July 21, 2006
Pirate Cat
Here at Ogre's Politics and views, each morning is filled with posts about the lack of freedom in North Carolina; and each day has political commentary. However, Fridays are for more realaxing silly stuff, and for cat blogging. This week, in honor of William Teach's Pirate Cove getting banned by India because of flushing the Koran, I present the Pirate Cat:
Posted by: Ogre at 11:34 PM | Comments (9) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
You Know You're from MA
I lived in New Hampshire for about a year growing up, and I visit about once a year. Very nice place, especially since it's home to the Free State Project. However, dooming NH is the nearby Massachusetts, which exports liberalism like ebola. Courtesy of Raven, we have ways to tell you're from Massachusetts:
You know you're from MA if... You think crosswalks are for wimps... You think if someone is nice to you they either want something or they are from out of town and lost You know how to cross four lanes of traffic in three seconds You think it's not actually tailgating unless you're touching the bumper of the car in front of you You know that a yellow light means that at least five more people can get through before the red when another two can make it The public transportation system is known as the "T" and you'd rather drive in bumper to bumper traffic for 4 hours to get to Boston than be caught dead on the "orange line"... You could own a small town in Iowa for the cost of your house There are 24 Dunkin Donuts shops within 15 minutes of your house and that is how you give directions When people talk about "The Curse Of The Bambino" you know what they're talking about and used to believe it, too You believe using your turn signals gives away your plan to the enemy If you stay on the same road long enough it eventually has three different names Someone has honked at you because you didn't peel out the second the light turned green You have honked at someone because they didn't peel out the second the light turned green Anyone going faster than you is a maniac. Anyone going slower than you is an idiot. All the potholes just add to the excitement of driving Stop signs mean slow down a little, but only if you want to Six inches of snow is considered a dusting Three days of 90 degree heat is definitely a "heat wave" 55 degrees is "on the warm side" - You cringe everytime you hear some actor/actress imitate the "Boston Accent" on TV or in a movie; if you don't have it then you're never going to get it even if you were born here At the ice cream shop you call chocolate sprinkles "jimmies" A Water fountain is called a Bubbler, or rather, "Bubbla" You can go from one side of town to the other in less than fifteen minutes and see at least fifteen losers you went to high school with doing the same thing they were doing when you saw them last You know how to pronounce towns like Worcester, Haverhill, Peabody, Scituate, Chatham, and Leominster You know what they sell at a "packie" You have never been to Cheers...any of them You've slammed on your brakes to deter a tailgater You keep an ice scraper in your car all year round Paranoia sets in when you can't see a Dunkin Donuts, ATM or CVS You've pulled out of a side street and used your car to block oncoming traffic so you can make a left You've bragged about saving money at The Christmas Tree Shop (don't cha just love a bargain?) You know what a "regular coffee" is! You can navigate a rotary without a problem You feel the rest of the world needs to drive more like you You use the words "wicked" "pissa" and "good" in the same sentence, and often in the same compound-adjective You know what a frappe is Saint Patrick's Day is your second favorite holiday...even when you're not IRISH! You drink tonic and would never consider using it on your hair You never say "Cape Cod"...... you say "The Cape" You went to Old Sturbridge Village and Plymouth Plantation at least once, in elementary school, but never to Bunker Hill You know the Mass Pike and 495 create some sort of strange weather dividing line You almost feel disappointed when someone doesn't flip you off when you cut them off or steal their parking space You actually get all these jokesPosted by: Ogre at 05:09 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Hot Tavern
This week's Tarheel Tavern is to be hosted at Moomin Light. The timely theme for this week given was "Beating the Heat" or "Enjoying the heat." Of course, I set out to ensure my post for the tavern was completely on topic. Therefore, I set out to the internet and search for "hot" and "tavern." So without further ado, I present the result and completely on-topic post of Hot Tavern:
Posted by: Ogre at 03:09 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
NC Cohabitation
A North Carolina judge has ruled that self-government is unconstitutional.
