The Second Amendment vs. The City of Chicago

Last year saw a major battle waged before the Supreme Court over the interpretation of the Second Amendment, and fortunately, freedom won that battle. Now another battle is gearing up before the Supreme Court over the Second Amendment, and this time it involves the role of state and local level governments have in regards to firearms.

The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case of McDonald v. Chicago, in which the restrictive gun laws in place in the Windy City are being challenged. And it isn't only the city of Chicago potentially affected by the case, but cities across America, and individual states as well.

This is very much another case I hope goes in favor of the Second Amendment. The Constitution and (especially) its Amendments supersede any and every law at the state and local levels which contradict them. The egregious gun control laws which exist in cities like New York, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, etc., and in states like Illinois, California and Wisconsin go against the very rights we have as stated in the Second Amendment, one of ten ratified by our Founding Fathers in December, 1791. No state or city has the right to infringe upon our individual rights to keep and own a gun. It's that simple.

And so, I conclude with a final thing to say to those individuals, groups, cities and states who seek to take away my right as stated in America's 1st freedom (to quote the late Charlton Heston): FROM MY COLD DEAD HANDS!

International Free Press Day

It was four years ago today that a series of cartoons were published by the Danish publication Jyllands-Posten. The cartoons were of Muhammad, Islam's prophet. And the outrage erupted all over the world; riots, violence, even murder occurred in response from Islamists to the publication of the cartoons. The reaction from the rest of the world was mixed, with some bending over backwards to appease the outraged Islamists and others showing solidarity with Kurt Westergaard (the artist who drew the most famous of the cartoons), with Jyllands-Posten and with Denmark.

On the 4th anniversary of the publishing of the cartoons, the International Free Press Society is marking the occasion of this day:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

http://www.internationalfreepresssociety.org/

The International Free Press Society declares September 30 International Free Press Day

New York, NY - September 28, 2009:

On September 30, 2005 the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published 12 drawings of Islam’s prophet Mohammed by 12 Danish artists in order to demonstrate that prohibitions on depictions of Mohammed as stipulated by Islamic law (sharia) did not trump Denmark’s freedom of the press.

In an era in which the act of speaking out in the Western world has become increasingly subject to the pressures of what we know as political correctness, this bold affirmation of free press rights by Danish journalists makes September 30 a banner day. In commemoration of their courage, then, the International Free Press Society declares September 30 to be International Free Press Day.

To mark the occasion, the International Free Press Society is presenting artist Kurt Westergaard on his first public tour in the USA, where he will be making appearances in New York City, Yale and Princeton. Since publishing his cartoon, the now-iconic Turban-bomb Mohammed image, Westergaard, 73, has required state security to protect him from violent retribution for violating the tenets of sharia in Denmark. Such threats have included an assassination plot uncovered by Danish police in February of last year. The day after the plot was uncovered, a number of Danish newspapers joined Jyllands-Posten in reprinting the Westergaard cartoon in solidarity with the cause of freedom of the press.

To further advance the cause of freedom of the press, the International Free Press Society will use the occasion of this first International Free Press Day to salute Kurt Westergaard, and to call, once again, for the repeal of all blasphemy and hate speech laws that currently inhibit and restrict vital exchange and debate.

I join the International Free Press Society in saluting Mr. Westergaard for having the courage to practice his God-given right to freedom of speech and freedom of expression. May he, and the Society, continue fighting the good fight.

Now isn't that interesting, chapter 26

President Obama has a lot on his plate since coming to office eight months ago. There's the battle for health care “reform”, to “stimulate” the economy, to win the “good war” in Afghanistan with fewer troops than needed, to save the planet from the “evils” of climate change and to lead America into “a new chapter of international cooperation”. However, the President has decided to wage another battle: bringing the Olympics to Chicago.

It's always cool to see the Olympics come to America, but there are some people who don't like the idea of the Olympics coming to Chicago: Chicagoans. Rather interesting, I must say.

