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Libertarian Commentary on The News 
By Nathan A. Barton © 2010

March , 2010

10 weeks into 2010!  We are seeing more and more examples of stupid government tricks, but some fresh thoughts that lend us hope for the future.  As many of this week's stories hint, things are going to get worse for a while, but a new day of liberty is not all that unlikely.

Federal-Local Tyranny - Nanny State
FEMA's new flood maps go too far, some cities say
Seattle Times

New federal flood-plain maps to be released in coming months redraw areas across Western Washington most likely to be inundated by a 100-year flood. From Kent to Chehalis to Sultan, officials say a flood-plain designation will come with stringent development rules and will require property owners to purchase flood insurance that could cost thousands of dollars each year.'

The entire program is useful but ultimately counterproductive, since it in effect subsidizes people who are stupid enough to build in a floodplain (including coastal areas subject to flood tides and hurricanes) and encourages them to rebuild.  But because the work done by the FEMA and its contractors is often shoddy, it also punishes people needlessly when they are NOT in a floodplain and FEMA or a contractor (or a bank's contractor interpreting the work of a contractor) incorrectly places a property in a floodplain.  And it can be pricey: $5000/year for a house appraised at $200,000 in one location I have personally worked on.

New Religions: global warming
Global warming doubts could hamper [sic] climate legislation
Christian Science Monitor

"A recent poll suggests that high-profile controversies regarding climate science are weakening public confidence in the validity of global warming, And that could endanger congressional efforts to pass climate legislation. In 2008, 71 percent of respondents said they thought global warming was happening, while 10 percent thought it wasn't. This year, only 57 percent thought global warming was a reality, and the number of doubters increased to 20 percent, according to a poll conducted by the Yale Project on Climate Change and the Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. ... The poll also asked respondents whether they think global warming is caused by human activities, natural environmental changes, or both. In 2008, 57 percent said it was caused by human activities. This year, only 47 percent think so." [editor's note: Oops, now they don't even have a "majority" to wield over the rest of us, despite doing everything from faking data to outright lying - SAT] (03/08/10)

Yes, "endanger" is a lot more accurate than "hamper" - fortunately. But 57 percent is still way too high on the P.T. Barnum scale for my comfort in a society where people apparently believe that science should be settled by democratic method and not the scientific method.

Theft by government
TN: State may tax hotels for free breakfast
Tennessean

"The so-called complimentary breakfasts at many hotels in Tennessee have stirred the appetite of state revenue officials. The state wants to tax the lodging businesses for the food that they offer as free breakfasts as part of their room rate. The budget-strapped state hopes to get an estimated $1 to $2 million for its coffers from the sweet rolls, coffee and such that hotel patrons enjoy at no charge from the Smoky Mountains to Graceland. The proposal, pending in committees in the General Assembly, is to collect tax on the food at the prevailing sales tax rate in the county involved -- up to 9.75 percent. State officials stress that the businesses would be taxed and not the hungry patrons." [editor's note: Cute! So the hotels get to eat the tax (or more likely add it to the room-rate?), or stop serving the freebies? - SAT] (03/08/10)

Oh, please, give me a break. How stupid do these people think we are? First, these idiotic bureaucrats KNOW that the cost of the breakfast is factored into the overall room rent charged. Second, they KNOW that it will be passed on - and probably as an act of protest, directly and explicitly - to the customer. I cannot believe that this is the same state that is also expected to pass a constitutional amendment outlawing the income tax (state level only, mind you). Third, with the insane tax rate (9.75% sounds like Europe, not the US!), we can expect massive fraud: a cup of coffee and a stale Little Debbie Fudge Round will no doubt be "valued" the same $7.99 as a Denny's Grand Slam goes for - convenience, don't you know - so that the $2 million is stolen "legally."

Elections 2008 - Stupid government tricks
WI: ACORN registration workers charged with felony voter fraud
Fox News

"Five Wisconsin residents, including two who worked for community organizing group ACORN, were charged Monday with election fraud relating to the 2008 presidential election. State Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced felony charges against Maria Miles, Kevin Clancy, Michael Henderson, Herbert Gunka and Suzanne Gunka. Miles and Clancy worked for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now and are accused of submitting multiple voter registration applications for the same individuals, including each other, to meet voter registration quotes imposed by the community organizing group." (03/08/10)

Too little, too late. This not only does not make a bit of difference two years later, but it becomes another defense for the organization once known as ACORN - they will claim that they were defrauded by the accused people, just as much (or even more) than the state and electorate was. And I suspect that the punishment for this will be minimal - perhaps some probation and "useful public service" - like voter registration drives? I didn't check, but I bet Van Hollen is up for reelection this year and needs to burnish the old vitae!

