Libertarian War on the News, 09 - 15 March, 2008

The Ides of March are upon us, and no tyrant is worried, alas.

American Collapse:
Week’s Economic News Bad
Bloomberg
[Brief extracts from a weekly news summary] The Fed on March 11 said it would lend as much as $200 billion to ease credit-market turmoil. … Crude oil for April delivery rose to $111 a barrel on March 13, the highest since trading records began in 1983. Oil is up 89 percent from a year ago. … U.S. consumer confidence sank to a 16-year low in March and Americans braced for higher inflation as the economy teeters on the brink of a recession, according to a report March 14. The Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary index of consumer sentiment decreased to 70.5 from 70.8 in February. …``You've got to be careful with cyclicals,'' said Philip Lawlor, chief portfolio strategist at Nomura International in London. ``They're looking vulnerable. The U.S. Consumer is getting sick and will be ill for a while.'' … Bear Stearns Cos. was forced to seek emergency funding from JPMorgan Chase & Co. and the New York Federal Reserve, JPMorgan said in a statement today. Liquidity worsened in the past 24 hours, according to Bear Chief Executive Officer Alan Schwartz. …

Not in this story but elsewhere: It takes 1.56 dollars to buy a Euro (a 11.33 oz Coke in Germany normally costs a Euro). Diesel prices are as high as $4.11 per gallon, and the LOWEST regular gasoline prices are $2.899 in Colorado; the national view is worse: most of California has unleaded prices over $3.55 a gallon, and $4.00 a gallon diesel is the average over much of the country. (AP) Gold, which has soared to record levels in the past year, hit a new milestone Thursday, rising to $1,000 an ounce for the first time in futures trading …

Not a lot of this is getting put out in a timely manner, but rumors are sweeping the nation. The dollar is collapsing (which is what is triggering the gold price, oil price, and fuel prices, as well as the “credit crunch); the Fed may drop the prime rate to ZERO, massive unemployment (50%?) is due in a matter of two years (or less), and more. I think the West (NOT California and probably not Arizona, Oregon, or Washington) might do much better than the rest of the world, and especially than the US, but it is coming. I fear that none of us are prepared.

Mama's Note: And, just as it was in the 1030s, the more the government tries to prop things up, the longer the depression will last and the more damage it will do to everyone... except those on top, of course. You can believe that the politicians and bankers at the top of the heap probably won't be in any bread lines or freeze to death. You don't think they're holding any "dollars" do you?

African collapse:
Sudan, Chad agree to end support for rebels
MSNBC
“The presidents of Sudan and Chad signed a peace deal to suppress armed groups operating along their shared border — a move toward stability in the battered Darfur region of Sudan where both governments have claimed rebels are backed by the other. The deal came Thursday even as Chad accused Sudan of backing a new rebel advance into its territory.” (03/13/08)

There is, of course, no provision in the “deal” to allow normal people to defend themselves by being armed and able to respond to attack. And as the new accusation shows, the deal is a worthless piece of paper, mostly for the benefit of the welfare providers in the US, Europe, and the rest of civilization.

African collapse:
War crimes witness tells of brutality
Denver Post
“Charles Taylor rewarded militia fighters who killed babies during West Africa’s civil wars and called one woman’s unborn child an ‘enemy’ who must die, a former militia commander testified Wednesday. During a grim day at Taylor’s war-crimes trial in The Hague, Joseph ‘Zigzag’ Marzah said he committed hundreds of murders on the former Liberian president’s orders. He claimed Taylor celebrated his rise to power with a human sacrifice, burying a pregnant woman alive in sand.” (03/13/08)

Barbarism? No, worse. In the past, cultures which did things like this were ultimately wiped out, either by their intended victims (Rome’s destruction of Carthage, or Jewish suppression of Moloch worship) or by outside forces (Spanish destruction of the Aztec empire). Today, well, aren’t we supposed to accept this as being “diversity” and to be viewed in the light of their own cultural practices and beliefs. Any institution which allows men like Charles Taylor to gain and keep power, however long, is itself evil. Sadly, recent African history is a constant litany of this kind of evil actions: Mugabe, Winnie Mandela, Idi Amin, the late “Central African Emperor,” Nigerian troops in Biafra, Sudanese troops in Darfur: the list is hideous.

American front:
Venezuela reopening embassy in Colombia
Tahoe Daily Tribune
“Venezuela said Sunday that it was restoring full diplomatic ties with Colombia that were broken off in a regional crisis sparked by a cross-border Colombian attack on a leftist rebel camp in Ecuador. The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry said it was reopening its embassy in Colombia and will allow back Colombian diplomats it expelled last week. It cited an easing of tensions at a summit in the Dominican Republic on Friday, where President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa shook hands with Colombia’s U.S.-backed leader, Alvaro Uribe, after a tense debate.” (03/10/08)

The crisis is not over, but certainly is not so heated; however, it is clear that Chavez has not given up his goals of a new Grand Columbia “Bolivarian” union. Or his attempts to isolate the United States in Latin America. So I don’t think this is going to go away, with the combination of oil, drugs, anti- and pro-American sentiments, Communism, illegal immigration, and everything else.

American front:
US may add Venezuela to list of terrorist states
McClatchy
“The Bush administration has launched a preliminary legal inquiry that could land Venezuela on the U.S. list of nations that support terrorism, following reports of close Venezuelan links with Colombian rebels, a senior government official has confirmed. The investigation is the first step in a process that could see Venezuela join North Korea, Cuba, Sudan, Syria and Iran as countries designated by the State Department as supporters of terrorism.” (03/10/08)

Makes sense to me: Venezuela uses the threat of American aggression as an excuse for their own aggression and claim it is all the Yankee’s fault. Despite the cooling of tensions in Columbia, it is clear that Chavez is a threat to Columbia, and probably some of its other neighbors.

Mama's Note: Bush is the pot, calling the kettle black. The US is already the world's largest "terrorist" supporter - and perpetrator.

Baboons and theft by government:
Congress votes to let most Bush tax cuts expire
USA Today
“The Senate on Thursday rejected the idea of renewing many of President Bush’s tax cuts as all three major presidential candidates interrupted their campaigns to cast their votes. The House approved a budget blueprint that would raise taxes by $683 billion over the next five years. The Senate did embrace Bush reductions aimed at low-income workers, married couples and people with children.” (03/13/08)

This is nothing more than a fresh increase in taxes. And if they thought that the economy could BENEFIT by printing $150 billion in “tax rebates” then what do they think that four times as much tax sucked OUT of the economy will do? Theft and more theft. It is action like this that is speeding up the collapse seen in the first story this week.

Mama's Note: As someone else said, this "rebate" thing and the corporate bail outs are like dipping water out of the deep end of a swimming pool and pouring it into the shallow end to raise the level in the pool. Considering all the water spilled in the transport, the pool will soon be empty. It's all show, window dressing to fool the people into thinking that government is "doing something." They are, of course, but it's only going to add to the total destruction of our economy and - possibly - society. But maybe that's what we need to wake us up and get us on the right path to individual liberty.

Baboons:
NJ: Senators demand random steroid testing
Philadelphia Inquirer
“At a time when steroid use by professional athletes is under congressional scrutiny, New Jersey lawmakers moved to ensure that student-athletes understand the danger of using performance-enhancing drugs. Student-athletes as young as 12 could undergo random tests for steroids under a bill advanced yesterday by the Senate Education Committee. ” (03/07/08)

Might as well get them used to it at a young age. And at the same time as you’ve got the blood samples for steroids, just run the pot and meth methods, too.

Mama's Note: And don't forget that they need to test to be sure the kids have their proper dose of Ritalin or Prozac too!

Baboons:
Senators: Where is Iraq’s [sic] oil money going?
CNN
“Two senators are asking congressional investigators to look at Iraq’s oil revenues and see if the war-ravaged nation can pay for its own reconstruction, an effort that has been bankrolled to this point mostly by U.S. taxpayers. Carl Levin, D-Michigan, and John Warner, R-Virginia, said in their Friday letter to the Government Accountability Office that Iraq has ‘tremendous resources’ in banks worldwide but is doing little to improve security and reconstruction efforts.” (03/09/08)

I listened to the hypocrisy of Senator Dornan (D, ND) today, as he moaned about the easy-award contracts paying well-above-market prices for substandard water and food for troops in Mesopotamia and Afghanistan. Hypocritical? Of course, since the reason that DoD is MAKING all these contract awards to KBR and Bechtel and the others is due to the foresight of Congress in demanding procurement laws and regulations that are designed to make sure that Congressional (and other) influence is key in awarding the contracts to allow the baboons to reward their supporters, their districts, and themselves as owners of the companies and vendors.

