January 31, 2005

Can the election in Iraq make a difference? Well, do elections here in the US make a difference? As one wag said, “If Iraq needs to have a new constitution, why don’t we give them ours? It’s more than 200 years old, it’s been proven to work pretty well, and, shucks, we ain’t using it anymore.” It’s an opinion, and like mine expressed here in this column, not necessarily those of anyone else, including TPoL, RRND, or FND.

DC Follies in full kick!
Rice takes over at State Department
USA Today
"Declaring 'history is calling us,' Condoleezza Rice took over Thursday as America's 66th secretary of state to confront an agenda laden with difficult and potentially explosive foreign policy problems. At the top is a grinding war in Iraq that has taken the lives of more than 1,400 U.S. troops. But Rice exuded confidence as she entered the State Department with a cheery, 'it's great to be here,' and declared 'democracy will take hold' around the world as it did in Germany and Japan after World War II." (01/27/05)

She seems to be far more a team player than Powell, and now Powell can spend full time preparing for his own presidential bid as a “centrist” on the model of Eisenhower. Rice can safely preside over this phase of the Imperium’s development.

Bush seeks higher airline security fees
Tampa Tribune
"A fee charged to airline travelers to help pay for airport security would more than double under President Bush's spending proposal for the Homeland Security Department. Bush's plan calls for boosting the security fee from $2.50 to $5.50 for a one-way airline ticket and from a maximum of $5 to $8 for multiple legs. The hikes are expected to generate $1.5 billion. Debby McElroy, president of the Regional Airline Association, criticized the proposal as taxing an industry that already carries one of the highest tax burdens." (01/27/05)

It is not the airlines that bear the tax burden, folks, it is the passengers and shippers that pay the piper, and this will just continue that trend, while letting a new government bureaucracy that has demonstrated its ineptness in singularly rapid measure have more money to burn. Yeah, I know it is a fee and not a “tax” but it is a fee for a service that doesn’t work, and that more and more people (not just libertarians) don’t want. Can you explain to me the difference between this and protection money paid to the Mob?

General News
CDC issues new guidelines on flu shots
MSNBC
"Afraid millions of doses will go to waste, the government all but dropped its restrictions on the flu vaccine Thursday, encouraging states with ample supplies to offer shots to anyone who wants one. The vaccine shortage from last fall has turned into a surplus because the flu season has been mild and because many people were scared off by the prospect of long lines at clinics. As a result, the government has been backing away from restrictions that said flu shots should be reserved for elderly people, babies and those with chronic medical conditions." (01/27/05)

As I discussed earlier, the CDC has once more demonstrated that government agencies can’t even run a one-commodity economic system, and despite the claims of the mainstream media, flu is spreading rapidly across the nation.

Mama's Note: The best protection against the flu or any other such bug is a strong immune system built with a healthy diet, exercise, proper rest and a low stress environment. That is far better for your entire body than all the toxic chemicals the medical people would like to fill you with instead. The choice - and the consequences are yours.

California: Couple sues to end homosexual marriage ban
Detroit Free Press
"Calling gays 'the most oppressed minority since slavery,' an attorney for a gay couple urged a judge Thursday to overturn California and federal laws banning same-sex marriage. The lawsuit is one of only a few challenges to gay marriage bans that are pending in federal court, and the case is being closely watched nationwide. 'It now falls to you to uphold the principles of liberty,' attorney Richard Gilbert told U.S. District Judge Gary Taylor during a five-hour hearing." (01/27/05)

Once more, evidence that government needs to get out of the marriage business. But let me add a bit more. This kind of hyperbole is to be expected, but it doesn’t make it any easier to stomach. No matter how they slice it, homosexuals (admittedly a minority of the population) are not distinguished by inherited features and characteristics that cannot (by current science standards) be modified, such as skin color, hair, or facial features. Rather, they are characterized by a specific behavior, a behavior found distasteful (at least) to the vast majority of their fellow citizens, as well as a behavior frequently demonstrated to be harmful to others, self-destructive, countra-survival to evolutionists, and immoral to religionists (or most of each). As soon say that tattooed people or people who practice animal sacrifice deserve status as a protected minority. So to compare themselves to blacks (or any other race or group) in slavery is both specious and excellent propaganda. But it is time to stop the judicial system from rewriting the dictionary.

Mama's Note: As far as I can see, this whole "gay marriage" bit has nothing whatsoever to do with marriage and everything to do with money and status. They want the same perks and "benefits" given to heterosexual married people, that's all. Of course, the problem is that government has dictated these benefits. In a free society, each employer would make up his own mind which benefits - if any - to give to his employees, and he'd make up his own mind which ones would get them and why. That's the only way it's ever going to work.

