Libertarian Commentary on the News, 29 JAN to 04 FEB 2006 -- Page 2

Our Right to Defend Ourselves
I again present a good selection of "good" stories about people defending themselves, their businesses, their homes, their loved ones, and themselves. We also see that there are more people than ever who want to take the means of self-defense away from us.

Texas: Elderly homeowner shoots drunk intruder
Galveston Daily News
" A 26-year-old Texas City man was shot and killed late Friday night after he apparently mistook someone else's home for his own. Texas City police Sgt. Brian Goetchius said David Wayne Stewart was shot after he kicked in the door of a home in the 900 block of 26th Street North around 11:30 p.m. Friday. Police said they believe Stewart, who was walking home after picking up some food at a nearby fast food restaurant, was intoxicated and was trying to get into the wrong house. Stewart's own home is just blocks away, police said. Texas City police received a call from a woman saying her husband had just shot someone trying to break into their home. When police arrived, they found Stewart lying inside the front doorway. Goetchius said the 74-year-old homeowner fired a single shot from a handgun. While an investigation is ongoing, it is unlikely the homeowner will face any criminal charges." (01/29/06)

"Stupidity is the only true capital crime." It is unwise to try to kick in any door, even one you think is your own.

Canada: Police chiefs fear end to firearms controls
Toronto Star
"The head of Canada's police chiefs says he will impress upon the new federal government the merits of the national gun registry, a much-maligned system the Conservatives have promised to scrap. Jack Ewatski, president of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, said he wants to open a dialogue on firearms with the ministers to be named early next month to the justice and public safety portfolios. .... The federal requirement to register shotguns and hunting rifles, initiated by the Liberals in 1995, has long rankled critics who say it is a wasteful exercise that does not reduce firearms-related crime. A 2002 report by the federal auditor general put the computerized registry's price-tag at $1 billion, a figure that dwarfed the original $2-million estimate and further riled opponents." (01/30/06)

Will the new Tory government have the guts to go ahead and gut Canada's gun laws? I seriously doubt it. This CACP whining will be a perfect excuse, together with whatever new massacre someone can conveniently cobble together just in time.

WY: State a battleground in "deadly force" debate
My Way News
"In the 'Cowboy State,' where guns are present in more than half of all homes, an unlikely battleground is forming in the fight over the appropriate use of firearms. Flush with victory in its push for state laws allowing concealed handguns, the National Rifle Association is lobbying lawmakers here and in 11 other states to make it easier for people to defend themselves with deadly force. The NRA, backed by a growing membership of about 4 million, wants legislation specifying that people have no duty to retreat from an attacker before using deadly force. About half of all states have similar rules on the books. But in Wyoming, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence is taking a stand. James Brady, the former press secretary to President Reagan who was wounded in an attack on the president, called on Wyoming legislators in a statement last week to oppose the legislation, called it 'a sham, a farce, a dangerous solution to a nonexistent problem.' ... Twenty-five states have such laws on the books, and the NRA says 38 states now have some provision allowing people to carry concealed handguns, up from just 10 in the mid-1980s." (01/28/06)

I suspect that the Bradyites will be less successful in Wyoming than in many states. Brady lies - even in Wyoming, home invasions and personal attacks happen. Odd, isn't it? The liberals always like to throw Matthew Sheppard in the face of Wyoming legislators and citizens to "prove" how evil Wyoming is, but he never comes up when gun-control is touted.

WI: Pols warn citizens of "hidden gun threat"
Wisconsin State Democrat Party
"With the concealed carry vote looming, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Assembly Assistant Minority Leader Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee) issued a warning to the public regarding the potential threat of hidden weapons at Summerfest, State Fair Park and other outdoor venues under SB 403, the concealed carry legislation for Wisconsin. In the bill's current form, Summerfest, State Fair Park, and other outdoor venues would not be allowed to protect its thousands of visitors from the danger of hidden weapons. 'When people come to our city to enjoy Summerfest, the State Fair, or other outdoor events they want to do so in a fun and safe environment,' said Mayor Barrett. 'Concealed carry is an irresponsible and costly bill that will force these venues to create a dangerous situation for the million or so people who attend the festival each year, and for the larger public.'" [FND editor's note: Oh yes, let's keep it SAFE by only allowing criminals to be armed - MLS] (01/31/06)

A third example of lies, smoke, and mirrors - amazing how the hoploclasts get so inventive and imaginative when it comes to opposing people's rights to defend themselves, isn't it? We all know that if they REALLY wanted a "fun and safe" environment, they would encourage their visitors to open-carry their personal defense weapons, and would know that having more people with concealed carry ready to aid when someone is attacked or threatened will make for a better State Fair or any other event - especially one outdoors.

CA: Prosecutor: Shooting was self-defense
Inside Bay Area
"An ex-convict will not be charged with murder for a Jan. 18 killing police believe sparked a retaliatory attack last week that left two people dead and three wounded, authorities said Monday. Police said prosecutors have determined Derrick 'Dirty D' Knockum, 39, acted in self-defense when he fatally shot Purnell Brewer, 26, of Berkeley in the 2000 block of East 26th Street. Knockum was charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a gun and violating parole. On Monday, witnesses to the shooting confirmed that both Knockum and Brewer, who were longtime friends, had guns, homicide Sgt. Ersie Joyner III said. Joyner said Knockum 'had a legitimate fear he might be shot' and defended himself. " [FND editor's note: So, let's punish him anyway for managing to defend himself successfully - MLS] (01/31/06)

Ultimately, we have to resolve one of the thornier problems about the right to keep and bear arms - the prohibition of felons and those on parole from having them. We do not, for example, make free speech illegal for felons, nor do felons lose their right to various other freedoms, not nearly so basic to liberty as the ability to defend yourself.

