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Saturday, May 02, 2009

It's The Free Speech, Stupid!

Apparently freedom of expression is a luxury, not a right, that can be exercised unfettered only by the 'chosen ones' of the politically correct.

This is the subject of my article today at Columbia Conservative Examiner.

Give it a read. This is one of the most important, yet controversial, subjects of our time.

Friday, May 01, 2009

"Specter, the Supreme Court, and Political Parties"

Our guest blogger today is Rev. Kharma, who always provides excellent reading.

Specter, the Supreme Court, and Political Parties
by Rev. Kharma

A scorpion scuttles to the bank of a stream, seeking a way across. He spies a frog and asks him to carry him across the water. The frog is doubtful, and asks the scorpion “Why would I do that? What if you sting me?” The scorpion replies, “I would not do that, if I were to sting you, we would both drown.” Thinking for a moment, the frog agrees. The scorpion climbs on his back and they head into the water. About half way across, the scorpion wields his tail, stinging the frog with a deadly poison. Just before they sink below the water, the frog asks the scorpion “Why…?” To which the scorpion replies:
“It is my nature to do so”.
(From Aesop’s Fables, roughly from memory)

The political pundits are whirling and spinning, all trying to explain or excuse the move yesterday by Arlen Specter from Pa. He has returned to the Democrat party which he left in the 1960’s. He has said coyly that the Republicans ‘left him’. He felt uncomfortable in a party which would not allow for diverse views. Republicans are stunned, and media mouths are dropping in shock. I can’t understand anyone being shocked. Mr. Specter has shown his sense of political expediency outweighs his courage since he switched affiliation in 1965 to defeat a Democrat incumbent for a district attorney position. Mr. Specter has always walked the walk of political survival. Recall his courageous vote ‘Pursuant to Scottish Law I vote Unproved’ during the impeachment trial of President Clinton. Rather than take a stand and display principle, he managed to evade accountability. He saw the poll numbers and knew there was no slam dunk with either side, so he took no side.

In the same way he saw the poll numbers and knew he might not win reelection this time, so rather than take a stand, he took a leap. Only weeks after stating flatly that he was a ‘republican, and would always be one” he jumped to the other party, ensuring that he would now have some measure of power in congress that he could not earn in the minority party.

Republicans supported Specter in the 2006 election. President Bush expended much time and effort to help reelect Specter, and he made promises to help the republicans work toward their objectives. (Why would I aid the democrats? If I do that we all lose!”) He repaid the work and effort by giving his vote to Obama and his ’stimulus package’ (Because, it’s my nature!”)

The Republican party was once home to bedrock conservative ideas: Small government, limited taxation, and support for the Constitution. Over the last decade or so they have drifted, becoming essentially a smaller version of the Democrat party. They agreed in principle that big government was essential, they just haggled over the exact size and goals of that government. In essence the debate was not over a controlling centralized government. It was over who should hold the reins, and in which direction the power of government would be directed. With two parties controlling things, the debate becomes one in which actions of ‘our guys’ is deemed good, and the actions of ‘those guys’ is deemed bad. As long as it’s ‘our party’ we are told to cheer for any application of government power, especially when punitively applied to the other party.

After 9/11, George W. Bush’s ‘Compassionate Conservatism’ was transformed into something sometimes referred to as ‘ American Greatness Conservatism”. This was merely a different mask on the face of an expanding State system. The thinking seemed to be that as long as the controls were in the hands of ‘the good guys’ it was not a bad thing to have Big Government. The flaw here is that in the constitutional system set up in the U. S. those controls don’t belong to a single party for long. And once the Democrats get hold there is no reason for them to slow the expansion of government, as they can accurately say the debate is over. Now that the party in control is all about spending, people like Specter can go along, join them and have no fear of reprisal. They will happily spend others money and reap short term benefits. Arlen Specter moved from one party to another because control of our government is held by parties, rather than by representatives of the people.