The main reason cited is because of the huge costs the Windy City would have to fork up to pay for hosting the Summer Olympics, and it isn't Mayor Richard Daley or the local politicians who'll have to pay the bill. A website recently started, Chicagoans For Rio 2016, lists a couple of interesting points:

1. The city of Montreal paid off their Olympic debts 30 years after hosting the Games in 1976.
2. Estimated budget overruns for the city of London with the upcoming 2012 Games is said to be $8.6 billion.
3. The city of Chicago's deficit is currently at over $224 million and counting.

The final decision is to be reached by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) later this week, and with President Obama's appearance in Copenhagen, Denmark during the time of decision reaching for the IOC, Chicago's chances of becoming the host city for the 2016 Games are said to have increased.

This will either benefit the city of Chicago or not, the President either has his priorities right or not, and it's a way of either paying back the Chicago political machine for their support of him or not. Interesting, isn't it?

Marlin Stutzman for U.S. Senate

It's now official: Marlin Stutzman, Indiana state senator, is running for the U.S. Senate against Senator Evan Bayh in 2010. The announcement came during a campaign kickoff BBQ in Kendallville, Indiana this past Saturday night. Dozens, if not hundreds, of people appeared for the event, which also included games for kids and a pie contest.

The panel of judges for the pie contest, and they had a lot of pies to judge. The winner was a pecan pie.

My Congressman, Mark Souder, spoke briefly in support of Senator Stutzman, as did also Suzanne Handshoe, the Mayor of Kendallville (1st picture below), and State Representative Jackie Walorski (2nd picture below):

Senator Stutzman's wife, Christy, introduced her husband, who made the announcement of his run (we all knew, of course, and we all laughed about the big secret being revealed):

With what I know about him and his record as a state legislator, I'm glad to be supporting Marlin Stutzman for the U.S. Senate. I believe he will bring the real change I want, not the change which has been seen coming out of Washington for nine months now, and I believe he will listen to me when I have something to say; something I no longer believe is true with either of my current Senators in Washington. If you're a Hoosier who wants Washington to be changed and not America, then I ask you to support Marlin Stutzman for the U.S. Senate, go to his website and join the campaign. And on a final note, I must say:

That's one of the best campaign ads I've ever seen! Go Marlin!

Update (Sept. 30th, 4:11 PM EDT): The number of people who attended the kickoff was a lot higher than I thought; over 500 people showed up. I'm pleasantly surprised of the news.

In the footsteps of Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan

Jimmy Carter was our 39th President and Ronald Reagan our 40th, and needless to say, they were polar opposites.

President Carter's record showed he caused a great deal of damage to America (expanded government, continuation of an energy crisis, continued inflation, inaction over the Iran hostage crisis, abandoning allies abroad, appeasement to the Soviets, giving up control of the Panama Canal). President Reagan's record showed something starkly different (tax cuts, higher employment, stronger economy, “peace through strength”, decreased inflation, end of the energy crisis, support of allies abroad, decisive action at home and abroad). The fact President Carter served one term in office and President Reagan two terms should tell you something right there.

Now fast forward to last week.

Our 44th President, Barack Obama, spoke at the United Nations in New York, while in Hong Kong, the former Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, spoke at the CLSA Investors forum, and the speeches couldn't have been more polar opposite. President Obama sounded like an appeaser, with talk of “international cooperation”, saving Earth from climate change, eliminating nuclear weapons and recognizing the rights and responsibilities of all nations. Governor Palin, on the other hand, sounded Reagan-esque when talking about Islamic extremism, the fight in Afghanistan, the need for fiscal discipline, our relationship with China, and the rising economic power coming out of Asia; the end of her speech, in fact, echoed the final words of President Reagan's inaugural address in 1981.

Going through the speeches given last week, as well as looking at the records of President Obama and Governor Palin, there's no doubt I'm looking at a President following in the footsteps of the 39th President and a Governor in the footsteps of the 40th President. Hopefully, history (namely, 1980) will repeat itself in 2012.

