October 24, 2005
Woman DOESN'T Sue
Now this really IS news. A woman found a bullet in her pork loin that she bought at Food Lion -- and she's NOT suing Food Lion for emotional stress, nightmares, loss of job, or loss of income!
I'm astounded. Everyone sues over quite literally anything these days. Food Lion has money, therefore, most people today seem to enter that lottery lawsuit and hope they will get a settlement (and most do). This woman received a $10 refund and a new pork loin -- and she's satisfied. Anyone want to bet how many letters from ambulance chasers she's going to get withPosted by: Ogre at 07:08 AM | Comments (9) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Bribery OK says Jim Black
Jim Black is the Speaker of the North Carolina General Assembly. He rules the entire state of North Carolina with an iron fist. If you oppose him politically, he will use everything at his disposal to crush you. He feels he is completely above the law and that he can do anything he wants without any repercussions.
He continues to win re-election because he convinces the people who vote for him that they need "influence" in the house, and if you vote for anyone but him, Mecklenburg County will "get" nothing from the Legislature. Of course, he leaves out the fact that Mecklenburg already "gets" little to nothing now. He also wins because he commands the Democrats that make the rules and draw the districts to draw his district so that he will win without any competition. The Winston-Salem Journal has an excellent editorial that shows how above the law Jim Black thinks he is. Jim Black sees nothing wrong with a private company employing his head fundraiser and that company writing the law that will benefit that company. In other words, the company gave Jim Black cash so that they could write the law that would give them millions of taxpayer money. Jim Black's response when asked about this arrangement?It is completely typical and necessary
The corruption runs so deep in Raleigh that the politicians don't even think it's wrong any more. Again, this is the North Carolina Democrats at work.
Posted by: Ogre at 04:04 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
October 23, 2005
Unabridged Constitution
I think I understand now. All the Constitutional issues that have been discussed amongst conservatives and liberals now make sense -- apparently there's two different version of the U.S. Constitution, and conservatives have only seen one version. The Unrepentant Individual has found the unabridged version.
Posted by: Ogre at 10:57 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
October 22, 2005
Ogre's Not Here
Once again the Ogre heads off for the weekend (for the most part) to the lovely Carolina Renaissance Festival. I'm not quite sure why YOU aren't there. Think about it: 1600s. Ogres. Where else did you think you'd find an Ogre?
Posted by: Ogre at 02:38 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
October 21, 2005
Democrats hope for Angry Vote
Well, the Democrats appear to be pinning their hopes on the angry voter to take back the Congress in 2006. Jill Zuckman from the Washington Bureau of the Chicago Tribune writes about a number of quotes from the current Democrat planners.
The Democrats are excited that people are disappointed in Congress. The Democrats are working with the press to publicize as many scandals as they can regarding Republicans to attempt to get more people angry at Republicans and to turn more people off from voting -- the less people vote, the better Democrats appear to do. Comparisons are being made about the approval ratings of Congressmen between the 1994 Republican takeover and today -- they are about the same. However, the Republicans claim that the biggest reason people voted for them in 1994 was because they promised change -- the Contract With America -- not just because voters were annoyed at scandals. Of course, in 1993, there were 89 competitive seats. Today there are 28. That number alone should just sicken people. Just 6% of the seats in Congress are competitive. That's absolutely awful. That means 94% of the Congress is fat, dumb, and happy, and needs to do nothing to remain in their job. Ugh. But if someone's going to capitalize on the dislike for Congress and scandals, how about a slogan for the 2006 Congressional elections:You can't trust Democrats.
You can't trust Republicans.
Vote Libertarian.
Posted by: Ogre at 02:06 PM | Comments (8) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
All Crimes must have the same punishment
At least according to the Kansas Supreme Court. They recently ruled that the legislature cannot provide different penalties for different crimes. Applying the logic used in that case, first-degree murder and shoplifting need to have the same exact punishment. The court claims:
Moral disapproval of a group cannot be a legitimate state interest.
Ok, so you cannot outlaw murder, because that's a moral judgment on a group of people who commit murder. You cannot outlaw sexual acts between 5-year olds and adults, because that's a moral judgment on a group of sick bastards. Sorry, no laws against embezzlement, as that's a moral judgment against a group of tricksters. You cannot have laws against drugs, because that's just a moral judgment against people with an alternative lifestyle. This judge is another loony who doesn't like the legislature making laws for their own people. The case is being spun as one that "suggests animus toward teenagers who engage in homosexual sex." Well gee, then laws against bank robbery "suggest animus towards people who engage in robbing banks." These laws are in place to stop ACTIONS. But sorry, this judge doesn't believe in judging anyone for their actions. Someone needs to mail this moron the definition of "judge" because he sure isn't qualified. Can we get Oddybobo to replace this idiot?