First Citizen - Health care panic
Obama: Time to debate health care over
CNN

"President Obama on Monday tore into private health insurers for recent rate hikes, taking a more aggressive rhetorical turn as he pushes for final congressional passage of his top domestic priority. Obama repeated his assertion that the plan under consideration includes the best Democratic and Republican ideas. The time for debate has ended, he argued. Congress 'owes the American people a final up or down vote on health care. It's time to make a decision,' he told an enthusiastic crowd at Arcadia University near Philadelphia." (03/08/10)

Well! For once, I agree with the First Citizen - at least a tiny bit: the time for debate is OVER - it is now time to drop the entire subject and get the FedGov OUT OF OUR HEALTH CARE!!!

Smart voters, for a change!
Switzerland: Voters reject "lawyers for animals" measure
Edmonton Journal

"Switzerland boasts laws to protect goldfish from being flushed down the toilet, but on Sunday voted against assigning lawyers to abused creatures. Just over 70 per cent of voters voted 'no' and 30 per cent voted 'yes' in a referendum on the issue, according to results released the next day. Sunday's referendum, initiated by the Swiss Animal Protection (PSA) group, would have obliged all cantons to name a lawyer for animals during judicial proceedings. Such representation has been compulsory in the Zurich canton since 1992, but a 'yes' vote would have extended the right to the other 25 mini-states." (03/08/10)

Zurich, of course, is to Switzerland what San Francisco is to the US. But the reason to comment on this is to note the incredible contempt that the Mainstream Media (represented by this Canadian paper) has for the Swiss. "Mini-States?" Five Canadian provinces have a million or fewer residents (and I suspect this includes deer, cattle, elk, moose, and caribou). Canada has all of 33 million people and can't defend itself - Switzerland with under 8 million people can defend itself and its liberty - even against its own internal enemies - quite well.

Congress in action
Stupak 'Remains Optimistic' He Can Work Out Abortion-Funding Language to Save Health Care Bill
CNSNews.com
Rep. Bart Stupak, a pro-life Democrat from Michigan, “remains optimistic” that he can work out language with House Democratic leaders on federal funding of abortion, the main sticking point in getting a health care bill to President Obama’s desk. Stupak said on Tuesday he had “meaningful discussions” with two leading House Democrats, and more are planned for later in the week.

Too many people are willing to sell their birthright for a bowl of cold, stinking pottage, and Stupak is just the man to close the deal.

Health care panic
55 Percent Think Obama Should ‘Start Over’ on Health Care Reform, Poll Finds
CNSNews.com
A Rasmussen Reports survey found that 55 percent of Americans think Congress should throw the current health care plan out and start fresh, suggesting that President Obama’s demand that Congress pass his reform proposal has failed to sway the public. The poll of 1,000 likely voters, which was released on March 5, found that only 37 percent of Americans think Congress should continue to build on the bill Democrats have been debating among themselves for nearly a year.

How about throw it out and DON'T start over?

Congress in action
Sen. Inhofe: Basis for Senate's Ban on Drudge Report Was Bogus; We Encourage People to Visit Drudge
CNSNews.com
“We would encourage people to continue to use Drudge. That’s a great source,” Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) told CNSNews.com Tuesday after his staff on the Environment and Public Works Committee received an email informing them that the Senate Sergeant at Arms believed the Drudge Report and whitepages.com were responsible for infecting Senate computers with viruses. The Sergeant at Arms advised Senate personnel not to visit those Web sites.

Any excuse to deny someone the truth, or the ability to speak freely.

Islamic war - Persian front
Giving Iran a Seat on U.N. Rights Council Would Legitimize Its Brutality and Encourage Other Violators, Iranian Says
CNSNews.com
An Iranian whose fiancée was killed during post-election protests last year made an impassioned appeal Tuesday for Tehran to be denied a seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council in elections this spring. Caspian Makan, a photojournalist who fled Iran late last year after being detained for more than 60 days, said Iranian membership in the U.N.’s top human rights body would be a “slap in the face” of other members.

I know he is being politically correct, but it is brown-nosing for Makan to talk about slaps to the faces - sadly, Iran would fit right in with the current membership. The HRC is more of a support group for human abusers than a 12-step organization to get them to quit.

Government-ruined, theft-funded schools
Education Secretary Arne Duncan Says Some Public Schools Discriminate
CNSNews.com
In a speech to commemorate the 1965 'Bloody Sunday' civil rights protest in Selma, Ala., Education Secretary Arne Duncan referred to certain failing public schools in America as 'dropout factories' and places that 'seem to suspend and discipline only young African-American boys.'

Well, Arne should know; Chicago public schools are about as bad as you can get and not be Detroit. But as readers of TPOL and my columns know, the REAL discrimination in public schools is against kids who like to make pictures of guns and wear tee-shirts that make people think.

Mama's Note: Any child who tries to think for themselves is discriminated against. The government "schools" only purpose is to produce docile, totally dependent serfs. They are terrified of anyone who has an original thought or wishes to rule their own life.

Poly-ticks 2010
Voters Trust GOP over Democrats on 8 out of 10 Issues
CNSNews.com
Republicans appear to be winning the battle of ideas, according to a Rasmussen Reports survey of American voters that found the GOP is trusted more than Democrats on issues ranging from the economy to abortion.

