Tuesday, March 29, 2005

The Devil just bought a fur coat and meteorologist predict a cold day in Hell

"As Terri Schiavo entered her 12th full day without food or water, the Rev. Jesse Jackson prayed with her parents Tuesday and joined conservatives in calling for state lawmakers to order her feeding tube reinserted."

I never thought Jessie and I had anything in common other than hailing from the same hometown. Terri’s plight has created strange bedfellows indeed.

Monday, March 28, 2005

Terri's life trumps Bushes' careers

<"While the Bushes and Justice dither and dally, a 41-year old woman is slowly being killed. Call it anything you want; dress it up in rhetoric about privacy and individual rights; but it's still murder. "

Good piece by the "Babe in the Bunker"...it seems time to pull the GOP 'pro-life card" and stop thinking of them as conservatives.

Shame on us all

Easter weekend has come and gone. Terri is in her 10th day or court mandated starvation. At this moment she sits in a bed undoubtedly crying inside under the unimaginable suffering that the sort of death she has been subjected to precipitates.

Who is to blame? Her husband for certain, he is the lowest form of life. Sure the judges have a role; they made their rulings. We must ask who empowers them to enforce their immoral and inhuman pontifications. Jeb Bush had the power under the Constitution of Florida to act; he could still act if he were a real man. The Gestapo police that are “merely following orders” could demonstrate some degree of humanity and refuse to preside over the starvation of a helpless woman. All of these people are to blame.

They are not alone. We all have a burden to carry in this. There have been notable exceptions of individual courage. Ministers, children and ordinary folks have decided to let themselves be arrested for attempting to do the right thing rather than stand on the sidelines. Their efforts have been too few.

What of the rest of us? Surely there are thousands of people that believe that this is just wrong. Why did we not go to Florida and force our way into the hospice care and free Terri? Are we so apathetic and concerned with our own existence and comfort? Apparently so….Maybe we believe in the rule of law…but how can we when those that enforce and interpret the law do not understand fundamental rights such as the right to life?

We have failed as a people and a nation. Our leaders failed and we as the body politic failed to act in their stead. We have all (with notable exceptions) stood by and watched this woman be sentenced to a death worse than a fate we would sentence a mass murderer to.

Some of us sit comfortably on our duffs and write about it but this has not saved Terri from her suffering.

Something is terribly wrong with us as a people (a people that claim to love liberty). We are too unwilling to fight for the liberty and rights of the weakest among us. A people so unwilling to protect the weak have no right to claim liberty for themselves.

Shame on us all.

Recedite, plebes! Gero rem imperialem
El Cid

Saturday, March 26, 2005

FBI to create group to study gun law

"FBI Director Robert Mueller is forming a study group to review the law that let suspected terrorists buy guns in the United States after they cleared background checks."

This is nothing more than smoke and mirrors, plain and simple. So what a few terror suspects passed a background check. What will this panel conclude? Make background checks so obscene and intrusive that people refuse to get them? Does anyone really think that would keep a determined terrorist from getting a weapon if they needed and wanted one.

And please tell me of one case where a terrorist actually used a gun in the US? They used box cutters...and for that I cannot even take my fingernail clippers with me when I travel.

This is just an excuse to tighten gun control a little bit more.

Michael Schiavo lawyer gave to judge's campaign

"The judge who tried the Terri Schiavo case and most recently rejected Gov. Jeb Bush's request to intervene, received a campaign contribution from the lawyer pressing for the brain-injured woman's death, raising questions of a conflict of interest. "

Anyone still convinced that judges have any moral authority to "make law"....it seems time to find Thomas Jefferson's tree of liberty and let a few tyrants water it with their blood if anyone were to ask me.

Another brave young man

"Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies, and Pinellas Park, Fla., police officers arrest 10-year-old Joshua Heldreth, of Charlotte, N.C., for trespassing on Woodside Hospice property in Pinellas park, Fla. Heldreth was attempting to bring Terri Schiavo a glass of water"

Friday, March 25, 2005

BBC Unionist Rogues

"I was a bit taken aback today when I clicked on the link for BBC Scotland's Homepage. There, glaring back at me, was the Union Flag. It fair spoilt my morning coffee.

Why, pray tell, are we being subjected to that divisive image at this time in the morning? The BBC 'explains':

'Two become one
On this day, in 1603, King James VI of Scotland was crowned James I of England.
This marked the beginning of the union between the two 'Auld Enemies'. Not everyone was pleased...'

Why the use of the past tense? Plenty of us are still not overjoyed."

Stuart, I and many Southerners feel your pain and understand your feelings of disgust and disheartenment!!

Jeb Bush not likely to ride to rescue

"Those hoping Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will step forward to save Terri Schiavo from imminent, court-ordered starvation death are likely to be disappointed"


What is the purpose in having a “Chief Executive” charged with defending the constitution if he is too cowardly to act? The Florida Constitution in Article I, Section 2, states that "[a]ll natural persons, female and male alike, are equal before the law, and have inalienable rights, among which are the right to enjoy and defend life ..."