NY: Mount Vernon man not guilty in slaying of ex-con
Journal News
"A Mount Vernon man was acquitted of murder yesterday in the slaying of an ex-convict who had shot him seven years earlier, after the jury accepted his claim that he fired at the unarmed man in self-defense. Mark Powell, 40, bowed his head, then thanked and hugged his lawyer after the jury forewoman announced the not-guilty verdicts to charges of murder and manslaughter. Powell was found guilty of a felony weapon charge because the gun he used was not licensed. He faces up to seven years in prison for the gun conviction. Westchester County Judge Rory Bellantoni scheduled sentencing for March 22 in White Plains. Powell shot Curtis Liburd on Sept. 17, 2005, on East Fourth Street in Mount Vernon. He testified that someone told him Liburd had a gun and that he grabbed his own gun from his car to protect himself when Liburd confronted him and threatened him. He said he fired as Liburd came after him and tried to grab the gun." (02/01/06)

Even more than in the above story, this is a horrible example of punishing someone even after they are able to prove that they were just defending themselves. "We might have to let you off the hook for the killing, but we will do so very reluctantly and punish you for even thinking that you have such a right." It is cases like this that need to be fought by all those lawyers that claim to be working for people's rights.

CA: Second visit proves fatal for robber
TurnTo23
"The Bakersfield Police say two suspects involved in a home invasion robbery in the Northwest last week robbed the same home last summer. The BPD says Jose Covarrubias and a juvenile, stole several firearms and other valuables from the Laxson home on Kearney Hills Drive in June. Last Monday, the BPD says they, along with Jermaine Dabbs broke into the home again. This time, Nathan Laxson shot and killed Dabbs, in self defense." (02/01/06)

How many times does this have to happen before the crooks smarten up? Unnatural selection at its best. The next story proves the same point.

TX: Suspect killed in holdup
Dallas Morning News
"A gunman who police say robbed a convenience store four times times since July attempted a fifth robbery late Wednesday. This time, the robbery ended with the gunman's death during an exchange of gunfire with the store's owner, police said. The robber, whose name has not been released, was found dead behind the H.E.B. Food Mart in the 1600 block of Sotogrande Blvd. He collapsed after being shot in the chest by the store's owner, said Assistant Police Chief Richard Winstanley. The owner was not wounded but a store clerk was shot in the lower back and right arm. ... Police believe the same man was armed on July 12 when he entered the store and stole money along with the owner's gun. The gunman, police said, returned Dec. 22, Jan. 5 and again on Jan. 9 using the owner's weapon in all of those robberies. Police set up surveillance at the store and for three weeks there were no holdups, he said. Around 11 p.m. Wednesday, the armed robber returned as the store was about to close." (02/02/06)

As stupid in Texas as in California, I see. Of course, maybe this crook believed his victims were too much into victim mode to do anything.

NC: Armed clerk scares off armed robbers
WXII12 News
"Authorities in Forsyth County said Thursday that three men face charges in an attempted armed robbery in which a store clerk pointed her own gun at the culprits. The incident occurred at Liberty Street Grocery on Old Rural Hall Road. The clerk told officers that two men wearing masks entered the business and pointed a handgun at her, demanding money. The clerk said she removed a handgun from beneath the counter and pointed it at the men, who fled the business." (02/02/06)

It never hurts to point out that many times, it is not necessary to even discharge the gun, let alone wound or kill someone with it. For those who would DEMAND that we turn the other cheek, let me point out, this employee is as much acting as a good steward of her employer's possessions as she is defending herself - and that is certainly allowed by the Old Law as well as the New Covenant - indeed, it is expected.

NJ: Man defends home against burglars
CBS TV
"Three masked men attempted to rob Eucledes Moya's West Paterson home at around 9 a.m., Moya told police. His wife called from her car and told him that a vehicle followed her and parked in front of their house. That was when Moya reached for his gun. According to Moya, he foiled an attempted burglary. 'They tried to rob my house, three guys came in, one with a gun. I opened the door, and they tried to put a gun to my head,' he said. The men did not know it, but Moya was armed himself. Moya said, 'I had a gun. He shot at me, and I shot back.'" (02/02/06)

Apparently, unlike in New York, the police have not found it necessary to beat up the guy for having a gun.

Stupid Government Tricks
With all the stupidity exhibited by government and far too many of the people who work in it, is it any wonder we have such a plethora of derogatory names for such? Govgoons, Feebs, Bat-fees (and several variants I won't write or print), 'crats and so many other colorful terms are all growing more and more common. Although my political and religious philosophy are no secret to many people I work with, it still amazes me and thrills me when people are willing to share their own examples of stupidity in government with me as I visit them in my daily work. And as we see this week, the daily papers (despite themselves, usually) are full of stories.

