostage in front of the world. Their whole point is to degrade the will of the people they oppose, and to provide inspiration for those who fight on the jihadists’ side – yes, the terrorist jihadi “holy warriors” find this sort of thing to be very inspirational. Anyway, the long and the short of the story is that for Europe, running from the war in Iraq is looking more like running to the fight, since the Islamists seem to be willing to bring their tactics in Iraq home to them.

*****Update*****

More information on this is available at Michelle Malkin's site including:
  • More information from "theSun.com.uk"
  • A link to a "British Muslim youth poll" 13 percent 'admired' organizations such as Al Qaeda

Says Michelle: "[This] news is no shock."

*****

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Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Citizens Report On Iraq

I've had a couple of unusual and interesting phone calls. One was a Webb/Warner opinion poll. First time I've ever been polled and, boy, was it fun.

The other was from a contributor to the Citizens Report On Iraq (released today) wanting to interview Iraq Veterans and their families. Both my son and I responded to questions from the interviewer.

A large part of the report contains responses collected from active duty military, their families, veterans and the wounded as well as Gold Star Family members. Linda Deming, who gathered and edited the information, also includes anecdotes from men and women who have served in Iraq. I am grateful to her for giving them a "microphone" so their voices can be heard.

The Citizens Report On Iraq contains perspectives and information that was not represented well, if at all, by the Iraq Study Group Report and for that I am grateful.
For instance, is the "Roach Motel" concept working? One of the authors certainly thinks so.

I would quote a few excerpts but it is a PDF document with security locks so the copy function doesn't work, at least for me.

See also: FreeRepulic.com and Michelle Malkin

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More on Eilat Suicide Bomber

LGF: has video from a security camera nearby that shows the bomber entering the bakery,

The brother of the suicide bomber calls him a “hero:”

“The whole family was very happy when it heard that
Muhammad is the hero who carried out the attack,” said Naim Saqsaq, the brother of Muhammad Saqsaq, who carried out the suicide attack in Eilat that killed three people. “We knew that he was waiting and praying for this moment. He
always said, ‘If only I could be a shahid, if only I could carry out an attack.’ And here Allah gave him the privilege,” he told Ynet. The brother recounted that
Muhammad was an unemployed construction worker. He was married. His only daughter died from disease three weeks ago.

Naim Saqsaq said that in his opinion, by carrying out the terror attack, he wanted to send the message: “There is no place for killing and internal war, and that we should
only fight against ‘the Zionist enemy.
’”

One of Muhammad’s friends told Ynet that he saw him for the last time on Thursday, and he looked different. “I am used to seeing him with a beard, but on this day he was cleanly
shaven and had a short haircut like an American Marines soldier.
This was the first time I saw him with gel in his hair and in jeans,” said the friend. “I asked him where he was going with this whole getup. He didn’t answer, but he
looked very happy to me. He laughed and joked. When he said bye to me, he didn’t say ‘Salam alaykum,’ as is customary for believers, but said, ‘Bye bye’ – something he had never said,” recounted the friend.

To draw a comparison -- even if it is only a physical appearance -- to a United States Marine and one of these murderous clowns is an affront to all Marines everywhere. They have absolutely NOTHING in common.


So when is the "international community" going to lecture these FREAKS about the rules of war? Where are the calls for a trial for the leaders of this “war” who have clearly targeted civilians and have done nothing to prevent the “collateral damage” of the death of innocents? Where are the cries of “genocide” for both the Jewish and Palestinian people who these Islamic murderers kill for their own gains?

I hope the REAL God of All has reserved the hottest place in hell for murderers.

Previously:
Suicide Bombings Resume in Israel After 8 Months

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Monday, January 29, 2007

Suicide Bombings in Israel Resume After 8 Months

***Update: 1/29/2007 4:18:22 PM

Via: Jihad Watch (Hamas: ‘Attack is legitimate resistance’)

The target of the suicide bombing was a bakery in Eilat, and was committed by Mahammed Saksak, a 21 year-old from Gaza City, not the West Bank as had been previously thought.

A spokesman for the Hamas terrorists, (who currently run the Palestinian Authority)Fawzi Barhoum, is quoted as praising the bombing and calling it a “’natural response’ to Israeli policies:” Says Barhoum: “"So long as there is occupation, resistance is legitimate."

Islamic Jihad, the other group claiming responsibility for the bombing says the operation was “meant to help bring and end to the weeks of Palestinian infighting that has [killed] 60 people in the Gaza Strip since December. ‘The operation has a clear message to the Palestinian rivals. It is necessary to end the infighting and point the guns toward the occupation that has hurt the Palestinian people, the site said.’”

“The Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, one of the groups claiming responsibility for Monday's attack, is linked to Fatah. However, Fatah spokesman Ahmad Abdul Rahman condemned the violence, saying, "We are against any operation that targets civilians, Israelis or Palestinians."”

So “a natural response” to the Israeli military policies like building a wall to keep these terrorists out is to blow up a bakery in a resort town. How about fielding a uniformed army and taking the Israelis on “mono y mono?” Nope. The killers in the Palestinian Authority know that they wouldn’t last 20 minuets in a fair fight with Israel. I look forward to the day when these killers are run from the face of the earth and the rest of us can live in true peace.

********

Reuters is reporting that the first suicide bombing in Israel since last April has claimed three lives at Eilat, a resort area beside the Red Sea.

"Islamic Jihad, al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and the
previously unknown "Army of Believers" claimed responsibility for the bombing
that hit the popular Red Sea resort.
The Islamic Jihad and the Aqsa brigades
said the bombing was a response to Israeli "attempts to defile al-Aqsa mosque"
in Jerusalem, a reference to recent archeological excavations. Israeli officials
said the work had not damaged the shrine."

So digging near a “shrine” by Israel demands the immediate release of suicide bombings to kill people in a resort in Israel. Is everyone understanding the logic here?

Add in three more innocent deaths to the “Palestinian's honorable national struggle.

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Hamas Hatfield vs. Fatah McCoy

Hamas and Fatah are doing a Hatfield/McCoy version of conflict resolution in Gaza. I’m not sure who stepped on who’s camel’s toes first, but with that much hate pulsating in one area, sooner or later it was going to vent. The result is repeated pitched gun battles and talks of a “civil war.”

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Hamas and Fatah gunmen battled each other across the Gaza Strip early Monday, attacking security compounds, knocking out an electrical transformer and kidnapping several local commanders in some of the most extensive factional fighting in recent weeks. Four people were killed and large parts of Gaza City were plunged into darkness. Saudi King Abdullah called the factional fighting a "shame" that has undermined the Palestinian cause. He urged both sides to join talks mediated by his country, Saudi Arabia's official news agency reported Sunday.

The best quote was this: "Our hearts bleed for what is happening in the land of our Palestinian brothers," he said. "This great atrocity with all its unjustified and weak reasons has stained the Palestinian's honorable national struggle."

I wonder if their hearts bleed as much as all those killed in Palestinian suicide bombings in Israel.

Wonder who’s going to pick up the tab for the knocked out transformer? Looks like more cries for “international aid” and more accusations of Israel leaving Palestinians in deplorable conditions.

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Saturday, January 27, 2007

Desperate John Warner Trashes U.S. Military Command

It must have been a bitter pill for Sen. John Warner to swallow when he lost his powerful and prestigious position as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee after the '06 elections. He seems to be grabbing at straws, desperate for face time on the news. Now this:
U.S. military commanders have "misled" senators on the Iraqi military's ability to oversee security operations, an unusually combative Republican Senator John Warner said at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Thursday.