Read that again and let it sink in. The judge, State Superior Court Judge Benjamin Alford, has decided that the people of North Carolina shall not be allowed to pass laws and govern themselves. He does not make it clear whether its because the people are stupid or if he has just been annointed to make all laws. It worked something like this: The people of North Carolina decided to pass a law to regulate themselves. The judge decided he didn't think that it was fair, so he decided to invalidate the law. For those applauding his decision, you better hope this judge doesn't decide he thinks rape is okay, or he'll just invalidate that law, too. You can complain all you want about the contents of the law. However, in a constitutional republic, only the people can change the laws. In America today, however, we are NOT a constitutional republic, because this judge just decided to change a 201-year old law, suddenly finding it unconstitutional. I wonder how teachers in high school and colleges can actually tell students that we have a representative republic and self-government with a straight face.Posted by: Ogre at 01:03 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Libertarian Party still outlawed in NC
Cicero has a detailed analysis of the current ballot (non-) access laws in North Carolina and the recent manuverings by the Democrats in the NC Senate. They did pass a slight change to the law -- but not without getting MORE money for the state from it (notice a trend with the NC Democrats here?)
Posted by: Ogre at 11:08 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
July 20, 2006
New Renter!
Hey folks! If you hadn't noticed yet, there's a new blog featured over there at the top of the left column. This week it's Drivin' Barefoot. This blog is about:
Drivin' Barefoot with the only Red~Headed, Blue Eyed, Freckle~Faced, Left~Handed, Colorblind, Guitar Pickin', Harpoon Blowin', LDS, Wisconsin Army National Guard Retired, U.S. Army (Airborne), Disabled Vet, On the Net
Now how can you go wrong with that one? Go ahead, head on over and say hello!
Posted by: Ogre at 06:08 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Bush Right on Stem Cells
President Bush's veto was exactly right. It's not often that this president does the right thing at the right time, but this one is good, no matter what Fox New's Susan Estrich claims. Of course, Ms. Estrich fills her story with lies and half-truths.
Why is Bush right? Because the veto was for spending federal cash. That's about all I need to know. It doesn't block ANY research by ANY person ANYWHERE. The veto simply stops spending federal money on researching on "unwanted" humans. The debate should have been about how many people we should kill to save others, but instead it was actually just about how much money to SPEND on killing some people to save others. But let's peek at Ms. Estrich's opinion, shall we?Posted by: Ogre at 04:07 PM | Comments (9) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
ACLU Hates America
Crossposted from Stop The ACLU
ACLU Website:
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND -- A United Nations human rights body expressed grave concerns today about the record of human rights in the United States. The American Civil Liberties Union with a delegation of 10 and working with a broad coalition of other groups is in Geneva to monitor the examination of the United States the U.N. Human Rights Committee (HRC). In a two-day session that concluded today, the committee members pressured the United States for answers on the following issues: The sentencing of children to life without parole and the disproportionate incarceration of minorities;
The militarization of the border;
The failure to prevent human rights violations and respond in a non discriminatory manner to Hurricane Katrina;
The failure to end racial profiling practices, specifically the profiling of South Asian convenience store employees in Georgia;
Warrantless spying on ordinary Americans;
The abuse of women in prison; and
The indefinite detention, rendition and torture of non-citizens. "The U.S. should be ashamed of itself," said Ann Beeson, Director of the ACLU's Human Rights Program. "The review by the Human Rights Committee was a stark and all too accurate condemnation of the state of rights in America."
Posted by: Ogre at 01:15 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
No Private Business in NC
A "private" business would be one that exists independent of government. Of course, no such thing exists in America any more, because government has inserted itself into all aspects of every citizen's life, whether you want them there or not. Government has decided that no citizen shall be free to enter into contract with any other citizen without government interference. But North Carolina has taken that one step further.
The Democrat-led North Carolina General Assembly just doubled the amount of salaries in businesses that will be paid for with tax dollars. Now this isn't bloated government department salaries, but outright bribes to so-called "private" businesses. The government will now spend $30 MILLION by paying a portion of the salaries of employees for certain special or government-preferred employers. Why? Because the Democrats in North Carolina honestly believe that the purpose of government is to create jobs -- and the only way they can pay for those jobs they create is to take money from others. It's a socialist redistribution of wealth, and the Democrats love it. Sure, those who work have to pay, but that's why they permit you to exist in the state -- to serve the state.Posted by: Ogre at 12:05 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
July 19, 2006
How's Work for you Today?
