Friday, June 29, 2012
Fast and Furious: The Justice Dept Strikes Back
There are some times that I absolutely hate being right. Especially when it comes to the actions of our elected officials. This time I may not have been 100% right however, unfortunately, I am close enough.
Wednesday night I wrote about and discussed the possibility that after the contempt citation for Atty. Gen. Holder was passed by the House of Representatives, that Our Great Leader, HRH Barack I (peace be upon Him) would immediately grant Atty. Gen. Holder a pardon. This was based on the idea that the house would be passing a single contempt citation holding the Atty. Gen. in criminal contempt.
As has been reported widely the House actually passed two contempt citations against Atty. Gen. Holder, the first being a criminal citation and the second being a civil citation. My understanding is that a Presidential Pardon would have no effect on the civil citation.
So of course, when news broke this afternoon, that the Justice Department stated they were refusing to accept the House citation of contempt against Atty. Gen. Holder and stated flat-out that they would not prosecute, I was less than surprised.
And with that, Faster than you can say Furious, Holder is off the hook (criminally)-- for now.
The Justice Department may only refuse to prosecute as long as the current administration is in office. This still leaves open the possibility of a Presidential Pardon for Atty. Gen. Holder. If this November, HRH Barack I is replaced, the Romney administration can immediately take up criminal sanctions. Therefore it would not surprise me if the Presidential Pardon comes right before Obama leaves office January 20, 2013.
This is just another example of this administration's arrogance and a refusal to bow to the rule of law and the will of the people.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
First Thoughts on the Obama Care Ruling
Like most I am still trying to decide exactly how I feel about the Supreme Court's ruling this morning in "National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius" also known as the Obama Care ruling.
I've downloaded the Court's opinion and am in the process of reading and digesting it.
While on the surface it appears to some, especially those on the liberal side of the aisle, that this was a defeat for the GOP. It may not have been.
Of primary import is the fact that nothing galvanizes conservatives like a Supreme Court ruling that does not go their way. While the ruling upheld what was previously called an individual mandate, it's important to note that the Court ruled that this is an individual tax not a mandate. It is also important to note that the Chief Justice in his opinion limited the application of the Commerce Clause.
Further the Court held that the government cannot coerce States into an enormous expansion of Medicare. If the states choose not to expand Medicare then that would force those that are above the poverty level but without insurance into government pools. This could potentially put a large burden on the Federal Government financially.
This ruling also paints the Obama administration into a corner. If they brag about their health care ruling, then they have to admit that this is the largest tax increase in the history of the United States certainly if not the history of modern civilization. They swore they would not raise taxes on the middle class or the poor and yet the Court has ruled today that they did.
I'm also looking at the dissent from Justice Kennedy. It is been reported, but not widely, that there are some very interesting "errors" in the wording of the dissent. The dissent appears to read like a majority opinion. Further the dissent is reported to refer in places to a dissent that no longer exists begging the question was this dissent actually the majority opinion at one point? Did Chief Justice Roberts originally vote to strike the entire law? If so why did the Chief Justice change his vote?
The final opinion handed down by the Court today is 193 pages long and I have certainly not finished reading it yet. Rest assured when I do I will have more here.
I've downloaded the Court's opinion and am in the process of reading and digesting it.
While on the surface it appears to some, especially those on the liberal side of the aisle, that this was a defeat for the GOP. It may not have been.
Of primary import is the fact that nothing galvanizes conservatives like a Supreme Court ruling that does not go their way. While the ruling upheld what was previously called an individual mandate, it's important to note that the Court ruled that this is an individual tax not a mandate. It is also important to note that the Chief Justice in his opinion limited the application of the Commerce Clause.
Further the Court held that the government cannot coerce States into an enormous expansion of Medicare. If the states choose not to expand Medicare then that would force those that are above the poverty level but without insurance into government pools. This could potentially put a large burden on the Federal Government financially.
This ruling also paints the Obama administration into a corner. If they brag about their health care ruling, then they have to admit that this is the largest tax increase in the history of the United States certainly if not the history of modern civilization. They swore they would not raise taxes on the middle class or the poor and yet the Court has ruled today that they did.
I'm also looking at the dissent from Justice Kennedy. It is been reported, but not widely, that there are some very interesting "errors" in the wording of the dissent. The dissent appears to read like a majority opinion. Further the dissent is reported to refer in places to a dissent that no longer exists begging the question was this dissent actually the majority opinion at one point? Did Chief Justice Roberts originally vote to strike the entire law? If so why did the Chief Justice change his vote?
The final opinion handed down by the Court today is 193 pages long and I have certainly not finished reading it yet. Rest assured when I do I will have more here.