Warner questioned why there are so few Iraqi troops in Baghdad - despite years of training and repeated assurances from U.S. military leaders that more American troops would not be needed.

"I think we, this committee and the Congress, have been misled," Warner told retired General John Keane, the former vice chief of staff of the Army.
AP/WSLS.com
In other words he accuses our Military Command of lying. Where is this kind of rhetoric going to take us?

There isn't a semi-intelligent person on the planet who doesn't know how pumped up Al Qaida and other terrorist organizations were before the elections in November '06 as they stepped up their campaign of bloody violence in Iraq, not to mention their enthusiasm for Democrat/ic candidates. (Well, gee, let's add a few Republicans to that list.)

There isn't a semi-intelligent person in America who doesn't know how our pathetic excuse for Media has recklessly undermined President Bush and the War on Terror including the essential front in Iraq. The daily onslaught of propaganda can be hard to deflect. It is especially hard for politicians who aren't strengthened by virtues of loyalty and decency not to mention common sense.

There isn't a semi-intelligent person in Virginia who doesn't believe this effort has been extremely successful. Look how the "popular" Senator John Warner has turned.
The stench stirred up is disgusting.

Sen. Warner is playing a dangerous game with our Troops and the people of Iraq to keep his poll ratings high and his ego inflated.

For those of us who have seen our sons, daughters and family members off to war only to have them betrayed at home by fair weather friends and dessicated politicos is unbearable. We will not forget this. Trust me on that.

CathouseChat lays out Warner.
The Right-Wing Liberal links to petition.

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Friday, January 26, 2007

In Memory of LCpl. Karl R. Linn, USMC KIA 01-26-05


Please click on the photo to view a video tribute to Karl.

Karl Linn from Midlothian, VA was 20 years old when he and three other young Marines were killed in an ambush in Haqlaniyah, Anbar Province, Iraq in 2005.

These are Karl's own words, a treasure and remembrance for those he left behind.
Who Am I?

I'm an engineer, an artist, or a U.S. Marine. I'm as comfortable with physics as I am with ballistics or a brush. Whether I'm feeling like the reasoned intellectual, the right brained artist, or the hard-corps Devil Dog, I've been called an enigma, a Renaissance man, or simply "Krazy Karl". I appear to be a nerd most of the time, sensitive and harmless, but around the edges I maintain just enough of the male bravado to take the lead in situations that require it. People can never quite put their finger on the nature of my personality, and the fact of the matter is, neither can I. I honestly don't know who I am, and I'm perfectly content with that, for it leaves me open to new experiences; I can be anyone I want to be, even if only for a day. Yet I always remember that I am flesh and blood like everyone else, so no matter how lonely I sometimes feel, my suffering is no different.

What Do I Want?

In the short-term, I want to establish what is best described as the American Dream. I want to be a success, but not necessarily the type that ends up in magazines. My definition of leading a successful life would leave me with a good job, a nice place to live, a great soulmate, and my own family.
However, I see that as no more than a stepping stone, a checkpoint I must pass before I can begin to pursue what I really want from life: the Truth.

How Do I Propose to Get It?

I suppose I've answered part of that already. Sometimes I feel emotionally lost, but I have to remember that everything I've planned for the recent future, college and military training and every other teaching experience is going to help me get one step closer to wherever I'm going, whether directly or indirectly. For the most part, I just intend to live my life, keeping all options open, and experience everything I possibly can. I really plan on nothing other than achieving some degree of wisdom; how I get that is irrelevant. But once I've lived an ordinary life to the degree I see fit, then I will be ready to pursue my ultimate quest for the Truth.

Karl Linn

Badrose has a written a beautiful tribute to the mothers of these four Marines.

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Thursday, January 25, 2007

Tucker Announces '08 Run

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Bloggers Day with Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, aided and ably abetted by Randy Marcus, hosted Virginia political bloggers in Richmond yesterday. The Lt. Gov. gave us a tour of his office (looking out the windows, he is able to keep an eye on the capitol building as well as the Governor's mansion) and charmed us all with his warmth and hospitality.

We were able to observe the House and Senate in action via television monitors and were amused at their reaction to the presence of bloggers on the premises.

Later in the day, Lt. Gov. Bolling discussed his legislative agenda in depth and answered questions. I was pleased to hear him address the problems rural Virginia is having with methamphetamine, an horrific and soul-destroying drug.

Boyd Marcus, who has run many successful Virginia campaigns, gave us his take on the 2007 legislative elections. He noted several factors for success in state elections: demographics being the most important, followed by money and the quality of the candidate and lastly, the ability to spot the wave. That last one was amply illustrated in the Allen/Webb campaign.

Next up was Del. Tim Hugo who early on recognized the potential of blogs. He credits Virginia blogs with changing the majority in the United States Senate and I tend to agree with that assessment. He spoke at length about the proposed Transportation Package compromise and potential obstacles to a resolution this year. He didn't seem totally enamored with the proposal and was willing to be honest about it.

Sen. Mark Obenshain demonstrated his broad knowledge of government and the funding processes and touched on a variety of specific issues from gunshows to education. He has proposed actually collecting revenues owed by out of state entities who do business in Virginia as a means of raising revenue without raising taxes. His remarks were off the cuff and I was quite impressed. I was left with the impression that his positions on issues are carefully researched and well-reasoned.

That evening at dinner Mrs. Bolling graced the dinner table. She is a lovely lady who seemed quite comfortable with our motley crew. We were also joined by one of my personal heroes in the GA, Sen. Ken Cuccinelli.

The entire day was a great experience and I can't thank the Lt. Governor and his staff enough for making it possible.

About 19 people attended from blogs representing the full spectrum of political leanings.
Blogs in attendance:
ShaunKenney.com
Not Larry Sabato Post on Bloggers' Day
Spank That Donkey Post on Bloggers' Day
United Conservatives of Virginia
Leslie Carbone Post on Bloggers' Day
Bearing Drift Post on Bloggers' Day
Mason Conservative Post on Bloggers' Day
Cat House Chat Post on Bloggers' Day full report here
Virginia Virtucon Post on Bloggers' Day
Vivian J. Paige Post on Bloggers' Day here, here, here and here.
The Right Wing Liberal Post on Bloggers' Day
Republitarian Post on Bloggers'Day
SWAC Girl Post on Bloggers' Day
Skeptical Observer
Journal Of The Common Man Post on Bloggers' Day
If I left your blog off the list, please let me know in the comments or shoot me an email.

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Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Prez - Letter To The President

Found this video over at Irate Nation tonight. Good blog, good video.
Prez-Letter To The President

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Monday, January 22, 2007

Roe v. Wade 34 Years



Today marks the 34th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade; thirty-four bloody years in the insane war against unborn children.

It is also the birthday of a remarkable man who was spared from death by a mother who knew she carried a priceless gift. Carl Kilo posted this on his birthday last year.

1/22/1965

In a small town not far from Chicago, 41 years ago today, a life was spared. A drug addicted mother gave birth to a child. This child was now to endure weeks of blood transfusions and treatments.

In the city a few miles away a young husband and wife dreamed of having a child of their own. The husband was a dirt farmer from Mississippi who went in the army young and then to Illinois to find work after his discharge. The young wife was a honors student, her family rooted deep in coal from the dark hollows of Dickenson County was in Illinois doing the same. They met in church and were married a few months later.

