Ogre's Politics & Views

November 16, 2007

I'm Over There

For the time being, I'm over here and blogging away. That's not where I plan to stay very long (but I did say that about my current employment where I've been for 7 years now), but I'm there at the moment. Come on over and say "Hi!"

Posted by: Ogre at 02:04 PM | Comments (18) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

November 13, 2007

I Surrender

I give up.

I've spent over 7 hours now in the past 4 days deleting spam. I'm done. Until I find another platform or another way to deal with spam, I'm simply done blogging here (or maybe I'll just post sans comments). It's not worth the time and trouble. When I find another way, I'll post here again. Until then, have fun!

Update: Thanks for all the kind emails of support. Please realize, I'm not completely giving up -- I'm just stopping until I find somewhere to blog where I'm not spending hours a day dealing with spam. It might be here, it might be somewhere else, but I'm not stopping. I just really don't want to change urls, if there's any other options.

Update #2: Hundreds more spam each day, even after manually closing and programatically closing posts. Gah. In the meantime, I'm playing over here.

Posted by: Ogre at 12:51 PM | Comments (18) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

November 12, 2007

America and Iran

americaAndIran.jpg

Posted by: Ogre at 07:04 PM | Comments (17) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Muslim Terrorists Win

So, if we lose this war on terror, what will happen? What will America look like if we lose? Seriously, I'm wondering.

Many people are supporting Rudy Guiliani for president because he was mayor of New York during the 9/11 attacks he is the one who can best lead and win in this war on terror. It has even been proposed that he is getting support JUST because he can win this war. It was suggested that evangelical Christian leaders are supporting him solely because they believe winning this war is more important than any other issue: including abortion, taxes, and same-sex marriage.

But what would happen if we "lost?"

Now even I have posted what the Muslim terrorists desire. They want to take over the world. They want everyone to bow down to their religion. They want their religion to be the law of the land, enforced with violence. And certainly, using our own government, they are making inroads in that direction. But what would happen if we didn't fight them now and instead embraced freedom?

Would they be able to force all America women to wear burkas? Not damn likely. I know a LOT of women who would just refuse. They'd take the head-chopping off. How many would they have to kill before all women submitted? I'm thinking pretty much ALL of them.

Would they be able to make it a capital crime to utter "Mohammed?" I suppose they could -- but if you think you've seen civil disobedience, you haven't seen anything yet. I, again, know lots of people who would just arm themselves and walk down main street crying out, "Mo stinks!" -- and just daring the police to arrest them. Again, how many would you have to kill before people would fall in line?

Maybe Islam would be enshrined as the nation's official religion. Well, even if that happened, so what? We already have a national religion (atheism) and most people just ignore it for the crap it is.

So what am I missing? With so many people and bloggers running around saying "I will not submit," what would "losing" this war actually look like? Maybe there's some other wars we should "lose" -- like the one on poverty and the one on drugs.

Posted by: Ogre at 04:40 PM | Comments (23) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Next Ron Paul Money Bomb

Check out Ron Paul. Think about making big news, even if you're not completely supporting him for election. Even if he doesn't win, but supporting him, you might get a few other candidates to pay attention to freedom.

Posted by: Ogre at 02:05 PM | Comments (17) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

NC Rejects Home Tax

By an overwhelming margin, citizens in 16 counties resoundingly defeated a real estate transfer tax on Tuesday night. The proposed transfer tax, also known statewide as the “home tax,” would have resulted in property owners being forced to pay an additional tax just for the privilege of selling their home or property.

“The taxpayers of North Carolina spoke loud and clear across the state Tuesday,” said Tim Kent, executive vice president of the N.C. Association of REALTORS®. “As we have stated all along, the transfer tax would have been grossly unfair, singling out one group of people – those selling their homes – to pay for infrastructure, programs and services that benefit everyone.”

Citizen groups in the 16 counties initiated grassroots efforts to inform their friends and neighbors about the negative implications of a transfer tax.

“The more than 44,000 realtors in North Carolina care deeply about the communities in which they live,” Kent said. “They are keenly aware that our local governments have real needs, and they will continue to work with local officials to find the best solutions for these needs. But they, like those who voted Tuesday, realize the transfer tax is not the answer.”

The legislature during the 2007 session voted to give counties the option to place the transfer tax issue on the ballot. Only 16 of North Carolina’s 100 counties chose to put a referendum on the November 6 ballot.
“We hope the large margin by which these measures were defeated will send a strong message to other counties considering a transfer tax referendum for the future,” Kent said. “The bottom line – the home tax is a bad idea.”

As Jim Puckett of Charlotte points out -- the Real Estate industry spent a lot of money supporting trains in Charlotte. Now they've got to be paid for, so when the real estate industry shows up to oppose these sorts of taxes, they're just claiming that they want something, but THEY don't want to pay for it!

Posted by: Ogre at 12:08 PM | Comments (15) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

November 10, 2007

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, Marines!

The Marines? Yeah, they're the Americans that have been fighting Islamic terrorists since 1801. Just in case you forgot.