AZ: License ordeal no fun for Mr. FUN
Arizona Republic
"A Valley man who legally changed his name to a single word -- 'FUN' -- ran into a bureaucratic buzzsaw last week when he discovered that his driver's license had been revoked, ostensibly in the interest of homeland security. The 28-year-old Arizona native, formerly known as Courtney Blair Schwebel, had his name legally changed in Texas six years ago and has been licensed to drive as FUN in that state and Louisiana ever since. He obtained an Arizona license when he returned to Scottsdale last year, but officials at the state Motor Vehicle Division immediately canceled it and sent the notification to a former address. FUN said he learned about the revocation Tuesday when he applied for a job delivering pizzas. ... FUN said he ... had good reason to change his name. Although his mom liked the sound of Courtney Blair, bullies picked on him all through childhood." (01/30/06)

Yeah, this guy is bizarre, but not as strange as the govgoons that did this cancellation to him.

Mama's Note: Nobody mentions just what there is about that weird name that threatens national security. Is laughing somehow subversive nowadays?

Medicaid proposal could hurt seniors
Boston Globe
"Hundreds of thousands of seniors will find it tougher to get government help with nursing home costs under rules Congress is expected to approve as soon as Wednesday. The rules are designed to keep wealthy seniors from qualifying for Medicaid by transferring money to their children so that they appear poor. But critics say many needy seniors may be denied coverage because they gave a modest gift to a child or a charity as much as five years before they applied for Medicaid. ... Medicaid, known as MassHealth in Massachusetts, is the only government program that pays for long-term nursing home stays. ... But the National Governors Association and members of Congress, such as Representative Nathan Deal, a Georgia Republican, say that too many middle- and upper-income seniors are abusing the system by 'buying two Mercedes, giving them to their children and ... reducing themselves to poverty.'" (01/30/06)

Heaven forbid - this is kind of the reverse of that Pharisee whom Jesus made so infamous because he declared everything "corban" and would not support his aged parents, claiming it had all gone to God's purposes. Of course, these people believe that government is more important even than God, so of course people should be punished for playing the game by the rules the government itself wrote.

Mama's Note: Indeed! If they really want to solve the problem they will eliminate the nursing home welfare altogether. Most of the people in such places could be - and should be - cared for by their families. If those families want to condemn their parent or child to the purgatory of a nursing home, they at least should pay for it themselves. Those few with absolutely no family to care for them could be given private charity, or taken in by another family as used to happen before government went into the welfare business. Visit a nursing home sometime and see if you would want to live there... no matter who paid for it. I'd much rather die right this minute.

CA: LA hacks file frivolous suit against game maker
Guardian [UK]
"The city of Los Angeles is suing the makers of the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for hiding sex scenes in its computer code. The game, released in 2004, is one of a series in which the player takes the role of a criminal who commits murder, deals in drugs and pimps prostitutes in a virtual Los Angeles. However, the makers, Take-Two Interactive Software, may have stepped over the line by embedding a game within a game called Hot Coffee in which the characters have explicit sex under the control of the player ... The Los Angeles city attorney's office has taken Take-Two to court for deceptive business practices and making false statements in marketing the game, for its failure to reveal the extent of its sexual content." (01/30/06)

Sounds like the company learned well from the hypocritical government, which supposedly is trying to protect children from all this evil porn while regulating and supporting the porn industry inside its own city limits in a dozen ways.

Federal hunt nets 200 coyotes
CNN
"Federal authorities have killed 200 coyotes in southeast Arizona in the past three weeks after ranchers complained that they were eating calves. The hunt, which ended Friday, was conducted from aircraft as part of a program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The shootings took place on private and public land used by 10 to 15 ranchers, the Arizona Daily Star reported Sunday." (01/29/06)

Another example of government hypocrisy, I see. Certainly can't allow private citizens to take care of these things by themselves, but it is just fine for the govgoons to get practice like this.

Mama's Note: Another story I read about this told of the PETA types whining about how "inhumane" the hunt was, and that it was ineffective. I can't figure out why they care if it was effective or not, but for once they were right about that part of it. Two hundred coyotes are a drop in the bucket and the local population will return to "normal" in a short time. The only effective control possible is for ranchers to eliminate coyotes immediately when they are found to be causing livestock loss and distress. We might even find beef and other meat prices ease off if they could avoid the heavy losses to these and other predators.

As for the "humane" part, those who are concerned about how the predators are treated ought to take a good look at the mangled and suffering bodies of the calves, sheep and other livestock these coyotes damage. The coyote (or wolf, cougar, mountain lion, etc.) doesn't have a "humane" bone in his body.

Religious groups get chunk of AIDS money
Cincinnati Enquirer
"President Bush's $15 billion effort to fight AIDS has handed out nearly one-quarter of its grants to religious groups, and officials are aggressively pursuing new church partners that often emphasize disease prevention through abstinence and fidelity over condom use. Award recipients include a Christian relief organization famous for its televised appeals to feed hungry children, a well-known Catholic charity and a group run by the son of evangelist Billy Graham, according to the State Department." (01/29/06)

This probably goes more in the stupid people category, because these organizations are showing themselves so abysmally stupid by accepting the government money with all its strings attached.

Mama's Note: It is distressing to know that Catholic charities are falling for this. The story above said: "The group (Catholic Relief Services) offers 'complete and correct information about condoms' but will not promote, purchase or distribute them, said Carl Stecker, senior program director for HIV/AIDS."