They adopted the unwanted child born on this day in 1965 years after that. The hospital where the child was born was closed a short time later for abortion issues and a black market baby selling deal. The parents provided this child with love and a home. They afforded this child a chance to dream, to become what he wished, even though working in coal was not their wish for him. We should not forget the biological mother. You see, she afforded him the same dream. She chose not to hold her mistakes against him. She chose to offer him life and a chance to dream. She should be commended for her unselfishness. The child had never told her this until today. She said it gave her such great peace to hear that. Her child responded he was just glad she gave him the chance to be here. So many are not given that chance.

Happy Birthday, Kilo!

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Sunday, January 21, 2007

The Colts Will Face the Bears in the Next Super Bowl!


It was a nail-biter right up till the very end. Indianapolis pulled out the victory and made it to the Super Bowl. They will face the Bears in two weeks to decide in front of the world, who the best football team really is. Congrats to both teams. I look foreward to the big game.

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Thar She Blows! No, For Real This Time.

I guess the biggest news of the weekend was Hillary announcing what the rest of us have already known for some time; she was running for President in ’08. I’m sure this was a great shock to all of those on the left who thought that she couldn’t possibly have designs on the White House, after all, she seems so content there in the Senate. (That was sarcasm for all you libs lurking out there.)

Anyway, this can only be good news for conservatives. Hussein Obama’s announcement early in the week that he would assemble an exploratory committee for his presidential bid in ’08 spared us of anymore news reels with Hillary’s coy, “who me, my goodness no” crocodile tear attempt at Shirley Temple modesty as the Manhattan libs and the lapdog lib news media tried to make it seem like she needed coaxing to run for the Oval office. In truth, anyone standing in her way of the office is road kill. Liberal Democrats have believed from the get-go that this job should be Hillary’s in exchange for staying with “cigar Bill” and not putting America through it’s first presidential divorce – as would have been the case if she were a true N.O.W. feminist. Heck, it would have almost been like having a… royal family!

To libs the entire Clinton presidency was a missed opportunity. Liberalism had a chance to show how it could really change the world and Bill peed it down his leg. Conservatives, however, know that the entire Clinton presidency was a true showing of what America would be with these types of extreme left-wingers in charge; a 16 season production of “Animal House” with tax increases, gay weddings, and easy abortions for 9-year-olds between summer re-runs. So Hillary is now off to the White House to seek her ultimate revenge. She’s off to hurt kinda-sorta hubby Bill where it hurts him the most – no, the other place. Keeping him marginalized to the sidelines instead of being in the spotlight.

A sunny-side to a Hillary presidency might be the return of the items stolen from the White House last time she occupied it. Come to think of it, we’d better get contingency plans together now in case she wins. Get me Rent-A-Center on the phone! Everything worth $10.00 or more goes over to the Smithsonian now. Anyway, I digress.

Hillary running for president is great for conservatives.
Obama is the real threat from the Democratic/Liberal side of the aisle. Obama is a talented, fresh new face that has no background noise (so far) to cloud any portrayal that the Democrats could hang on him. He has no “cattle gate” history, no drowning victims or alcoholism (i.e. Kennedy,) no Vietnam baggage (i.e. Kerry) or tort trial séances (i.e. John Edwards.) He can be an every man’s man, with only 1/8th the work needed to fake it. Obama has the added advantage of being black. This gives the libs a chance to one-up Bush, who now has the record for promoting blacks to the highest positions in government history. Unfortunately, he has a snowballs chance in hell of surviving "Hurricane Hillary."
Hillary has Bill’s crack team of political killers who will un-earth everything we have ever not know about Obama’s past, be it political or personal. This will give the American public a good look at the man who wants to be the REAL first black president.
Hillary will be a much easier target for whoever the (probably Republican) challenger will be. She has a bigger history of scandals than Bill has, and I am sure all that she has done in the dark recesses of the congress over the last several years will add new darts of corruption and scandal that can justifiably be sent back at her. Also, Hillary has a huge temper as is verified by Clinton political operative Dick Morris. Over the long stresses of the political race, she will make mistakes and let her alter-ego show and the people will be reminded of who Madame Hillary really is.

Make no mistake. Hillary will be the Dems nomination. She has had her radar locked on that position for some time, she has paid her political dues over time to get in position for it, and she is not about to let some upstart pretty-face kid take what is rightfully hers. She will destroy Obama during the primaries (probably by proxy, through political favor seekers in the media, and those who owe her favors in the media, not to mention her die-hard “Hillary-lovers” who want nothing else but her. She will then take him as her running mate for VP (after some concessions to smooth over the damage to him that she has done and the hard feelings – probably on the side of Mrs. Obama.) Hillary has been VP for eight years already (sorry Al Gore) and she is not about to be someone else’s VP again. So happy “coming out” party Hillary. ‘Bout time you told us what we already knew.

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Back in the Driver's Seat for a While


Boy, it’s great to be back with everyone on a Sunday night, and a break from all of the training. I’m not as tired as I used to be at the start, so I guess you can call it progress.
Anyway, I will be around till late tonight making some posts, and catching up on some of the news for the week. I have a huge list of things I wanted to talk about and will get to as many of them as possible, before I tire-out completely.

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Chicago Bears Make it to the Big Game


For those who are interested, the Chicago Bears are going to the Super Bowl their opponents will be….

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Saturday, January 20, 2007

Light Blogging For A Bit, Meanwhile ...

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Thursday, January 18, 2007

Patricia Phillips To Run For State Senate In The 33rd

What an inspiration it is to see a remarkable woman like Patricia Phillips enter the political arena as a candidate for the Republican nomination for the 33rd District State Senate seat. This is a lady of keen intellect, grounded in common sense and fueled by ideas for the 33rd District and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

She knows her way around the General Assembly having worked hard over the years on a host of legislative issues.

Check out her new website, PhillipsForSenate and please consider making a donation to her campaign.
Patricia Phillips has been involved in political and community affairs throughout her life. Prior to her announcement, she was the Precinct Operations Chairman for the Loudoun County Republican Committee, and State Director for the Concerned Women for America of Virginia. She was recently active in the effort to pass the Virginia Marriage Amendment to the state Constitution.
Bit of background on the race in the 33rd from the website:
In January 2006, there was a Special Election to replace Bill Mims in the state senate. The Republican candidate in the 33rd Senate District was Mick Staton who received approximately 38% of the vote. The Democrat candidate was Mark Herring who won the election with approximately 62% of the vote. Turnout was only approximately 14% of the registered voters. Herring was elected by 8% of the voters.

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Stand Firm by Bill Frist, M.D.

12:36 PM - January 17, 2007

Issues: National Security
Stand Firm
Written by Bill Frist, M.D.

This isn't the time for division within our Republican Party. It is time to rally around President Bush and unify behind his plan to curb the violence in Baghdad and Anbar province. Because we do not know how the Iraqis will respond, it may be that the President's plan does not achieve its strategic aims. But that should not lessen our resolve.

We must strengthen our commitment in Iraq because the precipitous withdrawal advocated by the Administration's critics, and all too often the media, would signal to the radical Jihadists in Iraq and elsewhere that American strength, despite our advanced weapons and superior technology, are no match for their resolve.

It seems clear that a withdrawal would also destabilize the Maliki government plunging Iraq and the region into an escalating cycle of violence and retribution. Iranian advisors are already operating in Iraq training radical Shia elements in bomb making and pushing for continued sectarian violence and bloodshed. In the face of our withdrawal, would Iran increase their support for the Shia majority? Consequently would the Saudis intervene and begin sending overt support to the Sunnis? Would Jordan and the Gulf States follow suit? And how will the Kurds in Northern Iraq react?