Posted by: Ogre at 12:21 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
A Religion of Peace Blast from the Past
Islam and Muslims, killing and terrorizing Americans, 32 years ago.
(Hat Tip to Kender's Musings)Posted by: Ogre at 12:05 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
FBI Investigates Jim Black
The FBI is continuing to investigate North Carolina House Speaker Jim Black. Why? They're not saying.
Keep in mind, Jim Black is the one who has a chief fundraiser on his staff, one Meredith Norris. Meredith Norris is employed by Scientific Games. Scientific Games WROTE the legislation for the state lottery that passed the legislature. And Scientific Games is the company that "won" the contract to run the North Carolina state lottery. Oh, and Jim Black suddenly "dismissed" Meredith Norris from her job several weeks ago. Let's see, primary fundraiser for a politician employed by a company that stands to gain hundreds of millions of dollars from the state. And Mr. Black received over $100,000 in donations from the gambling industry in the last election cycle. Oh, and the FBI recently got convictions of two illegal gaming operators and a former Transportation Secretary. I hope the FBI can get through the corruption on this one.Posted by: Ogre at 10:04 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Democrats Happy
Of course the Democrats are happy -- the Congress cannot agree to cut spending. While the Republicans argue about what to cut and where to cut, with disagreements about where exactly to cut spending, the Democrats are smiling and happy because there appear to be no cuts.
This will be very interesting to watch, at least for me, because it really shows one of the very few supposed differences between the two parties. The result of this "fight" will help determine the party's standings and positions. Normally, Democrats only increase taxes and increase spending. They're overjoyed when they can spend more money on quite literally anything other than defense. Historically, the Republicans attempt to reduce taxes and reduce spending. So far in this Congress, the Republicans managed to reduce some taxes, but they've increased spending in massive amounts. They're considering reducing spending, but it doesn't look like they will. If they don't, this will show people where the Republican party at the national level really stands.Posted by: Ogre at 08:05 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Corporate Donations
"Everyone knows" that corporations cannot make political donations. That's the law, according to some. That is the law that Tom Delay's been accused of violating -- that some corporate money was used in a political campaign. That's why he's been indicted, and why he's been arrested.
I'm eagerly awaiting the arrest of Charlotte Mayor Patrick McCrory. The Charlotte Observer, "a Knight-Ridder publication" recently used approximately $2,000 worth of newspaper space to print their political advertisement for Mayor McCrory. In political terms, since it wasn't cash, it is considered an "in-kind" donation. So where's the DA? Oh wait, "Free speech?" you cry? I agree. Now what's the difference? What is the difference between a corporation that happens to publish newspapers spending cash supporting their candidate and a company that make laundry detergent or a company that sells hot dogs spending cash supporting their candidate? There is no difference. If one company can spend money to help get some people elected, why can't all companies? Spending money is one of the primary ways to express freedom of speech. It's wrong to tell companies that only some, special, selected companies have free speech while others do not. More corporate cash in elections wouldn't be great with today's bloated government, but if government were only doing what they were supposed to be doing, this would not be a problem. I support free speech for everyone -- which includes anyone giving money to anyone they want to. I know -- it's a radical concept. I wonder where the ACLU is -- have they offered to defend Tom Delay's freedom of speech?Posted by: Ogre at 06:57 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
October 20, 2005
Now I'm Mad about Wilma
Normally when hurricanes wander around, I don't get too excited. I lived for a few years in South Florida, and I was there when Andrew absolutely ripped through Dade County -- I lived about 5 miles north of the path of total destruction. So I know what these storms do and how they work.
I do worry a little about people that are in their path like the whole pile of Florida Bloggers, but I know most of them are prepared. I know many of them will suffer some problems, but it's unlikely that many of them will be killed. Therefore, I don't worry much about these storms. I watch them to see where they're going; I keep an eye on them to see if their outer bands will send rain to North Carolina; and I watch them because they're amazing to look at through the eyes of scientific observation. But now Wilma's got me really annoyed. Why? The Dolphins game has been moved to Friday night. Now, if I were in Florida, that would be no big deal (except for the sudden lack of a all-morning long tailgate party). But I'm not. I pay piles of money to the NFL via DirectTV so I can watch the Dolphins games. The team is not good enough to rate much national coverage, so the networks here in North Carolina almost never carry a Dolphins game. Now the game is on Friday. Last year, the Dolphins had a game rescheduled because of another storm. DirectTV couldn't coordinate the legal arrangements to get it broadcast. I'm betting that I'll be out of luck again this year, and I'll see no game on Friday night. Damn Wilma! *Shaking fists at the wind like Harvey*Posted by: Ogre at 03:46 PM | Comments (16) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
ACLU Supports Voter Fraud
Time for the weekly Stop the ACLU Blogburst. The weekly blogburst is to point out the true goals of the ACLU and help to point out to the general public where and when the ACLU opposes freedom, as they quite often do.
