Jonathan and Wanda Rantings

Does it Matter ?

2006-11-01T08:36:00.000-06:00

So in this new month I will turn yet even older. I am still fighting battles that should have never started to begin with, still in the same place I have been all year ...

It's a cycle in life. Perhaps you fight battles over and over again untill you get it right.

Perhaps I'll just end up either not around at all or starting completely over ...

In other words ... no updates really as to when I'll be back to regular news delivery ... if ever.

A movie that could make a difference

2006-05-26T08:57:00.000-05:00

A movie that could make a difference, or thats what it's being called in circulating e-mails, and websites, etc.

Al Gore has put out another movie about so called global warming and the doomsday we (read into that - Republicans) are causing. (And it's no accident it comes out during an election cycle).

The movie? "An Inconvenient Truth"

Problem is ... it's from a crazy lunatic - believes in the false premise of global warming - I scream like a madman and spew out lies when speech making -

Al Gore

He made another one awhile back ... 'the day after tomorrow" or something like that.

iI's all doomsday, we're destroying the world B.S. based on false science that has already been disproven. (As facts show ... the planet is actually COOLING.)

Let's look a second at the 'global warming theory. The Earth has (scientifically proven) warming and cooling cycles. These cycles are actually minimal i.e. 1/2 to 1 degree variance +/- from cycle to cycle. The global warming doomsday people are looking at a 100 year window and the rise of average temperature of 1/2 a degree (sound familiar?).

Now let's examine the method. A 100 year window of a planet that's millions of years old ... That would be like measuring the speed of a car entering the highway. OH NO ... it went from 10 mph to 60 mph in 1/4 mile !!! At that rate it will be going 1000 mph in a mile !!!

In other words ... there are other factors that the global warming people and so called scientists ignore. Like the car ... the variance can and will level off and eventually go into the downward cycle.

I found Al Gore's speech in '04 in New York to be very telling ... it was the COLDEST day ever recorded for NY, and he's screaming about global warming and the bad Republicans causing it.

Even his explanation when asked shows his ignorance. Even a middle school student should look at him and laugh at his stupidity. He says, "These record cold temperatures are caused by global warming". What? He thinks people are stupid and will believe anything they're told. Sad thing is ... there are a lot of smart people out there believing whatever they're told.

Let me throw in a little logic to one of the global warming premises. They claim that it will melt the polar ice caps, cause havoc with the oceans, causing terrible flooding and tidal waves (as in 'the day after tomorrow').

Do your own "scientific experiment". Fill a glass with ice ... fill the glass with water ... up to 1/8" of the top of the glass. Sit the glass on the middle of a table - be sure to place towels under it for when the ice melts and (overflows?) ... well ... that's the point ... don't bother with the towels because the level will NOT change when the ice melts. It's called "displacement". Another 'experiment' to back this up would be similar. Make another glass as before. Take a second IDENTICAL glass and pour the water only (strain) into it leaving just the ice in the first glass. You will see that the actual water amount is NOT filling the glass and that when the melted ice in the 1st glass is compared to it it would NOT over fill the 2nd glass if poured into it.The global warming theory on this is disproven again. Our ocean levels are what they are because the ice at the caps already displace water ... if they melt ... the level will NOT change.

This new movie should be ignored, and so should Al Gore himself.

By the way ... his TV 'network' 'current' is a bigger joke and spews out the Liberal Agenda full of lies.

Lack of Postings

2006-05-26T08:55:00.000-05:00

Please excuse the lack of recent postings. Once battles are fought and won, I will return to regular news delivery on important issues.

That in mind, I have an article to post today ...

Oil Companies Record Profits Effect The Economy

2006-04-23T09:44:00.000-05:00

What headline makes more sense? "Fuel prices to exceed $3 per gallon this summer", or "World oil reserves at an 8 year high"?

A couple more recent headlines … “Oil companies making record high profits”, and “Oil executive retires with $100 Million bonus”.

With the prices we are paying at the pump you would think that the first headline is true, especially since in most places it has already topped $3 per gallon. The problem here is that the second headline is also true. We have seen both headlines recently.

We are fed the notion that the root cause of the high gas prices is based on supply and demand, but in real life economics the second headline would cancel out the first due to the supply and demand the oil companies claim as their price basis. If the supply is so great that the demand is not using it up then in a real world market the cost goes down. That's basic economics.

Basic economics is one thing, but what about the advanced economics of this issue? What about the "unintended consequences"?

That’s why I chose the above cartoon for this post. I am pointing out here the dangers to not just our economy, but for each of us as citizens living in this economy.

We live on fuel; use fuel in manufacturing, product delivery, product storage, and living life (as in cooking, heating, hot water, driving to and from work, etc.). There are many uses of fuel in America.

When fuel prices rise, so do the costs of doing business, which can lead to companies cutting back workers to cover these added expenses. People become unemployed, no one is hiring, and the economy goes bust.

What about the "unintended consequences" from the consumer/worker point of view?

When the cost of living rises, (i.e.: fuel to go to and from work, cost of necessary products going up, electricity up 12% already, etc.), what are the fallouts? We have already seen stories in the news of people going to pawn shops to get gas money to get to work.

Most homes live on a budget, and most are tight … some barely make it. The companies they work for are seeing increasing costs so raises are out … be glad the job isn’t gone … yet. So what happens?

Budget cuts, and not the congressional kind where they say that next month we’ll spend $20 billion more instead of $21 billion more so that’s a cut.

You have to buy gas to get back and forth to work, you have to pay the electric what they want or it’s cut off. There are many “have to’s”, and even though you can cut back usage … that’s minimal to the overall budget effect with these types of increases.

Examples? Sure … A $400 electric bill just became $450 (+$50), a $100 gasoline budget just became $175 (+75), (or in my case $300 just became $525 / +$225). Just there alone is an increase to the average household of $125. “Cutting back” MAY save $25? Less? What to do about the other $100 in budget increase …

Maybe you just don’t buy food and use that money for gas, maybe you let the electric be turned off and buy gas with that money, maybe you sell everything you worked to get over the years until you run out of “stuff” … if it has any value … if you have anything of value that is.

You hear constantly the ideas, usually by people with plenty of money anyways, like buy a more fuel efficient car – drive less – car pool – public transportation … etc. Here’s a news flash, not everyone can afford to ADD costs to their already over extended budget, some people cannot car pool, use public transportation or drive less.

Some people are just trying to get by on what they make, see more of it taken from them, and get mad at the record profits the oil companies are making while they do without.

Are the oil companies trying to bring down the American and the American economy on purpose?

Now don’t get me wrong here, I believe in Capitalism. I believe that businesses are in business to make profit. I hear the argument about how the oil companies were making less profit at $10 per barrel oil and no one was complaining it was low profit … BUT … it WAS a profit!

Our complaint is that they chose to take rising prices and raise them more while they could to obtain RECORD PROFITS. If their profit wasn’t good enough at $1 per gallon, then why wasn’t it $1.03 THEN? That would have been the same billions in additional profit then as it is now with the added $1 + per gallon excess.(Without busting the average Americans budget into bankrupcy).

“The profits were low so we couldn’t afford to build refineries” … BULL … EVERY business makes whatever profit the market allows and expands AS THEY CAN … save up for it … take loans (and with no government grants to do it with usually too!)

(updated thought: No new refineries have been built in over 30+ years. Can you honestly tell me that over all that time the profits haven't been there to have paid for them already? What percentage of the past 30+ years profits would that have been? Why do oil companies apparently think they do NOT have to reinvest their profits, like every other business, but wait and one day the government will do it with our tax dollars?)

No collusion? BULL! … I dare you to go to Wal-mart, Sears, JC Penney, K-mart, etc. etc. etc. and compare prices on pants, milk, cereal, whatever … and I guaranty you they will NOT be exactly the same prices … to the tenth of a cent like 4 gas stations from 4 different companies on the same corner.

Guess what … these oil companies buy their oil in a fluctuating market where one company buys it cheaper the day before the other … have different refining costs, operating costs, overhead costs … yet they will all charge the EXACT SAME TO THE TENTH OF A PENNY AT THE PUMP? THAT’S NOT COLLUSION?

Collusion Defined:

collusion takes place within an industry when rival companies cooperate for their mutual benefit. Collusion most often takes place within the market form of oligopoly, where the decision of a few firms to collude can significantly impact the market as a whole.

Practices that facilitate tacit collusion include:
Uniform prices
A penalty for price discounts
Advance notice of price changes
Information exchanges
Swaps and exchanges
Price fixing

Seems pretty clear to me.

So the oil companies make record profits, Americans do without or lose everything they have, and eventually the economy goes bust.

I hope the oil companies enjoy the money while they got it because there’s one more “unintended circumstance” they apparently are not thinking about.

When American get mad, they unite … and we’re not stupid.

And most importantly … when people cannot afford anything, much less gas … they sure aren’t buying gas, especially if they lost their job due to cutbacks or not being able to get there anymore …

No income … no buying gas … no more record profits … if any

They may price themselves out of business …

Anyone know where I can buy a horse and buggy cheap ?

(Why is gas the only petroleum product doubling in cost anyways? In fact ... the only one rising at all.)

UPDATE: President Bush has ordered a probe into the gas prices.

President Bush is ordering an investigation into whether the price of gasoline has been illegally manipulated, his spokesman said Monday.
During the last few days, Bush asked his Energy and Justice departments to open inquiries into possible cheating in the gasoline markets.
McClellan said Bush also will announce that his attorney general and Federal Trade Commission will send a letter to all 50 state attorneys general, who have primary authority over price gouging, to remind them to stay on top of the issue and offer federal help to do so. And he will call on energy companies to reinvest their profits into expanding refining capacity, developing new technologies and researching alternative energy sources.

"I think you'll hear the president say very clearly that he will not tolerate price gouging," McClellan said.

Repeating the above added thought, ...

No new refineries have been built in over 30+ years. Can you honestly tell me that over all that time the profits haven't been there to have paid for them already? What percentage of the past 30+ years profits would that have been?

Why do oil companies apparently think they do NOT have to reinvest their profits, like every other business, but wait and one day the government will do it with our tax dollars?

"Protests"? No ... INVASION!!!

2006-04-09T09:25:00.000-05:00

In Dallas and across the country today are many planned "protests". Here is what they want in case you haven't been following along.

They are not looking for 'equal treatment'. If they wanted that they would stay in Mexico where their constitution gives them preferential treatment.

They are not looking for 'jobs Americans will not do". They only fill 4.1% of those 'jobs' at this point already.

They are not looking to pay taxes, assimilate into the American melting pot, or be your neighbor.

They want to invade and conquer !!! Groups like LULAC, La Raza (TRANSLATE: The Race), and such are playing the race card for all it’s worth because they also believe in “Atzlan”.

What is ‘Atzlan”? That is discussed here and here, but in short it is the dissection of America.

Now one might ask … do we really need California? With the liberal agenda pushing regurgitations coming from Hollywood, Berkley, San Francisco, etc. you could make a valid argument to let mexico have it back … if they ONLY wanted that, but they want much more.

Let's review one portion of a previous post.

The Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819, a historic agreement between the United States and Spain that settled a border dispute in North America between the two nations.

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. -

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was the peace treaty that ended the Mexican-American War (1846–1848). The treaty provided for the Mexican Cession, in which Mexico ceded 525,000 square miles to the United States in exchange for $20 million (the same as was offered for the territory prior to the war). The United States also agreed to take over $3.25 million in debts Mexico owed to American citizens.

The cession included parts of the modern-day U.S. states of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming, as well as the whole of California, Nevada, and Utah.

The remaining parts of what are today the states of Arizona and New Mexico were later ceded under the 1853 Gadsden Purchase ($10 million).The cession of this territory from Mexico was a condition for the end of the war.

The treaty also specified the Texas-Mexican border as being at the Rio Grande.

These “protesters” want war, to invade, to conquer America … The sad part is, our elected leaders are helping them do it.

Pro American Rally Cancelled? See Ankarlo

2006-04-07T05:00:00.000-05:00

So what do we CITIZENS of AMERICA (not atzlan as pictured) do to be heard?

Darrell Ankarlo of KLIF is still arranging plans. Visit his website and sign up for his newsletter to receive updates.

In the meantime, I have a proposal.

During the 'protest' rallies planned by the illegals and their supporters the businesses, that are breaking the law by providing them jobs, will be either very short handed or closed.

Part of this illegal immigrant problem is the demand. Let's cut the demand.

I propose that while these law breaking businesses become apparent we formulate a list of these businesses ...

so we all know where NOT to spend our money from now on.

Check back often for updates.

Recent Events

2006-04-07T04:28:00.000-05:00

Cynthia McKinney has 'apologized' ... for assaulting a federal police officer who was doing his job, then appearing on every media outlet available to claim "racial profiling". Well, maybe not, but ... she apologized for something in her statement ... I think. (I can't help but wonder why she isn't talking to the media in an orange jumpsuit) ...

She is correct, however, in that the security of the House and Senate should NOT rely on a pin and ID ... I propose that ALL persons entering the capitol buildings wait in line and go through security ... especially the house and senate members. That is the only way to assure the officers saftey and to avoid any 'racial profiling' in the future.

Scooter Libby testified that President Bush approved leaks to the press. He sure did, and as President he is legally able to de-classify information and let it out ... to bad the leaks in question have nothing to do with the reason Mr. Libby is testifying even though the liberal media headlines have you thinking otherwise.

The Senate has sold out America with the illegal immigration bill they 'compromised' on.

Illegal immigrants here more than five years could work for six years and apply for legal permanent residency without having to leave the country. Those here two years to five years would have to go to border entry points sometime in next three years, but could immediately return as temporary workers. Those here less than two years would have to leave and wait in line for visas to return.

In translation that means the longer you broke the law by being here - the more you're going to be rewarded. This is stinking amnesty ... and it stinks.

Do they really believe that illegal immigrants are going to knock on INS/ICE door and announce they are illegal and need to be deported back?

We were sold out by a bunch of panty waisted idiots who are more concerned with a handful of illegals "protesting", (and at least half those asked can't tell you what they're 'protesting' ... just that they get to skip school), than with the millions of citizens who have spoke out against ANY form of amnesty.

Thanks for the sell out senators ... especially senator clinton who it was discovered that her chauffer is an illegal.

Massachussetts is passing a law to mandate health insurance. If you do not have it you better get it or you will be heavily fined. I wonder how much the insurance lobby paid to get this nice chunk of guaranteed extra business ... and it may be coming to YOUR state soon. Many are considering it, (meaning many are being 'lobbied' by the insurance lobbists).

Al Gore is a wack job !

more to come ...

Illegal Alien Solution

2006-04-02T10:54:00.000-05:00

Let's face it, there is going to be some sort of stinking amnesty given by our elected leaders because they are afraid of losing the hispanic vote. After all, we all know that they are not really there to serve our best interests, but their own ... and whatever lobbyist has the best handout today.

Our best bet is to evaluate the situation and find the solution.

These Illegals drag DOWN the economy ... not prop it up - as claimed. With the illegals consistently undercutting worker salary, Capitalism, as it is intended to work, fails.

These Illegals are a strain on the socialist government programs that our elected officials have made law over the last several decades. Medical, educational, monetary benefits are drawn against without any input from the illegal population.

The claim “they pay taxes” is a farce. At best an illegal works under a false social security number where taxes are actually deducted from his wages, yet with most claiming married and 3 or 4 to infinite dependants the monetary deduction is minimal. Then using that fake social security number they in turn file for a refund and receive a nice bonus from yet another socialist program from our government. Refund checks of 3 or 4 + thousand dollars while little to none had been deducted throughout the year. They pay taxes? NO … they do not … they RECEIVE yours and my taxes. Our government soaks us for thousands each during the year and then sends us a bill for thousands more on tax day, while we are out begging and hoping to have enough to pay our next bill or put food on the table. That money is taken from you and me and given to these illegals who then go out and live it up … after all, the welfare system is already paying their housing, utilities, giving them food stamps, and so on since “they make so little wages”.

In the meantime you and I continue to struggle without a raise, (if not fired in favor of an illegal ready to do our job for less). In a capitalistic society raises are given, and prices go up. As the cost of living goes up, more raises are given, because profits go up.

The solution? First, no more workers undercutting salary, let capitalism work. If that means having these illegals (a selected few) become “documented workers” then let them work at a competitive salary that will put them on the same playing field you and I am on. Which brings us to point two, NO government handouts paying their way. They will make taxable income on a livable wage with no government freebies, and not receive tax refunds … just like you and I.

Who will the “selected few” I mentioned be? Who decides? Simple … they do. Want to work in America and have a better life?

Criminal record? NO. Living off government programs? NO. Don’t want to learn English? NO. “Protesting” against America? NO. The list is endless, but the goal is to find the ones that came here to WORK for a better life, become Americans, not to live off yours and my dime.

The most important part to the solution, however, is to then secure the border to prevent the unavoidable next wave of illegals ready to undercut the new system. This is what put us in our current position. The Reagan amnesty deal was to allow the 4 million illegals to become citizens, AND secure the border against further invasion. The failure of our government to look after our best interests and actually follow through with securing our border has now allowed 12 – 20 + million more come in. As I have asked before … how many next time?

There cannot be a next time … there shouldn’t have been a this time!

Update:

Many have seen the "Atzlan" signs at these 'protests', but how many realize what 'atzlan' is? Here it is ...

In the words of ted kennedy ... 'Let's just be fay-air' ! (Translate: Let's cave and give our land away)!

More to come …

America Folding to Special Interests

2006-04-01T11:50:00.000-06:00

There is no link to post because for some reason noone seems to be covering this story.

On Friday March 31, 2006, a High School student attending Royce City I.S.D. in Texas was suspended.

Was it drugs? Was it finally a mexican flag waving student being suspended for truancy after walking out of school for four straight days? Was it for something against the schools policies?

NO

It was an average white American boy who after 4 straight days of mexican flag waving and chants for mexico, decided to show some American patriotism ...

He drove to school that morning with American flags mounted on his truck. He arrived, proceeded to put them away in his vehicle, and was promptly ordered to the office and informed he was suspended ...

SUSPENDED FOR FLYING AN AMERICAN FLAG ???

No suspensions for walking out of school or flying a mexican flag ???

The administrator responsible claims that it was threatening to the mexican students. This excuse is unacceptable.

I fully expect the Royce City I.S.D. to promptly suspend every mexican student that walked out, waved mexican flags, carried them around the school halls, etc ...

It is 'threatening' to American students!

This article will be updated as more information becomes available.

"Protesting" Illegal Aliens

2006-04-01T07:02:00.000-06:00

Lately there has been an abundance of flags being waved around and celebrated. Rising high on the flagpoles to wave in the wind, patriotism is high.

The only problem is that these flags are MEXICAN flags …

THIS IS THE UNITED STATES!!!

These young kids, many who don’t even know why they are “protesting”, are being led around by the nose by racist groups like “la raza” (Translate: The Race), LULAC, and the like.

These groups want to forget the borders and take American land from America. They say this is the ‘republic del norte’, and claim that they will ‘return these lands to their proper owner – mexico’.

Well let’s just go back in history to what they are talking about shall we?

The Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819, a historic agreement between the United States and Spain that settled a border dispute in North America between the two nations.

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. -

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was the peace treaty that ended the Mexican-American War (1846–1848). The treaty provided for the Mexican Cession, in which Mexico ceded 525,000 square miles to the United States in exchange for $20 million (the same as was offered for the territory prior to the war). The United States also agreed to take over $3.25 million in debts Mexico owed to American citizens.

The cession included parts of the modern-day U.S. states of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming, as well as the whole of California, Nevada, and Utah. The remaining parts of what are today the states of Arizona and New Mexico were later ceded under the 1853 Gadsden Purchase ($10 million).

The cession of this territory from Mexico was a condition for the end of the war.

The treaty also specified the Texas-Mexican border as being at the Rio Grande.

So these young ‘mexicans’ want these treaties disolved? No problem. Let’s review what that involves.

1. Mexico owes the United States $20 million +$3.25 million (but that would be signifigantly more in todays dollars).

2. Mexico owes the United States $10 million (again significantly more in today’s dollars).

3. The Mexican-American War is officially recommenced.

I ask these young Mexicans … how is Mexico’s air force? Army? How’s the Mexican Navy? Are the Mexican Marines battle ready?

There is no problem here in reality. These young Mexican flag raising, U.S. bashing groups and ‘protesters’ merely need to have the Mexican government send about $1 Billion to the United States, and get their military ready to finish the war they want to resume.

I also wonder how many of them are Incan or Aztec. I mean if you really want to "return land to rightful owners", than these groups need to move to Spain and return Mexico to their proper owners.

In the meantime I would like to point out that I did witness one small group in Greenville, Texas on my way home from work last night. They were a mixed group of young ‘hispanic’ boys and girls.

I was watching them walk down the sidewalk carrying their Mexican flags and signs that read “viva la raza” (Translate: “the race”). I heard their chants of “mexico, mexico, mexico!”

I was thinking how their lives would be if they were in mexico, the land they apparently love so much. I was thinking how ungrateful they were for their opportunities here in America, for their free education that my tax dollars are paying for, the medical programs, assistance programs, and all other benefits that my tax dollars fund that make it possible for them to walk down that sidewalk at all.

