Saturday, November 27, 2010

Stupidity rampant in Arizona

This was posted by a friend to a website in response to the article cited. While his rhetoric is a bit overblown, I think he still makes some great points. - Edward

Arizona: State Senator Proposes New Militia [sic]
http://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2010/11/24/harper-proposes-state-sanctioned-militia-to-patrol-border/
Arizona Capitol Times
Sen. Jack Harper, a Republican from Surprise, said he plans to introduce legislation next year that would create a government-sanctioned militia that would be allowed to patrol the border to observe illegal activity and report it to enforcement authorities. Under Harper’s plan, the civilian force would be under the supervision of the Arizona National Guard. Its members would be allowed to carry weapons for self defense. Volunteers would need a fingerprint clearance card or undergo a background check to qualify... The proposal is yet another example of Arizona’s attempt to take matters into its own hands, which arose from a widely shared belief among the state’s residents and lawmakers that the federal government has failed in its job to secure the border. But the idea of deploying a state-sponsored militia on the U.S.-Mexico border raises red flags for some legal scholars. Paul Bender, a professor of constitutional law at Arizona State University, said a civilian militia would not be allowed to stop illegal immigrants from crossing the border because that authority is reserved for the federal government. Any direct action by the state or a militia to stop illegal immigrants from crossing the border may violate the U.S. Constitution, he said...
Arizona Border Patrol by the numbers: National Guard deployment along the U.S.-Mexico border: 559 in Arizona; 284 in Texas; 260 in California; 82 in New Mexico[.] Estimated cost of National Guard deployment for a year: $135 million, which will be shared by U.S.[.]

Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Defense Border Patrol troops along the Southwest border: 17,500[.]
— Source: National Guard Bureau

Commentary

Where to begin? With this many stupid people out wandering around, I’m afraid to even drive through Arizona, much less get out of my car there. Harper may have thought about this a lot, but a scholar - especially a MILITARY scholar, he ain’t. First, militia ARE military when they are called up by ANYONE: local sheriff, state, or federal. They aren’t “civilians” any more. Second, there is no such thing as a “state-sponsored [or “government-sanctioned”] militia” - the state would be activating a PART of the militia under state control. Harper is an idiot, who can’t write a law: he probably can’t READ one, either, and I wonder if he could write directions on how to go home.

Now, on to the next idiot, this “constitutional scholar” at ASU, Bender, who says: “a civilian militia would not be allowed to stop illegal immigrants from crossing the border because that authority is reserved for the federal government. Any direct action by the state or a militia to stop illegal immigrants from crossing the border may violate the U.S. Constitution.” Let me say it again: Bender is an IDIOT. The Constitution gives Congress authority to do exactly TWO things related to immigration IF THAT. Article 1 Section 8 gives Congress power: “To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization,” and Section 9 of the same article gives Congress one other power: “The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.” This did NOT prohibit many states from prohibiting the migration or importation of slaves before that time - or AFTER. It would presumably apply to ANY other persons, as indeed states like California determined that people from certain oriental countries could not migrate to the state, and many states prohibited migration by American Indians.

Now, some people claim that another part of Section 8 gives Congress power over immigration: “To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;” This clause, the Commerce Clause, is perhaps THE most abused clause of the Constitution, and is used to justify almost anything. But logically, it does not work: if immigration (actually, migration - emigration AND immigration) is “commerce” then Congress would be able to enact and enforce laws regulating the movement of people across STATE lines as well. And so far, at least (giving no one ANY ideas), they haven’t and can’t do that. The closest they have come was the idea of federal law making it a crime to drag women and minors across state lines for “immoral purposes” - but since the courts have determined that there ARE no immoral purposes any more, that law is gutted. AND IT DOES NOT PROHIBIT STATES FROM ENACTING AND ENFORCING THEIR OWN LAWS. For decades, northern states, smug in their hypocrisy, prohibited slaves from being imported into NY, MA, PA, etc. even when it was still illegal for the FedGov to prohibit importation. States can STILL ban importation of certain fruit from other states, based on health and agricultural issues.

However stupid Arizona’s idea may be, it just is NOT “unconstitutional.” And both Harper and Bender are IDIOTS. There are a few more idiots quoted, but let me move to the end of the article, written by the IDIOTS who call themselves the staff (newsroom and editorial, no doubt) of the Arizona Capitol Times. Two things, and I’m going to drop it: First, the Border Patrol is NOT a part of the “Department of Defense.” It probably SHOULD BE - because there is no authority for anyone OTHER than military troops to be used to defend the country, but it isn’t. No, it is part of that bureaucratic rathole for money called DHS. Second, Border Patrol have “CIVILIANS” and not “troops.” There may be 17,500 “sworn Border Patrol civilian officers” along the SW Border, but everyone tells us that COPS are NOT soldiers. If Border Patrol “sworn officers” are soldiers, then so is EVERY federal “sworn officer” whether they work for the Federal Protective Service or the FBI or the Secret Service or the EPA or the Park Service; and so likely is every state and local police officer, right down to that parking-meter maid and the local dog-catcher. But the “fine newspapermen” (and women) at the ACT are too STUPID to know any different: they are IDIOTS. Of course, if they weren’t so stupid, they would point out that Harper and Bender and the rest ARE stupid.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

"I won't quit."

