Ogre's Politics & Views

April 16, 2007

It's Tax Day

taxday.jpg

Hope you didn't forget! And I hope you appreciate all the work I did for you this past year. I paid a pile more taxes this year. Ugh.

Posted by: Ogre at 09:12 PM | Comments (442) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

VA Tech Shooting

Surely this news cannot be true. Fox News is reporting that somewhere between one and eight people have been shot on the campus of VA Tech this morning. I find this very hard to believe and am convinced this must be some sort of conspiracy.

You see, we're told again and again that guns cause crime. And Section V.W.: Weapons of the VT Student Programs Policy clearly states:

Unauthorized possession, storage, control of firearms and weapons on university property is prohibited, including storing weapons in vehicles on campus as well as in the residence halls.

Since laws eliminate the possibility of gun violence (as the Brady Campaign claims), then there is simply no way that there are guns on campus. They're banned, so they don't exist.

Therefore, this story must be a complete hoax.

Either that, or the Brady Campaign is once again shown to be total idiots who have no idea what they're talking about...

*** Update: Wow. Now they're reporting at least 21 dead. They're reporting that the "shooter" walked from one room to another, shooting at will. They're claiming he had a vest with clips of ammo. Of course, as this develops, details are confusing. For example, they're reporting just one shooter, but that the shooting incidents on opposite ends of the campus are "not related."

Yes, this is an absolutely horrible incident. But I wonder how many more would be alive right now if just one student or teacher had been armed.

Oh, and CNN is already calling it "a lone gunman." I haven't seen anyone directly claiming that it's not terrorist-related, but that statement sure implies it, doesn't it? Nope, nothing to see here folks, move along.

*** Update #2, 1:33PM EST: ABC News has now upped the count of the dead to 29 and rising. So far only one news agency has released anything about the shooter (while most of them actually have the gall to call him the "alleged" shooter) -- and that report says that a student claims it was an "Asian-looking" person. I wonder where that one is going to lead.

In addition, most news sites are already claiming this is the "worst" shooting on a school campus ever and are listing "timelines" with other school shootings. No news report has reported that guns are prohibited by law at VT, nor whether the
"alleged" shooter would have been charged with a crime is he were not dead.

CBS News is, however, complaining that the weapon was a "high-capacity weapon" -- but they don't know what it is. At the same time, NBC is reporting the shooter used "Two 9mm handguns."

*** Update 3, 2:02PM EST. There it is. No one knows any details. They don't know the shooter. They don't know if he's a student. They don't know if he shot himself or if the police shot him. But know what the FBI spokesman Richard Kolko already knows? It wasn't terrorist-related. Nice to know they can figure that out before they even know the identity of the "alleged" shooter, isn't it?

Fox News has updated the number dead now to "at least 32."

*** Update 4, 2:41PM EST. CBS News is now reporting "a young Asian male, used two handguns in the shootings before taking his own life." I guess that will give the Brady folks some ammo to ban guns. MSNBC says the shooter had a 9mm and a .22 cal "gun." And yes, dozens of commenters on the news sites are calling for "banning those evil high-capacity assault rifles" -- which had nothing to do with this event at all -- except that if someone had one in a dorm room, there might be a few less dead today.

*** Update 5, 2:58PM EST. Some comments from random news message boards about the shooting today: "Only in America." Yeah, no one has ever been shot at a school before in any other country. Like Beslan, Russia.

"How many more innocent people have to die before we have sensable gun control." Gee, maybe we should ban guns on campus. Or maybe require a waiting period before this shooter could buy a handgun. Maybe that would help. Or better yet, maybe we should make it against the law to shoot people.

"This is too high a price to pay for the so-called freedom to carry firearms." Yeah, instead we should take all guns away from anyone who might defend themselves. Then this would never happen because this shooter would absolutely be sure to obey the law and would never have done this if it were illegal.

"If this guy did not have guns he could not have killed 22 people and wounded 28." Because I'm sure that if his mind was so warped that he's never use chemicals, a baseball bat, or a knife.

"We're fighting an unnecessary war in Iraq, when there's issues here that has been ignored for too long. Something as tragic as this was almost likely to happen. " There it is! Yes, folks, this mass murder is Bush's fault! You just knew someone was going to blame him, didn't you?