Then, just before my head exploded, I saw it … one small cluster of about three kids trailing the others. Three ‘hispanic’ kids walking, talking, ‘protesting’ with the others. Three young ‘hispanic’ kids carrying an American flag and chanting “USA, USA, USA!”

I drove off smiling with a new sense of hope … the hope that some of these kids appreciate what their ancestors gave them by coming here, the opportunities they have … and are becoming Americans to do it.

Immigration Bill

2006-03-29T21:57:00.000-06:00

CANCUN, Mexico Trade, security and immigration are some of the topics that will be discussed at a North American summit in Cancun. President Bush arrived in the Mexican resort tonight. He'll meet for two-days with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mexican President Vicente Fox.

CAPITOL HILL (AP) _ The Senate has begun formal debate on a bill to overhaul immigration laws. It's debating a measure introduced by Majority Leader Bill Frist. Frist calls the situation along the U-S southern border a serious national security challenge "second only to the war on terror."

And they fiddle while America burns.

NO to ANY AMNESTY (by whatever cute name they want to call it).

They say they want to be fair? Then do to them what happens to you or me when we break a law ... haul them off to JAIL.

They say we left the door open? NO ... they snuck in the bleeping window!

And take that stupid phrase "jobs Americans will not do" and shove it ... 4.1% average across the board is the quantity of illegals filling these jobs.

And here's a news flash ... give them 'legal status' and see how long before they demand higher wages ...then what ? ANOTHER FREAKING WAVE OF MILLIONS OF MORE ILLEGALS !!!

We got this same bleeping song and dance in the 80's with Reagans immigration blunder ... amnesty for the 4 million then close the borders ... DIDN'T HAPPEN DID IT ?

12 MILLION MORE FLOODED ACROSS !!! HOW MANY NEXT TIME ???

120 MILLION ???

Contact your Reps and Senators ... Tell them NO FREAKING WAY !!!

Contact your Senator

Contact your Rep

Illegal Alien Protests ... On Our Dime

2006-03-28T18:34:00.000-06:00

After two days of students walking out of classes to protest proposed changes in federal immigration law, Dallas Independent School District officials said students will face tough punishments if the walkouts continue Wednesday.

How about disipline NOW? One 60 year old woman showed up to counter protest and had to be protected by the police as they hurled curse filled insults, and rocks at her. One even knocked her down (into a police car by the way) and stole her signs reading "this is Texas not mexico".

Can you say ASSAULT? ASSAULT with a weapon? Truancy, etc etc etc ...

But instead of being hauled off to jail these mexican flag waving idiots were carted back to tax funded schools on tax funded buses and i'm sure given a tax funded lunch when they got there.

I have a question ... if freaking mexico is so bleeping great ... why the bleep are they coming here? Why the bleep are the ones here chanting mexico and waving that ugly flag not going freaking home to their beloved mexico?

LEARN ENGLISH ... SHUT THE PIE HOLE ... BECOME AN A M E R I C A N ... OR GO THE BLEEP HOME !!!

Now i'll sit here and wait for someone like 'La Raza" (TRANSLATE: THE RACE) to call me a racist ... well let me answer you now "The Race" ...

POT - KETTLE - BLACK !

Gouging at the Pump

2006-03-22T07:18:00.000-06:00

Oil is so plentiful that OPEC has considered lowering production to avoid crude prices bottoming out. Our fuel reserves are at 5 year record highs, diesel at 40% (definately a 5 year record high).

Yet ... fuel prices have risen $ .50 + in the last week.

I thought the oil companies arguement was the supply and demand thing ... looks like even if demand goes up the supply is still there to keep prices stable.

So we must ask why are the prices up and the rumours are that it will be up an additional $.50+ this summer ...

Isn't this week Spring Break ?

So much for supply and demand ... more like Greed and Gouge

Media Bias and Spin

2006-03-21T06:22:00.000-06:00

Reuters

Rebel attack kills 16 in Iraq town

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Guerrillas attacked the police headquarters and courthouse in the Iraqi town of Miqdadiya on Tuesday, killing at least 16 people and releasing prisoners, police and medical staff said.

Highlights speak for themselves ... guess we know who reuters is cheering for.

Tolerance ... Yah Right!

2006-03-19T18:04:00.000-06:00

Afghan Man Faces Death for Allegedly Converting to Christianity

KABUL, Afghanistan — An Afghan man who allegedly converted from Islam to Christianity is being prosecuted in a Kabul court and could be sentenced to death, a judge said Sunday.

The defendant, Abdul Rahman, was arrested last month after his family went to the police and accused him of becoming a Christian, Judge Ansarullah Mawlavezada told the Associated Press in an interview. Such a conversion would violate the country's Islamic laws.
So much for "tolerance" that they preach. Religion of peace my @zz.

Just Because

2006-02-10T07:00:00.000-06:00

Just thought I'd give a shout out to everyone wondering what a happy couple looks like.

; )

Latest News

2006-02-08T03:36:00.000-06:00

First off ... it was a disgrace how the (D)umbassrats used the funeral of Mrs. King for a bash Bush political rally!

President Carter has no room to open his trap considering that before he was Governor a long time ago ... he was a segregationist. (By the way President Carter ... you forgot to mention that Dr. King was wire tapped ... BY ROBERT KENNEDY!)

Speaking of racist ... Donovan McNabb just proved he is one.

"It was like, it's unreal," McNabb said. "That's like me going out and saying, `Hey, if we had Steve Largent. If we had Joe Jurevicius. It was definitely a slap in the face to me. It was a slap in the face because, as deep as people want to go into it, it was black-on-black crime."

"It's different to say, 'If we had Michael Vick or Daunte Culpepper or Steve McNair or Byron Leftwich,'" McNabb said of four black starting quarterbacks. "But to go straight to Brett Favre, that kind of just slapped me in the face like, `Wow ..."'

News flash Mr. McRacist ... Vick, Culpepper, McNair, and Leftwich? Compared to the CAREER OF FAVRE? (and I hate Favre by the way) ...

Favre – 15 years - 225 games, 4678 completions for 53615 yards … 396 T.D.’s and a career rating of 86.0 … injured many times and still played … how many Superbowls?

Vick – 5 years - 58 games, 726 completions for 9031 yards … 51 T.D.’s and a career rating of 75.8 … mile long injury list with many missed games

Culpepper – 7 years - 81 games, 1678 completions for 20162 yards … 135 T.D.’s and a career rating of 91.5 … missed several games due to injuries

McNair – 11 years - 139 games, 2305 completions for 27141 yards … 156 T.D.’s and a career rating of 83.3 … mile long injury list

Leftwich – 3 years - 40 games, 681 completions for 7883 yards … 44 T.D.’s and a career rating of 80.8 … long injury list with many missed games

You think just maybe T.O. was refering to the stats of Favre? The dedication to play through injury? The long distinguished career?

No ... of course not ... not to a racist black man that has to play the race card and throw out all black quaterback names who's careers are not even a comparison to the WHITE Favre! ...

Whoever it is that keeps burning down churches in Alabama better like fire ... I'm betting that's what they'll have an eternity enjoying.

In local news, the Dallas School board wants to consider hiring ILLEGAL ALIENS to teach ... (seems they "need" bi-lingual teachers) ... even though it is against the law to hire those who are breaking the freaking law by being here!

Last time I checked one had to know English to become a citizen ... that would mean that speaking spanish in school would not be required by a teacher because a citizen going to school on my tax money would understand bleeping ENGLISH!

(Or is teaching yet another "job that Americans don't want to do"?)

So the muslims are freaking out over a bleeping cartoon? Bet they enjoyed that crucifix in the piss "art" exibit though ...

Maybe I'll enter an "art" exibit of a pile of dung on the koran ...

End of January Update

2006-01-31T21:26:00.000-06:00

R.I.P. Coretta Scott King. May you enjoy heaven re-united with your husband.

Alito confirmed with a 58 - 42 Senate vote (mainly down party lines ... not a shock).

Kudos to the (D)'s that broke from party line for this vote.

Byrd, W.Va.; Conrad, N.D.; Johnson, S.D.; Nelson, Neb.

Byrd who earlier in the week spoke out that he "would not tow the party line for an important vote such as a Supreme Court Justice." Bravo Mr. Byrd.

Ted Kennedy opened his mouth on the floor in a tirade where civil rights, womens rights, etc. were thrown out as being in danger if Alito were to be confirmed. Did not he attempt to brand Alito as a racist during the 'questioning' before the Senate, yet still cannot back up his claims?

The President delivered his 'State of the Union' speech where he highlighted that the war is going good (we listen to the military), the economy is good (make the tax cuts permanent), and we are to dependent on foreign oil (find alternative energy sources).

Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan is retiring and former Fed Governor Ben Bernanke has been confirmed to step in as of Wednesday. Mr. Greenspan has done a wonderful job and deserves all our respect for it. He not only performed his job ... he lived it.

Updates

2006-01-27T07:05:00.000-06:00

Been to busy to post lately. Just a brief look at the latest, biggest stories.

So Iran wants nukes? Let's give them some ... BOOM!

Palestine also wants Israel gone ... they elect terrorists (hamas) to majority of parlament? So if we bomb them and 'civilians' are hit ... they're terrorists and terrorist supporters anyways.

Speaking of nuclear options ... Kerry wants to filibuster Alito? Actually ... I enjoy when (D)umbassrats show their idiocy.

Who's idea was it to release the female prisoners to the terrorists for our female prisoners? Theirs are already planning more attacks, and not a word yet on ours ... no suprise ... they were more than likely already executed. Thats the 'honor' of terrorists.

News flash people ... there has been no 'domestic' wire taps, and Bush better be listening in to KNOWN AL QAEDA terrorists calling in and to whom ...

Last for now ... Canadians oust the liberals and vote in conservatives ... (D)umbassrats might want to notice that because despite what they think ... people are not stupid and eventually see through their lies.

More soon ...

MLK Jr. dishonored by the democrats

2006-01-16T22:00:00.000-06:00

With honor to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and all he stood for I now bring you the democratic racist party who abuses his day for political gain.

Hillary Clinton (at an Al Sharpton event) - “When you look at the way the House of Representatives has been run, it has been run like a plantation and you know what I'm talking about..."

N.O. Mayor Ray Nagin - "It's time for us to come together. It's time for us to rebuild New Orleans, the one that should be a chocolate New Orleans."

'Poverty pimps' at work.

I think I will turn Texas into a vanilla state again ... like God intended ... with lots of plantations.

let's see if any 'civil rights leaders' (a.k.a. the biggest poverty pimps) speak up about those comments since the previously mentioned ones seem ok.

ILLEGAL ALIENS

2006-01-10T19:21:00.000-06:00

Diplomats from Mexico and Central America on Monday demanded guest worker programs and the legalization of undocumented migrants in the United States, while criticizing a U.S. proposal for tougher border enforcement.

So the nations that have their military on their borders to keep 'undocumented migrants' out think they can tell the USA what to do?

Beaner Please!

And here's an idea for all the bleeding heart liberals who want to say "they're just looking for work ..." blah yada blah.

Billions of Billions of dollars left America to Mexico alone last year from these ILLEGAL ALIENS sending it home. They are able to afford to send this money because it is my tax dollars paying them (welfare), my tax dollars paying their medical (and causing hospitals to close), etc. etc. etc.

So here's the plan ... Tax payers are now required to register their preference with the IRS - for or against these so called 'guest workers'.

Those for it, if the majority, will get their wish ... and an additional 5% tax rate to pay the benefits to their beloved ILLEGAL ALIENS.

More to come ...

Merry CHRISTmas

2005-12-25T01:22:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas ...

* If the above offends you or refers to a religion that you do not share ... SO BLEEPING WHAT! Get over it, and move on. I am simply exercising my 1st amendment right. You know, the one that so many twist trying to make it what it isn't?

Amendment 1 -
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Let me make this as simple as it is ...

The Government cannot make a LAW telling me or you that you must be a certain religion/denomination thereof.

They also may not make a LAW keeping me from following my religion ...

As far as I know ... it is not against the law to wish you all a Merry CHRISTmas ... YET!

Democracy In Iraq

2005-12-15T12:00:00.000-06:00

15 Million Iraqis have given the finger to the terrorists by voting in the first full-term parliament in the new Iraq.

In America, our own voter turnout is shameful compared to those Iraqis who braved death to cast their vote.

Although there were a few disturbances they were minimal, and many were thwarted by an increasingly effective Iraqi Security Force.

More than 1,000 Sunni clerics called on their followers to vote, and Iraqi nationalist terrorists groups pledged not to attack polling stations.

"This is the day to get our revenge on Saddam," said Kurdish voter Chiman Saleh, a Kirkuk housewife who said two of her brothers were killed by sadams regime.

Today we saw the birth of a nation. I salute all those who showed their bravery and voted. I applaud those who gave terrorism the finger.

(D)ypocrisy 101

2005-12-11T09:30:00.000-06:00

Senator Daniel Inouye - (D) Hawaii, has voiced desent against the President. This in response to the latest Republican ad which highlights various Democrat comments against the war and the troops.

"As a Veteran of World War II, I know what it’s like to fight a war and put your life on the line every day. I also know what it takes to win a war, and I know that politics and an attack machine like the President’s plays no part in it. The Republican Party’s latest ad is a shameful and disgusting attempt to distract the American people from the problems in Iraq. It may improve the President’s political fortunes, but the American people and our troops will pay the price. I hope that President Bush realizes how shameful it is to play politics when what we really need is leadership, and that he will direct his Party to take down this ad immediately."

1. Mr. Inouye deserves all the respect he earned as a WWII veteran and a medal of honor recipient.

2. The President, Mr. Inouye, does not control the Republican National Comittee anymore than you control the Democratic National Committee and their comments and ads.

3. Mr. Inouye, you use the words "shameful" and "disgusting" in regards to the ad, but not against your fellow democrats for saying the things that can only be described as "shameful", "disgusting", "a play on politics", "American people and our troops will pay the price", etc.

4. Mr. Inouye, you say "I know what it’s like to fight a war and put your life on the line every day. I also know what it takes to win a war", but I ask you ... is comments like the following that you are defending your stragedy?

* "the idea that we're going to win the war in Iraq is an idea which is just plain wrong," - Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean

* "And there is no reason, Bob, that young American soldiers need to be going into the homes of the Iraqis in the dead of night, terrorizing kids and children, you know, women, breaking sort of the customs of the - of- the historical customs, religious customs. Whether you like it or not ..." - John Kerry on Face The Nation - (D) Mass

* "The U.S. cannot accomplish anything further in Iraq militarily. It is time to bring them home," - (D) John Murtha

* "So there’s no specific timeframe but I would say the withdrawal ought to start now, right after the elections December 15th." - (D) Barbara Boxer

"Shameful", "Disgusting", ""a play on politics", "American people and our troops will pay the price"!

Update:

Thanks to Sacred Cow Burgers for the photo. See a high rez. copy here.

Democrats Are Anti American

2005-12-06T01:15:00.000-06:00

via Drudge :

Dean: US Won't Win in Iraq

Saying the "idea that we're going to win the war in Iraq is an idea which is just plain wrong," Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean predicted today that the Democratic Party will come together on a proposal to withdraw National Guard and Reserve troops immediately, and all US forces within two years.

But noone is saying we should pull out immediately they said.

"I've seen this before in my life. This is the same situation we had in Vietnam. Everybody then kept saying, 'just another year, just stay the course, we'll have a victory.' Well, we didn't have a victory, and this policy cost the lives of an additional 25,000 troops because we were too stubborn to recognize what was happening."

Still chanting the Viet-Nam mantra the democrats do not wish to acknowledge that pulling out is what caused us to not have victory.

Well Mr. Dean ... you say a complete pull out completed within 2 years? All your buddies the terrorists will do is fall back and regroup and rebuild for the next 2 years then attack.

DUH !

In the meantime, John Kerry on Face The Nation says about the soldiers in Iraq ...

"And there is no reason, Bob, that young American soldiers need to be going into the homes of the Iraqis in the dead of night, terrorizing kids and children, you know, women, breaking sort of the customs of the - of- the historical customs, religious customs. Whether you like it or not ..."

He did go on to say that Iraqis should be doing that, but my point here isn't the who, but the what. "Terrorizing"? So to John Kerry our soldiers and eventually the Iraqi soldiers are the terrorists ?

This is the mindset of the Democrats ...

Illegals and Government Programs

2005-11-29T21:42:00.000-06:00

Once again ILLEGAL ALIENS are in the news as the President speaks out about the proposed ‘guest worker program’.

The argument is the same from all sides. ‘Jobs Americans will not do’ has become a political mantra to appease and stay politically correct. No one dare speak out for fear of being titled a racist.

I will not be politically correct here so beware. What are these jobs ‘Americans will not do’? Low paying ‘menial’ work like dish washing, ‘dirty’ work in sewers, messy concrete work, hot and sweaty roofing and construction. The list is long, but not all low paying.

The problem isn’t that Americans will not do the job; they just will not do that job at the wage offered. Illegal aliens cross the border, gather together and take these jobs, and the combined wages between several workers can sustain household bills. An American household is generally 2 adults and their children thus limiting the total household income capability.

In days prior to illegal immigration these lower paying positions were filled by the children of these households which gave them an income and relieved some of the expenditures required of the parents. This also gave the children an introduction into the workforce and started their people skills training among other social benefits.

Today these children grow up believing they are owed a corporate position making 6 figures as soon as they graduate high school. They are lazy and have fallen into the entitlement mentality that government programs have birthed over the last several decades. Today it is more profitable to stay home and melt into the couch than to take a ‘job Americans will not do’.

This is the result of illegal aliens and government programs corrupting the capitalist system. Without this interference the system on its own would have raised the rate of pay for these positions. Government interference in commerce by artificially raising the minimum wage has resulted in prices increasing across the board while only those making the ‘minimum wage’ see the income increase to compensate for it. At the same time it is documented fact that these ‘minimum wage jobs’ are held mostly by high school and college students, and spouses working for that ‘income for extras’.

In the meantime the average American worker who is trying to support a household has seen his wages systematically decrease in buying power. While those kids not to lazy to work are making higher wages and buying neon and speakers for their cars, the products they produce that the household needs drains heavy on the parents’ wallet. The utilities and household expenditures rise in cost while the power of the dollar against these costs is weakened each time the government institutes another program, or another group of illegal aliens cross the border and take that higher paying job.

Higher paying jobs? Yes. As I mentioned above the jobs are not ALL low paying. Many illegal aliens are making high wages doing concrete, roofing, truck driving, etc.

And don’t feed me this ‘they pay taxes too’ BS. EARNED INCOME CREDIT … another bleeping government program that assures they receive a refund of several thousand dollars … not pay tax.

This is a debate that is long overdue. Doesn’t matter, however, because the government thinks another program is the cure …

They are the problem.

CNN BS

2005-11-23T09:13:00.000-06:00

Please excuse the 'computer glitch'

Congress Does Not Work For You

2005-11-20T08:53:00.000-06:00

Congress Helps Self to $3,100 Pay Raise

The Republican-controlled Congress helped itself to a $3,100 pay raise on Friday, then postponed work on bills to curb spending on social programs and cut taxes in favor of a two-week vacation.

In the meantime ...

The Patriot act is left in limbo and making the tax cuts permanent is left untouched, a spending cut is enacted for once but the Democrats are dissenting (why? It's an entitlement program, and something to use for the '06 election).

$165,200 a year isn't half bad, maybe I should run for office. Thats almost 7 times what I make working long hours, and I don't get all the vacation time they are getting either. Maybe some 'special interest' lobbyist will come offer me a vacation trip or a car or something to vote their way ... then I can use my raise to pay bills ... oh yeah ... the electric company lobbies them also.

The funny thing is there have been only 2 issues that have brought the 2 sides together.

1. 403-3 vote to NOT pull out of Iraq ... this coming after many Democrats have cried out in the media for an immediate withdrawl. Could it be that they hope to gain votes from those listening to their lies in the media, and also votes from those that would rather look at their voting record? I mean God forbid that people today actually listen AND look into what they're being fed by these politicians.

2. Giving themselves a raise, then going on a 2 week vacation.

Both sides of the aisle are there working for themselves and the 'special interest' lobbyists, it just seems that at least SOME of the Republicans are like us and their 'special interest' lobbyist are apparently too.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update:

Taking bribes ?

Need I say more?

And don''t think for a moment that Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham is the only one.

Dems want liberal judge ... or else

2005-11-17T12:00:00.000-06:00

Democrats said yesterday that Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr.'s confirmation is not guaranteed as senators kept the focus on a 20-year-old document in which the Supreme Court nominee asserted that the Constitution "does not protect a right to an abortion."

Judge Alito's job-application essay "may explain why the extreme right wing is popping champagne corks," Mr. Reid said. "We learned of the 1985 memo in which he said, 'I am and always have been a conservative.’”

"He wrote, among other things, that he was particularly proud of his work to advance the position that the Constitution does not protect a right to an abortion," he said. "That statement cannot be dismissed as a personal view that will not affect how Judge Alito will approach the legal issue."

Sen. Olympia J. Snowe, a Maine Republican who is pro-choice, said she remained undecided after meeting with the nominee yesterday.

She said Judge Alito agreed with the theory that even if a case had been wrongly decided, deference should be granted to any case that has become "embedded as part of national culture."

Mrs. Snowe was asked whether she would oppose Judge Alito if she determined that he would overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that established abortion rights.

"Yeah," she responded. "That would be a serious issue for me."