Targeted: Andrew Breitbart, James O'Keefe & Hannah Giles

The videos† they brought to the surface have been a hot topic for a while, with an exposed organization taking a lot of heat and more. Now, the organization in question is striking back with a lawsuit. The infamous community organizing ACORN has filed a lawsuit against James O'Keefe & Hannah Giles, the two young activists who exposed ACORN's dirty deeds, and also against Andrew Breitbart, the owner of the website which first featured the videos.

The basis for the lawsuit is supposedly the two filmmakers violated Maryland law which "requires two-party consent for electronic surveillance". ACORN's CEO, Bertha Lewis, also noted ACORN's reputation had been damaged because of the defendants in their lawsuit and have to be held responsible. I need to pause now for a bout of uncontrollable laughter.

(1 minute later...)

ACORN's reputation damaged by James O'Keefe and Hannah Giles? Call me a crazy studmuffin (yes, that's a joke), but didn't ACORN ruin its own reputation with its actions in Nevada? Arkansas? Pennsylvania? And yet, Bertha Lewis claims it was two young activists and Andrew Breitbart who ruined ACORN's reputation? Excuse me, another bout of uncontrollable laughter coming on.

(5 minutes later...)

Okay, I'm back. The reason for the lawsuit is very simple (in my opinion): ACORN is losing a lot of their business because of these videos. Both houses of Congress passed resolutions to strip ACORN of the federal funding it gets (by sizable majorities), and the IRS decided ACORN wouldn't be involved in helping low-income workers with tax preparations. And, oh yeah, ACORN is no longer involved in the 2010 census now in progress. That's quite a bit of work down the drain.

On a final note, James O'Keefe & Hannah Giles have a lot of guts to do the things they've done (more guts than I have). Thanks for all you two have done, and thanks to Andrew Breitbart for his efforts in bringing these videos to light. Also, all the best to you guys in your upcoming legal battle. Keep fighting the good fight.

† The video shot in Baltimore of the ACORN workers committing criminally complacent acts can be found here. Also, this page features posts containing all the videos (and the complete transcripts) shot in California, New York and Washington, D.C. as well; it's a gold mine of damning evidence.

Stop the Islamization

Thanks to Paul Ray (a.k.a. Lionheart), I came across a video (via DailyMotion) from the English Defence League about the rise of the Islamization of Britain, and the rest of the world:

Emerging new English generation: Manchester Oct 10th
Uploaded by Lionheartuk. - Discover more life & style videos.

There are many disturbing and stark reminders of the dangers posed by radical Islamists who wish to impose Sharia law on the world. Ignorance is no longer a plausible excuse. I'm very thankful to Mr. Ray and his fellow Englishmen who are willing to band together to combat the menace in their country; their efforts have been a great help for people like me here in America.

Fortunately, as the English Defence League is working in Britain to stop the Islamization of their beloved country, there are groups and organizations here across the pond also fighting the good fight, including the recently formed Stop the Islamization of America (SIOA), an offshoot of Stop the Islamization of Europe (SIOE). Let us remain steadfast in our determination to fight this good fight against the nefarious jihad at work.

In case you need the best medicine

Because I suspect some of you are struggling through the work day on this Monday, I decided to do a good deed for you guys, so here it is:

It's from one of the funniest episodes I've seen of Monty Python's Flying Circus, and in case that's not enough for the rest of the day:

Actually, it wouldn't have been right to rob you of the rest of that hilarious sketch. Enjoy!

Welcome, Pierre Legrand, The Truth & GOP Thinker

Pierre at Pierre Legrand, Michael at The Truth and GOP Thinker have joined the Bloggers for Sarah Palin blogroll. Welcome aboard, guys, to the good fight for Governor Palin.

Way to go, TinCaps!

What a way for a team with a new name, a new look and even a new stadium for home games to finish their inaugural season: as league champions.