Not one of us who cast votes back in 2003 authorizing the war ever thought we would be here today debating a withdrawal, but we are. We cannot regret our votes and turn our backs on the region and the sacrifices our brave men and women have made in the defense of freedom. We can only look forward. We must examine the effect of our withdrawal on the region and the world economy. And we should continue to debate what effect our success or failure in the weeks and months ahead will have on Al Qaeda's regional aims and its recruiting efforts.

And while we do so, we must stand firm.

I encourage my Republican colleagues to resist supporting the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq. Instead, I urge you to stand firmly behind the President and his plan.


Hat to American Daughter Media Center and N. Mathis for pointing this out:
"...this should not apply just to Republicans. In a time of national crisis, we would expect all Americans to stand firm, because that is what has traditionally made our country great."

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FAIR TAX BLOGBURST 01-17-07



The following is a press release from Representative John Linder, and published at the FairTax.org web site. With each new Congress, the FairTax bill must be reintroduced. Please make sure you let your Senators and Representative know of your support for the FairTax.

Washington, D.C. - Today, Representative John Linder (R-GA) introduced H.R. 25, the “The FairTax Act of 2007.” This bill was first introduced by Congressman Linder in 1999, and has become increasingly popular since that time. At the close of the 109th Congress the FairTax Act was the most popular tax reform bill in Congress with 59 supporters in the House, which far exceeded any other piece of tax reform legislation.

“The progress we have made since first introducing the FairTax is simply amazing. The grassroots growth has been phenomenal and it is evident that Americans get it. They are way ahead of the politicians on this one. In the 109th Congress, we had 59 supporters on the bill, and we did not solicit a single one. They came to my office because their constituents demanded it. That is happening all over the country.”

This bi-partisan legislation, with Congressman Dan Boren (D-OK) as an original co-sponsor, will repeal all corporate and individual income taxes, payroll taxes, self-employment taxes, capital gains taxes, estate taxes and gift taxes and replace them with a revenue-neutral personal consumption tax. The revenue neutral number advocated in the bill is 23%, which is very near to the average 22% embedded cost of the current system in every good purchased today. This embedded cost will be driven out of the price of goods because the FairTax will also eliminate all business to business taxes.

“Americans realize that we can achieve a voluntary tax system by allowing everyone to pay taxes when they choose and how much they choose by how they choose to spend. We are giving Americans an option of paying 23 cents of every dollar they spend with the freedom of anonymity, or paying 33 cents of every dollar they earn and the fear that the IRS will come knocking because of some unintentional mistake. They get it, and they are coming in droves to support change.”

The FairTax achieves voluntary taxation by providing a prebate to all Americans that offsets the tax consequences of spending up to the poverty level. This aspect of the bill makes it the most progressive tax proposal today. In essence, if a family of four does not exceed the poverty level spending which is established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, then, with the prebate, they will pay no federal taxes for that year.

“Big ideas take a long time to achieve in Washington D.C., and I am excited with the progress we have made in such a short period of time. There are certain economic forces that are pushing us toward the FairTax. If we are going to continue to compete in a global economy, then we will have to move towards a system that removes the foot of the IRS from the throat of our economy.”

Congressman Linder added that he has a new grassroots oriented website, linderfairtax.house.gov that contains answers to any FairTax related questions.

Of course, you may also find the latest and most definitive information about the FairTax right here at FairTax.org.

The FairTax Blogburst is jointly produced by Terry of The Right Track Blog and Jonathan of Publius Rendezvous. If you would like to host the weekly postings on your blog, please e-mail Terry. You will be added to our mailing list and blogroll.

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Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Sometimes Change is Good...


Blogging for me has been light over the last week, but it won’t stay that way. I have to make some time adjustments, and I haven’t gotten my time “formula” right yet. I refuse to let the content of my posts fall downward, so rather than put up something that is “half-done” I let it wait. You, our readers deserve better than rhetorical “fast-food.”

You see, a few weeks ago, I made some comments about not wanting the mainstream media (MSM) to have the last word in interpreting the news. I also previously made some comments about the defense of this country; that I would defend God, family, and country to my last breath if need be, and not let those who would harm this country win. I meant what I said. They were not just idle words. Over the last few weeks I have had both statements on my mind, and had been considering how to fulfill those words. I have chosen what I think is the best path to achieve this.

I can’t divulge all of what I am doing – some of it is classified right now and can’t be released. Those parts that I can talk about, I will. But I have spent the last week in heavy pursuit of some of these goals to the tune of 15 extra hours a week of intense physical and mental training. By the time I do get home I am completely exhausted – sometimes too tired to write. As an example, in the last two days I have physically run almost nine miles, and that’s just running. I try and spend some time with my lady and my little one, before passing out on the bed, and starting the day all over again.

I let this be known not for sympathy or to say how great I am, but to let you know why the writing has been scarce. It was a great honor for me to be asked by Flora to become a regular poster on this blog. I don’t take lightly supplying you with news and insight on a daily basis. I will continue to give you, our loyal readers, the best “me” that I can – and this time the best “me” would only come with some change. I’ll outlay more details later.

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Monday, January 15, 2007

Rise of the “Blog-porters”



I have coined a new word, as of today; “blog-porter.”
A blog-porter (BP) is a combination of “blogger” and “reporter.” This individual goes out and reports on stories, gathering facts as reporters do, then reports what information they have found in the form of articles based out of a blog (web-log.)

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Sunday, January 14, 2007

Adventures In Blogging

... or the diary of a mad woman. I'm not sure. The following is typical of what's been happening to me lately when I try to blog.

1. Check email for news alerts.

2. There is a promising link to a letter from the Salem City democrat/ics to Sen. Jim Webb (X) published in the Salem Times-Register. Blah-blah ..."inevitable corruption in Iraq" ... blah-blah ... "doomed to failure" ... blah-blah ... "Jimmy Carter stated that the Carter Institute would not be able to certify current U.S. elections" ... ha-ha ... "Pass universal Healthcare" ... blah-blah ... "kyoto".

3. The editor says to check out SalemDemocrats.org for the full text. (Aren't they supposed to be democrat/ics now?) Just to be sure I wasn't missing any juicy bits, I did.

4. The Salem Democrat/ic Committee is calling for an investigation into the death of Sen. Paul Wellstone. Blah-blah ... "An abrupt cessation of communication between the plane and the tower took place at about 10:18 a.m., the same time an odd cell phone phenomenon occurred with a driver in the immediate vicinity. Does this suggest use of a new electromagnetic weapon?" ... holy crap, Bat Man, no wonder the paper didn't print the whole thing ... Dick Cheney threatened Wellstone AND the whole state of Minnesota ... blah-blah ... a woman named Cynthia Munley did the research on this document.

5. Google Cynthia Munley ... interesting link pops up ... "The Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia (FSGP) is a chapter of the Freedom From Religion Foundation and is a member of the Atheist Alliance International." ... ok, I'm getting sidetracked ... back to the Salem Dems.

6. The Salem Dems do a shout out for what they hope will be a huge anti-war, anti-Bush protest in DC sponsored by commie Leslie Cagan of United for Peace and Justice. Is this D.U. or what?

7. These Salem Dems seem to feel they have an overwhelming mandate. Wonder how Salem voted in '06 ... Hmmm ... 57% Allen, 42% Webb ... no mandate there ... Nope, not a single precinct went to Webb ... oh wait, 100% of the Conditional Votes went to Webb ... all one of them.