Baboons:
VA: Law aims at adults who French-kiss preteens
Fox News
“Adults who French kiss a child younger than 13 would be required to register as a sex offender under legislation passed out of the General Assembly on Saturday. Those convicted of tongue-kissing a child would be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,500 fine. The House passed the legislation 96-1 and the Senate 39-0. It now heads to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine. Del. Riley Ingram, R-Hopewell, introduced the legislation on behalf of a woman whose 10-year-old daughter was French-kissed by the 62-year-old husband of her babysitter. The only crime prosecutors could charge the man with was contributing to the delinquency of a minor, which did not require that he register as a sex offender.” (03/09/08)

Another downside to a single-parent (divorced or out-of-wedlock) mother: no father to come and teach this old lecher the error of his ways; but no, instead of handling things like this as locally and privately as possible, today we must pass laws to ban this. Laws that become hammers to use when convenient by cops, child “protective” services, angry neighbors, or someone who wants their property. Of course, given the corruption of state-level baboons, are we sure that this incident really did happen, and was the child really aware of what a French kiss was? Of course, we also need to ask a few more things, like why no action is asked against the babysitter who LET her husband do this, or for that matter, the mother who so unwisely chose a babysitter with a dirty old man for a husband. And while we are at it, perhaps someone could explain to me why it is wrong to French kiss someone who is 4748 days old, but not 4749 days old?

Mama's Note: In a proper society, that 13 year old (and anyone old enough to hold half a pound of metal in their hand) would have defended herself against unwanted sexual behavior fairly easily. In the absence of true self defense, the adults in her life most certainly are responsible. I'd love a chance to reeducate that dirty old man myself. GRRRRR

Baboons:
Senators, Congresswoman schedule hearings on water
Topeka Capital-Journal
“Two veteran U.S. senators said Monday they plan to hold hearings in response to an Associated Press investigation into the presence of trace amounts of pharmaceuticals in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans. Also, U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz, D-Pa., has asked the EPA to establish a national task force to investigate the issue and make recommendations to Congress on any legislative actions needed.” (03/10/08)

41 million out of 300 million is not as bad as it seems without looking at the story. That is only about 1 in 7, and frankly, going back even 50 years we’d find that a lot more than 1 in 7 Americans had water with quality so poor that we’d deem it a crime today. And this is greatly exaggerated: we are talking about parts per billion and parts per trillion: levels of “contamination” that we couldn’t even measure a decade ago, and which have no known effect on our health, our bodies, or our minds. We probably breathe in more drugs as we walk past the pharmacy in the supermarket than we drink in our water. So the problem is NOT one that should require legislation to fix, either (except to help these baboons get re-elected, of course). But of course, they will claim that the cause is obviously poor water treatment and must be solved by billions more grants and other funding games. If water treatment IS to blame, we can blame actions by major cities upstream: these drugs aren’t coming from snowmelt in the Black Hills or the La Platas. The solution to this (and most water pollution problems) is to require that the companies or municipalities or individuals discharging this water get their own drinking and wash and industrial water DOWNSTREAM of where they discharge. Of course, we might also note that it is GOVERNMENTS that own and run virtually ALL of the municipal waste water treatment systems in this country: lime plants, steel mills, and machine shops don’t flush a lot of medicine out their discharge pipes.

Baboons:
GOP moves to force vote on Know-Nothing bill
Fort Collins Coloradoan
“House Republicans are trying to force action on a Democratic-written immigration enforcement measure, the latest GOP attempt to elevate the volatile issue into an election-year wedge. Republican leaders hope that by pushing the bill — endorsed by 48 centrist Democrats and 94 Republicans — they can drive Democrats into a politically painful choice: Backing a tough immigration measure that could alienate their base, including Hispanic voters, or being painted as soft on border security in conservative-leaning districts.” (03/10/08)

The attitude is “Any weapon in a fight.” Are we surprised? Of course, with the Obama-Clinton fight, the Dems don’t really need more troubles, do they? Oh, so sad.

Baboons:
US House to hold secret session for surveillance debate
CNN
“The House of Representatives agreed to go into a secret session Thursday night to debate revisions to federal surveillance laws, closing off the chamber for the first time since 1983 at the request of its Republican minority. Rep. Roy Blunt, the House minority whip, asked for the closed session to use classified information to argue against a Democratic-backed overhaul of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.” (03/13/08)

Of course, Pelosi and crew made sure that nothing was done, and they’ve now heading off on a two-week recess (which really ISN’T a recess, lest Bush make some recess appointments; a “night-watch” of a couple of baboons will sacrifice and stay in DC to pretend to be in session. Perhaps more of us should pretend to pay taxes and obey their dictates.

Mama's Note: Heck, I don't even pretend anymore. <G> I moved right on to IGNORE.

Baboons:
Senate blocks moratorium on earmarks
Palm Springs Desert Sun
“Even with the backing of all three presidential candidates, Senate old-timers in both parties decisively killed a proposed one-year ban on lawmakers’ home-state pet projects. The 71-29 vote Thursday night against the earmark moratorium came as Congress pressed ahead with a budget plan that would saddle millions of Americans with higher tax bills in three years by allowing some of President Bush’s tax cuts to die after he leaves office.” (03/13/08)

Not just evil, but stupid. The insane practice of spending our way into poverty by massive theft (in multiple ways: not just stealing the money, but also turning what is left us into worthless paper or electrons) must end, and it will, very quickly, with this kind of stupid action. 7 out of 10 voted against this, and at least three of the 29 who voted for it have very serious problems that make them as dangerous to the Republic (ex-republic) and liberty.

Brave people:
Medic is second female Silver Star winner since WWII
MSNBC
“A 19-year-old medic from Texas will become the first woman in Afghanistan and only the second woman since World War II to receive the Silver Star, the nation’s third-highest medal for valor. Army Spc. Monica Lin Brown saved the lives of fellow soldiers after a roadside bomb tore through a convoy of Humvees in the eastern Paktia province in April 2007, the military said. After the explosion, which wounded five soldiers in her unit, Brown ran through insurgent gunfire and used her body to shield wounded comrades as mortars fell less than 100 yards away, the military said.” (03/09/08)

A brave young lady – and NOT a child, however the FBI and Handgun Control Inc. count “children” for their propaganda purposes.

Mama's Note: Funny how that works. And in a lot of places she's too "young" to buy or carry a gun, drink a beer or other ordinary things adults do.

Canaanite front:
Cheney heading to Mideast on peace mission
MSNBC
“President Bush is sending Vice President Dick Cheney to the Middle East to get Israelis and Palestinians to hold firm to the promises they’ve made toward peace. The move came as Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert instructed the country’s army to halt air strikes and raids into the Gaza Strip following a recent drop in rocket fire from the territory.” (03/10/08)

The ceasefire didn’t last long, of course, and Cheney’s visit made no splash at all, much less any significant long-term impact.

Canaanite front:
Gaza: Rockets barrage Israel after four killed in raid
Canadian Press [Canada]
“Gaza Strip rocket squads barraged southern Israel early Thursday, after Israeli undercover forces killed four Palestinian militants on the West Bank of the Jordan River. The new violence shattered a recent lull in Gaza fighting and highlighted the fragility of efforts to move Israel and the territory’s Islamic Hamas rulers toward an informal truce. About a dozen rockets were fired late Wednesday and early Thursday, Israeli security forces said. Two of them struck a warehouse and soccer field in the rocket-weary Israeli town Sderot but no one was injured, Israeli officials said.” (03/13/08)

How long is it before these rockets carry, not explosive warheads, but chemical or biological ones: even a pesticide-like nerve agent or chlorine gas would be a much greater threat than these, which are less effective than the V-1 (of WW2).

Chinese front:
Tibet: Chicoms crush anti-occupation protest
Agence France-Presse
“Up to 60 Buddhist monks were arrested in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa as authorities quashed protests marking an uprising that led to the exile of the Dalai Lama, Radio Free Asia said Tuesday. The arrests occurred on Monday as up to 300 protesters began marching from a monastery to the Potala Palace in central Lhasa calling for an end to a police crackdown on religious figures, the US-government funded broadcaster said.” (03/11/08)

Situation normal in occupied Tibet. In an era when most of the areas conquered and occupied by Communists have been set at least nominally free, Tibet is an oddity and even an embarrassment to the Red Chinese government. Of course, even if China were NOT Communist, it would still claim to own Tibet, as part of the glorious Middle Kingdom.

Chinese front:
Occupied Tibet: Chicoms send in troops to quell protest
Independent [UK]
“Chinese troops and police have been deployed at important monasteries in Tibet to quell the biggest protests by Tibetan Buddhist monks in the Himalayan region for nearly 20 years. Witnesses have reported trucks full of troops surrounding Drepung monastery in Lhasa, while Sera monastery was ringed by hundreds of police. These two sites have strong symbolic significance, as they were the training grounds for the monks who led Tibet before the People’s Liberation Army came in 1950 and ousted the Dalai Lama.” (03/14/08)

It does not appear that “calm” is being reestablished (except for those unreported Tibetans who have inherited small plots or land or their own urn), despite Chinese efforts. After 58 years, Tibet is getting restive and the rest of the world is actually at least sympathetic to their efforts.