It's heartbreaking to see that some Catholics are so willing to become apostate for money. Besides being against everything Catholics believe, condoms are worthless as a disease prevention measure - especially for AIDS. They do a poor job even preventing pregnancy! Too bad the newspapers don't remind their readers how little has been accomplished with all this stolen money. Behavior only changes when people want it to. They can't be bribed or forced to live moral, healthy lives.

Fed hikes rates again as Greenspan wraps term
MSNBC
"Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan wrapped up an eventful 18-year career Tuesday with a final interest rate hike and cleared the way for his successor Ben Bernanke to bring the long credit-tightening campaign to a close. Acting on Greenspan's final day in office, Fed policy-makers raised the benchmark overnight lending rate another quarter-percentage point to 4.5 percent, pushing up borrowing costs for consumers and businesses in their ongoing bid to keep a lid on growth and inflation." (01/31/06)

Once more, let us mess with the economy - despite the evidence of centuries that it is indeed "messing" with it. Good-bye, Mr. Greenspan - we know you tried, but we all know it was also a futile and often damaging effort, and one which Bemanke will no doubt repeat.

Mama's Note: If you don't understand how and why central planning of the economy is so destructive, read some of the excellent articles at the Ludwig von Mises Institute. It's very simple and very compelling, but of course few pay any attention to it because it goes against their desire to control everything - no matter how much damage it causes. An article called, "Planned Chaos" is an excellent example.

CA: Supporters flock as Kubby appears in court
Auburn Journal
"Incarcerated medical-marijuana activist Steve Kubby slowly entered an Auburn courtroom Tuesday afternoon and took his seat next to other inmates as he smiled to a crowd of supporters in the audience. Kubby, 58, was in court with his attorney Bill McPike for arraignment on a charge of violation of probation after his arrest Thursday in San Francisco. Kubby's attorney entered a plea of 'not guilty' on behalf of his client. He said outside the courtroom that he will ask the court for alternative sentencing. ... At this point it is not clear if additional charges will be brought against Kubby, who began serving his 120-day sentence Friday. Although he appeared to weigh less than he did when his booking photo was taken, Kubby looked pleased that the courtroom was nearly filled to capacity with those wanting to wish him well, many who had never met the former gubernatorial candidate and co-author of Prop. 215, California's Compassionate Use Act." (02/01/06)

If wide support can sway a judge, Steve has an advantage in literally fighting for his life.

Mama's Note: Why all this suffering and expense because he had a mushroom? Why can't more people see how insane and destructive it is for government to have control of our lives this way? Kubby is not charged with any aggressive act or attempt to harm anyone. There is no other reason for legitimate social action on anyone's part. What is it going to take to make people understand that?

Transcript: State of the Union
WLTX 19 News
Full text of George W. Bush's "State of the Union" address. (01/31/06)

If you have nothing better to do - feel free. I didn't waste my time listening or watching, and won't read this stuff either. If words had been supported by actions the last five times, it might be worth the time.

Transcript: Democratic response to State of the Union
MSNBC
Full text of Virginia governor Tim Kaine's response to George W. Bush's "State of the Union" address. (01/31/06)

Same thing except triple as far as this speech is concerned. Kaine's words mean far, far less than the President's - and we know how much his are worth.

Conservative Leader Questions Bush's Fiscal Conservatism
CNS News
Reaction to President Bush's State of the Union address was mostly partisan in nature. Democrats insisted they could do a better job, if voters give them a chance. Republicans said President Bush's plan will improve the lives of Americans. And a leading conservative expressed doubt that President Bush - "the biggest spender in American history" - has turned into a fiscal conservative...

No kidding? One of the few post-SOTU articles worth reading, in my opinion.

UK: Hate bill protesters rally at Commons
Independent [UK]
"Thousands of protesters were expected to demonstrate outside Parliament today as MPs debate controversial religious hatred legislation. Opponents of the Government's Racial and Religious Hatred Bill, which faces its final Commons hurdle today, say the proposed legislation attacks the principle of freedom of expression. A broad coalition of politicians, religious groups and secularists yesterday joined forces to oppose the plans to ban incitement to religious hatred. " (01/31/06)

Of course, all these people are JUST the kind of bigoted haters that make this law is necessary - to protect the rest of Her Majesty's subjects, right? In fact, shouldn't the mere fact of protesting or voting against the law be evidence of breaking it? Gaol time all around!

Mama's Note: Excuse me, but I seem to remember that many followers of Islam are extremely given to "incitement to religious hatred." But I don't see the crown - or any other government - tossing them on boats to ship back to their homeland. That's the kind of "hate crime" control that would make some sense. Unfortunately, these people intend to jail a preacher who reads a passage of scripture that condemns homosexuality, and call THAT "incitement." They will eventually have half their people in jail, and the other half will be working hard to kill each other. Europe, at least, seems doomed to extinction or Islamic takeover - or both.

Rep. Boehner elected house majority leader
Las Vegas Review-Journal
"Rep. John Boehner of Ohio won election Thursday as House majority leader, promising a steady hand and a helping of reform for Republicans staggered by election-year scandal. Boehner, who replaces indicted Rep. Tom DeLay of Texas, said the GOP 'must act swiftly to restore the trust between Congress and the American people.'" (02/02/06)

I'll take some people's word that he will be better than Delay or his opponents, but accept that he is only marginally better, and that neither Democrats nor Republicans are likely to change their colors. Certainly, I don't think that trust-building will get very far.