8. Must be a college in Salem ... that might shed some light ... google again ... Roanoke College pops up ... thought it was in Roanoke, go figure ... any nutty professors or rad student groups? ... check the college paper .

9. The Brackety-Ack (?!?!) carries "Ask Dr. P" ... too cute ... a column by
Dr. Galdino Pranzarone ... sexoligist ... suffers from B.D.S. ... seems to be best known as a bottom guy ... valentines ... aphrodite ...oh no, he's ruining flowers for me now ... cavemen ... gotta add this one to the odd professor file ... wonder if he networks with Brad Blanton, the nekkid seminar guy?

10. Where was I? Oh yeah. Follow up on the "valentines" link led to a Virginia Beach blog that was new to me ... Snotty Dog's, err, blog ... found he had done some research on the term "towel heads" and offers an alternative ... (send to Senator W?) ... a really good one about Snotty Dog decking a pothead supervisor and fate of employee who supplied him ... Stupid Criminals.

11. Back on track at last ... the Salem Dems also demand "Reform drug laws. Decriminalize drug use and treat use as a illness." ... and the energy stuff!!! too funny ... too tired ... bookmark for later.

12. Wow, Firefox can handle a lot of tabs.

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Raiding Insurgent Homes Nets Some Good Intell

Looks like raiding the homes of terrorists in Iraq have paid off in the form of learning how they are gathering information on allied bases in Iraq.


" Insurgents are using aerial footage from the Google Earth Web mapping tool to pinpoint soft spots in British bases in Iraq, a newspaper reports via British military officials.
Materials seized last week during raids on homes of terrorists showed a set of photographs off Google's internet tool with the exact longitude and latitude of a
Basra Palace base where 1,000 British troops stay, the Telegraph reports.
Click here to view the full Telegraph story.
"This is evidence as far as we are concerned for planning terrorist attacks," an intelligence officer with the
Royal Green Jackets battle group stationed in Basra told the Telegraph. "Who would otherwise have Google Earth imagery of one of our bases?"
The officer said he believes insurgents use Google Earth to identify the most vulnerable areas of bases, such as tents. The tool can get as detailed as showing specific vehicles in a desired region and has no limits to who can sign up and use it."


Try and balance what we just learned from this particular raid with John Kerry's statement admonishing our forces for breaking into Iraqis' homes in the middle of the night, "terroizing women and children".

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Sunday Funnies: Dem Diva Barney Frank



Click the photo to see hilarious video of Barney
on his day job.

Hat tip to Free Republic & Hot Air
Photo of U.S. Senator Barney Frank's nightclub act by AP

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Friday, January 12, 2007

You Be The Editor: Condi & Boxer

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Thursday, January 11, 2007

Congress Votes: Embryonic Stem Cell Research H.R.3

AN ACT

To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for human embryonic stem cell research.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the `Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007'.

SEC. 2. HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH.

    Part H of title IV of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 289 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 498C the following:

SEC. 498D. HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH.

    (a) In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of law (including any regulation or guidance), the Secretary shall conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells in accordance with this section (regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo).
    (b) Ethical Requirements- Human embryonic stem cells shall be eligible for use in any research conducted or supported by the Secretary if the cells meet each of the following:
      (1) The stem cells were derived from human embryos that have been donated from in vitro fertilization clinics, were created for the purposes of fertility treatment, and were in excess of the clinical need of the individuals seeking such treatment.
      (2) Prior to the consideration of embryo donation and through consultation with the individuals seeking fertility treatment, it was determined that the embryos would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded.
      (3) The individuals seeking fertility treatment donated the embryos with written informed consent and without receiving any financial or other inducements to make the donation.
    (c) Guidelines- Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary, in consultation with the Director of NIH, shall issue final guidelines to carry out this section.
    (d) Reporting Requirements- The Secretary shall annually prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of the Congress a report describing the activities carried out under this section during the preceding fiscal year, and including a description of whether and to what extent research under subsection (a) has been conducted in accordance with this section.
Roll Call #20, 1-11-07, 3:11pm
Passed 253 - 174

How Virginia Voted:
N - Jo Ann S. Davis (R-1st)
N - Thelma Drake (R-2nd)
Y - Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-3rd)
N - J. Randy Forbes (R-4th)
N - Virgil H. Goode, Jr. (R-5th)
N - Robert W. "Bob" Goodelatte (R-6th)
N - Eric I. Cantor (R-7th)
Y - James P. Moran, Jr. (D-8th)
Y - Frederick "Rick" Boucher (D-9th)
N - Frank R. Wolf (R-10th)
Y - Thomas M. Davis, III (R-11th)

Next step: Senate (identical bill S. 5)
President has indicated he will veto. Two-thirds majority needed to override veto.

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Congress Votes: Fair Minimum Wage Act H.R.2

H.R.2
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007'.

SEC. 2. MINIMUM WAGE.

(a) In General- Section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)) is amended to read as follows:

(1) except as otherwise provided in this section, not less than--

(A) $5.85 an hour, beginning on the 60th day after the date of enactment of the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007;

(B) $6.55 an hour, beginning 12 months after that 60th day; and

(C) $7.25 an hour, beginning 24 months after that 60th day;'.

(b) Effective Date- The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 3. APPLICABILITY OF MINIMUM WAGE TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS.

    (a) In General- Section 6 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206) shall apply to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
    (b) Transition- Notwithstanding subsection (a), the minimum wage applicable to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands under section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)) shall be--
      (1) $3.55 an hour, beginning on the 60th day after the date of enactment of this Act; and
      (2) increased by $0.50 an hour (or such lesser amount as may be necessary to equal the minimum wage under section 6(a)(1) of such Act), beginning 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act and every 6 months thereafter until the minimum wage applicable to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands under this subsection is equal to the minimum wage set forth in such section.
Roll Call #18, 01-10-07, 5:10pm
Passed 316 - 115

How Virginia Voted:
Y - Jo Ann S. Davis (R-1st)
N - Thelma Drake (R-2nd)
Y - Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-3rd)
Y - J. Randy Forbes (R-4th)
Y - Virgil H. Goode, Jr. (R-5th)
Y - Robert W. "Bob" Goodelatte (R-6th)
N - Eric I. Cantor (R-7th)
Y - James P. Moran, Jr. (D-8th)
Y - Frederick "Rick" Boucher (D-9th)
Y - Frank R. Wolf (R-10th)
N - Thomas M. Davis, III (R-11th)

Next step: Senate

Va. coverage:
Right-wing Liberal
From On High
In-politically Correct

UPDATE 1/12/07: For brevities' sake I had not posted the entire text of the bill. This post has now been modified to include Sec. 3 pertaining to the Northern Marianas.

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Wednesday, January 10, 2007

“The Swimmer” calls for universal Healthcare coverage




“Mr. Submarine,” today called for universal healthcare coverage:
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The federal government should join the state of Massachusetts in enacting universal health coverage, said Sen. Edward Kennedy, the new chairman of the Senate committee with jurisdiction over numerous health issues.Kennedy's home state is the first to require everyone to have health insurance, just as drivers must have automobile coverage.
Kennedy has his own version of what universal health coverage would look like. He wants to extend Medicare to all. In his first hearing Wednesday as chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, the Massachusetts Democrat called on 10 witnesses from all over the country to talk about how to make health care more affordable.
"Insurance coverage is down. Costs are up. And America is heading to the bottom of the league of major nations in important measures of the quality of care," Kennedy said.

