Wings Over Whiteman

Photo from today's airshow at Whiteman Airforce Base. There is almost nothing better than a chance to spend the day with family, enjoy a beautiful afternoon, and watch the precision exhibited by the US Army Golden Knights, US Navy F-18's and the USAF 2010 Thunderbirds.

Wings Over Whiteman

Remember

Remember

NOT Burning the Quran Will NOT Help

General Petraeus is concerned that a planned "burning of Quran's" by a Florida Church will incite violence in Afghanistan or elsewhere in the Middle East. Is he right? Perhaps.

But there is a bigger question- Would NOT burning the Quran's STOP the violence? NO.

Terrorist's like Bin Laden have been with us for centuries. The "Marine Hymn" speaks of "the shores of Tripoli." Rarely do Americans remember that in 1785, when Thomas Jefferson and John Adams went to London to negotiate with the Tripoli envoy, Ambassador Sidi Haji Abdrahaman. The response to the US was over unprovoked attacks on our ships was, "It was written in [the] Koran, that all nations which had not acknowledged the Prophet were sinners, whom it was the right and duty of the faithful to plunder and enslave; and that every Muslim who was slain in this warfare was sure to go to paradise."

Attacks against us have continued, and it was the Islamic extremists who fired the first shots. We have over the last nine years said over and over that we as a nation do not fault all Muslims for the actions of a few. We as a nation have "bent over backwards" to accommodate and be sympathetic to Muslim concerns and beliefs. Despite this, the attacks on our citizens have continued.

Should this Church in Florida burn the Quran? Maybe not.

But to think that NOT burning the Quran will decrease Islamic extremism and violence shows at minimum a lack of understanding of history-- and possibly a naïve, "Pollyanna view" of how the world really works.

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NOT Burning the Quran Will NOT Help

The Sky is Falling

No Mr. President the sky is not falling; it’s just your approval ratings plummeting like a meteorite to earth. It’s hard to pin point exactly one thing, because it’s actually multiple problems. Let’s start with your birth certificate. I know...I’m just a “birther”, but the fact of the matter is you haven’t provided America with your actual birth certificate. The obviously fake one that you showed us was actually quite insulting. I just don’t understand why you didn’t just provide your birth certificate at the start of things and this whole controversy could have been avoided.
According to a Gallup Poll people earning less than $2,000 per month during the week of Aug. 2-8 gave President Barak Hussein Obama a 49 percent approval rating on the job he is doing. This is amazing, even after all of the Obama money that has been passed out, it finally seems as if every class is starting to wake up. According to Gallup this is marks the first time the lower class has given President Obama a disapproving rating.
Maybe it’s the way you are turning the White House into a Muslim themed palace. Where are the American flags again? Maybe it’s because your first interviews after you became President of the United States were with Muslim news stations. I mean it’s pretty bad when the liberal David Letterman is getting fed up with how things are going and how many vacations you have taken.

Could it be how laxed you have been on securing our boarders! The same United States of America that you fought so hard to become President of and you won’t even secure our boarders? Sending a couple thousand troops is not securing our boarders Mr. President. I also do not understand why you are suing Arizona over their immigration law, (which hopefully you have read by now). I have read it, and don’t find this unconstitutional at all. To me it mirrors the federal law concerning immigration. If you don’t like the Arizona law maybe you could take a look at the state of Missouri’s immigration laws. Maybe you can find something in there you like.
So what are we going to do? I’ll tell you what we need to do. First we need to pray for “our” President. Pray for his safety and pray that he makes wise decisions and that he will do what’s best for “our” country. Secondly we need to pray for our government. Pray for the people we elect to represent us. Pray that they listen to the people and put the “peoples” needs first. Third, we need to get out and vote. Let’s get rid of the dirty, corrupt politicians who are only there for personal gain. I don’t care if it they are republican or democrat, it’s time to go. Thank you for your service, but it’s no longer required. This November let’s “drain the swamp”.

The Sky is Falling

Political Correctness

I’m sick and tired of this Political Correctness Cowardess. I consider it one of the worst things to have happened to America. Everywhere I turn it seems as if people are thin skinned. Their feelings are hurt, or they don’t want to offend someone.

Let me get this out of the way right now. I’m not talking about “actual” racism. Racism is wrong and it shouldn’t be tolerated. Whatever happened to “red and yellow, black and white they are precious in His sight”? Nobody should discriminate against another “race”, however it works both ways. If you don’t want me to discriminate against you, you shouldn’t discriminate against me. However…just because I disagree with you, your policies, or your actions, doesn’t mean I’m a racist. It means I disagree with you.

Here is something drives me crazy. I went to my nephew’s t-ball game this summer only to find they don’t keep score. Hu?! They don’t what? How do you teach a kid about life with out teaching him or her about winning and losing? Not just about winning and losing, but how to win and how to lose. We need to teach our kids ethics and that it’s okay to stand up for what you believe in. Those are corner stones of life. We have this “everybody wins, nobody loses, nobody is wrong” type of attitude. We need to stop sugar coating everything, and start speaking the truth. Even if that means you might hurt someone’s feelings. There are consequences with every decision that you make in life. We need to teach our kids to stay in school, work hard and make wise decisions. We as a nation need to stop being such babies. We need to get back to working hard for what we want.

We have elected officials and representatives that I don’t believe represent us. We as a nation got wrapped up with this disease called Political Correctness. We as a nation fell for this lie, yet I don’t blame anyone but ourselves. It is time to wake America and realize that we need to stop “going with the flow”. We need to stand up for what’s right. We have documents called "The Constitution” and “The Bill of Rights” that we need to protect and preserve. It’s time to elect representatives that will stand up for what’s right. This November you will have that opportunity to vote in the right kind of representatives. Remember there are consequences for every decision that we make in life. This November lets not regret the people we allow to get elected.

Political Correctness

10 things we can blame Bush for

1. US losing to Ghana in the World Cup
1. Bieber Fever
1. Lebron James going to the Miami Heat
1. World War I & II
1. Swine Flu
1. Sinking of the Titanic
1. The disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa
1. Shane Carwin losing to Brock Lesnar
1. The reason my letters get lost in the mail
1. The Oil crisis in the Gulf of Mexico
1. Oprah Winfrey’s weight struggle

Yes there are actually 11 things on the list. However Bush didn't create these problems nor did he create all of yours Mr. President. It's time for you and this country to "Man up" and take responsibility for you/it's actions.

10 things we can blame Bush for

Live Feed From BP Gulf ROV

These are live feeds from one of the BP ROV's working in the gulf. Feeds may be unavailable from time to time.

Live Feed From BP Gulf ROV

Obama to Open New KOREAN Plant- at US Taxpayer Expense

The Korean press is reporting that President Barack Hussein Obama will be attending the groundbreaking for an LG Chem Battery Plant in Michigan. This plant is used to create batteries for hybrid cars.  What is important to note, is that this is a Korean business that received $280 million in cash and tax incentives to build the plant to create only 400 jobs.

The $280 million works out to over $700,000 PER JOB! Senior Management will be S. Korean, so that will likely leave only 380 jobs actually created.

Why not give the money to an AMERICAN company?  OR just give 400 people $70,000 per year for 10 years of 4000 people $70K for 1 year.

If should also be noted that it is VERY rare for a US President to attend the opening of a plant belonging to a foreign country- even if they are allied with us. 

I am not opposed to creating jobs, but I am opposed to supporting foreign companies with US Tax Dollars when there are American Companies that could use the support.
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Obama to Open New KOREAN Plant- at US Taxpayer Expense

National Healthcare is like a hospital gown...you only think you are covered

National Healthcare isn’t even fully in effect yet and the government is already considering not insuring people. “The Obama Administration has not ruled out turning sick people away from an insurance program created by the new healthcare law to provide coverage for the uninsured” You’re kidding me…right?! I mean you wanted it, you got it. You voted for Change, didn’t you?

