Houston, we have a problem.

Via Powerline:

As significant as what Clyburn said is the way he said it. According to Clyburn, a strongly positive report by Petraeus would be "a real big problem for us." Clyburn's candor may be commendable, but it's unfortunate that the Dems regard strongly positive news from Iraq as a problem.

Pretty sorry state of affairs when you have the party in power during wartime openly pining for our subjugation to third-world savages.


If this isn't illustrative of why it hasn't been safe to vote democrat, and why we can only continue to do so at our own peril, nothing is.

Well...there's a start...

It looks like Senator "Bridge to Nowhere" has had his home searched:

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Federal agents searching the Alaska home of Republican Sen. Ted Stevens appeared particularly interested in cases of wine stored in the senator's house, an attorney briefed on the raid said.

Investigators photographed the cases and the individual bottles Monday along with other items from Stevens' home as part of a public corruption investigation that stretches from Alaska to Washington.

Stevens, 83, is under a federal investigation for his relationship with Bill Allen, an oil field services contractor who was convicted this year of bribing state lawmakers. Stevens was aware for some time that investigators wanted to search the house, the attorney said Tuesday, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the case.

Allen oversaw a 2000 renovation project that more than doubled the size of Stevens' home in the ski resort community of Girdwood. Allen is the founder of VECO Corp., an Alaska-based oil field services and engineering company that has reaped tens of millions of dollars in federal contracts.

Well, that is a good start. If there's corruption, then weed it out.

By the way, I'm still looking for a story that says that there's been a search of an elected leader's home in Searchlight, Nevada. Or another's home in San Francisco. Probably a lot of skeletons to be found should a certain U.S. representative's home from Johnstown, Pennsylvania be searched, as well.

But I won't hold my breath on any of those.

After all, they are democrats.

And in the end, all that matters are intentions, right?

Obama: 78 percent of Americans are Racists

That's the conclusion to which one must arrive in deciphering Obama's comments regarding the overturning of a Hazelton, PA law that would have cracked down on illegal immigration; a menace which has brought drugs, violence and other crimes to the beleaguered area. But Obama, being ever the elitist, was completely oblivious to the problems that local population in Hazelton was trying to deal with:

Even as Sen. Barack Obama found himself under fire from the Hillary Clinton campaign over what she called his "naive" intention to meet with leaders of countries hostile to the U.S., the presidential hopeful praised the recent court decision overturning one city's attempt to protect itself from hostile foreigners filling their streets with drugs, crime and gangs as "a victory for all Americans."

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge James Munley overturned Hazleton, Pa.'s "Illegal Immigration Relief Act" in a 206-page opinion that declared states and municipalities have no authority to stem illegal immigration.

Further demonstrative of the cluelessness that is the essence of Obama can be found in this passage:

“The anti-immigrant law passed by Mayor Barletta was unconstitutional and unworkable – and it underscores the need for comprehensive immigration reform so local communities do not continue to take matters into their own hands,” he said.

And just what is wrong with local communities controlling their own destiny and solving their own problems, Mr. Obama? Must everyone sit around on with their thumbs up their collective asses to the third knuckle, waiting for the omnipotent and omniscient elitists in centralized governmental bureaucracies to solve all their problems for them?

Obama went on to criticize the blocking of the Senate immigration reform amnesty bill:

Obama, addressing the National Council of La Raza's annual convention in Miami Beach last week, called the debate that defeated the Senate immigration bill "both ugly and racist in a way we haven't see since the struggle for civil rights" and pointed to his marching in the May 2006 immigration rallies in his appeal for the group's support.

Well, Senator Obama, given that only 22 percent of Americans supported the measure (with a full 50 percent of Americans dead set against it), might we feel it safe to assume that you believe that the 78 percent of Americans opposed to unfettered illegal immigration are racists?

I thought so.

The Censorship Cabal?

Gary Gross at Let Freedom Ring did some extensive research in connecting the dots with regard to the movement to boycott Fox News advertisers, and found that the movement was far from a grassroots led and organized movement.

The involvement of heavy hitters of what used to be far-left (now mainstream) democrat party in trying to silence opposing viewpoints appears to be a revival of the modern day version of La Cosa Nostra in political form.

Read the whole post for this intriguing and at once highly disturbing account.

On the mend...

Well, after starting a hefty regimen of antibiotics and steroids, I'm finally starting to feel better. But it's going to take some time to get back into the swing of things. I have literally hundreds of emails to catch up on (as well as quite a bit of household business) so it may be a while til I'm back at blogging at my usual pace.

Thanks for the well-wishes and prayers!

-Leo-

Well, maybe if your name is Frankenstein...

It appears that San-Fran-Nancy al-Pelosi has been named by The Hill as being one of the top ten of the 50 "most beautiful people in D.C."





I don't know... a phrase about all the kings horses and all the kings men (not to mention all the king's plastic surgeons) comes to mind...

Heyyy! Quit pointing out illegal behavior!

I didn't hear much of a stir when they came up with an illegal drug hotline.

Nary a whimper from the left when a hotline was devised to report hate speech.

Baltimore has a hotline to report "suspicious behavior"? No big deal.

But boy, set up a hotline to report illegal immigration, and see who gets their panties twisted up in a wad:

PHOENIX - Latino leaders and faith-based organizations want Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio to disconnect the hotline he created for people to report information about undocumented immigrants, saying it raises the chance of racial profiling.


But Arpaio said Wednesday that he won't disconnect the hotline and stressed that deputies would investigate people only if authorities had probable cause.


The hotline began last Friday and has received about 300 messages, which include tips about family and friends, employment, day laborers, drop houses and crank calls.


Arpaio said officials are analyzing the tips and officials have not acted on any of the calls.


"There's nothing unconstitutional about putting up a hotline," Arpaio said, pointing out that U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement have similar hotlines.


The hotline is part of an expanded immigration enforcement plan Arpaio unveiled last week that also includes sheriff's deputies cross-trained to enforce immigration law.


Some Latino advocacy groups will launch a hotline of their own to take tips from people who believe they've been unfairly reported to Arpaio's hotline, said activist Mary Rose Wilcox, a Maricopa County supervisor.


Meanwhile, some faith-based organizations are circulating a letter among church leaders and members that decries Arpaio's hotline.

Why--a hotline?? to report criminal behavior? Why the nerve!!!

Btw:

The hotline number is 602-876-4154.

Pneumonia Blogging...

At least i think it is.

If this keeps up, will definitely call the doc...

That is all.

Wednesday Hero Blogburst, 7-25-07

This Weeks Solider Was Suggested By Robert

Lt. General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller
June 26, 1898 - October 11, 1971


Lieutenant General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller was a colorful veteran of the Korean War, four World War II campaigns, and expeditionary service in China, Nicaragua, and Haiti. He is the only Marine to win the Navy Cross five times for heroism and gallantry in combat earing him the distinction of being the most decorated Marine in the history of the USMC.