Posted by: Ogre at 07:03 PM | Comments (20) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Dextre Tripp on a Ladder

And yes, once again, one of my real favorites from the festival, Dextre Tripp:

Dextre on a Ladder

Ever tried to climb a ladder? Imagine climbing one not leaning up against anything. And then imagine someone ELSE climbing that ladder at the same time. That's what he's doing here -- that child is bringing him his hat by climbing the ladder and joining him at the top! This guy really is that good!

That's all for this weekend, but hopefully as you read this I'm taking more pictures and will have some more next week! Thanks for stopping by.

Posted by: Ogre at 05:03 PM | Comments (19) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Don Juan and Miguel

Presenting Don Juan and Miguel. Sorry the picture isn't great. I'll get better ones today.

Don Juan and Miguel

These two are really neat people. They've got an impressive sword fighting and whip show, and they're clearly talented with both. They're also hilarious. And Miguel is quite often seen wandering about the fair grounds, talking with people. Just beware of him when he has a pickle...

Posted by: Ogre at 03:02 PM | Comments (16) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Manolete

Hey folks! Ogre's not here today. Instead, he's over at the Carolina Renaissance Festival all day long. You should be there, too. For those who cannot, one more day of a few pictures from the festival. This one here is Manolete:

Manolete

This guy's a nut. He lights the stage on fire and plays with fire. He balances fire on his body. He swings rope around -- lit on fire. Go watch him -- his show will be great this weekend when it's supposed to be chilly!

Posted by: Ogre at 01:04 PM | Comments (15) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

November 09, 2007

The London Broil

Here's another very entertaining group, The London Broil. These are three funny guys that juggle and put on a great show.

London Broil Juggling Trio

They're supposed to be appearing live in Charlotte next Friday. Their web site keeps saying "check back soon for details." I hope they update it before next Friday so I can get some tickets! But don't miss them at the fair -- if you catch their last show, you might get to see them juggle stools!

Well, that's all the pictures for today! Be sure and stop by again tomorrow for more pictures. And if you're in the area, come on by the festival. I'll be the Ogre dressed as a pirate with a camera with the long lens.

Posted by: Ogre at 08:05 PM | Comments (17) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Sarah Marie Mullen

When you're walking through the tree-covered area of the Carolina Renaissance Festival and you hear the wonderful music of a harp wandering through the branches and leaves, you're sure to be getting closer to Sarah Marie Mullen:

Sarah Mullen

I could sit and listen to that beautiful music all day. And she's not exactly rough on the eyes while you're sitting there, either...

Posted by: Ogre at 06:07 PM | Comments (20) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Happy Veterans Day

A brief pause in the Renaissance Festival posting for the day --

Go thank a veteran today. (And yes, I know it's early, but it's Friday, and I don't know what you people will be doing all weekend!)

Posted by: Ogre at 05:02 PM | Comments (18) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Great Horned Owl

There is one show at the festival that showcases various birds of prey. It's neat, lots of fun, and the birds fly through and over the audience. It's pretty cool. This picture here came out just great, didn't it? The owl had just taken off.

Great Horned Owl in Flight

This weekend, I'm taking a different lens and hope to get a few more close-ups of a few things -- like these great birds in flight.

Posted by: Ogre at 04:09 PM | Comments (25) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Thom Selectomy

Here he is, Thom Selectomy:

Thom Selectomy

Thom is a great show. He was away from the Carolina Renaissance Festival for a couple years, but he's back. It's a really great and entertaining show and he really does swallow those swords. The one in this picture is really long, trust me!

There's just two weekends left, so if you're around, come on out and join in the fun and merriment. This really is a great place to come and relax and forget the troubles of the world, just for a day. Ogre will be there all day this Saturday -- and it's Pirate Day, so just try and imagine an Ogre dressed as a pirate. Yup, that'll be me.

Posted by: Ogre at 02:34 PM | Comments (17) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Welcome to Friday

Well there's been lots of crap in the news this week. There's been lots of religious persecution, advancement of communism at the expense of freedom, and degradation of all that is good. And there's been some good news, too. But today's Friday, and I'm taking a news break.

I meant to post pictures all week about the Carolina Renaissance Festival. I got busy and forgot. So throughout the day today, I'll just be posting pictures and other lighter fare. Forget the news for a day -- I guarantee that when you check back again, you'll find you really didn't miss anything. So check back later here today, and there will be more fun and excitement!

Posted by: Ogre at 12:40 PM | Comments (25) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

November 08, 2007

University Funding

universityFunding.gif

Posted by: Ogre at 06:09 PM | Comments (37) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Great Olympic News!

Yesterday I posted about the 2008 Olympics in Communist China. The news reports were that Bibles were going to be banned for athletes in the Olympics. Lindsey Graham from South Carolina reportedly asked the Chinese ambassador to the US about the ban and didn't get any answers.

Well, I wrote the US Olympic committee, and I'm happy to say I got a very quick response:

We have received confirmation from both the International Olympic Committee and the Beijing Organizing Committee that Bible and other religious materials will be permitted in the Athletes Village for personal use.

