April 06, 2005

Empty Rhetoric for Veterans
by Congressman Ron Paul - R - TX

Many military veterans were shocked to see that the federal budget for 2006 makes several cuts in veterans benefits and services. Under the proposed budget, the Veterans Administration will increase once again the co-pay cost of prescription drugs, while adding a new annual fee for medical benefits. The budget also calls for the reduction of veterans home funding and limits the number of VA nursing home beds. Some members of Congress have even suggested rewriting the definition of "veteran" in a way that could deny VA health benefits for millions of retired servicemen.

Unfortunately, the trust that members of our armed forces put in their government has been breached time and time again, and the recent budget vote represents anther blow to veterans. Even as we send hundreds of thousands of soldiers into Iraq, Congress can’t get its priorities straight. (Read the rest here)

Another Commission Recommends
Bureaucratic Buffet to Fix U.S. Intelligence
By Ivan Eland

President Bush insists that he is already implementing recommendations from the officious smorgasbord of the presidential commission on intelligence. Let's hope not.

It's not that the U.S. intelligence agencies don't need reform. The severe intelligence failures surrounding 9/11 and the non-existence of Iraqi WMD indicate that significant change is needed. But this panel, like the 9/11 commission before it, has recommended expanding an already swollen intelligence bureaucracy rather than putting it on a much-needed diet. (Read the rest here)

Libertarian Commentary on The News
By Nathan A. Barton © 2004

Sometimes, the news just seems to be a steady drumbeat of assaults on liberty and people, and makes it difficult to look (as we should) for things that encourage us to keep up the battle for our liberty, and for our futures. This week may be one of those, sadly. But there are bright spots even so, or at least I can see a few - in my opinion, not necessarily that of anyone else!
Lets start with some good news, at least (at least good from the point of view of a couple who could have lived in the UK, or SA, and not in KY).

Kentucky: Home invasion suspect killed by homeowner
from WKYT 27 News
"Someone broke into the residence of Ozie and Evelyn Toole ... State police say Ozie Toole confronted the intruder and shot him. The Adair County coroner says 21-year-old Stephen Penn of Columbia died at the scene. A police report says entry was gained through a broken window. Investigators say the same residence had been entered earlier in the day when the Tooles were not home and that Penn was also a suspect in that break-in." (04/04/05)

Fortunately, this couple survived their home invasion - too many do not, both in the US and in the UK and other Commonwealth countries. But that doesn't stop countries like Sud-Afrika from trying to make it ever harder to be allowed to defend yourself.

Mama's Note: Being armed doesn't help when the "invaders" are government goons, unfortunately. That is happening more and more - and will ever increase as more and more things are banned. ...all to keep you safe, of course. (Read the rest of the commentary here)

Your Feedback and Comments
The Mailbag for Wednesday

New At The Price of Liberty!
Liberty Bloggers We Know