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Schwarzenegger & democrats are California's biggest problem ...

Schwarzenegger taps sixth ex-legislator for six-figure post

The Sacramento Bee is reporting that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has yet again violated the people's fiscal trust by appointing yet another termed-out lawmaker to a six-figure post in state government, his sixth such appointment in recent months. "The latest appointee, former GOP Assemblywoman Sharon Runner, will earn $128,109 as a member of the Agricultural Labor Relations Board, which meets once a month. Read more ."

One meeting a month for $128,109! Out -- effing -- rageous!

There is an explanation ...

I owe Mathew Kaminski of the Wall Street Journal a significant debt of gratitude for succinctly explaining what has gone wrong with California and its RINO (Republican In Name Only) leader, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

California appears to be adopting the French model of democratic socialism …

“Now there's much to recommend the Old World. California brings to mind my last home, France -- God's country blessed with fertile soil for wines, sun-blanched beaches, and a well-educated populace.”

“The parallels are also disquieting. The French have long experienced the unintended consequences of a large public sector. Ask them about it. As the number of people who get money from government grows, so does the power of constituencies dedicated to keep this honey dripping. Even when voters recognize the model carries drawbacks, such as subpar growth, high taxes, an uncompetitive business climate and above-average unemployment, their elected leaders find it near impossible to tweak the system. This has been the story of France for decades, and lately of California. 

Schwarzenegger wasn’t always an asshat …

“Six years ago, Mr. Schwarzenegger arrived in Sacramento to ‘cut up the credit card’ and give the girlie men at the State Capitol a testosterone shot. California languished then in a fiscal crisis whose causes were pretty much the same as today. The hapless Gray Davis had been recalled, and the Austrian-born actor made a promising start to break the pattern.”

Pretty much washed up as a cartoonish action hero, Schwarzenegger wanted it all: the money, power and adulation that comes from being a powerful legislator. And he was willing to try to fill the part based on his artificially created personal and some good old Hollywood smoke and mirrors.

“In 2005, banking on his popularity, the governor pushed an ambitious ballot initiative to impose a hard state spending cap, limit the unions' political buying power, tighten requirements for teacher tenure, and overhaul a gerrymandered state political map. Arnold lost.”

He tried, at least at one point in time, to fulfill his conservative republican role. But the political realities relating to the relative power of the governor as opposed to a far-left socialistic “tax and spend” legislature finally came home to roost.

Apparently Schwarzenegger gave up and retreated to burnishing his reputation as a strong leader and man of the people by adopting far left causes with significant political upside and very little downside. After all, Schwarzenegger would long be dead before the people discovered that political policy based on global climate change was a political scam and unlikely to make a difference on the future global mean temperature.

“After that setback, Mr. Schwarzenegger shifted his attention to green jobs and energy, winning fans in Europe and among Democrats. ‘He's recognized that California's a pretty moderate place,’ says Darrell Steinberg, the Democratic president pro tem of the Senate. " ‘You've got to govern from the middle.’"

“People closer to the governor offer a different take. ‘Once he got beat, he reverted back to, 'I want to be liked,’ says a former Schwarzenegger aide. ‘It's classic narcissism.’"

Role reversal and playing against type …

For those unfamiliar with Hollywood jargon, an actor is playing “against type” when he accepts a role that casts them in something different from their already established persona. In this case, the hero has become the villain.

“In this budget debacle, Mr. Schwarzenegger found himself back where his remarkable political journey began in 2003. Only now with him in the Davis role. The pill is bitterer still since the budget he signed yesterday will raise the vehicle tax -- the same Davis tax increase he campaigned against and terminated in his first act in office.”

The French-California paradox? 

“California is in a French-like bind: unable to afford a welfare-type state, and unable to overhaul it. ‘The people say they want all these programs, then there's nothing they want to pay for,’ says Hector De La Torre, a Democratic assemblyman. ‘The schizophrenia in the legislature reflects the peoples'."

This is partially true. The true part is that California is unable to afford a welfare state and unable to overhaul it. The false part is that democrat De La Torre is the problem. He is so obsessed with maintaining his position that he panders to the unions for their campaign funding and the illegal alien lobby to retain his legitimacy in the eyes of his Hispanic constituents. It is a sad fact that the system is not corrupt, it’s the politicians who are corrupt. Many acting like Mexican socialists as they continue to import poverty and illiteracy over the border and pay for it with the money drained from the labors of law-abiding, hard working citizens.

Toxic unionization …

Both the democrat political model and the union political model both are built on the platform of Marxist socialism. Where one needs to create a disaffected victim class in order to seize and maintain power – ostensible for the good of the people. Both demand that people be segregated by class, race, ethnicity, religion, gender and any other category which can be exploited by making them victims and which would prevent them from becoming united behind a self-interested singular cause that relied on individualism rather than a collective managed by the political elite. Unions rely on corrupt politicians to work their magic and corrupt politicians rely on unions to obtain or maintain office. A parasitical infestation which will eventually kills its host over time as mediocrity, underachievement and the lack of free will are rewarded on a seniority basis by perks and privileges to those who signed-up for the program first. Consider who is actually driving the illegal alien hoards to America. The politicians who want future voters. The unions who want future members. And a complicit group of employers who want cheap labor. Not to mention Mexico, a foreign sovereign which wants to export their problematical people and reap the benefits of “control by proxy” over a rich and productive region of California. 

There is but one solution: Bankruptcy …

Renegotiation of the outrageous salaries and benefits paid to a bloated California bureaucracy. Reducing the size of government, reducing the taxation and onerous regulations which supports the bureaucracy and drives entrepreneurs and businesses into more friendly environments; not only border states like Nevada and Arizona, but such places as the Carolinas, Florida and other welcoming areas.

“Some Democrats and Republicans privately say the best option may be failure. The rough scenario is fiscal insolvency, followed perhaps by federal receivership. No precedent or legal avenue exists for a state to reorganize its affairs under a form of Chapter 11 protection, but that striking suggestion sounds better by the day.”

Or, in lieu of bankruptcy, the removal of all of the toxic politicians who have brought us to this point of failure.