Ah, yes, we WERE warned. At the one-year anniversary of the First Citizen's accession (or is it ascension?) to power, Mr. Obama told us that he won't quit. And it is clear that he has not, as we pass the 22-month anniversary.

Others have commented on his arrogant stance, his egotism, his concentration on himself and not the Union, his insults and commands, all contained within the incredibly long and stirring speech he made back in January of this year; the same kind of speech we've heard (or at least some of us) from Sgnr. Mussolini, Herr Hitler, Sr. Franco, Sr. Peron, Gospodin Lenin, and Gospodin Stalin. And through the rest of the year, including the mid-term elections, he said the same thing over and over again.

But I want to concentrate on what this promise means to my nation, and to my Union. What does this mean to Wyoming, to Montana or my original homeland of Texas? What does this mean to myself, my children, the rest of my family, my friends, my neighbors, my clients, and the rest of the American people and the people of the world?

It appears that "not quitting" has included:

- Not quitting spending money -another 1.5 trillion on top of the FY2010 budget was planned for FY2011, and so far, as we pass the midpoint of the first quarter, the spending is on track.
- Not quitting borrowing money - as the spending gallops away, the national debt is past $11 trillion and climbing, while more accounting games are played with the Fed's Quantitative Easing 2.0, and more to follow.
- Not quitting printing money - banks and others will continue to "create" more FRNs, either electronic or paper, and inflate the dollar still more.
- Not quit treating more and more Americans as enemies of the state: not just the new TSA procedures (the scanners and patdowns and arrests), but treating soldiers and ex-soldiers, tea-party movement members, conservatives, even some cops like dirt, and worse.
- Practicing reverse racial profiling: black extremists get additional "Get-out-of-jail" cards even after they AGAIN try to intimidate voters; Muslim women are promised "special consideration" by TSA; more and more services are provided for Spanish-speaking clients of government; and more.
- Wasting more and more money - Obama is the most-traveled president in US history, flying in an aircraft that costs nearly $200,000 PER HOUR to fly, and taking hordes of syncophants, including hairdressers and basketball players around the world.
- Continuing to demean US allies like the UK, ROK, and Germany, while sucking up big-time to Arabs and Chinese.
- Enslaving us more and more through evil actions like the ObamaCare edicts, even to the extent of ignoring Congress when it doesn't do what he wants, like taxing carbon emissions.

How much longer can and will this go on? Americans have become extremely long-suffering: we put up with 8 years of Bill Clinton and center-left "socialism lite" and then with 8 years of George W's "compassionate conservative" brand of socialism and a growing police state; are we going to put up with four or eight years of even more blatant socialism and Gestapo-type tyranny? Are we so desperate for life and security and a nanny to tuck us in at night that we give up everything that makes us Americans? Forbid it, Almighty Lord!

"Let this be our last Thanksgiving under duress."

Please visit this link and read the article by Murray Sabrin, We are all German Jews now? and comment and support it.

This is a good analysis, and a reminder of what can and has happened in the past.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Liberty = NO TSA

A friend gave me this website (click on the headline above), which contains images (one or two of which are rather graphic) which encourage people to fight against the TSA.

He pointed out that it is NOT just the latest outrages that should cause us to demand that TSA be outlawed, but the entire concept of illegal searches (whether they are "administrative" or not) and the idea that government has any authority to provide security for private businesses. If terrorists start to threaten to blow up Wal-Marts (and maybe do blow up one or two), is it now suddenly necessary (and does Congress have the authority) to create the "Shopping Security Agency" or SSA?

I, for one, am thankful this holiday for the many, many people who have decided that enough is enough and are fighting back against this kind of gross abuse of our liberty with the excuse of security.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Too Simple and Too Easy?

Wayne Allen Root today weighed in on the TSA controversy, in which a barely tolerated situation has suddenly aroused a lot of anger and gotten a lot of press. This was forwarded to me by a friend:

There are two simple solutions to this TSA mess. First and most importantly, hand airline security over to the private sector. Let airlines manage their own security, with their own private security forces. Get government out of the way. Government isn't the solution, they are the problem.