A 20-year-old document showing Judge Alito's view against abortion has brought new arguments against him from the Democrats and the 'moderate' Republicans.

In the argument they stress the importance of protecting abortion, even calling it a 'privacy' issue. I still wonder how killing a baby is considered 'privacy'. If that is the case then isn't a murderer protected under privacy, or is it only if he/she murders his/her own child? Can a child be abused and it be considered 'privacy'? Where is this 'Constitutional privacy' when agencies such as 'child protective services' come knocking on a persons door?

So a child in a struggling household that has a week of one meal a day is protected and there is no 'privacy', but to murder one is ok?

Is this argument sounding crazy? Well so does 'privacy' to protect murdering babies.

The real issue here is not only that abortion exists, but why is it that the Democrats are pulling out all the stops to protect abortion yet claiming to not have a 'litmus test'? It has become apparent that any judicial nominee is approvable to them IF they are liberal, or at least believe in abortion.

Agenda is first in the Democrat book. Abortion, gay 'rights', anti-weapons, ... it would appear they intend to destroy the Constitution from the bench rather than protect it.

Here’s a news flash for all interested on how and what The Supreme Courts duties are. They INTERPRET the Constitution. Bottom line is that they SET precedent, not FOLLOW it, yet in the above article there is a push to preserve the status quo rather than determine if it actually is Constitutional or not.

So here we are with the cries of “He’s to Conservative”. I ask you, is he more conservative than Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is liberal?

A few highlights of concern …

Law Teaching - Columbia Law School Project on International Procedure

Law Practice and Professional Activities - American Civil Liberties Union: Women's Rights Project, Founder and Counsel (1972-80): Council on Foreign Relations (1975-).

Legal Writing - Books authored include: Civil Procedure in Sweden (1965) (with Anders Bruzelius); Text, Cases, and Materials on Sex-Based Discrimination (1974) (with Herma Hill Kay and Kenneth M. Davidson).

What we have here is an ‘Internationalist’. A Supreme Court Justice who is in charge of interpreting the U.S. Constitution and make precedent who thinks we need foreign law to be considered. One who has studied, and wrote about these foreign laws, taught them, and believes in them is sitting on the U.S. Supreme Court deciding the future of America?

Having written/spoken to the American Society for INTERNATIONAL LAW …

(excerpts)

I will address, specifically, the evolving appreciation that U. S. judges are not alone in the endeavor to interpret fundamental human rights norms and apply them to concrete cases. What impact, if any, that reality should have on our decision-making has proved controversial, as this audience well knows.

I will state and endeavor to explain my view, which is simply this: If U. S. experience and decisions can be instructive to systems that have more recently instituted or invigorated judicial review for constitutionality, so we can learn from others now engaged in measuring ordinary laws and executive actions against charters securing basic rights.

National, multinational and international human rights charters and courts today play a prominent part in our world. The U. S. judicial system will be the poorer, I believe, if we do not both share our experience with, and learn from, legal systems with values and a commitment to democracy similar to our own.

Returning to my own perspective, while U. S. jurisprudence has evolved over the course of
two centuries of constitutional adjudication, we are not so wise that we have nothing to learn from other democratic legal systems newer to judicial review for constitutionality.

[i]nternational law is part of our law, and must be ascertained and administered by the courts of justice . . . . [W]here there is no treaty, and no controlling executive or legislative
act or judicial decision, resort must be had to the customs and usages of civilized nations.

These are but a few highlights that should cause concern. It goes on from these, and gets worse as she tries to justify her argument with outright spin to the writers of the Constitution. To claim, for example, that post WWII constitutions of other nations have written in them the use or not of laws of other nations, and compare that the U.S. does not is a travesty of understanding history.

Any person can logically conclude that in a time of no ‘technology’ and a people fleeing oppression of government, there would be no desire to consider said oppressive laws. There would be no recent knowledge of new laws, and no requirement to take such detail in the creation of new government and laws.

Ruth Bader Ginsberg who is without argument a staunch liberal, an ‘internationalist’, served as the chief litigator of the ACLU's women's rights crusade (the A.C.L.U. whom many know was founded by a communist for communist gains), etc.

Compared to Judge Alito whom now is asked to state his views on abortion or else not be comfirmable. Justice Ginsgerg, however, refused to answer questions regarding her personal views on most issues or how she would adjudicate certain hypothetical situations as a Supreme Court Justice. This was acceptable to the Democrats, possibly because they already knew she advocated abortion.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg is and was a known liberal. Futher study into her writings and history will prove nothing but the fact that she is more likely than not more liberal than assumed. This was well known at the time of her confirmation.

At the same time we hear cries of “to conservative” from Democrats about Judge Alito. Is he more conservative than Ginsberg is liberal? NO.

At the same time they are concerned that he may vote against ‘precident’, specifically regarding abortion.

Isn’t it interesting that one of Ruth Bader Ginsbergs claim to fame is …

She argued in front of the Supreme Court numerous times, winning cases that reversed centuries of Court precedent.

Democrats lied and ...

2005-11-16T05:16:00.000-06:00

So the democrats want us out of Iraq? Why?

Do they want terrorists to have their own state to launch attacks against America from?

One may start to think that since leaving Vietnam to ruin got them the majority for a couple decades that they hope that turning Iraq over to terrorists will do the same. (Even though after yesterdays vote in the Senate I question who has control.)

They didn't always think this way ... they just hope noone remembers ...

"Without question, we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime ... He presents a particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently prone to miscalculation ... And now he is miscalculating America's response to his continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction ... So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real..." - Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Jan. 23. 2003 Source

"I will be voting to give the President of the United States the authority to use force -- if necessary -- to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security." - Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Oct. 9, 2002 Source

"One way or the other, we are determined to deny Iraq the capacity to develop weapons of mass destruction and the missiles to deliver them. That is our bottom line." - President Clinton, Feb. 4, 1998 Source

"If Saddam rejects peace and we have to use force, our purpose is clear. We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program." - President Bill Clinton, Feb. 17, 1998 Source

"We must stop Saddam from ever again jeopardizing the stability and security of his neighbors with weapons of mass destruction." - Madeline Albright, Feb 1, 1998 Source

"He will use those weapons of mass destruction again, as he has ten times since 1983." - Sandy Berger, Clinton National Security Adviser, Feb, 18, 1998 Source

"[W]e urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs."Letter to President Clinton. - (D) Senators Carl Levin, Tom Daschle, John Kerry, others, Oct. 9, 1998 Source

"Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process." - Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D, CA), Dec. 16, 1998 Source

"Hussein has ... chosen to spend his money on building weapons of mass destruction and palaces for his cronies." - Madeline Albright, Clinton Secretary of State, Nov. 10, 1999 Source

"We begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has ignored the mandate of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass destruction and th! e means of delivering them." - Sen. Carl Levin (D, MI), Sept. 19, 2002 Source

"We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country." - Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002 Source

"Iraq's search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power." - Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002 Source

"We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction." - Sen. Ted Kennedy (D, MA), Sept. 27, 2002 Source

"The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, and that he has since embarked on a crash course to build up his chemical and biological warfare capabilities. Intelligence reports indicate that he is seeking nuclear weapons..." - Sen. Robert Byrd (D, WV), Oct. 3, 2002 S ource

"There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have nuclear weapons within the next five years ... We also should remember we have always underestimated the progress Saddam has made in development of weapons of mass destruction." - Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D, WV), Oct 10, 2002 Source

"In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members ... It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons." - Sen. Hillary Clinton (D, NY), Oct 10, 2002 Source

"We are in possession of what I think to be compelling evidence that Saddam Hussein has, and has had for a number of years, a developing capacity for the production and storage of weapons of mass destruction." - Sen. Bob Graham (D, FL), Dec. 8, 2002 Source

Jordanians Protest Against Al Qaeda

2005-11-10T17:19:00.000-06:00

AMMAN, Jordan — Hundreds of angry Jordanians rallied Thursday outside one of three U.S.-based hotels attacked by homicide bombers, shouting, "Burn in hell, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi!" after the terrorist's group claimed responsibility for the blasts that killed at least 56 people. At least one American was killed and two were wounded, the U.S. Embassy said.

YES !!!

Go ahead you liberal pukes and claim that THIS is anti-muslim !!!

What in the World?

2005-11-10T06:25:00.000-06:00

So a lot is happening lately as I've been to busy to write. A few recent highlights need to be brought up.

France has been burning for weeks, and it is spreading. Should I mention the way the French media looked down their nose at the U.S. during the looting in New Orleans for 2-3 days? They’re not to vocal about the 2+ weeks of rioting in their own backyard however.

Oil companies may be getting the message as prices slowly trickle down. Congress has the corporate bosses explaining themselves, but you can bet it's all for show. If Congress really cared about us they would temporarily suspend the $.50 average gas tax. They’re only concerned that with higher prices, we the people will buy less gas and their tax revenue will decrease.

We the people pressuring them is what will bring their profit margins to a realistic level. Government controls is not the answer, socialism doesn't work.

A business is there to make a profit. The problem here is that with a product that we have become reliant upon as an average working stiff, we feel like our wallets are being raped when we cannot afford the gas to get to work while the oil companies are reporting record profits. What is the answer then?

Let capitalism work. As I said, oil companies may be getting the message, the we the people complaining message, the “we know you need to make a profit, but quit taking my entire paycheck to make it” message. The one being sent out as larger vehicles are sitting on car lots, and smaller economical ones are more prevalent on the road. The one being sent as more people stay home rather than take that extra trip to town.

Elections came and the results were as expected. Bloomberg retained his Governorship in New York. Two Democratic Governors won in Democrat states.

We here in Texas protected traditional 1 man – 1 woman marriage despite the lies from the gay agenda.

Does ‘truth in advertising’ have jurisdiction in political ads? If not … why doesn’t it? It should be there above all other places.

I say this because of the tactics I witnessed in my own backyard by the gay activists to try and distort the issue and confuse people to vote their side (no), when what the person would have wanted was to vote yes. Ads and recorded message telephone calls would tell people that if they wanted to protect family, their marriage, and etc. they needed to vote no … all the while implying, or outright claiming to be a conservative or religious based group. If asked they would spin it to show where they TECHNICALLY didn’t ‘lie’, just didn’t have ‘full disclosure’.

If lawmakers want election reform, why not make themselves useful by passing ‘full disclosure’ in elections laws?

Still, I await the next spin, their claim that the massively lopsided victory for morality was actually a victory for the gay agenda. What? How?

Well since they clouded the issue and so many are pointing this out then the only reason it was so lopsided is that they confused so many people that they all had it backward and the yes votes thought they were voting for gay ‘rights’.

California proved they are completely insane. Common sense says that a teacher should not have ‘tenure’ after only 2 years, but an initiative to make it at least 5 was defeated. Wonder what’s wrong with schools? How much would YOU care at YOUR job if after 2 years nothing you did could get you fired? ‘Tenure’ should be done away with completely at the public school levels.

San Freaksikco has voted to erase the 2nd amendment. A ban on guns and ammo passed. I feel sorry for the citizens when the next earthquake hits and they have the looting/rioting like we saw in New Orleans. The people will not be able to protect themselves from the thugs … who WILL be armed.

Like I always say … if you outlaw guns, then only the police AND the ‘outlaws’ will have them. Guess what ones will be by your house to visit, and what ones will be to busy to check on you.

Remember all this, San Freaksicko, when you need the National Guard to move in, you also banned the military from recruiting there. Maybe they should stay out from where they're not wanted ... even during earthquakes, floods, looting, riots, etc.

Abortion … can you believe that a simple initiative to make it a law that KIDS could not get an abortion without their parent being at least notified was shot down? A child cannot get their ears pierced, have surgery, or watch an R rated movie without their parents consent, but it’s ok for them to have sex, get pregnant and get an abortion without it?

An abortion can and will ruin a life other than the one it murders. Psychological issues, emotional, and physical issues arise from this evil procedure. Yet the parent responsible won’t even know why their child acts strange lately?

I expect this will take something drastic before the dangers become public knowledge enough to change anti-life peoples minds. (I like the term ‘anti-life’ … since they are opposite of my ‘pro-life’ view, but insist upon calling me things like ‘anti-choice’, and worse).

Will it take a situation where some child in a depression from an abortion kills her parents because they didn’t know what was going on and never got her treatment?

Maybe what it will take is the situation where a child dies in the hospital. The doctors tried everything. Later an autopsy reveals the child had received an abortion, and it was complications from that ‘procedure’ that was the cause of death. Doctors ask the parents why they didn’t tell them? If only they had known … ‘we could have saved her … we didn’t know’ …

The parent can only respond …

“Neither did we …”

Be Careful What You Ask For

2005-11-04T07:28:00.000-06:00

It seems that the Democrats have found a wat to put off Judge Alito's confirmation hearings until January. The question is why, when Justice O'Connor is waiting to retire and move on with her family life, and was hoping to do so before the new session began.

Answer:

1. Democrats don't care about what their current 'moderate' Justice wants.
2. Democrats need time to try and dig up dirt on Alito to trash him in the media first.
3. In a Republican majority Senate Democrats can show they still have control.
4. There are to many Liberal Agenda based cases that they want to be heard with O'Connor (who they count on voting their way) still in place.
5. They need 2 months to cry and whine while saying to themselves - "aaawwwwwww CRAP!"

The Democrats blasted Miers for not having a "paper trail". Democrats want a Liberal activist Justice in place, a.k.a. another Ginsberg. Legislating from the bench is the only power the Liberal agenda has had in recent years. (see gay 'rights', abortion, etc.)

Miers did not fit without an established paper trail to be sure she voted for abortions, for gay 'rights', etc. They demanded a paper trail.

Well they got one, and now they are in a corner. They have before them someone with not only an established paper trail but one that shows he does vote for and against issues, based solely on the case in question compared to the Constitution, and not by a pre determined agenda based ideology.

Alito has voted for gay 'rights', for abortion 'rights', etc., but he has also voted against them. Thats where the problem with the Democrats pops its ugly head.

Democrats do not want a Justice who decides based on the Constitution, they want one who gives Liberals power that they cannot get from the people at the voting booth. Yet they say they want the candidate with the peoples interests in mind. A justice is supposed to have the Constitution in mind, not anyones (Democrat, Republican, Conservative, or Liberal) interest in mind.

Miers wasn't good enough, no 'paper trail'?

Be careful what you ask for ... you just might get it!

*At this time Jonathan is still evaluating Judge Alito for official endorsement. Untill further review I withhold official endorsement and encourage you to evaluate Judge Alito also to assure that any Justice placed adheres strictly to the Constitution and not to any agenda be it Liberal or Conservative.

Judicial Legislation must stop !

Wanda's Health Tips (info. on the heart)

2005-11-02T23:21:00.000-06:00

Many Emotions Can Damage the Heart
Most people know that anger is bad for your heart's health, but loneliness and depression affect your heart, too.
Volatile emotions like anger and hostility are bad for heart health. But studies have shown that some of the quieter emotions can be just as toxic and damaging.
"Study after study has shown that people who feel lonely, depressed, and isolated are many times more likely to get sick and die prematurely - not only of heart disease but from virtually all causes - than those who have a sense of connection, love and community," Dean Ornish, MD, tells WebMD.
Raising Awareness
Ornish, the founder, president, and director of the nonprofit Preventive Medicine Research Institute in Sausalito, Calif., and the author of Love and Survival, points out that today many people don't have an extended family they see regularly, or live in a neighborhood with two or three generations of neighbors. Many don't have a job that promises stability or go to a house of worship every week. "These things affect our survival to a much larger degree than people had once thought," he says.
Unfortunately, says Ornish, "many people think of these as things you do after you've done all the 'important' stuff," such as diet and exercise. What winds up happening is people often regard spending time with family and friends as a luxury. "What these studies show us is that this is the important stuff," Ornish says. "We are touchy, feely creatures, we're creatures of community, and we ignore these things at our own peril."
Raising awareness so that people who are lonely and depressed can face these problems is very important, says Ornish. "It's very hard to get people even to take their medication, if you don't address these issues. That's where awareness is the first step in healing. If a physician can spend more time with their patients talking about these issues, these people can begin to make different choices in their lives."
Depression and the Heart
"The general results of studies are that, for the most part, we believe depression is a risk factor for the development of heart disease," says Matthew Burg, PhD, associate clinical professor of medicine at Yale University School of Medicine and Columbia School of Medicine.
Burg points out that in people who have already suffered a heart attack that requires surgery to unclog blocked arteries, depression is also associated with poor outcomes, such as an earlier death or subsequent heart attack.
Social isolation and low levels of social support are similarly associated with increased risk for heart disease complications, he says.
Most cardiologists agree these results are important, says Burg. But while cardiologists know what to do about cholesterol and blood pressure, they often don't know what to do about depression and stress, or even how to get patients to reveal how they feel. "It's not like going to a patient and saying, 'You have high cholesterol, and here's the pill,'" says Burg.
Talking About Your Emotions
Not surprisingly, people have an easier time discussing their blood sugar and cholesterol than speaking about their psychological state. "People don't like being depressed but, in our society, there is a certain stigma about things like depression," Burg says. "When patients are not as forthcoming about these issues, it makes it that much harder to identify and treat."
"A person who has suffered a heart attack is likely to say things like, 'Of course I'm depressed, I just had a heart attack,'" Burg says. "But very often, when we take a closer look, what we find is the symptoms of depression predate the heart attack.
"The depression after a heart attack, which we would call an adjustment problem or adjustment disorder, actually dissipates within a matter of weeks. If the symptoms persist, we're really talking about a depression independent of the heart disease." These emotions, when prolonged, "are worth paying attention to, because of the potential effect they're having on the cardiovascular system."
It's Tougher on Women
In cases of depression, women outnumber men 2 to 1, says Nieca Goldberg, MD, chief of women's cardiac care, Lenox Hill Hospital, who runs a practice for heart disease in women. Goldberg points out that many women, adopting what's called the "tend and befriend" attitude, internalize their anger and disappointment instead of expressing these emotions, and become nicer and more nurturing. "You can be that quiet person that holds everything in and still have the increase in stress reactions."
Goldberg, who wrote Women Are Not Small Men: Life-saving Strategies for Preventing and Healing Heart Disease in Women, also cites a recent study in The New England Journal of Medicine conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins. The researchers found that sudden emotional stress could result in severe weakness in the heart muscle, making it seem as though the person was having a heart attack. This "broken heart syndrome," says Goldberg, was more common in women.
"I think it's a common thing that women put themselves last on the list and feel very time-pressed to go to exercise or take down time for themselves," says Goldberg, who feels it's especially important to help women identify their support network.
Balancing the Emotions
"Any imbalance in an emotional state - when one emotion dominates or overrides the others - can predispose one to heart disease," says Frank Lipman, MD, an integrative physician, board-certified internist, and licensed acupuncturist. "Learning to deal with emotions is extremely important."
But studying these emotional states is difficult, concedes Lipman, the author of Total Renewal: 7 Key Steps to Resilience, Vitality and Long-Term Health. "It's not something you can measure easily." Nonetheless, emotions can get stuck in the body. When you release these emotional holding patterns physically, he says, you're releasing emotional states, as well.
Lipman has facilitated these releases in patients through acupuncture. He also refers some patients to body workers and healers, who are able to shift energy in the body.
How Doctors Can Help Eradicate Negative Emotions
Asking about the patient's emotional state should clearly be part of the medical history, even though doctor-patient time is often abbreviated, says Goldberg. Helping people make changes in their lives to improve health means recognizing the potential barriers that go beyond the person being able to afford their medicine and going to the gym.
Understanding patients' fears and anxieties is very important, she says. Sometimes, careful observation does the trick, such as noting whether anxiety is provoking patients to sit very forward in a chair or whether they look as though they're not taking care of themselves or putting on weight.
For the very stressed, Goldberg may refer patients to behavioral psychologists to help alter response to certain triggers. She also refers patients for psychological counseling. If medications seem necessary, she might refer a patient to a psychopharmacologist. Sometimes, she prescribes antidepressants.
For clinical psychologist Burg, it's about working with patients in a therapeutic situation to help them work their way through reactions that are prolonged. It's also about helping patients figure out new ways to deal with their life circumstances and put these in a new context. "In difficult circumstances, we don't always see the resources that otherwise might be available to us," he says.
"Depression is treatable, whether through medication, counseling, or both," says Ornish, who says patients appreciate when they sense their doctor cares about them by asking these questions. Ornish alerts patients to actions that are really part of all spiritual traditions - altruism, compassion, meditation. "What these traditions teach us is that these are things in our own self-interest," he says. "When you help someone else - when you forgive them, do service for them, love them - you heal your isolation. So it's really the most selfish thing you can do - to be unselfish that way."
Eradicating negative emotions connected with heart disease is best addressed through a true physician-patient partnership. "It's not enough to provide people with information and expect them to change," says Ornish. "We need to work at a deeper level."

The Fight Is On

2005-10-31T09:52:00.000-06:00

President Bush has answered the fight, or started it. Was this the plan all along?

Nominate Miers as a trojan horse candidate then when she steps down name the promised candidate “in the mold of Justice Thomas and Justice Scalia”?

Now comes Judge Samuel Alito, who meets the Presidents promise to the point that he has been nicknamed “Scalito”.

The Miers nomination fueled much resent from not only the Democrats, who will not be satisfied unless a radical activist far left wing is named (see Ginsberg), but a lot of Republicans joined the desenting voices.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Monday that he is "disappointed" in the pick of Alito in that he is not a "consensus nominee".