A Marine officer and enlisted man for 37 years, General Puller served at sea or overseas for all but ten of those years, including a hitch as commander of the "Horse Marines" in China. Excluding medals from foreign governments, he won a total of 14 personal decorations in combat, plus a long list of campaign medals, unit citation ribbons and other awards. In addition to the Navy Crosses, the highest honor the Navy can bestow, he holds its Army equivalent, the Distinguished Service Cross. A list of his awards can be found here.

Born 26 June 1898, at West Point, Virginia, the general attended Virginia Military Institute until enlisting in the Marine Corps in August 1918. He was appointed a Marine Reserve second lieutenant 16 June 1919, but due to force reductions after World War I, was placed on inactive duty ten days later. He rejoined the Marines as an enlisted man to serve with the Gendarmerie d'Haiti, a military force in that country under a treaty with the United States. Most of its officers were U. S. Marines, while its enlisted personnel were Haitians.

After almost five years in Haiti, where he saw frequent action against the Caco rebels, Puller returned in March 1924 to the United States. He was commissioned a Marine second lieutenant that same month, and during the next two years, served at the Marine Barracks, Norfolk, Virginia, completed the Basic School at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and served with the 10th Marine Regiment at Quantico, Virginia.

In July of 1926, Puller embarked for a two-year tour of duty at the Marine Barracks, Pearl Harbor. Returning in June 1928, he served in San Diego, California, until he joined the Nicaraguan National Guard Detachment that December. After winning his first Navy Cross in Nicaragua, he returned to the United States in July 1931 to enter the Company Officers Course at the Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia. He completed the course in June 1932 and returned to Nicaragua the following month to begin the tour of duty that brought him a second Navy Cross.

In January 1933, Puller left Nicaragua for the United States. A month later he sailed from San Francisco to join the Marine Detachment of the American Legation at Peiping, China. There, in addition to other duties, he commanded the famed "Horse Marines." Without coming back to the United States, he began a tour of sea duty in USS AUGUSTA of the Asiatic Fleet. In June 1936 he returned to the United States to become an instructor in the Basic School at Philadelphia. He left there in May 1939 to serve another year as commander of the AUGUSTA's Marine Detachment, and from that cruiser, joined the 4th Marine Regiment at Shanghai, China, in May 1940.

After serving as a battalion executive and commanding officer with the 4th Marines, Puller sailed for the United States in August 1941. In September, he took command of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, at Camp Lejeune. That Regiment was detached from the 1st Division in March 1942 and the following month, as part of the 3rd Marine Brigade, sailed for the Pacific theater. The 7th Regiment rejoined the 1st Marine Division in September 1942, and Puller, still commanding its 1st Battalion, went on to win his third Navy Cross at Guadalcanal.

The action that brought him that medal occurred on the night of October 24-25 1942. For a desperate three hours his battalion, stretched over a mile-long front, was the only defense between vital Henderson Airfield and a regiment of seasoned Japanese troops. In pouring jungle rain the Japanese smashed repeatedly at his thin line, as General Puller moved up and down its length to encourage his men and direct the defense. After reinforcements arrived, he commanded the augmented force until late the next afternoon. The defending Marines suffered less than 70 casualties in the engagement while 1400 of the enemy were killed and 17 truckloads of Japanese equipment were recovered by the Americans.

After Guadalcanal, Puller became executive officer of the 7th Marines. He was fighting in that capacity when he won his fourth Navy Cross at Cape Gloucester in January 1944. There, when the commanders of the two battalions were wounded, he took over their units and moved through heavy machine-gun and mortar fire to reorganize them for attack, then led them in taking a strongly fortified enemy position.

In February 1944, Puller took command of the 1st Marines at Cape Gloucester. After leading that regiment for the remainder of the campaign, he sailed with it for the Russell Islands in April 1944. He went on to command it at Peleliu in September and October 1944. He returned to the United States in November 1944, named executive officer of the Infantry Training Regiment at Camp Lejeune in January 1945, and took command of that regiment the next month.

In August 1946, Puller became Director of the 8th Marine Corps Reserve District, with headquarters at New Orleans, Louisiana. After that assignment, he commanded the Marine Barracks at Pearl Harbor until August 1950, when he arrived at Camp Pendleton, California, to re-establish and take command of the 1st Marines, the same regiment he had led at Cape Gloucester and Peleliu.

Landing with the 1st Marines at Inchon, Korea, in September 1950, he continued to head that regiment until January 1951, when he was promoted to brigadier general and named Assistant Commander of the 1st Marine Division. That May he returned to Camp Pendleton to command the newly reactivated 3rd Marine Division in January 1952. After that, he was assistant at division commander until he took over the Troop Training Unit, Pacific, at Coronado, California, that June. He was promoted to major general in September 1953, and in July 1954, assumed command of the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune. Despite his illness, he retained that command until February 1955, when he was appointed Deputy Camp Commander. He served in that capacity until August, when he entered the U. S. Naval Hospital at Camp Lejeune prior to retirement.

In 1966, General Puller requested to return to active duty to serve in Vietnam, but was turned down because of his age. He died 11 October 1971 in Hampton, Virginia, after a long illness. He was 73.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. To find out more about Wednesday Hero, you can go here.

A Murtha Earmark--up close and personal-like.

Murtha's "mystery earmark" saga has jogged the memory of Uncorrelated's Dave Calder of a similar earmark mystery that he encountered, that seemed to have Jack Murtha's grubby little paw prints all over it.

Read the whole story.

Freedom...

Here's an essay I received from a friend of mine, that speaks volumes!

Freedom

by Warren Bonesteel

23 July, 2007

We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it. ~William Faulkner

We stand at a crucial point in mankind's history. The world's governments are
no longer in control of the political and social memes and narratives in the
same fashion as they were even a mere five years ago. We, The People, are
better informed than ever before. We are more aware, than ever before, of the
deceitfulness of our political, social and cultural leaders. Their corruption and deceit can no longer be hidden or disguised. We must hold them accountable. Through holding our leaders accountable, by replacing them with better men if they are not, by working together as sovereign and rational individuals, we become the example for millions of others in living as free and sovereign people. By doing what we now do, this day and every day, we are setting the stage for the future course of this struggle. We are even now laying the foundations of the memes and narratives by which we, our families, friends and those yet unborn, might live as free and sovereign men without fear and at peace. We, The People, control the future.

After enduring generations of tyranny and of limited freedoms, even if the citizens of the world defeat the purposes of each and every one of the present elitist tyrannies they confront, the world''s populations will have to re-learn almost everything they think they know about freedom and liberty. Most of us have never experienced or known the personal empowerment, or had the corresponding responsibility, of living as sovereign and free individuals. Even if we achieve uncompromising victory in our present struggle, individual and local conflicts will arise from this factor, alone. Such conflicts as these can be faced with relative equanimity. To allow ourselves or any other sovereign and free individual to be controlled or constrained by any present government among men, however, is to declare and to hold a position that cannot be honestly or rationally defended. World-wide, government corruption is systemic. They present contemptuous hatred for and against those whom they claim to serve, and they display such behavior openly and proudly, each and every day.