Jeb, has not only a legal obligation to do the right thing, he has a moral obligation. To paraphrase Thomas Jefferson “ a society that allows the rule of judges to become supreme is destined for oligarchy”. Bush can act, who would stop him? Judges may scream and shout but they are just evil men in black robes. They have no more power than we allow them to have.

Jeb, my opinion of you is that you are nothing more than a fat wind bag, spineless and weak. If Terri dies, you alone will have had the best opportunity to save her. You are her last hope, her suffering is all on your hands and soul at this point. Be a man and do the right thing!!

If we cannot depend on elected chief executives to display moral courage what options are we left with? Well two really.

First we could accept that unelected and obviously immoral men have the power to rule over us. We can accept that elected officials have no desire to exercise their power to protect our Constitutions, State and Federal. If Jeb was half a real man he would state boldly that this is an issue of right and wrong and that he is making this a States’ Rights issue and taking action as the Chief Executive of Florida.

Realizing that we are obviously without men of real character or moral foundation we have one other option. We could follow the example of young Gabriel Keys. It is hard to imagine that 10,000 of us could be stopped if we expressed our moral outrage with physical force and went to Florida to remove this poor woman from the starvation she is being subjected to.

This has my dander up. I do not jest when I suggest the second option. I have fought for things far less worthy, this is completley justifiable.

Publicola.

"Some people are about 5 good ass whoopin's shy of bein' full growed'."

You really must love Publicola's frankness and candor (this is in reference to the nation's chief "conservative" opposing a project of citizens wishing to help out the inept Border Patrol)

Thursday, March 24, 2005

Brave young man

"Gabriel Keys (foreground) is arrested by police officers for trespassing in Pinellas Park, Florida, March 23, 2005. The young boy attempted to take a glass of water into the Woodside Hospice for the brain-damaged Terri Schiavo"

Southern Knight points out a very brave young man

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Why Boot Went Berserk

"After hearing that Tom Woods's book, The Politically Incorrect Guide to American History, expressed some reservations about an American foreign policy based on world conquest and the mass killing of foreign civilians in order to remake the world in 'our' image, Max Boot of the Council on Foreign Relations went berserk. He authored an ignorant hatchet job in the Weekly Neocon Standard online that was simply a shameless smear job filled with lies and personal insults. A little insight into the history of the 'Council on Foreign Relations' explains why the maniacally sputtering Boot became so unhinged. "

read more

Army Likely Won't Meet Recruiting Goals (again)

"WASHINGTON (AP) - The Army expects to miss its recruiting goals again this month and next, Army Secretary Francis J. Harvey said Wednesday, and it is developing a new sales pitch that appeals to the patriotism of parents who have been reluctant to steer their children toward the Army."

Another month and another recruiting goal missed. There is so much I could say about this and there is so much that this says about the state of the empire.

First, what does this say about the Army? I read in this week's Army Times two interesting articles. One dealt with the cut backs in "quality of life" functions at bases in order to fund the war. Of course this sort of thing compounds the real problem in the long-term. Take away things like gyms, tuition and family activities and folks returning from deployments wonder why they live a life with relatively low pay and constant deployments. The military is a family and is made up of families. The old saying that "if momma ain't happy nobody is happy' is very true. Short term financial gains made through cuts in things that keep families happy will only serve to make the manning problem tougher.

Of course that is small potatoes. You cannot buy a quality army. The bigger issue is trust and leadership. The ordinary Joe has lost confidence that senior leaders are really competent or that they (for the most part) have interest greater than their own at heart. Men will serve in austere and difficult situations time and time again for folks they trust.

We have some very fine young men (and a few good women) serving in all the branches of the military. In point of fact these are truly some of the best citizens. Of course there are bad apples but there are many of the finest sorts you will find. These people stay and serve despite the lack of real principles to be found in senior officers.

How long will they serve? There is a limit to even the goodwill of idealistic young men. Many are or will leave.

And now the nation as a whole no longer supports the institution with the best and brightest. The situation is not new, it has all occurred before.

In order to meet the end strength levels required more and more drastic measures will ensue. Standards will continue to be lowered and we will make do with what we have. We are breaking the Army slowly.

This brings me to the second article. It dealt with the shortage of lieutenants. The Army has numerous plans to "fix" this. All involve lowering standards. Again, the long term result will be a weakened Army, one that is led by less than the best as these "make dos" make their way up the rank chain.

All of this is dangerous, at least for the empire and certainly for those few good folks that choose to serve.