And another: "George Bush has taught our kids that killing is a legal and effective way of getting your way, and gaining power." Bush derangement syndrome just doesn't have a cure, does it?

"I think the Second Amendment is way past its prime. We need to void it, like we did with the Eighteenth Amendment." Yup, no reason that anyone should be capable of resisting the government under any circumstances. Only the government should be armed to keep people in line.

"First thought: Let me guess, RED STATE..."

"just another day in Baghdad and not a particularly bad one either...... if it is only 22 dead." I don't even know what to say to that one.

Strangely enough, there are many comments about people sending their "thoughts and prayers" to those affected by this horrible tragedy. I, indeed, have already been praying about this event. However, I'm not sure that this particular government university is allowed to accept prayers, what with that "wall of separation between church and state."

*** Update 6, 3:23PM EST. A few unconfirmed reports are claiming that the gunman had a fight with his girlfriend the night before; headed to her dorm room and didn't find her there, but shot her roommate; then headed to the building where her first class was, but didn't know which room it was in, so he just started shooting everyone. When cornered, he shot himself.

Totally unconfirmed, but hey, rumors can explain a lot. And I'm not sure anyone is reading this today, anyway...

*** Update 7, 3:49PM EST. ABC News is now running with the headline, "2 Semi-Automatic Pistols." For those who don't understand, that means about 99% of all pistols ever made in history. "Semi-automatic" means that when you pull the trigger, a bullet shoots and another loads. Revolvers from the old west were semi-automatic. I'm not sure I have ever actually SEEN a pistol that wasn't semi-automatic.

*** Update 8 (Last Update today), 5:07PM EST. I really cannot believe all the blaming going on. People (including reporters and students) are blaming the police, the University, the campus police, the NRA, President Bush, guns, America -- and NO ONE is blaming the miserable, EVIL bastard who actually DID THE DAMN SHOOTING. It's not Bush's fault. It's not the police's fault. It's not the university's fault -- IT'S THE ASIAN MALE WHO PULLED THE TRIGGER WHO IS TO BLAME!!!

Posted by: Ogre at 03:47 PM | Comments (391) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Stem Cell Success!

British researches are reporting a success with stem cell research! It's almost as good as Kerry promised. This is giant news in the medical community! So, what have they created? Immature sperm cells.

Oh, and the British government looks like they're going to ban using them to fertilize humans. Oh, and the reason Democrats aren't absolutely screaming for more federal "stem cell research" funding? This research was done with adult stem cells. For those who don't understand the terms here, these were stem cells produced by an adult -- without the need for an abortion. Therefore, the Democrats aren't really interested.

Now, if this "breakthrough" had been from an aborted baby stem cell, you can bet that the Democrats would be holding press conferences and the media would be screaming that Bush is killing people because he's not increasing funding for federal research on stem cells. You see, the primary reason that Democrats want federal funding for "Stem cell" research is so they can have more cash to commit abortions.

But at least now we've got immature sperm, right?

Posted by: Ogre at 01:03 PM | Comments (36) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

NC Conservative Leadership Conference

Yes, in just 11 days the North Carolina Conservative Leadership Conference begins (at 10:45am). Yes, there's still time to register! This conference will feature quite a lineup of various conservatives (and some not-so conservative).

Long-time readers may recall that Ogre did some live blogging of this event last year (scroll down quite a bit, then you'll find a big block of stuff from there). And yes, I'll be live blogging again, starting that morning. The first big event is Friday's Lunch with Rudy Giuliani. I'll be sort-of living blogging that one.

You see, last year I didn't "live" blog the events in the big room -- I just though that it would be darn rude to be typing while people were talking. Instead, I took lots of pictures and notes, then wrote up what happened immediately afterwards. I'm as yet undecided how to do it his year. Either way, you can be sure by early Friday afternoon right here you'll get a full report on the reception Mr. Giuliani gets from the largest gathering of conservatives in North Carolina.

Soon after that will be the first issues forum. I have to pick from one of four, but I think right now I'll be at the "Conveying the Conservative Message" forum with some radio folks -- I'd like to hear their views on blogs vs. talk radio.

