March 11, 2005

Government is supposed to protect our freedom - at least American government was originally intended to do that. Sadly, we have allowed so many other things to be tacked on, that the primary purpose is almost forgotten, and when done, is done poorly at best. Some of the articles today point that out, in my opinion (which may not yours or necessarily those of TPoL, RRND, or FND).

Utah: Thousands evacuated after chemical spill
Salt Lake Tribune
A railroad tanker car leaking a mixture of chemicals sent a plume of orange fumes above South Salt Lake City, UT, the morning of Sunday, March 6, causing the evacuation of as many as 6,000 residents and the closing of Interstate 15. Workers found acid bubbling from three holes in the tanker Sunday morning in the Roper Train Yard. Special equipment was brought in from Las Vegas, NV, around 10:00 p.m. to pierce the tanker and drain the liquid into other containers. More than 100 emergency crews from as far away as Tooele, UT, responded to the chemical spill, which they were initially told was composed of sulfuric, nitric, hydrofluoric and hydrochloric acids. The chemicals are dangerous on a number of levels -- any one of them could burn the skin on contact, and if inhaled could damage the lungs, esophagus, cause difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting. By 10:00 p.m. Sunday night, after hours of confusion, miscommunication and finger pointing, residents were allowed to return home. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was at the scene and determined the leak wasn't linked to any type of terrorist or criminal activity.

It is accidents like this that the so-called War on Terrorism is actually making more likely, with the insane emphasis on secrecy - so much so that DHS wants to remove warning and identification placards from rail cars, thus exposing emergency responders and local folks to even more dangers. (See the third article, on government secrecy, for more on this.) And then, just to make matters worse, the Feebes have to get into the act - messing with the local people. Thanks to Tim for this article!

Ohio: Chemical Spill Snarls Traffic
WBEX-TV
Chemical spill prompts road closure in Ohio. A tanker truck crashed Monday morning around 4:30 a.m., March 7, spilling a liquid plastic additive considered a fire hazard and snarling commuter traffic on U.S. 23 near Kingston and Chillicothe, OH. U.S. 23 just north of Chillicothe reopened around 11:00 a.m., but northbound remained closed at the time.

Thanks to Tim also for this article. Even worse than rail chemical accidents are highway accidents. The need to haul by highway (inherently less safe than railroads) is often dictated by the government monopoly and massive subsidies to highways, which has destroyed the railroad system to a large degree.

DC: US House warned about government secrecy
OMB Watch
A member of the 9/11 Commission and a former translator for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warned House members that too much government secrecy today threatens the country's ability to keep the nation safe. The comments were made during a House hearing March 2 that focused on the widespread breakdown of the system to help government keep only necessary secrets in a democratic political system.

As discussed in the first article, this is a problem which can hit very close to home indeed, when dealing with hazardous materials and accidents on highways and railroads. Notice the translator's words: "the country's ability to keep the nation safe." NOT the "government's ability" - we did not used to expect that the government could or would protect us from all threats - just from threats to our freedom and liberty. The rest are OUR responsibility - yours and mine - either individually or through voluntary cooperation.

Arizona: Citizens may have more access to gov't data
OMB Watch
Arizona State Sen. Dean Martin (R-Phoenix) introduced two bills on Feb. 1 that would make it easier for Arizonans to access state-held information. The first bill, S.B. 1499, would create a state funded "public access counselor" to provide expert advice to citizens and state officials regarding requests for state-held information. The second bill, S.B. 1498, would make it illegal for state agencies to sue a person or group simply because they requested information.

I especially like the second bill. But the big problem is really that the government HAS so much information in the first place. How much do we need to tell government everything? The Census (to name just one data-collection agency) was ONLY to determine representation of the states - and nothing else. Most data gathering has less constitutional justification than the Census Bureau.

Israel: Official Report Slams Illegal Settlements
Space War.Com/UPI
Israel has illegally established scores of settlements in the West Bank, sometimes on privately owned Palestinian land. Soldiers were sent there to protect the settlers rather than evict them, an official report said.

Although not a surefire way of classifying, the refusal of a government to abide by its own laws is a clear indication of tyranny, even if it is an ELECTED tyranny.