Thursday, March 17, 2005

The Check Point Nullification Project

"This site is dedicated to eliminating the menaces to freedom known as Seat Belt Check Points, DUI Check Points, and any other check points and speed traps that civil authorities (The Gestapo) think are acceptable in a free society. I can think of nothing as un-American as having to stop and slowly drive past a bunch of jackbooted thugs as they scrutinize me and my vehicle for potential violations. Worse than that are the violations of 4th amendment rights that often take place at these check points, where law abiding citizens must either endure unlawful searches of their persons or vehicles, or risk being arrested on trumped up charges of resisting arrest, interfering with law enfoircement, etc. "

Interesting points

Tuesday, March 15, 2005

Rebel Yell: I Need Your Help

"I'm breaking my long silence for a reason, I need your help."

Go visit and help out a good cause

So much for gun control

"A man is being questioned over a brutal daylight axe murder which stunned residents in an upmarket area of north London."

Britain long ago took away the right of ordinary folks to own guns with relative ease. After all, according to the gun control nazis, guns kill people. Right?

Well obviously it seems that axes kill people also. Maybe the answer is to have rules and laws that ban every possible lethal weapon. Maybe that will stop senseless killing.

You do see the flaw in that argument don't you? Cain killed Able with a rock. It is as simple as that., If a person is inclined to murder another it can and will be done. Gun-control is a silly notion.

Monday, March 14, 2005

China Law Authorizes Force Against Taiwan

"BEIJING (AP) - China's parliament enacted a law Monday authorizing force to stop rival Taiwan from pursuing formal independence, sparking outrage on the self-governing island and warnings that the measure would fuel regional tensions."

Tawan flaps in the wind as the foolish neocons wage a crusade in a land where the people did little; except for the Kurds; to win their own freedom. (the irony is that we supported the Kurds up until there desires for independence clashed with neoconic visions of a perfect world)

Taiwan on the other had is different. This little island stands and has stood against the red dragon for 60 years.

Right is right and defending the independence of Taiwan against the Chicoms is right. Secession in Taiwan is a reality, it is time that the tiny nation was accepted among nations.

Saturday, March 12, 2005

A Republic, Not a Democracy

Those who delude themselves into believing our public schools and universities are telling the truth about the foundations of American government, or for that matter, teaching our youth how to think – ought to read through the stack of emails I regularly receive from educated individuals who passionately defend that which is absolutely false and totally nonsensical.

The latest came from a female New Yorker, responding to my article, "Blessed Tolerance: The ‘Virtue’ of a Republic in Decline," who worked herself into a lather over my suggestion that a "me first … anything goes" democracy is a shortcut to tyranny, and that a return to "liberty under the law," as per a republic, is what America needs if America expects to remain free.

I noted, summarizing Plato, that the ‘democratic man,’ overly fixed on his beloved self interest, first becomes tyrannized by his own lusts, and next tyrannizes everyone else in an unending attempt to satisfy his ever growing list of lusts – which can never be fully satisfied.

The point being, a society dominated by weak and undisciplined, brutish and unprincipled individuals is ripe for tyranny because slavery and tyranny is already their lot.

Welcome to human nature 101. When self-love and self-indulgence are ranked as the greatest of rights, and toleration for every sort of extreme as the highest of virtues, trouble follows. Morality, law, stability take a hit. Turbulence, anarchy, political opportunism come in their wake.

Why is that so hard to understand? This is why the founding father of modern communism, Karl Marx, initiated the battle cry of the Communist Manifesto, "We must win the battle of democracy!" And this is why the Father of the US Constitution, James Madison, opposed democracy, in these words:

democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths. 1

"A republic", by contrast, … "opens a different prospect and promises the cure for which we are seeking." 2

Get it? Communist Founder Marx wanted democracy, and American Founder Madison did not, for the very same reasons: democracies are unstable, violent, short lived political systems whose chief aim is the overthrow of private property.

But that is not all. Democracies have other problems, as well, especially in their outlook on equality. They seek to "reduce mankind," Madison warned, "[until they are] equalized and assimilated in their possessions, their opinions, and their passions." 3

That is, they preach and practice a false equality that, in the end, impoverishes and enslaves mankind economically, intellectually, and morally into one common miserable lot.

This is the exact opposite of the sort of equality the American Founders promoted. St. George Tucker, the author of the 1803, "View of the Constitution of the United States" (the first commentary on the US Constitution), explained what our founders meant by "all men are created equal":

By equality … is to be understood, equality of civil rights and not of condition. Equality of rights necessarily produces inequality of possessions; because, by the laws of nature and of equality, every man has a right to use his faculties in an honest way, and the fruits of his labor, thus acquired, are his own. But some men have more strength than others; some more health; some more industry; and some more skill and ingenuity, than others; and according to these, and other circumstances the products of their labors must be various, and their property must become unequal. The rights of property are sacred, and must be protected; otherwise there would be no exertion of either ingenuity or industry, and consequently nothing but extreme poverty, misery, and brutal ignorance. 4

Indeed, the American Founders rejected the equal ends approach to equality because such an equality, the equality of a pure democracy, produces precisely what communism has always produced: "nothing but extreme poverty, misery, and brutal ignorance, " even as it undermines the best in men.