For the next forum, I may attend the "Illegal Immigration" forum -- but I bet that will be a HUGE draw. Instead, I might go with the "Parental School Choice" forum -- but I'm not sure how much there can be to talk about there...you'll just have to stop by the afternoon of Friday, April 27th (and all day long Saturday) to read here what's happening there -- if you can't get there in person.

And if you can get there, look for the guy at the back of the room with the camera and the laptop -- that's me. Come on up and say "Hi." And if you're not sure if it's me, just check the name tag -- it will say "Ogre."

Posted by: Ogre at 11:04 AM | Comments (27) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

April 14, 2007

Children Shooting

Yes, as you read this, Ogre will be away for the day, out teaching young children how to shoot guns. This time it's 7-9 year olds, and I'll be showing them how to shoot targets with BB guns. I'm sure it will be cold (damn algore's man-made global warming), but I'm even more sure it will be lots of fun. And it does remind me of the joke (I know it's not a true story, but it should be):

This is an extract of an National Public Radio (NPR) interview between a female broadcaster and US Army Lieutenant General Reinwald about sponsoring a Boy Scout Troop on his military installation.

Interviewer: "So, LTG Reinwald, what are you going to do with these young boys on their camping trip?"

LTG Reinwald: "We're going to teach them climbing, canoeing, archery, and shooting."

Interviewer: "Shooting! That's a bit irresponsible, isn't it?"

LTG Reinwald: "I don't see why, they'll be properly supervised on the range."

Interviewer: "Don't you admit that this is a terribly dangerous activity to be teaching children?"

LTG Reinwald: "I don't see how, we will be teaching them proper range discipline before they even touch a firearm."

Interviewer: "But you're equipping them to become violent killers."

LTG Reinwald: "Well, you're equipped to be a prostitute, but you're not one, are you?"

End of the interview

Posted by: Ogre at 04:02 PM | Comments (509) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Best Buy Lawsuit Lottery

Welcome again to Lawsuit Lottery. This week it's another lottery entrant who wants to make millions off someone who didn't do anything to them. Enter our first contestants, Sarah Vasquez and her mother Natalie Fornaciari.

Sarah and Natalie want Best Buy to give them some money. Why? Because Best Buy is a big, evil corporation and they have more money than Sarah and Natalie. So they want to punish Best Buy for working and earning money and they want to force Best Buy to share cash with them.

So, what did Best Buy DO to Sarah and Natalie? Absolutely nothing. That's correct, not a single, solitary thing.

However, Sarah and Natalie claim that a person, one Hao Kuo Chi, did enter their home (with permission from Sarah and Natalie) and proceed to record Sarah in the shower. Oh, and they didn't give permission for him to do that. For those who are a little slow on the uptake, Best Buy did not order Hao Kuo Chi to record Sarah in the shower.

So, do Sarah and Natalie go after the person who actually did something wrong, Hao Kou Chi? Well gee, Hao's only 26 and doesn't likely have a lot of money, so they don't want to sue him. Heck, I bet there's not a slimy, bottom-feeder lawyer who would sue Hao because they wouldn't make enough money from him. So instead Sarah and Natalie (and their slimeball servant, Gloria Allred) have decided to sue Best Buy for "compensatory and punitive damages for alleged fraud, negligent misrepresentation and hiring, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress."

What a pile of you-know-what. If there were justice in this country, Gloria Allred would be fined tens of thousands of dollars and Sarah and Natalie would also be personally fined for wasting the court's time and my tax money.

I'm not saying Sarah and Natalie weren't victims and that there was nothing wrong here -- I'm just saying that Sarah and Natalie are nothing but greedy, money-driven bastards for attacking a company who did absolutely nothing wrong except attempt to help Sarah and Natalie. I hope companies in Pomono, CA learn from this and refuse to do business with these two again. I know I would.

Posted by: Ogre at 02:05 PM | Comments (26) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

NC Legislature Pay Raise

So, how much of a pay raise did you get this year? Did you have to actually DO anything for your pay raise? Did you get more responsibilities or have to generate more sales or anything? Or did you do exactly the same job you did before, but you got a lot more money to do it?

