Minx Dynamic Pages for Movable Type

Ogre's Politics & Views

July 06, 2005

NC Budget

The North Carolina General Assembly continues to meet behind closed doors, without any public input, nor any public scrutiny, to complete their budget. Of course since the fiscal year ran out, the two bodies were quick to implement a couple tax increases in their continuing resolution to "keep the government running."

But they'll be sure to have no problems here. After all, each month there is an estimated $100 million more than projected, so they are sure to have enough money, right? Well sure, after they raise literally hundreds of taxes and fees. You see, we cannot possibly live without spending $200,000 on the Kid's Voting program. It's for the children, so we MUST do it.

Oh, and even though the next governor won't be sworn in until 2009, in the 2005 budget there's $325,000 for the governor's inauguration. Nope, no way we can live without that spending. This budget is cut to the bone.

And you've heard of the CIAA, right? No? Well you will. It's a PRIVATE college association that apparently cannot promote itself, so the government is giving them half a million dollars for promotions. Yes, so the private organization can promote itself. No wiggle room in this budget at all.

Just a reminder -- if you're voting Democrat in North Carolina, this is what you get. If you're completely happy with 10-20% increases in taxes, fees, and other government incomes, keep voting Democrat, and they will keep spending your money. The NC Democrats are NOT the party of the people -- they are the party of the special interest.

Posted by: Ogre at 06:08 AM | Comments (8) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

July 05, 2005

Personality Test

Found over at Basil's Blog (and he found it at Phin's Blog), one Personality Test. Unlike Basil, I apparently scored rather poorly.

According to the test, I am at Very High or High risk of the following "disorders:" Schizoid, Schizotypal, and Narcissistic. However, reading the info pages about them makes me wonder why they are disorders...

The disorder [schizotypal] is characterized by odd forms of thinking and perceiving, and individuals with this disorder often seek isolation from others.

Yes, what's wrong with that? Everyone else just thinks wrong. I am right. No problem there.

Narcissists: They tend to be choosy about picking friends, since they believe that not just anyone is worthy of being their friend. They are generally uninterested in the feelings of others.

And? Perhaps you're NOT worthy. Maybe that's someone else's problem.

Schizoids genuinely prefer to be alone and do not secretly wish for popularity. They tend to seek jobs that require little social contact. They do not show a need for attention or acceptance. They are perceived by others as humorless and distant and often are termed "loners."

Well, that describes all us computer geeks, doesn't it?

Tell me again why these things are considered "disorders?" They seem pretty normal to me...

Posted by: Ogre at 01:00 PM | Comments (14) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Courts Determine Spending

For those who still need more evidence that the current state of government is nothing at all like what was intended by the creators of that government, I present the North Carolina Court System.

From the North Carolina Constitution:

Sec. 23. Revenue bills.
No laws shall be enacted to raise money on the credit of the State, or to pledge the faith of the State directly or indirectly for the payment of any debt, or to impose any tax upon the people of the State, or to allow the counties, cities, or towns to do so, unless the bill for the purpose shall have been read three several times in each house of the General Assembly and passed three several readings, which readings shall have been on three different days, and shall have been agreed to by each house respectively, and unless the yeas and nays on the second and third readings of the bill shall have been entered on the journal.

In other words, the General Assembly is the body of government that is to determine all rules regarding raising and spending all revenue.

From the North Carolina Supreme Court:

the North Carolina Supreme Court upheld most of a 2003 opinion by the state Court of Appeals and even expanded the list of civil penalties that should benefit public education, dipping into agencies from the Department of Transportation to the University of North Carolina system.
The justices also ruled that penalties for late payments and underpayments by taxpayers to the Department of Revenue should wind up with the schools. Those penalties alone generate an estimated $50 million to $70 million annually

In other words -- the North Carolina Court system will determine how much money will be spent on education.

So the North Carolina Supreme Court freely ignores the Constitution. And there is no one left to enforce it's provisions. Our Constitutional government is clearly and obviously lost.

Posted by: Ogre at 05:57 AM | Comments (8) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

July 04, 2005

New Layout

Well here it is! The long-awaited (ok, maybe not) new layout and design. What do you think?

If you cannot read anything due to colors and contrast, please let me know right away. It should be very similar in both IE and Firefox, despite a few different tricks in play.

However, it seems that while I was gone, the original Ogre was stolen, so I had to find a replacement. How's that guy at the top for a replacement?