The Fort Wayne TinCaps finished an amazing season by defeating the Burlington (Iowa) Bees in three games (of a best-of-five series) during the Midwest League Championship Series, making it the first championship season ever in the history of the franchise. LaMond Pope of The Journal Gazette, who also runs the paper's blog on the TinCaps, put it best in his latest post:

Following the negative reaction by some to the new ballpark and the negative reaction by many to the new name, the franchise had some act to live up to.

It exceeded it on every level.

That it did, that it did. I certainly had been used to the team's name being the Wizards, as well as seeing their home games played at Memorial Stadium, but over time I was won over. Although I sadly didn't make it to Parkview Field for any of the home games this season, I am determined to see at least one home game next season, and who knows how next season will turn out? Hopefully, it'll be another championship season.

My congratulations to the TinCaps on a great season followed by an equally great postseason and championship series. LaMond Pope said it well of you guys; you all will live on as part of Fort Wayne baseball history.

Fighting the United States of Europe, Part 11: USE vs. Ireland, Round 2

Thanks to Baron Bodissey and Dymphna at Gates of Vienna, there's this latest bit of news from Ireland. A second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty is slated for October 2nd, and an Irish reader of Gates of Vienna sounds scared (you'll need to click the link to read the e-mail).

Gates of Vienna: To Ireland in the Coming Times

The Baron correctly notes that we who are not Irish can only pray, but he does note what the Irish themselves can do:

But our Irish readers, in addition to praying, should remember to bypass the media propaganda blanket and spread the word to family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances: this vote matters. It is about affirming a traditional Irish identity and remaining autonomous. It demands a rejection of control by distant power-hungry elitists — those unaccountable Brusselcrats who have no interest in the well-being of Ireland, but desire only the further accretion of their own power.

Just like here in America, where we have elitist politicians trying to shove European socialist policies down our throats, the European Union (the would-be United States of Europe) is trying yet again to force the Lisbon Treaty down the throats of the Irish.

Ireland, you've voted Nay to this dictatorial treaty once before; please vote Nay again. It's your country, your country's sovereignty and your very identity as Irishmen which is at stake. More importantly, it's also your freedom as Irishmen which is at stake.

P.S. In case anybody reading this has forgotten the first round between Ireland and the EU over the Lisbon Treaty:

Fighting the United States of Europe, Part 3: Ireland Prepares To Vote

Fighting the United States of Europe, Part 4: Ireland defeats Lisbon!

Ohhhhh Brother No. 20: Rebutting a Lizard

In the last two years, Charles Johnson has been using Little Green Footballs to smear, defame and falsely accuse a number of people and organizations on the Right as being extremists, racists, fanatics, fascists, kooks and so on. He has employed guilt-by-association tactics on other individuals, and has banned many commenters for merely questioning his actions and stances. He has also gone beyond the points of being ridiculous and ludicrous with his continual attacks of creationists, anti-vaccinists, birthers and so on.

His latest round of attacks have been aimed at the 9/12 March, in which he claims signs of racism were there. First off, let me just say, Ohhhhh brother! None of the pictures posted at Little Green Footballs are racist, as far as I'm concerned. They're politically incorrect, that's for sure, but not at all racist. The claim is laughable because some of the pictures included feature signs questioning Barack Obama's status as a natural-born citizen. His definition of racism is apparently different from that of normal people.

As for the birthers, I was at the 9/12 March, and the number of birther signs were very few in comparison to the countless signs featured at the March. What Charles Johnson has done is simply cherry pick the event to prove his claim that the Tea Party and 9/12 movements are racist. His actions in the last two years have made him untrustworthy & despicable. His continuing crusade against the Right has turned him into a willing idiot. Ohhhhh brother.

Update (12:25 PM EDT): Another of his latest stances involve his support for Rifqa Bary to be returned to her parents in Ohio. This fills me with rage. This girl's life is at stake, and he supports returning her to her possible would-be murderers. Despicable.

"A Republic, if you can keep it."

