May 24, 2006

Immigrants on Immigrants

It seems that supporters of illegal immigrants are complaining about legal immigrants who complain about illegal immigrants. I know it's tough, but try and keep up to see just one of the effects of illegal immigration.

It appears that one criminal alien who entered this country illegally to have a baby so their child could be a citizen and get free healthcare, free education, free housing, and free food started working at a restaurant. Apparently the restaurant decided that if the criminal wanted to work for them, they'd break the law, too, and pay less than minimum wage.

Well, the criminal (the first one) complained. Incredibly (and wrongly), the criminal won their lawsuit against the criminal employer. However, at the same time, the criminal's "baby's daddy" was detained by ICE because he was also an illegal criminal alien.

Therefore, a group that supports breaking the law and the criminal invasion of a foreign country has decided they need to protest the restaurant for turning in the criminals. What a screwed up group of people. And no, there's no word on ANY of the people involved in this actually being charged with a crime -- the restaurant that hired the illegal and paid less than minimum wage, the illegal who came to this country to have her baby so she could get free stuff, nor the illegal who was detained by ICE for a little while.

This is no longer a country of laws.

Kender has more.

Posted by: Ogre at 02:14 PM | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Medicaid Wasteful?

The county of Polk in North Carolina has a population of 18,866. The county is forced to pay over $1 million in Medicare expenses. At "only" $53 a resident, that doesn't sound too awful bad, does it? But the federal government (YOU) and the state chip in an additional $18 million. That means the government is spending OVER $1000 per resident each year for Medicaid.

Presuming just 55% are employed and earning and paying for their own insurance, that's $2,238 for every person who's not employed to pay for their medical care. Government's not giving me one dime for my medical expenses -- why should so much go to just some "special" people?

Worse, the county is being forced to pay that $1 million, whether the people who live there want to or not. That's wrong. It's not quite taxation without representation directly, but it certainly is indirectly -- the citizens have no say in how their tax money is being spent and that's wrong.

North Carolina is the last state in the union that requires counties to pay for a portion of Medicare -- and they are told exactly how much they are required to spend. However, the legislature in Raleigh (run by Democrats) is more interested in spending money on what they want and retaining control than in a fair representative republic.

Posted by: Ogre at 11:02 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

May 23, 2006

Carnival, carnival!

A quick pointer to a great weekly blog carnival, the Carnival of Liberty. Many posts about freedom and liberty, and especially the lack thereof, in America. This week's carnival is at Left Brain Female. Go read this one.

This week's Showcase Carnival (that's for the new blogs) is to be at Random Yak. I'm not seeing it there yet...Yak? Coming soon? It's a good place to see the newest blogs out there and the new blogs always appreciate the comments they get!

Update: It's Here!

Posted by: Ogre at 05:04 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Chrysler Hates America

Well, except when you're giving them all your money, right?

Quality Weenie finds and points out the advertisements used by this company when they're trying to get business from other countries.

Remember that next time you're considering buying from Daimler Chrysler.

Posted by: Ogre at 02:59 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Moochers Rule Charlotte

The city of Charlotte, NC is quite literally beyond hope for the productive. If you work or produce anything and live in Charlotte, you will be asked to work more and receive less because other people want to live off your back.

Last night the Charlotte City Council met to have a "public discussion" about how much to raise taxes -- not whether to raise them, but how much they would raise them. The bidding started at an increase of 11% and only went up from there.

A number of people showed up to address the city council. NONE wanted to complain about the addition tax burden -- every single one wanted the city to raise taxes more -- and give the money to them. Perhaps next time The Ogre will go to the meeting and make the following request:

I support your tax increase completely. I think you should increase the taxes by an additional 1% because people can afford it and just give me a damn check for the amount you raise it. Why? What difference does that make, I'm breathing, so use your monopoly on police power to take money from someone who earned it and give it to me.

That was the argument given by various city employees last night. They want more simply because they manage to continue breathing -- they're not going to produce any more, they just demand more because they want it.