"Oh, you hate your job? Why didn't you say so? There's a support group for that. It's called EVERYBODY, and they meet at the bar." - Drew Carey
Posted by: Ogre at 06:08 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Slanted News
Once again, an example of how the news editors get to determine what you should think about. Here's the headline:
Disney to Slash 650 Jobs and Cut Yearly Movie Output
"Slash" "Cut" Why? Oh, right, it's an "evil" corporation, so we have to apply negative adjectives. How about another headline that would match the exact same story:
Disney announces moves to increase payouts to shareholders
Or even
Disney to make more blockbuster films
Or how about a more accurate
Disney to stop doing things that lose them money
But no, we're treated to a very strong bias against corporations because they're evil in the minds of communists -- and apparently news editors.
Posted by: Ogre at 04:07 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Fair Tax
Do you want to know why I support the FairTax? Check the various issues below and see how the Income Tax, a Flat Tax, and the FairTax would affect each situation.
Posted by: Ogre at 03:04 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Iran at War
I'm not sure how anyone can claim that Iran is not already at war with Israel, giving Israel the right to defend itself against Iran.
No part of Israel is safe in the current fighting with Lebanon, Iran's parliamentary speaker warned Tuesday
How's that work? "We're going to kill all of you, but we're not at war with you." Is that like "I love you, but I'm not IN love with you?" Michele has more
Posted by: Ogre at 01:02 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Competition is good
The NC General Assembly actually passed a reasonable bill -- perhaps for the first time this year. House Bill 2047 passed both the House and Senate. It's heralded as cable deregulation, and it primarily is, which is a good thing. The gist of the bill is to stop local government from granting monopolies on cable service -- instead of only allowing one cable company in an area, any provider is allowed to service any area (as long as they ask permission, of course, from the state).
However, buried in the bill there are some other things -- whose inclusion surely is the only reason something that increases freedom could pass the Democrat-controlled General Assembly: Section § 160A‑211 allows cities to add dozens and dozens of NEW taxes. They can now tax outdoor theaters, movie theaters, private investigators, pawnbrokers, contractors, elevator installers, restaurants, firearms dealers, automobile dealers, and dozens of others businesses that previously were free to conduct business are now NO LONGER free to do so -- without paying a "privilege fee" to the city. Oh, and it adds more employees and more work for the state "Consumer Protection Division." So yes, cable competition is good -- but this bill also raises taxes -- like nearly every other bill the Democrats in North Carolina support. (H/T to Freedom Works).Posted by: Ogre at 11:52 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
July 18, 2006
Site Activity
Sorry about the access today, the main mu.nu site was down nearly all day today (I blame Bush). Regular blogging will resume tomorrow.
Posted by: Ogre at 09:44 PM | Comments (9) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Carnival of Liberty LIV
Yay! The Carnival of Liberty is HERE, NOW. This is my most favorite carnival. It highlights and points out freedom and liberty around the world -- usually highlighting where it's been lost more often than not. There's lots of good articles and reading here, so please do sit down and follow these links.
All that's needed for evil (lack of freedom) to succeed is for good men to do nothing.
The London Fog presents Bigotry and Hatred in Action. Ogre's category: Police State. Highlighted is another news story that really makes me wonder how in the world such things can happen in America -- followed quickly by the reminder that America is clearly NOT a free country any more:
the chief of police in North Platte, Nebraska has decided that he wants to instruct his officers to arrest parents who smoke in cars when children are present under Nebraska’s child abuse statute.
How do you explain that one? Does the police chief honestly think that children with parents in jail for one year are better off than children who get exposed to second hand smoke? He does, and that's scary -- because he is using the monopoly on force that government has to advance his own personal agenda. I wonder why we retain the right to keep and bear arms if we won't use them in instances like this?
Shuggy at The Sharpener presents Privacy? What privacy?. Ogre's category: Do As I Say, Not As I Do.This long and thoughtful post includes such rantings as
I don’t give a rat’s-*** whether David Cameron had a few lines of cocaine when he was at university.