Told ya so. They aren’t hard to predict because they aren’t fooling me as to who they really are; liberals want higher taxes (except for themselves.)

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The Case for Low[er] Taxes


Today’s Michael Medved column supports my previously stated position on tax cuts in the comment section of this post: let everyone have one. In the aftermath of last November’s election, I wrote this:

“Do you remember the antics of the Democrat[-controlled congress of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s?] Lots of people don’t. So, when you tell them what it will be like for them and their family to live under the legislative yoke of Democrat tax increases to fund ever-expanding -- and ever-failing -- social programs, they have no concept of it. But they will get a glimpse soon.
The incoming Democratic house members have made no secret of their desire to not only sunset the Bush tax cuts, but to increase many fees and taxes on the working class for the “common good.” You will see a minimum wage fight, unions rise up and demand more from workers, and a rapid expansion of social programs. You will see calls for increasing Social Security (even though Dems campaigned on the high cost of the prescription drugs program added by Bush the-younger.) A renewed call for “universal health care” and enough global warming hot air to melt the polar ice cap.
This is all good for the conservative cause.”

So writes Medved:

“It took Nancy Pelosi less than a week as Speaker of the House to begin talking seriously about tax hikes. On “Face the Nation” on CBS this weekend she raised the possibility of increasing the tax burden (by “repealing tax cuts”) for “those making over a certain amount of money, $500,000 a year.” She simultaneously promised tax cuts “for middle class families.”

The political calculation in this pitch is diabolically clever, of course. Nearly all Americans consider themselves “middle class,” no matter how much or how little they make, so her support for reduced taxes for “middle class families” sounds wonderful. Meanwhile, less than 2% of tax returns show income in excess of $500,000 a year so the Speaker is, in effect, inviting 98% of the public to improve their status at the expense of a tiny minority that’s already widely resented because of its “excessive” success.

If you’re nowhere near that $500,000 level where the Democrats say they’ll start punishing you, why should you care if Pelosi & Pals jack up the tax rates on the fortunate few who can afford to fund the rest of us?”

“Herewith” Medved follows up with “three reasons that even those who’ll never earn a half-million a year should oppose these tax hikes, followed by three powerful lessons from the current political situation.”

Hat Tip: Town Hall

Previously:
Who’s Controlling Spending Now?
Who’s Controlling Spending Now, Part II
“A Red Day, A Sore Day, And Then the Sun Rises!”

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Faux Artiste Gets The Boot

Wisely perceiving that paint and genitalia do not mix, the Chesterfield Co. School Board fired faux artiste and teacher Stephen Murmer by unanimous vote.

Not content to keep it undercover (exhibitionists never do) Mr. Murmer gained notoriety through appearances on television and YouTube.com video postings which led to his suspension and subsequent dismissal.

Murmer's lawyer had this to say after the firing:
"Chesterfield lost a tremendous asset today."
Too funny. Good riddance.

Hat tip: WTOP, Washington

More details from UCV:
Faux Education, Faux Artiste: Stan Murmur

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Haloscan Experiencing Problems

Haloscan is experiencing "internal server errors". Since UCV moderates comments and we cannot access them at this time, new comments will not appear until the problem is resolved.

Thank you for stopping by the blog. We value your input.

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FAIR TAX BLOGBURST 01-10-07


by Debbie of Right Truth

John Edwards is running for president of the United States on his same old theme, 'two Americas'. He hopes to get votes by pitting the 'haves' against the 'have nots'. He even chose New Orleans to make his announcement, with the unspoken message that the government failed the poor people and he has stepped in to be their savior.

Edwards is promising universal health care, pulling out of Iraq ,taxing oil company profits and eliminating President Bush's tax cuts to pay for his priorities. Edwards is not alone in his thinking about the evil rich (of which he happens to BE ONE). Yesterday Thomas Sowell had a wonderful article that relates to this, titled 'A Dangerous Obsession'.

Mr. Sowell picked up on the media, the left, and academia's continuous obsession with “gaps” and “disparities” in income. 'As one talk-show host put it, “It makes no sense” that a corporate executive makes over $50 million a year.' Sowell says, "Ninety-nine percent of all the things that happen in this world “make no sense” to any given individual."

If you cannot understand something as simple as making a lead pencil, why should you be surprised that you don’t understand why someone is making a lot more money than somebody else?

Moreover, if this obsession with income disparities is to be something more than mere hand-wringing or gnashing of teeth, obviously the point is that somebody ought to “do something” to change what you don’t understand.

That's what the left, liberals, and Edwards wants to do. They want to correct what they perceive as something wrong, ...some people having more money than others. And how would one go about correcting such an atrocity? That's easy. Take away the excess from one, and give it to another. Or as Mr. Sowell puts it, "Usually that means that the government — politicians — should impose policies based on your ignorance of what is going on."

Of course, such political control of incomes is usually advocated only to deal with “the rich.” But, when income taxes were imposed in the early 20th century, they applied only to “the rich” and they took a very small percentage of their income.

Once the floodgates are opened to this kind of political power, however, we have seen with the income taxes that they not only spread far beyond “the rich,” they took a serious share of even middle class incomes.

Moreover, the income tax has spawned an intrusive bureaucracy, creating so much complexity and red tape that millions of ordinary citizens have to go get some accountant to fill out the forms for them — and then sign under penalty of perjury that it was done right.

If you knew how to do it right, you wouldn’t have to go to somebody else to have it done, would you? ...

It is also worth noting that the people who are said to be earning “obscene” amounts of money are usually corporate executives. There is no such outrage whipped up when Hollywood movie stars make some multiple of what most corporate executives make.

In short, Mr. Sowell is asking, "Whose wealth is it anyway?" Did the government earn this wealth? No, they didn't. Why should they be the ones to decide who is worthy to spend that wealth? Did the government produce any product, any widgets, any business that will employ others? Unless you count the bureaucracies needed to collect and redistribute this wealth, the answer is no.

In reading Mr. Sowell's article, I thought directly of the United States, but Tom at Libertarian Leanings looks at this from a world view.

Israel has nowhere near the natural resources of the Arab states, yet they are wealthier by far. According to the CIA World Factbook, Israel produces a measely 2740 barrels of oil per day. At the same time Saudi Arabia puts out 9,475,000, and Iran 3,979,000. Yet Israel enjoys a per capita GDP of $25,000, while Saudi Arabia and Iran come in at $13,100 and $8,400 respectively. The income gap is not a crisis in Israel because Israelis have the freedom to produce wealth. Arab state citizens have less freedom, less wealth, and less hope for getting it.

Unfortunately, leftists (and Democrats) can't bring themselves to support the spread of freedom. Their antidote to the growing gap between the rich and the poor is to prevent the creation of wealth. Taxation discourages an activity, so the lefty solution to their contrived crisis is to tax wealth (income) at ever higher rates as a person demonstrates ever higher success in creating it. The Arab solution is to wipe Israel off the map. Actually, there are Democrats who seem to be coming around to that view.

This brings me back to the United States, to the Fair Tax, which would replace the federal income tax system with a progressive national retail sales tax. It provides a "prebate" to ensure no American pays federal taxes on spending up to the poverty level, dollar-for-dollar federal revenue replacement and, through companion legislation, repeal of the 16th Amendment.

This nonpartisan legislation (HR 25/S 25) abolishes all federal personal, gift, estate, capital gains, alternative minimum, Social Security, Medicare, self-employment, and corporate taxes and replaces them all with one simple, visible, federal retail sales tax – collected by existing state sales tax authorities.