Senate passes $70 billion tax-cut bill
MSNBC
"The Senate passed $70 billion in tax cuts on Thursday, one step in an effort that Republican leaders hope will preserve President Bush's tax reductions for capital gains and dividends. A day of wrangling between Republicans and Democrats over whether to debate a long list of politically hot topics showed senators ready to jump into the boxing ring this election year. Lawmakers grumbled as they worked through formalities usually skipped by agreement between the party leaders." (02/02/06)

My oh my. So they had to work and pay attention to "formalities." Of course, these are not the important "formalities" they've grown so used to skipping, like those first ten articles of amendment to the Constitution.

Mama's Note: Such "cuts" are mere eye candy, trying to convince people that something is being done about the insanity going on in this country. But without significant SPENDING cuts - real ones - now and across the board, things will only continue to spiral into total disaster. You can't spend more than you take in, even if you have a money printing press! Eventually, things will fall apart and we've already passed the beginning of the end.

Bush to request $439.3B defense budget
Detroit Free Press
"President Bush next week will request a $439.3 billion Defense Department budget for 2007, a nearly 5 percent increase over this year, according to senior Pentagon officials and documents obtained Thursday by The Associated Press. The spending plan would include $84.2 billion for weapons programs, a nearly 8 percent increase, including billions of dollars for fighter jets, Navy ships, helicopters and unmanned aircraft. The total includes a substantial increase in weapons spending for the Army, which will get $16.8 billion in the 2007 budget, compared with $11 billion this year." (02/02/06)

Just the nature of the major increases makes it clear that it is not truly "defense" for which he wants to spend more money - it is for more pork. And this answers the question of the "Conservative Leader" about whether Bush is cured of his spending habits - he isn't.

Congress extends Patriot Act 5 weeks
CNN
"Congress sent President Bush a second five-week extension of the Patriot Act as Senate negotiators worked to close a deal with the White House on renewing the antiterrorism law with some new civil liberties protections. 'We need the Patriot Act,' said Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter. 'I'm prepared to work on it further to improve it.'" (02/02/06)

Too bad - but imagine the millions of lives saved because we kept this thing "in place." Listening to the Bush rhetoric, we just know that if Congress had failed to do this, that 9-11 would have been joined by 2-4, 2-5, and 2-6! Yeow!!! (Sarcasm, please note!)

AZ: Tombstone marshal finds law in disorder
Arizona Republic
"Deputies in this Old West city are accused of drinking on duty, lying in court and trading police protection and drugs for sexual favors from women, according to an internal memo by the local marshal. The memo by the newly appointed marshal, Lance Crosthwait, describes an out-of-control department, with evidence lying out in the open and sex toys stashed in drawers. The marshal charged that at least one deputy knowingly used a broken breath-analysis unit for months, leading to the conviction of several people for driving while intoxicated, and that other deputies lied in official reports. Crosthwait also wrote that one deputy promptly resigned, citing 'personality conflicts' with the new marshal after being told that everyone in the department would have to pass a polygraph and drug test." (02/02/06)

I should, I suppose, put this in the Right to Defend ourselves section, because with this kind of peace officers, we once again remind ourselves that WE are ultimately responsible for our own defense, not these corrupt looters and parasites.

Mama's Note: What a breath of fresh air! Too bad they don't send Crosthwait to the state capitol and let him clean out that rat's nest. Then we could send him to the District of Corruption on the east coast... Do you really believe he'd live that long, or not give in to the corruption himself? We can dream, I guess. In the meantime, I sure hope the people of that town will support him.

House narrowly OKs bill to slow entitlement growth
Washington Times
"House Republican leaders passed a critical test yesterday, holding their troops together so the House could clear a bill that slows the growth of entitlement programs by $39 billion. The belt-tightening bill, which the House sent to President Bush by a vote of 216-214 yesterday, marks the first time since 1997 that Congress has held back entitlement spending. The vote was also a crucial win for acting House Majority Leader Roy Blunt, Missouri Republican, who faces two challengers today in a race to win the leadership role outright. 'Our members did their hard work again,' Mr. Blunt said. 'Once again, House Republicans are on record as defending budget discipline.'" (02/02/06)

The Times, of course, is one of the few MSM outlets that did not tout this as a "spending cut" and moan about how children would starve, elders would eat more dogfood, and the sick would die more messily.

Stupid People Tricks
Got a few funny stories to share this week with you. Ask your statist friends if they really believe that democracy is the answer, with people like this running around?

PA: Bounty hunter registers as "God"
Yahoo News
"One registered Republican won't be able to vote in the next election unless he appears at a Berks County Elections Board to explain the signature on his registration form. The man is registered as Paul S. Sewell, but his form is signed 'God.' County Solicitor Alan S. Miller said Sewell claims his 'God' signature is merely a legal mark like the 'X' used by people who are illiterate. Sewell, 40, said he will be happy to explain. As the owner of a bail enforcement agency, he finds fugitives, he said. 'Whenever I go to arrest somebody, they say, "Oh, God, give me another chance. Oh, God, let me go. I'll turn myself in tomorrow,"' Sewell said." (01/30/06)

Sounds like he's a close relative (mentally, at least) of Boba Fett - and as loony as the people he goes around chasing.