Also, thank you very much to all who came, read my various ramblings over the past two weeks, and kept at least some life to the blog (especially comments)! I'll be posting more about the vacation over the next week or 5 -- very interesting and quite non-uneventful.

This layout's not quite perfected, I'll be porting over a few other changes, including blogrolls, archive pages and the like over the next couple days. The main page will stay generally like this for now. Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Posted by: Ogre at 02:31 PM | Comments (30) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Ronald Reagan's 4th

Found via Mrs. Satan(?), What July Fourth Means to Me- By Ronald Reagan.

Posted by: Ogre at 12:22 PM | Comments (13) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Declaration of Independence

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

...

We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. --And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Go here for the complete document.

I guess what I really wonder is how the colonists really felt that the time. From what they have outlined, they were very oppressed - be we certainly are today. They had trouble with the ruling class not applying laws to themselves - as our legislators do today. They complained about centralized power that overruled their governors -- as the federal government does to states quite often today.

They complained that the King "erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance" -- as the federal government certainly does today. They complained about the King cutting off trade with all parts of the world -- as our federal government does today.

The American Patriots seemed to face an oppressive king that did many things that our federal government does today. But they had the guts and the willingness to give up everything they had, including their lives, to make this land a better place. I wish we had some true American Patriots today.

Posted by: Ogre at 08:00 AM | Comments (10) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

July 03, 2005

New Neighbor #21

Time again to introduce a new neighbor. This week I present for your approval:

The Dawn Treader

When I first read that, I kept seeing the Dawn TRADER. It doesn't say trader, it says TREADER. In short, this place is:

A site for discussing any and all issues related to worldview, philosophy, ethics, religion, and culture. The title is taken from C.S. Lewis' classic book in the Chronicles of Narnia.

I have read that book, and I do remember that ship and that voyage quite well. Very nice.

The author is a "Husband, father, writer, teacher, and life long learner" who homeschools his 4 children. He says "My favorite blogs are those that promote good thinking and have thoughtful, edifying content. My goal is to make The Dawn Treader such a blog."

Mr. Dawn Treader, I believe you have been a success.

The blog appears to only have been around since January 2005. It's updated daily and has information on all sorts of different topics. He talks about golf courses, Nashville, church, and plenty more.

So once again on this Sunday afternoon, I ask you to take some time, head on over, and read some news, information, and talk from my neighbor.

Posted by: Ogre at 11:58 AM | Comments (9) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

July 02, 2005

Tipping

So, can anyone tell me how much I'm supposed to tip for other things?

I know the 15% rule, and you waitresses, if you're only getting 10%, it's not the customer, it's YOU. Also, if you work at a place where the 15% is already built-in, you're shafting yourself (at least when I come to visit). AND if you're working at a place where tips are pooled, and you like it, odds are you're a slacker.

But I'm wondering about other things. When I get a haircut and it costs $9, is a $1 tip still appropriate? It sure doesn't seem like much. Same with pizza -- is $1 a pizza correct? It seems that I remember when I delivered Pizza that $1 a pie was good, but that was quite awhile ago. Today I'm giving about $1.50 a pie. Do the delivery people think I'm a cheapskate?

How much do you tip for these and any other misc. services?

Posted by: Ogre at 10:00 AM | Comments (33) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

July 01, 2005

Panther?

The Carolina Panthers used to have one of these things hanging around, I'm sure of it:

But these days I can't find any evidence of anything but a silly stuffed mascot thing that hugs people. Only 2 months until football season.

Posted by: Ogre at 02:10 PM | Comments (10) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Programming Note

Ah, a new month, a new design.

What do you mean, nothing's changed?

Ok, you're right.

The new month has arrived, but the blog layout is just the same as it's been all month long. I am truly sorry for those who absolutely cannot stand this layout. However, for those who aren't regular readers, The Ogre is off on vacation. Yes, this post was written weeks ago!

So the new layout is ready, but although I could find a way to have posts appear magically while I'm gone, I couldn't find a way to automatically change the layout for the new month. Well, that's not entirely true -- I'm sure I COULD find a way to make that happen, but then I wouldn't be around to watch everyone's reaction -- or to make minor repairs to anything that didn't work just right.