As Shuggy addresses the position that politicians seem to take -- that since they feel the need to expose themselves and have no privacy, they seem to have the right to ensure that no one else has any privacy, either. He goes on the explain how all politicians seem to have lost any concept of privacy for anyone, at any place. Well gee, Shuggy, if you're not doing anything wrong... right?
Peter Porcupine at Peter Porcupine presents High Noon for Gay Marriage. Ogre's category: People vs. GovernmentAs an advocate for freedom in occupied Massachusetts, Peter Porcupine gets attacked by big-government types all the time. This post is no exception. The post is about the history and decisions of the legislature and the manuverings of the courts and the legislature in trying to supress the people and the people's opinions:
If a Legislator votes to refuse to allow a vote by the electorate, what is he saying about the judgment of the electorate that saw fit to place him in office?
Of course, once the issue is raised (gay marriage), most of the commenters could see fit to only personally attack and insult, never once responding to the actual issue about the people and the state consitution vs. judges and the legislature. Why not head on over and add a little to the conversation that's NOT name calling? Peter has a nice chronology of what's been going on in the state and where it might be headed.
Leslie Carbone at LeslieCarbone presents One Red Paper Clip and the Power of the Market. Ogre's category: Capitalism rules.This is the story of capitalism. It describes and analyzes the story of trading a red paper clip for a house and why it's possible. It also relates this story and action to the Bible, showing how the Bible actually supports such capitalism -- and points out how government can only reduce and crush capitalism and freedom. And Leslie points out a key issue that's quickly disappearing in America today:
But for trade to take place, two key conditions must be present. First, there must be private property.
I'm not so sure there IS private property in America today, in any form. And that's a lose-lose situation for everyone, even government.
Tom Wright at The Wrightwing presents What Planet Do My Senators Represent?. Ogre's category: Lords vs. Peasants.In this one, Tom takes issue with his moronic Senators in Washington. Both of his have the very dubious honor of being on the list of Senators who oppose the second amendment -- oh, but only in time of extreme emergency, as determined by the
After all, aristocrats and royalists throughout the ages have objected to the arming of the peasantry, and always oppress the right to arms of those they deem potential threats to their power.
However, as I previously mentioned, do We, as armed people, actually have the will to use such arms? Sure, those of us who are armed are often willing to use them when threatened with physical bodily harm. Some of us would be willing to use them when others are threatened with felonious attacks. But how many are willing to use them when threatened by the ultimate in force, the government? Then again, since government is always right, whyever would we?
Mike at The London Fog presents Stand around, try to look tough, don't make waves, collect overtime. Ogre's category: Crime? What Crime?In this post, Mike points out what happens when there's too many laws: lawlessness. Actually, he's pointing out where policemen are intentionally ignoring crimes because of who is committing them, while watching people who are NOT committing any crimes. Interestingly enough, this is happening in Canada, where I'm not sure there's actually a provision in their laws that claims that all people are equal under the law. Of course, here in America, just because the law says that, doesn't mean it means that.
Brad Warbiany at The Liberty Papers presents Patrick Henry on the Constitution. Ogre's category: Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death.In this one, Brad provides a good portion of a speech made by Patrick Henry. It is, as with many things still quoted of Mr. Henry's, a quite good speech. It starts out with a key point:
You are not to inquire how your trade may be increased, nor how you are to become a great and powerful people, but how your liberties can be secured; for liberty ought to be the direct end of your Government.
Indeed. That IS the point of government. Government doesn't exist to generate income, to help people, or to protect people from themselves. It is supposed to be there to protect liberty, and nothing else. But as Mr. Henry has predicted, and Brad points out, that's not what it's doing. Indeed, Patrick Henry appears to have been quite the prophet on this issue. Peter Kua presents Stop living in denial for the sake of Malaysia posted at RadicalHop.com. I'm not sure what this one is about -- a complaint that the government of Malaysia won't crack down on people being rude in the country because it's "bad" for the country? To me, that sounds like government expansion and intrusion rather than freedom. A few last entries (sorry I don't have time to properly comment on them -- please, readers, feel free to read them and then provide good summaries and details in my comments -- I'm sure they're excellent reads, we're just having a gas leak emergency and I'm supposed to evacuate or something): Doug Mataconis presents The Ninny State posted at Below The Beltway.