MI: A big reason to graduate in Kalamazoo
Washington Times
"Talk about a future. Public schools in the western Michigan town of Kalamazoo are starting to bulge after a nameless local benefactor promised to fund the college education of any student who graduates from one of Kalamazoo's three public high schools. Beginning with the class of 2006, students who attend the city's public schools from kindergarten through grade 12 get a full ride, with a sliding scale down to 65 percent funding for those who complete four years of high school in the district. They must attend a university or college in Michigan. The cash outlay is expected to reach $10 million to $15 million a year." (01/30/06)

They may still be illiterate when they graduate, but they'll have an assured college career ahead of them.

Bank confiscates homeless woman's fortune
Ananova [UK]
"A homeless woman who found £25,000 while rummaging through bins may lose the lot after she took it to a bank to check (if) it was real. Fadila Cirhanovic, 52, from Zenica, Bosnia-Herzegovina, said she couldn't believe her luck when she found the cash. But she feared it could be counterfeit and so took it to a bank to have the notes verified, reported daily Bljesak. Managers at the branch confirmed the money was real, but confiscated it and passed it on to police after Cirhanovic admitted to finding it. She said: 'I'm hoping that my honesty will be rewarded in the end and I will get my fortune and be able to change my life.'" (01/29/06)

Isn't it nice that banks have such a license to steal?

An earthy issue: Recycled tissue
San Francisco Chronicle
"As cold-sufferers draw a tissue to their face this flu season, environmental activists say an ethical nightmare awaits their sneeze: How many trees were killed so they can blow their noses and toss away the contents? Changing America's disposable culture is at the core of a campaign by Greenpeace and the Natural Resources Defense Council to encourage people to use recycled facial and toilet tissue. Yet this campaign differs from the many save-the-Earth efforts that have tried to stir up passionate feelings about threatened caribou in far-flung tundra or an ozone hole invisible to the naked eye. Instead, the 'Shop Smart, Save Forests' campaign challenges people to save the Earth while wiping their noses and nether regions. It is less about dueling environmental studies and more about disagreeing with the paper industry over the necessity of one of life's overlooked luxuries: Soft tissue paper." (01/29/06)

Last time I checked, a single Southern Pine grown on a tree farm in GA or AL in 15-20 years produces more tissues than Jimmy Durante used in a lifetime. But Heaven forbid that the environists pay attention to the facts. Or to the fact that handkerchiefs are a lot more unsanitary than paper tissues, and that trees were created to be used.

Mama's Note: They also overlook the fact that it takes more energy, costs more and produces more pollution to recycle paper than to produce new. If you ignore the increased cost and pollution it may sound like a good idea, but it doesn't work in the real world even if you make other people pay for it.

Activist Cindy Sheehan arrested at Capitol
Indianapolis Star
"Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a fallen soldier in Iraq who reinvigorated the antiwar movement, was arrested and removed from the House gallery Tuesday night just before President Bush's State of the Union address, a police spokeswoman said. Sheehan, who was invited to attend the speech by Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., was charged with demonstrating in the Capitol building, said Capitol Police Sgt. Kimberly Schneider. The charge was later changed to unlawful conduct, Schneider said. Both charges are misdemeanors." (01/31/06)

Still trying to make headlines, eh, Cindy? My previous comments about this woman are once more proved. It should be noted, by the way, that even people who wore "pro-war" and "pro-soldier" tee-shirts were ordered to leave. Remember when people used to wear decent business attire for such functions?

Democrats tout Senate fundraising advantage
United Press International
"Democratic Party Senate campaign officials say they raised about $8.5 million more than their Republican counterparts for use in U.S. Senate races this year. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, led by Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said Tuesday it collected some $44 million in 2005, The Washington Post reported. The similar Republican committee, behind Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C., pulled in $35.5 million last year. The Post said the Democrats also had a sizable edge -- about $14.5 million -- in cash on hand. ... Republicans enjoy a sizable fundraising edge in both the national committees and House of Representatives. In the House, donations to Republicans topped those to Democrats by $65 million to $42.7 million." (02/01/06)

Isn't it nice that they have something to be proud of? Something that most decent people would be ashamed of? Fortunately (even given the hideous advantage of incumbency as well), bigger war chests do not automatically translate into election victories for either Domocrets OR Replicans.

Google won't talk to Congress about China
San Francisco Chronicle
"Google Inc. has declined to appear before the Congressional Human Rights Caucus on Wednesday to answer questions about its business in China, including the company's recent decision to censor search results that the Beijing government considers subversive. The Mountain View search-engine company declined the request to send a speaker to the briefing, which will probe the pressures China puts on U.S. Internet companies that operate there, according to Ryan Keating, a spokesman for Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, who plans to chair the meeting. A spokeswoman for Google did not return a telephone call seeking comment." (01/31/06)

The company won't appear to support its action because it CAN'T justify its action. Of course, even if it could, appearing in front of a congressional committee should be a very low priority for any business.