If you are a productive, working citizen subject in Charlotte, get out while you still can.

Posted by: Ogre at 11:39 AM | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

May 22, 2006

No Parking

Well, that boot sure ensures he won't drive away, won't it?

Posted by: Ogre at 07:06 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

1 LOL

Posted by: vw bug at May 23, 2006 02:38 PM (H32RX)

2 Yes, it's a good thing for the boot; he/she deserved it. That's what you get for snagging the ONLY good parking spot without the special sticker on the windshield ;-)

HEH...

Posted by: Gun Toting Liberal at May 23, 2006 04:23 PM (OKBoD)

3 Ah you're just jealous YOU didn't get that spot!

Posted by: Ogre at May 23, 2006 04:36 PM (/k+l4)

4 "Dude! So THAT'S Where My Car Is!"

Posted by: Harvey at May 24, 2006 08:39 PM (L7a63)

5 That explains a lot...

Posted by: Ogre at May 24, 2006 09:47 PM (blszc)

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Guard Our Borders!

by Heidi at Euphoric Reality

Our Open Borders Will Be The Death Of Us Yet

I live in Texas, and sometimes I think people don't truly grasp the fact that the chaos on our borders is not a border state issue - it threatens them directly, no matter where they live. The fact is that our border chaos is directly linked to our national security. Terrorists already have and continue to illegally cross our border, blending in with illegals from Mexico and Central America, or brazenly crossing over with an armed escort of gang members or even the Mexican military.

Posted by: Ogre at 05:24 PM | Comments (11) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Gerrymandering in NC

Lance, a fellow subject of the North Carolina Royal Government took issue with my recent post complaining about the government who reins supreme in North Carolina, saying:

"Royals"? Try democratically elected officials.

Here's an analysis of just one area: the North Carolina Senate.

The Senate is currently ruled by Democrats (and has NEVER had a Republican Majority). However, in 2004, the most recent election for the Senate, 3,118,224 people voted for Senator. 48.9% voted for Democrats. 49.6% voted for Republicans (46,960 voted Libertarian or other). If it were truly a Democracy, there would be 50 Senators from each party (or 24 D, 25 R and 1 L). However, there are THIRTY Democrat and only 20 Republican. How?

Easy: Gerrymandering.

In that election there were 50 seats up for election. Of those 50 races, only FIVE had less than a 7 percent margin of victory for the winner. 43 people who won were complete landslides. There were 13 races where there was ZERO opposition. In those 13 races, the average number of votes cast was 48,554. 7 of those races were won by Democrats, 6 by Republicans.

EVERY single Republican who won had a higher than average number of votes. EVERY single Democrat who won had a lower than average number of votes. This is a process known as "stacking" districts. Take the large numbers of Republican voters and put them all in the same, larger district to dilute their vote. Take the same number of Democrats and spread them over a larger number of districts, to increase their votes.

It's called Gerrymandering, and it explains why your vote doesn't really matter -- because the legislators are selecting their constituents so you CANNOT vote for the person you want -- you have to "vote" for the person the parties and the legislators select.

You can call a pile if crap a rose, but that doesn't make it smell any better, does it? You can call this the "Democratic Process" if you like, but that doesn't make it so.

Posted by: Ogre at 02:51 PM | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

DOJ: Racism MUST Continue

A former DOJ Official says that racism MUST continue to be enforced by the federal government or all blacks in the entire state of North Carolina will immediately become slaves again working on plantations harvesting cotton and tobacco. And unfortunately, he's supported by President Bush and both parties of Congress.

At issue is the "voting rights Act" -- which ensures, well, no one's really sure what it ensures, other than prohibiting the state from asking for any form of identification at the polls, encouraging voter fraud. But hey, if the federal government doesn't have oversight, slavery is just around the corner -- at least according to supporters of re-authorizing this "law."