The North Carolina Legislature just decided they needed to spend more money -- on themselves. How about a fat pay raise? How much, you ask?

NC Speaker of the House (D) & Senate President Pro Tempore (D): 37% raise.
NC House Speaker Pro Tempore (D) & Senate Deputy President Pro Tempore (D): 41% raise.
Majority and Minority Leaders (D & R): 45% raise.
All other Members (D & R): 48% raise.

Oh, and that's not all:

The salary and expense allowances provided in this section are in addition to any per diem compensation and any subsistence and travel allowance authorized by any other law with respect to any regular or extra session of the General Assembly, and service on any State board, agency, commission, standing committee and study commission."

That little clause there says they can vote themselves any amount of money at any time for any reason.

So, tell me again, how much of a raise did you get this year? Bet it wasn't as much as the Democrats in Raleigh just gave themselves -- oh, with YOUR money. Now get back to work, you lazy bums, the Democrats are running out of money.

Posted by: Ogre at 12:02 PM | Comments (298) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

April 13, 2007

Presidential Match

Check it out here. This 24-question quiz is supposed to match your answers up with the current presidential candidates and let you know which one matches your views the best. I know, it's limited because most questions are only "support option A or B" and there's lots of ones where I'd pick 3, but still, it IS an internet quiz, so it must be gospel truth, right?

I think I agree with my results, because it shows that none of the 25 candidates that are represented in the quiz agree with me 100% of the time. Guess I should throw my hat in the ring, huh?


1. Theoretical Ideal Candidate (100%)

Heh. My #2 was way back at 79%

Posted by: Ogre at 07:05 PM | Comments (26) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Sharp Dressed Llama

What better way to stave off the recent effects of algore's man-made global warming (at least in Charlotte where this week they set a record low ever temperature for April at 21 degrees)?

sharp-dressed-llama.jpg

Posted by: Ogre at 06:06 PM | Comments (623) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Friday Feast #139

Here's how it works:

Each Friday when you visit this meme, you will find 5 enticing courses for your mind to gobble up:

Appetizer
- a quick, tasty morsel to get you started

Soup
- smooth and warm to soothe your mind

Salad
- a nutritious blend of "veggies"

Main Course
- a hearty portion that is sure to satisfy

Dessert
- light concoction for your sweet tooth


And now for this week's fare:
Appetizer: When you were a child, which crayon color was your favorite?

Now that's a tough one. I think I'd have to go with whichever one fit up my nose the easiest. Either that or
flugreenbanner.jpg

Soup: On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest), how likely would you be to change jobs if it required you to move?

Waaaaaay too many factors would go into that sort of decision, as some people know all too well. I guess the question would be more direct if it put some more requirements on it, like, say, "If you were offered a $250,000 salary, would you move to San Francisco?"
Salad: Take all the numbers in your birthday and your phone number and add them up, one by one. Whats the total?

If I took all the numbers in my birthday, then when would I be born? What would happen to my driver's license? In fact, my license (NC -- come here, you can get one if you want one, no requirements) is plastic. How is it that I'm supposed to "take" those numbers from there. And if the question is assuming that I'm not supposed to "take" the numbers, but instead and supposed to add them up, which ones should I use? Am I supposed to add up all the numbers of my birthday for every single year that I've had a birthday? Or am I supposed to only use the numbers from my birth year's birthday and everywhere they've ever been written down? And if I use my phone number (again, assuming it didn't really mean "take"); what kind of silly number am I going to get by adding a 9- (or is it 10-?) digit number to my birthdate? AND WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

Some of these questions are just plain too hard for a Friday.

Main Course: Have you ever re-gifted anything? If so, what was it and who did you pass it on to?

Gift: donation, contribution, offering, benefaction, endowment, bounty, boon, largess, alms, gratuity, tip, premium, allowance, subsidy, bequest, legacy, inheritance, dowry; NOUN.

re-: a prefix, occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, used with the meaning again or again and again to indicate repetition.