Two hundred and twenty-two years ago this day, Benjamin Franklin spoke those very words to a Philadelphia woman wanting to know what had been accomplished upon the ending of the Constitutional Convention.

With the rise of the Tea Party movement and the 9/12 Project, never in my lifetime have I been more reminded of the Constitution and what it stands for than on this day. Let us never forget the importance of this day, and may we always keep the Republic created through that important document.

Update (5:54 PM EDT): Governor Sarah Palin has something to say about Constitution Day as well. Also, Hoosier Patriots has got a great post on the day as well. Both are very much worth the read.

RIP Patrick Swayze

I was surprised when I heard the news he had cancer. The tabloids kept reporting about his final days and I didn't believe them; he had begun working on a new series for cable television, so I figured his battle with the cancer was in his favor. After the show ended, I remained optimistic about his future, so finding out just this morning that Patrick Swayze died yesterday at the age of 57 came as a complete surprise to me.

No doubt, he will always be best remembered for his performance in Dirty Dancing, but I remember him in the few films of his I've seen, like Red Dawn, Road House and Ghost. There was also his hilarious performance in Keeping Mum, and most recently the A&E series The Beast. From the first episode on, I was hooked; he looked like somebody you didn't want to ever mess with. After the season ended, I was looking forward to the second season of The Beast (I didn't know until today it was already cancelled three months ago).

I know he was a good actor (I dare anybody to watch The Beast and try telling me he wasn't good in it), I don't doubt he was a good dancer and I don't doubt he was a good man. Rest in peace, sir, and thanks for the memories.

9/12 in D.C.

Until this past Tuesday, I didn't expect I would be going. Because other rates were too high and I had scheduling conflicts, I figured I wouldn't be D.C.-bound. However, after coming across a bus ride I could afford and a workable schedule, I realized I was on my way to history. I left with a group of like-minded patriots from Fort Wayne Friday night at 9 P.M., arriving in D.C. at 7:30 A.M.. I took quite a few pictures (too many to post them all here, so I uploaded them here); I've got ten of them below (and a brief video).

We were dropped off near RFK Stadium, and no sooner had we arrived then we received a "welcome" from a heckler who kept ranting about chips in butts and George W. Bush and black Presidents:

Taking the subway, we ended up a short walking distance from the Freedom Plaza where the 9/12 rally was to begin.

I was astonished upon arrival at the number of people already there.

As much as I find Billy Crystal to be a riot, I wasn't going to be able to catch one of his ten performances in D.C. (had neither the time nor the money).

Equally amazing were the number of signs I saw, and there sure were a lot of very good homemade signs (I've got more at the link I posted above).

This was, in my opinion, the best sign I saw at the rally. My sentiments exactly.

The march got under way much earlier than expected (like two hours early, I think). The number of people who showed up and the number of people who kept coming and coming caused the program to start early, I believe.

The sight of the Capitol Building in the background of this historical event just made it the whole thing seem so unreal. Absolutely amazing.

As far as counter-protestors go, these were about the only ones I saw. In addition to the heckler near RFK Stadium, there was also a loudmouth in the march. That was pretty much it when it came to the opposition.

Certainly something to consider, especially after the episode over the President's speech to the kids in school recently.

I still don't see this picture as racist. The reasons cited, in fact, make the argument all the more absurd.

The number of people has been estimated as anywhere from tens of thousands to millions. Personally, I believe it was in the millions. There were so many people there, throngs of them; it was difficult to get through to go to the bathroom because of the sheer numbers. After 3 in the afternoon, the group I came with was ready to get back on the bus bound for Fort Wayne, and so I was off. Leaving at 6 P.M., I arrived back in Fort Wayne at 4:30 A.M. and was back home in no time.

Going to the rally was nothing short of amazing, incredible, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It isn't, however, the zenith of this movement. There is still much ahead in the foreseeable future. On a final note, Hoosier Patriots has a plethora of posts featuring many more pictures of the rally (1,2,3,4,5,6,7 in all), and Daria at Palin Drone has videos and more. Go ahead and take a look.