As for Schwarzenegger, let him return to a life of movie star adulation and private business. He has proven he is incapable of being a political leader and should enjoy the rest of his life in the pursuit of happiness.

 As goes California, so goes the nation?

“Even discounting for the impact of global recession, the most populous state's ills are unique and self-inflicted -- and avoidable. In the last three decades, California expanded the public sector and regulation to Europe-like dimensions. Schools, state employees, health care, even dog kennels, benefited from largesse in flush times. Government workers got 16 official holidays, everyone else six. The state dabbled with universal health care and adopted strict environmental standards. In short, California went where our new president and Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco want America to go.”

What can YOU do?

Vote NO on each and every incumbent. We need to take back our government and right the ship of state – on a local, state and federal level.

Do not vote for any candidate or current politician who is willing to subvert the safety, security, sovereignty and economic strength of the United States or limit an individual's right of self-defense for their personal philosophy, power, prestige or profits.

-- steve

A reminder from OneCitizenSpeaking.com: a large improvement can result from a small change…

The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. -- Marcus Aurelius

Capture2-16-2009-6.02.35 PM

Reference Links:

Matthew Kaminski Says Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's California Is Verging on Fiscal Insolvency - WSJ.com

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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This legitimate Palestinian complaint against Israel requires exposure and justice (Updated) ...

Update: 03-06-09 Background on the Reporter ...

I have since come to learn that the article's author, Gideon Levy, is widely regarded as a radical left-wing reporter whose stories often slant towards the Palestinian people and against the Israeli government. For those wishing more information on the author of this article, it can be found here.  This update is more to provide more complete disclosure which will help my readers place the story in context and in no way mitigates the veracity of the story or its impact on the humanity of the situation.

Original blog entry ...

This is one story that I thought I would never read in Haaretz.com. It is a story of prisoner abuse in a country which goes out of its way to prevent collateral damage and the loss of life to innocent civilians. And while there are bad apples in every organization, both private and public, this is a story that needs to be told. The inhumanity of the situation is intolerable as is the lack of definitive punishment of the perpetrators. For this grievous action, war is not an excuse. At the very least, we are looking at manslaughter – and, in all likelihood, premeditated murder of the foulest kind. 

From Haaretz.com …

“As the war in Gaza raged, Israel Defense Forces reservists apparently thought anything was permissible: It was possible, maybe even necessary, to kill innocents, in the West Bank, too. Under cover of war, they thought, they could also kill a handcuffed Palestinian. After all, they could always claim he tried to steal their weapons - never mind that he was bound with plastic handcuffs practically impossible to get out of. A bullet in the stomach from close range finished him off. Thus ended the life of Yasser Temeizi, 35, who had a work permit and jobs in Israel all of his adult life; in the past year he had worked for the Harash company in Ashdod. He was a young father who'd never gotten in any trouble with the IDF before. The soldiers arrested him for no reason, beat him for no reason in front of one of his small children and finally executed him for no reason.”

“A month and a half has passed since this horrifying incident, and the army's criminal investigations division is still looking into the case. An investigation that could have been completed in an hour is going on without end. Not a single Palestinian was questioned, as usual; not a single soldier was arrested, and most likely none will be - also as usual. The reservist soldiers who killed Temeizi have likely already been sent back home; perhaps they returned feeling good about their experiences and about doing their national duty. Granted, they didn't take part in the war in Gaza, but they killed, too. Why not? Herewith, as a service to them, is the story of the consequences of their actions, which senior IDF officers have already termed ‘a grave incident,’ that involved ‘a series of serious failures.’"

“Yasser Temeizi, a conscientious and hard-working laborer, lived in the village of Idna, west of Hebron. He was the husband of Haife and the father of 7-year-old Firas and 2-year-old Hala. For 15 years, he got up every morning and went to work in Israel. In recent months, he worked in Ashdod, for the Harash company, which builds cargo compartments for trucks. On his last pay slip, it says: "Type of worker: Autonomy" - in the language of the occupation. "Amount paid: NIS 3,935.73." Upon the outbreak of the military operation in Gaza, Temeizi's employers asked him not to come to work until things calmed down. But he still had to support the family, so Temeizi made his way to the "slave market" in Kiryat Gat, hoping to find odd jobs. This is what he was doing on the morning of January 13.
On that day, Ehud Barak was trying to promote a week-long "humanitarian cease-fire," the Paratroops advanced toward Gaza City and a seventh Palestinian medical worker was killed by Israeli fire. At 5:30 that morning, Temeizi set out for Kiryat Gat, his work permit in his pocket. He returned home about four hours later; he hadn't found work. His mother, Naife, made him a light breakfast and then Temeizi asked his 7-year-old son Firas if he'd like to come with him to the family olive grove about three kilometers west of their house, a few hundred meters east of the separation fence, in the territories. Father and son loaded water and food onto the family's donkey and began riding toward the grove. If there was no employment to be had in Israel, at least they could work on the olives, they thought. 

“They arrived at the grove and got to work. Suddenly, a military jeep appeared and four soldiers got out. Firas saw them approaching his father. There was a verbal exchange between them, but it was in Hebrew and Firas didn't understand what it was about. A minute later, he saw the soldiers shoving his father down to the ground and handcuffing him from behind. The soldiers ordered Firas to go home. His father also told him to go; the frightened little boy started running the long distance back toward home. On the way he was attacked by dogs, he says, and some shepherds, his neighbors, saved him from them. That was the last time Firas saw his father alive. Handcuffed and on the ground, but alive.”

“Eyewitnesses told Temeizi's father Saker they'd seen soldiers kicking his bound and blindfolded son. The witnesses tried to intervene, but the soldiers shooed them away, brandishing their rifles. Musa Abu Hashhash, a reputable field researcher for the B'Tselem human rights organization, heard similar testimonies. Eventually, according to the witnesses, the soldiers put Temeizi on a jeep and drove off. This was the last time the Palestinians saw him alive.”