As I was mulling all of this, one more thing came to my attention. There are now stories that Justice Souter will be leaving the US Supreme court, giving President Obama his first opportunity to show his true inclinations and philosophy. The dominance of parties will be on display here. The leftists who now control the Democrat party will push for the appointment of someone who shares the deeply felt, but deeply hidden views of Mr. Obama. A clear indicator of his thinking is the nominee to be legal adviser to the State Department, Harold Koh. Mr. Koh is an ardent proponent of what he he casts as ‘Transnationalism’. This is a political theory which, if put into practice, would literally undermine the US constitution and replace it with ill defined concepts of multi- national, or global law. Such foundational principles as our First
Amendment freedoms of speech and religion, which he regards as an obstacle to America joining with the ‘international community’ will be pushed aside.

Writing for National Review Online, Ed Whalen gives us a preview of Koh’s stunning views:

As part of his general case for what he contends to be the “more venerable strand of ‘transnationalist jurisprudence’” over the “blinkered view” of a “nationalist jurisprudence” (Koh, International Law as Part of Our Law, 98 Am. J. Int’l. L. 43, 48, 52 (2004)), Koh approvingly sets forth the transnationalist view that



domestic courts must play a key role in coordinating U.S. domestic constitutional rules with rules of foreign and international law, not simply to promote American aims, but to advance the broader development of a well-functioning international judicial system. In Justice Blackmun’s words, U.S. courts must look beyond narrow U.S. interests to the “mutual interests of all nations in a smoothly functioning international legal regime” and, whenever possible, should “consider if there is a course of action that furthers, rather than impedes, the development of an ordered international system.”



(98 Am. J. Int’l. L. at 53-54 (emphasis added).

In order to ‘coordinate’ like this, there is only one path. That path is to subordinate, or abandon the Constitution, and substitute some form of ‘International Law”. This is not the same thing as historically understood, and agreed upon framework such as the outlawing of piracy. This is an entanglement of regulations and rules designed and implemented by groups similar to the EU.

If we allow this, we allow the end of the United States of America.

George Washington, at the end of his time as President spoke forcefully about the dangers of Parties and the destruction they could do to the new born American nation. We see his words as prophetic now, as parties run the government for their benefit, instead of the benefit of the people who put them in place.

I think we may have a short time with an open window here. Arlen Specter’s party change exposes clearly the raw power of parties, and their strangle hold on government and our nation in general. Perhaps we should encourage others, who have complained that they feel marginalized by the parties to leave. Instead of switching, they should be encouraged simply to leave and follow no party at all. It seems as if the Republican party is sliding into irrelevance. Let’s see if we can prevent another ‘party’ from replacing it, and instead have the American people be represented. If we allow another party to form, we risk the fate of Aesop’s frog, for we already know what is in the nature of political parties.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 5/1/09

Focusing on guns, politics, and news of interest, here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

Nicki gets the nod for the top story of the day as she explains why she won't live in DC.

Tam has the quote of the day on GM and Chrysler.

Squeaks blogs about her experiences at the Boomershoot, pics included.

John Jacob H reports the infuriating news that gun-grabbers have stigmatized a 4-year old autistic boy.

Occupied Nashville posts a collectors paradise from a 1959 issue of Guns Magazine.

Dustin's Gun Blog shows us a perfect example of the ignorance of Janet Napolitano.

Dark Blog points to the latest controversy stirring in the gun rights community.

Pax Parabellum has an excellent article that carefully analyzes Obama's doublespeak.

David Codrea writes about a good way to send a message to our elected representatives.

Say Uncle posts a quote worth reading from none other than his father-in-law.

Western Rifle Shooters Association says we are all complicit in the propaganda being floated about these days and has a MUST-read article on the problem. Read it all.

Sebastian shares a video of the non-enchanting first 100 days of failures.

From Hofmann's St; Louis Gun Rights Examiner: 'What the Brady Campaign Really Wants.'