National Healthcare doesn’t even fully start until 2014. It's pretty sad that the government is already considering this as an option. Just wait until it is actually in place for 10-15 years. What made you think National Healthcare would be a good thing? A report by federal regulators indicated the health care remake will add $311* billion to the national deficit over the next ten years. Let’s take a look at some of the other programs our government does a good job of running; Freddie and Fannie Mae, US Postal Service, Social Security, Medicare… (GULP). Sure, why not give them HealthCare too. I’m sure they’ll do a great job with it. Now add to the equation the increasing number of people visiting the emergency room each year. "Crowding and long waits have plagued U.S. emergency departments for years. A 2009 report by the Government Accountability office, Congress' investigative arm, found ER patients who should have been seen immediately waited nearly a half-hour".

The report also said that Medicare recipients are the biggest users of the "emergency room" and that new health care plan will increase Medicare Recipients by more than 16 million. Not only is the Healthcare plan going to be expensive, but should you need to use the emergency room you will more than likely have to wait even longer! This Healthcare plan is a disaster from start to finish. In closing I’ll leave you with this: I hope you are like a fine wine; you only get better with age.

National Healthcare is like a hospital gown...you only think you are covered

Carden Chronicles- New Addition to Writing Staff

The Carden Chronicles is pleased to announce a new addition to our writing staff.  Kin LaVil has connsented to join us as a staff writer.

Kin, 29, is originally from Kansas City, Missouri.

Kin is a Constitutionalist and we are glad to welcome him to The Carden Chronicles.

(If you are interested in writing for The Carden Chronicles, please email the Editor for consideration. See left sidebar of this page.)

Carden Chronicles- New Addition to Writing Staff

Don't Mess With Arizona

In 1986, Texas started a new "anti-litter" campaign.  Signs along the highway read, "Don't mess with Texas."  The signs and slogan became very popular, and now, all manner of merchandise is available with the "Don't mess with Texas" slogan.

I would never be one to suggest that Texans do not have an fiercely independent streak.  The "Texas mindset" is legendary.  However, I would suggest that fiercely independent streak and "mindset" of Arizonans is definitely on par with (if not exceeding) that of Texans.

The latest evidence of the proudly independent nature of Arizonans can be seen in Gov. Jan Brewer's latest polling numbers.  Her numbers have skyrocketed, partly due to the way she has stood up to Barack Hussein Obama in recent weeks.  On the same token, Terry Goddard, the Arizona State Attorney General, has seen his polling numbers in his gubernatorial bid against Gov. Brewer plummet- partially due to the fact that he has stated he agrees with Obama.

As a teenager, I remember the debate over Martin Luther King Day in Arizona.   The holiday had been proposed many times, and each time defeated.  Arizona did not want another Federal holiday where state employees would have the day off with pay.  The King holiday finally went to the voters, and was leading in the polls, until, a national news anchor announced, "if Arizona does not pass the King holiday, the NFL will pull the Super Bowl."  From that moment, the holiday was doomed as poll numbers plummeted.   The holiday went down in defeat, and it was until at least a year later, with the "threat" of boycott gone, that Arizona passed the holiday.

Anecdotally, I also remember talking to my father in the late 1990's about Arizona and medical marijuana.  He (my dad) was strongly opposed to the law, as were many in the state.  However, the law passed.  Then, US Attorney General Janet Reno threatened raids and lawsuits in Arizona over the law.  I remember calling my dad after this.  His response was basically the Federal Government should get its nose out of Arizona.  Arizona's law was Arizona's law, and he was not happy that the "Feds" were telling Arizona what to do.

There is plenty of history of Arizona defying the federal government.  Arizona called out the national guard against California over water in the 1930's.  Arizona re-opening Grand Canyon National Park during the "government shutdown" of the Clinton era- after Clinton said "no."

Bottom line, the best thing that has happened for Gov. Brewer, and SB1070 has been Obama criticizing the Governor and the bill, and all the opposition from outside the state.   This opposition guarantees ever strengthening support for Gov. Brewer and SB1070.

Go ahead- Tell Arizona what they can't do.  That is the perfect way to guarantee Arizona will do what it wants and then tell the rest of the country what they can do.

Bottom line...

Don't mess with Texas Arizona.
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Don't Mess With Arizona

Obama to Visit KC- To Tout Destruction of Economy

Barack Hussein Obama will be arriving in Kansas City tomorrow to destroy what little traffic flow we have downtown, delay flights from MCI, brag about how less than 600,000 private sector jobs have been created this year and shill for Robin Carnahan- the Democrat running for Sen. Kit Bond's seat.

President Barack Hussein Obama is also expected to talk about how we can tax-business back to the stone-age with carbon-taxes, which might promote sales of some electric vehicles.  Of course, this will not do anything to affect ManBearPig climate change, but will of course continue the destruction of our economy and moving the United States from a position of world leadership to a place of being just another member of the U.N.

Just as Barack Hussein Obama wishes.

Obama to Visit KC- To Tout Destruction of Economy

NASA:...To Reach Out to Muslims...

Space, the Final Frontier...Apparently not.

According to the head of NASA, appointed by Barak Hussein Obama, one of the primary goals of NASA is to reach out to Muslims- particularly Indonesia. "We really like Indonesia because the State Department, the Department of Education (and) other agencies in the U.S. are reaching out to Indonesia as the largest Muslim nation in the world," said Charles Bolden, NASA Administrator.

Hmmm... Didn't Barak Hussein Obama grow up in Indonesia? I digress...

Again, according to Charles Bolden, Barak Hussein "Obama told him before he took the job that he wanted him to do three things: inspire children to learn math and science, expand international relationships and "perhaps foremost, he wanted me to find a way to reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with dominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science ..." "

So, NASA's job is not to explore Space, but to make Muslims feel good?  So much for Mars.  So much for returning to the Moon, so much for exploring Space.  Apparently, Barak Hussein Obama is one of "those" democrats, like Walter Mondale, whose goal in life is to kill NASA and United States space exploration.

I can hear Obama now, "We choose to go to Muslim countries, We choose to go to Muslim countries in this decade, not because it is easy, but because we want them to feel good."

I guess it is a good thing that JFK had us go to the Moon before 1970...  If it had been up up to Barak Hussein Obama, we still would not have gotten there and we never would have heard the names of Armstrong, Aldrin, or Lovell.

My advice, buy "From Earth to the Moon"- as long as Barak Hussein Obama has his way, watching a TV show of manned space exploration may be as close as we get for years to come.
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NASA:...To Reach Out to Muslims...

"Reasonable Restrictions" from Chicago & Daley-- As Predicted

Ilya Somin at The Volokh Conspiracy wrote a great article about the practical impacts of McDonald v. Chicago. Ilya stated, "The ideologically divided nature of the Court’s decision suggests that the legal status of the Second Amendment isn’t yet completely secure. That said, the decision will have a substantial practical impact in a few areas…"

Ilya is correct that the Second Amendment isn't yet completely secure. Ilya is also correct to predict "substantial practical impact," although, the "impact" planned in Chicago is, I believe, exactly OPOSITE of what the Court intended.

In comment, both to that post and here, I wrote of my fears of what Daley would do to "get around" McDonald v. Chicago, and I predicted that his "reasonable restrictions" would be less than reasonable…

From the Chicago Tribune:

Each qualified gun owner in a home could have only one handgun under a new ordinance being drawn up that could be heard by the City Council Police and Fire Committee as soon as Thursday, officials said. The ordinance would require handgun owners to register their weapons with the Police Department and keep them secured inside the home.