A letter from Democrats to President Bush had all but threatened a filibuster, something that was supposed to only happen under "extraordinary circumstances", which is what they called the Miers nomination at the very beginning of said letter. Reid is also on the record having said, "The nomination of Judge Alito requires an especially long hard look by the Senate because of what happened last week to Harriet Miers,"

The Democrats have cast a glove to the Presidents feet.

President Bush was elected under the promise to appoint a Judge in the mold of Thomas and Scalia. Now Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., demands President Bush pick someone in the "mold of Sandra Day O'Connor, who would unify us."

Under what pretense do the Democrats continually claim to represent the “mainstream” when they continue to lose seats due to their radical positioning? Having become the minority, they attempt to usurp the people who oust them from office in each election, using childish tactics like claiming racism, creating un - constitutional filibusters, name calling, etc.

Again the truth is that Democrats are losing power, except in the Supreme Court where their activist left wing Justices have been legislating to the Democrat agendas and special interests. Abortion, property rights/”eminent domain”, and other cases that the judgments handed down have raised the ire of the people.

They fight to keep the only power they retain, the only power the people who are the real “mainstream” cannot vote out of office. The Democrats really want another Ginsberg while calling for an O’Connor who was a “moderate” that more often than not sided with the far left agenda.

Watch the fight and lets see what agendas are pushed. You can bet abortion quickly becomes the main topic much as it has with Chief Justice Roberts, and Harriet Miers.

Was the Miers nomination a fake nominee to fire up the Republican base to fight for someone like Judge Alito? Lord knows that the Roberts nomination and subsequent confirmation showed little fight from the Republicans, and compared to this seat and the upcoming fight the Roberts confirmation was a cakewalk.

I eagerly await not only Judge Alito to show to all of us who he is, but for him to get that chance. Something that Harriet Miers never received before the Democrats began the name-calling, and mud slinging.

The name-calling has already started; Alito is not left enough for the Democrats.
The challenge issued, the glove has been tossed at the Republicans feet, let the duel begin.

UPDATE:

Allied forces with coverage:

The Jawa Report - Blogs For Bush - Michelle Malkin - In The Bullpen - Macs Mind - Captains Quarters - Interested Participant - Conservative Outpost

Rove Not Indicted

2005-10-28T09:21:00.000-05:00

It is appearing now that Karl Rove will not be indicted, which is sure to drive the looney left crazy. This does not mean that 'investigations' are concluded.

In the meantime, it is suspected that I. Lewis "scooter" Libby will indeed be indicted for making false statements to the investigator.

What would be ironic, and I wonder, if his false statement was that he did not share 'classified' information with the investigator.

On the bright side, Martha Stewart was convicted of the same offense and in the long run she got a vacation and her own TV show.

I'm still waiting for the indictment of Joe Wilson for the actual outing of Plame and who she is. Maybe for lying to the Senate?

Of course Wilson already rode his fame wave WITH Plame, posing together in Vanity Fair, etc.

My new goal in life...

2005-10-26T15:06:00.000-05:00

My new goal in life...
I've been a little deep in thought today...so I've came to realize fault in myself. You see...sometimes as people (being the humans we are) we can start to look at the people in our lives who are close to us...and think...Why are they acting that way? Why can't they be this way or do this instead of that? Well...I realize until you walk in a persons shoes you can't really understand the reasons things seem to always be this instead of that. Even though you think ...well if they really loved me it wouldn't be like this or that. We are all individual and we go through different things in life as individuals. Sometimes life molds us in different ways because of the things we learn from the good as well as the bad stuff that we go through or see in life. Therefore...we don't think or feel alike...so we react different ways to different things.
Consequently...I realize that I am not here to judge...so I should not even try to do that. Yes...I can have morals and I can know right from wrong in my own eyes...but the truth is...I should never feel it's my place to try and fix or improve anyone other than myself. Doing this...one can only hope that maybe somehow this can make my life as an example of what I feel is right or wrong for me. There is only one (God) that we all have to really stand before and wonder if we did things right in life or was it all in vain. Therefore...until we learn to fix ourselves...we have no right to try and remove the mote from anyone else's eyes.
I can only try to be a better person and learn from my own mistakes and hope that in all this I can finally fix myself. I can set myself as an example before all the people I love or care about and only hope it can encourage them to be the best they can be and never take things for granted. Life is short and sweet...so I don't want to waste it on being bitter because I don't feel it always goes my way. I need to see life as the gift that it is and fulfill my own purpose. So...in loving myself...I can finally love others for who they are and not who I think they should be.
My new goal in life is to fix MYSELF.
~Wanda

2000

2005-10-26T04:30:00.000-05:00

Try a Google search on "grim milestones". (hat tip to : 4 Right Wing Wackos)

Isn't it amazing how the MSM all regurgitate the same phrase of doom all over the place? Ok, so it isn't a surprise.

What is a surprise, however, is that you find so much hope in the press for America to fail. I could sense the salivating of the MSM since yesterday morning when it was already breaking news that it COULD happen today.They couldn't wait to see another American die.

This is sickening, un-American, and reeks of socialist infiltration of our media resources.

As for this outlet ...

We mourn the loss of every soldier, civilian, American. We salute their sacrifice. We honor their memory.

The muslim “Messiah” – Osama?

2005-10-23T13:09:00.000-05:00

Today we face open borders with no elected official seeming to care that we are at war with those that seek our death and destruction. We look at it as a war against terrorism, against those that are a minority few that work by extreme measures to assert their view and be heard.

The truth is that to the terrorists we are the enemy of their god. We are the soldiers of the beast and to them they are in a “holy war” that they must win.

The terrorists are under the belief that their “messiah” has come. All the signs point to it, or so they believe.

Paul L. Williams, author of "The Al Qaeda Connection" and a former FBI consultant …

"This year, Muslims will experience solar and lunar eclipses during the holy month. These great heavenly signs, according to Islamic visionary Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Sahib, foretell the coming of the "Mahdi," the mighty warrior of the Apocalypse, who will defeat the army of Yajuj wa-Majuj ("the infidel unbelievers"), led by the Dabbah or "the Beast." He will lead the Muslims to great victory and bring forth the Day of Islam, when all of creation falls before the throne of Allah."

Millions of Muslims worldwide already regard bin Laden as the "Mahdi," say Williams and other analysts of Islam.

"Islamic tradition says that the Mahdi will be a descendant of Muhammad through his daughter Fatima," writes Williams. "He will have a distinctive forehead, a prominent nose, and a black mole on his face. He will arise from Arabia and will be called from a cave by Allah to serve as the savior of all true believers."

Williams points out bin Laden's followers see significance in his high forehead, the prominent nose, the black mole, his origins in Arabia and his calling from a cave in Afghanistan.

"Bin Laden speaks of the president of the United States as Dabbah, the beast he must slay, and of the American people as the Yajuj wa-Majuj, the nation of Gog that he must destroy," reports Williams. "In his edicts and official correspondence, he no longer signs his name as Osama bin Laden but as Osama bin Muhammad bin Laden."

Is bin Laden the "Mahdi"? Many Muslims think so. And these are prophetically significant times for those who believe. A solar eclipse occurred Oct. 3 and a lunar eclipse followed Oct. 17. This is a unique phenomenon that only occurred once before -- during the Ramadan of 1894. At that time, Muslim scholars said that the next occurrence of twin eclipses will signal the appearance of "the divinely guided one" and the end of human history.

"One Muslim, who views bin Laden as the Mahdi, is Sheikh Nasir bin Hamid al Fahd," explains Williams. "Al Fahd recently issued a religious ruling or fatwa on behalf of the clerics of Saudi Arabia that granted bin Laden and other terrorists the permission to use nuclear weapons against the United States."

In the interim we have illegal immigration across our southern borders everyday, many classified as OTM (other than Mexican). Included with these peoples, that our government doesn’t seem concerned with, are those that are here to destroy us in their “holy war”.

“Political correctness”, under the guise of “tolerance” will be our downfall. Name someone as “illegal” and you will be called a “racist”. Demand action to secure the borders and you are called a “bigot”. Try to stand with decency and morals and you are labeled a “religious zealot”.

Do not try to save the lives of babies; you are a religious freak taking away the rights of a “mother”. Dare not to place a cross up at Easter, as you would be shoving your “religion” down someone’s throat. Do not celebrate Christmas as the birth of Jesus, or Hanukkah as commemorating the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem, no menorahs allowed either. We must not “offend”.

However, by all means, celebrate Ramadan and design memorials to those murdered by muslim extremist terrorists in the shape of a crescent (the muslim holy symbol) for flight 93 even calling it “The Crescent of Embrace”. (Embrace: to hug, hold, or cuddle.) Make the 9-11 memorial a place to state the evils of the world, or at least that America is evil.

Do not have the Ten Commandments posted anywhere, but please feel free to hold the Koran in the highest esteem. Burn a Bible, but don’t you dare allow a drop of water to touch the Koran.

The goal of the enemy is to convert, or conquer and destroy. Seems to me that they are succeeding at many levels. They are having our religious beliefs, (be it Christian, Jewish, Hindu, or others), trampled on and made illegal while theirs is posted in the public square, and broadcast onto public streets. (See the call to prayer heard city wide now in Hamtramck, Michigan.)

Well I am “offended”. Where is the ACLU (All Communist Lawyers United) to defend ME? Why haven’t they demanded these things removed?

Could be that they are what their history shows them to be, communist insurgents taking down America from the inside as per the communist goals.

Now we have islamo-fascists joining the fray, and Americans bowing to their demands in the name of “tolerance” and “political correctness”.

The terrorists believe that osama is their “messiah”? I believe that he is the servant of the beast. It is said, “in the end times one will come in my name claiming I am he”. Proper translation from the Greek says, “He will come claiming my authority.” The religion of islam is the anti-christ from all angles. I keep promising one day to write my theory of this. It comes to convert or destroy. It is said that the beast will make you denounce Christ and take his mark or you will be put to death. Sounds familiar to me.

The bottom line is that while the terrorists fight with religious intent on “saving” the world, we (who should be doing the same) bend over backwards to not “offend” them. All the while they offend our way of life, our beliefs, our morals. Who will save the world from them?

Does one need to be having their head sawed off with a dull knife to realize this?

Hat tips to: Stoptheaclu, The Jawa Report, Zombietime, Michelle Malkin,

Black Racists

2005-10-22T14:10:00.000-05:00

Dr. Kamau Kambon, a former visiting assistant professor of African Studies at NC State University and owner of BlackNificent Books and More in Raleigh, believes white people ...

"have retina scans, they have what they call racial profiling, DNA banks and they're monitoring our people to try to prevent the one person from coming up with the one idea. And the one idea is, how we are going to exterminate white people because that, in my estimation, is the only conclusion I have come to. We have to exterminate white people off the face of the planet to solve this problem."

"White people want to kill us... they want to kill you because that is part of their plan."

EXCUSE ME?!?!?!?!

Wonder what the backlash would be if a white person said anything similar about blacks, hispanics, terrorists, etc.

None here, however, because it is ok to be black and a bleeping RACIST!!!!!!!

Was there ever a backlash for Kanye West's ...

"George Bush hates black people" ?

Didn't think so ...

Up Yours Taliban!

2005-10-22T13:30:00.000-05:00

So people are pissed off that soldiers burned the bodies of 2 swollen, stinking, rotten taliban bodies that were left in the desert by their comrades?

These are 2 terrorists that were there to kill Americans. They were killed instead, before they could run and hide like the cowards they are.

Was it right for psy-ops to take advantage of the situation and use it to their advantage? Probably not, but to tell the truth I really don't care.

The only people making a big fuss out of this is the America hating liberals, and media. Looking into the facts it seems that even the Austrailian journalist is siding with the soldiers stating ...

Stephen Dupont, the photojournalist who shot images of the incident, says he believes the Americans were following orders to burn the bodies for hygiene reasons.

In the meantime, isn't it interesting that everyone is upset that this action was a "desecration of Muslim beliefs". Then explain this ...

Maybe this ...

But then again, these are American civilians instead of taliban terrorists so I guess that doesn't count to their religion.

Hypocrites!

Iraqi Police On The Job - Nab Terrorist Financier

2005-10-20T05:15:00.000-05:00

As Sadam fought the courts and their officers his nephew, Yasir Sabhawi Ibrahim, was being arrested in Baghdad.

Forced to return from Syria by government officials, they then informed U.S. officials of his whereabouts. This information was then passed on to Iraq security forces who conducted the raid and Yasir Sabhawi Ibrahim was taken into custody.

Long suspected of financing the terrorist activities in Iraq his arrest deals a serious blow to the terrorist network.

Monday Ketchup

2005-10-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

Oil is down, prices at the pump are down ... The percentages do not match however. Am researching for an article to show how there is a conspiracy to make you believe we are running out of oil, etc. to make it seem ok to have high prices. (To late ... stocks are already "rising on concern"). When will someone take the price control out of the hands of bleeping wall street SPECULATORS?

Plame is big news again. Thinking back it seems that Joe Wilson was the first to name his wife. He then used his trip to Niger returning with lies (proven so) while working for John Kerry. Will he be indicted?

Miers is still being debated. I am still waiting to hear what SHE has to say.

Wilma is forming near Cuba. Looks like you better fill your tanks before the oil companies use it as another excuse to raise the prices again.

Civilians killed by U.S. bombing in Iraq. 70 estimated militants (TERRORISTS) were bombed, but residents claim at least 39 were civilians. One question ... if they were civilians ... why were they so close to terrorists? Todays technology allows precision bombing. To be hit you need be very near the target ... very near.

Looks like the Iraqi Constitution will pass even though the terrorists don't like it. Haven't seen the media coverage I expected on this, but I'm sure the MSM was hoping for more bombings to cover instead. The lack of incidents proves the 'system' is working there, and the terrorists are running out of resources. A.K.A. - WE ARE WINNING !

Speaking of MSM wanting to cover the worst ... did you see where NBC faked a flood story? Sitting in a canoe paddling in ankle deep water ... cold busted on live TV when 2 men wade past her (intentionally?) ... then lame attempts to joke it away then explain it. They think people are stupid.

PETA 'employees' do not treat animals ethically. 25 felony counts in North Carolina by the group that, on their web site, whines about the judicial system when their investigation led to felony charges against a pig farmer. I'm betting that they'll whine again if these 2 employees are convicted. This group started out doing good. Then the vegitarians and leftists took over. Their "motto"? "Animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or use for entertainment."

Psychology Today: Health Tips

2005-10-14T13:10:00.000-05:00

A little something from Wanda...

Think Positive

Summary: How positive thinking affects your health.

Many recent studies have shown that a person’s emotional state may affect his or her physical health. Depression can worsen heart disease, and stress may contribute to the catching of colds.
Now scientists at the University of Wisconsin have shown that people with high activity in a particular brain area may muster weak immune responses in the face of negative emotions.
Melissa Rosenkranz and colleagues monitored the brain activity of 52 men and women and asked them to write about emotionally negative moments in their lives. Researchers then injected each subject with a flu shot and tracked the level of antibodies in their blood to discover how well their bodies were fighting the virus in the vaccine. They found that subjects with high electrical activity in the right prefrontal cortex during the emotional writing task produced lower levels of antibodies, indicative of impaired immunity.
Rosenkranz says the study is the first step toward discovering a neural mechanism explaining the mind’s effect on the body. The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Freeloaders at Mudville Gazette - I'm guilty

2005-10-12T19:45:00.000-05:00

Mudville Gazette is a great blog that offers open posts to link articles to.

Problem is ... several people post links there, but don't recipricate the link back on their article.

Freeloaders ... and they will be deleting non-recipricating links from now on as well they should.

This comes from someone that is guilty of doing so. I have linked there a few times. Being one of my favorite blogs to read I keep them on my blogroll over there ------->

I have linked there and intended to edit my article to include a link, but became sidetracked and never got it done ... GUILTY!

I propose that we all here in blogland do what I intend to do from now on ...

edit your post/article to include the link, then send the trackback after.

To those over at Mudville Gazette and anywhere else I am guilty of 'freeloading' from ... I apologize ... I promise it wasn't intentional

P.S. They call it a "red card offense" but thats soccer ... I'll stick to my Hockey!

I get 5 in the box, an additional 2 for instigating, and a 10 minute misconduct. (not a game misconduct though ... Greyhawk ... the ref over there ... had mercy)

= )

Police Brutality - Victim Has Class

2005-10-12T07:40:00.000-05:00

Robert Davis, a 64 year old retired teacher, says he hasn't had a drink in 25 years due to an incident from early in his life he asks to keep private but if needed would discuss. Taking a ritual 'evening constitutional' and seeking a pack of cigarettes Mr. Davis became concerned about the curfew. “I didn’t want to violate the curfew so I was asking various people and was getting different answers.”

Mr. Davis approached a mounted officer to inquire, an officer that “who happened to be black by the way”, as Mr. Davis stated.

Mr. Davis is a black man also, a black man in a city trying to rebuild from a disaster. A city where not but a few weeks ago was full of looting by citizen criminals as well as a few rouge police officers. A place where race tensions are high with conspiracy theory rumors spreading, and fears of police targeting blacks with their ‘license to shoot’.

I would have been apprehensive and sought out a black officer myself.

Apparently while conversing with the officer, another officer “intervened”. “I told him I was not having conversation with you but the other, with the black officer”. “I thought it was unprofessional and rude, and I told him so. At that time I proceeded to cross the street at which time I was attacked, punched from behind, my back was turned, and I was thrown against the wall”.

I have watched several versions of the video, and what I have seen backs up Mr. Davis’s version. It also shows the officer verbally and physically abusing an Associated Press cameraman and producer in addition to Mr. Davis.

Mr. Davis has been charged with battery of a police officer, resisting arrest, and public intoxication, charges that Mr. Davis and long time friend Joseph Bruno, his lawyer, say are groundless.

Mr. Davis said he did not believe race was a factor; the three city police officers on the tape are white. In fact he blames the black officer his initial contact was with.

“I blame the black officer for not intervening”. “I think he sanctioned it by his behavior. I think he should be fired … suspended along with the rest of them.”

He and his attorney want to make it clear, however, that they do not blame the police as an organization. Attorney Joseph Bruno states this is “no indictment of the police department as a whole. These men are heroes. They’ve been in horrible circumstances for the last several weeks. These are a few guys who crossed the line.”

Some have questioned if this is turning into a money grab for Mr. Davis who claims that charge is “fictitious”. He asks only for the charges to be dropped, and compensation for expenses this incident has created. Mr. Bruno states clearly that “this is not a cash cow.” He explains Louisiana state law, “This is a civil state” where “limited compensation” is available. There is “no punitive damages in Louisiana.” He just wants to be returned to the state that he was before the incident.

Mr. Davis has presented himself to be an honorable man, not racist, not greedy. He has inserted statements that prove his honorability.

In an age where most people would have played the race card while trying to become the newest billionaire in the court room, Mr. Davis shows there are still people in this world that have class.

Mr. Davis, I thank you.

What the MSM Do Not (Usually) Tell You About Iraq

2005-10-11T03:37:00.000-05:00

And yet the shock continues. In a story by NewsWEAK regarding the Kurds in Iraq, we learn, contrary to what the MSM usually wants us to believe, that their is some good things going on in Iraq.

Where the American soldier can find a bit of paradise, a smiling child, and an adult that calls them "friend", Kurdistan is a haven ... a prospering haven.

The Kurds love America, love Americans, love our soldiers. The Kurds want us there ... even demanding it.

"I do not ask that Americans build bases in Kurdistan—I demand it," says Abdel Beg Perwani, a Kurdish member of Iraq's Parliament and deputy head of the defense committee.

Voter turnout is high, business is good, 'homocide' bombers are non-existant.

Kurdish troops called "peshmerga" are responsible for policing the area, and they do it well.

Good news from Iraq is much like the enemy ... out there in many places, but hard to find. This is not because it doesn't exist, it's because someone doesn't want it found.

The rest of the MSM could learn something from Newsweek ... at least 'thisweek'.

The Rich Get Richer

2005-10-11T02:52:00.000-05:00

NewsWEAK puts out an article that makes sense. I'm still in shock ... both from that and the facts divulged.

It seems that Northwest Airlines chairman Gary Wilson legally had access to United's pension-fund numbers. This is information that an investor might find useful, especially when a company is filing bankrupcy.

Wilson is a frequent seller, unloading more than 85 percent of his Northwest stock this year as the airline spiraled toward bankruptcy.

No doubt that he has earned a nice salary over the years. It's hard to say since even Forbes has his compensation listed at "n/a".

The Wall Street Journal reported June 13 that, according to Securities and Exchange Commission filings, Wilson cut his stake to 1.75 million shares from 4.34 million between March 31 and the first week in June.

Bloomberg shows it being slightly different numbers, but the same results ...

Last month, Gary Wilson, Northwest's chairman, disclosed in SEC filings that he had sold 2.47 million shares, or 59 percent of his stake. In his latest filing, dated July 14, Wilson reported selling another 50,000 shares, leaving him with a little more than 1 million shares.

All in total we are looking at about 21.5 million dollars.

Al Checchi, a former co-chairman who worked with Wilson to acquire Northwest in 1989, sold $26.4 million worth of Northwest stock between January and June, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

All this is in disregard to the negative effect created in the stock value thus expediting the need for the company to file bankrupcy.