Our struggle is not only about the injustices or sacrifices that we and our friends and families have endured. Our struggle is not against finding meaning in those sacrifices made by ourselves and others in the cause for freedom. Our struggle is one wherein we, as sovereign and free individuals, are leading every man, woman and child on earth to live full and peaceful lives as free and sovereign people. Through our individual sacrifices and by our personal involvement, we help to create a world were no man will ever enslave another for the purpose of ideology, of religion, of ambition, or of greed. What we choose to do or choose not do, today, will determine the course of history for all time to come.

Can the people of the world achieve freedom and peace without enduring major outbreaks of violence? Will the governments of the world become ever more controlling and tyrannical in response to the peoples' openly declared desires and yearnings for freedom, liberty, and security from fear? Will the People break free of the constraints imposed upon them? Will they break free of the disdain, the lies, the corruption and the tyranny which is daily poured out upon them? This is that point in time which we now face. The ultimate victory could now go to tyranny...or to freedom. The decision is ours to make or to avoid. As free men, it is our responsibility. It is a decision for which we will be held accountable.

As the world's population begins its spontaneous and leaderless push towards freedom, the governments of the world will attempt to counter this amorphous, global movement by implementing even greater control over their citizens. Now is not the time for us to doubt. Now is not the time to quit. Now is not the time to say that the sacrifice has been too much. If we quit, now? If we lose courage, now? If we succumb to despair, now, at this time in history? We will give way to tyranny for all time to come. The battlefield surrounds us. The thoughts, the fears, the facts, the lies, the rhetoric, the shear terror and horror of the violence perpetrated upon us and upon our loved ones is all a part of a whole. We are at war against those who use fear, greed and ambition to divide and control us. The present danger has not at all passed us by...but we are winning.

Our personal and individual sacrifices in this fight for freedom have not been without import or lacking in impact. Our individual struggles and sacrifices pale in comparison to what the world might have already experienced had we not endured and sacrificed as we have. Had our ancestors not endured and sacrificed as they did in their turn, we would not have achieved the freedoms and the liberties we presently enjoy. These sacrifices are not yet finished. They are only begun. They are, however, necessary. If we do not endure this struggle today, tomorrow will not allow us to struggle at all. This is our responsibility. We are accountable to ourselves as free and sovereign men. We stand accountable before all of human history. We are accountable to one another. We are accountable to the future. We must not fail those who came before. We must not fail ourselves. We must not fail those who will come after. For Freedom's sake. For Freedom's cause. For the future of mankind. These are the reasons we sacrifice. These are the reasons we endure.

====================================

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the

fatigue of supporting it. ~Thomas Paine

Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it. ~George Bernard

Shaw

=====

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/DETOC/home.html

Democracy in America,

Alexis de Tocqueville

From the time when the exercise of the intellect became a source of strength and of wealth, we see that every addition to science, every fresh truth, and every new idea became a germ of power placed within the reach of the people. Poetry, eloquence, and memory, the graces of the mind, the fire of imagination, depth of thought, and all the gifts which Heaven scatters at a venture turned to the advantage of democracy; and even when they were in the possession of its adversaries, they still served its cause by throwing into bold relief the natural greatness of man. Its conquests spread, therefore, with those of civilization and knowledge; and literature became an arsenal open to all, where the poor and the weak daily resorted for arms.

=====

http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Oath_Office.htm

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.

=====

http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/memberfaq.html

"I, (name of Member), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God."

=====

http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/help/constRedir.html

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

<>

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

<>

Article. VI.

All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.

<>

=====

One of those debts is to those who have served, fought, bled and died to give you freedom. Don't spit on their graves, their sacrifice, or their service, by ignoring The Constitution.

=====

<>

(Article. VI. cont.)

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

<>

=====

The Federalist papers:

http://www.foundingfathers.info/federalistpapers/fedindex.htm

To the People of the State of New York:

AFTER an unequivocal experience of the inefficiency of the subsisting federal government, you are called upon to deliberate on a new Constitution for the United States of America. The subject speaks its own importance; comprehending in its consequences nothing less than the existence of the UNION, the safety and welfare of the parts of which it is composed, the fate of an empire in many respects the most interesting in the world. It has been frequently remarked that it seems to have been reserved to the people of this country, by their conduct and example, to decide the important question, whether societies of men are really capable or not of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend for their political constitutions on accident and force. If there be any truth in the remark, the crisis at which we are arrived may with propriety be regarded as the era in which that decision is to be made; and a wrong election of the part we shall act may, in this view, deserve to be considered as the general misfortune of mankind.

=====

Common Sense

by Thomas Paine:

http://www.ushistory.org/Paine/commonsense/index.htm

Of the Origin and Design of Government in General, with Concise Remarks on the English Constitution

SOME writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; whereas they are not only different, but have different origins. Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness; the former promotes our happiness POSITIVELY by uniting our affections, the latter NEGATIVELY by restraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions. The first is a patron, the last a punisher.

Society in every state is a blessing, but Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one: for when we suffer, or are exposed to the same miseries BY A GOVERNMENT, which we might expect in a country WITHOUT GOVERNMENT, our calamity is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer. Government, like dress, is the badge of lost innocence; the palaces of kings are built upon the ruins of the bowers of paradise. For were the impulses of conscience clear, uniform and irresistibly obeyed, man would need no other lawgiver; but that not being the case, he finds it necessary to surrender up a part of his property to furnish means for the protection of the rest; and this he is induced to do by the same prudence which in every other case advises him, out of two evils to choose the least. Wherefore, security being the true design and end of government, it unanswerably follows that whatever form thereof appears most likely to ensure it to us, with the least expense and greatest benefit, is preferable to all others.

=====

http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/declaration_transcript.html

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

=====

Death blogging...

Or should I say "Death warmed over" blogging?

At any rate, I've got one helluva summer chest cold and fever... and energy is something that I am now sorely lacking...

Hope to post more tomorrow.

The Poster Child for Earmark Reform...

Who's the go-to guy when an editorial board needs an example of why we need earmark reform in Congress?

Well, four out of five editorial boards polled voted for our good-ol' self-serving gasbag Jack Murtha. Like the Adrian, Michigan Daily Telegram, for instance:

Lawmakers have grown skilled at hiding these projects. Murtha, for example, waited until five weeks after the deadline before attaching his requests to an intelligence authorization bill. And, despite promises of greater accountability, the number of earmarks so far this year already had hit 32,684 earlier this month. That’s 75 requests for each House member.

Good ol Jihad Jack--when it comes to corruption, he's the poster child!