“Firas meanwhile made it home and reported that his father had been arrested. The family wasn't that concerned at first: The false arrest of a Palestinian is a matter of routine. They were sure Yasser would be released promptly and return home. He had all the required permits and had never been in any trouble. The hours passed and still Teimeizi didn't return. Around four in the afternoon, neighbors reported he had been killed and that his body was at Al Ahli Hospital in Hebron. Abu Hashhash rushed to the hospital and saw the body: He says he noticed handcuff marks on the wrists. The entry wound was in the stomach and the exit wound was in the thigh.”

“Experts say Temeizi was shot while sitting. Point blank. An autopsy was performed at the Abu Dis pathology institute and Abu Hashhash received the results; he said the reported cause of death was extensive bleeding.”

“Temeizi was not dead when he arrived at the hospital, but died shortly thereafter. It may have been possible to save him had he received medical care in time.

“Ten days after the incident, Yuval Azoulay wrote a report on the incident in Haaretz. It appears that shortly after the killing, an IDF investigation was held with the participation of division commander Brig. Gen. Noam Tibon and brigade commander Col. Udi Ben-Moha, who raised the prospect that "a series of failures" occurred on the part of the reservists who killed Temeizi. It was established that he was brought, handcuffed, to the Tarqumiya checkpoint and from there was taken to a nearby army base.”

“The soldiers killed him in a room, without eyewitnesses, after he tried - so they claim, of course - to steal their weapons. No one explained how a handcuffed Palestinian could steal a weapon and why the response should be a point-blank shooting.”

“Military sources told Azoulay that ‘the manner in which the incident was handled, particularly in regard to summoning of assistance for the wounded man, indicates there were serious failures. This is a very serious incident and one can't help thinking that if a regular force was stationed there, it would not have happened. The reservist soldiers are simply not familiar with or trained for such scenarios and such situations.’"

“What kind of training is needed for such situations? Do soldiers need to be trained not to shoot a handcuffed prisoner? Do they need to be trained to know to immediately summon medical care for someone who's wounded?
The IDF Spokesman told us officially this week, a month and a half after the incident: ‘The matter is under investigation by the criminal investigations division. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be relayed to the military prosecutor.’”

“Firas enters the bereaved household in Idna, a blue UNICEF book bag on his back. In a soft, chirpy voice, he tells the story of his last day with his father. He recounts the donkey ride to the family's olive grove, the soldiers who knocked his father down as he watched and how he made his way home alone, scared by the barking dogs.”

"Later on they told me that Daddy died," the boy says quietly, the trauma evident on his face. Just so the soldiers who kill a handcuffed man, and their commanders and investigators, should know.”

While it is possible that the troops thought that he was a military spotter or enemy combatant and may have tried to scare him into revealing information when a tragic accident occurred, this is  highly unlikely scenario given the above reporting. Why an investigation of this nature should drag on and on is beyond me? Why someone would waffle about training, especially where there is a clear and definitive notion of right and wrong?

However, this is a story that needs to be told – and a story which requires a definite ending. There will be no justice for Temeizi or his family that will ever compensate for the loss of a loved one. But knowing that justice was done is the bare minimum required.

This makes me think twice about blindly supporting any government when its hyper-partisan ideologues are willing to excuse any behavior because they believe their cause is just. We must ask ourselves, how many other Temeizis might there be in the past, present and future? And how can we prevent this from ever happening again. Exposure in the sunlight of public opinion is a start – but is it enough?

While we need to wait to see what the authorities are going to do about justice for Temeizi and his family, we can only hope than man’s inhumanity to man – especially over religious grounds – will end sometime soon. That this story, widely disseminated, will serve as a cautionary and instructive tale. But as is the way of the world, it is highly unlikely that man’s inhumanity to man will end anytime soon.

Cherish your family – even though you are not situated in a war zone – life is ephemeral and should be valued and appreciated by all of the living. Seek justice for all humanity. Not just the humanity you agree with.

-- steve

Reference Links:

Twilight Zone / 'they told me daddy died' - Haaretz - Israel News

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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Another emergency, another crisis: Schwarzenegger declares Calif. drought emergency

Another attempt at the environmentalists to destroy California?

If Schwarzenegger were more of a leader than a girly-man follower of the democrats, he would be demanding that the water needs of the people trump the environmental concerns over a fish that has little or no proven value to the ecosystem.

According to the Associated Press …

“Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency Friday because of three years of below-average rain and snowfall in California, a step that urges urban water agencies to reduce water use by 20 percent.”

Taking a lesson from the democrats who want to maximize every crisis, real or imagined, for political control …

" ‘This drought is having a devastating impact on our people, our communities, our economy and our environment, making today's action absolutely necessary,’ the Republican governor said in his statement.”

Like the actions of Schwarzenegger and his “tax and spend” legislature has not already decimated the California economy with their frivolous spending on the unions, special interests, illegal aliens and other social experiments.  Does Schwarzenegger think that this will serve as a diversion to his perfidy in raising taxes and allow him to blame nature and global warming for the state’s self-inflicted ills? Does this asshat governor even know that most of Southern California is built in a desert – dependent on external water for survival? Not if you see Schwarzenstupid’s lack of action in repairing and replacing our crumbling water infrastructure. Where are the nuclear-fired desalination plants which would solve most of our problems and make this state into a flowering garden?

“Three dry winters have left California's state- and federally operated reservoirs at their lowest levels since 1992.”

“Over the last few weeks, storms have helped bring the seasons' rain totals to 87 percent of average, but the Sierra snowpack remains at 78 percent of normal for this time of year. State hydrologists say the snowpack must reach between 120 to 130 percent of normal to make up for the two previous dry winters and replenish California's key reservoirs.”

“Court decisions intended to protect threatened fish species also have forced a significant cutback in pumping from the Sacramento-San Joaquin delta, the heart of the state's delivery system.”

Let the governor show some leadership …

Screw the little fish and start looking at desalination plants.

-- steve

Reference Links:

Schwarzenegger declares Calif. drought emergency

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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Obama Administration approves Hollywood visiting IRAN! Providing aid and comfort to our enemies ... (Updated)

UPDATE: 02-28-09  HOLLYWOOD PROVIDES USEFUL TOOLS FOR PROPAGANDA

AFP is reporting ...