Once more we are reminded why democracy is such a bad idea - false choices are bad for you, and if you can be deluded into trusting the GOP, no matter how much you distrust the Democratic Party, well, there is a a LOT of help needed.

Commentary of the Day
Robert Heinlein Remembered
The Libertarian Enterprise - L. Neil Smith
...Heinlein taught us to accept his wisdom without becoming followers. He taught us to become, and to remain, individuals.

One of Neil's best essays - from the heart. Read it and grab some fresh hope...

Theft by government
TN: Bill would stamp income tax unconstitutional
Tennessean

"The sponsor of a measure that would declare an income tax and payroll tax unconstitutional in Tennessee says it's necessary because of the poor state of the economy. The proposed constitutional amendment sponsored by Republican Sen. Brian Kelsey of Germantown was approved 7-3 in the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday. The earliest it could go before voters is 2014. Even though the state constitution already says an income tax is not allowed in Tennessee, Kelsey said the difficult economic times may prompt lawmakers to try to pass an income tax. ... He said the measure would also clarify that a city or county 'cannot enact any tax that's not specifically authorized by the constitution and the Legislature.' Kelsey said the legislation is also necessary because it's uncertain how the Tennessee Supreme Court will rule in the future." (03/09/10)

Sadly, this does seem to be necessary, given the thieving nature of Tennessee politicos and bureaucrats. The fact that many Tennesseans still have gold filings and crowns is one reason that mortuaries in Nashville need to keep the places locked at night. (Thanks to Steve for this one!)

Culture war: killing children
UT: Herbert signs "miscarriage[sic]=murder" law
AlterNet

"On Monday afternoon, a controversial Utah bill that charges pregnant women and girls with murder for having miscarriages caused by 'intentional or knowing' acts, was signed into law by Gov. Gary Herbert. Contrary to media reports last week, the 'Criminal Homicide and Abortion Amendments' or HB12, which previously also applied to miscarriages caused by 'reckless' acts, was never 'withdrawn' by its sponsor, Republican Representative Carl Wimmer (who is crafting similar 'model legislation' for other states). After the governor expressed concern over 'possible unintended consequences,' of the legislation as written, Rep. Wimmer swiftly introduced a new version, titled 'Criminal Homicide and Abortion Revisions' (HB462), which omitted the word 'reckless.' Gov. Herbert signed the new bill and vetoed the old one." (03/09/10)

The intent of this law is admirable, but it is probably not going to accomplish the desired goals. Unfortunately, the courts will gut this, although it is a fact that some people are so sick that they will kill their own children. To me (though not apparently to many people who call themselves "libertarians), this is aggression - immoral and wrong - when a mother intentionally does something that will cause harm (including death) to an unborn child, or when a third person does something intentionally to a pregnant woman that causes harm or death to the unborn child. And yes, the fact that it is intentional (if it can be proven in a court to be so) would lead to the conclusion based on common law that it is murder or attempted murder, not merely homicide. The problem lies in proving intent, and in making sure that someone who unintentionally harms a child is not punished incorrectly.

Mama's Note: Given the fact that involuntary government action is always about control, not justice, giving them this much more power is a very bad idea.

Stupid government tricks
Is "right to fish" shifting under Obama?
Christian Science Monitor

"The Obama administration has proposed using United Nations-guided principles to expand a type of zoning to coastal and even some inland waters. That's raising concerns among fishermen that their favorite fishing holes may soon be off-limits for bait-casting. In the battle of incremental change that epitomizes the American conservation movement, many weekend anglers fear that the Obama administration's promise to 'fundamentally change' water management in the US will erode what they call the public's 'right to fish,' in turn creating economic losses for the $82 billion recreational fishing industry and a further deterioration of the American outdoorsman's legacy." (03/09/10)

Mama's Note: They came for the fisherman.... Maybe it it would help if the gun owners cared about other rights as much as they do the 2A.

Nathan's ideas: Sadly, gun rights supporters are like too many of us (including many who claim to be libertarian) and do not see that human liberties are closely connected, and that as soon as one is taken away, the warp and woof are going to start unraveling. It may take a while, but ultimately, freedoms will be lost. It is also important to note that this is NOT an isolated action, but part of an administration strategy to change ALL aspects of American life.

Congress in action
House Democrats seek to limit earmarks
Washington Post

Seeking to reclaim the reform mantle amid a series of scandals, House Democratic leaders are advocating a move that would shake up the multibillion-dollar practice of awarding no-bid contracts known as congressional earmarks... Under this plan, lawmakers could still steer six- and seven-figure grants to local nonprofits and municipalities, as President Obama and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel did when they served in Congress. ...

How stupid does the WaPo think we are - they invent a bogus definition for "earmarks" as a strawman, so that the Congress can claim reform when there is really none at all. This is nothing but vote buying, aided and abetted by the mainstream media.