Remulak Moxargon can teach us a lot about...

...journalistic integrity.

Or the lack thereof.

Read the post.

We're From the Government and We're Here to Help: Hand Us Your Wallet

Nothing exemplifies that time-honored axiom like the latest feel-good measure out of the U.S. Senate:

WASHINGTON — Defying a veto threat from President Bush, a Senate panel on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a compromise to expand health insurance for children of low-income working families by sharply hiking tobacco taxes.

The 17-4 Finance Committee vote underscored the popularity of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which insures about 6 million children across the country. In California, where the program covers about 800,000 children, it is known as Healthy Families.

Six of the 10 Republicans on the panel joined all 11 Democrats in supporting the plan.

Until now, the program has been a federal-state collaboration with broad support from both parties. Backers fear it will become a lightning rod for partisan politics, jeopardizing its future. Legal authority for the program expires Sept. 30, and its renewal is generally considered the most important healthcare decision Congress will make this year.

The program costs the federal government about $5 billion a year, with states contributing additional amounts. The Senate plan would add about $35 billion in federal money over five years, enough to cover an additional 3.3 million out of as many as 9 million uninsured children.

And now for the real blasphemous part:

To pay for that, the plan would boost taxes on tobacco products. The cigarette tax would rise to $1 a pack from 39 cents now. And taxes on cigars would more than double to as much as $10 for the most expensive ones.

RINO-itis has made its insidious appearance in who should otherwise be frugal guardians of taxpayer purses:

"It doesn't make me comfortable to advocate for such a large increase in spending," said Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), a panel member. "But it's important to note that [the program] has been tremendously successful. And one of the lessons we've learned is that it's going to cost more to cover additional kids."

Oh, believe me--this is just the beginning:

Democrats in the House — and many in the Senate — want to spend an additional $50 billion or more to cover the majority of uninsured children. But the Republican backers of the Senate plan have said they would not support such a funding increase.

Yes, I know--but it's for the chiiiildreeen!

It is becoming quite clear that the road highway to hell paved by the "good intentions" of the mental giants gnats in our Federal legislature knows no speed limit.

When they raise a tax like this to astronomical proportions, less and less of the products will be sold. Revenues will be brought to a virtual halt. Then, like a half-way house of junkies looking for their next fix, Congress and the Senate will have to look elsewhere to fund their spending spree. And guess who they're going to come after.

Yeah, I know--but it's for the chiiildreeen! (the last refuge of a scoundrel--now becoming the first refuge in a House and Senate full of scoundrels).

On top of that, who will the tax hurt the most?

A new study shows that the rate of smoking is higher among low-income African-Americans and that they are starting to smoke at younger ages than in the past.

Fifty-nine percent of low-income men and 41 percent of women smoked in this study of 1,021 low-income African-Americans, published in the current issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

"When we found these rates, we were dumbfounded," says Jorge Delva, Ph.D., associate professor at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

(Heh. Dumbfounded. A perpetual state of being for many of our congresscritters if you ask me. Only they're too dumb to notice that they're dumbfounded. But I digress).


On top of that, when you're hooked on cigarettes to the level that many of these working/welfare poor are, many if not most will continue to choose feeding their nicotine habits. The inevitable outcome, of course, will mean less food on the table for the chiiildreeen, won't it?

Certainly, this will result in even greater numbers of the chiiildreeen going to bed hungry at night, or going to school without eating breakfast. Of course, this will necessitate the need to hit up taxpayers for even more programs to feed the chiiildreeen of nicotine-addicted parents otherwise strapped for cash as they pay through the nose for a government program that's designed to "help" them and their kids.

Good intentions and all that, you know.

I guess this means that in their zeal to feed their addiction, the spending addicts in Congress and the Senate will go so far as to raise taxes on the backs of the poor.

The nicotine patch has reportedly helped millions of people quit their insidious smoking addiction.

Now if they can only design the same kind of patch to help legislators quit theirs.

****UPDATE****

Welcome, Dr. Sanity readers!

Regarding Broken Mirrors at Capitol Hill.

Obviously miffed that the democrat-controlled congress continues to have a significantly lower approval rating than Chimpy McBushitler, Senator "Chucky Doll" Schumer searches high and low for a scapegoat:

Capitol Hill (CNSNews.com) - Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Thursday blamed the Republican minority for sinking congressional approval ratings, calling recent poll results "a referendum on Republican obstructionism." Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) blamed President Bush.

Schumer told reporters that Republicans - who earlier this week blocked a Democratic amendment that would have mandated a troop withdrawal from Iraq, and who in June blocked a comprehensive immigration reform bill - are frustrating Americans who are hungry for change.

A Zogby telephone poll released Thursday showed approval of Congress "continues to plummet" and now sits at just 14 percent. Eighty-three percent of respondents gave Congress negative marks. The polling organization credited the low numbers to the "acrimonious scrimmage over immigration reform" in June.

Not to be one to ever be considered unhelpful when it comes to contributing to a healthy round of GOP-bashing, Senator Harry Reid (D-National Morticians Union) had this to add:

Reid echoed Schumer's frustration with Republicans but was also quick to blame Bush.

"When you have a president who is so unpopular ... it really reflects poorly on Congress," Reid said. "None of them [congressional approval ratings] are real high and we acknowledge that, but most of it relates to the unpopularity of the president."

Err... Mortician..err.. Senator Reid, if all your low approval ratings are because of the "unpopularity of the president," then how do you explain this?

Bush's job approval ratings in Zogby polls have been in the low and mid-30s since October 2006. This week it stood at 34 percent.

And before you go saying, "Well--the republican congress was worse!" think again:

The current congressional rating is eight points lower today than it was for the Republican-controlled Congress just one week before Republicans lost control of both houses of Congress in the November 2006 elections.

Chucky Schumer, being the good socialist that he is, believes in spreading the misery equally:

Schumer said that while overall congressional approval ratings are low, he believes Republicans are worse off than Democrats in public opinion. "They're not spreading the blame equally," he said of the American people.

Questions for Sens. Schumer and Reid: Wasn't that one of your great democrat stalwarts, Harry S. Truman, who once said, "The buck stops here!"?

Yes, in another lifetime, in a world far, far away, perhaps.

What all this denial and fingerpointing says to me, is that all the mirrors in democrat Capitol Hill offices must certainly be broken.

Or perhaps, like Dorian Gray, who never dared gaze upon his true decaying countenance in his portrait, Sens. Schumer and Reid are merely afraid of what they may find should they per chance venture a glance.

After all, it is much easier to criticize while looking out a window than while looking in a mirror, isn't it?

If you can't beat them, SILENCE THEM!