To Mary Jane (MJ) Booth,

You never knew me, and I never knew you. It's very likely, in fact, we never met. Eight years ago this very moment, you were on a plane, originally heading for Las Vegas on business, and I was in bed, sleeping in. Very shortly after the flight you were on, American Airlines Flight 77, was crashed into the Pentagon, I was awakened to hear the news. Even after eight years, it still seems unreal, still seems hard to grasp.

There's an important line in the Frank Capra film It's A Wonderful Life: "Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around, he leaves an awful hole...". For those who knew you, your family, your friends and your co-workers, that line describes you so well. You were described as the glue that kept everybody together, as a mother to everyone, somebody who was there for others when they needed help, when they needed guidance. You were always there for your family, for the holidays and the big events. You were indeed a true friend. You brightened and enriched the lives of those around you; you were their light.

As I said already, we never knew each other, never met. I wish I had, though. I wish I could say I had met you before, that I had known you. Having read the comments by those who worked with you, who knew you, who remember you, I can tell you were a special person.

You are still very much remembered, and you are still very much missed. Especially during times when the memory of you and others whose lives were stolen from them (and from all of us) on this day in 2001 may get lost amidst the priorities, may you never be forgotten. May all of you never, ever be forgotten. Rest in peace, Mary Jane.

In Memory Of Hamidou S. Larry

Note: This is a post originally published on this blog one year ago today. There is one small revision in this republished post.

The first time I ever came across your name was in an e-mail. An online effort was made two years ago to honor the six people murdered at the World Trade Center in 1993 and the nearly 3,000 people murdered on 9/11. Members of the blogosphere were given the opportunity to publish a tribute honoring the individuals who died in 1993 and 2001. I didn't have a blog at the time, but that was not a problem. I signed up to participate, and was e-mailed your name.

It wasn't much of a tribute, sad as to say. Unfortunately, there was so little information available about you, I didn't know what kind of tribute I could write. Even now, there isn't much. I know you were at the North Tower of the World Trade Center when the terrorists who hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 struck at approximately 8:46 a.m. on the morning of September 11th, 2001. I know you worked at Marsh & McLennan Cos., and I'm assuming you worked as a risk consultant for stockholders. I know you had friends and I concluded you were well-liked by your co-workers. I know you have a wife and kids who still miss you deeply, and you also have a nephew who misses you equally as much, as is testified by what he has written about you (it especially tugs at my heart, since I have a nephew myself).

I don't know what you looked like, as there has never been to my knowledge a picture of you posted anywhere on the Internet. I don't know what your hobbies or passions were, if you had any, or what your favorite music was or your favorite movies. I don't know if you liked the Yankees or the Mets, the Giants or the Jets, the Rangers or the Islanders. I don't know what the S in your name stands for. In the end, while I know some things about you, I wish I knew more about you. You must have been a good man when you were alive.

I am sorry you are gone from this world, but I know you are not forgotten. You are greatly missed by your family and friends. You are greatly missed by all of us, all of America. Rest in peace, Hamidou.

All The President's Czars

The most alarming thing about the Obama administration has been the number of special advisors (czars) the President has appointed; people who don't answer to the people or the Congress. It was one thing when there was just a drug czar or an intelligence czar; whether it was right or wrong to have a czar in the first place (I believe it was) is in a sense irrelevant. We don't have just one or even two czars, we have now a total of 32 czars (it's actually 31 with the resignation of Van Jones, but I fully expect the President will appoint another Green Jobs Czar).

Last week, at the Hoosier Patriots town hall meeting (which I wrote about), a committee member named Dan Harman was scheduled to give some remarks about the czars and the threat their existence pose to the Constitution. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time for Mr. Harman to give his remarks, so Hoosier Patriots published the remarks on their blog. However, this is such an important speech, I wanted to publish the entirety of it here on my own blog. With Mr. Harman's permission, here it is:

Hoosier Patriots Town Hall Meeting

9/1/2009

“Czars and the US Constitution”

Dan Harman

Can anyone tell me what a czar is? A czar is a Russian word that means emperor. The 21^st century American definition appears to be “ a method to circumvent the President’s Constitutional obligation to submit to the Senate for their advice and consent on his appointments”. Why would our President need 32 to 36 czars to regulate areas that should be handled by the President’s cabinet?