And this bill will ensure that blacks can vote for blacks -- because, again, according to supporters of this law, white people cannot apparently represent black people in government so they have to be forced to vote for people of the same skin color. Can't trust them black folk to vote for a white person now, can we -- at least that's the attitude of this law and those who support it.

Posted by: Ogre at 01:06 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

It's Not Your Land

You might think you have the freedom to own land in North Carolina today. If you do, you are incorrect. You do not own land, the government does. You may only rent that land and use it as the government directs. If you disobey them, you will go to jail. Can anyone explain to me how that is freedom?

First example: There's a church in Charlotte that has been there for hundreds of years. They had a very old parking lot -- concrete with numerous potholes -- you could barely drive over the ground it was so rough. They decided to repave the lot so people could actually use it.

In the middle of the lot there was a space about the size of a parking space that had a curb around it and a mostly dead tree in the space. Rather than pay the extra money to redo that spot, and because they wanted an extra parking space, they paved over that spot. Unfortunately, they didn't ask permission of the royal government of Charlotte.

Now the city has ordered them to replace the tree. Why? Because the ruling class in Charlotte didn't give them permission to remove it. If it were their land, they could remove a dead tree at will. Unfortunately, it's NOT their land. They are being forced to pay for a renovation of the lot and a new tree that has to be exactly the same size as the old tree. That's just wrong.

A second example comes from Cumberland County. A person owns 149 acres of farmland and wants to build on it. The royals there will not let them. The ruling class in North Carolina has representative government backwards -- government is supposed to provide services for the people, NOT tell people what services they will provide.

There was freedom in this country once, long ago. I'm not sure if it will ever return.

Posted by: Ogre at 11:45 AM | Comments (11) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

1 "Royals"? Try democratically elected officials. Ogre, you ought to try to learn to deal with the fact that you share your town, your county, your state, and your country with others, and that means you can't have whatever you want whenever you want it.

Hypothetical: suppose we were in NYC instead of NC. And suppose, as may be the case, that we really enjoy a good cigar on occasion. Would you be complaining on your blog that you're not allowed to smoke cigars on subways?

Posted by: Lance at May 22, 2006 01:09 PM (ceP10)

2 "Democratically Elected?" Sure, like Saddam and Communists worldwide. Know what the VAST majority of ballots will look like in the fall in North Carolina (about 90% because I can't calculate all county-level elections):

Vote for ONE of the following:

[ ] Incumbent Politician

[ ] Write-In Candidate that will be ignored unless you jump through dozens of hoops and then will probably be ignored, too.

Call that a Democratically-Elected leader if you like, but I'm not buying it.

Just because it's a law doesn't mean it's good, nor should I follow it, nor should I not complain about it. And for your example, there's no valid comparison except in the mind of those opposed to freedom -- I am supposed to be able to own land, I don't own a subway car.

Posted by: Ogre at May 22, 2006 02:04 PM (/k+l4)

3 Taking your last point first, both of the cases you cite are about what people are doing with their land, not their ownerhsip of it. You're allowed to own cigars, too.

About half of the NC House seats will be opposed in November, as will most of the seats in the state Senate. I won't argue that balot refor is needed, but comparing US officials to Saddam? C'mon, that's a bit much. In pre-war Iraq armed guards watched you vote, so Saddam came away with 99.9% of the vote. Things simply aren't like that here. You've moved from critique to wild accusation.

Posted by: Lance at May 22, 2006 04:30 PM (ceP10)

4 A cigar is land? Huh? How is that? When one person infringes on the rights of others, that's when government is supposed to step in. Me cutting down a tree on my property does not infringe on your rights -- unless you subscribe to the current thought of government in Charlotte -- where government owns, literally, everything and I own nothing.

Half the House seats will be opposed in November? Perhaps in name, but not in reality. I just posted the 2004 election results of the Senate -- on paper 37 seats were "opposed," but only five had any real opposition. I've got similar numbers for the House.