First Thoughts on the Obama Care Ruling
Labels:
Barack Hussein Obama,
Election 2012,
Healthcare,
Mitt Romney,
SCOTUS
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Fast and Furious- The Holder Contempt Vote
Tomorrow will be a huge day with the Supreme Court announcing the ruling on Obama Care and its Tax Hikes and the Holder Contempt vote for his decision to defy Congress's lawful subpoena asking for documents regarding the testimony Holder gave to Congress stating "No one knew anything about Fast and Furious"-- which he then retracted in a letter about 9 months later.
Unfortunately, based on the recent history of Our Great Leader, HRH Barak I, (Peace be upon him) in going around Congress on immigration, defying the Courts in the ruling on SB1070, and his stated goal of "not waiting" for the Congress and acting on his own, I STRONGLY SUSPECT, that shortly after the House cites Holder for Contempt, His Imperial Majesty Barack Hussein Obama, will just issue a pardon for Eric Holder, stating this was all a Republican witch hunt and then say something to the effect "well, President Ford issued a pardon for Nixon," Fast and Furious was the same thing as what President Bush did (Operation Wide Receiver), and Congress should sit down and shut up. He will also go back to the "Executive Privilege" claim.
On the claim of Executive Privilege- my first response to Executive Privilege is sorry-- the President has stated he knew NOTHING about Fast and Furious- How can there be Presidential Communication about something he knew nothing about?
My second response Executive Privilege? Sorry-- United States. v. Nixon 418 US 683 (1974) states executive privilege does not cover criminal activity. Congress is investigating Criminal Activity and there is evidence already that "high levels" of the administration of Our Great Leader, HRH Barack I (Peace be Upon Him), knew of and were briefed on Fast and Furious- despite denials of the Administration.
On "its the same thing Bush did"-- There are MAJOR differences between Wide Receiver and Fast and Furious. Operation Wide Receiver was run by BATFE by placing RFID markers in gun stocks and following straw purchasers and arresting them. Wide Receiver was ended when Justice found problems with the RFID markers AND Wide Receiver was conducted in COOPERATION with the Mexican government. In contrast, Fast and Furious was run WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE of Mexico and included few if any RFID markers. Wide Receiver covered 275 guns-- Fast and Furious, OVER 2000!
On "this is a Republican Witch Hunt"--Unfortunately, the facts and the record seem to get in the way of the denials and the cover up. Democratic Congressman Ciro Rodriguez of Texas, a member of the Appropriations Committee, requested a $30 Million increase for the Justice Department for the parent of Fast and Furious, Operation Gunrunner. The appropriation request was made in March of 2009- with Fast and Furious beginning less than six months later. How could a Congressman know about money needed for a Justice Department operation, unless he had been briefed on the operation and asked to appropriate the money? Or are we saying the Congressman just made the whole thing up as some place to park $30 million?
On March 12, 2010 Gary Grindler, Attorney General Holder's current Chief of Staff, attended a meeting on Fast and Furious where he wrote on his notes "multiple long rifle sales," "Fast and Furious," and notes about long gun reporting and multiple weapons sales. He also wrote "seizures in Mexico"-- but remember, the Justice Department said they knew nothing of Fast and Furious.
The list of these events goes on and on.
Why care? Because the reason for Fast and Furious was simple- If American's are outraged about Guns from Arizona going to Mexico, they would support a renewal of the Assault Weapon's Ban. This was the stated goal of Eric Holder as early as 2009.
On "Ford pardoned Nixon"-- No one died from the Watergate break in.
Lest we forget, Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was killed on December 15, 2010, by guns purchased in January 2010 through Fast and Furious, allowed to leave Phoenix, cross the border, and show up in the hands of drug traffickers.
Lest we also forget ICE Agent Jamie Zapata was killed in February 2011, also with guns from Fast and Furious.
Lest we also forget, hundreds of others are estimated to have been killed directly from Fast and Furious.
But of course, Our Great Leader is probably right-- this is all nothing and just a distraction...
Unfortunately, based on the recent history of Our Great Leader, HRH Barak I, (Peace be upon him) in going around Congress on immigration, defying the Courts in the ruling on SB1070, and his stated goal of "not waiting" for the Congress and acting on his own, I STRONGLY SUSPECT, that shortly after the House cites Holder for Contempt, His Imperial Majesty Barack Hussein Obama, will just issue a pardon for Eric Holder, stating this was all a Republican witch hunt and then say something to the effect "well, President Ford issued a pardon for Nixon," Fast and Furious was the same thing as what President Bush did (Operation Wide Receiver), and Congress should sit down and shut up. He will also go back to the "Executive Privilege" claim.