Auschwitz: Cheney tours camp on liberation anniversary
Bradenton Herald
"Vice President Dick Cheney toured a Nazi concentration camp [at Oswiecim, Poland] Friday, ambling through red-brick barracks, viewing mounds of human hair and walking under a cynical sign at the main gate that reads: 'Arbeit macht frei,' which means 'Work brings freedom.' ... He signed a condolence book at one of the first crematoriums where 400 people, mostly Jews, were gassed at a time and their bodies cremated. The tour wrapped up a three-day visit to southern Poland where the vice president joined scores of world leaders to mark the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps." (01/28/05)

While we celebrate sixty years since the end of the most well-known genocidal effort in modern history, we see that the villain of the story - government - is still at large and committing more killings, most just as “legal” as this camp in Poland.

For stations, life without Stern isn't pretty
CNN
"A year ago, Pittsburgh radio station WXDX-FM was near the top of its game on weekday mornings. Today it's fighting hard for listeners. What changed? Two words: Howard Stern. A year ago next month, WXDX and five other stations owned by Clear Channel pulled the shock jock off the air in response to a government backlash against smutty programming. ... All six have lost a significant number of weekday morning listeners, according to new data from Arbitron, the country's top radio ratings service." (01/27/05)

Obviously we need laws to prevent this kind of calamity from happening - think of all those people that will be laid off because the audience has dropped off, and therefore ad sales revenues have also dropped. The entire health of the Pittsburgh broadcasting economic sector is threatened, and government action is critical. This has happened before, and there is well established precedent for mandating that no one in certain professions be allowed to change employers or positions without, at minimum, an economic impact statement being prepared. [Satire, folks!]

Maryland: Dems shift blame for rising healthcare costs
Washington Times
"Maryland Democratic leaders [Wednesday] blamed the Republican state insurance commissioner for health maintenance organizations increasing their premiums -- and not a new tax the Democratic-controlled legislature levied on HMOs this month. But HMO officials said they are only raising their rates to pass on to their customers the 2 percent tax enacted by the General Assembly two weeks ago. Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. and House Speaker Michael E. Busch yesterday called for the resignation of Insurance Commissioner Alfred W. Redmer Jr., saying his recent bulletin encouraged HMOs to raise their rates." (01/27/05)

Blindness? Only when it serves their purpose. Who will manipulate the people more ably? In the past, in Maryland, the Democrats have proved more agile and successful in this critical governmental skill.

US border safety warning perturbs Mexico
Seattle Times
"In a rare break from normally cordial relations, U.S. and Mexican officials have exchanged sharp criticisms after the Bush administration warned that U.S. citizens' lives are at risk in an escalating drug war at the border. Mexican officials yesterday angrily condemned the State Department warning as exaggerated. But U.S. officials said it was their responsibility to alert Americans to a 'deteriorating' situation in northern Mexico. U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said yesterday that 27 U.S. Citizens had been kidnapped in Mexico in recent months. Two were killed, 11 remain missing and 14 were released, he said." (01/28/05)

“Cordial” relations seem to be based on feeding pabulum to the public - as soon as someone points out that a problem has developed, the words and anger fly.

Our right to defend ourselves
Texas: Concealed weapons OK on Houston transit
MSNBC News
"Houston's transit agency repealed its ban Thursday on the carrying of concealed handguns on buses and commuter trains. The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, known as Metro, had prohibited such weapons since 1995. But in 2003, the Legislature passed a law that said Texas cities cannot bar licensed gun owners from carrying concealed weapons in public buildings. Pro-gun organizations then sued Metro, contending the law applies to public transit, too." (01/27/05)

A good sign, especially with Houston’s crime rate - perhaps a few more criminals will think twice about attacking.

Colorado: Cop accused of threatening anti-Bushevik
Rocky Mountain News
"A Denver police sergeant is under investigation for allegedly threatening to arrest a woman Monday for displaying on her truck a derogatory bumper sticker about President Bush. 'He told her that this was a warning and that the next time he saw her truck, she was going to be arrested if she didn't remove the sticker,' said Alinna Figueroa, 25, assistant manager of The UPS Store where the confrontation took place. 'I couldn't believe it.'" (01/25/05)

In Denver, yes, I can believe it. Another JBT. Who will protect us against those who claim to serve and protect us? It is up to the people to defend ourselves.