Congress in action
McConnell warns House Democrats on reconciliation
Washington Post
As Republicans work to prevent a health-care bill from reaching President Obama, they are scrambling to exploit divisions between Democrats in the House and the Senate.

Well, as of Saturday, the GOP has kept the bill from leaving Congress, as the Administration seeks to find some way to force it through.

Congress in action - Crash of 2009
New head of House panel says job creation will be top priority
Washington Post
As he takes the reins of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Sander M. Levin is vowing to raise the profile of a once-powerful panel that, in recent years, has been overshadowed by the ethics troubles of its previous chairman, Rep. Charles B. Rangel.

In other words, this is nothing more than an opportunity for Levin to gain power – exactly what Rangel did, and which contributed to Rangel's corruption. Acton's dictum is once more proven, and Levin is going to do his best to do the same thing.

Congress in action - First Citizen's thugs
Talking shop while buffing up but not often while in the buff
Washington Post
It's no secret that members of Congress broker deals on the treadmill or in the weight room of the House and Senate gyms. But former congressman Eric Massa's accusation that White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel once berated him in the gym's shower over his vote against President Obama's budget...

As I've discussed earlier, and will continue to do so, today's United States Congress seems to be in the same situation as the Reichstag of the early 1930s, or perhaps the Senate of the era of Julius Caesar, in which dirty tricks, abuse, and every kind of blackmail and intimidation is used to gain and keep control of the political and bureaucratic machinery of the state. Even the WaPo is forced to admit something nasty is going on, but refuses to explain why. The question is, how many other Congressmen and Senators are also being intimidated and are NOT blowing the whistles? Massa may be a bad apple, but Emanuel is a thug, pure and simple, as his entire career and his every action as WHCoS shows.

Stupid government tricks
Obama's new NASA strategy criticized
Washington Post
Harrison Schmitt's credentials as a space policy analyst include several days of walking on the moon. The Apollo 17 astronaut, who is also a former U.S. senator, is aghast at what President Obama is doing to the space program.

Even liberals are upset! Of course, Schmitt is not one of those people who is going to be willing to admit that government had already messed up, if not destroyed, the immediate potential of the settlement of space and man's expansion into the universe.

Stupid government tricks
Obama Appointee Says Price Hikes by Broadband Providers 'Raise A Red Flag' for the FCC
CNSNews.com

Rich or poor, disabled or healthy, young or old – the Obama administration says every American should have access to high-speed Internet in their own homes, even if it costs American taxpayers billions of dollars to accomplish that goal. On Wednesday, FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, an Obama appointee, frowned on recent price hikes by broadband providers, calling it an “ominous” sign at a time when the government hopes to give all Americans access to high-speed Internet in their homes.

Inflation and its causes: government regulations, the trashing of the value of the funny money we call the dollar, and the subjection of more and more of the economy by government, are the primary reasons for this, I am sure. But it is yet another example of seizing any excuse to increase power and control. Indeed, the mere idea that the FCC may be getting the $12 billion or so that they have asked for to provide wel-net-fare (TM) may have triggered some of these increases, as the companies make sure that the government is milked for as much as possible. Reservations already have "commodity cellphones" - provided as part of "treaty obligation payments in kind" by various government programs, so what else is next? For example, if high-speed internet is an entitlement (my wel-net-fare (TM)), then the government must also provide the equipment by which the internet is accessed, no? So we have welfare computers, to boot!

Culture war - killing children
Texas Planned Parenthood Holds Gala to Raise Money for Abortion ‘Super Center’
CNSNews.com

Planned Parenthood of Houston and Southeast Texas is holding a gala next month to raise money for its new, 78,000-square-foot abortion clinic, which will be specially equipped for performing late-term abortions. Critics charge that the opening of the center will increase the number of abortions performed by Planned Parenthood and increase the influence of the organization, which receives more than $350 million in federal (taxpayer) grants.

I see this as another example of the growing polarization of society: this is the statement by the Tranzis of their domination of the culture, even in otherwise conservative states, and is intended to discourage their opposition. Like fancy city halls and county courthouses and big federal buildings, it is a show of power and a subtle threat of force.

Congress in action - Health care panic
Durbin Implies Obama Not ‘Telling the Truth’ about Health Care Premiums
CNSNews.com

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) on Wednesday contradicted President Barack Obama on whether the health care reform bill will lead to a decrease in health care premiums. Durbin claimed that rates would go up, while the president said the rates would go down.

Another indicator that the Democratic Party is imploding. A lot of rats are planning or actively taking steps to desert a sinking ship.

Mama's Note:  And each one should be greeted with cheers. Just need to work on getting the rest of them to go home and get an honest job. Oh wait! They are destroying all the honest jobs, as fast as they can.

Health care panic
Democrats Still Losing on Key Issues of Health Care Debate, Survey Shows
CNSNews.com

A new survey shows that 57 percent of American voters think that the health care plan currently before Congress would hurt the U.S. economy. The Rasmussen poll provides more evidence that Americans remain deeply opposed to the plan favored by President Barack Obama, for a variety of reasons.