ICE Agent Jamie Zapata |
My second response Executive Privilege? Sorry-- United States. v. Nixon 418 US 683 (1974) states executive privilege does not cover criminal activity. Congress is investigating Criminal Activity and there is evidence already that "high levels" of the administration of Our Great Leader, HRH Barack I (Peace be Upon Him), knew of and were briefed on Fast and Furious- despite denials of the Administration.
On "its the same thing Bush did"-- There are MAJOR differences between Wide Receiver and Fast and Furious. Operation Wide Receiver was run by BATFE by placing RFID markers in gun stocks and following straw purchasers and arresting them. Wide Receiver was ended when Justice found problems with the RFID markers AND Wide Receiver was conducted in COOPERATION with the Mexican government. In contrast, Fast and Furious was run WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE of Mexico and included few if any RFID markers. Wide Receiver covered 275 guns-- Fast and Furious, OVER 2000!
On "this is a Republican Witch Hunt"--Unfortunately, the facts and the record seem to get in the way of the denials and the cover up. Democratic Congressman Ciro Rodriguez of Texas, a member of the Appropriations Committee, requested a $30 Million increase for the Justice Department for the parent of Fast and Furious, Operation Gunrunner. The appropriation request was made in March of 2009- with Fast and Furious beginning less than six months later. How could a Congressman know about money needed for a Justice Department operation, unless he had been briefed on the operation and asked to appropriate the money? Or are we saying the Congressman just made the whole thing up as some place to park $30 million?
Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry |
The list of these events goes on and on.
Why care? Because the reason for Fast and Furious was simple- If American's are outraged about Guns from Arizona going to Mexico, they would support a renewal of the Assault Weapon's Ban. This was the stated goal of Eric Holder as early as 2009.
On "Ford pardoned Nixon"-- No one died from the Watergate break in.
Lest we forget, Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was killed on December 15, 2010, by guns purchased in January 2010 through Fast and Furious, allowed to leave Phoenix, cross the border, and show up in the hands of drug traffickers.
Lest we also forget ICE Agent Jamie Zapata was killed in February 2011, also with guns from Fast and Furious.
Lest we also forget, hundreds of others are estimated to have been killed directly from Fast and Furious.
But of course, Our Great Leader is probably right-- this is all nothing and just a distraction...
Fast and Furious- The Holder Contempt Vote
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Talk About Unreasonable
It never ceases to
amaze me at how there seems to be a sense of "entitlement" among some
in the Public sector. This time it is
the teacher's union's in Chicago- demanding a 29% pay increase over the next two
years and refusing to consider changing the length of the school day (Chicago
has the shortest school day in the nation).
To be fair- there
are some teachers who do not get paid
enough. I will gladly concede that point.
But 29%???
As long as I am
taking a shot at the Democrat's sacred cow, I will attempt to "confuse the
issue" with FACTS.
- The average Public School Teacher makes $49,630 according to US Government Data for working about 186 school days a year- Or $266 per day. The average Registered Nurse in the US makes $65,932 for working 260 days a year- Or only $253 per day-- (As a point of full disclosure, I did attend a private grade school, but I was taught that $266 per day is GREATER THAN $253 per day).
- According to 2010 US Government data there were 49,266,000 students in Public Schools (K-12). We, the Citizens of the United States, spend $593,061,181,000 on public education, again according to US Government Data. $593 Billion divided by 49 Million students equals over $11,000 spent PER STUDENT PER YEAR for Public Education-- Or at 20 kids per classroom, that’s $220K per classroom spent.
- The Median Salary for a CHICAGO Teacher is already $53,639 (or $288 per day for working a 186 day school year). A 29% increase would make the median salary $69,194 (or $372 per day for working a 186 day school year)
Personally, as
previously stated, I believe some
teachers should be paid more. However, a
demand for a 29% increase for those already being paid far above the national
average is totally unreasonable.
There are two ways
that teachers take-home pay could easily be increased:
- Stop paying Union Dues (let the teacher's keep the money themselves)- of course, that would DEFINITELY decrease the money going to Democratic Candidates and the Democratic Party the NEA.
- Get rid of the US Department
of Education- keep the money in the States. Now, I did go to a Public High School,
but in my US Government class I seem to remember something about a 10th
Amendment to our Constitution- and I don't seem to remember seeing
ANYTHING in the Constitution about a requirement for the FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT to regulate education (NO- EDUCATION IS NOT PART OF THE
COMMERCE CLAUSE). Of course, our Current Administration (and the
George Soros ownedDemocratic Party) has NO regard for the Constitution- as they have shown again this week. All they care about is re-election.
I am fine with merit
pay, and I am fine with REASONABLE increases in salary-- but this is way beyond
reason.