Days of our Trailers has an interesting post entitled, 'Where Are They Now?' concerning the original sponsors of a bill that defines 'arsenal.' Take a look!

Walls of the City opines on Joe Biden's statements on the swine flu.

The Rustmeister reports on clergy-perverts in Memphis.

Texas Fred alerts us to the full media coverage given to a mere 100 'anti-torture' activists who marched on Washington. Funny they tried to ignore half a million Tea Party protesters!

Mike Vanderboegh takes direct aim at a slime bag cartoonist and a 'journalist' who insulted and slurred our service men and women. Read it all.

Mike McCarville presents a dire analysis from Pew concerning the changing face of America.

Live from the Upper Texas Gulf Coast fisks 'Dear Leader' over his statements in the press conference about the auto industry.

Notoriously Conservative comments on Justice David Souter's pending retirement and has a dire prediction concerning how many Obama may get to appoint to the Supreme Court.

Concerning Obama's Supreme Court choices, Michelle Malkin names the most likely candidates and says it's time to 'gird your loins.'

Free in Idaho recommends a book for our reading pleasure.

Dr. Walter E. Williams, my favorite intellectual, has a MUST-read entitled, 'Law vs. Moral Values.'

An Ol' Broad's Ramblings has the political cartoon of the day. Enjoy...

How Many Lies Will It Take...

...for the American people to see through the ruse?

Obama's method of communication perfectly fits Orwell's definition of 'newspeak.' The news conference this week is a perfect case in point.

Read all about it in my column at Columbia Conservative Examiner.

Thanks!

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Second Amendment News Roundup for 4/30/09

Focusing on guns, politics, and news of interest, here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

Conservative Libertarian Outpost presents this piece of commentary on the Arlen Specter spectacle from the perspective of Gun Owners of America.

Mike Vanderboegh provides excellent reading in this update to Montana's direct challenge to federal gun laws.

Days of our Trailers posts a most interesting cartoon from 50 years ago that predicted the future with amazing accuracy.

Western Rifle Shooters Association points to the '100 days of a Marxist takeover by Leftist slobs.'

Kurt Hofmann has a MUST-read pointing to the fact that the gun-grabbers are getting restless after 100 days of their Messiah's 'rule.'

David Codrea says that New York's 'Gun Day' showcases false crime-fighting promises.

Texas Fred blasts Barack Obama over his stance on waterboarding. I agree 100%.

Mike McCarville posts the numbers showing that the TV news organizations that overtly supported Obama during the campaign have experienced plummeting viewership since the election. Fox News, on the other hand, has soared.

21 Guns Salute has some 'funny math.'

JR posts a rebuttal to an anti-gun piece by a columnist in a local newspaper in Texas.

Say Uncle responds to some gun comments in Slate by former NY Governor Eliot Spitzer.

Tam has a MUST-read quote of the day on Barack Obama.

Mindful Musings quotes Nancy Pelosi in an interview in which she explained her opinion about why having a 60-vote super-majority in the House is so 'exciting.' Nan inadvertently showed her true colors.

Sebastian has news on some pro-active gun owners in Alaska.

The Wandering Minstrel blogs on Glock Conversion Kits for .22LR ammo.

Ms. Underestimated posts the video of Bill O'Reilly's talking points memo which responds, point by point, to Obama's press conference answers last night.

Robb Allen makes a very important point about the disarmament of society being more than just taking away guns.

The Stiletto provides essential reading on why she thinks Obama's poll numbers are inflated by the mainstream media, all while they ignore some poll data that shows big trouble for Barry-O.

Ride Fast and Shoot Straight presents 'The Gong Show.'

From Pax Parabellum: 'What Idiot Thought This Was a Good Idea?'

Walls of the City points to some 'accurate misinformation' on the part of a TV station in Tennessee.




Obama's Unprecedented 3.5 Trillion-Dollar-Budget

These figures are astounding. 3.5 trillion dollars for 2010 alone. How is this going to be paid for?