I'll tell you the new layout is named the "drainpipe" layout. It's vertical again, I don't think I'll try this horizontal layout -- it is abnormal and violates many design rules. The new layout IS ready, and it will be in place as soon as I return, in the next few days or so. In fact, one way you'll be able to tell I've returned is that the layout will change. It will probably be July 4th or 5th.

And Boudicca's been helping me make plans for the blog layout change that should show up in August...

Posted by: Ogre at 10:10 AM | Comments (8) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

June 30, 2005

The Second Amendment

Finally, in the last of this 6-part series about the second amendment, I will address the "militia" aspect of the 2nd amendment. I have shown that the second amendment is very clearly an individual right, and a non-changeable right that is to be interpreted for the original intent of those who wrote it. However, some people still question the "militia" portion of the second amendment, claiming that only groups like the National Guard may have arms.

So, in colonial times, what did the word "militia" mean. Let's go to the writings of the people at that time.

Richard Henry Lee, signer of the declaration and author of the second amendment:

The militia shall always include, according to the past and general usage of the States, all men capable of bearing arms.

and

A militia are in fact the people themselves...and are for the most part employed at home in their private concerns.

Tench Coxe, Attorney General of PA, Asst. Secretary of the Treasury under President George Washington:

The militia are the people at large.

Samuel Adams:

The militia is composed of free citizens.

George Mason, delegate to the Constitutional Convention:

Who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people.

STILL not enough for you? How about a look at current US law. The United States Code, title 10, section 311(a) states:

The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 [and] under 45 years of age.

Folks, citizens of the United States have the absolute individual right to bear arms. No legitimate government body, legislative or judicial can take that away under any circumstances. People cannot even grant them the power to do that! This government was very clearly and obviously set up to declare that right is YOURS and it cannot be removed. Ever. Anyone who says different is simply wrong.

Posted by: Ogre at 01:15 PM | Comments (25) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Are YOU Going to Hawaii?

So, are any of you, my good readers, going to Hawaii this year? Anyone on the East Coast headed out that way? Have any of you ever priced a trip to Hawaii? Sure would be nice to go, wouldn't it? How about if you didn't have to pay a dime to go and spend time there, vacationing? You, too, can go, all expenses paid -- just get elected.

This year the (utterly useless) National Association of Counties, is having it's "annual meeting" in Honolulu, Hawaii from July 15-19. Are your county officials going? Mecklenburg County has some participants -- the same people who have "cut the budget to the bone," of course.

Now let's see, government is supposed to only do things the people say, and government should only be limited to doing as little as possible. Why in the world would any county "official" need to spend thousands of dollars of money that's NOT THEIRS to vacation in Hawaii? Because they can.

This is the sort of reason that government is too big. This is the type of thing that absolutely is NOT needed. THIS is the type of thing that you will go to jail unless you support it (with tax dollars). What I don't understand is why no one cares.

Maybe I should try it one time. I'll get out one of my guns and walk up to every house in a neighborhood and demand they give me some money to pay for my vacation to Hawaii. Would you be mad if I did that to you? Then why aren't you mad at the elected officials of the county WHO ARE DOING THAT TO YOU RIGHT NOW?

Posted by: Ogre at 05:15 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

June 29, 2005

The Second Amendment

Over the past week, I've been outlining the very clear and obvious right to bear arms that the citizens of the United States own, despite any attempts by courts or legislators of this country. Today, even more quotes from the people who tried to design a system of law and government so that the right would not be taken by the government.

Zechariah Johnston, Revolutionary Soldier, Virginia Legislator, Ratified of the Constitution:

The people are not to be disarmed of their weapons. They are left in full possession of them. This is a principle which secures religious liberty most firmly.

Richard Henry Lee, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, framer of the second amendment:

To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.

James Madison:

The advantage of being armed is an advantage which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation. In the several Kingdoms of Europe...the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.

George Madison, Delegate to the Constitutional Convention, "Father of the Bill of Rights:"

Forty years ago, when the resolution of enslaving America was formed in Great-Britain, the British parliament was advised...to disarm the people. That is was the best and most effectual way to enslave them. But that they should not do it openly; but to weaken them and let them sink gradually.

Thomas Paine, Patriot and author:

I am thusfar a Quaker [a pacifist]: I would gladly agree with all the world to lay aside the use of arms and settle matters by negotiation; but unless the whole will, the matter ends, and I take up my musket and thank Heaven He has put it in my power.

Noah Webster, Revolutionary Soldier, Legislator, Author of portions of the Constitution:

Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed - as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword because the whole body of the people are armed.