Huh? How do you "again and again" a noun? Sure, I can present a gift. So then to add "re-" to that meaning, I would have to keep presenting the gifts again and again. So taken one way, there's no way I could have done that because if I had, it would be a perpetual motion and I'd still be doing it now! Or perhaps it means presenting that same gift again and again -- if that's the case, I'd have to be a thief because in order to present the same gift to the same person I'd first have to steal it from them, wouldn't I? And don't you think they'd notice either me stealing it, or me giving them the same thing I had already given them -- again and again? Sheesh.

Dessert: Name something you need from the store.

Beer.

For Dessert.

Hey, an easy one!

Posted by: Ogre at 05:06 PM | Comments (230) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Imus and the Nappy Head

I've been reading a lot about this issue in the news and on a number of blogs. I haven't seen my point of view, so I think it's time I weigh in.

Every single one of you, from Obama and Clinton on down to bloggers; that has said that Imus is racist because he said "nappy-headed" is a damn racist. I'm so sick of people trying to divide this country. When you say, "Gee, what Imus said is a racist thing," you're judging him by his skin color. That's racist.

I don't see anyone calling out Big V and Ron Clutch for singing, "Hey, its Nappy Roots Day!/we are on a holiday." What about Skinny Deville singing "I am gonna keep it Nappy 365 and 7 days a week?" Go ahead, condemn Wyclef for "Yo, hey nappy head." Someone demand Lauryn Hill apologize for "I got a head full of problems and a hand full of nappy roots." I could go on for a long time here.

But hey, there's Linda Jones who DARED to publish a book and a web site called "A Nappy Hair Affair!" How in the hell is that not "offensive?" And don't forget Carolivia Herron who wrote a book called "Nappy Hair!" If you think Imus was offensive to blacks, then most certainly so was Caroliva Herron! Then there's Rosario & Erica who have a salon (and are offering franchises) called "Oh! My Nappy Hair!" That's GOT to be offensive and derogatory, right?

Sorry, miserable, racists -- every single person who claims that Imus was racist and all those people listed above are not. Why? Because all those people listed above happen to have a darker color skin. Therefore, if Imus cannot say this word and all those others can, you ARE applying your judgement based solely on skin color -- and that makes you a damn racist. And yes, despite their claims to the opposite, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharton ARE racists -- they view people and their actions ONLY by the color of their skin.

Martin Luther King, Jr. would be embarrassed to be associated with such blatant racists.

So, if you want to condemn Imus for saying that word, be sure you condemn EVERYONE who says that word, regardless of the color of their skin. Otherwise, you are being a racist, too.

If, on the other hand, you are condeming Imus because of the "ho" part of his statement, that's a perfectly legitimate claim which has nothing to do with skin color. I imagine those that are offended by the use of the word "ho" are offended no matter who uses it.

Posted by: Ogre at 03:09 PM | Comments (23) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

HR 1096

When I started reading HR 1096, my jaw dropped. I was honestly shocked that such a bill would even be introduced in the United States House. The title of this bill is "Second Amendment Protection Act of 2007." And it only gets better from there.

Public Law 103-159 is repealed, and any provisions of law amended or repealed by such Act are restored or revived as if such Act had not been enacted.

Now that's just excellent. Public Law 103-159 is the federal law requiring a "waiting period" for handguns. First, the federal government has no business requiring such a thing. Go ahead, find something in the Constitution that even pretends to give Congress that power. They don't have it. Second, it has, as various studies show, had ZERO effect on crime. Keeping handguns from people who obey the law has done NOTHING -- well, except create government jobs and expand the bureaucracy.
SEC. 3. ELIMINATION OF SPORTING PURPOSES DISTINCTION.

Wow. Now I'm just drooling. In the federal code, there's about a dozen places where guns are limited based on the government's variable definition of "sporting purpose." Of course, there's nothing in the second amendment about "sporting purpose" at all. Free people are allowed to own guns NOT for sporting purposes (unless you consider resisting tyranny a sport).
SEC. 4. REPEAL OF THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK ACT OF 2005.

Awesome. That's a moronic, stupid, utterly and totally useless law. There's no way, ever, to enforce that law unless police are allowed to randomly search people's houses. And again, it has no effect on anything.

Then I re-read the beginning:

Mr. PAUL introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

Damn. Guess there's no chance of this common sense and excellent bill ever seeing the light of day as long as Queen Terrorist-loving Pelosi is the speaker. But I'm emailing Congressmen to tell them to sign on as co-sponsors anyway.