Just one more poll for the First Citizen and his ministers to ignore. But it does encourage those who are fighting the health care garbage.

Government-ruined, theft-funded schools
Poll: Majority of Americans Believe Their Kids' Textbooks Place Political Correctness Above Accuracy
CNSNews.com

A new Rasmussen Poll shows that 60 percent of Americans with children in elementary schools believe most textbooks are more concerned with presenting information in a politically correct manner than they are in accuracy. Only 28 percent thought textbooks were more concerned with presenting information accurately.

"Believe"? Really, it is a demonstrable fact that most textbooks are politically biased: and not just in elementary school. I have recently started looking at some of the blatant historical "political correctness" that infests American history books (particularly about Western and AmerInd history), but all through my sons' K-12 school years, and now in their college classes, the bias in texts AND in presentation by most teachers is clear. Of course, much of this is NOT new - you can go back 40-50-60 years and see bias, just of a different sort. The control of government leads to such things.

Mama's Note: Of course this has been going on for a long time. The miracle here is that anyone really understands or notices it after all this time.

Islamic war - Persian front
Seventy Days After Deadline, Sanctions Against Iran Appear No Closer
CNSNews.com

Amid mounting skepticism about the likelihood of robust U.N. Security Council sanctions against Iran, attention is turning to calls for unilateral measures targeting gasoline shipments. Three major energy firms this week reportedly joined a list of companies ending their gasoline trade with Iran.

The UN is a joke, and that is the way most of the world wants it - Iran in particular is benefiting from it, just as other countries have in the past.

Islamic war - Canaanite front
Indirect Mideast Talks Off Again, Arab League Says
CNSNews.com

Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas has decided to withdraw from indirect U.S.-mediated talks with Israel that were supposed to begin soon, in the latest fallout over Israel’s plans to build more housing in Jerusalem. The announcement of new construction coincided with a visit to Israel by Vice President Joe Biden, who used strong language in condemning the decision.

Stupidity on all three sides (the US is ABLY represented in the stupidity zone by Mr. Biden) is, as usual, an excuse to continue to scream, rant, rave, and fight.

Stupid government tricks
PA, sexting youths will be prosecuted
Public Opinion Online

Franklin County District Attorney Matthew D. Fogal warned parents and students Tuesday about the dangers of sexting and the devastating consequences for those found guilty of the crime. During their presentation, Fogal and Carbaugh said that anyone possessing or disseminating nude pictures of juveniles is committing a felony. If a juvenile has such pictures, or is sharing them by cell phone, he or she is also guilty of a felony, they said. (03/10/10)

Thanks to Wendy for this. Her comments: They are brutally ruining the lives of foolish children under the guise of protecting them.
Nathan's thoughts: Yes, the children are foolish, but not as foolish as the Pennsylvania legislature and governor for trying to criminalize this, or as this DA for trying to enforce a truly stupid law.

Government-ruined, theft-funded schools
School district sues parents to shut them up!
WorldNetDaily

A school district in Arizona has filed a lawsuit against a handful of taxpayers seeking a court ruling that they have no right to ask for public records, sue the district or even complain to anyone about the educational institution's activities. The action brought by officials with the Congress, Ariz., district, against Jean Warren, Jennifer Renee Hoge, Cyndi Regis and Barbara Rejon apparently is a precedent. (03/11/10)

These board members must think that they are Congressmen or something! What arrogance! These people, like so many other governmental bodies, apparently believe that the electors and taxpayers have selected them to be their masters. A tyrant is a tyrant, whether "anointed by God" or made so by force of arms, or elected.

Mama's Note: Indeed, but the parents should make a far more effective and proactive statement by removing their children completely from the government "schools." Nothing else is really going to have any lasting effect, or save their children from the ongoing slave indoctrination.

Government-ruined, theft-funded schools
Dispute over teacher's banners escalates
WorldNetDaily

Members of a California school board, unhappy that they were told by a federal court not to censor a teacher's patriotic classroom banners that mention "God," have voted to appeal the ruling. The case comes from the Poway Unified School District, which lost its tussle with teacher Bradley Johnson just days earlier.

Like the previous story, we can see the arrogance - local, tyrannical arrogance - of the administrators AND the democratically-elected board of education.

Our right of self-defense
Utah joins Montana, Tennessee
WorldNetDaily

Utah has become the third state to adopt a law exempting guns and ammunition made, sold and used in the state from massive federal regulations under the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and supporters say about 30 more states have some sort of plan for their own exemptions in the works.

Utah beat out Wyoming AND South Dakota: Wyoming did this on Friday, but South Dakota is just days away from having the governor sign a similar bill; WND has a status map posted. This is just one of several good starts: the confrontation with the feds is still to come. I sometimes think that this tiny spark of rebellion is going to result in a lot more hope for the future than anything else happening right now. And I wonder just how many people have been making neat little things in their basements and garages.