The measure also likely would force gun owners to take safety training classes, undergo a criminal background check and obtain liability insurance, city officials said. City Hall also is mulling a formal ban on gun shops, said Mara Georges, the city's top attorney.

"Reducing the number of handguns in Chicago is critical to public safety," Georges said. "The same concerns that motivate a one handgun per person per residence limit — reducing the number of guns in circulation in Chicago and the risk of illegal traffic in guns — motivate the gun dealer ban."

First- keeping guns secured inside the home is a DIRECT AND BLATANT violation of DC v Heller…

Second- Being required to obtain liability insurance to exercise your SECOND Amendment Rights would be NO DIFFERENT from being required to obtain SLANDER insurance to exercise your FIRST Amendment Rights…

Third- Criminal Background Checks are ALREADY required under federal law- don't make it sound like it is YOUR idea, Mayor Daley.

Fourth- BANNING GUN DEALERS is an illegal restraint of lawful trade in my humble opinion.  They are talking "DEALERS" here, which would seem include the private FFL holder.

Fifth- If DALEY really thinks there should be a ONE firearm limit to the Second Amendment, then I propose that his FIRST Amendment rights to Freedom of Speech be limited to ONE SPEECH per decade... (that actually is not a bad idea-- he really should just sit down and shut up).

The only thing not mentioned by the Chicago Tribune was how much you would have to bribe "donate to City Hall" to have your registration approved.

Of course, Chicago will say this is all very reasonable-- After all a ZERO gun limit to ONE gun limit is a 100% increase- how much more reasonable can they be????

GET A CLUE MAYOR DALEY-- YOU LOST! THE SECOND AMENDMENT IS FUNDEMENTAL AND APPLIES TO CHICAGO-- NO MATTER WHAT YOU THINK!

Oh, how I hate being right when I make predictions of what extremes the left will go to...

"Reasonable Restrictions" from Chicago & Daley-- As Predicted

ACLU Issues Travel Warning Against Arizona

The ACLU is issuing warnings about travelling to Arizona.

The "warning" basically states that travel to Arizona could lead to racial profiling. The Arizona Chapter of the ACLU has stated they already have had reports of "profiling" and wanted to get the warnings out before July 4.

Except, the law does not go into effect until July 29.

Further, it would seem that this is nothing more than a publicity grabbing, misinformation campaign.

First- As an Arizona native, I can say with 100% conviction that my facts are accurate in that JULY is likely NOT Arizona's best month for tourism. With the exception of parts of Northern and Eastern Arizona the state is HOT during July (and many from the North or East would say Northern and Eastern Arizona are too hot for them). July is the start of the monsoon, the lower elevations are not only HOT (115 in the shade) but also MUGGY, with a good amount of humidity and rain. The fall and winter are MUCH bigger tourism months for the state, with the influx of the seasonal "snow-birds."

(With that said, I have been 'home' to Phoenix in July and August, and I think the weather is fine-- although the kids thought it was hot. One of them dropped a Crayon on the asphalt when we went to visit the zoo and was suprised to see a puddle of molten wax when we returned to the car!)

Second- SB1070 is a SECONDARY offense-law. You cannot be stopped unless you are violating another law! This is no different from secondary seat-belt laws- you cannot get "pulled over" for not wearing your seat-belt. You can only get a ticket, if you are "pulled over" for something else. (With that said, Kansas just made not wearing a seat-belt a "Primary" offense).

Third- 1070 DOES NOT TAKE EFFECT UNTIL JULY 29!!!! WHY warn people on July 4th, unless it is to get press attention?

Personally, as a Native of Arizona, I would say we don't want the ACLU in Arizona to start with, so I suggest that you, the members of the ACLU, follow your own warning and STAY OUT of Arizona…

The Governor's office was a bit more polite:

"The legislation includes very specific language that makes it abundantly clear that racial profiling is and will continue to be illegal in Arizona," Brewer spokesman Paul Senseman said. "Instead of spreading fear, hate, and disinformation about the legislation, it would be helpful for the ACLU to instead join Governor Brewer's demand that the federal government stop discussing and begin implementing an honest plan to secure our nation's border."

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ACLU Issues Travel Warning Against Arizona

Thoughts on McDonald v. Chicago

I am sure most people were expecting me to write yesterday rejoicing in the wake of McDonald v. Chicago. Unfortunately, the ruling was 214 pages and I have yet to complete reading it.

With that said, yes I am very happy about the ruling but I am concerned about what will actually result.

My suspicion is that Mayor Daley of Chicago has already said, "Justice Alito has delivered his opinion, now let him enforce it."

Unfortunately, the Court remanded the case back to the 7th Circuit for more proceedings. This may take an additional couple of years to resolve, just in this case. The reverse and “remand” leaves LOTS of time for the 7th Circuit to “procee[d] slowly and incrementally” and then “submit their opinion in longhand”  (quoting from Justice Scalia's concurrence mocking Justice Stevens).

This is CHICAGO POLITICS we are talking about. Daley is not only going to run with locks (probably one only available from the City at great cost), lock inspections etc, he is going to place a “reasonable” licensing scheme in place– $50,000 per year (plus another $25K to $50K as a bribe “donation” to “expedite” your paperwork”) for the license to start with– and he will claim that is reasonable– as will the District Court, as will the 7th Circuit, and this will all end up back before SCOTUS in 3 years. THEN he will pull another similar law– City approved ammo, purchased only from the City– again at $1000 per box (plus your bribe “donation”)- and again he will claim it is reasonable– as will the District Court, as will the 7th Circuit– and this will all end up back before SCOTUS in 3 years after the last case. THEN he will pull another similar law–

(Do I need to continue– this is Daley and Chicago we are talking about– where do you think Obama and Emanuel learned their politics from?)

Unfortunately we are dealing with a VERY corrupt political environment in Chicago. Remember, 3 YEARS after Heller, there have only been 800 registrations in DC; and I cannot believe that there are ONLY 800 in DC that desire protection in their homes with a firearm– not after 3 years.
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Thoughts on McDonald v. Chicago

After 222 Years, Tomorrow Is the Day

It is hard to believe that although the Constitution was written and ratified 222 years ago, the question of if the 2nd Amendment- the right to keep and bear arms, applies to the states, has not been resolved.

Tomorrow, we find the answer to that question, in that the Court will rule on this question in McDonald v. Chicago.

After 222 Years, Tomorrow Is the Day

Supporting Arizona

I have finally become so sick and tired of listening to the left scream about the Arizona Illegal Immigration Act, that I have been prompted to write.

The continual reports of governments boycotting Arizona has gotten me to the point that, as a Native of Arizona I believe it is time for Arizona to Act.

First- The Federal Government has violated the Constitution and disregarded the 10th Amendment- the Health Care Act being a primary example

Second- Article IV of the Constitution- the Full Faith and Credit Clause- requires that each state recognize the acts of each other state. Therefore I would argue, based on Full Faith and Credit, that any boycott of Arizona is GROSSLY unconstitutional.

Third- Rather than the Justice Department dealing with the violation of the Full Faith and Credit Clause, it has decided to sue Arizona

Fourth- The Federal Government has failed to protect the borders of the United States and the Arizona border

The Founding Fathers certainly would not have tolerated what the Federal Government is now doing. Their words:

"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 to 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"

So what can Arizona do? HCR 2034 seems to get it right.

But I think there needs to be a further step-- SHUT OFF ALL POWER generated in Arizona that is sent to California. Stop all contracts with Cities, Counties and Governments that Boycott Arizona, and Sue the Federal Government for failure enforce the Constitution. I would also take the step of turning off the water to LA as well-- and if necessary, call out the National Guard to enforce it.

It is time for this crap to stop. Arizona's law is Arizona's law.

Supporting Arizona

Rush, on Gov. Brewer's Comments about the "Comic-in-Chief"

So, personally, I think Rush really meant to say, "She has some big brass ones" but he could obviously not say this on the radio...