"The art advisor to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad urged a visiting Hollywood delegation to apologise for 'insults and slanders' about Iranians in films, the ISNA news agency reported on Saturday. '(Iranian) cinema officials will only have the right to have official sessions with... Hollywood movie makers when they apologise to the Iranians for their 30 years of insults and slanders,' Javad Shamaghdari said.

"'The Iranian people and our revolution has been repeatedly unjustly attacked by Hollywood,' he said, citing '300' and recent Oscar nominated movie 'The Wrestler' as among offending films. In 2007, the war epic '300', a smash hit in the United States for its gory portrayal of the Greco-Persian wars, drew the wrath of Iranians for showing their ancestors as bloodthirsty. Similarly 'The Wrestler', was booed in Iran and heavily criticised for the scene of breaking and tearing of the Iranian flag by the picture's star, 2009 Oscar nominee Mickey Rourke."

"'We will believe (US President Barack) Obama's policy of change when we see change in Hollywood too, and if Hollywood wants to correct its behaviour towards Iranian people and Islamic culture then they have to officially apologise,' Shamaghdari added."

As predicted, the Hollywood left once again proved to be useful tools of a totalitarian regime by increasing both their prestige (Hollywood traveled to them) and their media access to continue their demands against the United States. Much in the same way that Sean Penn has been used by Hugo Chavez. When will the left learn that approaching our enemies with an olive branch only results in a slap in the face? Our enemies ONLY respect force and the will to use it. Nothing else matters. The inclusion of Annette Bening in the group was an interesting touch, since the Iranian power players are hostile to women's rights ... not to mention the human rights of their citizens.

Original Blog Post ...

I don’t give a damn what you call it … anything that provides aid, comfort and can be used for political propaganda purposes by our enemies is wrong …

Especially when the country they are aiding is complicit in killing American soldiers.

AFP is reporting that”

“A top-level team from the Hollywood movie industry traveled to Iran on a non-government mission, for a weekend of cultural and creative exchange meetings, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said Friday.”

" ‘I can confirm that a group of Academy members ... are currently in Iran’ on a ‘completely private initiative for educational and creative exchange and with no political agenda,’ AMPAS director of communications Leslie Unger told AFP.”

No political agenda?

Then why are they there? It’s a totalitarian regime that does not respect freedom of speech, freedom of religion and has a horrible record of human rights violations. They are complicit in supporting Hezbollah and Hamas which has the resulted in the killing of both Americans and Israelis.

“She confirmed Iranian media reports saying the delegation included AMPAS president Sid Ganis, former president Frank Pierson, actress Annette Bening and producer William Horberg.”

Annette Bening: the new Jane "Tokyo Rose" Fonda?

"The Academy group did receive visas and is currently in Tehran," Unger said.

Iranian media said the AMPAS group would hold a series of meetings Saturday and Sunday in Tehran.

Wonderful:  they visit a nation with nuclear ambitions and threaten to wipe Israel off the face of the map …

“US-Iranian diplomatic relations were severed 30 years ago after Iran's Islamic revolution, and the rift has been further aggravated since Tehran controversially revived its nuclear program.”

“But Washington and Tehran have been showing tentative policy shifts after US President Barack Obama earlier this month said his administration would be ready in coming months to hold a "face-to-face" talk with Tehran.”

OBAMA: Signs of things to come?

Is this Obama’s idea of outreach to our enemies? Why is America permitting travel to a hostile nation which is complicit in killing American soldiers and threatens to wipe another country off the face of the map. Is Obama an appeaser … or worse, is Obama the Manchurian candidate?

-- steve

Reference Links:  

Hollywood team in Iran on cultural exchange

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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Al Sharpton: The black calling the pot a kettle ...

Now that there is a black in the White House and the democratic party seems firmly entrenched, we find Reverend Al Sharpton up to his old tricks – all to remain relevant in a movement which has apparently bypassed him and fellow race-baiter Jesse Jackson.

So it is no wonder that Sharpton is seizing on a “non issue” to drum up media attention. I wonder what he is angling for, perhaps to move beyond being a guest on Hannity’s Insanity to a full-time hosting gig? A chance to serve as a paid member of the Fox standards and practices committee (internal censors)? A chance to teach a course in racial sensitivity? Or just another opportunity to collect a donation to his pet cause? Maybe something bigger: an appointment to the FCC, a consultant to the FCC – or dreaming large: the new House Representative from Washington, D.C.? Or he might just be reaffirming his “independence” from Fox since he is a regular guest on Fox programs?

According to WPIX.com …

“Sharpton Calls On FCC To Investigate News Corp”

“Outrage and protests continue to mount over The NY Post's controversial cartoon interpreted by many as comparing President Obama to a chimpanzee that was shot and killed by police in Stamford, Connecticut last week.”

“Reverend Al Sharpton on Sunday called for a special City Council hearing, urging the city to refrain from advertising in The Post.
The civil rights leader, along with other local lawmakers, is also asking for the FCC to review the waiver extended to News Corp and Rupert Murdoch, which allows them to own more than one television station and newspaper in the same city.”

Al Sharpton: putting the “black” in moral “blackmail” …

" ‘I think that they have sadly tried to reduce this to some personal fight than to really understand the level of offense,’Sharpton said at a press conference on Sunday.  ‘It seems that we cannot have a true level of democracy in terms of how the newspapers and airwaves are used in this city.’"

There is an old data processing tale of randomness … that it is theoretically possible for a large cadre of monkeys to generate the combined works of William Shakespeare. Is that too a racist concept – or are those professional race-baiting activists capitalizing on the guilt of those who worship at the altar of political correctness.

Hearing that the legislature was unable to avail themselves of the services of a dead monkey to continue to write their stimulus package – says nothing about Barack Obama or any other black person. It is only in the minds of these perverted and twisted individuals who see everything through the prism of race, does the thought equating blacks with monkeys gain traction. And perhaps for the purposes of self-serving promotion and profit. Truth be told, Obama had little or nothing to do with writing the bill, a task left up to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid – both of whom are white the last time I checked.