(ADDED SATURDAY: Wyoming's law has a VERY important provision: local law enforcement officials (and possibly any citizen?) can arrest federal officials who attempt to enforce federal rules and laws on Made-in-Wyoming weapons and ammo. Amazingly, Gov. Freudenthal is a corrupt Democratic politician who has (among other things) seen his own wife (First Lady of Wyoming) appointed as a federal judge IN Wyoming; he apparently decided that there was no chance of NOT having the legislature override his veto.

Mama's Note: As a Wyomingite, I'm torn by this legislation. I see it as symbolic only, and am concerned about possible persecutions by the Feds. As it stands now, the manufacturer would of necessity not be able to continue as a Federally "licensed" gun maker, and so would have an extremely limited customer base. Remember that Wyoming only has 1.5 person per square MILE - and not all of them will buy those guns. But I hope for the miracle that will remove the insane Federal "laws" that are destroying the entire industry as fast as they can.

Congress in action - Nazgul
US House votes to impeach federal judge from Louisiana
CNN

"The House of Representatives voted unanimously Thursday to impeach Judge G. Thomas Porteous Jr. of U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, making him the nation's 15th federal judge ever impeached. 'Our investigation found that Judge Porteous participated in a pattern of corrupt conduct for years,' said U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-California, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Task Force on Judicial Impeachment." (03/11/10)

This is, overall, good news - but the standard it implies (though obvious) is frightening: a single case of corrupt behavior is not enough; there must be a long-term pattern before Congress will do anything. Of course, that is the same standard as Congress uses on itself - the corruption of the M.C. must be incredibly obvious and blatant and he (or she) must also have ticked off a lot of other M.C. and be on the outs.

Government-ruined, theft-funded schools - Culture wars
Expert: "Reagan test" exposes current textbooks' flaws
Fox News

"If you want to know just what your kids are learning from their history books, all you have to do is apply the 'Reagan test,' says Professor Larry Schweikart. As the Texas textbook battle continues to simmer, Schweikart says the first thing he does to determine whether a book is politically slanted is to go to any section discussing President Ronald Reagan. What you'll find there, he says, will tell you everything you need to know, he says. Schweikart says the majority of books he's examined credit former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev with ending the Cold War, and not Reagan. That's 'a joke,' Schweikart says. 'I lived through the Reagan years, I remember.' ... Schweikart says the textbooks' authors bring an inherently liberal viewpoint to their work. ... Aside from bias, there are factual errors as well." (03/11/10)

Sorry, this "test" doesn't go far enough. Yeah, there is that viewpoint, and the factual errors are incredible, but it is more than just a "Reagan" thing. It has been going on for a LONG time. And if the effort discussed in the next story bears any fruit at all - this is just the beginning.

Government-ruined, theft-funded schools
Governors, educators push uniform teaching standards
Arizona Republic

"Governors and education leaders on Wednesday proposed sweeping new school standards that could lead to students across the country using the same math and English textbooks and taking the same tests, replacing a patchwork of state and local systems in an attempt to raise student achievement nationwide. But states must first adopt the rigorous new Common Core State Standards, and implementing the standards on such a large scale won't be easy. Two states, Texas and Alaska, have already refused to join the project, and everyone from state legislatures to the nation's 10,000 local school boards and 3 million teachers could chime in with their opinions. Since No Child Left Behind became law in 2002, every state has been required to create a set of K-12 grade-level learning goals in math and English. Most often, state standards were developed by committees of teachers, and the quality varied from state to state." (03/11/10)

Talk about getting rid of even the GHOST of the Republic! Even STATES have no business dictating school goals, and we do NOT need to turn into even more of a clone of France, where Charles DeGaulle, as President of the Republic, could open a bookcase in his office, consult a schedule, and open up EXACTLY the same book to the same page as any particular grade level of students was studying at that time anywhere in France. As France demonstrates, this does NOT "raise student achievement nationwide," it DESTROYS the lives of millions. Fortunately, at least some states are opposed, and hopefully more will join them. Is this another example of choosing up sides for the approaching New War Between the States?

Congress in action - Poly ticks 2010
Black Caucus frustrated but reluctant to say so
Washington Post
A year ago, members of the Congressional Black Caucus openly wept at Barack Obama's inauguration. Slowly, that euphoria has given way to frustration that his administration has not done more for black America. Questions about how to elect him have been replaced by questions about how to prod him.

Another proof of the fragmenting of the Democratic Party, as well as proof that the First Citizen's loyalty is to his Tranzi ideals and not to anything else. The cause of “black justice” is nothing more than an excuse for action.

Congress in action - Poly ticks 2010
Republicans urging new investigation of Massa
Washington Post
Republicans on Thursday pushed the House ethics committee to look into whether Democratic leaders responded appropriately to complaints of misconduct by then-Rep. Eric Massa, an inquiry that could become an election-year embarrassment for Democrats.