These are some issues I discuss today at Columbia Conservative Examiner.

I hate to break bad news to ya, but Obama and Congressional Democrats just mortgaged away the future of your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Click on the link, read, and share. Thanks.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Second Amendment News Roundup for 4/29/09

Focusing on guns, politics, and news of interest, here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

Say Uncle reports that a bill has been introduced in Texas that would follow in Montana's footsteps by exempting itself from some federal gun laws.

JR provides updates to more proposed Texas gun legislation.

Alphecca says that New York State, on the other hand, is being inundated with a swarm of proposed gun control laws.

Free in Idaho wonders why he should be obligated to vote Republican just to keep a Democrat out of office, in light of the Arlen Specter spectacle.

Sebastian notes that the Democrats are 'clearing the field' for Specter now that he has switched Parties.

Texas Fred, as always, provides riveting commentary, this time on the Arlen Specter spectacle.

The Newbius Papers also weighs in on the Arlen Specter spectacle with 'A RINO Changes His Stripes.'

Gun Nuts has the wrap-up and the audio from last night's edition of Gun Nuts Radio.

The War on Guns asks the vital question, 'Where do these fascist freaks come from?'

Kurt Hofmann says that the U.S. Attorney for East St. Louis has a rather dubious plan to control violent crime in the area.

Conservative Libertarian Outpost has the MUST-read of the day. A bill that is before Congress would implement gun bans based upon our medical records! Read, ponder, then ACT!

Western Rifle Shooters Association posts an important read entitled, 'Secession is In Our Future.'

Mike Vanderboegh blows the whistle on the secret dinners of the mainstream media, which explains their coordinated group-lick of the boots of the jackbooted thugs.

2A Musing blogs about his day at the range. Neat photos too!

Walls of the City reports the explosive news that the Air Force One photo-op over NYC likely had malicious intent! Read it all.

Tam has the quote of the day on collectivism.

Standing By gives a direct, clear, concise answer to the question, 'What's the big deal about background checks?' His answer says it all.

From Rev. Kharma: 'Harbinger of Things to Come.' Good reading.

Ride Fast and Shoot Straight has an interesting and unique take on the Mexican gun problem.

Brigid at Home on the Range is as much into cooking as she is into shooting. And I love the way this lady writes. Take a look.

Michelle Malkin presents '100 Days of the Poser Presidency' to commemorate 'Dear Leader's' first 100 days in office. Enjoy...

Swine Flu Hits Small South Carolina Town

All of these cases in South Carolina and around the nation have a direct Mexican connection.

Read all about it in my column today at Columbia Conservative Examiner.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Second Amendment News Roundup for 4/28/09

Focusing on guns, politics, and news of interest, here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

21 Guns Salute has a must-read on the practice of 'drug control' similar to gun control, which places grown adults in the position of a child that needs supervision. Great read!

Conservative Libertarian Outpost blogs on one heckuva event conducted by a true star who happens to be a fierce gun-rights proponent.

Alphecca echoes my sentiments exactly concerning that idiot, Jimmy Carter.

Blogstitution blows the whistle on the great ethanol hoax. Turns out it ain't 'green' at all. Surprised? No? Didn't think so.

Way Up North notes that liberals are so scared of Sarah Palin that they wish to destroy her completely.

Bloviating Zeppelin highlights the silver lining behind the dark cloud of the Mexican swine flu problem.

Breda posts all the info on her main page concerning tonight's edition of Gun Nuts Radio.

Insight on Freedom has what could very well be the must-read of the YEAR! Friends, this is dead-serious. The U.N.'s rules and regulations now override the U.S. Constitution! We warned this was coming if the perfect political storm arrived in Washington--an ultra-liberal President with an ultra-liberal Congress. Read it all, and ponder what should be done.

Days of our Trailers points to more corruption in Chicago. Nothing good ever came out of there but the Cubs.