Caving in rather than telling Sharpton and others where to step off …

“The New York Post issued an editorial on its website last Thursday saying the cartoon was meant to mock the federal economic stimulus bill, and apologized to those who were offended by it.”

Fine, an apology is a commercially acceptable position that makes great sense.  But imagine the satisfaction coming from having the cojones to tell Sharpton to go to hell.

Those who point to racism are probably the most racist among us; as race defines their life and mission …

“The chairman of the NAACP, Julian Bond, spoke out about the cartoon on Saturday, and called for the firing of both the cartoonist and the editor-in-chief of the New York Post.”

I wonder if Al Sharpton has issues with the First Amendment which gives rise to his right to say outrageous and stupid things. Or if he is a Islamic sympathizer who demands control over everything and everybody them deem inappropriate? Especially cartoons. At least, Sharpton did not incite a riot as he has allegedly done in the past.

For those seeking some form of enlightenment on the subject matter, may I suggest Dr. Lenton Aikins fine book, “While African Americans Slept: Leadership by Parasites.” (available at Zit Publishers)

Be well and be safe.

-- steve

Reference Links:

Sharpton Calls On FCC To Investigate News Corp 

The NY Post Cartoon: The Return of Overt Racism 

NY Post Under Fire for 'Racist' Cartoon

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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Obama Idiocy: Americans need to give up Second Amendment rights to prevent guns going to Mexico?

In one of the most outrageous assaults on the Second Amendment, you have Obama’s Attorney General, Eric Holder, suggesting that we should reinstitute the ban on assault weapons to prevent the flow of weapons to Mexico where they might be used to support the operation of Mexican drug cartels.

No Holder is not crazy or just plain stupid: he is a socialist who believes that the Second Amendment is a “collective right” that should remain with the government – and individual’s be damned.

The truth of the matter is simple: the Mexican drug lords do not need semi-automatic assault rifles from the United States. They have fully automatic weapons that far surpass what is routinely available to our own Border Patrol. Their arms dealer of choice is the Mexican government, specifically the Mexican army and the so-called Federales.

Holder needs to be controlled …

According to CNSNews.com …

“Obama Administration Mentions Reinstating ‘Assault Weapons’ Ban”

“ ‘As President Obama indicated during the campaign, there are just a few gun-related changes that we would like to make, and among them would be to reinstitute the ban on the sale of assault weapons,’ Attorney General Eric Holder told reporters at the Justice Department Wednesday.”

“He made the comments at a press conference called to announce the results of an anti-drug investigation known as ‘Operation Xcellerator.’”

The BIG LIE …

“Holder said a ban on sales of semi-automatic weapons will stem the flow of weapons to Mexican cartels.”

Let me get this straight: Americans need to surrender their Constitutional rights to assist a foreign nation – one whose citizens are illegally invading the United States. Disarming the very Americans who may, one day, need to protect their lives and property from those foreign invaders?

Eric Holder and the Obama Administration is making all Americans more vulnerable to those who are known to be heavily arms.

This is not only crazy, it is all based on the big lie that Mexicans would not be able to purchase fully automatic weapons from arms dealers in South America and the rest of the world.

Holder is not crazy, he is a committed socialist ideologue trying to disarm the American citizenry and make them more vulnerable and dependent on the protection of the government – which we all know is a “collective” and not an “individual: right. There is no Constitutional or any other guarantee that the police need protect an individual. There responsibility lies in the maintenance of general good order and does not even involve the protection of specific citizens. 

Holder continues by telling partial truths …

" ‘International drug trafficking organizations pose a sustained, serious threat to the safety and security of our communities,’ Holder said. ‘As the world grows smaller and international criminals step up their efforts to operate inside our borders, the Department of Justice will confront them head on to keep our communities safe.’"

What bullshit! Wasn’t it the Department of Justice that went out of its way to prosecute two Border Patrol Agents, Ramos and Compean, when they attempted to interdict a drug shipment and fired at a drug runner? Wasn’t it the Department of Justice which pursued the criminal drug smuggler in order to prosecute the two agents? And why did the Justice Department withhold exculpatory details that the perpetrator had continued to commit crimes while operating with a “safe harbor”pass that allowed him to enter the United States at will? And why did we provide a substantial amount of money to this criminal foreign national because we violated his civil rights?

What civil rights? This man was an illegal alien and criminal drug runner on day one. And wasn’t the Department of Justice responsible for the killing of women and children at Ruby Ridge and in the Branch Dividian compound when there were other means at hand to accomplish the same purpose in a lawful, peaceful manner.

And, by the way, how many people knew that the Murrah Federal Building was blown up by Timothy McVeigh in a frustrated act of civil disobedience to point out government tyranny and the government's actions against those at Waco and Ruby Ridge? He also attempted to solicit the killing of the FBI sniper, Lon Horiuchi, who was allegedly responsible for the killings at Ruby Ridge and who may have started the fire fight at Waco.

No wonder the Obama Administration wants to curtail your Second Amendment rights – especially when the populace finds out what the government is doing in moving America to a collectivist socialistic society.

The time is now and the weapon is your vote …

“He [Holder]did not say when the Obama administration will move to reinstate the semi-auto weapons ban, which was signed into law by then-President Bill Clinton and allowed to expire in 2004 under President Bush.”

“Semi-automatics weapons, which fire once for each trigger pull, account for about 15 percent of the 250 million privately owned firearms in the U.S., according to the National Rifle Association.”

“The group notes that gun control groups invented the term ‘assault weapon’ to describe certain semi-automatic firearms which, although designed for civilian use, have certain cosmetic features that make them look like fully automatic assault rifles used by the military.”

A bullet from any weapon can made you just as dead as a bullet fired from a semi-automatic rifle or handgun. What idiocy would make anyone believe that the cosmetic features of a weapon should be used to impose gun control on Americans in violation of the Second Amendment. This is as stupid as saying that a blue gun is less deadly than a green gun.