Corrupt politicians:
MA: Software contract called improper
Boston Globe
“The state inspector general has found that a Canadian software company was improperly awarded a $13 million contract last year in an unusually rushed deal in which House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi had an active interest. At almost every turn, DiMasi, his aides, or his friends played a role in either creating a demand for Cognos ULC’s computer software or in pushing Cognos to the head of the bidding field. DiMasi personally met with the state’s chief information officer to push for the kind of software that Cognos produces. A middleman in the deal, Joseph Lally, portrayed himself to key state officials as DiMasi’s friend. A longtime DiMasi friend, Richard McDonough, was hired as a lobbyist for Cognos and was paid $100,000 by the company. The result of the process was a contract award that violated basic state bidding rules.” (03/10/08)

Gee, more corruption? Can’t be, surely. The sheer number of corrupt politicians in this country is growing as fast as the population of attorneys – gee, do you think there is a connection?

Mama's Note: Yes it can be, and don't call me Shirley. <G>

Corrupt politicians:
NY: Spitzer linked to high-end prostitution ring
Christian Science Monitor
“New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D), once known as the ’sheriff of Wall Street,’ spent much of his career prosecuting corrupt corporate executives. Now, reports that the first-term governor was a customer of a prostitution ring are prompting calls for his resignation. In a public apology Monday afternoon, the governor sought to portray his actions, which he did not specify, as ‘a private matter.’ In a terse statement, Mr. Sptizer apologized to his family and to the public, ‘whom I promised better.’ It’s not known whether Spitzer will be charged in the federal investigation, but even if not, his long history of morally righteous statements is prompting speculation that he will be forced to step down. The reason, say political analysts, is that the public, which forgives many political sins, abhors hypocrisy.” [Editor’s note: what we want to know is, what in the world could a hooker do (that a loving wife might not at least attempt once) that could possibly be worth $1500 a hour? This dude would appear to be playing some pretty weird games - SAT] (03/11/08)

For a lot of politicians, paying $100,000 over seven years of patronizing whores might be a “personal matter” but Spitzer has sent dozens of people to prison for exactly what he was doing all this time. We are still waiting, by the way, for numbers and names to come up. He is Number 9, apparently Number 7 is the Duke of Westminister (one of the wealthiest individuals in the United Kingdom), but what about at least the other seven with higher numbers. And this “Ashley” or “Kristen” who preoccupied so many people on Wednesday, the 22-year-old prostitute, either is not the only one he hired, or he’s been doing her since she was 15, and THAT is another felony – one which makes more sense than the felony of soliciting and renting the services of a prostitute. Spitzer was seen by many as a potential White House contender in another eight years or so, and hopefully that is a dead issue. The man is evil (his stand on guns and many other things demonstrates that) and corrupt and hypocritical. But then, ALL of politics in DC and at least the major states and cities are incurably sexually corrupt: sex is as much a part of the mix as money and greed, abuse of all kinds, and the other evils. In fact, those who are apologists for government should note that government appears to be incapable of existence withOUT this kind of sickness, going right back to Biblical times: it is not a matter of "potential for corruption" - the corruption is as essential to the existence of government as military forces or laws, and therefor, a strong argument for the inherent evil of government.

Corrupt politicians:
NY: Spitzer resigns
Los Angeles Times
“Two days after federal agents publicly identified Eliot Spitzer as a client of a high-priced prostitution ring, the first-term governor announced his resignation at a somber news conference Wednesday, relinquishing his duties to Lt. Gov. David A. Paterson. … Spitzer — flanked by his wife, Silda Wall Spitzer, who stood with her hands clasped behind her back — apologized to his family and supporters during a nearly three-minute speech at his Midtown Manhattan office. … the U.S. attorney for the southern district of New York, Michael J. Garcia, responded to speculation that Spitzer might have been trying to use his resignation as a bargaining chip with federal prosecutors. Garcia said in a statement: ‘There is no agreement between this office and Gov. Eliot Spitzer relating to his resignation or any other matter.’” (03/13/08)

One of the best Paul Shanklin songs ever appeared as a result: “Love Client No. Nine” (tune: Love Potion No. Nine). Apparently his wife is the only one of his “advisors” who tried to get him to NOT resign; I’d have rather seen her in one of these press conferences go over to him and slap him hard enough to knock him down, and then (perhaps) say that she would work hard to forgive him.

Mama's Note: I highly doubt that this "wife" didn't know what was going on, at least most of the time. This kind of man marries a "trophy wife" and then goes on his merry way, usually with the understanding that the "wife" is happy with the money and status as long as the guy isn't too blatant about his wandering. In a way, these trophy wives are also prostitutes. But, of course, it's none of my business what any of them do - as long as they do it with their own bodies and money.

Corrupt politicians:
IL: Rezko trial hits on Blagojevich, Obama roles
WBBM 780 News
“Testimony in the Antoin ‘Tony’ Rezko trial on Monday focused on the fund-raiser himself, and his connection to Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Two former officials in the Blagojevich administration testified in detail about how Rezko allegedly used his clout to stack the deck in state government. … on the stand Monday was Susan Lichtenstein, who was the Blagojevich administration’s chief lawyer. She identified an e-mail she once received about 2003 appointments … to the health board. The message, from a campaign official, said the administration had been working on the matter for six months with various politicians. The e-mail then listed House Speaker Mike Madigan and Sen. Barack Obama as two of those involved. But the memo did not say if Obama and the others were recommending any of those appointments.” (03/11/08)

I see no reason why anyone should not expect to find that Barak Obama is every bit as corrupt as every other politician who has been outed on some dirty deal in the State of Illinois, starting with Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln.

Culture wars: domestic partners:
CA: Bill would allow unmarried, straight couples to register
San Francisco Chronicle
“While same-sex couples battle for the right to marry, a lesbian lawmaker is proposing that the state allow heterosexuals to take a step short of going to the altar — registering as domestic partners. State Sen. Carole Migden, a San Francisco Democrat whose legislation created the state’s domestic partner registry in 1999, has introduced a bill that would allow straight couples over age 18 to become domestic partners. The measure is scheduled to be considered Tuesday by the Senate Judiciary Committee. It comes as the state Supreme Court weighs whether to strike down California’s prohibitions against gay marriage.” (03/09/08)

This puts the lie to the claims that “same-sex” “marriage” and “domestic unions” will not effect “traditional” marriage. The very same person that has been advocating same-sex marriage and domestic partners is the one seeking to create this new “semi-marriage” as an alternative to the real thing. Thus I think that it is clear that she is trying to destroy what were once societal norms, even in California (outside Hollywood, at least). This is another argument for getting government out of contractual matters, including marriage.

Euro-front
Explosions rock Albania
CNN
A massive explosion at an Albanian army ammunition dump near Tirana on Saturday killed at least four people and injured more than 170, including many children. The prime minister said he feared there could be many dead.

Given the tensions over the independence of mostly-Albanian Kosovo, this may be an action by Serbs preliminary to another Balkans war.

Euro-front:
Bush, Polish PM agree on missile defense
USA Today
“Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said President Bush has removed key stumbling blocks in negotiations to allow U.S. missile defense interceptors on Polish soil. Negotiations had been stalled because of Poland’s demand for help in upgrading its military in exchange for allowing the interceptors. U.S. negotiators wanted to deal with the Polish demands separately and leave promises vague.” (03/10/08)

It makes sense from the Polish point of view to want this, considering what sort of situation they find themselves in. Poland hasn’t been free for very many years over the past 200+ years, and I think that they kind of like being free.

Freedom of speech:
“Web enemies” targeted in cyber-protests
CNN
“Fifteen countries were named as ‘Internet enemies’ on Wednesday as press freedom campaigners called on Web users to join a 24-hour virtual protest condemning cyber-censorship. The online demonstrations in virtual locations including China’s Tiananmen Square, Cuba’s Revolution Square and North Korea’s Kim Jong Il Square were taking place to mark the first Online Free Expression Day, Reporters Without Borders (RWB) said in a statement. ‘We are giving all Internet users the opportunity to demonstrate in places were protests are not normally possible,’ the statement said. ‘At least 62 cyber-dissidents are currently imprisoned worldwide, while more than 2,600 Web sites, blogs or discussions forums were closed or made inaccessible in 2007.’” (03/12/08)

A drop in the bucket, but one that will NOT change until the basis of these fifteen nations’ governments changes completely from whatever version of statism they have, into something that starts to approach true human liberty. Sadly, we are more likely to have more nations join this list, than not. And this list does NOT include countries such as most European countries that ban unpopular “evil” symbols like swastikas and “evil” ideas like homeschooling.

Government-run, tax-funded schools:
Software industry unveils its “Vision for K-20?
eSchool News
“In an effort to enrich learning and strengthen American students’ ability to compete in an increasingly global society, the Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA) today launched a bold new education initiative. Called ‘Vision for K-20 Education,’ the program aims to help educators and administrators make effective daily use of technology in their classrooms and decision-making activities. Education software companies that are SIIA members worked together on the program, which SIIA hopes will serve as a guide to implementing technology across campuses and school districts.” (03/13/08)

It is bad enough that we have "public" schools with their hooks into most children of the country from K-12 (and with Headstart age 3 on) (and with state colleges and universities, K-16), now we have supposedly "private" industry advocating a full 21 years of government schools? Most "educators" are criminally illiterate when it comes to any amount of information technology, and to give them things like this will find (a) the potential wasted and (b) perversions to continue their own unique brand of propaganda and indoctrination. Even if you have a window on the world (but a censored window, remember), you are still sitting in a jail cell, as long as the "administrators" and "educators" are keeping the doors locked and the bars on the windows. And frankly, it is NOT the technology that is a problem - it is the CONTENT of the education that is the problem. And this initiative doesn't even talk about content.