The Challenges In Lebanon
Space War.Com/UPI
Street protests continue in Beirut as the crisis unleashed by the Feb. 14 killing of ex-premier Rafiq Hariri deepens, with pressure mounting on Lebanon's powerful neighbor Syria to announce a full troop pullout from the country.

It is reported that more and more people are being brought into Lebanon from Syria, both to stage these demonstrations, and to further tie the two countries together - again, a tactic Assad learned from his old Soviet allies, which still creates problems in the former Soviet republics, with high numbers of Russian colonists still in-country, and often, in power. Contrary to many writers, including some libertarians, Lebanon is NOT an integral part of Syria, and NOT necessarily an Islamic country.

Lebanon set to reinstate pro-Syria PM
Indianapolis Star
"Bolstered by a massive pro-Syrian demonstration, Lebanese allies of Syria moved Wednesday to reinstate the prime minister, who recently was forced out by anti-Damascus protests. Their action ensures Syria's continued dominance of Lebanese politics. Outgoing Prime Minister Omar Karami was virtually assured nomination after 71 legislators put forward his name during consultations with pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud, parliament members said. Under the constitution, the president is obliged to comply with the choice of a majority of the 128-member parliament." (03/09/05)

Indicating that the legislature is as corrupt as the rest of the government - no surprise. It MAY ensure Syrian domination, but it does ensure more violence, as more efforts are necessary to gain Lebanon's independence.

US: Sky May Be Limit For Oil Prices
Space War.Com/UPI
The steady increase in oil prices at a time when supply shortages have not been an obvious problem indicates that there is likely little hope that U.S. consumers will avoid a summer of even loftier gasoline prices.

Periodically, the Arab-dominated OPEC cartel decides it is time to again jack up prices, and this appears to be one of those, perhaps to pressure the US and the West to pull out of Iraq and the rest of the Middle East (especially Israel), or to reduce the potential for US/Western intervention in Lebanon, Syria, or Iran. Of course, none of this is government business, but we all suffer for the mistakes of the US Government, both foreign AND domestic.

Mexico: Anti-narcotics helicopter crash kills 11
An anti-narcotics helicopter searching for gunmen protecting drug plantations has crashed into a mountain in southern Mexico, killing all nine soldiers and two federal pilots onboard, authorities said. What caused the crash was unclear, but the aircraft may have been attacked by drug smugglers on the ground, according to a statement released by the federal attorney general's office.

The US continues to support both sides of the drug war in Latin America, leading to problems like this, despite NO authority to do so in the Constitution. The Mexican government, of course, can't be blamed, can they?

West Virginia, etc.: "Hillbilly Heroin" problem growing
Washington
Powerful painkillers like OxyContin, widely known as "hillbilly heroin," have emerged as a major crime problem in the United States, with many dealers and abusers obtaining them over the Internet. Abuse of OxyContin, which is legally prescribed for cancer patients and others with chronic, debilitating pain, first emerged as a problem in the eastern United States, particularly in the Appalachian mountains and in New England, but is now spreading. The drug releases slowly into the body over a 24-hour period. But if it is crushed or dissolved in water and swallowed, inhaled or injected, it produces an effect similar to a heroin high.

The unceasing search for new highs, seemingly endemic (and perhaps the result of our deteriorating society itself), is further encouraged by the war on drugs, which responds to ANY non-government approved use of any drug or herb or food with more prohibition - an example we have with OxyContin. And so patients and medical personnel suffer, despite no authority for government to do this.

Mama's Note: This "endemic" scare is just more hype to justify the "war on drugs". The actual percentage of the population that have a real drug problem is not much different now than it was 10 years ago. There is about 3% of the population that seek drugs to solve their emotional and psychological problems. The drug of choice changes from time to time, but the actual number of true addicts does not. Far more people are killed and maimed by the "WAR" than by the drugs themselves, of course. If government minded their own business, the problem would simply go away - for everyone but those few unfortunate enough to actually have a drug problem. More of those might seek help if they didn't face jail or worse for doing so.