Recall, Repeal, Revolt

It is time to recall, repeal and revolt. We need to take back our government from the socialistic democrats who are crippling our economy and military in order to impose their dream of a one government world –- and one not based on American freedoms – run by a relatively small cadre of political elites and their financial backers like George Soros; and administered by a bloated inefficient bureaucracy where self-dealing is the norm. These democrats look at Russia and China and fail to learn the lessons that prove central planning is worthless and that it is the individuals in our American society and their freedoms which give rise to our power.

They have confused our collective weakness and ability to be manipulated by the media with permission to turn America into something bordering on an improved communist collective.

Not on my watch.

What can YOU do?

Recognize that the enemy are the politicians. The socialistic democrats and the sell-out republicans who are going along for the purpose of feathering their own nests. Yes, there are a few principled and honorable men and women left in the democrat party, but they are being overridden by those with malevolent intent.

Truth be told, we are now being governed by an unprincipled, incompetent group of politicians whose main self-serving focus is on securing their future and pandering to their perceived constituency: the government workers, the unions, the illegal aliens and the special interests who are plundering our treasury.

Demand, once and for all, that the Supreme Court rule on President Obama’s legitimacy to hold office. It seems that there are a number of challenges – and the Obama Administration refuses to settle the matter once and for all by proving that his presidency is legitimate. More information on the subject of Obama’s eligibility to serve as the president can be found at WorldNetDaily News. 

Join organization such as the National Rifle Association. Remember your Second Amendment rights were not ratified by the Constitution to allow you to hunt or target shoot – they were acknowledged to prevent future government tyranny. Something our government would have you forget as they attempt to gut the United States Constitution.

Do not vote for any candidate or current politician who is willing to subvert the safety, security, sovereignty and economic strength of the United States or limit an individual's right of self-defense for their personal philosophy, power, prestige or profits.

-- steve

Quote of the day: “A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take  everything you have.” – Thomas Jefferson

Capture2-16-2009-6.02.35 PM

A reminder from OneCitizenSpeaking.com: a large improvement can result from a small change…

The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. -- Marcus Aurelius

Reference Links:

CNSNews.com - Obama Administration Mentions Reinstating ‘Assault Weapons’ Ban

Full Disclosure: I am a card-carrying life member of the National Rifle Association (Benefactor Level)

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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SUPREME COURT: WILL THEY VOTE AGAINST JUSTICE?

It’s a personal paradox: while I remain a proponent of the death penalty for heinous crimes, I feel that I can no longer trust my government to pursue justice.

That is, I have seen so many cases corrupted by the political or personal self-interests of prosecutors and investigators, that I believe that fair trials are almost an impossibility. Especially in light of stupid and/or corrupt juries which are being influenced by expensive defense lawyers and their highly-paid expert witnesses or matters regarding stereotypical racial and ethnic issues. Sorry to say, investigators and prosecutors who are more likely to believe a person guilty because they are ugly or different from the mainstream than one who is a bright and smiling cute blond.

Consider Roland Burris …

This is the scum bucket that was recently appointed to the United States Senate by the allegedly corrupt Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. While people are debating whether or not Burris perjured himself in providing information about his contacts with Blagojevich or his surrogates, the real story remains almost untold.

According to published reports …

“Against the advice of his deputy attorney general, then Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris sought the death penalty for Rolando Cruz for the 1983 rape and murder of a 10-year old Chicago girl.

According to ProPublica …

“While state attorney general in 1992, Burris aggressively sought the death penalty for Rolando Cruz, who twice was convicted of raping and murdering a 10-year-old girl in the Chicago suburb of Naperville. The crime took place in 1983.”

“But by 1992, another man had confessed to the crime, and Burris’ own deputy attorney general was pleading with Burris to drop the case, then on appeal before the Illinois Supreme Court.”

“Burris refused. He was running for governor.”

" ‘Anybody who understood this case wouldn’t have voted for Burris,’ Rob Warden, executive director of the Center on Wrongful Convictions, told ProPublica. Indeed, Burris lost that race, and two other attempts to become governor.”

“Burris’ role in the Cruz case was ‘indefensible and in defiance of common sense and common decency,’ Warden said. ‘There was obvious evidence that [Cruz] was innocent.’"

“Deputy attorney general Mary Brigid Kenney agreed, and eventually resigned rather than continue to prosecute Cruz.”

“Once Burris assigned Kenney to the case in 1991, she became convinced that Cruz was innocent, a victim of what she believed was prosecutorial misconduct. She sent Burris a memo reporting that the jury convicted Cruz without knowing that Brian Dugan, a repeat sex offender and murderer, had confessed to the crime. Burris never met with Kenney to discuss a new trial for Cruz, Kenney told ProPublica.”

" ‘This is something the attorney general should have been concerned about,’ Kenney, now an assistant public guardian in Cook County, said in an interview. ‘I knew the prosecutor’s job was not merely to secure conviction but to ensure justice was done.’"

“Kenney was not alone in her beliefs. Prior to Cruz’ 1985 trial, the lead detective in the case resigned in protest over prosecutors' handling of the case, according to news reports at the time.”

“And rather than argue Burris’ case before the state supreme court, Kenney also stepped down.”

" ‘What I took away was that [Burris] wasn’t going to do anything to seem soft on crime,’ Kenney said. ‘He didn’t have the guts.’"

“In her resignation letter, Kenney claimed Burris had ‘seen fit to ignore the evidence in this case.’"

"I cannot sit idly by as this office continues to pursue the unjust prosecution of Rolando Cruz," she wrote. "I realized that I was being asked to help execute an innocent man."

Here is a man who apparently stole the liberty of another man for political purposes – and yet, no one is holding him to account; rather, pretending he is some type of dedicated public servant who has been caught lying about political matters.

It gets worse …

From the Washington Post …

High Court to Hear DNA Testing Case
Justices to Debate Whether Convicts Should Be Guaranteed Access to Latest Techniques

“Their stories are familiar, even if their names no longer resonate:

Bruce Godschalk, freed after spending 15 years in prison for rapes he did not commit; Jeffrey Deskovic, wrongly convicted for murder and released after spending nearly half his life behind bars; Kirk Bloodsworth, the Marylander who spent years on death row for murder before the true killer was identified.