Government-run, tax-funded schools:
Legislators seek freedom for Colorado schools
School Reform News
“The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard a three-year-old challenge to Arizona’s individual tax credit scholarship program in late January, but gave no indication as to when it might render a decision. The case marked the first time a federal appellate court has heard such a case since the U.S. Supreme Court declared Cleveland’s citywide school voucher program constitutional in 2002.” (03/08)

Mama's Note: More fiddling while Rome burns.

Government-run, tax-funded schools:
UK: Why are children so unhappy?
Independent [UK]
“Teachers are to take the extraordinary step of calling for an independent Royal Commission to investigate why so many of Britain’s children are unhappy. The unprecedented move by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers follows a welter of evidence highlighting the fragile states of mind of many of the country’s seven million primary and secondary school pupils.” (03/11/08)

Don’t suppose it might be the government schools themselves, would it? Perhaps these teachers should be given a mirror?

Mama's Note: Let's see... you are taught to fear everything - even parents, prohibited from doing, eating or saying anything that MIGHT be harmful, fun or - horrors "offensive" to anyone. You are watched, tagged, monitored, nagged and restricted, threatened with jail for any attempt at self defense if attacked... And there are probably a lot of other things we don't even know about. I don't know about you, but it makes me unhappy just to think about it.

Government-run, tax-funded schools:
Contest would pay “worst” teachers to quit
Tennessean
“A Washington-based anti-union group hopes to ‘jump-start a conversation’ about the difficulty schools face in getting rid of bad teachers — with a stunt that sounds as if it was designed for reality TV. The Center for Union Facts on Tuesday will ask parents, students and other teachers to nominate the ‘worst unionized teacher in America.’ The center says it will choose 10 and offer each $10,000 to quit; ‘winners’ must allow the center to write about them on its Web site. The center plans full-page ads today in USA TODAY and The New York Times.” (03/10/08)

I wonder if this, applied to the UK (see story above), might reduce the number of unhappy children?

Mama's Note: That would depend a lot on the definition of "bad."

Government-run, tax-funded schools:
CT: 8th-grader suspended — for buying Skittles
Chicago Tribune
“Contraband candy has led to big trouble for an eighth-grade honors student in Connecticut. Michael Sheridan was stripped of his title as class vice president, barred from attending an honors student dinner and suspended for a day after buying a bag of Skittles from a classmate. School spokeswoman Catherine Sullivan-DeCarlo says the New Haven school system banned candy sales in 2003 as part of a districtwide school wellness policy.” (03/12/08)

On Thursday it was announced that the action was canceled, after a nationwide uproar. Of course, the administrators aren’t being punished in any way for their stupidity.

Home front:
FBI opens Countrywide probe
USA Today
“The FBI has begun a criminal inquiry into the largest U.S. mortgage lender, Countrywide Financial, for suspected securities fraud as part of investigations into the mortgage crisis, The New York Times reported Sunday. Citing unnamed government officials with knowledge of the case, the Times said the investigation into whether Countrywide (CFC) misrepresented its financial condition and the soundness of its loans in securities filings was at an early stage and it was not clear if any charges would result.” (03/09/08)

One more target in sight for the feebs, and one more scapegoat for the Administration and the baboons in Congress assembled, on which they can blame the current financial crisis and spreading depression (instead of blaming massive government intervention for it).

Home front:
60,000+ Iraq, Afghanistan vets diagnosed with PTSD
The Scoop [NZ]
“Jonathan Schulze was awarded two Purple Hearts in 2005 after a lengthy tour of duty in Iraq. But the Marine veteran couldn’t escape the war inside his head. Drugs and alcohol temporarily numbed his pain. Yet the guilt he carried around with him having been one of a handful of soldiers in his unit to survive combat was impossible to run away from. Schulze was suicidal. On January 11, 2007, he sought treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder. … The hospital didn’t admit him. Instead, he was told to call back the following day. He did. He was given a number: 26. The VA staff told him he’d have to wait at least two weeks to be admitted. Apparently, there were other veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who were also suffering from PTSD. It’s unknown whether they met the same fate.” (03/09/08)

As usual, the politicians and bureaucrats (medical or otherwise) don’t really care about the veterans who endure the physical and psychic horrors to which the Baboons in Congress assembled deploy them.

Home front:
Calls for FAA overhaul as Southwest grounds planes
Christian Science Monitor
“Calls are increasing for an overhaul of the Federal Aviation Administration, after Southwest Airlines this week grounded about 40 planes because of maintenance concerns. For years, the FAA has been accused of being ‘too cozy’ with the airlines it is charged with regulating. It even routinely refers to them as ‘customers,’ according to aviation watchdogs. Those critics say that’s led to a lax atmosphere where FAA inspectors cut airlines too much slack, which could lead to potentially dangerous safety situations like the one at Southwest. The airline made the decision to ground the planes as a precaution after examining its maintenance records.” (03/13/08)

This story doesn’t report the $10 million fine levied by the FAA to punish SWA for its honest and proper decision to not let the situation continue to fester. The FAA is a bloated, overpowerful, incompetent and inefficient government agency and should be eliminated and replaced by a half-dozen different organizations, including something like Underwriters Laboratories, to ensure that aircraft are well-constructed and well-maintained.

Mama's Note: This kind of thing reminds me of "Atlas Shrugged." We are watching much of our society, infrastructure, technology and business grind to a halt because of government "help" and regulation. Are we "safe" yet?

Home front:
Homeowners still waiting for Katrina checks
MSNBC
“Two-and-a-half years after Hurricane Katrina, tens of thousands of miserable homeowners are still waiting for their government rebuilding checks, and many complain they can’t even get their calls returned. But the company that holds the big contract to distribute the aid is doing quite well for itself.” (03/13/08)

Stupid government tricks: the approval of the money is what was necessary (as far as the politicians were concerned, to get votes); actually paying out the money to private individuals is really not necessary, as long as the contractors get paid.

Local tyranny:
Clotheslines prohibition being fought
Boston Globe
They say they only want to protect their "right to dry." And in three New England states, advocates for clotheslines - yes, clotheslines, strung across the yard, draped with socks and sheets - are pushing for new laws to liberate residents whose neighbors won't let them hang laundry outside. Homeowners' associations, which enforce bans on clotheslines at thousands of residential developments across the country, say the rules are needed to prevent flapping laundry from dragging down property values.

Protection of “property values” is one of those many excuses for local tyranny of this nature, and we find ourselves (as a society) going to the blasted legislatures to get laws passed that allow us to do what we always HAD the right to do in the past. Stupid!

Mama's Note: EXCEPT, if someone buys a home with covenants and restrictions, however zany or stupid, that is a contract they are bound to. Part of our problem in this country stems from the idea that other people should be forced to do what we wish. Another big part is the fact that so few people honor their word or their contracts anymore, and then expect government to legislate new "rights" to allow them to do so. These folks need to abide by what they agreed to do or find somewhere else to live. Retroactive additions to the covenants signed might be different, but people should know to expect that when they buy into these "associations" in the first place.

Local tyranny:
DC Cops seek consent to search homes
Washington Post
D.C. police are so eager to get guns out of the city that they're offering amnesty to people who allow officers to come into their homes and get the weapons. [Officials] announced yesterday the Safe Homes Initiative, aimed at parents and guardians who know or suspect that their children or other relatives have guns. Under the deal, police target areas hit by violence and seek adults who let them search their homes for guns, with no risk of arrest. The offer also applies to drugs that turn up during the searches, police said. The program is scheduled to start March 24 in the Washington Highlands area of Southeast Washington. Officers will go door-to-door seeking permission to search homes for weapons. Police later plan to visit other areas, including sections of Columbia Heights in Northwest and Eckington in Northeast.

Voluntary consent, just like a driver stopped on a state highway gives “voluntary consent” when the cop, hand on his pistol butt, leans over and says, “Sir, may I have your permission to search your car, or do you want to wait for the drug dogs and the SWAT team to get here, first?” Then, after three beats, asks, “Would you blow in the tube please?” Right.