Robb Allen writes about his preparations for a big shoot coming up this weekend. I particularly like the part about smoking a cigar as part of the action. Nothing like a good stogie.

Sebastian points out that New Yorkers are still finding ways to kill each other, despite 'the Bastard's' rabid anti-gun stance.

Say Uncle issues an urgent action alert concerning a Tennessee bill on restaurant carry.

Pax Parabellum says that Fox News is reporting that GOP Senator Arlen Specter is going to run for re-election as a Democrat. Makes no difference to me. I wouldn't vote for that idiot if he were Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, or Presbyterian. Wait, that last one is a denomination. WEll, you get the point.

Tam points out that since Obama has been such a good gun and ammo salesman, perhaps we can use his considerable talents in another area as well. Take a look.

The Wandering Minstrel provides excellent reading entitled, 'Why Carry a Gun?'

Walls of the City comments on Baracky Obami's embarrassing yet hilarious problems with the teleprompter. Apparently he can't think without one.

Nicki has the latest numbskullery on the part of Janet Napolitano at DHS.

From St. Louis Gun Rights Examiner: 'Jimmy Carter thinks millions of Americans are aspiring cop killers, mass murderers.'

Western Rifle Shooters Association posts 2 thought-provoking quotes from Goethe.

Sipsy Street Irregulars
presents vital reading on a dangerous person within the Obama administration who wants an Internet Fairness Doctrine imposed on the electorate. Read it all.

Codrea's Gun Rights Examiner takes a look at some overt ignorance and closed-mindedness on the part of the editor of a certain publication. Take a look.

The Rustmeister has the quote of the day on John McCain. Couldn't have said it better myself!

Live from the Upper Texas Gulf Coast makes an excellent point about how we frame the argument concerning limiting the federal government. The term 'states rights' has a terribly negative connotation.

A Rank Stench Emanating from the White House

If you have gotten a whiff of the putrid smell of something foul coming from the direction of Washington, DC, it is likely to be from the White House.

Obama's latest actions compromise the security of the country, label opponents as 'supporters of torture,' and aid and abet America's enemies all over the world.

Read all about it in my latest column at Columbia Conservative Examiner.

Thanks!

Monday, April 27, 2009

Second Amendment News Roundup for 4/27/09

Focusing on guns, politics, and news of interest, here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

Mike McCarville discusses the online petition to defend the Second Amendment, as submitted by U.S. Representative Tom Cole, R-OK.

Mike's Gadfly on the Wall chronicles some interesting personal history. He's had quite a career in politics and the news business.

Kurt Hofmann opines on 'gun-free zones' and a politician who can't make up his mind about them.

David Codrea has another example of how 'effective' the gun bans are on college campuses.

Western Rifle Shooters Association presents an article on the 'practical politics' of a presumed plague.

Mike Vanderboegh provides an interesting read on the new strain of swine flu that's making its rounds.

Billy Beck points to an article that asks a vital question--is TARP a criminal enterprise?

Meeting on the Green posts vital reading today entitled, 'President Obama Continues Assault on the Second Amendment.'

From Roberta X: 'Training, Shooting, Nitwits.'

Free in Idaho comments on Obama's first 100 days in office, and a sub-title could well be, 'NOW look who's laughing!'

Every Blade of Grass takes a new look at the 23rd Psalm from the lens of these Obama-days.

From John Jacob H: 'Involuntary Servitude--An American Tradition?'

CarteachO has some cool photos from a high-powered rifle match.

Not to be outdone, Nicki has some neat photos from her shooting range stuff over the weekend.

Pax Parabellum reports that an elected representative is going to press charges against a citizen who sent her a tea bag.

JR posts a must-see entitled, 'Symbols.'

From Traction Control: "How the Associated Press Defines 'Assault Rifle.'"

Conservative Libertarian Outpost reports the news that Obama is still the Number One gun salesman as gun and ammo sales continue to soar through the roof! Americans are arming to the hilt for one reason--Barack Obama's threat.