Migrant reform battle brewing
Arizona Republic
"A top Republican lawmaker challenged President Bush on Wednesday to first beef up border security before permitting millions of undocumented immigrants to gain a legal foothold in the United States. The clash between Rep. James Sensenbrenner and Bush offers a preview of the fight that lies ahead in Congress over the president's controversial guest-worker proposal. ... At a news conference, Sensenbrenner argued that national security and immigration matters are separate issues and that 'you can't mix the two.' But earlier in the day, Bush told reporters that Congress must deal with both issues because 'immigration reform is necessary to help make it easier to protect our borders.'" [Editor's note: Bush makes a good point ... one he apparently cribbed from the policy papers of 2004 Libertarian presidential candidate Michael Badnarik - TLK] (01/27/05)

The battle is now joined, and unfortunately, common sense will almost certainly not prevail.

Mama's Note: My family no longer uses the words "common sense". We all now say, "rare sense", because it is so UNcommon anymore.

Dutch bank robber can deduct gun cost
Fox News
"A bank robber in the southern Dutch town of Chaam was able to subtract the cost of his gun from his fine, the Daily Telegraph of London reported. The unnamed stickup man, 46, managed to convince a criminal court in Breda, near the Belgian border, that the $2,600 he spent on his pistol was a legitimate business expense. The judge accordingly reduced the amount of restitution from $8,750, the amount stolen from the bank, to $6,150, before sentencing the robber to four years in prison earlier this week. 'You can compare criminal acts to normal business activities, where you must invest to make profits, and thus you have costs,' explained Leendert de Lange, a spokesman for the national prosecutor's office. De Lange went further to state that drug dealers could also deduct the cost of vehicles used to make deliveries of illicit substances -- within reason." (01/27/05)

A court system gone completely to seed. Frankly, it seems beyond chances of reform.

Harvard flap prompts query: How free is campus speech?
Christian Science Monitor
"In the two weeks since Harvard University president Lawrence Summers suggested that innate differences between the sexes may partly account for male dominance in science and math, the ensuing frenzy of discussion has become a kind of national Rorschach test. Editorialists excoriate his sexism or applaud his candor. The National Organization for Women has called for his resignation. Academics are poring over studies that deal with nature, nurture, and gender differences. Dr. Summers's comments -- which he said were intended to provoke discussion about why women were underrepresented in top science posts -- have ended up raising an even larger question: Have universities become so steeped in sensitivities that certain topics can't be openly discussed?" (01/28/05)

He accomplished his goal, certainly. And it shows up the whole corrupt system for what it is - a system so rotted that ANY data produced by its laboratories and research centers cannot be trusted. The peer review process of academia was supposed to prevent things like this, and obviously is now incapable of doing so. If even the tenured head of a major research university can be made to back water for political correctness, then anything produced by the vast majority of the nation’s universities is worthless.

Researchers explore mystery, and say gotcha
- Boston Globe
"A team of scientists led by a Harvard mathematician announced yesterday that they had solved one of the plant world's most intriguing mysteries: how the Venus flytrap snaps shut. At least since Charles Darwin, scientists have been puzzled by the carnivorous plant, which can close its fanged leaves on an insect in a fraction of a second -- without any muscle. Using a high speed video camera and computer modeling, the team found that the flytrap employs an ingenious trick to slowly build up elastic pressure in its leaves, like the stretching of a rubber band, and then snap at the slightest provocation. The flytrap experiments, which brought together mathematicians, engineers and biologists, are part of a growing interest in biomechanics as engineers design devices as small as cells and look to nature for inspiration." (01/27/05)

Yeah, even this kind of research. What objective would it serve to warp data and come up with “politically correct” conclusions? I don’t know, but until we sit down and look at the possibilities, ANY data should and must be questioned.

Mama's Note: And in the meantime, there would seem to be a lot of much more important questions that need answers. The mere fact that this kind of "research" is being done with taxpayer money tells the whole tale. Only privately funded research will be both cost effective and productive. This sounds more like a high school "science project". Remember the research into the "sex life of a ping pong ball?"

Mideast tarbabies
Kennedy calls for Iraq troop withdrawal
Cincinnati Enquirer
"Immediately after Sunday's election in Iraq, President Bush should take steps to negotiate a timetable to begin bringing the troops home, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy said Thursday as he described his own plans for a stable Iraqi government. Saying the American military's continued presence in Iraq is fanning the flames of conflict, Kennedy said at least 12,000 U.S. Troops should leave at once, and a complete withdrawal should be finished as early as possible in 2006. The Massachusetts Democrat said America must give Iraq back to its people rather than continue an occupation that parallels the failed policies of the Vietnam war." (01/27/05)

I have to admit that Teddy looked more statesmanlike and logical in making this announcement than he has in a long time, as impressive in looks as he is stupid in his words. If I ever thought that giving up and withdrawing unilaterally made sense, the fact that Teddy Kennedy has thrown his support to this solution is evidence that it cannot fail. What he will do, rather, is allow a new center of Islamist revival and threat to liberty in the whole world. Together with his other actions in his 40-year political career, that seems to be his goal, indeed - the end of liberty and freedom.