Once again showing that there is no possible way that the authors of the United States Constitution had any hints that the right to bear arms was anything other than an individual right. Anyone who claims that the right to bear arms is limited to the police and militia is utterly clueless to history, or is intentionally attempting to advance their own agenda for whatever reason.

If that's not enough, there's even more coming tomorrow!

Posted by: Ogre at 05:00 PM | Comments (13) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Real ID Act

I know that some people have a real problem with the RealID Act. I'm not convinced...yet. Are we at this point yet?

I don't think we are. This guy outlines a quite long and convincing case for the "right to travel." (Long but very interesting read). I'm not so sure we have that right.

Some of the points about a national ID card are indeed very valid. Of most concern is the idea that if a 19-year old can get fake ID to get beer, do you really think a well-financed terrorist will have any problem with it?

The Real ID Act doesn't create anything that gives the government anything they don't already have. But it also does absolutely zero to prevent terrorism or anything regarding law breakers. It will make getting a real driver's license in North Carolina a little tougher for illegal immigrants, but that's all.

Is it a step down the wrong road? Sure. Is it really harmful? Not really.

Posted by: Ogre at 01:15 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

"Land for Tomorrow"

I saw a block of text from this news article and a chill ran up my back:

The coalition -- Land for Tomorrow -- has already succeeded in attracting the support of Republicans and Democrats in the N.C. General Assembly

Any time you see "coalition," and "support of Republicans and Democrats," in the same sentence, be afraid -- and grab what's left of your wallet, because you can bet they're reaching for it.

Reading further in the article, I was correct, as feared. This "visionary" group of "conservationists" want to ask taxpayers to approve "$1 billion in bonds" to "conserve the state's land, water, history and future."

I didn't even want to read the rest of the article as my stomach turned, rather violently, when I tried to interpret that statement. First, because someone wants to steal my money at gunpoint (taxes), they are "visionary." When you see "conservationists," I see "anti-freedom, soviet-style housing proponents." Where you see "bonds," I see "massive tax increases."

So that statement that seems so innocent, when read correctly, becomes:
"A group of terrorists who strongly oppose any freedom of choice and who want to relocate all subjects of North Carolina into small, stacked, soviet-style housing in large urban areas only want to take yet more money from those who actually work for it to purchase things they like but cannot afford because they DON'T work." Scared yet?

Hey idiots, if you want to buy land for conservation, BUY IT YOUR DAMN SELVES! I love conservation. Heck, I'd even support this massive project with my own money -- IF IT WAS VOLUNTARY! Why can't you people understand freedom? Why do these "conservation" groups HATE freedom SO much?

Posted by: Ogre at 05:15 AM | Comments (7) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

June 28, 2005

Second Amendment: Why?

Last week I outlined proof that the United States Constitution is NOT a "living document," and that the rights in the Constitution were to be interpreted as they were written, for their original intent, and that those rights are not granted by government, but only there to be protected from government. Today I'd like to continue with a few thoughts of the founders and authors of the documents that created this great country.

Samuel Adams, signer of the Declaration, "Father of the American Revolution:"

The said Constitution should be never construed to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms.

Fisher Ames, an author of the second amendment:

The right of bearing arms is declared to be inherent in the people.

Patrick Henry, Governor, Patriot Leader, author of one of my favorite quotes ("Give me Liberty or Give me Death."):

The great object is that every man be armed. Every one who is able may have a gun.

Patrick Henry, Governor, Patriot Leader:

Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined.

Thomas Jefferson:

No citizen shall be debarred the use of arms within his own lands.

As can very clearly and obviously be seen here, the founders of this country and the early framers of the United States Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, said that every citizen who desires arms should have them. There is no possible interpretation of any of these great men that would even suggest that government has any right or ability to limit that right to bear arms.

Still not enough? There's more tomorrow!

Posted by: Ogre at 01:15 PM | Comments (11) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Freedom to Serve Act

A bill has been introduced in the North Carolina House, and you will likely find it rather hard to believe it's even needed. The bill is HB1545, titled "The Freedom To Serve Act." The meat of the text of the bill reads as follows:

It shall be unlawful for any officer of either house of the General Assembly, or any party caucus officer or whip in either house of the General Assembly, to coerce, dictate, or otherwise force a member of either house of the General Assembly to vote for or against any legislative measure in exchange for a promise of funding of projects or promises of other items. Such legislative action is against the public policy of North Carolina because it prevents members from serving their constituents or fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of their office.