If Gov. Brewer keeps talking like this, she will get re-elected!

And by the way, for those that wish to boycott Arizona... the interstates run BOTH ways...

PS-- Los Angeles, and all the cities that are "boycotting"-- your actions are blattantly unconstitutional... read the Commerce Clause.

Rush, on Gov. Brewer's Comments about the "Comic-in-Chief"

US Should NOT Be Upset Over Israeli Housing in Jerusalem

Sec State Clinton and Barak Hussein Obama have expressed their outrage over new Israeli "settlements"- The problem- they are not really new settlements- they are apartments being built in Northeast Jerusalem. 

Israel captured East Jerusalem in 1967 during the "Six-Day War." This was a legitimate capture of territory in a war of aggression from Egypt and Syria with Iraq and Jordanian involvement. At the beginning of the Six-Day War, it looked like Israel was going to be wiped off the face of the Earth, and the UN stood idle.

While the issue of settlements in the "West Bank" may be an issue, the issue of Jerusalem should not be. Jerusalem is the capital of the nation of Israel.

After all the times the UN and World has turned its back on Israel, the question of Jerusalem should not be on the table. The US needs to back off the attacks on Israel and remember that they are the only democracy in the region, a people who have been oppressed for thousands of years, and remember they are allied with us--

Jerusalem is the rightful capital of Israel-- one would think that the President's Chief of Staff, who had a father in the Irgun would at least remember this.

Israel should not need to prove its commitment to peace-- but perhaps their neighbors who support and defend terrorism, and have vowed to wipe Israel off the face of the earth should.

US Should NOT Be Upset Over Israeli Housing in Jerusalem

Peter Graves Dies at 83

Peter Graves- of Mission Impossible, Stalag 17, and a huge body of film and tv work-- Including Airplane! where he played Captain Oveur (who was under Dunn) has died of natural causes... he was 83.

From Airplane!

Rumack: Captain, how soon can you land?
Captain Oveur: I can't tell.
Rumack: You can tell me. I'm a doctor.
Captain Oveur: No. I mean I'm just not sure.
Rumack: Well, can't you take a guess?
Captain Oveur: Well, not for another two hours.
Rumack: You can't take a guess for another two hours?

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Captain Oveur: You ever been in a cockpit before?
Joey: No sir, I've never been up in a plane before.
Captain Oveur: You ever seen a grown man naked?

From Airplane II

Clarence Oveur: Unger.
Unger: Oveur.
Dunn: Oveur.
Clarence Oveur: Dunn. Gentlemen, let's get to work.
Simon: Unger, didn't you serve under Oveur in the Air Force?
Unger: Not directly. Technically, Dunn was under Oveur and I was under Dunn.
Dunn: Yep.
Simon: So, Dunn, you were under Oveur and over Unger.
Unger: Yep.
Clarence Oveur: That's right. Dunn was over Unger and I was over Dunn.
Unger: So, you see, both Dunn and I were under Oveur, even though I was under Dunn.

Peter Graves Dies at 83

Former Astronauts ALSO Frustrated Over Obama's Killing of Constellation

I have expressed my concerns and frustration over Obama's cancellation of the Constellation Program- the US returning to the moon. Apparently, some of those that have been there (the moon that is) are just as frustrated.

Captain Jim Lovell- (who I would say can certainly "understate" things-- i.e. "Houston, we've had a problem" - yeah they definitely had a problem) said, "Personally, I think it will have catastrophic consequences in our ability to explore space and the spin-offs we get from space technology. They haven't thought through the consequences."

I definitely agree with Capt. Lovell.

Gene Cernan- the last man to walk on the moon- said, "I'm quite disappointed that I'm still the last man on the moon. I thought we'd have gone back long before now."

Both were speaking to the BBC in London on Friday.

The good news at least is that SpaceX announced today a successful static test of their Falcon 9's engines. SpaceX is a private company that may launch as early as April 12, from a pad just south of the shuttle's pads at Kennedy Space Center.

The Falcon 9 will be used for taking cargo into space.
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Former Astronauts ALSO Frustrated Over Obama's Killing of Constellation

Call Congress- Get H.R. 3121 Out of Comittee and Up for Vote

Today is a bit of a relaxing day at home for me, waiting for the unfortunate return of Daylight Savings Time.  Being a Native of Arizona, this whole concept of Daylight Savings Time still drives me nuts- and apparently I am not alone, but I digress.

Part of my relaxing is re-watching Band of Brothers- partially because The Pacific premiers tomorrow. 

While watching I decided to check on some bio's online- one of which is that of Maj. Dick Winters, US Army (Ret.).

For those that did not know, the Lt. Winters, was nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions in taking out four German 105mm's in the Brécourt Manor Assault.  Col Robert Sink nominated Lt. Winters for the CMH, however, at the time, the Army had imposed a limit on the number of CMH's that could be awarded to a division to one, and the CMH had been awarded to Lt Col Robert G. Cole.   Lt. Winters was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.  

Over the years, there have been a couple of bills submitted to Congress seeking change Lt. Winters' citation and award him the CMH.   The current bill is H.R. 3121.   H.R.3121 is still in committee.

If the House can move so quickly on a Health Care Reform bill that NO ONE WANTS, why not move on a bill to Honor a Hero, and by extension, all the men of Easy Company, 2nd Bat., 506 PIR, 101st Airborne.

Maj. Dick Winters is now 92 and living in Hershey, PA. In this case, it would be nice to see Congress move quickly and do something good for a change.

Call your Congressman and ask them to push for action on H.R. 3121.

The official website for the "Award the CMH to Major Winters" Campaign is here.
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Call Congress- Get H.R. 3121 Out of Comittee and Up for Vote

President of France Scolds US on KC-X - My Reply--

Earlier this week, Northrop and EADS/Airbus dropped from the KC-X bidding. Boeing will likely be building the KC-767 for the USAF as a result.

From Reuters:

"I did not appreciate this decision ... This is not the right way to behave," Sarkozy said.

"Such methods by the United States are not good for its European allies, and such methods are not good for the United States..

All right Sarkozy- Shut Up!

YOUR COUNTRY has denied US access to your airspace on multiple occassions during military operations- This is part of the reason we NEED tankers-- To deal with nations like FRANCE.

YOUR COUNTRY has OBJECTED to the US being allowed to bid on EU Defense Contracts-- talk about a double standard!

In the words of Jed Bartlett (The West Wing) to the French - "tell those poncy little hairdressers I'm going to shove a loaf of bread up their ass!!!"

President of France Scolds US on KC-X - My Reply--

Senate Health Care Bill Unconstitutional?

As the White House and the Congress try to cram the Senate Health Care bill down our throats, and as Barrack Hussein Obama postpones trips to strong-arm the House, and as Joe Biden considers over-ruling the Parliamentarian to pull a "Thermal Nuclear Option" on this bill, I am wondering when someone is going to wake up and state "The SENATE version of this bill is UNCONSTITUTIONAL!"

Let's look at what the Constitution of the United States says in "black and white" (actually now yellowed paper/parchment with iron-pigment ink, but I digress)-

Article 1, Section 7- All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives

That seems pretty clear to me. If the bill will raise revenue it SHALL ORIGINATE in the House…

Now here is what Pelosi has said about the current Senate Bill-

Pelosi said the legislation will eliminate 80 percent of an excise tax on high-priced insurance plans in the Senate measure

So 80% of an excise tax will be eliminated-- that still leaves 20%. That still means that the SENATE BILL IS RAISING A TAX-- RAISING REVENUE.

Let me repeat Article1, Section 7- All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives

But this bill originated in the Senate- NOT the House…

Therefore, by a "plain text" reading of the Constitution, it would seem that the Senate Bill is BLATANTLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

But then again, the President and members of Congress did swear to support and defend the Constitution… but when has that ever stopped them before?