Iraq: Deadly attacks on police; 41 bodies recovered
Guardian [UK]
"Gunmen shot dead five policemen in a drive-by shooting in the Iraqi capital on Thursday, one day after authorities said they'd found dozens of corpses -- some bullet-riddled, others beheaded -- at two different sites. Gunmen in two cars opened fire on a vehicle carrying Col. Ahmed Abeis, the head of a police station in central Baghdad, killing him and four of his guards, said police Capt. Talib Thamir. ... The shootings came after authorities announced Wednesday they'd found 41 bodies at two sites in Iraq. Officials said some of the badly decomposed corpses are Iraqi soldiers who were kidnapped and slain by insurgents. Others were civilians, including women and children who may have been killed because their families were seen as collaborators." [FND editor's note: Department of Defense yesterday identified two US soldiers killed in Iraq on March 7th - TLK] (03/10/05)

The mass murders and burials should be a worry, because the bodies weren't made public - indicating that the tactics of the murderous thugs who do not qualm at killing children (or anyone else) are changing.

House panel passes $2.57 trillion budget
MSNBC
"Republicans pushed a $2.57 trillion budget through the House Budget Committee on Wednesday, answering record federal deficits by seeking broad cuts in domestic programs and carving deeper into [welfare] benefits... than President Bush proposed. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Judd Gregg, R-N.H., released a similar $2.56 trillion outline that his panel was likely to approve Thursday." [FND editor's note: By "cuts," the story, as usual, mostly refers to "reductions in expected growth" - TLK] (03/09/05)

And of course, including probably a good trillion in pure pork - and again placing a killing burden on the taxpayers and regulated community of the nation. With a good 85% to do things that government has no business, and no constitutional authority, to do.

Washington: Libertarian Spencer Garrett dead at 52
Snohomish Herald
"Spencer Garrett, the Libertarian candidate last fall in the race for the 8th Congressional District seat won by Republican Dave Reichert, died Saturday in a skydiving accident in Snohomish." 03/10/05)

Our sympathy to his friends and family, and the WSLP: he will be missed.

Hong Kong: Tung Chee-hwa resigns after eight years
ABC News
"Hong Kong's leader said he tendered his resignation Thursday because of failing health and repeatedly denied speculation China pushed him out in a bid to tighten its grip on the former British colony and halt a movement toward greater democracy. After ignoring 10 days of rumors that he was quitting, Tung Chee-hwa called a news conference and announced he wanted to step down with two years left in his term. He said his health problems began late last year." (03/10/05)

Too bad, as it will be used as an excuse by China to further tighten the ropes on the formerly-free city.

Probe: Leaders didn't order prison abuse
Las Vegas Review-Journal
"A comprehensive U.S. military review of prisoner interrogation policies and techniques for the global war on terrorism concluded that no civilian or uniformed leaders directed or encouraged the prisoner abuse documented in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. 'We found no link between approved interrogation techniques and detainee abuse,' the review concluded. The review led by Navy Vice Adm. Albert T. Church did cite, however, a number of 'missed opportunities' in the development of interrogation policies, according to a 21-page executive summary of his findings due to be publicly released Thursday." (03/09/05)

Being somewhat familiar with the training doctrine published and used, I do not have serious questions about the findings of this report, as far as approved techniques (but not necessarily the fact that people can "wink-wink" or do a Henry II routine ("Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest?). The big problem with the training documents appear to be that they were written for students who had some moral training and standards: they did not say (who would have thought that they would need to?) "Do not hang people by their wrists from hooks on the ceiling" and "Do not get naked and rub your body all over your prisoners." But today's American people are NOT moral and our standards are unbelievably low. (Whether in the military OR civilians.)

Slain Italian agent had US operation permission
USA Today
"The Italian agent killed by American forces in Iraq had U.S. Military authorization for his operation to win the release of a hostage, Premier Silvio Berlusconi said Wednesday. In his first major address since Friday's shooting strained relations between Washington and one of its biggest allies, Berlusconi told Italy's Senate that the car carrying agent Nicola Calipari and hostage Giuliana Sgrena stopped immediately when a light was flashed. The U.S. Military has said the Americans used hand and arm signals, flashing white lights, and firing warning shots to try to get the car to stop." (03/09/05)

This was never the question, but for the Mainstream Media, it makes good headlines. It was, pure and simple, a blue-on-blue (friendly fire) accident, but neither side is willing to accept that.