Blogger extraordinaire, SCBA member and very good friend, Gary Gross, has had his website shut down. As you may know, Gary struck a big fat nerve when his investigative reporting on the unraveling of the Haditha Marines case included asking for a comment from Jack Murtha's office regarding the case of Corporal Justin Sharrat. Gary's work was linked by such luminaries as Michelle Malkin, and Glenn Reynolds. Gary also was also on Dirk Thompson's talk show, where he appeared with Tim Harrington, as well as Corporal Justin Sharrat's father, where Mr. Gross called on Murtha to apologize to Sharrat.

Well, lo and behold, but Gary's site has been taken down.

A mere server problem, perhaps?

Then how do you explain getting the same message:

..Sorry, this page is not available..

If you are the owner of this site and believe this message to be in error, please contact support.

on another blog which Gary contributes (but does not own)--the California Conservative?

Both of those blogs, I believe, operate on WordPress. Thinking that it just may be a WordPress thing, I took a perusal on their site and took at their list of blogs--all of them worked.

This is just a little too "convenient" to be a mere coincidence.

More on this at Lady Logician's site.

***UPDATE****

Gary has now redirected his url to his old blogger site and is back in business!

Democrats want people to die...

...so they can seem oh, so politically correct.

That's the only explanation I can come up with for their boneheaded recalcitrance to protect people who report suspicious terrorist-like activity from lawsuits.

9:20pm Eastern update. Here’s the roll on the Senate John Doe protection amendment, which missed the 60-vote threshold by 3 votes. Interesting facts: No Republican voted against it. GOP presidential candidate Sam “Switchback” Brownback didn’t bother to vote. Hillary voted for it. Obama sat it out:

They actually want people to die, rather than risk offending CAIR or their radical Islamist voting bloc.

I don't care what anybody says. It still ain't safe to vote democrat.

Fat Cat Murtha Bilks Taxpayers, Enriches self, friends

This continues to tell the tale of Murtha's less-than-storied, self-serving political career. Get fat campaign donations, then grease the palms of his donors with fat contracts--if they build in PA-12.

History again repeats itself (via Katie Favassa):

REP. FLAKE: This amendment would strike funding for the Center for Instrumented Critical Infrastructure. The center is to receive $1 million in taxpayer funding in this bill. When searching on the web my staff and I were unable to find the center's web site. I'm not sure whether the center currently exists or whether this earmark creates the center. I would appreciate that the sponsor of this earmark [Rep. John Murtha (D-PA)] would clear that up. All the bill says is it funds $1 million for the Center for Instrumented Critical Infrastructure in Pennsylvania. However, when you look at the certification letter that each member now, according to our earmark rules is required to submit, you see that the earmark is actually going to the Concurrent Technology Corporation based in Jonestown, Pennsylvania….

REP. FLAKE: I'm wondering in the report that accompanied the bill, it mentioned that the earmark was to go to the Center for Instrumented Critical Infrastructures. But the certification letter says that it's going to go to that but the earmark should actually go to Concurrent Technologies Corporation. Which is it, and if it is to Concurrent Technologies, why it isn't listed?

REP. VISCLOSKY (D-IN), ENERGY AND WATER SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: It's my understanding it will go to the Center for Instrumented Critical Infrastructure.

REP. FLAKE: Does that center currently exist?

REP. VISCLOSKY: At this time I do not know. But if it does not exist the monies could not go to it.

REP. FLAKE: We were told in this process early on by the chairman of the Appropriation Committee that a different process was needed, that the earmarks should be added later in conference and not now because the Appropriation's Committee couldn't vet or scrub these earmarks well enough. I would submit this is a perfect example of that … I would submit that this one should be [stricken] as well when the chairman of the relevant subcommittee can't tell us if this center even exists. We don't know if it even exists…

REP. FLAKE: Yet, we have the report that comes with the bill that doesn't even mention Concurrent Technologies, just mentions this center as if it already existed, we don't know if it does. We can't find any information on it. Apparently we can't even get that information from the Appropriations Committee.”

Actually, Murtha did one better. He got a political tit-for-tat from one of his buddies for a company that by all accounts didn't even exist. When one follows the money, however, one does get an explanation:

UPDATE: I failed to report last night that a certificate filed with the requested funds says the money is actually earmarked to Concurrent Technologies Corporation, a nonprofit technological consulting firm. A brief search of campaign finance records shows CTC President and CEO Daniel R. DeVos, of alternately Central City and Johnstown, Pa. has contributed $7,000 to Murtha's reelection campaign since April 2002.

And for those of you who actually thought you were voting for ethics reform when you elected a democrat-controlled congress:

Despite the money's uncertain destination, the House rejected Flake's measure to strike the funds, 326-98. And the Visclosky bill also sailed through, 312-112.

Yeah. One more reason why congress needs more of our money like a junkie needs more crack. And yet one more reason why Murtha Must Go!!

THE NEW LAWS ARE HERE!! THE NEW LAWS ARE HERE!!

New Laws Effective Aug. 1, 2007

Get 'em while they're hot!

Editor’s note: The following is a listing of selected new laws passed during the 2007 legislative session that take effect Aug. 1, 2007. The asterisk following the bill number denotes the language that became law. A complete summary of all laws passed by the 2007 Legislature is available online from the House Public Information Services Office. Go to http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/newlaws2007-0.asp.

CONSUMERS
Ticket resale
A new law allows the selling of an event ticket for more than face value.
Rep. Chris DeLaForest (R-Andover), who sponsors the law with Sen. Chris Gerlach (R-Apple Valley), said the law will make Minnesota more attractive to ticket-reselling companies that want to move their businesses here, and consumers would win because the competition would bring down ticket prices.
HF189/SF372*/CH47

Air bag replacement
A person with knowledge that a motor vehicle’s airbag has deployed or is missing cannot perform collision repair on that vehicle unless the airbag is replaced with one designed for the vehicle. The law does not apply to vehicles more than seven model-years-old. Additionally, a person may not knowingly install or reinstall any object in lieu of an airbag. A person who violates the above terms could be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Sponsors of the legislation are Rep. Tom Tillberry (DFL-Fridley) and Sen. Dan Skogen (DFL-Hewitt).
HF1704/SF1464*/CH71

Full-value gift cards
A new law will make it unlawful for a business to sell a gift card that has an expiration date or a service fee of any kind, including for nonuse.
Sponsored by Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL-Inver Grove Heights) and Sen. Katie Sieben (DFL-Newport), supporters said the law is needed because some card expiration dates are so short, and inactivity fees can make a gift card worthless in a matter of months.
The law applies to gift cards sold on or after the Aug. 1, 2007, effective date.
Exempted under the law are:
• cards distributed for loyalty or promotional reasons without money given in exchange;
• cards distributed for employee recognition;
• cards sold below face value to employers or nonprofit organizations for fundraisers;
• prepaid calling cards;
• debit cards used to access a debit account; and
• cards issued by federally chartered or state-chartered financial institutions or their affiliates, which can be used at multiple sellers of goods and services provided any expiration date and associated fees are disclosed. These cards are subject to federal regulations.
HF512/SF69*/CH93

Minnesota brews at the state fair (Now this one is cool!)
Liquor licenses can be sold to establishments within a half-mile of the state fairgrounds and near the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul campus, under a new law. Additionally, vendors will be permitted to sell more than 3.2 percent beer at the state fair and other fairground events, “provided that at least one Minnesota brew is made available for sale at each allowed location within the grounds.”