At the same time the corporate powers are cleaning up in the market and destroying their own company with information only they have, they are gaining from their employees making sacrifices. Massive job loss, and pay cuts across the board.

NewsWEAK also points out the other side of the story in relation to the widow of a pilot who was lost in the 9-11 attacks. Yet another victim of this legal 'insider trading' who is stuck with nothing ... twice.

This widow loses, the non-corporate employees lose jobs, others lose some pay ...

and mr. wilson takes an additional 21.5 million to the bank ... because of what he knew.

The rich get richer ... on the working stiffs backs.

Building New Refineries - A New Law

2005-10-09T08:20:00.000-05:00

The new energy bill - H.R.3893 was passed narrowly by a 212 - 210 margin with no Democrats voting yes in the final count. A 5-minute scheduled vote turned into a 40-minute scramble by Republicans to garner the required votes among Democrat complaints. During that time the Republicans managed to change fellow Republican “no” votes to “yes”, but the few Democratic “yes” votes converted to “no” during the process. 13 Republicans joined the Democrats and voted against the bill.

Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, said the bill streamlines the maze of permitting requirements for expanding or building refineries and directs the president to single out federal land where a refinery may be built. The changes could lead to construction of a new U.S. refinery within a year, he predicted.

The bottom line is this bill reduces E.P.A. regulations that have kept oil companies from desiring to build new refineries since the 1970’s. It encourages them to revitalize existing refineries that are no longer in operation.

This bill reduces the number to six of "boutique" fuels, or special mixes, formerly required. This is apparently, contrary to news releases, a portion that would be temporary and enacted by the President at his discression after “natural disasters” that disrupt the nations fuel supply.

* This bill allows the President to name closed military bases for land use to build refineries.

* This bill instructs the Federal Trade Commission to investigate oil companies for “price gouging” in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

* This bill streamlines the beaurocracy involved in obtaining federal approval to build a refinery. (A couple refinery projects have been on hold for decades due to this issue.)

The Democrats, and fellow opponents, argue against this bill that the legislation fails to address the rising cost of natural gas, or deal with high prices at the pump. Instead it will allow the oil industry to avoid environmental regulations and force states and local communities to accept refineries they don't want.

Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y, who voted “no”, says in opposition "The bill weakens state and federal environmental standards ... and gives a break to wealthy oil companies while doing little or nothing to affect oil prices. With prices soaring, oil companies now have all the profits and incentives they need to build new refineries without government help.”

This bill, as far as I can tell, also begins federal government involvement in the oil business.

* Sets guidelines for federal-state regulatory coordination, including financial, technical and legal assistance, to facilitate refinery siting, construction, expansion, or operation.

* Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts with non-federal entities that the Secretary determines to be the first non-federal entities to enter into firm contracts after enactment of this Act to construct new refineries in the United States or refurbish and return to commercial operation existing but nonoperating refineries.

* Establishes in the Treasury the Standby Refinery Support Account to implement refinery revitalization.

* Provides for discounted sales of royalty-in-kind oil to qualified small refineries.

* Requires Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authorization to site, construct, expand, or operate a crude oil or refined petroleum product pipeline facility in interstate commerce.

* Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to drawdown and sell petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to fill it to its maximum authorized level.

* Establishes the SPR Expansion Fund in the Treasury to accomplish such purpose.

This leaves the question … are the oil companies that have made record profits over the last several years, (doubled over the last 2), getting our tax dollars to …

* Build these refineries? (Or to refurbish closed refineries?)
* Update and expand existing refineries?
* Are they receiving the land at no cost?
* Reduce their cost of crude oil?

Or are we seeing the beginnings of a new oil company? The U.S. Government Oil Company (USOC) with a “stop-and-rob” station coming to your town soon? The logo can be an Eagle sitting on an oil derrick that is spewing out money.

Maybe we will see in the long run it is just small federal grants, and loans to expedite the construction of these needed refineries. Maybe it is intra-bureau funds to pay government employees, and finance improvements to the offices. Nevertheless, it doesn’t seem like it.

Maybe this will be a topic debated while in the Senate. Maybe I will contact my Senator and ask them if this is what is happening. Maybe you should too.

Asian Quake - 1,000 feared dead (x30)

2005-10-08T06:26:00.000-05:00

A large earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale caused damage, injuries and the deaths of at least 160 in Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. This number may increase, however, as the Pakistani army's chief spokesman has said "1,000 people were feared dead."

Damage was also extensive in Kashmir where an additional 157 people are confirmed dead.

Communications are under stress as many phone lines are down thus mobile and satellite exchanges are being greatly congested.

To understand the effects of this quake, lets compare ...

An average tornado has the equivilent energy seismicly of 5,100 tons of TNT (4.5 Richter scale).
The largest thermo-neuclear weapon has the equivilent of 32 million tons (7.0 Richter scale).
A magnitude 7.5 has the equivilent energy seismicly as 160 million tons.

Meanwhile around the world a 5.5 magnitude undersea earthquake rocked El Salvador and Guatemala.

Updates:

More coverage on the earthquake available at Jawa Report, cross posted at Interested- Participant.

=============================================
Sunday Oct 9, 2005 - 6:50 a.m. cen.

Reports are now confirming much higher death tolls than expected. 19,000 is the number this morning, and that may climb further.

President Gen. Pervez Musharraf appealed to the international community to help with relief efforts. He appealed for medicine, tents, cargo helicopters and financial assistance. The United States, the United Nations, Britain, Russia, China, Turkey, Japan, German and India all offered assistance.

"We do seek international assistance. We have enough manpower but we need financial support ... to cope with the tragedy," Musharraf said. He said supplies were needed "to reach out to the people in far-flung and cut-off areas."

This is expected. A nation should have their own manpower to handle emergencies, thats called sovereignty. But please understand, Mr. Musharraf, that noone trusts anybody that just wants money. Many will offer the actual supplies you request instead.

One item of good news mixed in ...

India, a longtime rival of Pakistan, offered help and condolences in a gesture of cooperation. The nuclear rivals have been pursuing peace after fighting three wars since independence from British rule in 1947, two of them over Kashmir.

President Bush has already offered our condolences, and Secretary Rice has announced our availability for assistance.

We know ourselves, and as with the tsunami, hurricanes, and other disasters privately we are already sending money and supplies.

Sadly, however, we all know this will change nothing in the world view of the U.S.

We don't care. We offer help out of compassion and care, not to change the worlds thinking.

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

Update Oct 9, 2005 - 12:00 p.m. cen.

The death toll is now over 30,000. It is sure to keep growing.

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

Update Oct 11, 2005 7:30 a.m. cen.

Pakistan recieved many severe aftershocks with several exceding 5.0 shortly after the initial quake.

Now the region is being pelted by heavy rain and hail storms, severly hampering rescue and relief efforts. The death toll at this point is 21,000 in Pakistan and slightly over 1,200 in India.

Pakistan on Monday accepted offers of relief from India, with which it has disputed ownership of Kashmir, but said no Indian troops would be allowed on its territory.

In a touching story, a child who was found in the rubble after several days trapped with no food or water was joined by his mother who also was found shortly after.

Continue to pray for these people, and search your heart for what assistance you may be able to give.

Call it by it's name

2005-10-07T07:05:00.000-05:00

Thank you Mr. President for finally calling terrism out for what it is !

Some call this evil Islamic radicalism; others, militant Jihadism; still others, Islamo-fascism. Whatever it's called, this ideology is very different from the religion of Islam. This form of radicalism exploits Islam to serve a violent, political vision: the establishment, by terrorism and subversion and insurgency, of a totalitarian empire that denies all political and religious freedom. These extremists distort the idea of jihad into a call for terrorist murder against Christians and Jews and Hindus — and also against Muslims from other traditions, who they regard as heretics.

And the logic I have been trying to point out for years ...

The murderous ideology of the Islamic radicals is the great challenge of our new century. Yet, in many ways, this fight resembles the struggle against communism in the last century. Like the ideology of communism, Islamic radicalism is elitist, led by a self-appointed vanguard that presumes to speak for the Muslim masses. Bin Laden says his own role is to tell Muslims, quote, "What is good for them and what is not." And what this man who grew up in wealth and privilege considers good for poor Muslims is that they become killers and suicide bombers. He assures them that his — that this is the road to paradise — though he never offers to go along for the ride.

I'm waiting for bin laden, and the other terrorist 'leaders' to strap a bomb on themselves so that THEY can go to paradise and get THEIR virgins ... I guess it's a case of 'do as I say ... not as I do".

Round the World in a Minute

2005-10-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

Crude oil has dipped again ... can't wait for the price at the pump to dip at the same percentage that crude has. It's still at the same price it mysteriously rose back up to a few weeks ago, but you know they'll squeeze it until just before the Feds move in on price gouging ... which I doubt will occur, but needs to.

A global energy price downdraft finally snagged natural gas Thursday, plunging it 5.7 percent to $13.375 per million Btu.

That's the lowest level for the commodity on the New York Mercantile Exchange since Sept. 27.

Gasoline fell hard, too, dropping 3.8 percent to $1.835 per gallon. Heating oil was down 3.2 percent to $1.95 per gallon, and high-quality crude oil dropped 2.3 percent to $61.36 per barrel.

Industry experts were divided about the significance of recent price declines. Some see it as the result of high prices pinching demand and a huge influx of imported petroleum products, particularly gasoline.

Haven't seen a dip at the pump though ... as an average, but seeing one place offering $2.62 ... most still at $2.99 ... and one at $3.19 proves there is no 'norm' ... which is evidence to me that they are just grasping for every penny they can rip us off for.

President Bush told us that the U.S. has stopped at least 3 terrorist attack attempts on U.S. soil.

Three targets cited were in the United States, including plans to use hijacked airplanes to attack the West Coast in mid-2002 and the East Coast in mid-2003.

The third was the case of Jose Padilla, a former Chicago gang member who converted to Islam and allegedly plotted with top al-Qaida commanders to detonate a radioactive "dirty bomb" in a U.S. city.

I am becoming convinced that the OU game suicide bomber wasn't just a mixed up teen, but a 4th attempt that was diverted due to tightened security at the game. Thanks to such efforts he remained a 'suicide bomber' and not a 'Homocide bomber'. Much evidence leading this thought process is available.

Makes one wonder how many other attempts are not being mentioned, and why a government spokesman, and espicially the MSM is so quick to state "terrorism is not involved" over things like a refinery explosion in Houston, etc.

An explosion in March at BP's Texas City refinery killed 15 and injured 170 people. And BP's refinery exploded a second time in July, but resulted in no injuries.

Karl Rove will testify ... again. I guess they'll keep pushing for something that isn't there untill they get angry ... like the politically motivated Ronnie Earle who is becoming a bigger joke with each story.

times up!

Nagin lays off "non-essential city employees"

2005-10-06T01:19:00.000-05:00

NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 4 - The mayor of this battered city said Tuesday that about half of its 6,000 public employees would be laid off because there was not enough money to meet the payroll.

The layoffs - emergency leave without pay - will begin Oct. 8 and leave about 3,000 nonessential workers unemployed when completed in about two weeks. Final paychecks will be issued this month.

I just wonder why he didn't include himself in that list of "non-essential city employees".

I also wonder how many on that list are or ever were actual persons ... *cough* non-existant police officers *cough*

Ms. Blanco said yesterday that she wanted Congress or President Bush to change the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act regulations to allow funds to pay regular salaries and not just emergency-related overtime of public employees.

No way ms. blankchecko ... I for one don't want my tax dollars going to your corrupt state and city to pay salaries for persons that don't even exist. Of course you've already done that with all that federal money New Orleans recieved over the years for having a police force of a certain size ... but we learned otherwise recently ... now you have your hand out for more ?

How about you and your fellow corrupt (D)umbassrats just take it out of your pockets where you've been shoving it by frauding your citizens, and the federal government for years?

Spy In The White House

2005-10-06T01:10:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON Oct 6, 2005 — The FBI is investigating whether a former Marine took classified information from the White House when he worked in the vice president's office and passed it to Filipino officials, U.S. government officials said Wednesday.

Leandro Aragoncillo, 46, a 21-year Marine veteran who became an FBI intelligence analyst last year, already has been charged in New Jersey with passing classified information about Filipino leaders to current and former officials of that nation.

And ...

"I don't know of a case where the vetting broke down before and resulted in a spy being in the White House," said Richard Clarke, a former White House advisor who is now an ABC News consultant.

Federal investigators say Aragoncillo, a naturalized citizen from the Philippines, used his top secret clearance to steal classified intelligence documents from White House computers.

In 2000, Aragoncillo worked on the staff of then-Vice President Al Gore. When interviewed by Philippine television, he remarked how valued Philippine employees were at the White House.

"I think what they like most is our integrity and loyalty," Aragoncillo said.

Well ... I guess you were still being loyal to Al Gore ?

Update:

Michelle has the goods that this guy wasn't acting alone. Seems another Filipino arrested with Aragoncillo last month ... Michael Ray Aquino.

The U.S. may also be seeking extradition of 3 politicians from the Phillipines in connection to the case.

TXU Electric Joins In With Gas Pirates

2005-10-06T00:43:00.000-05:00

So now comes the Texas Utility ... TXU Electric ... submitting a request to raise rates by 24%.

Between the $240 extra per month I'm spending on gas, and now what will be about $75 - $100 more per month on electricity I'm running out of paycheck pretty fast.

Did I mention Atmos Energy (gas company) has said that Texas residents should expect their gas bills to be about 90% higher this winter ?

Guess I'm just working to keep the oil companies and now the utility companies at their record profits. They won't make much when noone can afford their products and services however ... and at these rates ... it won't be long.

(D)umbassrat Hypocricy

2005-10-04T07:30:00.000-05:00

"Rangel is losing it.", but you can bet that comment by V.P. Cheney will backlash, even though it was in response to months of attacking comments by (D) Rangel like "I would like to believe he's sick rather than just mean and evil", and "The further Bush is away from Washington, the better it is. And sometimes I don't think even Cheney is awake enough to know what's going on."

(D) Ronnie Earle is still ignoring his own parties illegal activities while attempting to drop a totally bogus indictment against (R) Tom Delay. Of course this is only because he wants a new indictment to replace the one that has already been widely discredited. This new indictment will go nowhere either.

Harriet Miers a Conservative ?

2005-10-03T12:15:00.000-05:00

The "good" news -

"It is the responsibility of every generation to be true to the founders' vision of the proper role of the courts in our society," Miers said. "If confirmed, I recognize that I will have a tremendous responsibility to keep our judicial system strong and to help ensure that the courts meet their obligations to strictly apply the laws and the Constitution."

Supporters call Miers a great lawyer who understands the limited role they think judges should play in society and the importance of strictly adhering to the Constitution.

"In nominating Ms. Miers, the president has reaffirmed his commitment to appointing judges who will respect the rule of law and not legislate from the bench," said Noel Francisco, former assistant White House counsel and deputy assistant attorney general during the Bush administration.

The bad news -

*Harriet Miers gave cash contribution to the Democratic National Committee in 1988 for Gores Presidential bid.
*Miers contributed $1,000 to the Democratic National Committee Services Corp. in 1988.
*She was a 'Conservative' Democrat who later became a Republican. Miers was Democrat througout the 1980s - during the Reagan years when Reagan won 49 of 50 states.
*Gave $1,000 to another prominent Democrat - Lloyd Bentsen, Texas senator in 1988.
*Is the pick of (D) Harry Reid - Nev. - Senate minority leader.

Is this a good pick, or a cop out? I am leaning towards cop out at this moment.

Catching Up A Bit

2005-10-01T10:40:00.000-05:00

DeLay was 'indicted' for basically waiving the statute of limitations. This will go nowhere, like the first 5 times that the fame seeking (D) Ronnie Earle presented his 'case' to the grand jury. He tried this before with Kay Bailey Hutchinson and was forced to drop his non-case before trial. There is a ton of evidence available that (D)umbassrats have actually been 'breaking the rules', but Earle isn't going after them, and doesn't have plans to. Now he has film crews following him around ... and we're supposed to believe he's 'just doing my job'?

Judith Miller has been released from her contempt sentence and has now testified. Little has been said about her source being Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, Lewis "Scooter" Libby after all the days of Karl Rove conspiracy talk at the beginning. The story is dead anyways. Wilson himself 'exposed' his wife, but noone cares anymore because they can't use it to attack the persons they really want to attack anymore.

The hurricanes have come and gone ... damage is still being repaired ... insurance companies apparently are not out anything since the government for some reason is expected to show up and hand out was has been calculated to be $500,000 per person. WHAT?!?!?!

Kinds getting tired of all the hands held out for my tax dollars. If a tornado (a 'natural disaster') rips through my house will my hand be filled if I hold it out or will I just be sent packing to the mercy of my insurance company?

Gas prices were going down (were about $2.47), but somehow another excuse took them right back up to $3 a gallon again. If the excuse is the 'more damage to the offshore rigs than originally thought' then I have a question ... what does that have to do with price at the pump? Last I checked there is still plenty of crude available and you (oil companies) should be paying for rebuilding the rigs with INSURANCE money ... not by taking my whole paycheck for 1 tank of gas. I find no 'excuse' credible at this time, just profiteering.

Bob Bennett opened his mouth and inserted his foot. What he said has merit if placed in context and worded properly. If indeed the black rate of births to crime percentage is higher, than naturally the lower the birth rate the lower the crime rate. This is across the board though and race should not be a factor. As a national figure Bennett would serve himself well to remember that anything he says is under a microscope and his words should be chosen well. I think he should apologize and move on.

An NYFD imam resigns after placing blame for 9-11 on the U.S. with a conspiracy theory, rather than admit it was his religions radical sect. This is becoming more and more the norm, and that is troubling. Why does the world want to protect islamic radicals from scrutiny? MSM calls them 'insurgents' instead of murdering terrorists, the memorials want to either design a memorial in the shape of the terrorist religeous symbol, or place a museum to 'i hate America' idealologies as the centerpiece. This is all sickening, but not surprising. I'll just have to post my theory I developed while a theology student that islam the religion is the 'anti-christ' ... not a person.

More later ... news always developing ...

Bert C. Dugan Remembered

2005-09-28T21:00:00.000-05:00

As you already know my dad passed away recently. Today would have been his birthday.

Happy Birthday Dad.

We love and miss you.

Rita causes record damage to oil rigs

2005-09-27T21:14:00.000-05:00

Via Drudge:

Sub-headline should read ...

"Americans screwed out of tax dollars AND at the pump while insurance companies skate to excess profits with oil companies"

Hurricane Rita has caused more damage to oil rigs than any other storm in history and will force companies to delay drilling for oil in the US and as far away as the Middle East, initial damage assessments show.

ODS-Petrodata, which provides market intelligence to the offshore oil and natural gas industry, said it expected a shortage of rigs in the US Gulf this year.

“Based on what we have right now, it appears that drilling contractors and rig owners took a big hit from Rita,” said Tom Marsh of ODS-Petrodata. “The path Katrina took was through the mature areas of the US Gulf where there are mainly oil [production] platforms. Rita came to the west where there is a lot of [exploratory] rig activity.”

Ken Sill of Credit Suisse First Boston said: “Early reports indicate numerous rigs are missing, destroyed or have suffered serious damage and several companies have yet to report. Rita may set an all-time record.”

yada yada blah blah, and not one mention of what the insurance companies are paying out, but instead plenty of excuses to raise crude prices and what we pay at the pump.

I have a small older vehicle, a simple 6 cylinder sedan. Today it cost me $50 bleeping bucks to fill up. A year ago for the same fill up would have been $30. To put that in terms that will hit home to those that think little of that $20 extra ...

A person making $10 per hour, working 8 hours a day last year spent 3 hours of the day making a tank of gas ($30). Today he works 3 hours per day for what he gets to use on other bills ($30 - $50).

(by the way ... I personally have to use out of my own pocket 3 tanks of gas a week work related/commuting - non-reinbursed job expense ... $20 additional per tank times 3 per week = an additional $60 per week expense. Times that by the average 4 weeks per month = $240 per month additional expense).

I don't know about those making record profits at the oil companies, but I am still making the same amount of money per month to distribute to my bills as I was making last year.

Maybe if I had a $3120 per year raise I'd break even ... yes ... I said $3120 ... thats the $60 more per week times 52 weeks per year ... )

No word on what the oil companies will be doing with those insurance checks we're not hearing about ...

sheehan Arrested

2005-09-26T15:18:00.000-05:00

I'm done giving this sick woman more exposure. She has once again succeeded to step on her sons memory to grab headlines.

Just another ploy from a supposed 'greiving mother' who somehow looks pretty happy in the pictures, but then again maybe the policemans hands are closer than any mans have been in years.

Other sources to read the story are Blogs for Bush, The Jawa Report, and Michelle Malkin.

They may give you the story ... I'll just say she is a sick woman grabbing for attention.

I won't even bother to post links to my previous articles ... if you want the truth about this sick woman, however, you may search my archives.

Rita - And The Gas Price Went Up When ?

2005-09-25T10:15:00.000-05:00

Rita wasn't as bad as expected. Thank God.

Damage to the vital concentration of oil refineries along the coast appeared relatively light, although industry officials said it was too early to assess whether there would be an impact on oil prices.

Valero Energy Corp. said its 255,000-barrel-per-day Port Arthur refinery sustained significant damage to two cooling towers and a flare stack and would need at least two weeks for repairs.