Seems to me like the GOP is not taking advantage of this little fracas properly (from their point of view). But again, I'm reminded of the little incidents that took place in Berlin back in 1932 and 1933 as the Nazis gained control. The Democratic Party may be fraying at the edges and the core, but the GOP is in nearly as bad shape – especially in Congress.

Theft by Government
Under the influence of lobbyists, Md. unlikely to raise alcohol taxes
Washington Post
In recent years, Maryland has raised its sales tax, income tax, corporate tax and cigarette tax; added a surcharge called the "millionaires' tax"; and created taxes on electronic bingo, tip jars and even water and septic systems -- the "flush tax."

Normally, this wouldn't merit listing or comment, but it is not uncommon across the nation, as the Tranzi statists panic and try to find more and more money to support their habit: tax anything and everything. If not this year, liquor will be on the list next year in Maryland, along with a law requiring Santa to report exactly what he delivered down the chimney, with a fat check for 8-10% of “market value.”

First Citizen
Obama offers plan to boost U.S. exports
Washington Post
President Obama unveiled plans Thursday to double U.S. exports over the next five years in hopes of spurring job growth, an ambitious goal that may rekindle the battle over free-trade policy.

Hope and change! Also known as grabbing for straws. There will be nothing of substance in this EXCEPT spending more money in corporate and overseas welfare (foreign aid). If we truly wanted to double US exports, the first thing we'd do is cut billions of words of government regulations that drive up the cost of manufacturing in the US. And you know this isn't going to happen.

Theft by government - Congress in action
Private interests defend their projects
Washington Post
As lawmakers imposed another restriction Thursday on congressional earmarks, private companies and lobbyists defended their work in securing federal money for what they deemed worthy projects.

The WaPo is still trying to push their garbage that this “reform” does anything at all about porkbarrel.

American front
TX: Mexican helo incursion on Rio Grande

San Antonio Express-News
The Zapata County sheriff Thursday was questioning why a Mexican military helicopter was hovering over homes on the Texas side of the Rio Grande. ... one of the more jarring incidents of the fourth week of border tensions sparked by drug killings, and rumors of such killings, in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas.Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez said he'd reviewed photos of the chopper flown by armed personnel Tuesday over a residential area... near the bi national Falcon Lake, just south of the Starr-Zapata county line. He said the helicopter appeared to have the insignia of the Mexican navy. “It's always been said that the Mexican military does in fact ... that there have been incursions,” Gonzalez said. “But this is not New Mexico or Arizona. Here we've got a river; there's a boundary line. And then of course having Falcon Lake, Falcon Dam, it's a lot wider. It's not just a trickle of a river, it's an actual dam. You know where the boundary's at.”

Surely our ATC/radar would have detected this - and this is a long way from the coast for it to be a naval aircraft: Falcon is not only more than halfway to Laredo from the mouth of the Rio Grande, but this Falcon Heights subdivision is actually up an arm of Falcon Lake. So what gives?

Stupid people tricks
Obama Urged to Establish an Office of Maternal Health -- Because Health Care Bill ‘Won’t Fix Crisis’
CNSNews.com

The government must do something beyond the pending health care bill to reduce the “appalling” U.S. death rate for women having babies, Amnesty International says. It is asking President Obama to establish an Office of Maternal Health to rectify “systemic failures and shocking disparities in maternal health care.”

Another example of a manufactured crisis – I guess Amnesty International is having to find something else to whip up donations with, since they really don't want to get named in a Fatwah for crying about human rights abuses in Muslim countries. (Notice their silence on Morroco's expulsion of christian workers, about five stories ahead.)

Congress in action - Theft by government
New Pay Discrimination Bill Would Let Government Collect Payroll Records of Private Companies
CNSNews.com

A proposed new law would empower the federal government to collect the payroll information of private companies and analyze it in an effort to prevent gender-based pay discrimination. Known as the Paycheck Fairness Act, the law was passed by the House of Representatives more than one year ago, but it had languished in the Senate until Thursday, when it was taken up in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

What? You'd think that the government didn't already GET all the payroll records of every company in the nation – at least every company that tries to follow the law. Duh! It is called a W-2; to say nothing of the records on Medicare and Social Security “contributions.” Still, this is one more expansion of government power: Big Brother lives and grows ever bigger.

Stupid Government Tricks
U.S. Census Bureau Changes Its Interpretation of DOMA To Allow Same-Sex Couples to Self-Identify as ‘Married’

CNSNews.com

The U.S. Census Bureau has changed its interpretation of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) to allow it to tabulate same-sex couples who self-identify their union as a marriage, even though DOMA prohibits legal recognition of same-sex unions as marriages.

One more example of this Administration's casual disregard for the law. Yes, the Bush administration did the same sort of thing, but everyone screamed about it – even some of the Conservatives. Here, only the so-called “religious right” seems to be pointing it out because this is exactly what the Tranzis want. This is the rule of men and not of law.