This week, the ACLU decides to support voter fraud, and they win, finding a federal judge who also believes in voter fraud, opposing the people of the state and the legislature of the state. The ACLU wants to continue to allow voter fraud so they can change the will of the people and valid elections.Posted by: Ogre at 11:01 AM | Comments (16) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
County Commissioner wants to punish criminals!
Reading that headline, you might think that there's no news story here. Very unfortunately there is -- because he's very likely to fail in his efforts.
In the state of North Carolina, primary funding for the department of corrections and courts comes from the state. The state legislature determines which counties get how much money. The courts are massively short money these days because the Democrats who run the legislature do not want to fund them. Instead, the Democrats want to fund oyster farms and other wastes of money. When it comes to one of the very few things government is actually supposed to do, they cannot find the money. Currently, the courts are so overwhelmed they are considering putting ALL civil cases on hold, just so they can deal with criminal courts. In Mecklenburg, the court and "justice" system is so bad that if you commit murder in Charlotte in plain sight of the police, you only have a 50/50 change of going to jail -- they just don't have the prosecutors or the jail space. So one county council member has proposed actually funding the court system. He proposes increasing funding from the county to actually pay for the courts, hiring DAs, and increasing jail space. As you might imagine, he's not going to get very far in the Democrat-controlled council. Why? Because Democrats honestly believe in spending money on other programs and seriously do not like punishing criminals. Some will complain that it's the state's job and that the county shouldn't get involved (no matter that the crimes are still increasing). Still others will use this as an excuse to raise taxes even more. That's what Democrats prefer to do -- use quite literally anything as an excuse to raise taxes. Hey morons, how about reducing the funding for "after school programs" and spend money locking up actual criminals? But no, that wouldn't fit into the liberal worldview. After all, according to the Democrats in North Carolina, they'd rather allow a hundred rapists and murders go free than deprive one child of state-sponsored entertainment for an hour in the afternoon.Posted by: Ogre at 08:02 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
NC Children, According the to State
I'm not trying to take over as the blog to visit to see media bias, but sometimes I just have to point these things out. The Charlotte Observer staff and editorial board are socialists. They honestly believe that only they and government should determine all that is good and right. They seriously oppose anything that even hints at freedom -- economic, personal, or religious.
This can be seen on any day by reading nearly any article by their usual staff. Eric Frazier joins this chorus of total socialists by declaring "NC Kids Healthier and Safer" So, what's his example of healthier and safer? 64% more children enrolled in government "early intervention programs." In other words, 64% more children being raised by the state in the way the state wants them -- taught to accept the state as master and god. 33% less children pregnant (age 15-17 only). He leaves out the increase in pregnancies for under age 15, an increase in unwed mothers, and no increase in the prosecution of males over age 18 who caused those pregnancies in girls under age 18. 21% more children age 12-18 who are poor that are now overweight. So these poor children don't seem to be having any trouble getting food -- let's just give them even more money so they'll buy "better" food. 33% more children on the public dole getting insurance paid for by working individuals. Of course, this leaves out the number of people who are working who cannot afford insurance because they are forced to pay for all the damn lazy-ass people who won't work. This is only a success in a government-run state. This is great if you're in a communist country. This is exactly how today's left and today's Democrats measure success -- the more people dependent on government, the more successful people are. I guess I'm a total failure -- and I'm sure in the eyes of Eric Frazier and other socialists, communists, and others opposed to freedom, I am -- because I work hard instead of waiting for government.Posted by: Ogre at 04:04 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
October 19, 2005
Fancy Links
Hey, just to point out a couple new things here. First, there's this logo:
I'll be adding that to the sidebar. It's a link to the Mission Impossible:III web site. That movie comes out 5-5-2006, so it's a ways off, but I should have some inside info as it becomes available, including first run previews, so watch that link! Next up, over there on the left, way at the top of the sidebar, is a thumbnail of a blog with "Rent My Blog Now" below it. This is a new blog exchange thing where you can buy or rent space on other's blogs with Blog Explosion. First, if you're not a member of Blog Explosion, become one now. Just follow that link and sign up (it costs $0). You can then surf and exchange lots of neat stuff with other blogs. Once you're a member, you can buy and rent space on other member's blogs. This week, Conservative Nation has graciously rented space on this fine blog. That blog is by a "very conservative right-winger" from PA -- and a college student! I didn't think that was possible. Why not click through and see what else he's got to say?
Posted by: Ogre at 08:32 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Citizen Legislators
Another week, another good series of questions for the weekly Christian Views Symposium. Each week Lennie of Cross Blogging asks a question or series of questions. Everyone is then encouraged to answer those questions in the comments or on their own blog: feel free to join in!