Local tyranny:
CO: Woman fined for dyeing her poodle
KDKA News
“Douglas, a hair stylist, said she colored Cici, her white poodle, pink to help raise awareness about breast cancer. Authorities in Boulder said she has gone too far and the coloring could cost her $1,000. Douglas is charged with violating a city ordinance that prohibits the coloring or dyeing of animals. It was passed several years ago to discourage families from dyeing rabbits and chicks for Easter. … Douglas is certain the pink stain doesn’t harm Cici: She used organic beet juice. ‘Regardless of what she used on the dog, the ordinance is in place and we are commissioned by the city to enforce those ordinances,’ said Pedersen. ‘We are just doing our job.’” [Editor’s note: If there’s any justice in the world, this Petersen person will wake up one morning dyed in organic beet juice too - TLK] (03/11/08)

This is Boulder, of course, where city officials and their wives steal their neighbors’ land with judicial support, where government officials encourage experimentation with drugs and alternate sex, and where global warming hypocrisy exceeds that of Spitzer’s on prostitution. These idiots deserve more than beet juice, Tom.

Making fun of government:
MN: Drama over smoking ban
Ananova [UK]
“Bars in Minnesota are declaring themselves theatres to get around a public smoking ban. The state ban allows actors to light up in character during theatrical productions. So the bars are declaring themselves theatres and their customers performers …. Up to 100 bars across the state are exploiting the loophole, many with gusto. Customers dress up in costume, ashtrays are props, entrances are re-labelled “stage door” and productions include the Tobacco Monologues.” (03/10/08)

It really is too bad that we have to waste people’s ingenuity (which is, I’m convinced, a limited resource) having to work around government like this instead of other, more productive things. Sadly, I expect this loophole to be closed by Minnesota’s home-state baboons, who will do it “for your own good.”

Massa-wannabes:
Obama, Clinton camps trade VP musings
New York Daily News
“Team Obama agreed with Team Clinton Sunday that a ‘dream ticket’ would be great — especially because they believe Hillary would make a terrific No. 2 as vice president. Obama supporter Tom Daschle, the former Senate majority leader, said that Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) running as vice president with Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) at the top of the ticket would ‘turn the page’ in their increasingly bitter battle for the Democratic presidential nomination. … Clinton said last week, ‘I’ve had people say, ‘I wish I could vote for both of you.’ Well, that might be possible someday.’ Former President Bill Clinton was nearly giddy at the prospect of his wife heading up a Clinton-Obama ticket.” (03/10/08)

Mama, can I go outside and throw up, now? Do I HAVE to keep commenting on this sick excuse for an exercise in democracy?

Mama's Note: Yes dear, go outside and off the carpet... and you can stop writing about this puke whenever you want. We have a neat choice this time: do you want to be hung, shot or drowned? Unfortunately, we'll get it in the neck whether we choose any of them or not.

Massa-wannabes:
FL: Mail-in primary plan gains traction
Missoula Missoulian
“A consensus began to emerge Sunday that the best way to give Florida’s Democrats a voice in electing a candidate for president lies with the U.S. Postal Service. The Democratic National Committee stripped Florida and Michigan of all their convention delegates — a total of 313 — for holding their primaries too early, making both contests meaningless. New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton won both states, but no delegates. Her rival, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, did not appear on Michigan’s ballot.” [Editor’s note: Nice precedent — if the Libertarian candidate loses in November, we can use it to demand do-overs until we get the desired result, right? - TLK] (03/10/08)

Of course not – why should voters be forced to live with the results of their foolish actions? Congress-baboons don’t, after all, or McCain wouldn’t be running for president, he’d be in prison (well, maybe on parole) for corruption. They made their bed, let them sleep in it. And they wonder why there is such widespread contempt for the law.

Massa-wannabes:
Michigan, campaigns talk do-over primary
Kalispell Daily Inter Lake
“Michigan Democrats are close to an agreement with presidential candidates Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama to hold a do-over primary. Party officials and the campaigns negotiated on Thursday, and state Democratic leaders were hopeful that an agreement could be reached on Friday, said Democratic officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks.” (03/13/08)

As in Florida, these people did it to themselves. If Obama and Clinton are willing partners to this sort of thing, you KNOW what their oath of office is worth.

Mama's Note: I have a wonderful idea!! Let's have a "do-over" of the ratification votes in each state for the US Constitution! And nobody could vote on it until they prove they have read it carefully. You figure it would still pass muster?

Medical front:
AP: Water makes US troops in Iraq [sic] sick
Richmond Palladium-Item
“Dozens of U.S. troops in Iraq fell sick at bases using ‘unmonitored and potentially unsafe’ water supplied by the military and a contractor once owned by Vice President Dick Cheney’s former company, the Pentagon’s internal watchdog says. A report obtained by The Associated Press said soldiers experienced skin abscesses, cellulitis, skin infections, diarrhea and other illnesses after using discolored, smelly water for personal hygiene and laundry at five U.S. military sites in Iraq.” (03/10/08)

Sounds to me like someone did NOT write or enforce the provisions of the contract – and whose fault is that? Caveat emptor! This blame extends through the bureaucracy and down the chain of command: no way a battalion commander and their sergeant-major should have let this go on more than one time and one hour. There is enough that soldiers are exposed to without getting this problem too (see next story). (PS: pun incidental but neat!)

Medical front:
Gulf War illness linked to chemical exposure in Iraq [sic]
Reuters
“Exposure to pesticides, nerve agents and other chemicals may explain the chronic, multi-symptom health problems experienced by up to one-third of Gulf War veterans, U.S. researchers said on Monday. They said an analysis of a host of studies offers compelling evidence that the fatigue, muscle or joint pain, memory and sleep problems, rashes and breathing troubles experienced by these veterans are due to chemicals known as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and organophosphates, which includes nerve gas.” [Editor’s note: Well … DUH - TLK] (03/10/08)

Of course, since there weren’t any “weapons of mass destruction” (as hundreds of anti-Iraq-war websites and “opponents” constantly point out), where is this coming from? This isn’t Vietnam and defoliation programs with Agent Orange – and Mesopotamia is not exactly a major user of high-tech agricultural chemicals, or is much of the fighting going on out in cotton fields or wheat fields. Is it just possible that Saddam DID have large quantities of nerve agents, that he DID use them against his own people, and that Baathist tyrannies might share some attributes of Communist regimes where the environment is trashed for the gain of the tyrants and their toadies? Just asking. Couldn’t resist the second pun!

Mama's Note: I suspect that most of the health problems stem from stress and the horrible conflicts of emotion and integrity these men are suffering. I doubt it's got anything to do with chemicals - but then, I'm here and not there, so what do I know?

Medical front:
NV: FBI raids clinics over hepatitis breakout
Fox News
“Police, the FBI and state attorney general’s investigators served warrants Monday at six southern Nevada medical clinics associated with a facility accused of infecting patients with hepatitis by reusing syringes and vials of medicine. Police say the raids are part of a criminal investigation of officials at the Gastroenterology Center of Nevada. The clinic has four offices in Las Vegas, one in Henderson and one in North Las Vegas. The investigation was triggered by a hepatitis C outbreak that health officials blame on unsafe practices at a southern Nevada clinic from 2004 to this year. Six patients at the Endoscopy Center of Nevada have been found to be infected with the potentially fatal virus. Another 40,000 are being notified to get tested.” (03/10/08)

This is definitely a strange incident: the FBI isn’t usually the health cops (where is the “Surgeon General’s Anti-Riot Health Police” when you need them?). A contact in the area could shed no further light either on the FBI or why on earth ANYone in the medical profession would consider reusing syringes and vials anywhere except on Gilligan’s Island.

Mama's Note: There is simply no economical or other reason to reuse syringes or needles in this day and age. Most of them manufactured in the last 5 years couldn't be reused if you wanted to because the needle retracts into a sheath one way and can't be moved again. Even with this idiot proofing, they are so cheap it would not be worth bothering with. Multi-use vials are very common and no problem, of course, if sterile needles and good technique are used. There is almost no way to prove these patients became infected due to anything done at this clinic, and a fair part of the population is already infected - which is why good technique is so important in the first place, of course.

No, this smells to high heaven of political manipulation and harassment. There is NO reason for the FBI to be involved in any case, which just raises the red flag to indicate something much more sinister. I'm sure properly coached "witnesses" will be found to indict and prosecute this person, but make no mistake that this is a political matter, not medical.

Medical front:
Hospitals battle bid to rein in Medicaid
Raleigh News & Observer
“As the last months of the Bush administration dwindle away, the White House might yet face another showdown with the Democratic Congress, this one over changes in Medicaid rules that could affect millions of low-income children and adults. In the past year, the administration has tried to change the rules in a way that would reduce Medicaid spending by $15 billion over the next five years.” (02/09/08)

Well, a few points to the Administration for TRYING to rein in the Medicaid costs: do you think they are feeling guilty about the prescription medicine subsidy program? But it is too little, too late. The only real solution will be the complete elimination of the Medicaid and Medicare programs – and all the horror that will cause. Hopefully, the liberation of the medical sector will immediately follow and the horror show will be short-lived; but expect it to result in a lot more deaths courtesy of government.