Late Saturday, two environmental cleanup workers spread booms and oil absorbent pads along a perimeter fence at the refinery. Knee-deep floodwaters were stained with dark brown crude oil, and the odor of petroleum hung thick in the air.

Via Reuters we find ...

It also appeared, at least initially, to have mostly spared crucial oil refineries at a time when supplies of gasoline and other refined products are already stretched.

"The heavy commercial and industrial areas of Port Arthur and Beaumont - with their numerous refineries - were to the left of the storm's track, where wind speeds are lower, so we do not expect to see significant structural damage to the refineries," Jayanta Guin, vice president of research and modeling at AIR Worldwide, said in a statement.

Beatty said a fair ballpark estimate for Rita damage from wind and surge effects, plus physical damage to offshore oil platforms, was in the range of $5 billion. That figure excludes any impact from potential new flooding.

Rita slammed into evacuated towns and oil-rich swamplands of the Texas-Louisiana border early Saturday, causing widespread damage and power outages. The powerful storm hit with 120 mph (193 kph) winds and punishing rains, then weakened slightly as it moved inland.

It spared Houston, the fourth largest U.S. city, a direct hit. But the oil city of Beaumont, Texas, and many of the largest U.S. refiners were in Rita's path, and the extent of damage was not yet known.

Texas emergency management officials said they had airborne assessment teams ready to go out and inspect damages as soon as winds died down. At least one energy expert feared the worst, though, given Rita's track and previous intensity.

"It was right up production alley," said Harry Quarls, senior managing director of the global energy practice at Booz Allen Hamilton. "It was a Category 4 and 5 (storm) when it was going through."

I guess insurance companies are off the hook nowdays though. Looks like it is up to us and the government to cover costs ... one way or another.

I personally think the sudden 20 cent per gallon price increase we saw on gas the first day the hurricane existed pretty much covers it.

we'll see ...

Harry Reid - No to Roberts

2005-09-21T06:43:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 - The Senate Democratic leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, said Tuesday that he would oppose the confirmation of Judge John G. Roberts Jr. as chief justice, surprising both the White House and fellow Democrats still conflicted about how to vote.

In becoming the first Democrat to declare formally how he intended to vote, Mr. Reid may have made it more difficult for fellow Democrats to support Judge Roberts. Many Senate observers expected Mr. Reid, who comes from a Republican-leaning state and is opposed to abortion, to support Judge Roberts.

And the Democratic leader himself said Tuesday that he had earlier given the White House a list of nominees who would be objectionable and that Judge Roberts was not on it.

In announcing his decision in a lengthy speech on the Senate floor, Mr. Reid questioned Judge Roberts's commitment to civil rights and said he was "very swayed" by the civil rights and women's rights leaders who testified Thursday in opposition to the nomination - and with whom Mr. Reid met privately that same day. Liberal advocacy groups, who raise millions of dollars to support Democratic candidates and who have been putting intense pressure on Democrats to oppose the nomination, were elated.

With the White House considering how to fill a second Supreme Court vacancy, Mr. Reid could be using his vote on Judge Roberts to send a message to President Bush to fill that position with a moderate, in the mold of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, a critical swing vote, who is retiring. Along with three other senior senators, Mr. Reid is expected to meet Mr. Bush for breakfast Wednesday to discuss the vacancy.

Bottom line is that Harry Reid doesn't seem to understand how our system of government works.

The majority elect a president who nominates the Judiciary. The candidate is usually in the line of thinking that the elected President is (which by default due to election is the mindset of a majority of the PEOPLE). The Senate (who is currently majority (R) because the PEOPLE voted them in then comfirm the nominee.

It is not a matter of is said nominee a liberal, conservative, or moderate ... it is a matter of does said nominee think like the majority of the PEOPLE, and does said nominee rule by law and not legislate from bench.

Mr. Reid may be looking out for the interest groups, etc. but he may do well to remember that they may finance his campaign, but they do not vote him in ... the PEOPLE do.

Kerry Uses Katrina to Bash Bush - Raise Campaign Money

2005-09-20T10:30:00.000-05:00

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) unleashed a furious attack on the Bush administration at a Brown University speech yesterday, upbraiding the president’s response to the hurricane that recently devastated the Gulf Coastand tying it to what he sees as other flaws at the White House.

“This is the Katrina administration,” read prepared remarks posted on 2004 Democratic presidential nominee’s website, www.johnkerry.com. “Katrina is a symbol of all this administration does and doesn't do,” read Kerry’s script, portions of which were included in an e-mail to supporters that ended with a fundraising appeal.

In a brief interview, Tracey Schmitt, a spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee, called Kerry’s pitch for cash “repulsive.”

In a news release, she said, “John Kerry's attacks on President Bush's efforts to assist the victims and rebuild the Gulf Coast don't come as a surprise. Armchair quarterbacking on tough issues has never been a problem for Senator Kerry. The American people have pulled together during a difficult time and Democrats’ efforts to politicize this tragedy are unsavory at best.”

Not surprising this low life would use this as an opportunity to put his hand out for money.

The problem with (D)umbassrats is that they think that Americans are stupid. Is it any wonder that each election they lose more and more seats?

Clinton One Day Later - Bash Bush

2005-09-19T07:55:00.000-05:00

Clinton launches withering attack on Bush on Iraq, Katrina, budget

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton sharply criticised George W. Bush for the Iraq War and the handling of Hurricane Katrina, and voiced alarm at the swelling US budget deficit.

Breaking with tradition under which US presidents mute criticisms of their successors, Clinton said the Bush administration had decided to invade Iraq "virtually alone and before UN inspections were completed, with no real urgency, no evidence that there were weapons of mass destruction." (uuummmmmmm ... Bill ... you read the news lately where everyday more and more proof that YOU knew of these things are coming out? Is this just damage control because of that?)

The Iraq war diverted US attention from the war on terrorism "and undermined the support that we might have had," Bush said in an interview with an ABC's "This Week" programme. (oops ... they are in such a hurry over at AFP to bash Bush that they insert his name in anywhere they can.)

Clinton said there had been a "heroic but so far unsuccessful" effort to put together an constitution that would be universally supported in Iraq. (Ours took how long? Amended how many times?)

The US strategy of trying to develop the Iraqi military and police so that they can cope without US support "I think is the best strategy. The problem is we may not have, in the short run, enough troops to do that," said Clinton. (Agree, but neither you nor I know what they actually have. Thats why 'in the short run' ... we stay.)

On Hurricane Katrina, Clinton faulted the authorities' failure to evacuate New Orleans ahead of the storm's strike on August 29.

People with cars were able to heed the evacuation order, but many of those who were poor, disabled or elderly were left behind.

"If we really wanted to do it right, we would have had lots of buses lined up to take them out," Clinton.

He agreed that some responsibility for this lay with the local and state authorities, but pointed the finger, without naming him, at the former director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

FEMA boss Michael Brown quit in response to criticism of his handling of the Katrina disaster. He was viewed as a political appointee with no experience of disaster management or dealing with government officials.

"When James Lee Witt ran FEMA, because he had been both a local official and a federal official, he was always there early, and we always thought about that," Clinton said, referring to FEMA's head during his 1993-2001 presidency. (And you had Governors asking you to come in timely ... thus keeping you from breaking laws that protect 'States Rights'.)

"But both of us came out of environments with a disproportionate number of poor people."
On the US budget, Clinton warned that the federal deficit may be coming untenable, driven by foreign wars, the post-hurricane recovery programme and tax cuts that benefitted just the richest one percent of the US population, himself included.

"What Americans need to understand is that ... every single day of the year, our government goes into the market and borrows money from other countries to finance Iraq, Afghanistan, Katrina, and our tax cuts," he said.

"We have never done this before. Never in the history of our republic have we ever financed a conflict, military conflict, by borrowing money from somewhere else."

Clinton added: "We depend on Japan, China, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and Korea primarily to basically loan us money every day of the year to cover my tax cut and these conflicts and Katrina. I don't think it makes any sense." (No ... it doesn't.)

The tax cuts were right, but the financing of them shouldn't come from borrowing, it should come from real budget cuts. Cut the pork, cut the social programs that states, and private agencies should fund. The problem here is these social programs and pork make the government more socialistic, and our system was never intended to be that way ... nor should it ever. The country was founded on States having power, not the Federal government which was meant to be there to settle disputes between States.

While the actual 'tirade' doesn't live up to the hype of the AFP headline, it is not unexpected to see them do as much.

At the same time former President Clinton, whom I praised yesterday, deserves a glance of disgust for these words. While he is entitled to his opinion, which this all was, he has a responsibility to not air it in this manner. (Maybe hillary got to him and told him what to do ... again.)

Clinton, Blair 'Bash' MSM

2005-09-18T10:51:00.000-05:00

NEW YORK (AFP) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair has complained privately to media tycoon Rupert Murdoch that the BBC's coverage of Hurricane Katrina carried an anti-American bias, Murdoch said at a conference here.

The former US president, who held his conference to coincide with the United Nations summit in New York, agreed that the BBC's coverage was lacking.

While the BBC's reports on the hurricane were factually accurate, its presentation was "stacked up" to criticize President George W Bush's handling of the disaster, Clinton said.

"There is nothing factually inaccurate. But ... it was designed to be almost exclusively a hit on the federal response, without showing what anybody at any level was doing that was also miraculous, going on simultaneously in a positive way," Clinton said.

Give credit where it is due. President Clinton has come out several times recently in defense of Bush. Blair has always defended Bush and likes America.

A deserved hand clap for former President Clinton. Another thank you to Tony Blair.

Louisiana Officials Indicted Before Katrina Hit

2005-09-18T10:30:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON — Senior officials in Louisiana's emergency planning agency already were awaiting trial over allegations stemming from a federal investigation into waste, mismanagement and missing funds when Hurricane Katrina struck.

And federal auditors are still trying to track as much as $60 million in unaccounted for funds that were funneled to the state from the Federal Emergency Management Agency dating back to 1998.

In March, FEMA demanded that Louisiana repay $30.4 million to the federal government.

Much of the FEMA money that was unaccounted for was sent to Louisiana under the Hazard Mitigation Grant program, intended to help states retrofit property and improve flood control facilities, for example.

The $30.4 million FEMA is demanding back was money paid into that program and others, including a program to buy out flood-prone homeowners. As much as $30 million in additional unaccounted for spending also is under review in audits that have not yet been released, according to a FEMA official.

Even the MSM cannot ignore this ... but the (D)umbassrats will ... might be because of those indicted are (D)umbassrats.

Cindy Sheehan Proves It's An Agenda

2005-09-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

George Bush needs to stop talking, admit the mistakes of his all around failed administration, pull our troops out of occupied New Orleans and Iraq, and excuse his self from power. The only way America will become more secure is if we have a new administration that cares about Americans even if they don't fall into the top two percent of the wealthiest.

Was your son there also? This tragedy is relevant to you and your general lies exactly how?

This is yet another attempt to grab at headlines at the cost of humans lost.

Recently signing a lucrative deal with Speaker's Bureau, cindy sheehan continues to use human tragedy to spew out her oral flatulation against the President. Her blog tells us that on Friday (16th) she "got to camp Casey III".

Where were you last week when people needed help cindy?

The answer ... also printed there ...

I got to Camp Casey III in Covington, La today, after getting up at 3am to head for the airport. Now it is 3am the next day and we are driving in a car to try and find a hotel to sleep anywhere around Jackson, Miss.

Just a traveling snake oil salesperson riding in style off who's money?

Answer here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Your use of human tragedy to play your agenda based game is disgusting. (but expected from the likes of you and your ilk.)

UPDATE: (10:30a.m. Central)

Mark in Mexico has the goods on what Malik Rahim really said. (MUST READ).

Blogs for Bush has the proof that cindys financial backer is using this tragedy for profit. (MUST READ).

Kuwait - Friend to the USA

2005-09-16T11:55:00.000-05:00

The country of Kuwait ran a full page ad showing support for America, expressing its condolences, and re-affirming its friendship with our country.

This ad was accompanied with the country of Kuwait giving a $500 million dollar pledge to Katrina relief efforts.

I have searched for many hours to find the complete text of this ad, but sit here in wonder that I am unable to find not only that ad, but no signifigant MSM coverage of this event.

Why is it that I have to go to the Arab Times to read this?

Kuwait became the biggest donor to Katrina relief efforts, pledging 400 million dollars of oil products and 100 million in cash, to help alleviate the suffering of the people of the southern states that were affected by the devastating hurricane.

Why is it I have to go to KUNA (Kuwait News Agency) to read this?

Energy Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah had said in a statement that the aid would include oil derivatives and humanitarian assistance needed by the victims in the three US states stricken by the hurricane.

Why is it I have to go to Kuwait-info.org to finally at least find this?

Official Press Release:

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

Kuwait donates $500 million to Katrina relief efforts

Washington, DC (September 6, 2005) - Today US Ambassador to Kuwait Richard LeBaron thanked Kuwait's government and people for the country's US$500 million pledge of assistance in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. "The vast, vast majority of Kuwaitis have been very supportive and sympathetic and have demonstrated deep bonds of friendship between our two societies," Ambassador LeBaron said to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

Today Kuwait's Minister of Information Dr. Anas Al-Rashid also issued a statement on the unprecedented natural disaster which read: "How painful it's been for Kuwait to watch the suffering and destitution caused by Hurricane Katrina. It reminds many Kuwaitis of how they almost lost everything during the invasion in the summer of 1990, and how Americans came to their aide. The Kuwaiti government's donation is the least we can offer the great people of the United States, and it's a gesture from my government and people to say that your friends are with you - and our heart and prayers are especially with the victims of this enormous tragedy." Kuwait's Chamber of Commerce today also called for Kuwaiti businesses to lend support to the aid efforts.

As Kuwait made the pledge yesterday, Energy Minister Shaikh Ahmed Fahd Al-Sabah expressed his condolences toward and solidarity with the American people, saying "It's our duty as Kuwaitis to stand by our friends to lighten the humanitarian misery." Today acting National Assembly Speaker Abdulwahab Al-Haroon praised the Kuwait Cabinet's decision to support hurricane victims by saying, "We cannot forget the tremendous role of the U.S. in standing by U.S. during the invasion [of Kuwait in 1990]."

CONTACT - Dr. Fatma Al-Khalifa, Director, Kuwait Information Office, (202) 338-0211, ext 210 or (301) 320-2428

I wish to publicly thank the leadership and citizens of Kuwait here. I have e-mailed to say this and urge you to do the same. The following is an excerpt of what I wrote to them.

Dear leaders and citizens of Kuwait.

It is with great earned respect to your country and citizens that I write to you to express my gratitude for your recent show of support and giving to the Katrina relief efforts.

I thank you.

I thank you not only for your monetary donation, but more for your show of support and solidarity for the United States. That means more to me personally, and is something that money cannot buy.

I titled this article "Kuwait - Friend to the USA". They have shown their friendship to us in this, and in the past. I urge you to show it back.

I urge you to contact the major MSM and ask them like I have ... why are you wanting this event to not be known to the citizens of this country?

I urge you on this National day of Prayer to include the leadership and citizens of Kuwait in your prayers. They are praying for us ... and I would not be surprised if they are honoring our National day of Prayer themselves by including us, and the Katrina victims in their prayers today ... and tomorrow, ...

George Bush hates ...

2005-09-16T10:48:00.000-05:00

It's being reported that George Bush hates violet people ...

developing ...

Federal Judge Rules "under God" Unconstitutional

2005-09-15T07:00:00.000-05:00

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal judge ruled Wednesday that reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools was unconstitutional. (This ruling is unconstitutional ... 1st amendment)

U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton ruled that the pledge's reference to one nation "under God" violates school children's right to be "free from a coercive requirement to affirm God." The judge has granted legal standing to two families represented by an atheist who lost his previous battle before the U.S. Supreme Court. (A Carter appointee - he needs to explain to me how he figures a student, who is not punished if not participating, is being 'coerced'.)

Judges complete opinion via FindLaw.

Karlton said he was bound by precedent of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which in 2002 ruled in favor of Sacramento atheist Michael Newdow that the pledge is unconstitutional when recited in public schools. (Which was promptly not even heard in SCOTUS which nullified that ruling. Basically what newdow has done here is back-tracked to his last 'victory' and started over.)

"Imagine every morning if the teachers had the children stand up, place their hands over their hearts, and say, 'We are one nation that denies God exists,"' Newdow said in an interview with AP Radio after the ruling. (News flash newdow ... by this standard that is basically what is forced on us. Our 1st amendment rights being taken away so that little you can have it your way. Thats only Burger King ... and fascism ... where the few decide for the many.)

"I think that everybody would not be sitting here saying, 'Oh, what harm is that.' They'd be furious. And that's exactly what goes on against atheists. And it shouldn't." (So it's better that the 1% of you dictate that 85% of America has their 1st amendment rights removed to satisfy you?)

The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America.

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

The First Amendment protects the right to freedom of religion and freedom of expression from government interference.

Two clauses guarantee freedom of religion. The establishment clause prohibits the government from passing laws to establish an official religion or preferring one religion over another.

The free exercise clause prohibits the government from interfering with a persons practice of their religion.

Untill now.

Brings to mind something I've been reviewing again since the SCOTUS ruling on 'eminent domain' recently.

The 45 communist goals (From The Congressional Record, Jan. 10, 1963).

(Hen. A.S. Herlong, Jr. of Florida in H.R., Congressional Record-Appendix, Jan. 10, 1963, pp. a34-35)

1. U.S. should accept coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.
2. U.S. should be willing to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.
3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament by the U.S. would be a demonstration of "moral strength."
4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war.
5. Extend long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites.
6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination.
7. Grant recognition of Red China and admission of Red China to the U.N.
8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the Germany question by free elections under supervision of the U.N.
9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the U.S. has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress.
10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N.
11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces.
12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party.
13. Do away with loyalty oaths.
14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office.
15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the U.S.
16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions, by claiming their activities violate civil rights.
17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for Socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers associations. Put the party line in textbooks.
18. Gain control of all student newspapers.
19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations that are under Communist attack.
20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book review assignments, editorial writing, policy-making positions.
21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV & motion pictures.
22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all form of artistic expression. "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings," substituting shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms.
23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. " Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art."
24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.
25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio and TV.
26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural and healthy."
27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity, which does not need a "religious crutch."
28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the grounds that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state"
29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.
30. Discredit the American founding fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man."
31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of "the big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.
32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture – education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc.
33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.
34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities.
35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI.
36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.
37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business.
38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand or treat.
39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose communist goals.
40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.
41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. (it takes a village). Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.
42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special interest groups should rise up and make a "united force" to solve economic, political or social problems.
43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government.
44. Internationalize the Panama Canal.
45. Repeal the Connally Reservation so the U.S. cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over domestic problems. Give the World Court jurisdiction over domestic problems. Give the World Court jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike.

Maybe a quick look at The Communist Manifesto written by Karl Marx.

1. "The theory of the Communists may be summed up in the single phrase: Abolition of private property." (page 82)
2. "You reproach us with intending to do away with your property. Precisely so; that is just what we intend." (page 85)
3. ". . . the middle-class owner of property. This person must, indeed, be swept out of the way, and made impossible." (pages 85-86)
4. "Abolition of the family!" (page 87)
5. "The Communists are further reproached with desiring to abolish countries and nationality." (page 90)
6. "Communism abolishes eternal truths, it abolishes all religion, and all morality."(page 92)
7. Goals of Communism (page 94)
a. Abolition of property in land and application of all rents of land to public purposes.
b. A heavy progressive or graduated income tax.
c. Abolition of all right of inheritance.
d. Confiscation of the property of all emigrants and rebels.
e. Centralization of credit in the hands of the state, by means of a national bank with state capital and an exclusive monopoly.
f. Centralization of the means of communication and transport in the hands of the state.
g. Extension of factories and instruments of production owned by the state; the bringing into cultivation of wastelands, and the improvement of the soil generally in accordance with a common plan.
h. Equal liability of all to labor. Establishment of industrial armies, especially for agriculture.
i. Combination of agriculture with manufacturing industries; gradual abolition of the distinction between town and country, by a more equable distribution of the population over the country.
j. Free education for all children in public schools. Abolition of children's factory labor in its present form. Combination of education with industrial production.

Communism = Socialism = (D)umbassrat =

the A.C.L.U. (here after refered to as The Anti-American Communist Lawyers United)

You scared yet? Is it any wonder that the A.C.L.U. (that was founded by Roger Baldwin ... a student of, and devout communist) is fighting to remove God and our constitutional rights and destroy the country from within? Is it any wonder they represent terrorists, NAMBLA, 'atheists' and other perverse / anti-american people / groups in court?

These ideals are making their way into our courts and like a virus slowly infecting the judical system of the United States of America. We are in serious trouble and need to stand up and defend our rights while we still have them ...

One source i'll plug here is Liberty Legal Institute. Others are StoptheACLU.org, Alliance Defense Fund, Thomas More Law Center, American Center for Law and Justice, The Rutherford Institute.

And now a word from our sponsor ...

2005-09-14T20:00:00.000-05:00

Blame Bush, entitlement mentality amuck, crooked Mayors/Governors/Congressmen ... Hypocrite senators grilling Judge Roberts ...