The Republic our Founders gave us, by embracing true equality – meaning equality under the law, and equality of God given rights – produced the most ingenious, industrious, prosperous, happy, and enlightened people in history.

And so let’s not pussy foot around here. What, then, is the real object of a national educational establishment that has rewritten our history books, and imposed curriculum mandates that teach the rising generation that the American Founders gave us a democracy?

And, what, then, is this educational establishment’s real object when they use democracy as justification for a "me first, anything goes" agenda, that bans Capitalism and Christianity from their "anything goes" list?

Are we really naïve enough to believe that this fraud was perpetrated by men of pure motives, men and women who love American liberty so much that they feel compelled to lie about her foundations?

My ‘educated’ reader accused me of writing "an article supporting the end of our democracy." If she had been truly educated she might have said with Jefferson, "In questions of power, then, let no more be said of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution." 5

She might have said, "you are right, Steve. We are ‘a government of laws, not of men,’ 6 that is, a republic, not a democracy – and since ‘the best republics will be virtuous, and have been so’ 7 it is incumbent upon all of us to say ‘No!’ to false definitions of equality, and "No!’ to moral extremes that aim to undermine ‘liberty under law,’ in favor of ‘anything goes,’ on the way to absolute tyranny."

She might have said something like that, but she didn’t; and neither will millions of others similarly educated in this country. And so our work is cut out for us, isn’t it?


Madison, Tucker, Jefferson, Adams, Letter 24: A Republic, Not a Democracy
Steve Farrell



This one issue more than most goes unnoticed by the undereducated and those that choose not to read or think about real history. Democracy is all the “rage” now. We are engaged in a crusade of sorts to “democrartize” the world or at least all the small insignificant (except for their natural resources) nations.

John C. Calhoun discussed the issue of democracy in his Disquisition On Governemnt:

I call the right of suffrage the indispensable and primary principle; for it would be a great and dangerous mistake to suppose, as many do, that it is, of itself, sufficient to form constitutional governments. To this erroneous opinion may be traced one of the causes, why so few attempts to form constitutional governments have succeeded; and why, of the few which have, so small a number have had durable existence. It has led, not only to mistakes in the attempts to form such governments, but to their overthrow, when they have, by some good fortune, been correctly formed. So far from being, of itself, sufficient — however well guarded it might be, and however enlightened the people — it would, unaided by other provisions, leave the government as absolute, as it would be in the hands of irresponsible rulers; and with a tendency, at least as strong, towards oppression and abuse of its powers; as I shall next proceed to explain.


...
And further speaking on the dangers of “majority rule”

So deeply seated, indeed, is this tendency to conflict between the different interests or portions of the community, that it would result from the action of the government itself, even though it were possible to find a community, where the people were all of the same pursuits, placed in the same condition of life, and in every respect, so situated, as to be without inequality of condition or diversity of interests. The advantages of possessing the control of the powers of the government, and, thereby, of its honors and emoluments, are, of themselves, exclusive of all other considerations, ample to divide even such a community into two great hostile parties.


I have touched on this topic in a small way in several posts. In fact much of what I write relates directly to this one fundamental issue. It is simply incomprehensible that any nation could ever hope to attain greatness while saddled with the burden of the notion of Democracy.

Sure you say the US is already great, the preeminent power in the world.

“Unchecked by any rival,” is how Krauthammer described the new Rome (the US).

Pat Buchanan retorts:
Yet as one watches the Old Republic spend herself into bankruptcy, run up trade deficits that debauch her currency, decline to defend her own bleeding borders, permit rivals to loot her technology and cart off her manufacturing plants, America does in a way resemble Rome. But it is, unfortunately, the Rome of the late fourth century.
For America 2005, unlike the America we knew not long ago, has become a newly dependent nation, dependent on the Gulf for oil to run our economy, on imports for the necessities of our national life, on Beijing and Tokyo to buy the bonds to subsidize our self-indulgent lifestyles.


So our current power is temporal at best. I speak often of the moral corruption of many of our institutions. These are just symptomatic representations of a deeper ills.

The military has become weak and spineless (sure we can still kick the proverbial crap out of the best third world countries but do they really count). This demise is a direct reflection on society and what we value. The long and proud position of the commissioned officer has been replaced by selfish managers that for the most part neither understand nor accept commitment to principle. One only needs to look at the reams of evidence of wrong-doing and debauchery to understand this. Read my posts on "Vegitus Redux" or "My beef with the Air Force"

Our elected officials are often as comical as the sort of people that frequent a Jerry Springer episode. Find a real backbone among them (with rare and exceptional misfits).

Our chief religion is that of personal self interest. It is hard to even trust “religious” leaders in this regard. We are truly a people out only to better ourselves at most any cost.