President Obama appoints the czars without the advice and consent of the Senate? This means that they are only responsible to the President without having oversight from the Congress. This framework is frightening because we do not know who these czars are. They just quietly carry out the President’s agenda. Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) believes that czars are a slick way of governing without having to answer to Congress.

Senators Bayh and Lugar, with all due respect, you must defend the powers that have been granted to the Congress by the Constitution!! That is why the founders of our country created the equal separation of powers in the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary branches of our government. The Senate and House of Representatives have taken an oath to require the executive branch to honor our Constitution.

Senators, you and many other fellow Hoosier citizens know that President Obama still has not appointed 45% of his cabinet.What is the problem with appointing people to these posts and sending their records to the Senate for your advice and consent?(including their abilities to pay their own taxes!!) A reasonable person would conclude that appointing a cabinet would be the highest priority in these tumultuous times ahead of appointing overlapping czars and their staffs. Czars’ salaries range from unknown to almost $200,000 not including their staff and office expenses. Where is your outrage?? Why haven’t our citizens seen any comments from you in the media or your websites?

Gentlemen, you may ask what are the real concerns citizens have about the czars. First and most important, their appointments show a blatant disregard for the letter and spirit of Constitutional law as well as disregard for the Senate’s responsibility to review the President’s selections. The President is a Constitutional law scholar and knows that his actions are wrong. This makes a person wonder what he actually taught his Constitutional Law students in Chicago.

Secondly, these czars have been granted the power by the President to make decisions that can dramatically change the lives of every American. For example, Cass Sunstein is the regulatory czar.He is promoting an internet “Fairness Doctrine” as well as a 24 hour delay for “angry e-mails”. Mr. Sunstein has been quoted as saying “A system of limitless individual choices, with respect to communications, is not necessarily in the interest of citizenship and self-government. Democratic efforts to reduce the resulting problems ought not be rejected in freedom’s name.... We propose a Civility Check that can accurately tell whether the e-mail you are about to send is angry and caution you ‘warning:’ this appears to be an uncivil e-mail.” Perhaps Mr. Sunstein should read the 1^st and 4^thamendments in the Bill of Rights. A related Senate bill S773 would give the President emergency control of the internet by “declaring a national emergency”. You both must vote NO to protect our Constitutional freedoms of speech and privacy. All of your constituents will be watching this vote.

Finally, we have Van Jones, a self proclaimed Communist as the Green Czar. John Holdren, Science Czar wrote this passage in a book he co-authored saying: “population control laws, even including laws requiring compulsory abortion, could be sustained under the existing Constitution”. Existing Constitution?? What does Mr. Holdren mean by that statement? Mark Lloyd, our Diversity Czar, oh no, I guess it actually is “Associate General Counsel and Chief Diversity Officer” comes to the FCC from being a Senior fellow at George Soros’ Center for American Progress. His goal is to limit conservative voices and supplant them with liberal voices. He plans to use “local diversity” (read liberal) boards to control content on the radio. His favorite role model appears to be Venezuela’s dictator Hugo Chavez. He admires how Chavez was able to shut down dissent by revoking radio stations’ licenses to operate.Unfortunately, OUR Senate was not afforded the Constitutional responsibility to ask questions and investigate any of the President’s czars.

It appears that we are approaching a crossroad for our country. Are Senators Evan Bayh and Dick Lugar and the rest of their colleagues in the Senate going to abdicate their powers of advice and consent to the President? Or NOT?? SENATORS!! CAN YOU HEAR US!! CAN YOU HEAR US NOW!!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have before us a framework of an authoritarian government called an oligarchy unless we let our Senators and Congressmen know that we are Americans, that our fore fathers shed their blood and made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may live free. We have that same responsibility now for our children and grandchildren. If we don’t stand up now, then when will we?? There is not one person in this room that wants to be sitting with their children or grandchildren in the future telling them wonderful stories about what our country was like when men and women were free.