Judge throws out lawsuit over summer homework
Houston Chronicle
"A judge threw out a high school student's lawsuit against mandatory summer homework, saying he and his father should have done a little more studying themselves before bringing the case. Students in the Whitnall High School math course -- honors pre-calculus -- were supposed to do three assignments by certain dates over the summer. Peer Larson, 17, and his father, Bruce, had filed suit in Circuit Court, arguing that homework should not be required after the 180-day academic year is over." (03/09/05)

In other words, the schools have their hooks into you 24-7 until you get that piece of paper. And the state could, if they desired, take your kids and put them in a boarding school with no time off - and we used to think this country did this only to AmerInd children.

Mama's Note: That was the theme of my recent story, "To Thine Own Self Be True".

Tax thug employs technology to snare victims
CNN
"Sam Byers heard a commotion outside his house, but by the time he got to the window his Ford Explorer was gone. City marshals, armed with a new tool that photographs auto license plates and instantly matches them against a tax scofflaw database, had towed Byers' car right out of his driveway. 'That's like kidnapping your car,' Byers, a 58-year-old truck driver said as he stood, leaning on the crutches he got after a foot operation. Byers was in a long line of people outside the New Haven tax collector's office who were waiting to make delinquent payments so they could get their vehicles back." (03/09/05)

Notice - no warrant, no legal action - just government-approved and conducted theft.

Baseball vows to fight steroids subpoenas
Cincinnati Enquirer
"Major league baseball responded with outrage to congressional subpoenas for Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, Jason Giambi and other top stars, vowing to fight them all the way to court. Curt Schilling, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro and Frank Thomas also were summoned Wednesday to testify at the March 17 hearing of the House Government Reform Committee. Also called were players' association head Donald Fehr, baseball executive vice presidents Rob Manfred and Sandy Alderson and San Diego general manager Kevin Towers. The committee, which has no interest in hearing from Barry Bonds, also demanded a variety of documents and records of baseball's drug tests." (03/09/05)

Nobody has come forward to explain why any of this is Congress' business!

New York: Drug thug stabbed in crack buy gone bad
New York Post
"Drug dealers stabbed a narcotics detective during a buy-and-bust operation in a housing project near Lincoln Center last night, cops said. The 11-year NYPD vet, whose name was withheld because he works undercover, was stabbed three times in the chest and stomach. His wounds were not life-threatening, a source said. ... The suspected stabber, Beljhuly Feliz, and his 13-year-old accomplice, whose name was withheld, were taken into custody by backup officers who had been watching the deal go down. The knife was recovered. Feliz, 19, was charged with attempted murder." (03/10/05)

These kinds of "sting operations" should be illegal, and this guy would not be fighting for his life now.

German ISP told to cough up customer's details
Register [UK]
"German ISPs may have to provide customer data to law enforcement agencies without a court order. The latest issue of the German specialist journal New Law Weekly cites a ruling by the District Court in Stuttgart, in which telecom giant T-Online was asked to hand over details of an unknown customer who was suspected of trading porn. All the police had was an IP address. Initially, T-Mobile refused to hand over details, arguing there was no written court order, which is mandatory under the German Telecommunications Act. The District Court, however, rejected the complaint and said there was enough reason to believe that the person behind the IP address was responsible for the distribution of porn." (03/08/05)

Speaking of no warrants - it is a worldwide problem.

Mama's Note: It wouldn't matter how many warrants they had. None of this is the business of government anyway.

Australia: Our taxes go up while others go down
Sydney Morning Herald [Australia]
"Australia's taxpayers were not getting value for money, the Australian Democrats said today after an OECD report revealed the government had bucked the global trend by increasing the tax burden markedly in recent years. The OECD found Australia stands almost alone in raising taxes over the past eight years, while most other developed countries have been cutting." (03/10/05)

Frankly, all you Aussies, NOBODY is getting value for their money when it comes to government!

Mama's Note: Just be very grateful you don't get ALL the government you do pay for!

UK: Government wins terror vote
Guardian [UK]
"The government threw down the gauntlet to peers tonight over its controversial house arrest anti-terrorism measures as it comfortably overturned key defeats inflicted by the House of Lords earlier in the week. After a stormy three hour debate, MPs rejected a Lords amendments calling for a 'sunset clause' on the prevention of terrorism bill and on raising the burden of proof needed for imposing so-called 'control orders.' The government also won with a majority of 108 its key concession -- that judges would approve all forms of control order, from full house arrest to phone and internet restrictions and travel curtailments. Peers will have to decide tomorrow whether to continue defying the elected Commons over the legislation, or begin a bitter round of Parliamentary ping-pong by insisting on the changes." (03/09/05)

I really do hope that the Lords continue to fight.