“They are among more than 200 people nationwide who were freed because DNA tests performed after their convictions showed they could not have committed the crimes.”

So why the hell are politicians and others even asking the Supreme Court to rule on such a no-brainer?

My junior high civics class must have been wrong: our elected officials and the government is no longer out to seek the truth and provide justice – they are apparently trying to burnish their personal and professional reputations.

How can any local, state or federal government not spend the time and money to insure that the right person is brought to justice? While I know that modern criminals can simply scatter a trail of false DNA evidence at a crime scene – courtesy of televisions on-air crime school, CSI, it seems that we should be seeking the truth.

Doing the right thing …

“And they now have joined civil rights groups, some current and former prosecutors, and a convicted Alaskan rapist to urge the Supreme Court to apply constitutional protections for the first time to what the prisoners' lawyers call ‘arguably the most important development in the history of forensic science: the advent of DNA testing.’"

Opposed – you must be joking?

“They are opposed by victims rights groups; the vast majority of states, which have a patchwork of laws granting DNA access; and the federal government. The governments say that creating a constitutional right to the testing would infringe on states' rights, overwhelm them with frivolous demands and create an endless right of appeal for those convicted of the most violent crimes.”

Perhaps they left out the most important reason some might oppose access to testing. To protect the reputations of those who are currently in power or are seeking politically sensitive positions. It wouldn’t help their case if they were found responsible for assisting to convict or, heaven forbid, execute an innocent person.

" ‘These statutes reflect a careful balancing of the government's interests in finality, comity, and conservation of scarce resources,’ lawyers for the state of Alaska argue, ‘against a prisoner's interest in justice in those rare cases’ when innocence could be proven by new forensic technology.”

What is this bullshit? Scare resources? In an oil-rich state like Alaska, they cannot afford justice? To provide an opportunity for justice, no matter how late, to reign supreme in what we are fond of describing as a nation of laws?

While I sound like a liberal – I am a great believer in justice and the rule of law for all: not just those who can afford fancy lawyers, expensive experts and the means to conduct their own DNA testing. This conservation of resources argument, in my opinion, is bogus. We have money for the pet projects of the politicians and the support of illegal aliens – where is the money that is necessary to assist in proving that our own citizens are receiving fair and equal justice?

“It is the Supreme Court's first case that confronts the dilemma of how to deal with DNA evidence, which former attorney general John D. Ashcroft called the ‘truth machine of law enforcement.’"

Post conviction access to DNA testing …

Remember the old saying, “justice delayed is justice denied,” so why should we deny anyone a post conviction DNA test? Especially when we can see that there have been numerous erroneous convictions and a gross miscarriage of justice in well-documented cases?

"If the Constitution's protection of individual liberty means anything, it must mean that a state cannot continue to detain someone who conclusively proves through a DNA test that he is innocent of the crime that is the basis for his incarceration," the groups argue.

“But Alaska Assistant Attorney General Kenneth M. Rosenstein said that forcing all states to comply with a certain procedure would be a ‘relatively unprecedented’ imposition on states' abilities to decide their own criminal procedures.”

Rosenstein is an asshat. The Constitution certainly trumps state law – and the God-Given rights of humanity trump all governments. If we truly believe in the rule of law, there is but one conclusion: an exculpatory DNA test, whether performed now or years later, is well worth our attention if it keeps the innocent from being unjustly punished.

That is not to say that the DNA evidence cannot be compromised by human error or premeditated design – it is only to say that we, as a people, should listen to what the evidence – rather than the prosecutor or defense – is saying. And not to acknowledge that the alleged perpetrator might not be an upstanding citizen who hasn’t committed other crimes is unrealistic. So while we may take some measure of solace in the fact that a bad guy is apparently behind bars, do we want to punish someone for something that they did not do – a precedent which not only corrupts justice, but impacts our enlightened society.

The Obama Connection ...

According to Law.com ...

"The solicitor general's office has turned down a request by the Innocence Project to disavow a Bush Administration stance on prisoners' access to DNA evidence in post-conviction proceedings. As a result, on March 2, Neal Katyal will make his debut as deputy solicitor general by arguing before the Supreme Court in support of the state of Alaska's view that prisoners have no constitutional right to obtain DNA evidence that might help them prove their innocence -- even if the prisoners pay for the DNA testing themselves."

"The decision to maintain the same position as the Bush administration in the case has caused deep disappointment among innocence advocates, especially in light of President Barack Obama's strong support of access to DNA evidence while a state senator in Illinois, where many of the early successes in exonerating innocent inmates through DNA evidence took place."

I am mystified why the Obama Administration will not deviate from the Bush-era doctrine. It appears that many of Bush's positions, especially with regard to the exercize of Presidential power, are now Obama's positions -- much to the dismay of Obama's supporters. Considering the corruption which surrounded Obama's career -- including many of his close associaties -- one can only wonder if the "empty suit" Obama will ever step up to the plate for human rights, Harvard lawyer that he is.

Bottom line …

How many lives must be destroyed to preserve the reputations of corrupt politicians, prosecutors and others who appear to want the justice system to remain arbitrary and capricious?

-- steve

Quote of the day: “There but for the grace of God, go I.”

Reference Links:

High Court to Hear DNA Testing Case

BURRIS: BLAGOJEVICH'S SENATE APPOINTMENT IS MORE THAN TAINTED ... HE'S IMMORAL!| One Citizen Speaking

RECONSIDERING THE DEATH PENALTY (Updated) |One Citizen Speaking

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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Los Angeles selling out the people by subsidizing wasteful, incompetent and bloated government operations

To what lengths will the Los Angeles City government stretch in order to pay for a wasteful, incompetence and bloated government that panders to special interests and the illegal aliens who are choking the lifeblood out of the healthcare, education, judicial, retirement, social and cultural infrastructure?