I'm not comparing the armed guards of Saddam, just the election. In the "election" for him there was exactly one choice -- vote Saddam or vote for no one. That's the choice I face in November -- select the person that's been appointed to run or choose no one.

Posted by: Ogre at May 22, 2006 04:59 PM (/k+l4)

5 My point with the cigar is that whether you own something and what you can do with it are distinct, if not entirely separable, questions. You can own a cigar, but there are certain places where you can't smoke it. You can own a gun, but you're not allowed to fire it into the air on New Years Eve. You can own a piece of land, but if it's zoned "residential" you can't build a McDonalds on it. Such is the nature of law.

Here's something we agree on: you wrote "Just because it's a law doesn't mean it's good, nor should I follow it, nor should I not complain about it." Word. But I didn't take your post to be about the quality of town's rationale for the tree regulation; it seems to me that you're questioning the authority of the community to have a tree regulation. You're not talking here about whether the tree law should be different, or even making an argument that under the NC or federal Constitutions the law is impermissible. You seem to take it for granted that the law is the immoral construction of a corrupt elite. It may be (many laws are). But your post assumes the point; it doesn't argue the point.

Here's something else that we agree on (again): it should be easier for people to get on to the ballot, and elections generally should be more open.

But the tree thing isn't an example of a challenge to ownership; it's a challenge to use. And you might consider the possibility that the people of Charlotte (or whatever government is involved) might have a good reason for making a rule that forbids landowners from doing certain things with their trees.

Posted by: Lance at May 22, 2006 09:15 PM (ceP10)

6 I still claim it's not valid to compare shooting a gun with owning land. If we do not have the right to own private property, which includes all things on top of or below that property, then we have no rights at all.

If any body of government is permitted to regulate the growing of trees on private property, there are zero rights retained by the people at all because in order for the government to be able to regulate something, the owner cannot own the property at all.

It is a mindset that does claim that all trees belong to one great collective and only those with superior vision (the government) can determine who and where such trees may exist, regardless of any claims of ownership by individuals. That is where the current laws and government are simply wrong, no matter how many people agree with them.

You might find 100,000 people in Charlotte that all agree I should not cut down a tree in my yard. However, if I do own my yard, I can cut the tree down. If I do not own my yard, I cannot cut it down -- by those 100,000 people forcing their will on me.

Posted by: Ogre at May 22, 2006 09:28 PM (blszc)

7 But man, if there were some way to relax ballot rules, I'd be all over that one! Not likely in this current environment, however.

Posted by: Ogre at May 22, 2006 09:29 PM (blszc)

8 There is a distinction to be made between real estate and personal property, but the point I'm making applies to both: government can regulate what you own.

You write: "in order for the government to be able to regulate something, the owner cannot own the property at all." That's so far from what's generally accepted as true in Anglo/American law that it's... well, it's really far. If what you're saying is true, then all zoning laws are history, all building codes (including the ones that require homes to be more hurricane-resistant in Florida and more earthquake-resistant in California) are history, and cities and towns would find running sidewalks, power lines, and sewers near impossible.

If, on the other hand, some regulation of real property is permissible, then I don't see how we can talk about the validity of the Charlotte ordinance without a discussion of its purposes and application.

PS I'm enjoying this discussion. You should come argue with us at BlueNC.com once in a while. I'm sure you won't agree with most of what our authors write, and I can't promise that all of our commenters will be reasonable, but I'd appreciate you keeping us honest.

Posted by: Lance at May 23, 2006 04:58 PM (ceP10)

9 You are indeed clearly outlining where we disagree -- and it's on a very fundamental, philosophical level.

This country was founded on an idea that had never been tried in all of recorded history. That primary idea was the idea of property rights and ownership. It said that indeed, if one man actually owned his land and was not directly harming another, it was his land. So yes, under that premise, which I strongly believe in, all zoning laws should be gone and all building codes are unconstitutional.

If you look throughout history, all zoning and code laws are recent inventions -- the founding fathers never would have dreamed of telling people what to make their houses out of.