We must put Delta, American, U.S. Air, Southwest and all the other airlines in charge of their own security -- just like all other private sector companies. That puts incompetent bumbling idiots, creeps and perverts, aka TSA agents, on the sidelines. It also ensures the usual private sector success. American business usually gets it right. Businesses will weigh the right amount of security versus customer privacy, civil rights, and satisfaction. And if they fail we as consumers can simply stop using that airline and choose another. The ones who get it right will succeed. The ones who don't will fail. That's called free markets. Capitalism works. Perhaps the U.S. government should allow for it sometime.

....

The simple Part Two of this solution is to end political correctness -- private airlines can best prevent terrorism by adopting the Israeli model of PROFILING. No, not racial profiling, but rather "terrorist threat profiling." No need to argue -- it works to perfection. Israel has the safest airports and the safest airline (El Al) in the world. There has NEVER been a successful terrorist attack at an Israeli airport or airline. Why? Because their security experts rely on profiling, not political correctness. They ask a series of rapid-fire questions of all passengers. There is no time to lie. If you try to lie, it is easy to detect inconsistencies in your story. At that point you are pulled aside for a more detailed screening or body search. But everyone does not need to endure the health threat of major radiation, or the privacy violation of intrusive cavity searches. It is time to leave grandma and my baby daughter alone, and look for real terrorists.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Freedom Filks

For those that do not know the science fiction and fantasy communities, filk songs are a style of folk song in which different words are set to familiar tunes. The saga of the TSA Porn-scanners and Fondling-Pat-Downs has generated several. Here is my nomination for the best two:

Steve Varus, for using Kris Kristofferson's ballad:

Take the ribbon from your hair
Shake it loose and let it fall
Leave your shoes right over there
Now get up against the wall

I'll run my hands inside your thighs
Up your legs and out of sight!
But you can trust the TSA
To help you make it to your flight

We don't profile that'd be wrong
Just ask the ACLU
We'd rather check your nooks and crannies
Every inch of you

Got no life except my job
But I don't mind it's all right
I get to grope you legally
If you want to take a flight

This badge and uniform we wear
Might look like a rent a cop
But your life is in our hands
We like it that way, especially if you're hot

Awful lonely being me
No girlfriend, boyfriend, husband, wife
So let me squeeze you, oooh, right there
If you want to take a flight

You can trust the TSA
You'll be in our dreams tonight

See and hear this at the first link.

Another excellent one uses an old Frank Sinatra song, Come Fly With Me:

Comply With Me*
(With deepest apologies to Sammy Cahn, Jimmy Van Heusen & Frank Sinatra)

Comply with me, before you fly away
Remove those shoes and take a cruise
Through my peekaboo X-ray
Comply with me, I'm your friendly TSA

Comply with me, you domestic coach class bums
If you opt out I'll just give a shout
To my icy-handed chums
Comply with me, bend over here it comes

Once I get all up there where your hair is ticklish
I'll just fish
Got my wish
Once I get all up there you'll be squirming like an eel
You may squeal
At the feel
When we're together

Proctology is such a lovely trade
I'll show you love with my rubber glove
Try not to be afraid
I'd be a perfect gentleman, if you had just obeyed
Comply with me, I'm GS8 pay grade

Janet Napolitano says to spread 'em wide
Have you tried Astro-glide?
Janet Napolitano knows your clothes are off
Head aloft
Turn it and cough
When we're together

Don't crack wise or I'll ruin your whole day
Please don't frown when I pat you down
It alerts the CIA
It's perfectly legal practice except at Gitmo Bay
Comply with me, comply comply
Comply with me, obey, obey, obey!

Check out the security risks on that one! Yeah!

Friday, November 19, 2010

New owner - Fighting Mad

Liberty is threatened and freedom is in danger.

A very good friend (and distant relation) of mine started this blog and maintained it sporadically for several years now, but has had to give it (and others) up due to a combination of work pressure, political pressure, and just plain a lack of time. So he asked me to take over, and he challenged me to try to make this live up to the potential that it has to spread a message of hope and liberty to Americans and to the world.

Liberty is such a precious and rare commodity through history, that we often fail to appreciate how much we had in the past - and now that we are losing it, it seems little more than a dream. But it is a dream that we CAN reclaim - that we MUST reclaim.

I don't pretend to be the writer or to have the breadth of knowledge that my friend did - and if it weren't for spell-checkers, more people would know that. But I shall strive to live up to his dreams - and to my dreams, of freedom and liberty.

I do (and must) remain even more anonymous than my friend was, but I suppose some secrets will inevitably get out. Of course, in some eyes I am already a marked man for what I've done in the past. So we cannot hope to hide as completely as some folks do. But then, what I am doing is standing up for what is right: I will try not to flee into darkness if someone does not like what I say.

Let me know what you think - I DO like feedback, and ask anyone reading this to toss back some thoughts to me.