Mama's Note: Again, I beg to disagree. How in the world does a continued occupation of Iraq and the subsequent creation of more and more terrorists contribute to liberty and freedom? The greatest threat to world peace and liberty is the US government, both at home and abroad everywhere, but especially in Iraq. Our presence in the Mid East will ONLY continue to ratchet up the number of those who despise us - and for good reason. We don't belong there, now - or ever. The fact that Kennedy had anything to say about it is quite beside the point. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. He's right about some things, most likely for all the wrong reasons.

US Marine, 11 Iraqis killed in pre-election attacks
Indianapolis Star
"Insurgents [sic] stepped up attacks Thursday against polling centers across Iraq, killing at least a dozen people, including a U.S. Marine, in the rebel campaign to frighten Iraqis away from participating in this weekend's election. As part of an intensifying campaign of intimidation, an al-Qaida affiliate led by Jordanian terror mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi posted a videotape on the Internet showing the murder of a candidate from the party of interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi. The tape included a warning to Allawi personally: 'You traitor, wait for the angel of death.'" (01/27/05)

As expected, the bleeding continues. Reports as of Sunday evening indicate the mass killings may NOT be accomplishing their goals.

Afghan soldier kills five others, is slain
Richmond Times
Dispatch
"An Afghan soldier opened fire inside a U.S. military base yesterday, killing five of his comrades before another soldier gunned him down. A commander attributed the shooting to mental problems. Elsewhere, Afghan police killed a suspected Taliban commander and captured his deputy in a shootout. The U.S. Military said the soldier attacked fellow Afghan National Army troops early yesterday morning in Helmand province. Another six Afghan soldiers were wounded. No soldiers from the U.S.-led coalition were wounded in the attack, the statement said." (01/28/05)

Yes, believing the lies of the Koran about going to Paradise when you die killing the enemies of Allah could be construed as a mental problem.

Australia: Iraqi expatriates cast ballots
USA Today
"Iraqi expatriates began casting ballots in Sydney on Friday, several jostling to be among the first to vote in Iraq's first independent elections in more than 50 years. Amid tight security at a converted furniture warehouse, young children mingled with elderly Kurdish women in head-to-toe black robes. 'This is a long dream that now comes true,' said 56-year-old Karim Jari before casting his vote. 'We hope this is a new beginning.' Australia is one of 14 nations where Iraqis living outside their country can vote -- and the first country in the world to begin collecting ballots because of its time zone." (01/27/05)

Although supposedly the expatriate registration was disappointingly low, the mere fact that the expatriates are able to vote is itself a victory. Turnout appears to be going well, as the weekend nears the end.

Mama's Note: Yes indeed, we may now have infected them with "democracy" and they can have all of the government slave masters they want, just like us. That's a victory? I don't think so. BTW, are these "expatriates" now planning to return to Iraq so they can enjoy the government they elected? I very much doubt it.

Hamas claims victory in Gaza elections
Radio Free Europe [Czech Republic]
"The Islamic militant group Hamas is claiming victory in yesterday's municipal elections in the Gaza Strip. Hamas today claimed victory in seven out of 10 municipal councils. Official results have not yet been released and are due later today." (01/28/05)

This is not a surprise, as we know how well the votes can be gathered and the election manipulated. In this case, years of Arafat’s propaganda have made it an almost forgone conclusion that the militants will continue to keep a strong majority in Palestinian elections. Without creating a culture, a society, of liberty, this will continue to be the case.

Mama's Note: They won't create a culture or society of liberty by "voting". Not ever. If it was possible, we'd already have done so.

Gitmo soldier details sexual tactics
Las Vegas Review-Journal
"Female interrogators tried to break Muslim detainees at the U.S. Prison camp in Guantanamo Bay by sexual touching, wearing a miniskirt and thong underwear and in one case smearing a Saudi man's face with fake menstrual blood, according to an insider's written account. A draft manuscript obtained by The Associated Press is classified as secret pending a Pentagon review for a planned book that details ways the U.S. Military used women as part of tougher physical and psychological interrogation tactics to get terror suspects to talk." (01/27/05)

No matter the cause, no matter the importance of the information, these kinds of tactics are demeaning far more to those using it than those it is being used on. No matter how much you may despise the religion, its adherents are deserving of respect and human treatment. Any use of tactics like these will ultimately fail and backfire.

Nathan Barton is a libertarian writing from the Black Hills. See Nathan's own blog, Liberty's Outpost.

To Read previous Commentaries, go to the archives page and click onto the day link. The commentaries are linked from the daily front pages.

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