Posted by: Ogre at 01:07 PM | Comments (19) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

NC Mental Health Funding

I was alerted this week to a recent "cut" in mental health funding by the North Carolina government. There was a bloggers "call to action" to contact legislators regarding this "cut," with an attempt to restore funding. So, I decided to take a look and see what it's about. The title sure sounds bad: "Legislators Throw Mentally Ill Under The Bus."

Checking it out, I couldn't find a bus.

The mental health system reform was intended to improve services and cut costs by introducing competition. In this regard the plan was a success, hundreds of private providers sprung up across the state to provide psychiatry, counseling, psychological services, case management, day treatment, job training, and community based services to mentally ill children and adults.

Hey, that's GREAT news, isn't it? Can you find anything bad at ALL in that statement? Isn't it wonderful that government spending was reduced and private investment INCREASED? This is wonderful for both freedom and the state economy. Did you see the part where private providers appeared out of nowhere? EVERY time you cut government services, this happens! If there is a need, PEOPLE will provide it EVERY TIME when government doesn't -- and people will provide it more efficiently and with better service. Wonderful, isn't it?

Well, not according to the liberals. The next paragraph:

The problem, of course, is that despite being dead last in the nation in spending on mental health, state legislators wanted to cut more deeply, more lethally.

Wait a minute! The first quote shows that when government got out of the way, services INCREASED! There were more and better services offered to MORE people. MORE people were being helped! So it is clear that this process was HELPING MORE PEOPLE. So continuing the process can help even MORE PEOPLE! Alas, this would also decrease government control and spending. So despite the fact that more people are getting help, since government might be spending less, the liberals demand it stop. Yes, they appear to support increasing government spending, even if it means less people get help.

The liberals have outlined their solutions for this "problem" (the problem is that government is spending less and more people are getting help). #1 in the list of reasons their solutions will work (in more than one place I have read) is that North Carolina is last in state spending on mental health. Liberals cannot stand to be last in spending for any reason. It doesn't matter what the spending is for, they stand for MORE.

The blogger is working in typical big-government fashion. He's declared a crisis, the #1 step in all liberal, big-government spending solutions. He's called legislators and started lining up all the liberals to support more spending (like that was hard). And yes, they're having a rally at the state capital.

I know, I'm automatically "heartless" because I don't support government solutions in the form of increased spending to fix government-created problems. I'm sure I'll be accused of "not caring" about the mentally ill. Of course that's a total lie, but that doesn't matter to the left. If I were a politician, I'm sure I'd be accused of "killing the mentally ill" (you did catch the title of the first post, right?). Again, total lies, but that doesn't matter to the left. In the world of the left, the ONLY solution to EVERY SINGLE problem is more government spending. But that WILL create MORE problems (which is part of the goal of the left).

Instead, how about a freedom-based solution? How about government get the hell out of the way? What would happen if government didn't keep interfering where it has no business and is incapable of actually helping?

Do you think the mentally ill would all die if the government stopped providing for them? The left would like you to think so. Of course, that's not really true. Instead, what is much more likely, as history has shown time and time again, is that people will help them. Churches and individuals WILL rise up and assist the needy, as they have always done (well, maybe not the muslims). And people will be helped a whole lot better than the government system could ever dream of helping.

So liberals, you keep supporting government "solutions" to government-created problems that cost more money and literally only create more problems (also to be solved with more expensive government solutions). Just be honest about it and state that you hate freedom. Be honest and mention that you're socialists who believe you know better than anyone else. Be honest and explain that you think people who actually work for a living are stupid suckers who are too dumb to know what to do with their own money so they should just give it to you.

Me, I trust people and know they will always do better than any government solution.

Posted by: Ogre at 11:05 AM | Comments (20) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

April 12, 2007

Democrat Congress

congressspending.jpg

Not that it's that much different than a Republican-controlled Congress. I guess the cartoon would be a whole lot funnier if it weren't so darn true.