Other provisions in the law allow for larger bottles for brewing beer, on-sale licenses for farm wineries and increased maximum fees for off-sale intoxicating liquor licenses issued by cities.

Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL-Inver Grove Heights) and Sen. Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul) are the sponsors.
HF1958/SF1070*/CH89

Piercing consent
Anyone under age 18 will need parental or legal guardian consent before having any body part pierced, excluding an earlobe.
Those providing piercing services must witness the parent or legal guardian signing and dating the consent notice. Violators will be guilty of a misdemeanor.

The law is sponsored by Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba (DFL-Long Prairie) and Sen. Rick Olseen (DFL-Harris).
HF1013/SF112*/CH98

Crime

Do not disturb
Anyone who intentionally destroys, mutilates or injures human burial sites or human burial grounds will be guilty of a felony, under a new law. A person could also be guilty of a felony if they disturb human burial grounds or remove human remains without consent of the appropriate authority.

Sponsored by Rep. Bill Hilty (DFL-Finlayson) and Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL-Tracy), the new law also clarifies situations that a person would be found guilty of a gross misdemeanor regarding damage to burial sites.
HF1710/SF2226*/CH115

Nuisance gangs
Law enforcement officials will have a new tool to help rein in gang activity.

Sponsored by Rep. John Lesch (DFL-St. Paul) and Sen. Mee Moua (DFL-St. Paul), a new law classifies gang activity as a public nuisance, and allows a county or city attorney, or the attorney general, to seek an injunction against any person or group for the continuous or regular use of a place for these activities.
Violators can be fined up to $10,000. A person who knowingly violates an injunction may also be subject to a misdemeanor penalty.
HF49/SF493*/CH150

(Ed Note: I wonder if the DFL will find some way to lump the Boy Scouts in with this bill).


Education

Electronic bullying unplugged
School boards will be required to address the growing problem of bullies using the Internet and cell phones to intimidate students.
Sponsored by Rep. Debra Hilstrom (DFL-Brooklyn Center) and Sen. Mee Moua (DFL-St. Paul), a new law adds electronic means to an existing statute specifying that each school board must adopt a written policy prohibiting bullying.
HF504/SF646*/CH53

Employment

Saying no to extra hours
Nurses employed at state facilities will have the same ability to say no to overtime as those in the private sector.

A 2002 law allows a nurse in the private sector to refuse mandatory overtime without consequences from their employer if he or she believes it is in the best interest of the nurse and patients not to be in a caregiver role during those hours, such as if the nurse feels tired or sick.
The new law gives the same ability to state-employed nurses involved in resident or patient care, regardless of the type of facility. Corrections Department employees are not included in the law until July 1, 2008, because of a potential cost to the department.
Rep. Larry Howes (R-Walker) and Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul) sponsor the law.
HF966*/SF817/CH46

Family

Sibling connection

Children separated from their genetic siblings because of their parents’ rights having been terminated will have an easier time connecting with each other.

Under a new law, a person who was adopted or placed in Department of Human Services’ guardianship, and is at least 19 years old, may have access to their siblings’ contact information.

The law specifies, however, that this release of contact information can be provided only upon mutual consent.

The law is sponsored by Rep. Kathy Tingelstad (R-Andover) and Sen. Mary Olson (DFL-Bemidji).
HF1400/SF358*/CH49


Government

Sudan divestment

A new law requires the state to remove any holdings from accounts that directly benefit companies that are found to contribute to genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan.
Sponsored by Rep. Karen Clark (DFL-Mpls) and Sen. Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul), the new law directs the State Board of Investment to remove direct or indirect holdings from accounts that scrutinized companies are using to source actions contributing to genocide. The law lays out a procedure for the board to divest publicly traded securities of scrutinized companies.
The new law will expire if the president or Congress declares that Darfur genocide has been halted for at least 12 months, has removed sanctions on Sudan, declares the Sudan government has honored commitments to cease attacks or has declared the divestments to be interfering with United States foreign policy.
HF1332/SF1075*/CH117

Health

Radon protection
The labor and industry commissioner is required to adopt rules for radon control for all new residential buildings, under a new law sponsored by Rep. Kim Norton (DFL-Rochester) and Sen. Linda Higgins (DFL-Mpls).

Studies show that half of Minnesota counties are in the highest radon zones in the nation, and the remaining counties are in the second highest of the three radon zones. The danger from radon, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, is that the gas decays into radioactive particles that when breathed in, can become trapped in the lungs. Damage occurs to the lung tissue and can lead to lung cancer.
HF993/SF1735*/CH40

Help for sexual assault victims
The Compassionate Care for Sexual Assault Victims Act sets a statewide standard of care for sexual assault victims.

The new law requires hospitals to give unbiased information about emergency contraceptives and prophylactic antibiotics, which help prevent infection of sexually transmitted diseases. It also mandates that such drugs be provided should they be safe for, and requested by, the patient.

Sponsored by Rep. Nora Slawik (DFL-Maplewood) and Sen. Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul), the law also states that emergency care for sexual assault victims must be provided for both male and female patients.
HF1442/SF1266*/CH42

Hearing aid coverage
A new law requires insurance companies to cover hearing aid costs for all childhood hearing loss conditions.

Sponsored by House Majority Leader Tony Sertich (DFL-Chisholm) and Sen. David Tomassoni (DFL-Chisholm), the measure expands the mandate in current law, which requires that health plans cover the devices only if a child suffers from functional congenital malformation of the ear.
The law will not affect the self-insured market, which is exempt from state law and taxes.
HF633/SF805*/CH60

Housing

Toughening mortgage broker regulations
A mortgage broker or lender will be prohibited from making or arranging a loan without verifying the borrower’s ability to pay back the money, according to a new law sponsored by Rep. Jim Davnie (DFL-Mpls) and Sen. Linda Higgins (DFL-Mpls).

The law also prohibits the practice of “churning,” whereby a lender arranges or provides a new loan to finance an existing loan when the new loan does not benefit the borrower.
Another provision prohibits “negative amortization loans,” or mortgage loans in which the amount owed on the loan can increase rather than decrease over time, except for an increase that takes place over a short period.
HF1004*/SF809/CH18

Fighting mortgage fraud
A new law prohibits a lender or mortgage broker from making or arranging a new mortgage loan to refinance a so-called “special mortgage” unless the borrower has received qualified mortgage counseling on whether the move is a good idea.

Examples of special mortgages include one that a borrower obtained from a government or nonprofit entity and that contains favorable terms, such as payments that vary with income or that are forgivable.