This week the questions are about citizen legislatures and career legislatures. I've studied this quite a bit in North Carolina, as Lennie has in IL, as can be seen in his post for this week. His specific questions are:1. Is there a lack of the working class entering politics today?
2. If there is, what can be done to reverse this trend?
3. Would term limits be an effective method of enticing the working class back into the political arena?
Posted by: Ogre at 02:04 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Miers Doomed
Is Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers doomed? It certainly appears so. You see, with the revelation that she actually supported banning abortion, and is on the record as supporting it, all bets are off.
Now the Democrats (including Arlen Specter, Olympia Snowe, Lincoln Chaffe, John McCain, and others) have their reason to oppose her. With Democrats, abortion is a litmus test -- you simply cannot oppose abortion at any time, in any place, ever in your life, or you are not accepted in a national position of the Democrat Party. If the Democrats unify behind their leader in opposing her, as they likely will, it will only take a few Republicans to completely derail her nomination. The RINOs will likely join with the Democrats because of the abortion issue (note that you can be pro- or anti-abortion and still be a Republican). In addition, if just one or two conservative Republican (okay, if there were any) Senators also oppose her for any reason, she's done. I'm not pretending to have an inside track into Washington, but if the Democrats form into a mass blob of unity, as they are wont to do, I can see this nomination suddenly being withdrawn. It won't likely be Bush that withdraws her, as that would be admitting defeat. Instead, I think Miers will come up with a "personal issue," or give some other reason to withdraw her own nomination. The Democrats aren't the only group that doesn't like her.Posted by: Ogre at 12:05 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Immigration NOT a priority
In case you actually thought that immigration (illegal immigration, crimes, security, etc.) was important to the US Senate, Sen. John Cornyn helps confirm that it's not. Of course,
GOP leaders in the House and Senate have stressed that immigration reform remains near the top of the legislative agenda
"Near the top." You can presume that to be somewhere in the top 1,000 things they want to do within the next 20 years -- because they're sure not doing anything about it now -- they're too busy taking money from productive people to give to others. I spoke with my Congressional Representative a number of months ago about immigration at a town meeting. Every single person in the room wanted something done and done now. His answer? Sorry, we just can't get everyone to agree on whether to build a fence or have a guest worker program or something else. Great. We need help and Congress refuses to do one of the few things they are legitimately Constitutionally allowed to do because they can't agree. Yet they can all always agree to waste billions of dollars on giveaways to buy votes. What a steaming pile of you-know-what Congress has become. And yes, I'll say that to their faces.
Posted by: Ogre at 10:09 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Separation of States and Church and Federalism
I was reading an article in the local communist propaganda pamphlet, the Charlotte Observer, when I was shocked. In this article, it was actually suggested that these two statements made by the Supreme Court in 1947 were wrong:
(1) under the 14th Amendment of 1868 (granting citizenship to former slaves), the establishment clause was "incorporated" against the states, restricting them, rather than protecting state prerogatives; and (2) the establishment clause was not confined to prohibiting a national church, but erected a wide-ranging "wall of separation between Church and State."
I was absolutely shocked because that's absolutely correct -- these statements are way out of line with the Constitution. However, the article even went further, suggesting that the 2004 Newdow case could actually overturn these horrible rulings!
Justice Clarence Thomas suggested reconsideration of this misbegotten jurisprudence. "[I]t makes little sense to incorporate the establishment clause" against the states, he said.
Wow. What a concept. Can you imagine if states actually had rights? Can you imagine if the people of a state were actually free to determine their own laws? What a radical concept. I often dream of such a day of such a powerful expansion of freedom. I wish there were something I could do to hurry to usher in such a great thing. Unfortunately, we're at the mercy of the oligarchs in this area. Then I read the byline -- the article was written by Tom Ashcraft. He is the opposite of the Observer editorial board -- someone who supports freedom himself, and a good and honest man. Nice job, Tom. Now I can only hope the Supreme Court is listening.
Posted by: Ogre at 07:08 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Must Have Oysters
The utter wasteful spending continues in the North Carolina General Assembly. Just over $1 million was given away by the legislature for "oyster rehabilitation programs" and the oyster hatcheries at the North Carolina aquariums. What a total damn waste of good money.
But wait, it's costing more now! A legislative committee is going to get a tour of the oyster hatcheries and have someone explain to them why it's so important that we spend so much money "rehabilitating" oysters. They're serious. And this will cost MORE money because the people giving the tour will be paid with taxpayer funds; the legislative staff will be sure to use tax money to pay for their trip; and you can bet there will be catered meals, paid for with more tax money. They will also have "business meetings" where they will use more taxpayer money for more per diem spending, taxpayer owned buildings, and where lobbyists will ask for even MORE money for the next year for marine fisheries, mullet fisheries, and shrimp fishery management. Yes, this is your North Carolina Democrat at work -- spending as much as often as they can.Posted by: Ogre at 04:06 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
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