Posted by: Ogre at 06:25 PM | Comments (19) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Nonviolent Resistence

Libertarian activist Russell Kanning of Keene, New Hampshire has just been arrested (April 10) for driving without a license and refusing to appear in court. Kanning is the publisher of the Keene Free Press newspaper and probably one of the five most prominent pro-liberty activists in the state.

He was briefly arrested last month after being pulled over for a missing head light on West street. Keene police then re-arrested him April 10 after he refused to appear in court.

Operating his bumper-sticker-laden vehicles under the motto "In a free country, you don't need government permission to travel," Kanning has been arrested at least three other times for acts of civil disobedience, including his 2005 attempt to board a flight from Manchester without "papers."

Kanning appeared in Keene District Court April 11, attended by a hastily gathered group of at least nine supporters. Some stood outside holding "Free Russell Kanning" signs, others went in to hear the proceedings.

It looks like they are claiming they will hold him until May 14. The jovial nonviolent resistance advocate is said to be refusing to cooperate with processing and is also refusing to post bond.

As of April 11 the latest Details on the situation are posting to the NHfree.com forum.

Posted by: Ogre at 05:02 PM | Comments (20) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Blogs For Borders Video Blogburst

In this episode...

We are often accused of focusing on race, but who actually seems obsessed with it? We take a look.

A particularly tragic and bloody harvest for drunken illegal alien drivers (and yes, immigration status is exceedingly relevant, hence 100% preventable!)

Jake and MJ venture into occupied Atzlan, let's just say that charges have been pressed!


View the video

MJ and Jake have been made the unofficial ambassadors to the blogosphere for the upcoming "Hold Their Feet To The Fire" event in DC. This is a FAIR/ALIPAC event and looks to be a truly amazing experience. If you blog and would like to be a part of the blogging team for this event shoot me an email or give me a call. But whether you blog or not this looks like an amazing thing and we hope to see you there.

Have a great week and thanks for "clicking in!"

Posted by: Ogre at 03:02 PM | Comments (388) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

ACLU sues government. Again.

The ACLU gets most of it's operating funds from suing government -- claiming punitive damages. Punitive damages should be illegal when suing government -- school boards and other boards DO NOT CARE. It's not their money, so you are NOT punishing them. On to this week's Stop the ACLU blogburst:


April 11, 2007 10:08 PM
NewsChannel5.com

A federal judge has granted permission to a group of parents to try to stop a lawsuit filed by the ACLU.

The suit claims Wilson County schools violated constitutional separation of church and state.
It alleges Lakeview Elementary school in Mt. Juliet and the Wilson County school board endorsed and promoted religious activities on campus that led to constitutional violations.

Very short article, lacking much information, but here is an Oct.2006 piece from Alain's Newsletter that gives a bit more detail.

Old Hickory, TN

U.S. Senate candidate Bob Corker today said the Tennessee chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is woefully wrong to have filed what he called a "frivolous liberal lawsuit" against the Wilson County School District alleging a morning prayer endorsed by Lakeview Elementary School officials is a constitutional violation of church-state separation.

"When the President declared September 14, 2001 just two days after the attacks of 9-11 a National Day of Prayer, no one sued him for crossing some arbitrary line between church and state," said Corker. "We just bowed our heads and prayed. When a school in Wilson County or anywhere in our country allows children to do the same on the National Day of Prayer, or at a gathering at the flagpole, the courts ought to stay out of the way."

Corker said he supports the efforts of Mt. Juliet Commissioner Glen Linthicum, who said it was time for the community to take a stand against the ACLU lawsuit recently filed against the Wilson County School District. Linthicum co-sponsored a resolution unanimously approved last Monday night by the Mt. Juliet City Commission that encourages the elementary school and the Wilson School District to fight for their rights to religious expression.

"Like many parents across our state, I pray for my family everyday," Corker stated. "We should never force anyone to believe a certain faith or pray a certain way," Corker continued, "but if a school decides to set aside some time to allow children who wish to pray to do so, we ought to support that school and community. That is precisely what it means to protect our freedom of religious expression and I will fight to do just that in the U.S. Senate if elected."