Ophelia is hitting Wandas home state ... praying for her family that's still there ... glad the kids are here. Worried about the flooding it will cause more than its 'strength'.

Broke hand is still killing me ... working my tail off this week with only a couple hours sleep the other night.

CALGON ... TAKE ME AWAY!

So right now I am not going to talk politics. No news. Maybe just a pinch of opinion ... ok ... maybe alot.

Have you ever loved someone? Have you ever loved someone so much that it actually scared you?

There's many forms of fear in that case. The fear of losing your own identity. The fear of not being good enough. The fear of change. The fear of responsibility. The fear of becoming a burden. The fear of abuse (mental, emotional, physical ...). The fear of expectation. The fear of appearances.

The list is long, but be it an emotional fear, a mental fear, financial concerns, situational matters, etc. it all funnels down to one thing ... self esteem. The fear of rejection.

It is something you have grown into over the years based on experiences. Everyone faces crap in their lives that can either cause the problem to grow, or cause the person to fight to regain the esteem that is rightfully theirs.

No one can change that in another person, no one can cure that in me. A person can only take esteem from another ... getting it back has to be done by ones self.

I say "everyone goes through crap". The key word is "through". Those are the few that do not stay in the crap and live in it, they go "through" it. It isn't an easy path. It often isn't a short one either.

Ever love someone so much that you were afraid they would find someone better and you would be left alone ... again ... ?

Ever regret not just loving that person, without fear, so you could love them with everything you feel instead of holding back in the thought that somehow you were protecting yourself from getting really, deeply hurt?

It's a self fulfilling prophesy. Sometimes by being afraid and holding back expecting to get hurt, you see things that may not be what they seem and shut yourself in deeper with more expectation of what you believe is inevitable.

Sometimes closing up is what causes you to lose that person.

Ever regret not just loving a person, without fear, so you could love them with everything you feel instead of holding back in the thought that somehow you were protecting yourself from getting really, deeply hurt?

Don't. Don't hold back. Don't be afraid.

Wanda ... I love you more than anything in the world. You came into my life and saved me from myself. Without you I am but an empty shell with no direction and no meaning.

I don't offer much besides hopes and fears, but I know you have them to. We both have had crap. We both will see more crap. We both will more than likely sometimes give each other more crap.

Take my hand and let's go "through" it together. I don't want to finally end up out of my crap one day and you not be there.

I love you baby ... you and no one else but you. I love you so much.

~Jonathan~

Negligent Homicide killed New Orleans Citizens

2005-09-13T21:07:00.000-05:00

BATON ROUGE, La. — In a day of reckoning across battered New Orleans, the owners of a nursing home were charged in the deaths of dozens of patients killed by Hurricane Katrina's floodwaters, the death toll in Louisiana jumped to 423, and the mayor warned that the city is broke, unable to make its next payroll.

The death toll climbed by more than half in a single day to 423, including last week's grisly discovery of 34 dead patients and staff members at St. Rita's nursing home in the town of Chalmette in hard-hit St. Bernard Parish.

Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti charged the husband-and-wife owners of St. Rita's with 34 counts of negligent homicide for not doing more to save their elderly patients. The case represents the first major prosecution to come out of the hurricane.

"The pathetic thing in this case was that they were asked if they wanted to move them and they did not," Foti said. "They were warned repeatedly that this storm was coming. In effect, their inaction resulted in the deaths of these people."

And you thought I was going to mention the lack of the Mayor and Governor evacuating the citizens didn't you? I won't even mention the buses that were left to the flood ... the ones that could have been used BEFORE the hurricane hit and it was still dry land ... since they knew it was coming and all ...

The attorney general said he is also investigating the discovery of more than 40 corpses at flooded-out Memorial Medical Center in New Orleans. A hospital official said the 106-degree heat inside the hospital as the patients waited for days to be evacuated probably contributed to the deaths.

I also am not mentioning the Superdome where the Governor and Mayor left many without food and water (they denied the Red Cross from bringing it in 2 times), no power (air conditioning, etc.), and no 'facilities' to speak of.

The updated Louisiana death toll came as Gov. Kathleen Blanco lashed out at the federal government, accusing it of moving too slowly in recovering the bodies. The dead "deserve more respect than they have received," she said. "I am angry and outraged."

But Blanco's outburst created yet another case of bureaucratic finger-pointing. FEMA spokesman David Passey said he did not understand what the governor was talking about because, he said, the state asked to take over body recovery last week.

"The collection of bodies is not normally a FEMA responsibility," Passey said.

Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti charged the husband-and-wife owners of St. Rita's with 34 counts of negligent homicide for not doing more to save their elderly patients. The case represents the first major prosecution to come out of the hurricane.

Wonder if Mayor Nagin and Governor Blanco are anywhere on his list ... if not ... why? Same crime after all.

Bush : "I take responsibility"

2005-09-13T20:50:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON -
President Bush for the first time took responsibility Tuesday for federal government mistakes in dealing with Hurricane Katrina and suggested the calamity raised broader questions about the government's ability to handle both natural disasters and terror attacks.

"Katrina exposed serious problems in our response capability at all levels of government," Bush said at a joint White House news conference with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani.

"And to the extent that the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility. I want to know what went right and what went wrong," said Bush.

Bush's acceptance of responsibility came in response to a reporter's question on whether the United States was capable of handling another terrorist attack, given its halting and widely criticized response to Katrina.

"That's a very important question," Bush said. "And it's in our national interest that we find out exactly what went on — so that we can better respond."

"I'm not going to defend the process going in, but I am going to defend the people who are on the front line of saving lives," he added. "I also want people in America to understand how hard people are working to save lives down there in not only New Orleans, but surrounding parishes and along the Gulf Coast."

I have said that Bush COULD have handled it differently. I have defended him following the laws. I have said that if he HAD done it differently that the liberals would still have found something to gripe about. Most likely "States Rights".

Following that train of thought I applaud the President for going with 'the buck stops here' attitude ...

I await the same admissions from (D) Governor Kathleen Blanco who is still blaming Bush and the Federal Government for her blunders ... even when caught on mic admitting to her mistakes.

I also await the same from (D) Mayor Ray Nagin who also is pointing his finger in Bush's direction while ignoring the 3 pointing right back at himself.

9-11

2005-09-11T00:50:00.000-05:00

Remembering those lost ...

9-11

We will never forget.

What were you doing on that day?

-------------------------------------------------------------------

I watched. I stood silently and just watched. I thought of the people in the buildings as I stood silently and watched.

I watched as a second plane entered the scene. I stood silently and just watched.

I thought of the people in the buildings as they collapsed, and I stood silently and watched.

I prayed for those lost.

I then got angry and vowed revenge.

~Jonathan~

Credit Al Gore FOR Bashing Bush ?

2005-09-10T10:24:00.000-05:00

Al Gore Airlifts Evacuees
Friday, September 09, 2005

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Al Gore helped airlift some 270 Katrina evacuees on two private charters from New Orleans, acting at the urging of a doctor who saved the life of the former vice president's son. (I give credit where it is due ... kudos to Al Gore.)

Gore criticized the Bush administration's slow response to Hurricane Katrina in a speech Friday in San Francisco, but refused to be interviewed about the mercy missions he financed and flew on Sept. 3 and 4. (Mixed feelings here. Where I respect the humbleness to not want to pat himself on the back, it seems now this speech was just to criticize Bush.)

However, Dr. Anderson Spickard, who is Gore's personal physician and accompanied him on the flights, said: "Gore told me he wanted to do this because like all of us he wanted to seize the opportunity to do what one guy can do, given the assets that he has." (What assets is he refering to is the question. Financial assets? If so, the again ... kudos. If he is refering to the asset of political attention to USE this situation to give an anti-Bush speech ... then 'opportunity' is the right word, as would 'opportunist fit in.)

A part of the story that for some reason is constantly ommited from MOST MSM sources ... shockingly it is included here ...

In the speech, Gore urged that the Bush administration be held accountable for the government's inadequate relief response, particularly "when the corpses of American citizens are floating in toxic floodwaters five days after a hurricane struck."

Bush administration officials have said Katrina's damage could not have been anticipated, but Gore rejected that.

"What happened was not only knowable, it was known in advance, in great and painstaking detail," Gore told the Sierra Club's national convention. "They did tabletop planning exercises. They identified exactly what the scientific evidence showed would take place." (Did the also show that if they moved in without the express request of the freaking Governor ... they would be breaking the bleeping LAW? Did they show where they had consulted with the bleeping Mayor and Governor sharing this data and giving advise that was IGNORED?)

An account of the flights was posted this week on a Democratic Party Web page. It was written by Greg Simon, president of the Washington-based activist group FasterCures. Simon, who helped put together the mission, also declined an interview. (And again ... kudos ... no self promotion ... AND didn't USE the opportunity to blame Bush, so ... double kudos.)

On Sept. 1, three days after Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast, Simon learned that Dr. David Kline, a neurosurgeon who operated on Gore's son, Albert, after a life-threatening auto accident in 1989, was trying to get in touch with Gore. Kline was stranded with patients at Charity Hospital in New Orleans.

"The situation was dire and becoming worse by the minute — food and water running out, no power, 4 feet of water surrounding the hospital and ... corpses outside," Simon wrote.

Gore responded immediately, telephoning Kline and agreeing to underwrite the $50,000 each for the two flights, although Larry Flax, founder of California Pizza Kitchens, later pledged to pay for one of them. (Kudos to Larry Flax.)

"None of the airlines involved required a contract or any written guarantee of payment before sending their planes and volunteer crews," Simon wrote of the American Airlines flights. "One official said if Gore promised to pay, that was good enough for them." (Kudos to American Airlines.)

He also recruited two doctors, Spickard and Gore's cousin, retired Col. Dar LaFon, a specialist in internal medicine who once ran the military hospital in Baghdad.

Most critically, Gore worked to cut through government red tape, personally calling Gov. Phil Bredesen to get Tennessee's support and U.S. Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta to secure landing rights in New Orleans.

About 140 people, many of them sick, landed in Knoxville on Sept. 3. The second flight, with 130 evacuees, landed the next day in Chattanooga.

This is a story amoung many of tragedy occuring in N.O. Happily the person involved had 'contacts'. As I said ... I give credit where it is due, so many kudos go out here.

Along with that, however, comes the responsibility to accept criticism with your praise.

Al Gore ... Thank you for what you did.
Al Gore ... Shame on you for that speech.

LA., and Federal law - Disasters and Emergency Assistance

2005-09-09T08:20:00.000-05:00

With the increased finger pointing from the (D)umbassrats out there, it is important to slice a piece of post off and serve it up here as a main dish.

This is to important to miss.

Original Post

LA Law ... (emphasis mine)

The Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act 1993 (amended 2003). Louisiana Revised Statutes 29:721. Excerpt [s. 722]:

A. Because of the existing possibility of the occurrence of emergencies and disasters of unprecedented size and destructiveness resulting from terrorist events, enemy attack, sabotage, or other hostile action, or from fire, flood, earthquake, or other natural or man-made causes, and in order to ensure that preparations of this state will be adequate to deal with such emergencies or disasters, and in order to detect, prevent, prepare for, investigate, respond to, or recover from these events, and generally to preserve the lives and property of the people of the state of Louisiana, it is hereby found and declared to be necessary:
(1) To provide for designation of the Military Department, state of Louisiana, as the state homeland security and emergency preparedness agency, and to authorize the creation of local organizations for emergency preparedness in the political subdivisions of the state.
(2) To confer upon the governor and upon the parish presidents the emergency powers provided in this Chapter.
(3) That statewide and local plans for homeland security and emergency preparedness be prepared and approved without further delay and be maintained current to the maximum extent possible.
(4) To reduce vulnerability of people and communities of this state to damage, injury, and loss of life and property resulting from natural or man-made catastrophes, riots, acts of terrorism, or hostile military or paramilitary action.
(5) To prepare for prompt and efficient evacuation, rescue, care, and treatment of persons victimized or threatened by disasters or emergency.
(6) To provide a setting conducive to the rapid and orderly start of restoration and rehabilitation of persons and property affected by emergencies or disasters.
(7) To authorize and provide for cooperation in emergency or disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
(8) To authorize and provide for management systems embodied by coordination of activities relating to emergency or disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery by agencies and officers of this state, and similar state-local, interstate, and foreign activities in which the state and its political subdivisions may participate.
B. It is further declared to be the purpose of this Chapter and the policy of the state of Louisiana that all homeland security and emergency preparedness functions of the state be coordinated to the maximum extent possible with the comparable functions of the federal government, other states and localities, and private agencies of every type, to the end that the most effective preparation and use may be made of the resources and facilities available for dealing with any emergency or disaster that may occur.

It is their own job FIRST. Then BY LAW (federal and state) they must ask the President to take over. Maybe we should blame Mississippi for New Orleans, and LA. for Mississippi, and the Red Cross for both, etc etc etc.

More Law (FEMA site)

Highlights include when and how they MAY take over.

SUBCHAPTER III--MAJOR DISASTER AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION
§ 5141. WAIVER OF ADMINISTRATIVE CONDITIONS {Sec. 301}
Any Federal agency charged with the administration of a Federal assistance program may, if so requested by the applicant State or local authorities, modify or waive, for a major disaster, such administrative conditions for assistance as would otherwise prevent the giving of assistance under such programs if the inability to meet such conditions is a result of the major disaster.
(Pub. L. 93-288, title III, § 301, as added Pub. L. 100-707, title I, § 105(a)(2), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4691.)

And here ...

§ 5170. PROCEDURE FOR DECLARATION {Sec. 401}
All requests for a declaration by the President that a major disaster exists shall be made by the Governor of the affected State. Such a request shall be based on a finding that the disaster is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and the affected local governments and that Federal assistance is necessary. As part of such request, and as a prerequisite to major disaster assistance under this Act, the Governor shall take appropriate response action under State law and direct execution of the State's emergency plan. The Governor shall furnish information on the nature and amount of State and local resources which have been or will be committed to alleviating the results of the disaster, and shall certify that, for the current disaster, State and local government obligations and expenditures (of which State commitments must be a significant proportion) will comply with all applicable cost-sharing requirements of this Act. Based on the request of a Governor under this section, the President may declare under this Act that a major disaster or emergency exists.
(Pub. L. 93-288, title IV, § 401, as added Pub. L. 100-707, title I, § 106(a)(3), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4696.)

ANY BLEEPING QUESTIONS ???????

Democrats' Anti-Bush Petition Seeks Funds

2005-09-09T07:50:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON -- A new Democratic effort to whip up indignation about the Bush administration's handling of Hurricane Katrina also tried to raise money for Democratic candidates. (no shock here)

Sen. Charles Schumer, a New York Democrat and the head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, issued an appeal Thursday urging people to sign an online petition to fire the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency over his handling of the Katrina response. (of course ... don't want to risk the finger being pointed at the (D)umbassrat mayor of N.O. or the (D)umbassrat Governor of LA. where it belongs. Besides, you got to try anything to turn people against Bush ... and nothing you've tried has worked yet.)

After an inquiry from the Associated Press, the DSCC quickly pulled down the page and said they would donate to charity any money raised by the anti-FEMA petition. (good ... if true)

When recipients clicked on a link to the petition, the top center of the screen _ above the call to "Fire the FEMA director" _ had asked for a donation to the DSCC. Other DSCC Web pages have the same appeal for contributions, but several do not. (The FEMA director has done exactly what the LAWS allow. It is your (D)umbassrat mayor and Governor who screwed the pooch!)

Since Katrina, Democrats have charged Republicans badly botched the response, and some have called for the firing of FEMA chief Michael Brown. (Anything to avoid he truth of it being (D)umbassrat incompetence from getting out. Point some fingers and accuse others of doing what YOU ARE doing ... childish and standard M.O. of the liberals)

In recent days, Republicans hit back by accusing Democrats of trying to use the human tragedy for political gain. The letter, the GOP said Thursday, was proof. (If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and sounds like a duck ... it must be a bleeping duck)

"It's a disgrace to exploit Hurricane Katrina to raise political funds," said Brian Nick, spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. (a total disgrace would be an understatement ... yet I expected it all along)

"They should halt this activity because it's way over the line," he said.

DSCC spokesman Phil Singer said: "While the content of the letter is totally valid, it should have never been linked to a Web site that asks people to contribute to political campaigns. We regret it, have removed the letter from our site and will donate any contributions raised as a result of this petition to the Red Cross." (1. Not valid content ... just more political B.S., 2. Why the Red Cross? Sorry, but their administration cut off the top is the highest amoung all 'charities'. Why not just put the funds towards whatever 'program' that is being used to give government hand-outs to the 'evacuees'?)

The letter is the latest sign that more than a week after Hurricane Katrina struck, the political fight over what went wrong in the response continues to grow.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has called for an independent commission to probe government failures before and after Katrina, while House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi called Bush "oblivious, in denial, dangerous" in his approach to relief efforts. (The usual suspects)

Rep. Thomas Reynolds, head of the House Republicans' fund-raising efforts, described Democratic criticism as "reprehensible," saying "this is a tragedy, not an opportunity."

The administration and Republican leaders in Congress are scrambling to launch a number of initiatives to help hurricane refugees and victims, including a new $51 billion aid package.

During the 2004 presidential campaign, some Democrats attacked President Bush for using an image of Sept. 11 devastation in a re-election campaign ad, accusing him of exploiting the tragedy. At the time, Schumer did not join in the criticism.

Why do the (D)umbassrats think that people are so stupid they won't see through their childish, political B.S.? Sadly ... they reach some ... childish ones.

Our Tax Dollars Not Insurance

2005-09-08T07:30:00.000-05:00

The House as early as Thursday was expected to approve the $51.8 billion spending bill that the Bush administration, under attack from Democrats for its response to the devastating Gulf Coast storm, described as the latest installment in the costly relief effort.

A sliver of the new funding — $1.4 billion — would help the Pentagon pay for the deployment of military personnel to the storm-damaged region. More than 63,000 military active duty and National Guard troops so far have been sent to the Gulf Coast.

But the bulk of the money would go into a Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster relief fund that is offering debit cards of $2,000 per household to victims evacuated from homes in Louisiana and Mississippi. FEMA anticipates handing out 320,000 cards, at a cost of $640 million, to help displaced residents buy clothing, pay for transportation and other "emergency supplies they need," Director Michael Brown said.

Don't get me wrong. I feel bad for the (P.C. term) "evacuees" from Katrina. They lost alot and most lost everything. Many are stuck in places and looking to start over with nothing.

I really don't have a problem with my tax money going to give these Americans what is equal to 1 months salary at an average job as a way to get them by while they re-group their lives, but ...

1. Unemployment Insurance - many are eligible
2. Private Insurance - many have already filed their claims
3. Fraud - How many will recieve this pseudo 'entitlement' that were not even involved in the disaster, or shouldn't be eligible? (i.e. the prisoners that are walking the streets free right now).

Also it is being reported (will add link later when found online) in the Dallas Morning News that our tax dollars in an additional amount of $28000 will be handed out.

WHAT?!?!?!?!

Why? For what reason?

I sound 'insensitive'?

Maybe because I've lost stuff before and had to rely on myself, and family because even my insurance found a way out of helping ... and the government didn't hand me a single penny.

More on this later.

Blame Bush AND his mom - The Nation

2005-09-06T20:39:00.000-05:00

Barbara Bush: It's Good Enough for the Poor
John Nichols

Finally, we have discovered the roots of George W. Bush's "compassionate conservatism."

On the heels of the president's "What, me worry?" response to the death, destruction and dislocation that followed upon Hurricane Katrina comes the news of his mother's Labor Day visit with hurricane evacuees at the Astrodome in Houston. (News flash pal ... that is a STATE emergency and untill the STATE asks for his help ... BY LAW ... he can't just come in and take over ... IDIOT!)

Commenting on the facilities that have been set up for the evacuees -- cots crammed side-by-side in a huge stadium where the lights never go out and the sound of sobbing children never completely ceases -- former First Lady Barbara Bush concluded that the poor people of New Orleans had lucked out. (Maybe you would have preferred them being left in the flood to loot/be looted, kill/be killed, rape/be raped, starve and die ? .. you moron)

"Everyone is so overwhelmed by the hospitality. And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this, this is working very well for them," Mrs. Bush told American Public Media's "Marketplace" program, before returning to her multi-million dollar Houston home. (And mr. nichols ... what kind of home did you return to after writing this liberal agenda based piece of crap?)

On the tape of the interview, Mrs. Bush chuckles audibly as she observes just how great things are going for families that are separated from loved ones, people who have been forced to abandon their homes and the only community where they have ever lived, and parents who are explaining to children that their pets, their toys and in some cases their friends may be lost forever. Perhaps the former first lady was amusing herself with the notion that evacuees without bread could eat cake. (maybe she was rejoicing that they were alive and out of the flood and had a place to be and food to eat at all you dork)

At the very least, she was expressing a measure of empathy commensurate with that evidenced by her son during his fly-ins for disaster-zone photo opportunities. (maybe you would have prefered he stay at his ranch and still be waiting for the LOCAL and STATE authorities whose mess THIS IS to pull their heads out of their collective asses and get something done?)