Senate Health Care Bill Unconstitutional?

Bloggers Tracked 'Jihad Jane'- Congrats Rusty at Jawa Report

For quite some time, The Jawa Report, the Internet Haganah and others (including myself and my original blog-now off-line) have been tracking the "Internet Jihadist" who have been spreading the Jihadist message for years.

First, I want to congratulate Rusty Shackleford on the ABC coverage of the their part in bringing down 'Jihad Jane'

Second- and more importantly, I also want to express my OUTRAGE at ABC over referring to these HERO'S as "'Net vigilantes." A vigilante is someone who illegally punishes someone for perceived offenses, or participates in a group which metes out extrajudicial punishment to such a person.

How in the world is anything that The Jawa Report does illegal? Instead of illegal it is actually, JOURNALISTIC.

Perhaps every time ABC News manages to report actual investigative news about a criminal, they too should be called criminals and vigilantes themselves.

This is another example of the MSM's arrogance and contempt in their view of Blogger's who actually pursue news and manage to out-scoop the press.

Persnally, Rusty, I think you should file suit against ABC for calling you criminal... but I happen to know you are a better person than that.

Bloggers Tracked 'Jihad Jane'- Congrats Rusty at Jawa Report

GOP Needs to Change Message

Late yesterday I received a fundraising email from the GOP- specifically a Michael Steele email entitled "Pelosi's Failure."

Do I agree that Pelosi has failed? Yes. Do I hope she will be defeated in November- or at the least out of the Speaker's seat? Yes.

However, I am beginning to wonder if this early negative campaign direction is the right way to go for the GOP.

I am a Constitutionalist and a member of the Republican Party. I have donated money to the GOP, to candidates and directly worked for a GOP US Congressional Campaign and on State-wide campaigns. I wanted to state this first, before I went any further.

The GOP seems to be stuck in the mud. The GOP is failing to seize an opportunity to not just change the national debate, but also change the national mood.

The GOP should be sending out the message to members that the reason to vote with us and support us is not because of how bad our opponents are doing, but support us and vote for us because WE HAVE BETTER IDEAS.

Right now Democrats who are "running" ARE RUNNING from Obama. Obama's approval numbers are tanking and there is talk of his vulnerability in 2012

So now, instead of just talking about how much our opponents have failed, we should be sending out a message of why our ideas our better.

We need to be saying- actually repeating- "'We the People' tell the government what to do; it doesn't tell us."

We need to stating, that while times may be dark now, America is still the "shining city on a hill"
and, for America, "there will always be brighter days ahead."

GOP Needs to Change Message

Gun Control Lobby Patrolling Blogs- Re Starbucks

So the Gun Control Lobby appears to be doing Google Blog Searches for anyone writing about Starbucks' Open Carry Policy-

I guess they forget that bloggers like to know who their readers are.  Maybe I will make a "bad guys" list at the Brady Campaign!!! I certainly hope so!

Gun Control Lobby Patrolling Blogs- Re Starbucks

Starbucks and the Right to Carry- UPDATE

Original Post Here

Earlier today I sent an inquiry to Starbucks press office as follows:

1. In the fourth paragraph you state " we would be forced to require our partners to ask law abiding customers to leave our stores, putting our partners in an unfair and potentially unsafe position." Are you saying that having "law abiding" armed customers makes your stores safer? or are you saying "law abiding" armed customers may suddenly become "law breaking" citizens and threaten your partners? Your statement is not clear on this issue.

2. Does your open carry position apply to states with Concealed Carry laws but restricted "open carry"- such as Kansas? Your statement is not clear on this issue

I received this reply moments ago from a Starbucks Spokesperson:

Statement
As we indicate in our statement, our approach is to comply with the local laws and statutes in Kansas and all other communities we serve.

The statement certainly does NOT address my first question, which I believe, needs to be addressed.

As to the second question-
Unfortunately, Kansas law, and many other states with concealed carry allow a business to post a "no guns" sign on the door. Some municipalities in Kansas, for example do NOT allow open carry, but do allow concealed carry.

The original statement does NOT indicate that Starbucks will allow Concealed Carry in their stores- it merely addresses open carry.

However, we appreciate the response from Starbucks and appreciate their apparent support for the Second Amendment

Starbucks and the Right to Carry- UPDATE

Concealed Carry Saves Lives- Again- This Time in Memphis

On March 5, 2010 at about 3:00 pm a man armed with a butcher knife was running around the parking lot of the Frayser Plaza Shopping Center Family Dollar store in Memphis, Tennessee.

The assailant was attempting to stab people in the parking lot of the Family Dollar Store according to several witness.

Unfortunately for the assailant, the last man he tried to attack (and some witnesses say did stab), was an armed concealed carry permit holder, who was in his car with his two step-daughters.

After the assailant lunged at the man with the knife, the armed step-father opened fire and killed the knife wielding assailant.

According to reports, investigators do not consider this murder.

Witnesses- and there apparently were many- are all saying the father of two acted in self defense.

According to a call I placed this morning to the Family Dollar Store involved, the store does NOT have any "concealed carry restriction" sign or "no firearms" sign.

I have also placed a call to the Memphis Police Press Office to find out if the shooter has been charged with anything, or will be charged with anything. There has been no reply as of the time of this posting (the Press Officer was in a meeting), but I will post the reply when I get it.

Concealed Carry Saves Lives- Again- This Time in Memphis

Starbucks and The Right to Carry

UPDATE HERE

Starbucks has released a press statement (quietly- I had to search a bit to find it on their web site and it was just a link without a summary like all their other releases) stating that they support the laws in the states they operate.

In fact, Starbucks states that PROHIBITING OPEN CARRY in their stores may actually be a security risk for their employees! I am NOT SURE if they are saying having armed citizens in our stores makes us safer, or if they are saying that asking" a Law Abiding Citizen" to leave is dangerous.

We have examined this issue through the lens of partner (employee) and customer safety. Were we to adopt a policy different from local laws allowing open carry, we would be forced to require our partners to ask law abiding customers to leave our stores, putting our partners in an unfair and potentially unsafe position.

I suppose the good news is that Starbucks has realized that people who support the Second Amendment drink coffee too...even at $4.00 a cup.

Starbucks and The Right to Carry

Northrop-Airbus Dropping from Air Tanker Bid

One year ago I wrote about an air tanker bid that was awarded to Northrop and Airbus (technically EADS- Paris-based European Aeronautic Defence & Space).  The new tanker was to be built on the Airbus 330, a French aircraft.   Northrop was basically going to build the tanker boom and some avionics and Airbus was building the aircraft.  

My problem with the deal was that Boeing had submitted a lower bid that complied with the terms listed.  My bigger problem though was huge number of jobs and the money that would be going to France (Airbus/EADS), instead of to Americans (Boeing).  Also at that time, France had objected to EU Defense contracts being open to American companies.

There was a political uproar over the deal.  The GAO investigated and the USAF re-bid the contract.

Now, one year later, it finally looks like there will be a resolution favorable to American workers.  Northrop announced this week they are dropping from the tanker bid.   This appears to leave Boeing as the only bidder and the default winner of the contract

According to the Boeing bid, the new tanker will be built on the Boeing 767 airframe.   This is assembled in Wichita and Seattle. 

So, sometime this spring or early summer, the USAF will finally award the contract.  Hopefully this time, the new USAF tanker will be the KC-767 and will finally create American jobs instead of new jobs for France.

Boeing currently builds the KC-767 for both the Japanese Air Defense Force and the Italian Air Force in Wichita, Kansas.