UK "dog sh*t" ham
Ananova [UK]
"A Wakefield man lost his appetite when he found 'dog sh*t' listed among the ingredients on a packet of ham. Mick Woods, 34, examined another of the 300g containers and saw the same 'additive' listed on the label. And he admitted: 'Obviously I haven't eaten it. It sort of puts you off.' His partner Tracey, 28, bought the 99p packs of cooked, sliced ham from a store near their home. The dad-of-three added: 'We spent 40 minutes laughing. But we haven't put any in the kids' sandwiches and we had something else for our tea.' Manufacturer H R Hargreaves & Son said it axed an employee over the labeling prank and was trying to recall the ham. A spokesman for the Manchester firm said: 'We can't have people fooling about with food products. A number of packs are affected. We're trying to find out what shops they're in.'" (01/31/06)

Like "finding" severed fingers in chili and other such "pranks" - these kinds of "jokes" are aggressive and deserve to be defended against in kind: getting the perps to take long walks off short piers, perhaps, or letting them go skydiving with a school backpack, maybe. (See "right to self-defense" section.)

Mama's Note: Two wrongs don't make a right. I'd say the proper response would be to ignore these people - REALLY ignore them. Shunning is a very effective tool that society needs to revisit. I read product labels in the store, so I wouldn't take such a thing home to start with - but would certainly tell the manager what I found so they could take action against the supplier. The supplier then would do something about the manufacturer, etc. Far more effective, and far less messy than making someone walk the plank, don't you think?

Negroponte: Al-Qaida biggest terror threat
Cincinnati Enquirer
"Al-Qaida is the leading terrorism threat to the United States followed by the nuclear ambitions of Iran and North Korea, the nation's intelligence chief said Thursday in a forum that turned into a debate on government eavesdropping. National Intelligence Director John Negroponte tried to focus on terrorist threats, but lawmakers repeatedly returned to the uproar surrounding the National Security Agency's surveillance program." (02/02/06)

Obviously the expert has spoken! Somehow, it is hard to take him any more seriously than Bellafonte, though.

CA: Apple sued over potential hearing loss
San Francisco Chronicle
"A Louisiana man claims in a lawsuit that Apple's iPod music player can cause hearing loss in people who use it. Apple has sold more than 42 million of the devices since they went on sale in 2001, including 14 million in the fourth quarter last year. The devices can produce sounds of more than 115 decibels, a volume that can damage the hearing of a person exposed to the sound for more than 28 seconds per day, according to the complaint. The iPod players are 'inherently defective in design and are not sufficiently adorned with adequate warnings regarding the likelihood of hearing loss,' according to the complaint, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in San Jose, Calif., on behalf of John Kiel Patterson of Louisiana. The suit, which Patterson wants certified as a class-action, seeks compensation for unspecified damages and upgrades that will make iPods safer. Patterson's suit said he bought an iPod last year, but does not specify whether he suffered hearing loss from the device." (02/02/06)

Oh, the trial lawyers guild must be gloating over this one! Like coffee that you spill yourself, tobacco products you are forced to use, and all the other garbage, this one will reap millions for a few, and cost the rest of us endless grief. How much will it cost Apple to put in a nanny chip: "The level at which you set the volume of Rachmaninoff's Sixth Symphony is 115 decibels and will make you as deaf as you are brain-dead in twenty-eight seconds. Please lower the volume or this device will self-destruct."

Technology Issues
No new medical issues and news this week, but some really fascinating news about new ideas and things coming up that are just perfect for lovers of liberty. We are very much reminded in this week's news that both friends and foes of liberty can use technology, but as in so many other things, governments tend to be very inefficient and wasteful, even of the opportunities presented.

ND: Cellular by Balloon
Breitbart.com
Why put up costly cell phone towers in thinly populated areas, when a few balloons would do? In North Dakota, former Gov. Ed Schafer is backing a plan to loft wireless network repeaters on balloons high above the state to fill gaps in cellular coverage. "To cover every square mile of North Dakota, it would take 1,100 cell towers," Schafer said. "We can do the whole state with three balloons." If [tests are] successful, the hydrogen-filled balloons could be drifting across the stratosphere above North Dakota this summer, providing cellular coverage at a tiny fraction of the cost of building cellular towers. The company has launched thousands of the free-floating balloons in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas and New Mexico over the past year. The wireless data network they encompass tracks oil company vehicles and monitors the production of oil wells and pipelines, he said. Up to 20 miles above the earth, well above commercial airliner pathways, steady stratospheric winds would push the latex balloons across the state at about 30 mph. Each balloon would deliver voice and data service to an area hundreds of miles in diameter. "Nine balloons would always be in the air, with some going up, some going down, and some in the middle," Schafer said.

A very interesting idea for any of the western states, and I hope very much that it works. It could drop the cost of cell-phone coverage even more. And there is no reason why these cute little devices couldn't work very well with a tethered balloon on a convenient mountaintop or even grain elevator or flagpole.

Mama's Note: If that last would work, why are the current installations so expensive and why do they need to be so close together? Something missing here, I suspect.

RFID zapper shoots to kill
RFID Journal
"German privacy advocacy group FoeBuD plans to manufacture and sell a device that consumers could used to disable RFID tags permanently. The gadget -- called the RFID-Zapper -- was developed by two students in Berlin, Germany. FoeBuD says it wants to manufacture the RFID-Zapper and sell it at its online store. The group met with a hardware developer last week, but says it has no timescale for production or product price yet. ... The creative minds behind the RFID-Zapper belong to Tim and Chris (the pair would not divulge their last names), also known, respectively, as MiniMe and Mahajivana. ... The duo's prototype uses the casing and electronics of a single-use camera with a flash. Within the next few weeks, the duo claims they will post online instructions explaining how others can build a copy of their tag killer for their own use." (01/23/06)

Sounds like a useful little gadget, no? Get someone you love one of these for Christmas. It sounds like a prime candidate for adding to the next edition of the Anarchists' Cookbook.