Texas Fred announces that his home town is going to have one big mega-Tea Party on July 4.

Walls of the City has today's MUST-read that shows us that the numbers tell the story. Read it all.

The Bobo Files posts this week's 'Carnival of Politics.' Lots of links to some good stuff!

The Rustmeister informs us of the latest anti-gun horse-shhhttt from the Commercial Appeal.

Tam lays it on the line with a good dose of reality with her 'quote of the day.'

Ride Fast and Shoot Straight informs us that the NRA is considered a non-government organization at the U.N. and comments that it's important to have them there to keep an eye on the shenanigans coming out of the United Nations.

Robb Allen makes an excellent point about the futility of banning guns.

Sebastian says that the local media did a piss-poor job at covering a Ted Nugent event in Pennsylvania.

Say Uncle notes that Rush Limbaugh is now a big supporter of the Humane Society, which is anti-hunting. As one who knows a bit of the background of this, I believe Rush got sucked into this because of his beloved cat. But I am willing to bet I love dogs more than Rush loves his cat, and I am certainly not going to align myself with a group like the Humane Society because of it. There are better ways to support the care and treatment of pets.

We knew this was coming. Michelle Malkin reports that Democrats in Congress are already blaming the swine flu outbreak on Republicans.

Hit 'Em Where It Hurts

Hit 'em where it hurts...a way to groin-kick the new Obama fascist government/big bank conglomerate that seeks to dominate our economy.

What if we, the citizens, simply refuse to play along?

Read all about it in my new column at Columbia Conservative Examiner.

Thanks for clicking on the link and reading!

Feinstein's Non-Ethics

When it comes to ethics in the manner in which she conducts herself as a U.S. Senator, Dianne Feinstein, D-CA, has none.

Remember that this is the woman who admitted that she carries a handgun for protection, although she would deny that right to tens of millions of Americans. And this is the woman, who, as the ranking member of a Senate panel that awards government contracts on behalf of the military, made sure that multi-millions of dollars of government contracts were funneled to her husband's business.

Now, it seems, the Senator is at it again:

On the day the new Congress convened this year, Sen. Dianne Feinstein introduced legislation to route $25 billion in taxpayer money to a government agency that had just awarded her husband's real estate firm a lucrative contract to sell foreclosed properties at compensation rates higher than the industry norms.

Mrs. Feinstein's intervention on behalf of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. was unusual: the California Democrat isn't a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs with jurisdiction over FDIC; and the agency is supposed to operate from money it raises from bank-paid insurance payments - not direct federal dollars.

Of oourse, never once has the ethically-challenged Senator been investigated by the Senate for corruption. Since 2006 her cronies have controlled Congress.

"There Will Be Blood"


Harvard author and financial crisis guru Niall Ferguson has landed with a thud in Ottawa, spreading messages that could make even the most confident policy makers squirm.

The global crisis is far from over, has only just begun, and Canada is no exception, Mr. Ferguson said in an interview before delivering a presentation to public-policy think tank, Canada 2020.

Policy makers and forecasters who see a recovery next year are probably lying to boost public confidence, he said. And the crisis will eventually provoke political conflict, albeit not on the scale of a world war, but violent all the same.

“There will be blood.”


The entire article, published in the Globe and Mail, takes a rather grim approach to the chances of economic recovery this year, contrary to the rhetoric of late by Barack Obama and some government economists.

With GM on the brink of bankruptcy and shutting down most of its factories for the summer, and with Chrysler definitely headed to bankruptcy, Ferguson's prediction seems to hold merit.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

"The End of the World as We Know It"

Obama's first 100 days in office have signaled the end of the 'era of American exceptionalism.' No longer is America as a concept or as a nation viewed as any more special than, say, Castro's Cuba or Chavez's Venezuela.

This dangerous vacuum of American leadership is discussed in my column today at Columbia Conservative Examiner.

Give it a read, and pass it along. Thanks!