We have forgotten our love for liberty. We have and do sacrifice all for some temporary benefit. We are all “afraid” of terrorist so we willingly give up all manner of freedoms to fight this “threat”. We want government services so we allow politicians to tax and spend OUR money and the birthright of our children. We are all “owed” something and we want the government to provide it. We sell our liberty for a few shillings.

We have accepted a public “education” system that no longer educates. Most high school graduates know little about the Constitution or what the nation was founded to be. You can be sure that they have spent countless hours during their scholastic careers learning about “other cultures” and touch feely nonsense.

Can people that would sell their liberty for temporary benefit and security; are not enlightened enough to understand their rights and place in the world; and answer to no god other than personal self interest be trusted with the franchise? If they are trusted to vote can a nation stand long that does not have in place a system that accounts for the corruption of the people?

I say that it is impossible for a nation to prosper under such circumstances. There was a time when Senators were not directly elected and when the popular presidential vote meant little. I envision a time, not so far off when we will eliminate the electorial college in favor of direct elections. As ineffective as the electorial college has become that will still be a sad day.

The plain fact is people are too selfish, stupid or lazy to make democracy an effective form of government. Democracy is the “kindest” form” of tyranny. Instead of one dictator telling you what to do, 51% of your neighbors perform this function.

Recedite, plebes! Gero rem imperialemEl Cid

Stop the separation of Scouts and school!

"Under threat by the American Civil Liberties Union, the Boy Scouts of America is formulating plans to remove thousands of chartered troops from sponsorship by our nation's public schools. The important partnership that has existed for 95 years between the Boy Scouts and public schools apparently is being severed, by the scouts themselves."

How can a nation that allows the Boy Scouts to be forced from schools for fear of lawsuits be a great nation at all?

Friday, March 11, 2005

Carnival of the Vanities

The 129th edition of the Carnival of the Vanities is up over at Solomania.

Belief Seeking Understanding: Christian Carnival LX

"The Christian blogging community has a lot to say, and I've got it right here! I give you the 60th Christian Carnival! I have 19 posts here, and I will be adding the other 26 posts later today."

Be sure to check it out

About UN-free Zones

"Oklahoma introduces bill to ban UN flag"

This made me think of Arklahomboy

Michael New -- Mercenary... or American Soldier

I have always had respect for this man's moral courage.

Police Accused Of Tasering Suspect To Get Urine Sample

"A police officer twice used a Taser stun device on a drug suspect who was restrained to a hospital bed because the man refused to give a urine sample to medical staff, authorities said."

I am all for punishing criminals. I fully support the death penalty and I think convicted criminals ought to be locked away and put in funny clothes and made to work like dogs...

However that is for convicted criminals. Police are just all to happy to mistreat suspects without any regard to personal human freedom or rights. How is it possibly right to force a person not convicted of a crime to undergo a medical procedure. How can we possibly accept a world in which goons shock and taser people because they will not pee in a cup or allow a tube to be placed in their most sensitive areas?

These taser devices and the nazis that use them are simply ought of control. If we do not wake up and realize that when we accept this sort of thing done to even the worst among us it diminishes all of our rights. Sure this happened to a guy on the fringe, a guy that admitted using cocaine. There are too many examples of these devices being used on "ordinary" people simply because they refuse to submit to bullying from police.

If we do not wake up and realize the long-termm ramifications of this slippery slope we will eventually all live in fear of the police.

Recedite, plebes! Gero rem imperialem
El Cid

Hell is other people removing your cigarette

"France's National Library has airbrushed Jean-Paul Sartre's trademark cigarette out of a poster of the chain-smoking philosopher to avoid prosecution under an anti-tobacco law."

Socialism and political correctness at its finest. Talk about historical revision....

Wednesday, March 09, 2005

Ohioans Could Be Arrested For Not Telling Police Their Name

"Ohioans could be detained or arrested for not telling a police officer their name, address and age under an anti-terrorism bill up for a Senate committee vote Wednesday."

Another state joins the growing ranks of dunces that ignore all common-sense.

Beijing warns of invasion if Taiwan dares to declare its independence - World - Times Online

"CHINA increased regional tensions yesterday when the annual parliament in Beijing tabled an anti-secessionist Bill that explicitly threatens the invasion of Taiwan if the island declares independence."

Free Taiwan...Tibet....and oh yeah the South from imperial invaders!

Thomas Sowell: High noon for judges

"It is painfully ironic that we should be promoting the spread of democracy abroad when democracy is shrinking at home. Over the years, the outcomes of our elections have meant less and less, as judges have taken more and more decisions out of the hands of elected officials.

Judges have imposed their own notions on everything from school administration to gay marriage, and have ordered both state and federal agencies to spend billions of dollars to carry out policies favored by the judges or have even ordered a state legislature to raise taxes.
This naked exercise of judicial power has been covered by the fig leaf of pretense to be 'interpreting' laws and the Constitution by stretching and twisting words beyond recognition."

Darn right-on piece.