Northrop-Airbus Dropping from Air Tanker Bid

Breaking: Actor Corey Haim Dead at 38

This was just on Fox News...Actor Corey Haim, of The Lost Boys died...appears to be accidental... there are also reports that the "accidental" part may be a drug overdose...

UPDATE:
LAPD is saying the death does appear to be from an accidental overdose and there will be an autopsy.  Haim was 38.

Breaking: Actor Corey Haim Dead at 38

Chief Justice Says State of Union 'very troubling'

Chief Justice Roberts, responding to a student's question today at the University of Alabama School of Law, said that people DO have the right to criticize the Court, but...

"On the other hand, there is the issue of the setting, the circumstances and the decorum.

"The image of having the members of one branch of government standing up, literally surrounding the Supreme Court, cheering and hollering while the court—according the requirements of protocol—has to sit there expressionless, I think is very troubling."

This was of course in response to this year's State of the Union, where Obama publically and incorrectly rebuked the court.

Chief Justice Says State of Union 'very troubling'

Believing Massa about Rahm Emanuel

UPDATE- after watching Glenn Beck's interview- and Beck was correct, it was a waste of time- I will say that there seems a lot more to this story that will come out soon.  I am NOT saying I totally believe former Rep. Eric Massa.   However, I will also state the shower scene that was described, still comes across like it was real.


ORIGINAL POST-
The shower scene, as told by Rep Eric Massa, definitely sounds like something out of a movie- or a certain White House Based Television Series. Maybe that is because a character in a White House Based Television Series was based on Rahm Emanuel. Perhaps the pure chutzpah of Emanuel confronting Massa naked in the shower is what leads me to believe that Massa may very well be telling the truth.

Let's take a look at Rahm Emanuel- aka Rahmbo (which Josh Lyman was called also- after telling a Senator he could shove his "legislative agenda up his ass")

He is a trained ballet dancer (by the way, West Wing fans will remember Josh Lyman also saying when he was four he wanted to be a ballet dancer).

He is short- somewhere between 5'5" and 5'7" and in my personal opinion probably suffers from Short Man Syndrome or Napoleon Complex.

He is a devoted Jew and served as a civilian volunteer the Israeli Defense Forces during the first- half of the Gulf War (i.e. 1991- there was NO Second Gulf War- the "First" War ended in cease fire that was violated by Iraq- therefore, the "second" war was just the war restarting). This is one thing I actually respect about Emanuel.

Rahm Emanuel's father Benjamin was a member of the Irgun. The fact that his father was a member of Irgun -and not the Haganah- I believe to be significant. The Irgun was a militant break-off of the Haganah, and is known for the bombing of the King David Hotel on July 22, 1946. Rahm was raised by an active militant- that some called terrorist.

Emanuel has a foul mouth- YouTube has a compilation of his use of the "F" word on various TV shows.

He has been reported to have a Bugsy Siegel style when it comes to fund raising- insulting and embarrassing contributors and hanging up on them. The contributors call back and donate more.

He "cautioned" (one report says "threatened") PM Tony Blair at one point, telling him not to "f--- it up" as Blair was walking out to make a statement with Clinton.

After the 1992 Clinton Election, Emanuel was witnessed sitting at a dinner table with George Stephanopoulos and others, screaming a list of Clinton enemies names and stabbing a steak knife into the table and saying "Dead! Dead! Dead!"

He sent a wrapped dead, rotting fish to a pollster who irritated him.  (This also was part of a West Wing Episode with Josh Lyman sending the dead fish).

So, with this kind of history- and I am only scratching the surface here- I would tend to believe the story Massa tells- at least about Emanuel.

This is who we have running the operations of the White House- a guy who probably would have done well in the Chicago Mafia and who has no problem forcing his will on whoever and however he wants.

(I know, based site reports, that I have readers both in Congress and the White House- or at least readers on those networks- I look forward to any obscene call I may personally get from Mr. Emanuel. I will report it to you all if I do.)

Believing Massa about Rahm Emanuel

Back to Writing

Today I am returning to writing. I have been ill, and unfortunately, this has caused my psoriatic-arthritis to flair and typing has been painful.

However, I am feeling better and, God willing, I will be able to keep writing without further interruption.

By the way- If you have Psoriasis- or a family history of Psoriasis, and have joint pain PLEASE see a rheumatologist right away. Psoriasis, with joint pain could be Psoriatic Arthritis. This condition should always be taken seriously as it can cause permanent joint damage as well as ongoing pain. The Psoriasis Foundation is a great resource on Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA).

Back to Writing

The Case- McDonald v. Chicago

The case of the decade was heard today, McDonald v. Chicago.  The importance of this case is that this case will determine if the Second Amendment applies to the states as well as to the federal government.

Unfortunately, I have been fighting a cold today, so I did not get to listen to the arguments.   However, the transcript of the case arguments can be found here.

I will be reviewing the case later tomorrow and provide my thoughts and opinion on it as time allows.

The Case- McDonald v. Chicago

Biggest Threat to Civil Rights- Poll- The US Government

In a CNN/Opinion Research poll- 56% believe that the US Government is the greatest threat to Civil Rights.  Go figure....

What ever happened to the oath that Federal Office holders are supposed to take- that they will "support and defend the Constitution?" 

The breakdown of the poll was interesting as well.. 37% of Democrats and 63% of Independents, as well as 70% of Republicans all think the Government- the organization that is supposed to guarantee our rights, is the biggest threat to them.

Perhaps it is time to re-evaluate the idea that it is only the "right-wing" nut jobs that feel the government is a threat...  Seems to me that it is your average Joe on the street that feels that way...

By the way, I feel that way as well.

Biggest Threat to Civil Rights- Poll- The US Government

Job Cuts Coming- Because of Obama Budget

For all the jobs that Obama claims to be creating, there are 23,000 minimum that he will directly be getting rid of, because of his budget.

These are not low-end, minimum wage jobs.  Many of these are very high end engineering jobs.  These are jobs at NASA.

Thanks to Obama's budget- cutting the Constellation Program- and the end of the Shuttle program, thousands of jobs at NASA are gone- or going.  Additionally there are a large number of contracting jobs as well as support jobs that are going as well.

This is just the job impact.   There is no way to calculate the damage to the economy or to discovery and invention that will take place, now that Obama is ending manned space flight.

Of course, I am sure this is just part of our Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet's President's plan-- after all, those people made too much money. I am sure he just wants to make sure that their wealth is redistributed to others...

If you want to understand more about Chairman Barack Hussein Obama's plan for managing the country, may I suggest reading the Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx.

Job Cuts Coming- Because of Obama Budget

Coming Down from the High- People Snapping from Obama Disillusion?

Earlier today I read a very good article that asked the question, Is Disillusionment With Media-Created Obama Causing People to Snap?

This is definitely a question worth asking. After all, the Obama-mania crowd was sure by now that Gitmo would be closed (and I am sure some were thinking that the Bush Administration would be charged with crimes), the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan would be ended, and none of us (on the right at least) will forget the "giddy" women who said Obama would pay her gas and mortgage.

Now we are a year and a month down the road, the mid-term election season is starting and we are nowhere near where Obama promised we would be.

Obama is still blaming the Bush Administration for all problems and claiming successes that are not his (such as Iraq). Gitmo is still in operation. NATO is fighting tough battles in Afghanistan. Unemployment is higher than it was last year.

Amy Bishop was one of these Obama-maniacs. She lost her job and then shot up the Biology Department at UAH. Joseph Stack when to his death angry at GM and the Catholic Church and promoting Communism -- he is NOT a right wing "tea-bagger" like the MSM would like us to believe.

Now is Obama to blame? I don't know. He had an entire year of a Super-Majority in the Senate and majority in the House and he got nothing done. Is the "hype" the MSM created to blame? Probably not. But we can say for sure, that both Bishop and Stack have brought attention to this disillusionment.

Just my thoughts...