The FairTax taxes us only on what we choose to spend, not on what we earn. It does not raise any more or less revenue; it is designed to be revenue neutral. (more)

Why should people be punished because they took the risks to build a business, to produce a product, to creat a new widget? Why should they be punished by having the government take away a large portion of their profits, profits that could be used to produce MORE jobs, more widgets, more wealth? Why should the creators of wealth, who give much of that wealth away to worthy and needy organizations, be punished? They shouldn't.

On the world scene, Brad leaves a comment at Thought Streaming

"One can never force a productive, ambitious, disciplined spirit to subsidize weak mindsets girded by overactive libidos, they will always rebel,...". Graeme also leaves a comment, " ...if you give people a "voice" at work, they will produce more. They have incentive to work."

If you let people produce wealth, reinvest wealth, and use it as they see fit without government intrusion, you will actually see more help being given to those in need; more opportunities for those in need of better jobs, higher salaries, more education. Don't punish people for using the gifts and opportunities God gave them.

That my dear friends is what folks like Edwards (and Hillary Clinton) want to do.

The FairTax Blogburst is jointly produced by Terry of The Right Track Blog and Jonathan of Publius Rendezvous. If you would like to host the weekly postings on your blog, please e-mail Terry. You will be added to our mailing list and blogroll.

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Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Latest Stem Cell Breakthrough

The latest breakthrough in stem cell research once again doesn't have to do with embryonic stem cells. Page A01 of the Washington Post (yes, you read that correctly--the FRONT PAGE of the Post) reports that amniotic stem cells may have much of the same potential that scientists hope to see in embryonic stem cells.

See the article at washingtonpost.com.

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W&M; Toleration for the Sake of "Toleration"

More brilliant satire from master-satirist, B.L.U. at “Where Have You Gone Ronald Reagan?”

This time: The College of William and “Terry”

More background here. (The Wren Cross controversy at Virginia’s William and Mary College.)

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This Passes For Political Discourse on Muslim TV?

You have got to slide over to LGF and watch the Iraqi/Iranian version of “Point – Counter-point!” This is an absolute scream!

***Footnote:
“When I served in Gulf War I, the first thing they taught us was not to sit with your feet off the ground toward someone else. In the Arab/Muslim world, this is considered a grave insult. Apparently the lowest form of anything is the bottom of the shoe. Keep that in mind when you listen to this example of Muslim political discourse.

I think their version of “Crossfire” would be done with real weapons.”

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Sunday, January 07, 2007

Spontaneous Combustion of Manure - 200 Acres Burn

No, this isn't a story about the new Congress.

An omen perhaps...

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Who’s Controlling Spending Now, Part II

On January 2nd I wrote these words:
“After campaigning for so many months about the “massive deficit” and
faulting Republicans for massive increases in government spending, will we now
see the Democrats restore limited government spending and less pork-barrel
spending? Nope.

They will increase taxes “on the wealthy” – which for practical purposes is
every living working person – increase pork-barrel spending and begin rebuilding
the welfare state, and watch the deficit rise even farther with barely a word
said. Mark my words.”

I was scoffed at.

This flash just in from AP, via Drudge:
“Democrats are not ruling out raising taxes for the wealthiest people to help pay for tax cuts for middle-income families, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.”
Pelosi’s actual words:
“As we review what we get from ... collecting our taxes a [sic] reducing waste, fraud and abuse, investing in education and in initiatives which will bring money into the treasury, it may be that tax cuts for those making over a certain amount of money, $500,000 a year, might be more important to the American people than ignoring the educational and health needs of America's children.”
(Need I even point out how asinine that statement is. The nerve!)

*****
“What we're saying is Democrats propose tax cuts for middle-income families. And we want to have 'pay-go,' no new deficit spending. We're not going to start with repealing tax cuts, but they certainly are not off the table for people making over half a million dollars a year,” Pelosi said.”

(Nancy Pelosi; "Face the Nation," 1/7/07)
The big thing that you should take away from reading this article is that the American people are certainly not in the mood for a tax increase – apparently for anyone.

The days of focus groups and “polling as policy” didn’t go out with the Clintons; Pelosi would never make a statement like “it may be that tax cuts for those making over a certain amount of money, $500,000 a year, might be more important to the American people than ignoring the educational and health needs of America's children” if the majority of the American people were wanting to raise taxes – even on the wealthy.
If the Democrats truly believed they were on the right side of the taxation issue, they would produce plan, after plan, after plan on increasing taxes. Make no mistake; they are doing this – as her statement about “initiatives which will bring money into the treasury” indicates, but to get the American public to accept this, they have to create a “boogie-man” that the public can hate. So every one making $500,000 per year: you’re the boogie men. So for historical purposes, Nancy Pelosi has just defined who “the rich” are: those making over half a million per year.

Here’s Nancy’s plan of action as in her own words:

1. “Collecting our taxes….” (I would have love to let her defend the “our” in that statement.) Look forward to having the IRS become even more aggressive about collecting anything you owe them.
2. “Reducing waste, fraud and abuse….” This statement would be great if what she meant was the end of the proverbial “$500.00 hammer.” This, though is not what she meant. Read into it “investigate Halliburton contracts.”
3. "Investing in education...." Read; “more money into the teacher’s unions, and more money per pupil dumped into failing public schools for initiatives that have nothing to do with the “three R’s.” Can you say “increased pork-barrel spending?”

Need more evidence that you wallet in now in danger?
“Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel of New York, the new chairman of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, is seeking GOP cooperation in making inroads on bloated tax laws. ‘We have to look at all of the deductions, all of the credits, and to come up with what we think we can do,’ he said. ‘Is it going to be difficult? You bet your life.’”
Again, if you are sopping “the rich” who deserve it, why is this going to be “difficult?” Truth is those “bloated tax laws” are going to be deductions and credits that the vast majority of tax filers use, not just “the rich.” Every one will find out that you can be “rich” at $50K per year.

Remember when increased capital gains taxes were supposed to stop “the rich” from prospering? The ones who really felt the pinch were those people who sold their homes at a profit during the housing boom. The increased equity left a lot of regular working people paying a lot of money on capital gains taxes on their homes when the sale price of a rancher worth $95,000 turned into $165,000.00.

If you didn’t pay the gains taxes, woe unto you: the Pelsoi IRS Collection agency is getting ready to take you down. Hard.

I say again, for those conservatives and Republicans who stayed home to teach our side a lesson I hope you enjoy it because you’re about to pay for it.

*****
Previously:
Who’s Controlling Spending Now?

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Saturday, January 06, 2007

Who's Controlling Spending Now?



Mary Catherine Ham as a good point in her latest column:

Be prepared for Democrat “taxation without representation” all over again.
“So, the Dems are in power and suddenly the dastardly deficit, created solely by Bush's irresponsible tax cuts for the rich, doesn't matter anymore. Why? Because now Dems get to do the deficit spending! Of course, the real problem was always overspending, but since everyone made such a big deal about the deficit for six years, it's only fair to point out that Bush has cut it in half three years ahead of time without rolling back tax cuts[.]”

After campaigning for so many months about the “massive deficit” and faulting Republicans for massive increases in government spending, will we now see the Democrats restore limited government spending and less pork-barrel spending? Nope.

They will increase taxes “on the wealthy” – which for practical purposes is every living working person – increase pork-barrel spending and begin rebuilding the welfare state, and watch the deficit rise even farther with barely a word said. Mark my words.