The news reports that the Beijing Organizing Committee was considering a prohibition were completely incorrect and stemmed from a miscommunication between a journalist form Italy and a representative of the organizing committee.

In addition, there will be an area in the Athletes village where athletes, coaches and officials can worship - as is always the case at the Olympic Games.


Excellent news! This is great especially because I really like the Olympics. Well, again, I like amateur athletes and don't care much for sports where professionals play one bit. And I do like the winter games a little better than the summer games. But still, this year I think I'm going to support the amateur athletes by joining The Sixth Ring -- which is a group of people financially supporting athletes training for the 2008 Olympics. Now I just need a new Olympic hat...

Posted by: Ogre at 05:47 PM | Comments (29) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

MidWest HomeSchool Convention

American Family Association is delighted to announce the 2nd annual Cincinnati Midwest Homeschool Convention!

This exciting Convention will be held March 27-29, 2008. It features an incredible lineup of speakers and a wide variety of the very best educational materials and curriculum. It is being held at the 165-acre campus of Landmark Cincinnati, 1600 Glendale-Milford Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45215-1231.

A PARTIAL LIST OF SPEAKERS INCLUDES:
Tim Wildmon
Jessie Wise
Amanda Bennett
Jeannie Fulbright
Mike Riddle
Gary DeMar
Julie Hiramine
Mark Hamby
Andrew Pudewa
Todd Wilson
David Quine
Michael Donnelly, Esq.
Dr. R. W. Keller
Susan Kemmerer
Dr. Durrell Dobbins
Kathie Morrisey
Jessica Hulcey
Jim Weiss

A PARTIAL LIST OF VENDORS & EXHIBITORS INCLUDES:

Answers in Genesis
American Family Association
A Beka Book
Alpha Omega Publications
Sonlight
My Father's World
Classical Academic Press
Math-U-See
VideoText Interactive
Gravitas Publications
The Book Peddler
Peace Hill Press
American Vision
Excellence in Writing
Lamplighter Publishing
Generations of Virtue
Analytical Grammar
Artistic Pursuits
Cornerstone Curriculum
HSLDA

Please see http:www.midwesthomeschoolconvention.com for more information, or send an email to info@MidWestHomeschoolConvention.com

Posted by: Ogre at 02:04 PM | Comments (15) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

More Comment Whining

My resident pet troll, who posts under all sorts of names for some reason (any strange name that you see over and over again is likely the troll -- usually some attempt at relating to the post, but sometimes not), is doing more whining. On a post about SCHIP, the troll (posting on that thread as John Daley) claims to be God of America.

This is a position that the left often takes. It's one thing to think that you know better than everyone else, but you have truly descended into the den of evil when you ask

How does the couple with $22,800 spendable income afford a private health insurance plan?

especially when your answer is "with government help."

He also keeps pestering me about how much I pay for insurance. You see, there's one answer to that question in a free country (which America is not):

WHO CARES? IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE


The government of a free country should never ask or care about how much anything costs. The implication is that if something costs "too much," then government should make it cheaper. That's the story behind SCHIP -- people cannot "afford" insurance, so government should buy it for them.

Keep in mind: government can buy NOTHING without first taking from someone else.

Well gee, can people afford cell phones? Maybe they're "too expensive" so government should buy some of those. Oh, people don't "need" those? How about cars? Are they "too expensive?" If so, government better get to buying some for people. Oh, and we better get some more people like John Daley paying more attention so they can tell everyone else the EXACT price that things should cost. After all, how are we to determine how much is "too much" if we don't have someone who knows better to tell us? And hey, houses are kind of expensive, and everyone "needs" a house, too, right? Better get government to buy some more of those.

Hey, what about food? People absolutely really need food right? Well, how much, exactly, should a can of baked beans cost? Is 33 cents "too much?" I think John Daley needs to tell us. Should government show up and force everyone to only charge 31 cents? Should we fine people and throw them in jail for charging 37 cents for a can of beans? In John Daley's world, apparently we should.

But this is the world of liberals today. They honestly believe that they are gods in America. They believe they know exactly how much people should pay for everything because they're smarter than everyone else. And they hate freedom (even if they won't admit it). How much "should" health insurance cost? Whatever two people agree it should cost. If I can get someone to give it to me for 2 chickens a week, we should be able to trade. But in the fantasy-land that is liberalism, that's not "fair."

In a free country, people are free to come to an agreement about trading for goods and services. We are not free to do that in this country for many things -- health insurance is just one of them. I cannot buy the health insurance I want today -- not because of the "evil" companies, but because the government of North Carolina WILL NOT LET ME. They have made it illegal and will fine anyone who dares sell me the insurance I want.

Liberals like this idea. Liberals believe that "rights" extend to anything they deem people should have. And they don't care who they have to punish, jail, or enslave to get what they want. No, they won't use their money to buy things for people that they want them to have -- but they're more than willing to use the force of government to take from YOU so they can buy things THEY decide others "should" have. And that's just incredibly selfish and pure evil.

Posted by: Ogre at 12:55 PM | Comments (58) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

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