Coming Down from the High- People Snapping from Obama Disillusion?

Angrier and Angrier Over Reid's Comments- But Still Not Abusive

The more I have thought about Harry Reid's comment- "Men when they are out of work, tend to become abusive," the angrier I have become (but I have yet to become abusive).

This statement SCREAMS of PROFILING and BIGOTRY - by sex and economic status... "If you are a man, and unemployed, you tend to be an abuser." Ok, now replace the word "man" with any ethnicity and tell me how long Reid would still be Majority Leader.

This statement SCREAMS of SEXISM - ... "If you are a man, and unemployed, you tend to be an abuser." Ok, AGAIN replace the word "man" with "woman" and tell me how long Reid would still be Majority Leader.

This statement SCREAMS of a new GUN CONTROL PUSH - Why you ask? Simple, domestic abuse or domestic violence, even as a Misdemeanor, automatically means that the abuser cannot purchase or posses a firearm. So, "If you are a man, and unemployed," you should be required to surrender any firearms you own when you apply for unemployment, because, "you tend to be an abuser."

I am furious that Reid has not apologized and will not apologize.

I am also furious about the double standard- Try this one...

"If you are a man, and unemployed, you tend to be an abuser." - Senator Harry Reid- NV (D)

Replace the (D) with an (R) and he already would have been forced to resign....

But since he is a (D) I guess he gets a pass...

Readers in Nevada- PLEASE help Harry Reid understand what it is like to be a man an unemployed- Vote for ANY of his opponents this Novemeber.

Angrier and Angrier Over Reid's Comments- But Still Not Abusive

Men Get Abusive When Out of Work?

Senator Harry Reid- today: "'Men, when they're out of work, tend to become abusive,'"

Hmmm... Senator Reid, do you have a study to show this? I know lots of men how are or have been out of work, and I don't know of any of them that have been abusive because of it.

Now, yes, men can get depressed when they loose their jobs, but I don't think you can make the blanket statement that men "tend to become abusive" when they loose their jobs...

Senator, are you trying to prepare us? This November, when the voters of Nevada fire you from your job, are you going to become abusive?

Men Get Abusive When Out of Work?

Constitutionality of Healthcare Reform

Constitution of the United States, Bill of Rights, Article X- The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

The language of the Tenth Amendment seems pretty clear to me. The powers not granted to the Federal Government IN THE CONSTITUION are reserved to the States or to the People.

Now where in the Constitution does it grant the Federal Government the authority to regulate Health Care?

Yes, Congress has the authority to encourage the sciences- but ONLY by creating the patent system. This is directly spelled out within the Constitution. (Article 1- Section 8)

Yes, Congress has the authority to regulate interstate commerce (Article 1 Section 8)- but healthcare is NOT interstate commerce. With the exception of Tele-medicine which is NOT the methodology used by most people to see a doctor, the patient and the doctor are in the same location and that location resides within an individual state.

So the question remains, where do the Obama administration and the democrats in Congress get the authority to regulate Health Care?

Bottom line- I don't think they have the authority, and I personally believe there will be legal action taken to question the Constitutionality of any Health Care Reform legislation- especially the newly proposed Federal Commission to regulate insurance premiums- That is what the States have Insurance Commissioners' for!

Barack Hussein Obama is supposedly a Professor of Constitutional Law. Perhaps he just views the Constitution as something that is a guideline or a document to ignore when he feels like it- that is certainly what his proposal seems to indicate.

Constitutionality of Healthcare Reform

Israel Introduces New Pilotless Aircraft that Can Reach Iran

Israel today revealed a new fleet of pilotless aircraft that can reach Iran.

The aircraft have a range of 20 hours and can fly far enough to reach the Persian Gulf. Each of the aircraft, known as the Heron TP have a 86 foot wing span and can reach over 40,000 feet in altitude. Basically it is reported they have the wingspan of a 737.

Apparently they have a variety of missions- including spy missions and electronic jamming missions. There was no mention if the aircraft could carry weapons.

The aircraft was build by Israeli Aerospace Industries.

Israel Introduces New Pilotless Aircraft that Can Reach Iran

Former Sec State, Gen. Alexander Haig Dies

Former Presidential Adviser Alexander Haig has died. He was 85. In addition to being a former Secretary of State under President Reagan, he was also a former Supreme Commander NATO Allied Forces Europe (which is probably the coolest job title in the world).

Haig is probably best remembered for his misquote of the Presidential succession order shortly after the assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan. Haig stated that Secretary of State was third in line- which it had been, until the 25th Amendment had been passed.

Haig servered as Secretary of State for 17 months under President Reagan before resigning.

Former Sec State, Gen. Alexander Haig Dies

On the 2nd Amendment, Bill O'Reilly is a Pinhead

Normally I am not one to jump all over another conservative, but Bill O'Reilly has crossed the line.

On Thursday the 18th, O'Reilly was conducting an interview when the subject of confiscation of firearms during a state of emergency (such as in Katarina) came up. When Bill was told that such confiscations were unconstitutional, Bill stated, “That’s a pretty extreme position.”

Extreme? A government official, such as the Police Chief of New Orleans, having the power to suspend the Constitution and seized people's legally owned firearms in CLEAR violation of the Second Amendment?

Extreme? A minor government official having the power to suspend the Constitution and deprive people of their GOD GIVEN RIGHT or NATURAL RIGHT of Self-Defense which is Constitutionally protected by the Ninth Amendment?

I am sorry Bill. You are the one with the "extreme" viewpoint. Our Constitutional protections are sacred and believing that our GOD GIVEN and NATURAL RIGHTS as well as our Constitutional Rights should be protected at ALL COSTS is NOT EXTREME.

A the belief that gross violations of the Second and Ninth Amendments are WRONG is NOT Extreme.

Sorry, Bill, YOU are the one with the extreme position here.

Maybe YOU should be named a Pinhead because you are certainly NOT a Patriot on this issue.

On the 2nd Amendment, Bill O'Reilly is a Pinhead

1980's Again? - Falklands War II

Argentina is apparently thinking that "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again." Or that is what it looks like. Despite the fact that the UK put them in their place in the 1982 war, Argentina has decided to attempt to re-assert sovereignty over the islands.

The reason this time? Oil. What could be lots of oil.

The latest moves by Argentina involve declaring a maritime exclusion zone- a step short of blockade. The have started requiring permits for any and all vessels that wish to sail in the waters of the Falklands.

They have also started boarding vessels that are carrying anything that can be used for oil drilling and detaining them. This includes stopping the British Flagged Thor Leader, which was stopped and detained for carrying a load of pipes.

There are also reports that the Argentine Air Force is shadowing the movements of the US owned, but Panama Flagged oil rig Ocean Guardian as it is being moved to the Falklands to begin drilling. Currently (as of the time of this writing) the Ocean Guardian is still listed as enroute to the Falklands.

Estimates are that there could be an oil field of 60 billion barrels around the Falklands. The North Sea field  so far has produced 40 billion barrels.

Argentina is having financial difficulties. They have $13 billion of foreign loans due. Argentina "tore up" an agreement to share oil finds off the Falklands with the UK. For Argentina they want all, and for the UK to have nothing.

1980's Again? - Falklands War II

Report: UK Knew of Dubai Hit In Advance

I have been wondering for days now, why the UK has been "screaming" about this Dubai terrorist hit.

Is it to deflect attention from themselves? According to a report in the Daily Mail (via YNet) the UK knew in advance that the hit was taking place- and that UK passports were being used.

The Daily Mail reported that MI6 was tipped off that Israeli agents were going to carry out an 'overseas operation' using fake British passports. The newspaper quoted a member of Mossad, the Israeli intelligence service, as saying that the Foreign Office was also told hours before the Hamas terrorist chief was assassinated in Dubai, although the tip-off did not say who the target would be or even where the hit squad would be in action.