Mama's Note: The fun part about being a health care provider is that the level of care and the things that MUST be offered are mandated and non negotiable, while the compensation is very difficult to get even if all the hoops are jumped through carefully. Payment can be denied for any reason, or NO reason, and is often delayed by months or even years while more and more documentation (often nonexistent) is demanded. Nothing is being done to reduce the demands for basically unlimited services and the compensation nightmare just keeps getting worse, so it's no wonder more and more providers are pulling out of Medicare altogether. Hospitals can't do that, unfortunately, again due to government regulations and the blackmail involving the loss of all the money already owed them. The sooner this beast dies, the better.

Mesopotamian front:
Studies: Iraq [sic] costs US $12 billion per month
Iowa City Press-Citizen
“The flow of blood may be ebbing, but the flood of money into the Iraq war is steadily rising, new analyses show. In 2008, its sixth year, the war will cost approximately $12 billion a month, triple the ‘burn’ rate of its earliest years, Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph E. Stiglitz and co-author Linda J. Bilmes report in a new book. Beyond 2008, working with ‘best-case’ and ‘realistic-moderate’ scenarios, they project the Iraq and Afghan wars, including long-term U.S. Military occupations of those countries, will cost the U.S. budget between $1.7 trillion and $2.7 trillion — or more — by 2017.” (03/09/08)

Doing things right often costs more money, but I don’t think that is to blame in this case. What is starting to look like galloping inflation may be part of the cause: imagine with Diesel Fuel pushing over $4.00/gallon stateside, what DoD must be paying! Unfortunately, thanks to the Baboons and Admiseristration, this money is just getting printed, making matters worse.

Mesopotamian front:
UN takeover in Iraq [sic] “would allow US to leave”
MSNBC
“A group of Iraqi tribal leaders, former politicians and intellectuals appealed Wednesday to the United Nations to take control of Iraq in a move they say would help U.S. Troops leave the beleaguered country. Both the U.S. administration and the Baghdad government are unlikely to endorse the request, which was addressed to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and delivered to the Cairo offices of the organization.” (03/12/08)

They don’t have any more clue than our own “leaders” do – UN involvement would lengthen US involvement, as we can see from Korea (55 years later!).

Nazgul:
Reporter appeals contempt order
USA Today
“A former USA TODAY reporter sought Monday to block fines of up to $5,000 a day imposed by a judge who wants her to disclose confidential sources for stories on a scientist under scrutiny in the 2001 anthrax attacks. Lawyers for Toni Locy told the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit that the judge is making demands that are ‘vastly overbroad.’” (03/10/08)

The tyranny of judges does nothing at all to protect us from the tyranny of the rest of government.

New religions: environism:
Recycle or go to Hell, warns Vatican
Telegraph [UK]
“Failing to recycle plastic bags could find you spending eternity in Hell, the Vatican said after drawing up a list of seven deadly sins for our times. The seven, which include polluting the environment, were announced by Monsignor Gianfranco Girotti, a close ally of the Pope and the head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, one of the Roman Curia’s main court. The’sins of yesteryear’ — sloth, envy, gluttony, greed, lust, wrath and pride — have a ‘rather individualistic dimension,’ he told the Osservatore Romano, the official Vatican newspaper. The new seven deadly, or mortal, sins are designed to make worshippers realise that their vices have an effect on others as well.” (03/10/08)

This article is NOT an accurate report of what the actual announcement was, because there is no way that any mainstream media, even the Telegraph, is capable of understanding the complexities of Roman Catholic theology. From Bloomberg comes this list:
The seven social sins are:
1. ``Bioethical' violations such as birth control
2. ``Morally dubious'' experiments such as stem cell research
3. Drug abuse
4. Polluting the environment
5. Contributing to widening divide between rich and poor
6. Excessive wealth
7. Creating poverty
None of these are “new” because basic principles of morality are involved, but they are illustrating certain ways of looking at the sins involved – and indeed, some are very politically correct. Obviously, all Christians will not agree with these, but the logic is understandable – when you get past the mainstream media hype.

New Religions: Global Warming:
Southern Baptist leaders in climate change U-turn
The Press Association [UK]
“Ultra-conservative Southern Baptist leaders have performed a shock U-turn, saying their denomination had been ‘too timid’ on environmental issues and had a biblical duty to stop global warming. The statement, signed by the president of the Southern Baptist Convention among others, shows a growing urgency about climate change even within groups that once dismissed claims of an overheating planet as a liberal ruse. The conservative denomination has 16.3 million members and is the largest Protestant group in the US. The signatories of A Southern Baptist Declaration on the Environment and Climate Change acknowledged that not all Christians accepted the science behind global warming. … But the leaders said that current evidence of global warming was ’substantial’ and that the threat was too grave to wait for perfect knowledge about whether, or how much, people contributed to the trend.” (03/10/08)

Just when I thought we had rounded the corner on this nuttiness, I find that the denominations are jumping onto the bandwagon. Whatever happened to “my kingdom is not of this world,” anyway? Of course, if they had done a better job of teaching the Gospel in the first place, this would never have even come up, and the entire global warming belief community might not be as powerful as it is.

Mama's Note: From what I've been able to gather, this was a proposal made by a few - or even perhaps ONE person - and has not been entered into dogma just yet... but I wouldn't be surprised.

New religions: global warming:
Carbon Output Must Near Zero To Avert Danger, New Studies Say
Washington Post
The task of cutting greenhouse gas emissions enough to avert a dangerous rise in global temperatures may be far more difficult than previous research suggested, say scientists who have just published studies indicating that it would require the world to cease carbon emissions altogether within a matter of decades. Their findings, published in separate journals over the past few weeks, suggest that both industrialized and developing nations must wean themselves off fossil fuels by as early as mid-century in order to prevent warming that could change precipitation patterns and dry up sources of water worldwide.

Hmm. No more decomposing, no more cows passing gas, no more – well, no more breathing! These studies are designed for just one purpose: to make more government control of the economy and daily life easier to achieve and “justified.” Of course, it is for our own good.

New religions: global warming:
EU poised for new emissions cuts
BBC News [UK]
“EU leaders meeting for their spring summit in Brussels are poised to back new curbs on greenhouse gas emissions, Slovenian PM Janez Jansa says. Mr. Jansa, whose country currently chairs the EU, likened plans to move to a low carbon economy to a ‘third industrial revolution.’ He predicted EU leaders would back European Commission targets to cut CO2 emissions by 20%, by 2020.” (03/13/08)

Sounds more like “deindustrialization” instead of a third industrial revolution (which we are in, already, by the way). How many things are Europeans going to do without, or buy from the “Third World” so that Europe can meet these targets? Of course, the politicians, including Mr. Jansa, won’t do without: their salaries and perks will continue to flow without worry.

Our British cousins:
UK: Peers lobby Smith vs. deportation of gay Iranian teen
Independent [UK]
“More than 60 peers have signed a letter to the Home Secretary urging the Government to halt the deportation of a gay Iranian teenager who faces execution if he is returned to his homeland. Mehdi Kazemi, 19, has lost his claim for asylum in Britain, even though his family has told the Home Office that his life is in danger after his former boyfriend in Iran was arrested and hanged for sodomy. The case has now attracted worldwide attention and, last night, 63 members of the House of Lords signed a letter to Jacqui Smith calling on the Government to show compassion and to grant Mr. Kazemi sanctuary in Britain.” 903/13/08)

Once upon a time, the House of Lords had enough power to stop a stupid action like this; today, of course, “democratic” parliament (that is, the House of Commons) is the sole governor of the realm, and no recourse except begging to be heard is possible.

Persian front:
Iranians vote
BBC News [UK]
“Iranians have voted in elections which conservatives are expected to win after opponents of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad were barred from running. …Voting has begun in Iran’s elections, with conservatives expected to win after opponents of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad were barred from running. The authorities in Tehran have called for a big turnout in the parliamentary polls, to defy the US and other countries they say are Iran’s enemies. But the BBC’s Tehran correspondent says many Iranians may choose not vote because of a lack of choice.” (03/14/08)

Turnout was “glorious” with almost 50% voting; of course, you wonder why they bother. This sort of thing is the reason it makes me sick to hear or read some seemingly-normal person go on and on about how wonderful Iranian democracy is: like praising Napoleon for completing the goals of the French Revolution by conquering most of Europe and crowning himself.

Our right to defend ourselves:
FL: Lawn feud shooter exonerated by grand jury
Miami Herald
“Lee Macon, the Broward man who shot his neighbor to death during a fierce disagreement over the line that divides their two lawns, walked out of jail a free man Thursday. The Broward grand jury said he committed no crime. Macon’s attorney, Richard F. Della Fera, argued that the shooting of Jerome Jackson — which made national headlines — was a clear case of self-defense, the last blow in a long-festering feud that erupted over the most seemingly insignificant matter. He said Jackson was the aggressor.” (03/07/08)

And the jury agreed! We do not appreciate the grand jury system as we should, so many times. Yes, it is subject to corruption and other problems, but not nearly so much as the presiding judge system and appeal system is.