On Friday, when even Republican lawmakers were giving the federal government an "F" for its response to the crisis, President Bush heaped praise on embattled Federal Emergency Management Agency chief Michael Brown. As thousands of victims of the hurricane continued to plead for food, water, shelter, medical care and a way out of the nightmare to which federal neglect had consigned them, Brown cheerily announced that "people are getting the help they need." (Try LOCAL and STATE idiocy .. not federal neglect. Try researching your bleeping facts before writing something not even worthy enough to be used as toilet paper by those that the LOCAL and STATE LEFT in this mess by their incompetence. Try putting the blame on the LOCAL and STATE dolts who are BY LAW the ones responsible for this 'quagmire' ... not Bush.)

Barbara Bush's son put his arm around the addled FEMA functionary and declared, "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job." (Considering he was FINALLY brought in AFTER the LOCAL and STATE agencies who are responsible BY LAW made everything WORSE ... heck yah he's doing a heck of a job)

Like mother, like son. (This doesn't speak well of YOUR mother)

Even when a hurricane hits, the apple does not fall far from the tree. (And you're obviously an apple from the tree of liberalism puke)

John Nichols of 'the nation' ... you are what's wrong with this country!

LA Law ... (emphasis mine)

The Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act 1993 (amended 2003). Louisiana Revised Statutes 29:721. Excerpt [s. 722]:

A. Because of the existing possibility of the occurrence of emergencies and disasters of unprecedented size and destructiveness resulting from terrorist events, enemy attack, sabotage, or other hostile action, or from fire, flood, earthquake, or other natural or man-made causes, and in order to ensure that preparations of this state will be adequate to deal with such emergencies or disasters, and in order to detect, prevent, prepare for, investigate, respond to, or recover from these events, and generally to preserve the lives and property of the people of the state of Louisiana, it is hereby found and declared to be necessary:
(1) To provide for designation of the Military Department, state of Louisiana, as the state homeland security and emergency preparedness agency, and to authorize the creation of local organizations for emergency preparedness in the political subdivisions of the state.
(2) To confer upon the governor and upon the parish presidents the emergency powers provided in this Chapter.
(3) That statewide and local plans for homeland security and emergency preparedness be prepared and approved without further delay and be maintained current to the maximum extent possible.
(4) To reduce vulnerability of people and communities of this state to damage, injury, and loss of life and property resulting from natural or man-made catastrophes, riots, acts of terrorism, or hostile military or paramilitary action.
(5) To prepare for prompt and efficient evacuation, rescue, care, and treatment of persons victimized or threatened by disasters or emergency.
(6) To provide a setting conducive to the rapid and orderly start of restoration and rehabilitation of persons and property affected by emergencies or disasters.
(7) To authorize and provide for cooperation in emergency or disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
(8) To authorize and provide for management systems embodied by coordination of activities relating to emergency or disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery by agencies and officers of this state, and similar state-local, interstate, and foreign activities in which the state and its political subdivisions may participate.
B. It is further declared to be the purpose of this Chapter and the policy of the state of Louisiana that all homeland security and emergency preparedness functions of the state be coordinated to the maximum extent possible with the comparable functions of the federal government, other states and localities, and private agencies of every type, to the end that the most effective preparation and use may be made of the resources and facilities available for dealing with any emergency or disaster that may occur.

It is their own job FIRST. Then BY LAW (federal and state) they must ask the President to take over. Maybe we should blame Mississippi for New Orleans, and LA. for Mississippi, and the Red Cross for both, etc etc etc.

More Law (FEMA site)

Highlights include when and how they MAY take over.

SUBCHAPTER III--MAJOR DISASTER AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION
§ 5141. WAIVER OF ADMINISTRATIVE CONDITIONS {Sec. 301}
Any Federal agency charged with the administration of a Federal assistance program may, if so requested by the applicant State or local authorities, modify or waive, for a major disaster, such administrative conditions for assistance as would otherwise prevent the giving of assistance under such programs if the inability to meet such conditions is a result of the major disaster.
(Pub. L. 93-288, title III, § 301, as added Pub. L. 100-707, title I, § 105(a)(2), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4691.)

And here ...

§ 5170. PROCEDURE FOR DECLARATION {Sec. 401}
All requests for a declaration by the President that a major disaster exists shall be made by the Governor of the affected State. Such a request shall be based on a finding that the disaster is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and the affected local governments and that Federal assistance is necessary. As part of such request, and as a prerequisite to major disaster assistance under this Act, the Governor shall take appropriate response action under State law and direct execution of the State's emergency plan. The Governor shall furnish information on the nature and amount of State and local resources which have been or will be committed to alleviating the results of the disaster, and shall certify that, for the current disaster, State and local government obligations and expenditures (of which State commitments must be a significant proportion) will comply with all applicable cost-sharing requirements of this Act. Based on the request of a Governor under this section, the President may declare under this Act that a major disaster or emergency exists.
(Pub. L. 93-288, title IV, § 401, as added Pub. L. 100-707, title I, § 106(a)(3), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4696.)

ANY BLEEPING QUESTIONS ???????

Clintons "Katrina Commission"

2005-09-05T14:14:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON - With many blaming the growing scope of Katrina's devastation on the Bush administration, Sen. Hillary Clinton called yesterday for a 9/11-style probe into how the federal government responded to the crisis.

"It has become increasingly evident that our nation was not prepared," Clinton (D-N.Y.) said in a letter to Bush asking him to set up a "Katrina Commission."

"The slow pace of relief efforts in the face of a mounting death toll ... seems to confirm that our ability to respond to cataclysmic disasters has not been adequately addressed," she said.

Clinton has decided at least one thing without waiting for any commission reports. She said she plans to introduce legislation to split the Federal Emergency Management Agency out of the Department of Homeland Security and give it back a cabinet-level director like it had in her husband's administration.

“her husband's administration”
1992-2000

Costliest Hurricanes

Table 3: The 30 costliest tropical cyclones to strike the U.S. mainland, with addendum for Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Damages are listed in US dollars and are not adjusted for inflation.

Table 3: The 30 costliest tropical cyclones to strike the U.S. mainland, with addendum for Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Damages are listed in US dollars and are not adjusted for inflation.

Rank Hurricane Year Category Damage
1 Andrew (SE FL, SE LA) 1992 5 26,500,000,000
2 Charley (SW FL) 2004 4 15,000,000,000
3 Ivan (AL/NW FL) 2004 3 14,200,000,000
4 Frances (FL) 2004 2 8,900,000,000
5 Hugo (SC) 1989 4 7,000,000,000
6 Jeanne (FL) 2004 3 6,900,000,000
7 Allison (N TX) 2001 TSa 5,000,000,000
8 Floyd 1999 2 4,500,000,000
9 Isabel (Mid-Atlantic) 2003 2 3,370,000,000
10 Fran (NC) 1996 3 3,200,000,000
11 Opal (NW FL, AL) 1995 3 3,000,000,000
12 Frederic (AL, MS) 1979 3 2,300,000,000
13 Agnes (FL, NE U.S.) 1972 1 2,100,000,000
14 Alicia (N TX) 1983 3 2,000,000,000
15 Bob (NC, NE U.S.) 1991 2 1,500,000,000
16 Juan (LA) 1985 1 1,500,000,000
17 Camille (MS, SE LA, VA) 1969 5 1,420,700,000
18 Betsy (SE FL, SE LA) 1965 3 1,420,500,000
19 Elena (MS, AL, NW FL) 1985 3 1,250,000,000
20 Georges (FL Keys, MS, AL) 1998 2 1,155,000,000
21 Gloria (Eastern US) 1985 3 900,000,000
22 Lili (SC LA) 2002 1 860,000,000
23 Diane (NE U.S.) 1955 1 831,700,000
24 Bonnie (NC, VA) 1998 2 720,000,000
25 Erin (NW FL) 1995 2 700,000,000
26 Allison (N TX) 1989 TSa 500,000,000
27 Alberto (NW FL, GA, AL) 1994 TSa 500,000,000
28 Frances (TX) 1998 TSa 500,000,000
29 Eloise (NW FL) 1975 3 490,000,000
30 Carol (NE U.S.) 1954 3 461,000,000

Addendum (Rank is independent of other events in group)
15 Georges (USVI, PR) 1998 3 1,800,000,000
15 Iniki (Kaua'i, HI) 1992 Unknown 1,800,000,000
17 Marilyn (USVI, PR) 1995 2 1,500,000,000
21 Hugo (USVI, PR) 1989 4 1,000,000,000
26 Hortense (PR) 1996 1 500,000,000

Mrs. Clinton … maybe we should have that commission … and include the above highlighted hurricanes and their damage into the investigation?

Chief Justice William R. Rehnquist Passes

2005-09-04T09:30:00.000-05:00

1924 - 2005

WASHINGTON — After battling cancer for the better part of the past year, Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist died late Saturday evening, bringing to an end his lengthy time on the bench and opening a second vacancy on the Supreme Court.

Rehnquist, 80, was surrounded by his three children when he died at his home in suburban Arlington.

"The Chief Justice battled thyroid cancer since being diagnosed last October and continued to perform his duties on the court until a precipitous decline in his health the last couple of days," said court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg.

Rehnquist was appointed to the Supreme Court as an associate justice in 1971 by President Nixon and took his seat on Jan. 7, 1972. He was elevated to chief justice by President Reagan in 1986.

His death ends a career during which Rehnquist oversaw the court's conservative shift, presided over an impeachment trial and helped decide a presidential election.

The only chief justice older than Rehnquist was Roger Taney, who presided over the high court in the mid-1800s until his death at 87. Rehnquist was also closing in on the record for longest-serving justice. Only four men were on the court 34 years or longer.

To a great and wise man I say farwell, God bless you, and thank you for all you did.

Gas Pirates Continued

2005-09-03T14:42:00.000-05:00

More proof that the pain in our wallets is just gaining gas stations, etc. more profit.

When the station did get a shipment of gas on Saturday, a day after running out, it asked only for regular gasoline because not many people were buying mid-grade and premium blends, Neuhart said. The station, which was charging $3.09 a gallon for regular, also was limiting drivers to 10 gallons per vehicle.

Across the street, a BP station was still out of gas Saturday, though the manager said a shipment was expected in by the afternoon.

Neuhart blamed the fuel shortage on "more rumor and gossip than anything else. People are panicking, and there's no reason for it."

A spokeswoman for Colonial Pipeline Co., which carries gasoline, home heating oil and jet fuel through points from Houston to New York, said Saturday that the pipeline was at 73 percent capacity on gasoline and distillate lines and expected to be back to normal operations by the end of the holiday weekend.

"The picture is a very good one," spokeswoman Susan Baranski said. "All product is being moved."

"Panic buying" is driving their profits up as they use it as yet another excuse to raise prices, and that excuse we can only blame on ourselves.

Jackson plays race card, Blames Bush

2005-09-03T10:00:00.000-05:00

Racism is partly to blame for the deadly aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Rev. Jesse Jackson said, calling President Bush's response to the disaster "incompetent." (and your comments are irresponsible mr. jackson)

"Today, as the President comes to Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi for his ceremonial trip to look at the victims of the devastation, he would do well to have a plan more significant than a ceremonial tour," Jackson said Friday. (like maybe use it as a media event to push an agenda?)

"His whole response is unacceptable." (as are you as a person)

Bush has acknowledged that the federal response has not been acceptable, but promised that the government would get supplies to survivors and crack down on violence in New Orleans.

Jackson questioned why Bush has not named blacks to top positions in the federal response to the disaster, particularly when the majority of victims remaining stranded in New Orleans are black: "How can blacks be locked out of the leadership, and trapped in the suffering?"
(maybe because they went with what leaders are already in place and know the freakin job?!?!?! I also wonder how many of them were placed by your (D)mayor and (D)Governor ...)

"It is that lack of sensitivity and compassion that represents a kind of incompetence." (it's a lack of competence that leads to your lame brained comments and use of a tragedy to promote an agenda)

The civil rights leader said the flooding that caused thousands to be trapped inside the city was caused by a lack of federal funding for its levee system and hurricane planning. The resulting tragedy, he said, has largely hit New Orleans' black residents, because they were too poor to evacuate before the storm hit. (again I'll ask ... why weren't LOCAL taxes City and State>, used to "fix" the levee? and by the way jesse ... lets count up the poor white people and hispanic people, etc and see what percentage of their race population were to poor ... bet it's even percentages. Poor is not a freaking race thing ... it's a LAZINESS thing!)

"There's a historical indifference to the pain of poor people and black people" in this country, he said. (ya? I'm white ... I've been poor and pretty much could still be considered so ... guess what mr. jackson ... I ... ME ... MYSELF ... take the responsibility to WORK my way out of it ... not expect a government freaking hand out to do it.)

Jackson also said the news media has "criminalized the people of New Orleans" by focusing on violence in the city. (Well maybe if there wasn't violence in the city, they wouldn't focus on it ... )

Is your bleeping color anything more than an excuse to break the law to you mr. jackson? Is it your get out of jail free card? Is it any wonder the criminal numbers amoung young blacks is increasing with your rhetoric and your racisim acting as an enabler?

Kanye West joins Bush Blamers

2005-09-03T09:41:00.000-05:00

NEW YORK (AP) - It began, fittingly enough, with jazz from New Orleans natives Harry Connick Jr. and Wynton Marsalis. But "A Concert for Hurricane Relief," a heartfelt and dignified benefit aired on NBC and other networks Friday night, took an unexpected turn thanks to the outspoken rapper Kanye West.

Appearing two-thirds through the program, he claimed "George Bush doesn't care about black people" and said America is set up "to help the poor, the black people, the less well-off as slow as possible."

The show, simulcast from New York on NBC, MSNBC, CNBC and Pax, was aired live to the East Coast, enabling the Grammy-winning rapper's outburst to go out uncensored.

Comedian Mike Myers was paired with West for a 90-second segment that began with Myers speaking of Katrina's devastation. Then, to Myers' evident surprise, West began a rant by saying, "I hate the way they portray us in the media. If you see a black family, it says they're looting. See a white family, it says they're looking for food."

While allowing that "the Red Cross is doing everything they can," West - who delivered an emotional outburst at the American Music Awards after he was snubbed for an award - declared that government authorities are intentionally dragging their feet on aid to the Gulf Coast. Without getting specific, he added, "They've given them permission to go down and shoot us."

After he stated, "George Bush doesn't care about black people," the camera cut away to comedian Chris Tucker.

Only have 3 words for people like this ... Knock It Off

5 more ... You Make America Look Stupid

Gasoline Pirates

2005-09-02T13:15:00.000-05:00

FTC Asked to Probe Gas Price Gouging

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers are demanding an investigation into gasoline prices after thousands of motorists called a government hotline to complain of price gouging.

The Energy Department reported more than 5,000 calls to its price gouging hotline Thursday from around the country, although officials emphasized there was no way to immediately determine how many of the allegations were valid.

"In Illinois, prices are reported to have shot up 50 cents per gallon overnight and the state attorney general received more than 500 reports of price gouging," nine Democratic members of the House Judiciary Committee wrote the Federal Trade Commission, asking the agency to step up its review of gas markets.

"These increases go far beyond anything justified or relating to the market disruptions caused by Hurricane Katrina," wrote Rep. John Conyers of Michigan, the committee's ranking Democrat, and the other members.

Energy Department spokesman Drew Malcolm said reports of price gouging were being turned over to the FTC.

The states with the most complaints were North Carolina, Georgia, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Illinois, Tennessee, New Jersey, Michigan and South Carolina.

Meanwhile, attorney's general from a number of states held a telephone strategy session to discuss the rapidly escalating fuel prices and possible investigations into gouging. Prosecution for price gouging is generally a state matter unless it involves some form of collusion or other activity in violation of federal antitrust laws.

Gasoline prices jumped 35 cents to 50 cents a gallon overnight from Wednesday to Thursday in some areas pushing to well over $3 a gallon after Hurricane Katrina shut down nine Gulf Coast refineries, disrupted gasoline pipelines to the Midwest and East and stopped 90 percent of the oil production in the Gulf of Mexico.

"If we get consumer complaints about (gasoline) prices, we'll look at those complaints to find evidence of anticompetitive conduct," said John Seesel, the FTC's associate counsel for energy issues.

But Seesel said the FTC has no jurisdiction over an individual gas station operator raising his price, no matter how high, unless there is some collusion among retailers. A number of states, however, have anti-gouging statutes. Following FTC policy, he declined to say whether any investigation were underway.

On Thursday, Attorney General Troy King of Alabama initiated a private telephone conference with a number of his colleagues from others states to discuss strategy in response to the rising gas prices and reports of huge overnight spikes by some gasoline retailers. No details about the private discussion were available.

There have been isolated cases of unusually huge price jumps, including a gas station in Georgia that briefly charged $6 a gallon when competitors ran out of gas. In Michigan, there was a price jump of nearly $1 a gallon overnight, although prices then receded, according to Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., who drove around his district on Thursday to gauge prices.

"Prices are averaging $3.19. It's as high as $3.58 from $2.61 on Tuesday," said Upton in a telephone interview. "My sense is the supply and demand equation does not fit a 60-cent (a gallon) increase in the last 36 hours."

Profits are up. Having been in the business years ago I can tell you that 'collusion' is the industry standard. The same gas in the ground will cost more based on their neighbors prices. It has never had anything to do with actual cost/profit formulas ... just a matter of 'what can we get for it?'

From the Department of Energy site you can research and see that -

In 2003, the price of crude oil averaged $28.50 per barrel, and crude oil accounted for about 44% of the cost of a gallon of regular grade gasoline. In comparison, the average price for crude oil in 2002 was $24.09 per barrel, and it composed 43% of the cost of a gallon of regular gasoline. (There was a small rise in crude costs between 2002 and 2003, but a 1% decrease in what that crudes impact on the price per gallon was.)

Taxes (not including county and local taxes) account for approximately 27 percent of the cost of a gallon of gasoline. (This is a constant number that has obviously decreased in it's percentage as price per gallon has increased.)

Refining costs and profits comprise about 15% of the retail price of gasoline.

Distribution, marketing and retail dealer costs and profits combined make up 14% of the cost of a gallon of gasoline.

These percentages have changed, of course. In 2005 the figures are -

Crude Oil - 55%
Distribution and Marketing - 8%
Refining - 18%
Taxes - 19%

So after Hurricane Katrina hit, what was effected overnight ?

Crude prices hadn't changed. In fact, they actually decreased that night. Seems logical since with 9 refineries off line the demand for it decreased.

Taxes didn't suddenly go up. (I actually appreciate the fact that several legislators are considering temporarily suspending the taxes. I hope they do.)

Distribution and Marketing was only effected by the fact that there was no route on I-10 for trucking, pipelines shut down along with the refineries going off-line.

Refining? Wouldn't you think that with 9 refineries not in operation that the oil companies total costs decreased?

All we get are excuses. First its crude shortage, then crude is made more available and they raise the price. Then it's the demand excuse, (experts say that demand accounts for little in the price), besides the fact that when demand decreases from 9 less refineries requiring crude, they raise the price. Then it's a gasoline shortage excuse which is B.S.

Facts are the President Bush approved the release of crude from the SOR. This more than compensates for the offshore oil platforms being off line. Also Saudi Arabia immediately increased their out put to compensate. In short, we are actually flooding the market with raw crude ... yet the price goes up.

Needs refining? Yes, but there are other refineries in this world, and it has already been planned to increase the importing of foreign gasoline. Well more than enough to compensate for the losses of the 4 refineries that produced gasoline being off-line.

Of course, this is nothing new. We have been increasing our refined gasoline imports for awhile now due to a lack of domestic refineries.

Nearly 1 million barrels per day of gasoline and its components are imported.

Everyone knows the United States relies heavily on foreign oil. But most people don't realize that the nation also increasingly needs imported gasoline -- a trend that is contributing to the recent spike in prices at the pump.

More than half of the nation's refineries have shut down since 1981, no new ones have been built, and none are planned. Moreover, the industry has kept capacity growth at remaining facilities to a minimum, despite rising demand.

"Refiners are spending all of their money just meeting all the new (environmental) regulations," Bill Greehey, the chairman and chief executive of refiner Valero Energy Corp., said in an interview yesterday. "They don't have the money for strategic projects to add to their capacity, so it's not surprising that we're short capacity."

At the same time, Greehey acknowledged that this dearth has allowed the industry to enjoy phenomenal profits these days.

L. Bruce Lanni, a senior oil analyst at A.G. Edwards in San Francisco, estimates that refining margins are more than double what they were a year ago. That has sent the stock prices of independent refiners Sunoco Inc., Tesoro Petroleum Corp. and Valero, among others, soaring.

U.S. refiners don't hide from the fact that profits are at near-record levels these days. Instead, they use this fact to dispute claims that they are withholding product from the market, arguing that there is every incentive to produce as much gasoline as possible.

The United States now imports upwards of 1 million barrels a day of gasoline during the peak summer driving season, more than twice as much as it did 20 years ago, according to government statistics.

Yet, according to some, domestic refiners aren't necessarily producing as much gasoline as they can.

"They don't want to take the risk of overproducing" and thereby cause prices to drop, said Ken Miller, a refined products analyst at the Houston oil consultancy Purvin & Gertz.

The bottom line is that everyone involved has always found ways to make more of our money. Perhaps they might increase their outputs to lower pump prices once noone can afford to drive to work. Problem is, by then it will be to late. Noone will have a job to make a paycheck to use any of it to buy their over priced gas.

And as for the 'need to RE-build refineries' excuse that will be coming ... got insurance? How about using some of those record profits to pay for it ... and build more of them ... better ... and in areas that are not prone to disasters?