Inside the mind of the warrior

Excellent link and comments on an AAR (after action review) published at Blackfive.

This is an excellent AAR. I went into Fallujah during Operation Al Far just a few short months ago. We were not nearly so “enlightened” at that point as to the tactics of who we faced and what motivated different groups. However, many of the things discussed in the AAR concerning guerillas and martyrs and their different tactics and motivations began to become slightly apparent.

I have a real problem with those on the left that oppose the war based upon nothing more than their liberalism. I hate it most when they use terms that have some truth to them. All of my buddies I served there with, those I lost and those that are still there deserve more than liberal dribble.

On the other hand there are legitimate questions. Especially for anyone that considers themselves a conservative. The gulf between neoconservative and paleoconservative thought is extremely vast right now.

As a paleoconservative I am adamantly opposed to the war and why we are fighting it. (still I went and did my duty). All the same, there is an element of folks there fighting for what they view and their way of life. I have a hard time thinking it is right for one nation to impose its will on other people. I do not see the real threat there, either now or before the war.

I am so much alone in my views, being conservative there are few that understand or agree with me. All the same, after having been to that country three times ( 1991, the ground war and again in 2004) I just do not see the point in all of this nor do I understand how our efforts will ultimately make things any better.

Recedite, plebes! Gero rem imperialem
El Cid

Lindsay Graham's Racist Comment Brings Back Memories of Trent Lott

"'We don't do Lincoln Day Dinners in South Carolina. It's nothing personal, but it takes awhile to get over things.'" Senator Lindsey Graham

El Cid knows Lindsey....the above is not an opinion that expresses racism (as so many would imply). This is pure hyperbole over a statement that is ultimately true.

What an outrage for anyone to associate these words with racism!!!

Re-read his words…"We don't do Lincoln Day Dinners in South Carolina. It's nothing personal, but it takes awhile to get over things."

Nothing racist there and no indication that Graham wishes slavery had remained or any other such nonsense.

Sure there are so folks that have a hard time celebrating the one man that did the most to destroy the American Republic as originally envisioned by the founders. Sure we have a hard time accepting a man as a hero that practiced total war on a civilian population, suspended habeas corpus and ignored the Constitution in order to “save it”.

It is foolish to call Graham’s remarks racist. A lot of not so unenlightened folks view Lincoln as a pariah and usurper of powers he never had. Some folks view him and a war criminal with ample justification.

Put the race card up.
(found this thanks to the Nashville Truth)

Tuesday, March 08, 2005

An Air Force that's flaming out

"Corruption is like cancer. Unless it's cut out, it kills its host. It's about time the top brass checked their 'six' and realized they're an institution that's going down in flames."

I simply love the way COL (ret) Hackworth puts things.

On Self-Defense and Foreign Policy

"No one would dispute that I have a right to use deadly force to stop an attacker that had broken into my home in the middle of the night. In fact, I believe it would be a sin if I failed to do whatever I could to protect my family.

But what if I wanted to take a pre-emptive approach to self-defense? Let's say that I have a pretty good idea which person in my neighborhood would invade my home and kill me or a member of my family if he had the chance. I am convinced that this person has the means to do it. After all, other neighbors have told me that this person has a collection of knives and guns, and it is rumored that he visited the gun shop across town to inquire about purchasing some hollow-point bullets.

Would anyone agree that I have a moral obligation to attack this person before he has the opportunity to attack my family or someone else's? Would I be justified in going over to his house, knocking down the front door and capturing or killing him or anyone else in that house who got in my way?"

Absolutely not! and this is the crux of the moral problem with neo-conservatisim.

John Gilmore fights for your privacy

"Some will look at him and say that he's another hold-over from the 60s/70s who's just out to cause trouble. Maybe. But it's trouble that needs to be caused. In the name of security, we're slowly but surely being stripped of our rights. And as Ben Franklin said, 'Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.'"

Somebody has to do it because our elected "conservatives" seem hell-bent on a goose-step march toward tyranny.

Global IQ: 1950-2050

"Doesn't it seem like the world is getting dumber with every passing year? Well, maybe it is! "

I knew intuitively this to be true.

LINCOLN:-- A CONSERVATIVE LITMUS TEST

"That Lincoln and his War altered the fundamental nature of our Republic, transforming it from a union of sovereign States into a centralized, unchecked, Leviathan state is obvious. How anyone who considers himself a conservative could celebrate this is beyond me. The truth remains, no authentic American conservative can or does."

More on the revival of "licolonism" among "conservatives".


Old Right Paleoblog

"That's right, I refuse to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the American imperial flag of occupation. Seeing as how I am treading on the neoconservative definition of (false) patriotism, I ought to add that my reasoning has nothing to do with the text "under God." I know that there are many individuals that would call me "unpatriotic" in a heartbeat but their version of patriotism is diametrically opposed to mine. "

Doggone good read that covers the history of the creation of the pledge and the Marxist/Socialist that wrote the thing.