Our right to defend ourselves:
State prosecutors divided over gun control case
Houston Chronicle
“A gun-control case to be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court on March 18 has exposed a division among state attorneys general over the meaning of the Second Amendment, the fiercely debated constitutional provision that guarantees Americans the right to “keep and bear arms.” Attorneys general from 31 states have filed a legal brief urging the high court to strike down the law being challenged in the case, the District of Columbia’s strict, 32-year-old ban on handguns. Led by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, a Republican, the group backs a security guard who wants the district’s statute to be ruled unconstitutional. Lending their support to the District of Columbia are attorneys general from five states — Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York — who say reasonable regulation of dangerous firearms is constitutional and keeps the public safe.” (03/08/08)

The list of states is definitely the “usual suspects” – the major ones I don’t see are Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Ohio. Of course, the five are lying through their teeth: their own states’ experience show that the public is LESS safe with “reasonable” regulation. I like Vin Suprynowicz’s comments: he supports “reasonable regulation” of keeping and bearing arms just as much as he supports “reasonable” regulation of newspapers, other writings, and the Bible, and as much as he supports “reasonable” amounts of slavery.

Our right to defend ourselves:
WY: Governor signs “Castle Doctrine” bill
Billings Gazette
“Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal on Thursday signed into law the contentious ‘castle doctrine’ bill, although he expressed concern that it could limit the legal defenses for Wyoming residents who kill others in self defense. The new law specifies that citizens have a right to assume that anyone who enters their homes illegally is there to do them harm. It also says that homeowners who kill intruders justifiably can’t be sued for it. … The National Rifle Association has made passing such ‘castle doctrine’ laws a priority nationwide. A spokesman for the NRA said last month that 20 states had passed such laws, while they were pending in five more including Wyoming.” (03/13/08)

I do believe that Freudenthal may be right: for almost a century and a half, Wyoming has assumed that no law was necessary to “permit” a citizen to defend themselves in their homes and businesses. Now, the law is “permissive” – which means that anything not explicitly covered in the law MIGHT be considered by a stupid Nazgul, a power-mad prosecuting attorney, or a brain-dead jury to be forbidden.

Our right to defend ourselves:
MN: Pols reject self-defense bill
Minneapolis Star Tribune
“A bill that supporters say would have broadened citizens’ rights to defend themselves — and opponents say would have encouraged a Wild West mentality — failed in its first test in the Legislature on Thursday. … Although state law already allows people to kill an intruder in their home, Cornish’s self-defense bill would have authorized deadly force against an intruder entering a porch, garage or occupied car. On a street or in a bar, there would be no duty to retreat before using deadly force against someone believed to be threatening ’substantial’ harm, lessening the standard of ‘great’ bodily harm in current law. … Supporters, many wearing badges saying ‘Self Defense is a Human Right,’ packed the room, but groups that included the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association and the Minnesota County Attorneys Association testified against it.” (03/13/08)

Excuse me, but exactly how can a driver “retreat” against a car-jacker who rips open a door or even climbs in the back? And who teaches Minnesotans what is “great” bodily harm and what is just “substantial?”

South Asian front:
Pakistan: 22 killed in Lahore bombing
Bloomberg
“At least 22 people were killed and another 100 injured in twin bomb explosions in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore, the government said. … There were two bomb blasts within moments of each other, the government’s emergency service said. The first explosion took place in the building of the Federal Investigation Agency, a government office, and the second blast occurred in a house in the residential area of Model Town. It was the second attack in Lahore this month.” (03/11/08)

The FIA is a legitimate target, no doubt. The other attack, which killed several children, was apparently on a store and clearly NOT a legitimate target.

Stupid cop tricks:
UK: Illegal immigrants vanish
Daily Mail [UK]
“Blundering police officers put a group of illegal immigrants on a train, gave each of them free tickets and told them to make their way to a detention centre 80 miles away under their own steam. Unsurprisingly, none of the nine reported to the centre and all nine disappeared on their journey from Cambridge to Croydon. But police have defended their actions, claiming they were only acting on the advice of immigration officials and the decision was out of their hands. ” (03/10/08)

Gee, are the bobbies being particularly brain-dead this year, or what?

Stupid cop tricks:
AR: Woman held in cell over weekend forgotten
Newsvine
“A woman being held as an illegal immigrant spent four days forgotten in an isolated holding cell at a courthouse with no food, water, or toilet, authorities and the woman said. … A bailiff has been suspended for 30 days without pay for leaving a woman in a courthouse holding cell for four days without food, water or access to a bathroom. … The 38-year-old Mexican woman had been arrested on charges of selling pirated CDs and was ordered held because she is an illegal immigrant. She should have been to jail but Hankins forgot about her in the 9 1/2-by-10 1/2-foot cell.” (03/11/08)

Remember, this happened in Arkansas. Is any other explanation needed? How on earth can you forget someone in a cell like that? It isn’t like there would be a dark corner to hide in!

Mama's Note: Four days!!! I sincerely hope that bailiff was required to CLEAN that room before he was "suspended." If he had treated a murderer or even a stray dog this way, the stink would be sky high from coast to coast, but it's only an "illegal" Mexican woman, so I guess few even care.

Stupid cop tricks:
TX: Woman clears police station with grenade
Seattle P-I
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas -- The police department was briefly evacuated after a woman decided she should bring in a hand grenade she found. The unidentified woman handed it to an officer Thursday after finding it while cleaning out a relative's belongings. The officer immediately took it outside the building and police cleared the building until the bomb squad took it away and detonated it about an hour later.

Stupid, stupid, stupid. First, he goes outside with the grenade AND they clear the building? Is there no cop in Corpus who knows what a grenade can do? And then they waste thousands of dollars blowing up a perfectly good grenade? Idiots.

Stupid government tricks:
AP probe finds drugs in drinking water
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
“A vast array of pharmaceuticals — including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones — have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans, an Associated Press investigation shows. To be sure, the concentrations of these pharmaceuticals are tiny, measured in quantities of parts per billion or trillion, far below the levels of a medical dose. Also, utilities insist their water is safe.” (03/09/08)

Lest we think the problem is only in Mesopotamia. (See longer comments in “Baboons”)

Stupid government tricks:
Boeing will protest Air Force tanker contract
MSNBC
“Boeing Co. on Monday said it will formally protest a $35 billion Air Force contract awarded to European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. and Northrop Grumman Corp. The Chicago-based aerospace company ‘found serious flaws in the process that we believe warrant appeal,’ Boeing’s chairman and CEO, Jim McNerney, said in a statement.” (03/10/08)

Boeing is of course using the fact that Northrop Grumman’s business partners are European, as a hammer to make this seem like more than a tantrum over losing a juicy contract. And the Baboons, in an election year, are of course jumping on this – conveniently forgetting that THEY in Congress are who ordered DoD to start letting European firms compete (in part to show our allies that we love them and placate their concerns over our policies in various parts of the world).

Mama's Note: They all need to be given an engraving that says, "You can't have it both ways." Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who does that sort of engraving on the backs of eyelids... where the idiots in congress need it.

Stupid government tricks:
New envoy hopes to better explain US to Muslim world
CNN
“An American Muslim, appointed new U.S. envoy, headed off Monday with the goal of repairing the battered image of the United States in the Muslim world. Sada Cumber, a Pakistani native, is the new special envoy to the Organization of Islamic Conference, a caucus of 57 Muslim nations.” (03/10/08)

First, why is it necessary to have an “American Muslim” do this? Second, why is it necessary to do this? Do we have an envoy to the “Organization of Catholic Countries” or the “Organization of Orthodox Countries”? Of course, this man isn’t going to be able to repair our “image” since his own life and business experience, and the mere fact that he is representing the US, make him an evil apostate and turncoat to most observing Muslims in those 57 countries – like sending a divorced, abortion-advocating “Catholic” to that mythical OCC.

Stupid government tricks:
EPA orders tougher standards for cutting smog
CNN
“The air in hundreds of U.S. counties is simply too dirty to breathe, the government said Wednesday, ordering a multibillion-dollar expansion of efforts to clean up smog in cities and towns nationwide. The Environmental Protection Agency announced it was tightening the amount of ozone, commonly known as smog, that will be allowed in the air.” (03/12/08)

No, ozone is NOT smog, even though it may be a component of smog. But heaven forbid that a major network bother to get their science straight.

Stupid government tricks:
Czech government demands “sleeping pol” ad be pulled
Ananova [UK]
“Czech authorities have demanded an energy drink company take down a billboard ad campaign featuring a government minister asleep during a debate. The ads for the Kamikaze energy drink show foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg sleeping and the slogan: ‘Stay on your feet longer.’ The 70-year-old minister who has not objected to the campaign admitted he had fallen asleep during a debate on the country’s two-candidate presidential election in February. The Czech Advertising Standards Council said the posters breached its ethical code that bars the use of public figures in commercials. The company though has refused to act. The sleeping minister meanwhile has not complained, saying only: ‘Let people have some fun.’” (03/13/08)

Stupid, stupid, stupid. So much for people’s rights in the new Europe.