Talk About Unreasonable
Labels:
Election 2012,
Lefty Extremism
Time to Consider Secession?
The ruling on SB1070
is NOT what has caused me to begin to think that it may be time for Arizona to
secede from the United States- it is the response of Our Great Leader, His
Imperial Majesty Barack I (Peace be Upon Him) and his lapdog, Janet (I'm a Traitor
to My State) Napolitano.
Apparently, I am not the only one who is thinking so or has brought this idea up.
The issue is simple-
the Federal Government has stripped Arizona of its Sovereignty. They have ceded our State to Mexico and
openly support an invasion of Mexican citizens into Arizona.
Immigration is a
LEGAL status. There is no ILLEGAL
Immigration- You either are an Immigrant, a Citizen, a Visitor, or you are
invading. There are NO other options.
When the US
Government states openly it will no longer stop Illegal Aliens/Invaders to
Arizona- When they state openly they will STRIP Arizona of the ability to
enforce FEDERAL LAWS, they have abdicated their right to govern.
To refuse to take
calls from Arizona Law Enforcement who are doing their jobs as defined and
allowed by ALL EIGHT JUSTICES who heard Arizona v United States, yet set up a
line to take calls from people who ALLEGE they have had their Civil Rights
violated, BEFORE the law actually takes effect is beyond belief and beyond
reproach.
The CONSTANT and
CONTINUAL attacks on Arizona MUST STOP.
The Sovereignty of our State must come first- Or it is time to Secede.
Time to Consider Secession?
Labels:
Arizona,
Barack Hussein Obama,
Illegal Aliens,
Lefty Extremism
Monday, June 25, 2012
Declaration Of Arizona's Independence
(Author's Note: Unfortunately, Our Great Leader, HRH Barack I, (Peace be upon Him), is so CORRUPT and TYRANNICAL, that I had to actually change VERY LITTLE from the Original)
Declaration of Arizona's Independence
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 status 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 ONLY 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 shown 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 Arizona; and such is now the
necessity which constrains us to alter our former Systems of Government.
The
history of the present President of the United States is a history of repeated
injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an
absolute Tyranny over this State. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a
candid world.
He has
refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public
good.
He has
forbidden Our Governor and Legislature to pass Laws of immediate and pressing
importance, unless they meet His Approval; and he has Chosen to Selectively to
enforce the Laws of the United States which have been passed by Congress and by
the State; and to Only Enforce such Laws as He deems fit.
He has passed Executive Orders abolishing the Law and Rule of Law
and creating a Government of Executive Fiat, defying the Will of the People and
of the People's Representatives
He has refused to Provide to the People's Representatives those
Documents and Records demanded by the People for the Proper and Duly required
Oversight of His Executive Officers and has used his office to Obstruct Justice
and Investigations by The People.
He has endeavored to prevent the lawful defense of the State; has
Allowed and Encouraged the Unlawful Entry to this State; refusing to enforce
the Immigration Laws of this Country, within the Borders of the State of
Arizona
He has
obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws and
Rulings of Our Judiciary Powers.
He has
made Judges dependent on his Will alone and has Nullified their Rulings by
Executive Fiat.
He has
erected a multitude of New Offices as "Czars" without the Consent of
the Senate, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out
their substance.
He has
combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our
constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts
of pretended Legislation:
For
Ordering Religious Organizations to Abolish their Beliefs and Forcing them to
Provide services contrary to their Beliefs and Right to the Free Practice of
Religion:
For
protecting His Appointees, by a Executive Order from inquiry for Murders which
were committed on the Inhabitants of Our
States with Arms Provided by His Government:
For
abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our
Governments in His rule by Executive Order:
He has
abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of Federal Protection and Allowing War by Drug Cartels and Illegal
Occupation to be waged against us.
In every
stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble
terms- And sought the Rule of Law by Our Courts and Representatives of the
People: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A
President, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a
Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have
We been wanting in attentions to our American brethren. We have warned them
from time to time of attempts by the Executive to extend an unwarrantable
jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our economy
and our State's Will. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity,
and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these
usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and
correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of
consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces
our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War,
in Peace Friends.
We,
therefore, the People of the State of Arizona, in General Congress, Assembled,
appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our
intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of this
Sovereign State, solemnly publish and declare, That this State Is, and of Right
ought to be A Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all
Allegiance to the Federal Government, and that all political connection between
them and the Other States of America, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and
that as a Free and Independent State, we have full Power to levy War, conclude
Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and
Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this
Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we
mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor
Declaration Of Arizona's Independence
Labels:
Arizona,
Barack Hussein Obama,
SCOTUS,
Tenth Amendment
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