A British security source, who met the Mossad agent and has a track record of providing reliable information, told the Daily Mail: "This is a serving member of Israeli intelligence. He says the British government was told very, very briefly before the operation what was going to happen.

"There was no British involvement and they didn't know the name of the target. But they were told these people were travelling on UK passports," he added.

The security source said the tip-off was not a request for permission to use British passports but more a "courtesy call" to let the security services know "a situation" might blow up. The Mossad man said Israeli intelligence chiefs understand British authorities will have to "slap them on the wrist".

Me thinks the lady doth protest too much. [sic]
.

Report: UK Knew of Dubai Hit In Advance

Something I Missed- Capt. Phil Harris of F/V Cornelia Marie Dies

Somehow I missed this bit of news--

Capt. Phil Harris , 53, Master of the F/V Cornelia Marie died on Feb. 9, 2010 after having a stroke while off-loading crab in St. Paul harbour.

Capt. Phil and his sons were a regular part of "The Deadliest Catch."

Discovery Channel says the show will continue to air for this season.

The F/V Northwestern website has been re-done in honor of Capt. Phil.

More can also be found at the Cornelia Marie website.

Something I Missed- Capt. Phil Harris of F/V Cornelia Marie Dies

Report: Five Muslim Soldiers Arrested at Fort Jackson in South Carolina

CBN Exclusive: Five Muslim Soldiers Arrested at Fort Jackson in South Carolina:
"CBN News has learned exclusively that five Muslim soldiers at Fort Jackson in South Carolina were arrested just before Christmas. It is unclear whether the men are still in custody. The five were part of the Arabic Translation program at the base.
The men are suspected of trying to poison the food supply at Fort Jackson.

A source with intimate knowledge of the investigation, which is ongoing, told CBN News investigators suspect the 'Fort Jackson Five' may have been in contact with the group of five Washington, DC area Muslims that traveled to Pakistan to wage jihad against U.S. troops in December. That group was arrested by Pakistani authorities, also just before Christmas"

However, according to other sources, the military is still investigating and Army CID is saying "there is no credible information to support the allegations."
I agree that this could be very disturbing, and after Ft. Hood, I wonder if there is a trend developing-- is there a terrorist cell in the US Army?

Report: Five Muslim Soldiers Arrested at Fort Jackson in South Carolina

Still to Come- From My Notes File

There are a couple of things on my radar. One or two I have been following for a while and another is new, but I thought I would give out a preview of what is in my notes file...

Meir Dagan- Head of Mossad is saying he won't quit- doesn't see the need too, while Dubai is saying they are 99% sure it was Mossad-- I am re-looking at the footage- there are some things that are bothering me, but I can't put my finger on it directly. The door being locked from the inside is still an issue.

Falklands War II?- Argentina is declaring maritime exclusion zones, the Brits aren't happy, and Argentina is boarding ships.

Air France is restarting the investigation of AF 447 and starting a new search for the aircraft. This was an Airbus that went down over the Atlantic on a flight from Brazil last year... There were reports of sudden decompression. Did the plane actually go down from a terrorist bomb?

And of course, the IAEA announcement that Iran is pursuing nukes...

More to follow...

Still to Come- From My Notes File

Joseph Andrew Stack- Plane Crash in Austin- Why He Says He Did It-

Like most people, I have been following the events in Austin. From what we know, Joseph Stack took off in his Piper Cherokee this morning and flew it into a government building housing the IRS.

He took off from Georgetown Airport (KGTU) and flew south to Austin, TX under VFR (visual flight rules). VFR does not require constant contact with Air Traffic Control. Around 10:00 AM CST he flew the Cherokee directly into the IRS building in Austin. One person is still missing as of the time I am writing this...

So why did he do it?

Bottom line, he was a NUT JOB.

After reading his Manifesto, it is apparent to me he is "trying" to make a political statement. The problem is, after reading the document several times, I cannot tell what his political statement is.

Ok, he was angry at the IRS. That much is clear. But he also goes after corporations and the US health care system. He complains that people are not heard by the government and then goes after the G. W. Bush administration. He targets General Motors and the Catholic Church. At the end he promotes communism.

Bottom line, this guy is all over the board. He was obviously disturbed.

But, unfortunately this is being politicized. There are reports of those on the left pointing the the manifesto and calling this guy a "tea-bagger terrorist" (I will not link to those blogs on principle- just to others reporting it).

This was a horrific act by a very sick man. It is unfortunate that there was not another way for this man to get the help he needed. To me though, it appears that this man wanted to blame everyone else in the world for his problems.

Did the man have a "beef" with the IRS? Maybe. I get nauseated every year when I see how much I pay in taxes, and I have had arguements with the IRS myself.

But like the vast majority of people in the US, I don't plan on committing murder or attempting murder and suicide to try to make a point.

Joseph Andrew Stack- Plane Crash in Austin- Why He Says He Did It-

Wet Work in Dubai- Double-Double Cross? Post 9-11 Black-Ops

Since the hit on Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai, there has been enormous speculation as to the who.

We know- or we are told by Dubai- that there were eleven with a variety of fake passports from European countries. We know that several of those names match dual citizens from Israel- people with both European passports and Israeli passports. We also know that the pictures on the passports do not match the faces that Dubai is saying belong to the hit-team.

The hit team knew, without question, that they would be on camera. Dubai is known to have money and the most modern hotels and resorts - maybe the most modern on the planet. Dubai is also known as the "playground" of the middle-east, the equivalent of Las Vegas for Americans. What happens in Dubai stays in Dubai- well, maybe not this time.

There are those that are saying this is a Mossad screw-up. The team pictures are everywhere.

There are also those that are saying that there is no-way this could be a Mossad job- the team was too obvious.

But…

Maybe that was the entire point… Conducting a "black-op" in a highly technological society means dealing with that technology. You know camera's are going to be everywhere. They are everywhere in London. They are everywhere in Las Vegas, and as we have seen, they are apparently everywhere in Dubai. So, the question becomes, how do you beat the cameras?

The answer is, you don't- at least not directly. You play to the cameras. That is what this team did. They know where the cameras are and they know they can't avoid them. They know that information is being grabbed at the airport from the passports used. So they use disguises, and try to hide in plain site as much as possible. But, most importantly, they make sure that their faces do not match their names. They have become completely anonymous in that everyone in the world knows that the identity they used was blatantly false. There is no guarantee that the pictures used on the passport were of the actual hit team. The pictures may be of people that look enough like them, that it will pass a "human eye"- but in this age of technology, the if the picture is not of the actual person, it will never hold up the scrutiny of eventual computerized facial recognition or matching. Who knows- maybe the pictures that we are being shown are of people who are actually dead.

The key is plausible deniability. Those named certainly have it. The "that’s not me" has be broadcast around the world, and countries like Great Britain are running in circles screaming for everyone to hear that the passports were fake. We know the names that are listed were NOT the actual hit squad.

So, now we come back around to Mossad. There is an argument that the team was too obvious to be Mossad. Mossad analyst are saying it is too much like the 1997 job. In other words, Mossad would never do something this obvious. Plausible deniability.

There are also statements that Israel would never use passports of Israeli's-- again that would be TOO obvious. But, if we think about it backwords, maybe that is the point. The people who hold the passports have been cleared for all practical purposes.

Right now it is SO OBVIOUS that this job was Mossad that it CAN'T BE Mossad.

Or…

Right now it is SO OBVIOUS that is job was NOT Mossad, that it MUST BE Mossad.

Anyone have a coin to flip? Or should I be asking for a Shekel?

Either way, if I were a terrorist, I certainly would not want to be crossing Mossad.

Wet Work in Dubai- Double-Double Cross? Post 9-11 Black-Ops