God bless you and God bless America!!

I thank you, Mr. Harman, for giving me permission and especially for your words. You did a better job of writing about the dangers posed by the czars than I ever could.

Welcome, Generational Dysfunction, ARRA News Service & America's Best Choice

Three more blogs have joined the Bloggers for Sarah Palin blogroll: Generational Dysfunction (run by Ernie), America's Best Choice & ARRA News Service (both run by Dr. Bill Smith). Also, Patricia at Pawigo View has a new blog Pat's Posts.

Welcome, Ernie and Dr. Smith, to the blogroll, and good luck, Patricia, with the new blog.

Grassroots News Minute (August 28th/September 4th)

I've been very much behind lately for the last couple of weeks, so here's the last two Grassroots Minutes from the NRA-ILA:

A senatorial town hall meeting with(out) Senators

The meeting I write about happened this past Tuesday night, so I apologize for the lateness of the post. Because neither of my Senators, Richard Lugar & Evan Bayh, decided not to hold any town hall meetings during the August recess, a number of fellow Hoosier patriots decided a town hall meeting would be held anyway. The Senators were to be there, sorta.

The meeting was held in Fort Wayne Tuesday night. Getting there wasn't a problem; trying to find a parking space was a big problem. If nothing else, I was reminded of the importance of getting to an event as early as possible.

Arriving at about 7 P.M. (the time when the meeting was to get under way), I ended up purchasing a copy of Jonah Goldberg's book Liberal Fascism, and got in to see the meeting already started (duhh). Some of the local media was there to cover the meeting, as noted at hoosier patriots. There's also this link at hoosier patriots with a link to more (and better) pictures.

Politicians or those running for office were invited to speak. State Senator Marlin Stutzman spoke briefly, as did a couple of candidates running for State Representative. Sorry about the lousy quality of the picture.

I did say the Senators were to be there, sorta.

The room is said to hold as many as 500 people; looks like the place was packed, wouldn't you say?

A few of the attendees who spoke, asking questions and addressing their grievances. The entire event was filmed for the express purpose of sending copies to all of our federal representatives.

About a dozen or more signs were shown at the meeting; this is one of those signs, and it says it well.

By 10 P.M., the meeting was expected to end and attendees were leaving, so I followed suit. In the end, if nothing else, I was reminded why the two men representing me in the Senate should be voted out. State Senator Stutzman is already looking to defeat Evan Bayh, and I'm board for that. I hope come 2012, there will be an opponent for Richard Lugar.

As for the movement, it continues on.

Rifqa's fate

More than two weeks ago, I wrote about Rifqa Bary and her wish to live and practice Christianity freely. The state of Florida allowed her to stay in Florida while her case would be decided, whether she can stay in Florida or have to be returned to her Islamic parents in Ohio and become a martyr.

Later this afternoon, the courts in Florida will decide Rifqa's fate. Pamela Geller at Atlas Shrugs has been covering the story, the latest on her parents, the bias of the media (especially the Orlando Sentinel) and what the stakes are for Rifqa.

It wasn't too long ago when the courts in Florida saved Rifqa Bary's life by allowing her to stay in Florida while her case was being decided. May the state of Florida allow her to stay, allow her to be a Christian, allow her to live.

Update (Sept. 4th, 5:12 PM EDT): The courts ruled Rifqa Bary could stay in Florida, but another hearing has been set for the 29th of this month. Another victory for Rifqa. Pamela Geller also has her observations on the hearing.

Welcome, The Conservative American & Pawigoview

Two more bloggers have joined the Bloggers for Sarah Palin blogroll, Peter at The Conservative American and Patricia at Pawigoview. Welcome to the blogroll, guys.