I realize this is certainly impractical in much of today's world, as you mention -- but the correct solution (in my mind, obviously) is not MORE government regulation and use, but less.

For example, the building codes in Florida are in place because the government will pay for anyone's house that is destroyed. That's wrong. Instead of the government telling people how to build their houses to ensure the government doesn't pay out money, the government shouldn't pay out the money at all and let the people build what they want.

Perhaps I shall stop over BlueNC, but you know it's going to get ugly...

Posted by: Ogre at May 23, 2006 05:07 PM (/k+l4)

10 I'm always skeptical of sentences that begin "This country was founded on..." I think the delegates in Philadelphia found plenty to disagree on. I also think that they drafted the Constitution in a very different world in which we find ourselves. And if they'd wanted real estate to be inviolable, they had a chance to write it down.

I agree, though, that we've reached the fundamental grounding of our disagreement. I've enjoyed this conversation, and I'm sure we'll do it again!

Posted by: Lance at May 24, 2006 03:04 AM (ceP10)

11 I've been reading a number of ancient and old philosophers and I'm seeing where the basic differences lie between peoples and how that's reflected in today's political battles -- and I don't see any possible resolution because of the very basic differences. I think we should split the country up -- maybe into 50 separate entities where each one can make up their own rules...

Posted by: Ogre at May 24, 2006 11:53 AM (/k+l4)

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May 21, 2006

Tarheel Tavern #65

Welcome to The Tarheel Tavern, number sixty-five.

Wow. Has it really been that long? Indeed, it has. The very first Tavern was February 27, 2005 at Science and Politics. It's been kept going every week since then.

As has been noted by others in discussions, the idea of the carnival does seem to be fading a bit these days. When carnivals were new, they were "IT," so everyone wanted to join, participate, and host. I used to be With IT. But then they changed what IT was. Now what I'm with isn't IT, and what's IT seems scary and wierd. It'll happen to YOU! So there are more carnivals and less people playing...but no matter, we will continue this carnival as long as there's even ONE entry...even if there's only two like this week...except for coturnix who sent a whole pile...

So, Bora, of Science and Politics, who, like the Ogre, is trying to write a Ph.D. thesis, sends along the latest reason to delay the actual writing, book reviewing! Yes, I am well-aware that it doesn't take much to come up with an excuse NOT to write the thesis. Beware of once you start submitting articles for publication -- then you get added to the list of "reviewers" for OTHER people's articles -- even if you don't get published the first time.

The next entry is from Moomin Light. Moomin highlights a song with a rather unusual title: England 2 Columbia 0. That's quite a title, so I'm sure if you've heard it before, you'd remember it. But since you haven't, I suggest you head on over there and see what it's all about!

Last up, I get my own entry in the carnival. Why? Well, because I'm the host and I want to, so nyyeh. My entry is about a wonderful festival in the mountains that is now an annual event. This year was the third year, and they certainly plan on doing it again -- and I plan on showing up next year for the second time. If you're nearby, you really should stop by.

Usually this is where I head to other usual entries and "find" some entries for this lovely carnival. However, I've got some company over this fine evening and am quite limited for time. Next time submit your own entries, you bums!

Posted by: Ogre at 07:03 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Blue Ridge Celtic Festival

Ah, twas quite a nice festival yesterday in Blowing Rock. At The Blue Ridge Celtic Festival, Contagion would have been quite at home -- there were more than a few kilts in attendance.

It was a small festival, but a very entertaining and fun place. It was held on the grounds of Chetola Resort, quite a nice place. There were a good number of merchants there and in a way resembled a mini-Renaissance Festival -- except with better music.

Throughout the day there was Celtic music playing. No, there weren't many traditional Irish songs (the ones you associate with St. Patty's Day), but there was a definite Celtic slant to everything heard. Enter the Haggis was the headliner and was selling band stuff -- which led to the uttering of such phrases as "haggling with the Haggis."