Canadian MP: Drug thugs' death discredits gun registry
Canada News [Canada]
"Rather than being a lesson in the evils of pot cultivation, the horrific murder of four Mounties is yet another example of the failure of Canada's gun registry, says a Conservative MP. Garry Breitkreuz, a longtime gun registry opponent from Yorkton, Sask., said James Roszko's murderous rampage with an assault rifle last Thursday in Alberta illustrates a fatal flaw in the $2-billion federal program: criminals simply ignore it. 'Incident after incident like this clearly indicate the gun registry does not prevent this kind of crime,' Breitkreuz said Monday outside the House of Commons. 'It does not keep guns out of the hands of criminals. It is a paper-pushing exercise.'" (03/08/05)

And will lead to more deaths, especially once the Canadian people start to resist their increasingly tyrannical government.

Washington: 5-year-old summoned for third jury panel
KOMO News
"Nathaniel Skiles is a typical 5-year-old. He's bursting with energy and more fixated on his toys than on his civic duty. 'I don't even know how to read,' he said. Then why is he being called for jury duty? Not once, but three times." (03/09/05)

Ah, the incompetence of the buro-rats, exposed again!

Mama's Note: Heck, I'd have taken him in with his summons and asked if they wanted him to stay, with or without his mama! I suspect he wouldn't have gotten the second summons.

Crowe: Al Qaeda wanted to kidnap me
Fox News
"Russell Crowe says Usama bin Laden's Al Qaeda terror network wanted to kidnap him as part of a 'cultural destabilization plot,' according to an Australian magazine. In an interview published in the March edition of Australia's GQ magazine, Crowe said FBI agents told him of the threat in 2001, in the months before he won a best actor Oscar for his role as Maximus in 'Gladiator.' 'That was the first (time) I'd ever heard the phrase 'Al Qaeda,'' Crowe said. 'It was about -- and here's another little touch of irony -- taking iconographic Americans out of the picture as sort of a cultural destabilization plot,' he added. Crowe was born in New Zealand and has a ranch in eastern Australia but made his name in Hollywood. It was not clear if there were other targets in the plot." (03/09/05)

Well, Fox is obviously getting its news leads from the supermarket tabloids these days.

Mama's Note: Like the really weird cat photo supposedly from a moon of Saturn? I want to meet the guy who took the photo. Last time I heard, NASA hasn't landed on a moon of Saturn just yet. How'd he get there?

Oregon weighs tax on mileage
Washington Times
"A planned program in Oregon would tax drivers by the number of miles they travel instead of by the amount of gasoline they use to compensate for an expected loss of revenue caused by increasing use of more fuel-efficient vehicles. Officials in California and Washington also are considering imposing a mileage tax as a way to drum up more money. ... The mileage fee, which would be computed whenever a person pumps a tank of gasoline at a service station, would replace the state's fuel tax and compensate for a projected loss of revenue resulting from increased use of hybrid and other fuel-efficient vehicles, Oregon officials say." (03/09/05)

As many have pointed out, this crazy scheme will actually punish people for fuel-saving vehicles; despite Oregon's well-known environist stand. Although this is seen by some as a true "highway user fee" (which the gasoline tax technically is), it has serious implications for privacy, control, and fails completely to account for the fact that fuel consumption does generally correlate directly to impact of the vehicle on the highways: gas-guzzlers beat up the roads worse than little three- or four-bangers. It is a stupid idea.

Tennessee: Bredesen prepares alternative budget
Nashville City Paper
"Gov. Phil Bredesen's administration is expected to submit an alternative budget to the General Assembly soon to address the possibility of a potential $575 million shortfall stemming from ongoing TennCare court problems. Finance Commissioner Dave Goetz told the Senate Finance Committee Tuesday the final touches were being put on a contingency budget that would address such a shortfall that could arise if the state loses in the courts. 'I think this has been an extraordinarily difficult process with everybody involved,' Goetz said. Goetz wouldn't say what, if any, improvements included by Bredesen in his third budget submission in January ... would remain. ... Essentially, Bredesen's $25.1 billion budget hinges on the state's ability to implement drastic enrollment and benefit cuts to TennCare, which is currently projected to grow by roughly $650 million in the coming year." (03/09/05)

If I understand it, there would be no new taxes or increases, but VERY drastic cuts in other programs. It will build support for the TennCare cuts, when other people's oxen are gored!