Can you even imagine that such a law would be required? The first portion of the bill outlines the need for it:

Whereas, an unhealthy precedence has been set in previous sessions of the North Carolina General Assembly resulting in publicly elected representatives being denied equal access to resources to serve the people of North Carolina; and

This is real. The North Carolina House of Representatives is being run by a thug who determines who does what, when, and where. Jim Black, Democrat, does things like remove access to phones, reassign legislators to smaller rooms, and removes office budgets for those who dare disagree with him.

This act is needed, but the idea that it is needed is much worse. Voting Democrats in North Carolina, this guy is on your side. When you vote Democrat, you are voting for a tyrant who rules the state with an iron fist.

Posted by: Ogre at 05:15 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

June 27, 2005

Carnival, carnival!

It's Monday, and time once again for some excellent carnival of blogs entertainment. If you're not familiar with a blog carnival, it's simply a single topic, idea, or some unifying thing that a number of different people on different blogs post about. Then someone creates a carnival, placing links to all the posts about that topic or idea in one place. So you can read in one place a number of different takes and ideas on one subject.

My two personal favorite weekly carnivals are the Tarheel Tavern -- a carnival of North Carolina bloggers, this week appearing at It's a Pixelated Life...; and the New Blog Showcase Carnival, this week appearing at One Happy Dog Speaks.

Both are lots of fun and interesting, so head on over and read what's going on there. Meanwhile, I'll continue with my plans, today probably heading towards the coast of Maine...

Posted by: Ogre at 01:15 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Tax or Fee?

If you listen carefully to various politicians (NOT statesmen), you will hear them claim that they haven't raised taxes, only fees. Now I'm all for user fees to obtain money for services, but only if the fee is actually used to support that service. In reality, in North Carolina, nearly all "user fees" go to the general fund where it is spent -- as quickly as possible -- on anything that Jim Black desires.

Some recent "fee" increases (that take $162.7 million from working individuals to the general fund to be redistributed to non-working individuals):

Driver license record copies: up 60%
Automobile driver's license: up 31%
Truckers driver's license: up 26-38%
Automobile title fee (imagine that, a fee to prove you own property): +$35-40.
Registration fee (nothing to do with anything but state income): +$10-15.

In 1976 the entire North Carolina budget was less than $2 billion.

In 2004, the budget was $15.9 billion.
2005: $16.9 billion.
2006 (minimum estimated): $17.5 billion.
2007 (minimum estimated): $18.2 billion.

So, in 20 years, the North Carolina State budget, not including cities and counties, increased by 875%. That's what you get when Democrats are in charge. During that entire time, Democrats were running the General Assembly.

If you're voting Democrat in North Carolina, is this what you really want?

Posted by: Ogre at 05:15 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

June 26, 2005

New Neighbor #20

Time again for the lovely weekly Sunday afternoon feature: The New Neighbor. Once again I present to you a blog I've found during the week from the Evangelical Blogroll. I have to admit that many times the appearance of the blog, the first glance, gets me to reading it or turns me off quickly. This week's neighbor made me want it to be good, just because of the appearance of the blog.

Tulip Girl

A clean, fast-loading, elegant blog that follows all the web design rules (except for the lack of llamas) and is easy on the eyes. And yes, there are tulips. Despite being around since December of 0000 -- yes, that's what the Archives show -- but there aren't any actual entries for December of year zero -- TulipGirl has this to say about herself in the "About Me" section:

TulipGirl is currently what she would like to reveal about herself and what she would rather withhold. This section will contain some real information soon!

I don't know about you, but I'm watching that closely to see what "SOON" means...

The first real entry appears on January 1, 2004. I guess that was some New Year's Resolution, huh? The site appears to be updated pretty much daily with all sorts of different things. There's posts about free giveaways, music, relationships, and reading.

So enjoy your day of rest today (and if you have to work today, I hope you reserve another day for a day of rest), and head on over and read a new blog -- introduce yourself to a new person. Relax and have some fun.

Posted by: Ogre at 11:57 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

<< Page 160 >>

Processing 0.05, elapsed 0.0975 seconds.
37 queries taking 0.0732 seconds, 127 records returned.
Page size 99 kb.
Powered by Minx 0.8 beta.