It appears that the ACLU has set it's sights on this school district...The ACLU Targets Christians


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Permalink: http://stoptheaclu.com/archives/2007/04/12/parents-can-stop-aclu-lawsuit-against-wilson-co-schools/

Posted by: Ogre at 01:07 PM | Comments (771) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Golf Cart Tax

House Bill 181 has passed the Democrat-controlled North Carolina House and is now reported favorably by the Democrat-controlled North Carolina Senate. It is likely to pass into law soon. And it's another tax increase and increase in needless government regulation:

By ordinance, a town may require the registration of golf carts, charge a fee for the registration, specify the persons authorized to operate golf carts, and specify the required equipment, load limits, and the hours and methods of operation of golf carts

What does that mean? Certain towns in North Carolina will now be able to require "driver licenses" for golf carts (and charge a "fee" for that license). Special towns will be able to require "registration" for golf carts (and charge a "fee" for that registration). And only these privaledged towns will be able to create government enforcement agents to walk around and inspect golf carts (and raise taxes to pay those likely armed government agents).

Isn't that wonderful? Don't you feel safer knowing that golf carts (in certain towns) will be heavily regulated by government? Isn't it good that only people who ask permission from government will be able to operate a damn golf cart?

Democrats. They know better than you. Give them your money and obey them and shut up.

Oh, how I yearn for freedom.

Posted by: Ogre at 11:47 AM | Comments (43) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

April 11, 2007

NC Conservative Leadership Conference

If you are a regular reader here, you know that Ogre will be live-blogging this upcoming conference. However, if you're anywhere near Raleigh (Ogre is about 2.5 hours away), there's still time to sign up and join us at this conference! Here's a few details:

ITS NOT TOO LATE TO REGISTER: www.jwpcivitasinstitute.org/clc2007.html

THE CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE WILL FEATURE THESE SPEAKERS AND PANELISTS:
Rudy Giuliani, Presidential Candidate
Mark Sanford South Carolina Governor
Bob Ehrlich, Former Maryland Governor
Michael Steele, Former Maryland Lt. Governor
Jim Gardner, Former North Carolina Lt. Governor
Elizabeth Dole U.S. Senator
Walter Jones, U.S. Congressman
Virginia Foxx, U.S. Congresswoman
Patrick McHenry, U.S. Congressman
Heath Shuler, U.S. Congressman
Bill Graham, Gubernatorial Candidate
Bob Orr, Gubernatorial Candidate
Fred Smith, Gubernatorial Candidate
Fred Barnes, The Weekly Standard and Fox News
Craig Shirley, Author of Reagan Revolution
Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform
Richard Viguerie, Funding Father of modern conservative strategy, political strategist and author
Frank Donatelli, Director of Political and Intergovernmental Affairs, Reagan White House
Frank Gaffney, Assistant Secretary of Defense, Reagan Administration
Jeff Katz, Talk Show Host, WBT-Charlotte
Bill LuMaye, Talk Show Host, WPTF-Raleigh
Matt Mittan, Talk Show Host, WWNC-Asheville
Curtis Wright, Talk Show Host, WNTB-Wilmington

PLUS ... General Sessions on the Reagan Legacy, the Future of Conservatism and the 2008 Presidential Campaign Straw Poll of 2008 gubernatorial and presidential candidates Four sets of Issue Forums Grassroots Activist School Live broadcasts of radio talk shows Book signings by conservative authors Exhibits by conservative organizations Five meals with conservative camaraderie.

Dont miss this opportunity to participate in the Civitas Institutes Second Annual Conservative Leadership Conference a two-day event that will inform and motivate North Carolina conservatives.

Posted by: Ogre at 07:31 PM | Comments (37) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Watching the Campus

Let's face it -- you cannot be everywhere. You can't watch all the news and keep track of terrorists everywhere. So how about someone that will do this for you:

reviews and critiques Middle East studies in North America with an aim to improving them. The project mainly addresses five problems: analytical failures, the mixing of politics with scholarship, intolerance of alternative views, apologetics, and the abuse of power over students. Campus Watch fully respects the freedom of speech of those it debates while insisting on its own freedom to comment on their words and deeds

That's the mission statement of Campus Watch. If you're interested in keeping track of such things, I suggest you head over there and read what they're reporting.

(H/T to GM Roper).

Posted by: Ogre at 05:07 PM | Comments (34) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

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