There was also a blacksmith there by the name of Alwin Wagener. He was quite impressive and we watched him creating a corkscrew for quite some time. Amazing stuff. I really wanted the wizard or dwarven door knocker he had on display, but I just couldn't quite afford it. He does make some very nice stuff.

The beers were also excellent -- they had a large selection of celtic beers (not just Guinness and Killians). The day was overcast and cool, but it never actually rained, so the day turned out excellent. Much of the afternoon was spent sitting in a chair and listening to the excellent music. I strongly suggest you go next year if you're anywhere nearby and like Celtic music. Next year I think I shall try and arrive Friday night and leave Sunday so I can just spend the entire day sipping and listening.

Posted by: Ogre at 04:09 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

714 - Barry Bonds *

Gee, hooray. Barry Bonds hit his 714th home run, tying him with Babe Ruth on the all-time record list. Pardon me while I celebrate his ability to consume drugs.

Sorry folks, I'm a huge baseball fan, but Bonds absolutely does not impress me. Sure, it takes talent and ability to hit the ball and no, I couldn't do it -- but the home run number is primarily due to taking performance-enhancing drugs as a professional. No big deal. Why didn't he get this far sooner if his professional job is to take drugs and hit a ball?

Sure, go ahead and claim that "everyone does it." That doesn't make it right. The ball is a lot harder than it was in Ruth's day, etc., etc. It really isn't that impressive -- and I'll be just as underwhelmed when he reaches Hank Aaron's 755. The asterick stays. Right on the Right agrees, and Kender says:

Bonds couldn't wipe the shoes of either of those guys.

Posted by: Ogre at 11:54 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

1 I so agree with you, Bonds is an asshole.

There are quite a few great players out there today not on drugs doing what they do best.

Take Ken Griffey Jr for example, he is one of the best players out there doing what he does naturally, no drugs.

Lets celebrate those players instead of Bonds.

Posted by: Quality Weenie at May 22, 2006 12:25 PM (XG7jZ)

2 I'm not celebrating, that's for sure.

I like Matsui of the Yankees -- did you see he apologized for getting injured? He's honestly sorry that he got hurt so that he cannot play. Most of the bums would sit home and collect their paychecks without a care in the world.

Posted by: Ogre at May 22, 2006 01:01 PM (/k+l4)

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May 20, 2006

Ogre's Not Here

I'm off to spend the day in the NC mountains at the Blue Ridge Celtic Festival in Blowing Rock. I've never been, so I don't know what to expect, but I imagine it will be a good time.

If you've got submissions for the Tarheel Tavern, please do send them to me, it will be hosted HERE tomorrow!

Posted by: Ogre at 11:54 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

May 19, 2006

Your Ideal Pet

Ah Friday frivolity and quizzes. Another pretty darn accurate one:

Your Ideal Pet is a Cat

You're both aloof, introverted, and moody. And your friends secretly wish that you were declawed!

Posted by: Ogre at 07:09 PM | Comments (10) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Llama, Rear View

Umm... Sarah the Pengiun of Because We Have Thumbs requested pictures like this one:

I'm not really sure why...you'd have to ask her. (Found via Harvey.)

Posted by: Ogre at 05:13 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Generation R?

A new blog thingy to check out -- Generation (R):

This new web site allows teens to create their own political blogs, and the best entries make the front page. Based loosely on the diaries feature of Daily Kos, Generation (R) allows people between 10 and 30 to comment on today's political news and topics.

Take a peek at what's interesting politically to today's teens.

Posted by: Ogre at 03:02 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

History Repeats

While the less than useless UN complains about the US fighting terrorists, they clearly have no comment on the impending Holocaust coming in Iran. Iran is about to have all Jewish people wear a "strip of yellow cloth." Oh, and Chrisitans? They get "red badges."

Now, what reason could be given for forcing people to wear an outwardly visible badge that identifies their religious faith? It's been done once before in history, even if the "President" of this country denies that the Holocaust even happened.