Is the Cost of Empire Worth It

"Now that evidence of WMD and proof of collaboration between Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden have failed to materialize, the administration is left with liberation for putting American lives at risk. My question: There are a lot bad guys in the world. Are we obligated to eliminate them all for the sake of democracy? "...

'The ultimate test of a moral society,' Bonhoeffer once said, 'is the kind of world it leaves to its children.' It’s amazing to me that Congress can keep spending more and more while sending bigger and bigger bills to our children. The cost of Empire is simply staggering, and we have apparently only just begun."


The question is valid and so few (other than liberals that do so for the wrong reasons) voice it.

Did someone say that the GOP was conservative?

"President George W. Bush and the Republican-majority Congress INCREASED Title X to record $288.3 million in FY 2005 on 12/8/04

Title X is one of two major federal government funding sources for Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the nation's largest chain of abortion centers (murdering over 244,000 unborn human beings per year by surgical abortion alone).

The Title X appropriation for FY 2005 (Oct. 2004 to Sept. 2005) was signed into law as part of H.R. 4818 (see bill at http://thomas.loc.gov),the mammoth appropriations bill which contained the huge outlays for the (unconstitutional) Department of Health and Human Services."

Monday, March 07, 2005

Say no to Big Brother plan for Internet

"Notwithstanding the internet remarkable potential, there are dark clouds on the horizon. There are some who see a very different Internet. Theirs is an Internet with ubiquitous surveillance featuring real-time capabilities to monitor online activities. It is an Internet that views third party applications such as Vonage's Voice-over-IP service as parasitic. It is an Internet in which virtually all content should come at a price, even when that content has been made freely available. It is an Internet that would seek to cut off subscriber access based on mere allegations of wrongdoing, without due process or oversight from a judge or jury.
This disturbing vision of the Internet is not fantasy. It is based on real policy proposals being considered by the Canadian government today. "

Socialist governments never cease to amaze me with their ability to find new ways to get inside of the lives of their "subjects"!!! Yes I say subject rather than citizens because, well that is a much better description. To be subjected to constant government meddling is the antithesis of a free life.

Sunday, March 06, 2005

No One Safe on Baghdad's Roads, Iraqis Say

"There is no safety on the roads. Everyone should expect anything to happen on these roads. Foreigners, Iraqis we are all exposed to the same risks," said al-Kadhum, his left tracksuit trouser leg tied around the stump of his leg.

Yes globe-trotting, nation building and neoconic idiocy and fascination with "democracy" have done wonders for the ordinary Iraqi.

I continue to believe with everything in my soul and mind that this was the wrong war, started for the wrong reason and that ultimately all of the death and destruction will result in a situation little better off for the ordinary Iraqi than pre-war times.

We have redefined what success means a dozen or more time and we will redefine the term many more times until we settle on something we can grasp and hold on to. That will not make it right, nor will it justify the expense in resources, lives and all the intangibles a thing like this requires.

I have said so numerous times in many posts both before I went over there this last time, during and since. I cannot change it and we are the “body politic” are apparently too stupid or cowardly to do anything about it. All the same it is wrong and wasteful and based upon lies and I have said it again!

Recedite, plebes! Gero rem imperialem
El Cid



California Dreaming: Another Nightmare for Liberty

"Forgotten by the majority of elected useful idiots is the reason the Bill of Rights was included in the Constitution: to protect the citizens from a runaway, tyrannical government. Nowhere to be found in that document is the right of the government to protect itself from its citizens!"

Just who is the government really afraid of? Do they suppose "terrorist" will buy and use these weapons? That is a tired argument. used too ofetn in the last few years. We have already lost too much freedom to that failed piece of logic.

Woman arrested over 96 cents

"A Mansfield, Ohio, woman was arrested and jailed for failure to file a 2001 city income tax bill totaling 96 cents."

This is a not a proper definition of good government!

Thursday, March 03, 2005

States' Rights v. the Supreme Court

"Even the federalists of Hamilton's day would see this latest ruling as a violation of trust, an affront to judicial precedent and a breech of constitutional authority. There is absolutely nothing in the Constitution that grants the federal judiciary the power to exercise control over issues that were clearly meant to be left up to the states. To suggest otherwise is to say that the Supreme Court is above the very law it is supposed to uphold."

Excellent post over at The States' Rights Review

And here is another:

"It's amazing how quickly people forget. Secession was at one time viewed as an absolute right retained by the people of the various states, a fact undeniable since it was an act of secession that gave birth to our nation in the first place. Today, anyone who believes that states have a moral and constitutional right to secede is looked upon with the kind of disgust and contempt normally reserved for the criminally insane." Read More


Lee has been right on with his last three posts!!