The law also bans prepayment penalties on subprime loans, and gives Minnesotans the right to sue mortgage lenders, brokers and servicers for violation of certain laws.
Rep. Joe Mullery (DFL-Mpls) and Sen. Linda Higgins (DFL-Mpls) sponsor the law.
HF931/SF988*/CH74

Human Services

Reduced costs
Family planning clinics could pay less for supplies and drugs, under a new law.
Sponsored by Rep. Thomas Huntley (DFL-Duluth) and Sen. John Marty (DFL-Roseville), the law will permit family planning clinics to enter into cooperative purchasing agreements to obtain pharmaceuticals and supplies at less cost.

The law will also allow registered nurses in a family planning agency to dispense oral contraceptives (Plan B?--ed.) under the supervision of a physician or nurse practitioner to women ages 12 and older, and will ask the human services commissioner to propose medical assistance reimbursement rates that would more adequately cover service costs.
HF298/SF184*/CH139

Insurance

Minimum limits changed
Sponsored by Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL-Inver Grove Heights) and Sen. Dan Sparks (DFL-Austin), a new law requires licensed residential building contractors, manufactured home installers and roofers to have general liability insurance policy minimums of at least:
• $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate limit for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage, or
• $300,000 single limit for bodily injury and property damage of $300,000 for occurrence and aggregate limits.
Previous minimums were set at $100,000 per occurrence, which included $10,000 in property damage coverage.
HF1364/SF1168*/CH9

Insurance on rental cars
A new law makes fact what many Minnesotans already believe to be true — that when they rent a vehicle they are covered by their personal insurance policy.

Rep. Sandy Masin (DFL-Eagan), who sponsors the law with Sen. Dan Sparks (DFL-Austin), said the problem is that rental companies have to carry primary insurance policies for every person that rents a car. They then pass the cost onto the consumer.

The new law shifts the liability from the rental company to the driver’s personal automobile insurance policy, which will supply the primary liability coverage for any accident involving the driver and the rental vehicle.
HF1712/SF744*/CH72

Collision repair regulation
Sponsored by Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL-Inver Grove Heights) and Sen. Linda Scheid (DFL-Brooklyn Park), a new law states that insurers in collision cases cannot adjust a damage appraisal of a repair shop when the damage is in dispute without first conducting a physical inspection of the vehicle. Nor can insurers specify the use of a particular vendor for procurement of parts or other materials needed to repair the vehicle. Insurers also are not required to pay more than a reasonable market price for parts of like kind and quality in adjusting a claim.
HF1949/SF1542*/CH80

Local Government

Seeking a tenant
Sponsored by Rep. Mary Murphy (DFL-Hermantown) and Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL-Duluth), a new law will allow the city of Duluth to sell or lease the maintenance facility that has not been used since 2005 when Northwest Airlines’ mechanics went on strike and the company filed for bankruptcy.

The law also states that the lease or sale is subject to approval of the finance commissioner if there are bonds outstanding for financing the facility. No approval is required if the bond trustee has taken control of the facility as a result of a default.
HF1175*/SF962/CH138

Military

Bonus for the officers
Commissioned officers in the National Guard will qualify for a reenlistment bonus, under a new law sponsored by Rep. Larry Hosch (DFL-St. Joseph) and Sen. Ann Lynch (DFL-Rochester).
The law also establishes 25 annual postsecondary education reimbursement grants, up to $1,000 each. The grants will be available, on a competitive basis, to current National Guard members or a person who agrees to enlist. The money is for reimbursement of postsecondary education expenses not covered by other awards that may be available to the member.
HF1594*/SF952/CH21

Support Our Troops program

Eligibility requirements for grants made through the Support Our Troops license plates program are expanded, under a new law.

Sponsored by Rep. Larry Haws (DFL-St. Cloud) and Sen. Tony Lourey (DFL-Kerrick), eligibility is broadened to include military personnel.

The Minnesota National Guard manages the account that can grant up to $2,000 to an eligible Minnesota resident serving in regular active military duty, and any member of a National Guard or Reserve unit based in Minnesota who is serving in any active military service, as well as a member of the service member’s immediate family.

More than 13,000 Support Our Troops license plates have been purchased since becoming available in 2005.
HF1157/SF1675*/CH86

Contract cancellations
A new law will help military personnel and their families get out of some consumer contracts without penalty when the service member is deployed or if their duty station changes
Under the law, sponsored by Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL-Golden Valley) and Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes (DFL-Winona), protection will be offered for rental, club, membership travel or service contracts without penalty, such as that for a cell phone. It would be applicable to contracts executed by or on behalf of the affected person that would result in it being impractical for the person to enjoy the contract benefits.

It also prohibits utilities from disconnecting service if a member of the household has been ordered into active duty or a change of duty station, under certain circumstances.
HF532*/SF409/CH111

Safety

Paying homage to supporters
A new law honors former legislators Sen. Dallas Sams (DFL-Staples) and Rep. Roger Cooper (DFL-Bird Island) by renaming an incentive program for emergency service personnel in their honor.

The Ambulance Service Personnel Longevity Award and Incentive Program will be known as the Cooper/Sams Volunteer Ambulance Program.

Cooper and Sams invested great energy to seeing the incentive program pass through the Legislature in 1993, said Rep. Thomas Huntley (DFL-Duluth), who sponsors the law with Senate President James Metzen (DFL-South St. Paul).

Sams, who served in the Senate for 16 years, died March 5, 2007, at age 54 after a long battle with brain cancer. Cooper, 63, a House member from, is undergoing treatment for thyroid cancer.
HF736*/SF636/CH11

Hypocrisy and Algore? Like Salmon and Carrots!

Algore, Mr. Eco-Friendly himself, the Grand Poo-bah of the Church of Global Warming, has racked himself up yet another "Do as I say," moment. At a recent wedding celebration for his daughter, among other things, the Gore family feasted on Chilean sea bass.


So, big deal, right?


Yes it is, actually; given that Chilean sea bass is one of the most endangered of sea species, and as much as 50 percent of the species currently on the market is illegally caught.

Also known as Patagonian toothfish, the species is under pressure from illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing activities in the Southern Ocean, jeopardising the sustainability of remaining stocks.

The species is currently managed by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Living Marine Resources, the body which introduced a catch and trade documentation scheme as an attempt to tackle illegal poaching of this species.

Working with non-government organisations, the Humane Society International's focus is now on pursuit of illegal fishing operators who, in the rush to cash in on the highly valued species, plunder stocks with no regard for sustainability.

It has been estimated that more than 50 per cent of toothfish traded is illegally caught, and includes juveniles vital to the ongoing toothfish population.

Yeah, I know. Restrictions are for the "little people."