From the Los Angeles Times …

“Los Angeles exploring deal to lease parking structures and meters to a private firm”

“Mayor Villaraigosa finds the idea attractive after Chicago received a $1.15-billion infusion from Morgan Stanley for running its parking facilities and meters.”

Morgan Stanley? Isn’t that one of the firms that securitized mortgages and helped to create the current fiscal crisis?

“In a bid to potentially raise hundreds of millions of dollars for ailing city coffers, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is exploring whether to allow a private party to lease the city's parking structures and possibly its meters.”

“The mayor in recent weeks has quietly begun building a team of financial experts and attorneys who could advise him in structuring a deal. In December, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley -- whose city is also grappling with a budget crisis -- leased about 36,000 parking meters and several parking structures to the financial services firm Morgan Stanley for 75 years in exchange for $1.15 billion in upfront cash.”

“The city of Los Angeles is facing a shortfall of $430 million in its 2009-10 budget, and revenue worries have already threatened key Villaraigosa initiatives, including the hiring of more police. While city officials have yet to discuss particulars of a parking deal, the proposal would offer the city a rare injection of cash during a time of government belt-tightening.”

How many times can the mayor claim that the money is needed for more police – or the education of children?  This is a one-time payment that obligates the city for a very long time. And not one word about cutting the bloated government employee roster, demanding that city contracts be performed by the best and lowest bidders – with or without union labor, and curtailing services to those who are not legal residents of the city, state or country.

" ‘The mayor intends to move forward with a parking structure deal that makes the most sense for the long-term fiscal health of the city,’ said Matt Szabo, a Villaraigosa press secretary. ‘We are also aggressively exploring the possibility of a private partnership for the operation of the city's parking meters.’
" ‘While it's cliché to say the devil is in the details, in this case it really is,’ Szabo also said, adding that the City Council would have to approve any such deal.”

Again, these are all one-time deals which would see the money almost instantly evaporate in the morass of waste, fraud, corruption, self-dealing and special interests that is Los Angeles politics. Imagine the political campaign contributions to the members of the city council in order to continually raise parking rates to satisfy their new special interest friends who control parking.

This deal stinks – as well as sells out the future revenue of Los Angeles. All because the asshats currently in power cannot say “NO” to the special interests and illegal aliens.

Although the Mayor has already proven he lacks character and is woefully inadequate on the national stage, there is no secret that Mayor Tony Villar (even his made-up name is a sham) is a former Mexican activist who is seeking higher office. He has already assisted in turning parts of Los Angeles in to Little Tijuana, so perhaps he should run for the Presidency of Mexico.

Reference Links:

Los Angeles exploring deal to lease parking structures and meters to a private firm - Los Angeles Times

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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OBAMA: THE "FATE OF THE NATION" SPEECH

Nothing new or inspiring here …

As expected: some doom and gloom -- just another campaign speech.  A broken record: nothing more, nothing less.  

Right, left, right, left – rarely pausing to look forward into the eyes of America – Barack Obama delivers another TelePrompTer’ed speech. Full of fancy rhetoric and pandering to his constituency, Obama said absolutely nothing new.

  • We have problems.
  • We have solutions.
  • We will punish transgressors.
  • We will need more money.
  • Send your money to Washington with a glad heart.

Exactly what the American people want to hear – written by speechwriters who understand oratorical flourishes and the need for applause lines.

Yada, yada, yada.

What I did not hear …

The one-thing I did not hear is Obama’s promise to bring about energy independence using one of the only known reliable sources of clean and cost-effective energy: nuclear energy.

All-in-all, another feel-good, trust us speech which means little or nothing in the overall scheme of daily living.

The Republican Response …

Rising Republican star, Bobby Jindal, Governor of Louisiana, provided the counter-response. Again, nothing new here.

  • Republicans screwed up.
  • We can do better.
  • We will regain your trust.

Yada, yada, yada.

Bottom line …

Both parties are vying for power and the public’s approval to spend your hard-earned tax dollars on their pet projects.

Consider what was happening while the rhetoric was hitting the fan …

A rock star performance: the ultimate triumph of style over substance

Like all Obama speeches – “words, just words” – and the devil is always in the details. Obama plans to change the character of the nation by radically reforming:

  • Healthcare;
  • Energy Systems; and
  • Universal Education

Although Obama failed to sell the stimulus package, the greatest thing that Obama wants is a bi-partisan shield for both Presidential and Congressional actions – which may be far beyond his abilities.

HE HAS ONLY BEGUN TO SPEND!

In the short period since Barack Obama was elected, Congress has spent more money than we have spent on Iraq, Afghanistan and Katrina for the past seven years.

And ask yourself, if we close "Gitmo," do you want terrorists to be held in local prisons -- possibly to encourage hostage-taking attempts to secure their freedom?

-- steve 

P.S.  What really pissed me off was that Obama claimed we inherited this crisis -- failing to mention that the democrats and the republicans were both complicit in creating the mess that they are now attempting to solve. And even now, under the current dire conditions, the democrats want to change the character of America and the republicans seem afraid that they won't get their share of the pork.

Capture2-16-2009-6.02.35 PM

flag

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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Mayor of Juárez, Mexico lives in the United States – just another illegal alien crossing the border?

How is it that the United States government and the State of Texas would allow the Mayor of  Juárez to live in this country. Especially when he represents a clear and present danger to the legal, law-abiding citizens of El Paso?

From the El Paso Times …

“After threats, Juárez mayor in El Paso”

“Police are investigating threats against Juárez Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz, who moved his family to El Paso for safety, El Paso police Detective Carlos Carrillo said Monday.

"We received information that the Juárez mayor lives in El Paso, and that possibly they were going to come to El Paso to get him," Carrillo said. ‘He has not asked us for our help, but it's our duty to protect any resident of our city who may be under threat.’"

Why is he not being deported, along with his family? He does not seem to be requesting asylum, so why are the taxpayer’s spending precious dollars protecting him from his enemies? Where are the Mexican Federales? Or are those the people he fears?

-- steve

Reference Links:

After threats, Juárez mayor in El Paso - El Paso Times

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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