Stupid local tyrants:
MI: Sex scandal, possible perjury not stopping Detroit mayor
Fox News
“Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick continues meeting with Detroit business leaders about his plans to move the city forward despite a text-messaging sex scandal and possible perjury charges that could remove him from office. A day after meeting with three of the city’s most prominent businessmen, Kilpatrick spoke Thursday morning to others at the Detroit Athletic Club. The 15-minute speech reiterated portions of Tuesday’s State of the City address in which Kilpatrick outlined his vision for improving Detroit neighborhoods, police protection, job training and finding employment for residents, mayoral spokeswoman Denise Tolliver said. But a prosecutor’s investigation into whether Kilpatrick will be charged with perjury for testimony during a whistle-blowers’ trial and the furor over an agreement settling that lawsuit for $8.4 million has dogged his administration for nearly two months.” (03/13/08)

Hearing this guy whining on the radio, I was immediately reminded of the black Detroit mayor portrayed in the movie RoboCop II. The only thing he isn’t boasting about in these speeches is the wonderful things that OCP [the evil corporation in RoboCop] would do for Detroit. This sort of thing is one of the reasons that so many people feel that the land on which Detroit sits could be better used for something else, like nuclear warhead testing or a penal colony.

Theft by deception:
Airlines charging travelers for more extras on flights
Arizona Republic
“Airline travel is beginning to resemble a menu at a fancy steakhouse. Everything is a la carte. Airlines are charging extra for everything from meals to music. Baggage is the latest to be hit with a fee. Starting in May, many passengers on US Airways and United Airlines will have to pay $25, each way, to check a second bag. Genevieve Shaw Brown, a senior editor at Travelocity, said she’d be shocked if other airlines don’t follow suit. ‘If there’s no significant backlash from customers, other airlines start to follow,’ Shaw Brown said.” (03/09/08)

They are cutting off their noses to spite their faces.

Theft by deception:
TN: State scrutinizes for-profit colleges
Tennessean
“Complaints of teachers sleeping in class, half-truths about accreditation and surprise closings have Tennessee officials examining the regulation of for-profit schools. About 73,000 Tennesseans attend 168 for-profit schools on 335 campuses. From 2000 to 2006, for-profit schools nationwide grew from 687 to 891, a 30 percent increase, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. The number of complaints from students is rising, too. The Tennessee Higher Education Commission has received 12 this year, putting it on pace to eclipse its record of 29 in 2003. Laura Ballard was three months from obtaining her medical transcription diploma from Tennessee Career College in Donelson, the next step in fulfilling her goal of working from home full time. On Monday, the for-profit college shut down with no warning. Its 60 students weren’t enough to keep it open, said administrators, adding that they couldn’t find a buyer.” (03/09/08)

Seems to me that the market can handle this regulation, and that state intervention is not needed at all, except in those cases where a court judgment against the fraudsters needs to be enforced.

Theft by government:
Borrow More for Roads, Texas Legislators Urge Transportation Department
AASHTO Today (Austin American-Statesman)
Go borrow some money and build some things, legislative leaders told the Texas Department of Transportation in a letter Tuesday. The short letter … recommends that TxDOT borrow another $1.5 billion against future gas tax revenue to bridge a temporary financial tight spot. The Legislature, the letter promises, will make sure that some of the gas tax money now diverted to other, nonhighway-construction needs will be returned to the agency to back the bonds. Spokesman Robert Black said [Gov Rick] Perry has no interest, at least for now, in more debt of this kind.

Money burns holes in baboon’s pockets, apparently. These idiots want to spend money that they don’t even have yet.

Theft by government:
Georgia Groups Urge Sales Tax to Fund Transportation Projects
AASHTO Today (The Telegraph, Macon)
A coalition of more than 50 entities, ranging from chambers of commerce to government leaders to environmental groups, are banding together in support of a new transportation bill for the state. Senate Resolution 845, which calls for an amendment to the state constitution that would allow a 1-cent sales tax to fund mass transportation projects, already has passed the Senate. The Get Georgia Moving coalition is now lobbying for the Georgia House of Representatives to pass the bill.

With the US (especially areas like the Southeast) in or heading to a recession, this kind of stupidity will make more miserable for millions.

Theft by government:
MA: Property tax okay for telephone poles, more
Union Leader, Manchester, NH
BOSTON – A Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board ruling last week said it's OK for cities and towns to tax telephone poles and wires over public ways. The decision allows Bay State communities to tap a new source of revenue, in some cases dating back to 2003, and could support taxation of cable television and other utility lines.

The Tax Collector's Creed
Now he's a common, common man
So tax him, tax him, all you can.
Tax his house, Tax his bed;
Tax the bald spot on his head.
Tax his drink, Tax his meat,
Tax the shoes right off his feet.
Tax his cow, Tax his goat;
Tax his pants, Tax his coat;
Tax his crop, Tax his work;
Tax his ties, Tax his shirt;
Tax his chew, Tax his smoke,
Teach him taxing is no joke.
Tax his tractor, Tax his mule;
Tell him: "Taxing is the rule!"
Tax his oil, Tax his gas,
Tax his notes, Tax his cash.
Tax him good and let him know
That after taxes, he has no dough.
If he hollers, Tax him more;
Tax him till he's good and sore.
Tax his coffin, Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in which he's laid.
Put these words upon his tomb,
"Taxes drove him to his doom."

Even when he's gone, we won't relax --
We'll still collect inheritance tax.
(FromThe Advocates for Self Government)

War on some drugs:
MA: State seeks crackdown on medication “abuse”
Boston Globe
“State health authorities yesterday proposed a major campaign to catch prescription drug abusers by alerting doctors when patients visit multiple clinics and pharmacies in pursuit of powerful painkillers and stimulants. The practice, known colloquially as ‘doctor shopping,’ has drawn increasing scrutiny from substance abuse specialists and regulators concerned that prescription-medication abuse now poses a health threat rivaling heroin and other street drugs. ‘There are people who are so hooked on things like OxyContin that they go to various doctors, they get various prescriptions, and they get them filled at different drug stores,’ said Connie Peters, a vice president at Mental Health and Substance Abuse Corporations of Massachusetts Inc., a trade group. ‘There should definitely be better monitoring of prescription drugs.’ Between 1996 and 2007, the number of people identified as engaging in the practice soared by 170 percent, to more than 2,900 last year, according to state records.” (03/13/08)

Another excuse to expand the police state, and further socialize medicine. A win-win situation!!!

War on some drugs:
Afghanistan: Soaring drug trade hits home
Christian Science Monitor
“Muhammad Nasir lives with 70 drug users on the outskirts of town. His home is an abandoned building sitting amid a mass of toppled concrete. This field of rubble is one of the most dangerous, least visited parts of Kabul -– police say two people were killed here just weeks ago. Inside what used to be a Russian cinema house, Mr. Nasir and others sleep in flour sacks and smoke. ‘I use a gram of opium a day. I don’t have the money to get new clothes so that I can get a job,’ says Nasir, pointing to his filthy tunic and torn sandals. Afghanistan’s notorious, soaring drug trade is hitting home. The country now has one of the world’s sharpest rising rates of drug use, especially in the cities. With few antidrug programs –- and many of those poorly funded –- aid agencies say drug abuse is now the fastest-growing social problem in the country.” (03/13/08)

The “antidrug programs” are at best, a response to this problem; the root causes remain, and will (as in western cities) continue to drag people down. Overcoming these causes requires little things like freedom, love, yes, and preaching something other than Islam. All of which are in short supply in Afghanistan.

World wars:
US accused of altering Gitmo evidence
Yahoo! News
“A U.S. military commander altered a report on a firefight in Afghanistan to cast blame for the death of a Delta Force commando on a Canadian youth who was captured after the shooting stopped, a defense attorney said Thursday. The attorney, Navy Lt. Cmdr. William Kuebler, made the allegation at a pretrial hearing as he argued for access to the officer, identified only as ‘Col. W,’ as well as details about interrogations that he said might help clear his client of war-crimes charges.” (03/13/08)

This is an accusation, which clearly needs to be resolved. One question to be answered is WHY an officer would do this?

Finally, the mailbag is back! We want your feedback. Your comments are welcome! Please copy/paste the items you comment on into your email. Then we'll know what you are talking about!!

Don't forget to send in your local news stories about SWAT activity. See the new page dedicated to this timely subject.

Nathan Barton is writing this from a wonderful place in the West, which might be in the Black Hills of South Dakota or Wyoming, or might be in one of the Four Corners States. Exactly where it is, the breezes blow with the scent of liberty, and the sound of the pines or the pinions is the sound of freedom. For thousands of years, people have fought and died for the liberty that Americans in the great spaces of the West enjoy, and he writes these commentaries in the hopes that continued generations will be able to do so, until the end of Time.

Be sure to visit my blog, Liberty's Outpost.

Special Feature! Add your signature to the NEW Declaration of Independence
By Robert Greenslade

Several people have asked about buying Gadsden Flags (the rattlesnake "Don't Tread on Me flags used by the June 23d Movement and other Property Rights Organizations: you can get them for $10.00 plus shipping here.

To Read previous Commentaries, go to the archives page and click onto the link for the week. The commentaries are linked from the weekly f