HORRIBLE NEWS!!! (if your name is Harry Reid)

From here:

US: Top al-Qaida in Iraq Figure Captured

The U.S. command said Wednesday the highest-ranking Iraqi in the leadership of al-Qaida in Iraq has been arrested, adding that information from him indicates the group's foreign-based leadership wields considerable influence over the Iraqi chapter.

Khaled Abdul-Fattah Dawoud Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, also known as Abu Shahid, was captured in Mosul on July 4, said Brig. Gen. Kevin Bergner, a military spokesman.

Hear that sound, Harry Ried? It's the sound of your political fortunes going down the tubes when, despite your best efforts, our soldiers succeed in Iraq!

Wednesday Hero Blogburst, 7-18-07

Cpl. Clinton Warrick (Soldier On The Left)
Medic with the 2nd Platoon, 300th Military Police Company


Even after having been thrown several meters, knocked unconscious, set aflame and buried under rubble all as a result of a suicide-vehicle-borne IED, a Fort Riley medic braved small-arms fire to save the lives of fellow Soldiers and Iraqi policemen last year.

Cpl. Clinton Warrick received the Army's third highest award for valor during a June 18, 2007 ceremony at Riverside Park for his actions during a Sept. 18, 2006, insurgent attack at the Al Huryia Iraqi Police Station.

Maj. Gen. Carter Ham (soldier on the right), commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley, present Cpl. Warrick the Silver Star and other awards before his family and friends, and his former 300th MP Co. platoon leader, company commander and first sergeant.

"This is one of Fort Riley's great Soldiers - one of our real, no-kidding heroes," Maj. Gen. Ham said at the ceremony. "It is right and proper that we come here to present you this award for valor. It is heroes like this who make our Army the best in the world and our nation so strong."

You can read the rest of Cpl. Warrick's story here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. To find out more about Wednesday Hero, you can go here.

White Flag-a-Thon to be held today in the Senate!

(CNSNews.com) - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is demanding that Republicans allow Democrats an "up-or-down -- yes or no -- vote on the most important issue our country faces" -- the Iraq war.


In a speech on the Senate floor Monday, Reid told Republicans that Democrats have no intention of backing down on their effort to "transition" the Iraq mission, which means withdrawing U.S. troops. (READ: SURRENDER!--ed.)


Previous efforts to withdraw U.S. troops have failed multiple times in both the House and Senate because of Republican "obstruction," Reid said.


"I would like to inform the Republican leadership and all my colleagues that we have no intention of backing down. If Republicans do not allow a vote on Levin-Reed today [Monday] or tomorrow, we will work straight through the night on Tuesday," Reid said.

Senator Reid, if you and yours had spent half the energy not backing down against terrorists as you do your own President, we would have damn near won the war by now!

Reid said all senators will have a chance to "speak their mind."


"Those of us who are ready to end the war will make our case to the American people. Those who support the status quo are welcome to equal floor time to make their case. Let the American people hear the arguments. Let them see their elected representatives engaging in a full, open and honest debate. Let them hear why Republicans are obstructing us on this amendment.

By all means--please let the American people know why it is important to obstruct your surrender-monkey bill! Let the American people know that the democrat party is more than willing to allow America to bend over and take it up the ass from terrorist elements. Let the American people know without equivocation that the democrat party stands for and owns the defeat of America by third-world savages!

Please, Senator Reid!! We're counting on you!


****UPDATE*****

For those of you who claim that there has been "no progress" in Iraq:



(via Riehl World View).

NOTA?*

*None of the Above?

WASHINGTON - A new poll reveals a clear leader in the Republican presidential race: nobody.

The AP-Ipsos survey shows nearly a quarter of Republicans are unwilling to back any of the top candidates -- Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson, John McCain or Mitt Romney. And no one has emerged as the front-runner among evangelicals.

Zogby, long reputed to be one of the more accurate and reliable pollsters, has a much different story:

On the Republican side, former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, as yet a non-candidate, has climbed to the top of the GOP leaderboard, winning 22 percent support, compared to 21 percent for former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney remains in third place with 11 percent. Arizona Sen. John McCain continues his dramatic slide, from second place in late May to fourth place now, supported by 9 percent of likely Republican voters nationwide.

As far as evangelicals go,

Thompson’s strongest appeal comes from those who consider themselves to be "very conservative,” as 35 percent in that group said they favored the former Tennessee Senator-turned-actor. Giuliani finished a distant third in that group, followed by Romney and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. McCain finishes fifth among very conservative voters.

And even among "mainline" conservative voters, the yet-to-be-declared Fred Thompson is still making a fantastic showing:

Among mainline conservatives - the largest subgroup of GOP voters - Giuliani wins 21 percent, compared to 20 percent for Thompson, 13 percent for Romney, and 12 percent for McCain.

All this, without needing to spend a dime of campaign funds.

Despite what MSNBC and others would assert, the voters do have a choice! Fred Thompson isn't just a candidate we can "settle for," Fred is a candidate we can support!

Note to Self.

Never get on the business end of a Swiftee Fisking.

That is all.

Ellison and Godwin (bumped & updated)

Curiously, no MSM organs seem to have this on their front page, so I had to go all the way over to London to get this story:

America's first Muslim congressman has provoked outrage by apparently comparing President George W Bush to Adolf Hitler and hinting that he might have been responsible for the September 11 attacks.

Addressing a gathering of atheists in his home state of Minnesota, Keith Ellison, a Democrat, compared the 9/11 atrocities to the destruction of the Reichstag, the German parliament, in 1933. This was probably burned down by the Nazis in order to justify Hitler's later seizure of emergency powers.

"It's almost like the Reichstag fire, kind of reminds me of that," Mr Ellison said. "After the Reichstag was burned, they blamed the Communists for it, and it put the leader [Hitler] of that country in a position where he could basically have authority to do whatever he wanted."

To applause from his audience of 300 members of Atheists for Human Rights, Mr Ellison said he would not accuse the Bush administration of planning 9/11 because "you know, that's how they put you in the nut-ball box - dismiss you".

Sorry, Keith. You're already there.

Vice-President Dick Cheney's stance of refusing to answer some questions from Congress was "the very definition of totalitarianism, authoritarianism and dictatorship", he added.

No, Keith. It's called separation of powers. Check the Constitution. It's in there.


If anything smacks of totalitarianism, authoritarianism and dictatorship, it is you and your fellow traveller democrats in congress who see it fit to dictate and micromanage a war.


Truth of the matter, Mr. Ellison, is that if there is any group in this world that resembles the "Third Reich" to a "t", it is your merry little band of "religion of peace"-sters. If anyone set up the need for the current national security situation that you so decry, it is your muslim brethren. Why don't you give CAIR a call?

But I won't hold my breath on that one.

***UPDATE***

MDE shows us, incidentally, that the Minnesota DFL is no stranger to violating Godwin.

Truth in Advertising? Old Magazine ads, Part I

(click to enlarge)

Ever have one of those "Oh shit!" moments?

***UPDATE****

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