Congress in action - First Citizen
Two Members of Congress Say Obama Administration May be Involved in Crime Over Sestak Job-Offer Allegation
CNSNews.com

Two members of Congress said this week that someone in the White House may have committed a crime if they offered Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.) an administration job in exchange for him not running in Pennsylvania’s Democratic senate primary against Sen. Arlen Specter, as Sestak has alleged. The White House continues to withhold comment on the matter.

As I've pointed out in past weeks, the Democratic Party's members are running scared, and the party may be imploding. From their point of view, not saying anything is the best thing for the Administration to do.

Congress in action - Poly ticks 2010
Specter Says Nobody Told Him They Would Clear Democratic Primary Field for Him
CNSNews.com

Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) told CNSNews.com he did not ask anybody to clear the field of rival candidates in Pennsylvania’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary and that nobody told him that they would do so. Specter also told CNSNews.com he believes Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.) raised the allegation to “change the subject” on whether Sestak paid campaign employees less than the minimum wage—a practice that would be “a violation of state and federal law, Specter said.

Just because they didn't tell him doesn't mean that there was not a tacit agreement, either with him or with his staff - “Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest?” And of course, there is the difference between “ask” and “tell” isn't there?

Stupid government tricks
State Department’s Annual Human Rights Report Does Not Examine U.S., But the Next One Will
CNSNews.com

Releasing this year's annual State Department report on human rights around the world on Thursday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told reporters the Obama administration was 'committed to holding everyone to the same standard, including ourselves.' She said a report on the U.S. human rights record is being prepared for release later this year. And for the first time, the State Department will include the U.S. in its annual report on human trafficking.

Of course, we can expect that the administration to lie about this, like everything else.

Islamic war
Morocco Rejects Criticism for Expelling Christians Accused of Proselytizing Abandoned Muslim Children
CNSNews.com

The government of Morocco has launched a public relations effort to fend off criticism about its decision to expel 20 foreign Christian aid workers it accuses of trying to convert Muslims. The expulsion order affected Christians who ran a center that has been taking in and fostering abandoned Moroccan children for 10 years. The group issued a statement denying the accusations, and describing the wrench of 33 children being forced to say goodbye, with no prior warning, to the only parents they have known.

Morocco is supposedly a “moderate” Muslim nation, but this appears to be changing. Like Turkey (although less likely to be a major military pain in the neck), Morocco is being drawn into the wrong camp for this world war between civilizations which dominates our world situation; not as deep yet as Pakistan, but still an enemy. If only Spain had carried the Reconquista across the Straits as they had originally planned...

Our right to defend ourselves
NM: Concealed carry expanded
New Mexico Independent
Governor Bill Richardson announced in a press release today that he signed a bill that would allow concealed weapons in some restaurants. While doing so, Richardson announced that he was directing the New Mexico Department of Public Safety to revise a regulation that would make it clear that those with concealed weapons could not consume alcohol.

Well, this is a surprise, given Richardson's Tranzi credentials, but even a lot of Democrats in NM (outside the Tranzi-New Age communities of Santa Fe and Taos and the Albuquerque metro area) are very jealous of their right to be armed, and the political situation in NM is delicate. With this and action in Utah and Wyoming, this has been a pretty good week for our right to defend ourselves.

Culture wars - Local tyranny
AZ: City of Gilbert says religious meetings in homes is illegal
WorldNetDaily

The town interprets its law so that "churches within its borders cannot have any home meetings of any size, including Bible studies, three-person church leadership meetings and potluck dinners," ADF said. A city letter confirmed, "Given that the church is considered to be religious assembly, and given the LDC provisions prohibiting that use on Local streets without Use Permits and prohibiting it in single family residential structures, it follows that the church meetings cannot be held in the home." "The assembly activities associated with the church, including Bible studies, church leadership meetings and church fellowship activities are not permitted," wrote Mike Milillo, the city's senior planner.

Gilbert is a major (200,000 population) suburb of Phoenix, SE of Tempe and Mesa. This will be a perfect opportunity for people of Gilbert and vicinity to see exactly who (or Who) the churches in that town obey: the State or God. (By the way, it is clear that the "Oasis of Truth Church" is NOT a Biblical church, as they have obeyed the city and ceased meeting except for one time a week in a public school. They have made it clear who their Ruler is, and it is not God, or they would have obeyed the example of Peter, Paul, and the christians of the First Century and told the City politely "we must obey God rather than man." First Amendment or no First Amendment, what this city is doing cannot be obeyed.

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Nathan Barton is writing from either the Four Corners or the Black Hills - two places where there is still a hope of liberty and freedom for the 21st Century and beyond. He is a libertarian (a lover of liberty) because he is a Christian; a follower of Christ Jesus, Who came to make all men free in all ways. He was born, by God's grace, a Westerner, an American; he is a Christian, and therefore a libertarian, again by God's grace and his own free will and choice. Nathan's writings and words and life seek to live up to the potential of all these things, knowing that he can never achieve perfection on this earth in any of those things, but never giving up trying. Be sure to visit my blog, Liberty's Outpost.

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