When Hitler came to power, keep in mind that he was immensely popular in Germany. In July, 1932, the Nazis received 37% of free votes, a plurality of seats in the government. In 1933, Hitler received 44% of the votes cast -- 17 million votes -- and the world sat by and watched, doing nothing.

Many isolationists will sit back and say that this isn't our business. Many will claim that it's an internal issue and that we have no right to interfere with the internal policies of another nation. If you are one of those people, where do you draw the line? When DO you "interfere?" What about when the people of Iran start killing off Jews? What about when they start shooting anyone with a badge in the street? How about when they launch a nuclear bomb towards Israel? Is it okay to "interfere" only when they attack the continental United States?

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad IS a madman, whether you want to admit it or not. As many others have mentioned, the parallels between this lunatic and Adolph Hitler are very similar. He will start killing based on religion. He will continue the Holy War against ANYONE who is not Muslim until he is stopped with force.

Continue to whine about records of phone numbers if you like -- if you live close enough to the city, you won't feel anything as you're turned into nuclear ash.

(H/T to Michelle Malkin).

Posted by: Ogre at 02:39 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Blow to Red Light Cameras in NC

In case you missed it, the ongoing lawsuits about red-light cameras in North Carolina continue. They are VERY unfortunate, because the lawsuits are governments and government agencies suing other government agencies -- so the loser IS the taxpayer, no matter the outcome of the lawsuit.

This time, the courts have ruled that the government agencies have to give 90% of the fines raised from red light cameras to the local school system. This has resulted in a "judgment" against the city and for the school system to the tune of a billion dollars. So one government agency has to give another a billion dollars. And the taxpayers pay that bill and all the court fees. What a damn load.

And yes, the city will appeal the decision because they don't actually have to pay the court costs or the fines -- they just use taxpayer money to pay -- there's no way they can lose. And if they end up having to pay the fine, they win even more -- because that will be their excuse to raise taxes. Big government really, really stinks.

The reaction of governments to this ruling is telling, too. Governments are complaining that "the innocent" will have to pay for the enforcement cameras if they're not able to generate a profit for the city. Imagine that -- a city actually having to pay for law enforcement. I know to most liberal cities, that's a foreign concept.

Folks, the red light cameras were just another tax. They were a revenue stream that the cities wanted to use to get more money and that's it. They have absolutely nothing to do with safety at all.

Posted by: Ogre at 01:03 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

NC State Workers Want "Free" Cash, Too.

When more money is taken from people than should be, "people" come out of the gutters to demand their "fair share" of that cash. It's absolutely amazing to me how many people honestly want something for quite literally nothing.

This time, it's the State Employees. You see, the state of North Carolina stole collected more tax money than they anticipated. This created a rather unique situation where the government has more money than they needed for their budget. So, instead of doing the right thing and giving the extra money back to the people who paid it, the state government is seeing how quickly they can spend the money, under the leadership of governor Mike Easley (D) and the legislature (D).

Easley has proposed raising taxes more to collect even more money and giving teachers a huge pay increase. And no, the teachers don't actually have to do, well, ANYTHING to get that pay increase -- they are to get a raise for simply breathing. Mike Gould, a state employee, wants to be paid more for breathing, too. No, he doesn't want to produce anything more, he just wants more cash.

Oh, and Easley has already proposed giving Mike and his fellow breathers a four-percent pay raise with zero increase in productivity -- an extra 4% for continuing to breathe. However, Mr. Gould says that's not enough -- he should get 15% for being able to continue to breathe and produce exactly what he's producing now.

What ever happened to hard work? I'll tell you what happened to it: government. Government is literally destroying America from within. Government should only do what no one else can do. Government, as it grows, continues to crush the free market by doing things like this -- rewarding people for breathing and not producing. The moochers are winning. Maybe I should join them.

Oh, how I yearn for freedom.

Posted by: Ogre at 11:08 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

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