Doug Mataconis presents The Nanny State vs. The Family posted at The Liberty Papers.
Doug Mataconis presents Zoning Laws And Property Rights posted at The Liberty Papers. Next week this wonderful carnival will be hosted at Indian Cowboy.
Posted by: Ogre at 01:44 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Safer Driving in NC
All roads will suddenly be safer now in North Carolina. You see, the Democrat-led North Carolina General Assembly just made it illegal for teenagers to drive and talk on a cell phone. I look for insurance rates across the state to drop dramatically since we're all safer now, thanks to the General Assembly.
There's no word on when the bill will be expanded to make it illegal to eat french fries, drink sodas, shave, read, or talk while driving.Posted by: Ogre at 11:27 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
July 17, 2006
War with Iran
I haven't commented here on the situation in the Middle East -- there's many better minds making more posts with up-to-the-second updates. I do have a banner in the sidebar that lets you know my position: I stand with Israel. I've also posted a few comments on the type of war being waged over at The Wide Awakes. I have studied and do know a lot about the history of the Middle East.
I honestly believe this conflict could end in a moment. If Israel just stopped, I think everyone else would, too -- at least for the moment. But I don't see Israel stopping after issuing their ultimatum. There's much debate over the ultimatum, but I don't see Israel just stopping now -- but, of course, they could. Assuming Israel doesn't stop, and the terrorists don't return the kidnapped soldiers, where does that leave us? Syria is screaming that they will respond if they are attacked. Iran says they will attack if Syria's attacked. That just leaves this as a local war, so far. But what about all the reports that Iranian soldiers may be operating in Lebanon? What about reports that Syria is providing intelligence for the terrorists? Iran and Syria are open sponsors of Hezbollah. So, if these reports are true (and there's no indication they are not), then Syria and Iran have already attacked Israel, yet promised to "retaliate" if Israel defends itself. I think that Jerome Corsi has it right in his commentary when he saysThe true enemy of Israel and the U.S. today is not Hezbollah, Hamas, or Syria – the true enemy has been and will continue to be Iran, as long as the Islamic Republic of Iran remains the regime in Tehran.
Iran is taking the opportunity to take the focus off it's nuclear weapons development. I believe that they think they can complete their weapon before the war escalates to include them, and then they can deploy the weapon and destroy Israel once and for all. I don't think the U.S. will respond, however. I'm not sure today's U.S. government will ever launch a nuclear weapon -- even if the continental U.S. is hit with one. Israel, I'm with you. I just hope the rest of the U.S. government is, and that they can see the real danger before it's too late.
Posted by: Ogre at 04:43 PM | Comments (11) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Carnivals
This week's Tarheel Tavern is up! It's a weekly carnival of posts from and about North Carolina -- often a nice break for me from various political news. This week's host is A Sort of Notebook. Next week's host is Moomin' Light. I can't wait for the next topic...
Oh, and this week my most favorite carnival of all, the carnival of liberty, will be hosted RIGHT HERE! Be sure and get your submissions in now, as the carnival goes up tomorrow! This carnival is toPromote blogging and thinking about liberty and freedom. How to advance the cause, where there are problems, what we can do, who's saying what, historical trends and ideas, liberty in the news, and much more.
If you want to submit your post, just use the carnival submit form.
Posted by: Ogre at 03:05 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Borders? What Borders?
A Clarification on my Position on Immigration
Written By Linda at Right as Usual In talking to some readers, I realized that they were under the impression that I disliked immigrants. Nothing could be further from the truth. My maiden name sounded distinctly "ethnic" and unusual. As a result, most people assumed that I was one of the many displaced people that arrived in the Cleveland area after WWII, including the recently arrived. I, not being the brightest bulb in the pack, just thought they were interested in fascinating me when they eagerly initiated conversations. I didn't realize at the time they were hoping to talk to a fellow "newbie".Posted by: Ogre at 01:06 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
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