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Come Out And Welcome The 654th MP's Home!

There is an awesome welcome home planned this Sunday for the 654th Military Police Company, a Richmond-based unit of the Virginia Army National Guard.

The buses carrying the troops will get off the interstate at the Diamond (Richmond Braves Stadium) and travel South down Boulevard with a loud and colorful escort provided by the Patriot Guard Riders.

Our heroes will be greeted at the Richmond War Memorial by families, friends, Gov. Tim Kaine, Congressman Eric Cantor and other elected representatives, military brass and the press.

They've been gone a year on our behalf. What better way to spend a warm Sunday afternoon than to say thank you in person by being there.

WHO: 654th Military Police Co., Virginia National Guard
WHERE: Virginia War Memorial, 621 South Belvidere Street, Richmond, VA
WHEN: Sunday, January 7th, 2007
Estimated time of arrival is 2:00 pm (could be earlier or later depending on traffic)

Va. bloggers covering the story: RightsideVA, SWACgirl

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MainScreamMedia Has The Hots For B.H.O.

I'm sorry. This is so horribly biased it's funny.
Obama to headline Va. Democratic Party's Jefferson-Jackson dinner
Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. - Sen. Barack Obama will headline the Virginia Democratic Party's annual fundraising dinner next month.

The charismatic, fast-rising potential presidential prospect is in his first term from Illinois.

He'll address the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner on February 17th in Richmond.

The gala each year showcases key national Democratic figures.

Sen. John Kerry - the unsuccessful 2004 Democratic presidential nominee - has addressed the dinner twice since 2003.

Obama campaigned in Virginia last fall for Sen. Jim Webb.

He received a rock-star ovation alongside Webb and former Gov. Mark Warner at a rally in Richmond.

I've often wondered (not really) which Jefferson-Jackson they are referring to. Jefferson Davis and Stonewall Jackson, perhaps?

This all brings back fond memories of the first Democrat/ic J-J event UCV attended back in '04.


MIB Same Planet, New Mission
Men Intending to elect Bush



No amnesty for these aliens

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Friday, January 05, 2007

Had Enough Yet? National Guard Attacked & Overrun In U.S.

This is un-freakin'-believable.
Guardsmen overrun at the Border
(Video available at the link also)

A U.S. Border Patrol entry Identification Team site was overrun Wednesday night along Arizona's border with Mexico.

According to the Border Patrol, an unknown number of gunmen attacked the site in the state's West Desert Region around 11 p.m. The site is manned by National Guardsmen. Those guardsmen were forced to retreat.

The Border Patrol will not say whether shots were fired. However, no Guardsmen were injured in the incident.

The Border Patrol says the incident occurred somewhere along the 120 mile section of the border between Nogales and Lukeville. The area is known as a drug corridor. Last year, 124-thousand pounds of illegal drugs were confiscated in this area.

The Border patrol says the attackers quickly retreated back into Mexico.

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Thursday, January 04, 2007

Virgil Goode's Office Vandalized: Anybody Surprised?

Virgil Goode's office in the college town of Charlottesville, Va. was vandalized with the word BIGOT painted on the front window according to a Charlottesville weekly, The Hook.

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Blacks Help Make Ex-Klansman 3rd In Line to Presidency

It’s been a long-standing fact that the vast majority of voting blacks in America vote Democratic – in the 90 percentiles, if memory serves. One of the un-true “rule of thumbs” regarding why blacks have this dedication to one political party is that voting Democrat is a vote against racism. Take David Duke for example. Well, it looks like all that has changed. To get a Klansman elected all they really need do is have him run as a Democrat.

Looks like former Klansman Democrat Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia will be third in line to the Presidency in the new incoming Democrat congress.

No black (or white person, for that matter) who has paid attention to politics for more than 20 minutes would ever vote for David Duke because of his past affiliation and endorsement of the Ku Klux Klan – even if he now claims not to feel the same way. So what is the big disconnect with Robert Byrd? There have been no strong words or condemnation of Byrd’s new position from the NAACP, ACLU, Congressional Black Caucus, or any other organization that supposedly looks out for individual rights.

Congratulations, black folks; you have helped your own nightmare come 3 steps closer to reality.

Hat Tip: LGF

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Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Associated Press Cries at Loss of Saddam

Charles at LGF has a great example of media “news” stories – that aren’t – being distorted into the “opinion as news” pap that is turning viewers off . What’s worse, the article is re-written to provide a nice cuddly side to recently executed madman Saddam Hussein:

Weepy Associated Press “Saddam was a gentleman” version:

Original news version:

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Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Ambush At The River Of Secrets - UPDATE

This is a tough one. (Preview clip) I am praying that CNN does justice to these four Marine Heroes, three of them Virginians, and their families. Karl Linn's dad got this rolling. He works tirelessly for the families of Fallen Warriors any way he can.

"Ambush At The River Of Secrets" (1 hr.)
Anderson Cooper 360 show
CNN Network
January 3rd, 2007
10:00 p.m. EST

From The Martinsville Bulletin:

Bowling's unit subject of CNN show
Segment scheduled to air tonight

Tuesday, January 2, 2007

By DEBBIE HALL - Bulletin staff writer

A tribute to honor a local Marine and others killed while serving in Iraq will be broadcast at 10 tonight on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360.

The program was initiated by CNN, according to Darrell Bowling, master trooper with the Virginia State Police and father of the late Cpl. Jonathan W. Bowling, 23, of Patrick County.

The special is titled “Ambush at the River of Secrets,” the nickname given to the Euphrates River by Marines, Darrell Bowling said. The program will honor Jonathan Bowling and the three other Marines killed Jan. 26, 2005, when their convoy was ambushed in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

In addition to Bowling, Lance Cpl. Karl R. Linn, 20, of Chesterfield, Cpl. Christopher L. Weaver, 24, of Fredericksburg, and Sgt. Jesse W. Strong, 24, of Irasburg, Vt., also died. All four were assigned to the Marine Corps Reserves 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, 4th Marine Division, headquartered in Lynchburg.

Darrell Bowling said he first learned of the project when contacted by CNN representatives who asked him to participate in the program, but the project was spawned after CNN requested interviews with family members of soldiers who lost their lives fighting in Iraq.

Response to that initial request was overwhelming, Bowling said he was told, and although he did not contact CNN, Linn’s father did.

“There was something about what he (Linn’s father) said that caught their attention” and the project started to take shape, Bowling said.

News crews spent time in Patrick County and Martinsville, as well as several other areas, as they conducted interviews for the tribute, he said.

The original showing of the hour-long special is slated to begin at 10 tonight, Bowling said, and the first half of the show “deals with the unit itself and where they were when activated” and other background information.

At the midway point of the special, the attack will be shown, and the remainder of the program concentrates on surviving family members, Bowling said.

“I would like to caution people that in order to tell the story, they have to show the attack” responsible for killing the four, Bowling said. “And there will be actual footage of the attack itself,” he added.

Bowling worked closely with those putting the story together, and while he admits watching that portion of footage was difficult.

“It’s just something you’ve got to do. If it gets Jon’s name out there, it’s worth it,” he said.

A Martinsville police officer, Jon Bowling also was the son of Robin Feron of Patrick County. Step-parents are Greg Feron and Rita Bowling, also of Patrick County.

The tribute also is slated to air on Jan. 26, the second anniversary of Jon Bowling’s death.


Original UCV post
Free Republic/Mr. Linn

I'm Not Emeril

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