12 Years Since Operation Waco Freedom

"Twelve years ago, on February 28, 1993, an ATF publicity stunt went horribly wrong at Waco, Texas, leaving four agents and an uncertain number of Branch Davidians dead. For fifty-one days there was a standoff that culminated in an FBI fire that killed 80 American civilians, including about two dozen children.
Looking at Iraq, we see Waco every day. We must remember all federal crimes of terror, here and abroad, lest they multiply"

Really sorta sum's it all up. I remember that day in 1993 very vividly. I was sitting in the barber shop at The Citadel (I was in town visiting and stopped by the old school). I watched the whole thing on a little television set there.

This was the first time that I knew in my soul that our Government was truly capable of evil. It is the first time that I knew beyond a doubt that we had the real capacity for tyranny. It was a high water mark for me and the day my eyes were opened.

Recedite, plebes! Gero rem imperialem
El Cid

Brethren Agree to Revive 'Alternative Service' Draft Programs

"Leaders of the Church of the Brethren say they will follow through on a request from the Selective Service to have 'alternative service' programs in place for conscientious objectors if a draft is reinstated."

Found this thanks to the History News Network....why in the world would the Selective service be interested in reestablishing alternative service programs? Could it be the Army and Marine Corps are failing to meet recruiting goals?

Dad Accused Of Chuck E. Cheese Salad Theft Zapped By Police

"Police talked to the Chuck E. Cheese manager, who told them that a customer had refused to show proof that he had paid for food. The manager said the man was seen 'loading' his plate at the salad bar.

The officers confronted Danon Gale, 29, who was at the restaurant with his children, aged 3 and 7. Patrons said the popular kids pizza parlor was packed with children and families at the time.

According to police, Gale was asked to step outside to discuss the incident.

'According to witnesses (Gale) refused to cooperate with police and a struggle ensued,' said Larry Martinez, a police spokesman. He said that Gale became argumentative and shoved one of the officers, a fact disputed by another patron.

'One of the officers kept poking the gentleman in the chest,' Felicia Mayo told the Rocky Mountain News.
She was there with her 7-year-old son. She told the newspaper that Gale told the officer 'You don't have to do that.' She said Gale never put his hands on the officer who was confronting him

The argument escalated until Gale was shoved into the lap of Mayo's sister, who was sitting two booths away, holding a 10-month-old baby. That's when police pulled out a Taser stun gun to subdue him.

'They beat this man in front of all these kids then Tased him in my sister's lap,' Mayo told the newspaper. 'They had no regard for "


It is very possible that this guy had paid and was just insulted to be asked. A regular guy that did pay would be highly upset at police goons disturbing his meal with his kids....of course he refused to go outside, if I had done nothing wrong I would not leave my meal.

It pays to be nice to the naxi's when they come calling, either that or you better be able to send them packing

The coming crackdown on blogging

"In just a few months, he warns, bloggers and news organizations could risk the wrath of the federal government if they improperly link to a campaign's Web site. Even forwarding a political candidate's press release to a mailing list, depending on the details, could be punished by fines. "

Yes my fellow countrymen and women The Constitutiuon is indeed alive and well and doing just fine....all execpt for those pesky first 10 Amendments that seem to get in the way so much!!

And of course the whole limitations of power thing but that is another story.....

U.S. Marines, Amid Iraq War, Miss Recruiting Goals

"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Marine Corps for the second straight month in February missed its goal for signing up new recruits, the Marines said on Wednesday, in another sign of the Iraq war's effect on military recruiting. "

It is not just the Army it seems

As art declines, will civilization follow?

"I'm not pro-Gates or anti-Gates. I don't really care, one way or the other, since the artists are footing the bill, as opposed to taxpayers. What does concern me is the ridiculous outpouring of praise for this ambitious but somewhat shabby enterprise. The fact is, 'The Gates' doesn't mean anything. And the fact that it doesn't mean anything should mean something to us � it should mean that this work doesn't deserve to be labeled 'great art.' "

I must admit, I thought to myself "what the heck is that about". I have traveled the world and seen great and marvelous things. I have also seen not so great things. This to me is just a bunch of tarps flapping in the wind....

Another milestone in Iraq

"George W. Bush has been careful to mark all the big milestones in Iraq: the end of 'major combat operations,' the capture of Saddam Hussein, the turnover of sovereignty and the elections in January. We haven't heard him say anything about this yet: When a roadside bomb hit a truck carrying U.S. troops in Baghdad Wednesday, the U.S. death toll in Iraq passed the 1,500 mark. As of this morning, it stands at 1,502."

Lest we forget the price of neoconic globe-trotting

Urban Legends Reference Pages: Photo Gallery (Dressed to Thrill)

"Photographs show a bride wearing a revealing beaded wedding dress "

What do you think? I doubt it is real...but who knows

Army misses recruiting goal

"WASHINGTON - In what could be a troubling sign for the military, the active-duty Army missed its February recruiting goal by more than 27%. It was the first time in almost five years that the Army has failed to meet a monthly target."

Just a confirmation of an old prediction by your's truly