Artist faces jail time for mural
Fox News
"As one who expresses himself for a living, artist Edward Stross never thought he'd be jailed for his work. Stross was ticketed for his interpretation of Michelangelo's 'Creation of Man,' even though he had permission to paint the mural on the side of his studio. 'What I'm doing is within my legal rights,' Stross said. 'It's not harming nobody.' But officials in the town of Roseville, MI, disagree. 'It is a nice picture,' city manager Steve Truman said. 'But it's not appropriate ... on the street.' ... According to Truman, Stross violated the agreement he made with Roseville by adding text -- the word 'love' -- to the mural. 'He was given it with certain criteria, certain stipulations that he wasn't willing or unable to live up to,' Truman said. After Stross was found guilty of violating Roseville's sign ordinance, he was ordered by a judge to cloak the bare breast of Eve that appears in the mural." (03/09/05)

Local tyranny - often the worst.

Blacks, women avoiding US Army
Christian Science Monitor
A study conducted by the Army last year and posted recently on a Defense Contracting Command website (but since removed after news stories discussed the study) indicates that women and young black men are increasingly staying away from the Army. The poll, based on interviews with 3,236 youth ages 16 to 24, showed that 'recruiting an all-volunteer Army in times of war is getting increasingly difficult.' Associated Press reports that these trends, combined with 'the negative effects of the Army's image as a last-resort career choice for what one study called the 'average Joe,'' mean the military, and the Army in particular, could be entering a 'prolonged recruiting slump' just at the time when the US government wants to increase the Army's numbers." (03/09/05)

No surprise - but just as important, people in general are avoiding it. Of course, to many groups that is good news - especially those liberals who have long decried the "overrepresentation" of blacks in the military.

New Hampshire: Yearbook gun photo trial begins
Las Vegas Sun
"A student's bid to appear with a shotgun on his shoulder in his high school yearbook portrait went to trial Tuesday with his lawyer trying to prove that administrators, not students, banned the pose. In a preliminary decision last month, federal judge Steven McAuliffe ruled that student editors of the Londonderry High School yearbook made the decision. That weakened Blake Douglass' case that his freedom of expression was being violated, since student editors have their own First Amendment protections for editorial decisions." (03/08/05)

More interesting twists in this case!

Mama's Note: While I'm glad he's standing up for his rights, it would seem to me that the money being spent on this would better be used for his further education. If parents care about this kind of thing, they should get their children out of government schools. It's hard to see how all this can really benefit anyone, since it's not going to change the schools.

Alabama: Convenience store owner shoots robber
Ledger-Enquirer
"A Phenix City convenience store owner shot and killed a man Tuesday during an apparent robbery attempt, police said. Kintae Omar James, 27, of Phenix City, was shot in the chest inside Don's Fine Foods, 2206 Fourth Ave., by the store's owner, Don Ford, 73." (03/09/05)

And without a weapon, what chance would a 73-year-old man normally have had against a 27-year-old?

Idaho: False alarm leads to school lockdown
Times-News
"Teachers and staff at Gooding Middle School had a lockdown for about 45 minutes Friday after school for what turned out to be a false alarm, Principal Teresa Jones said. Jones received a call from a parent whose children said they saw a student carrying a gun to the school. The school was locked down while police investigated. The weapon turned out to be a pistol-shaped BB gun that two students took to shoot fish in a canal. The two students did not enter school grounds and broke no laws or school rules, Jones said. The police made a perimeter around the school and let teachers leave a few at a time. 'They took it very seriously,' Jones said." (03/08/05)

We end today's news with this new example of governmental school stupidity and parental paranoia (and stupidity).

Nathan Barton is writing this column for your information and appreciates very much leads and ideas, as well as comments and responses. He is a libertarian, who believes that he will answer for his comments to a Higher Authority - which is NOT anything to do with the government. See Nathan's own blog, Liberty's Outpost.

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