Mama's Note: So... how soon before these become "illegal?" The cops will be arresting people who have these subversive "instructions" or produce/sell these things... A "war" on bug zappers, coming right around the corner.

AZ: Pol pushes universal health bill
Arizona Republic
"Is Arizona ready for universal health care? The top Democrat in the State House of Representatives thinks so. Rep. Phil Lopes will introduce ambitious legislation this week to create a state health plan to cover all state residents. Everyone who has lived here for more than a year would be insured - sick or healthy, employed or unemployed, young or old, rich or poor. The plan would do away with health care financing as we know it, pooling existing health care dollars from employers, Medicaid, Medicare and other payers to create a comprehensive insurance system. ... But while Lopes' plan is sure to appeal to state residents fed up with the rising costs of health care and shrinking insurance protection, it is unlikely to even get a legislative hearing, let alone attract enough support in the Republican-led state Legislature to pass." (01/29/06)

Right. With 1/5 of the state illegal immigrants, we can call this the Arizona-Mexican health care plan.

Mama's Note: The citizens of AZ need to have a long talk with the Canadians who come to the US looking for the health care they can't get - at any price - where they live. It's a tragedy of epic proportions. A good friend of mine died a few years ago, right after the Canadian doctor told him he didn't have anything to worry about. He had prostate cancer, which turned out to be the rare aggressive kind - but nobody in Canada was interested. The only way we found out was by the autopsy. He didn't even have time (or money) to look for better care elsewhere, but he might have lived a long time if he'd been treated appropriately in the beginning.

Do you really want the same people who run the Motor Vehicle Department to have total control over your health care?

Biofuels Can Pick Up Oil's Slack
TerraDaily.com
Atlanta GA (SPX) Feb 02, 2006 - With world oil demand growing, supplies dwindling and the potential for weather- and conflict-related supply interruptions, other types of fuels and technologies are needed to help pick up the slack.

Completely the opposite of what several other groups are saying - that biofuels is a net-energy-loss boondoggle. Who do we believe? Neither, probably: the effectiveness is going to be very much dependent on location and unique conditions.

Use Text Messaging in Emergencies
Federal Times
January 30, - If there's one simple goal federal managers ought to accomplish before a natural disaster, it's this: Learn to use text messaging. When cell phone service was disrupted by Hurricane Katrina, the low-bandwidth burps of short text messages were often the only way to communicate in the devastated areas of Louisiana, a panel of government and private-sector officials told an audience of chief information officers. John Lawson, the chief information officer of Tulane University in New Orleans, described two cell phones he used during Katrina: Each operates over a different service network, but in the storm's aftermath, neither could keep a signal long enough to make a voice call. "The entire 504 area code went down," Lawson said. "It was very difficult for me to get through to my directors. Text messaging works, and I encourage your execs to learn text messaging, because that was what worked." Capt. Joe Castillo of the Coast Guard's 8th District echoed the thought. "It was our younger folks who figured that out...It worked very well." In addition to text messages, the 8th District set up free e-mail accounts on the Web. "Coastguardplans@yahoo.com became the central planning place," said Castillo

Seems like good advice, but I have more, as well: provide back-ups for ALL technical means: a messenger in a car, a jeep, a bike or shank's mare is slow but sometimes that is ALL you have.

Mama's Note: Until there is a real keyboard on a cell phone, sending a text message is a joke. It takes forever to peck out a text message using the number pad. Who has that kind of time, or patience, especially in an emergency? Sending such an email message TO a cell phone from a computer is great, of course. When they are turned off or there is no signal, they pick it up as soon as the signal is restored, even if for only a few moments.

Old computers rich pickings for crooks
New Zealand Herald
"People who sell their old computers put themselves at risk of being defrauded or having their identities stolen because many terminals are not properly wiped of data, according to a British study. Secondhand computers, which account for one in 12 computers in use worldwide, are a potential treasure trove of personal information that can be exploited to devastating effect, the study Secondhand Computers and Identity Fraud said." (02/01/06)

A warning to us all - or at least to those of us who can bear throwing away a piece of hardware we paid such good money for, once upon a time.

Mama's Note: I suspect you'd need to have it professionally wiped because, I'm told, that even if you run the "recovery" program that warns you it will destroy all your data, some people are still able to retrieve it anyway. I have a fairly good system now that I can't boot up, but I still have hopes of finding someone who will help me retrieve some of the data myself. I have hundreds of photos on that hard drive and no way to get at them.

US plans to "fight the net" revealed
BBC News [UK]
"Bloggers beware. As the world turns networked, the Pentagon is calculating the military opportunities that computer networks, wireless technologies and the modern media offer. From influencing public opinion through new media to designing 'computer network attack' weapons, the US military is learning to fight an electronic war. The declassified document is called 'Information Operations Roadmap.' It was obtained by the National Security Archive at George Washington University using the Freedom of Information Act." (01/27/06)

This article makes the entire thing sound underhanded and evil. While that certainly is the case of virtually ANY government activity, it should not blind us to the fact that war is more than a physical endeavor today and is not limited to meatspace. Fighting for liberty must include operations in hyperspace, where more and more of the world is now living and accessible.