Commie, Neo-con, Whatever.

Liberal. Conservative.

Right-wing gun nut.

Hippie.

Tea Partier (at best).

Republican. Democrat. Extremist.

"One of those people."

Are we in third grade?

I know that treating people like individuals is just SO... HAAAAARD... but it's what we need.

Maybe I'm just a contrarian. (Category alert!) But topping off broad, stereotypical, media accusations and derision at political meetings, was a recent conversation sprinkled generously with "you're not one of those people, are you?"

What I said: "Yeah, actually, I am."

What I thought:

W00T!!!

Power to the people, people.

Looks like we've been overburdening the phone lines at the Capitol.

Now, I'm not about being angry on the phone - quite the opposite, in fact - but this sort of "telephone offensive" is EXACTLY what we need to have going on.

Keep calling!!! :-)

And on a different note, I wonder whether the infrastructure in the "stimulus" bill provides for an upgrade to the Capitol's phone bank...

Now THAT's Gutsy

NY Governor Paterson has nominated a relatively conservative House Democrat, Kirsten Gillibrand, to fill Sec. Clinton's former Senate seat. (h/t: Drudge)

*low giggling...*

Woooooooow.

This woman sounds like someone you'd find in ... well, not NYC or LA. At least not easily. And she's got enough of a spine to have voted against the Bailout.

AGAINST the Bailout!!!

I'm not sure *why* she voted that way, but whatever her reasons, opposing that legislation in the face of panicked calls of, "CRISIS! DO SOMETHING!" shows a real spine supporting an independent mind. The NRA has also endorsed her, which backs up that assertion, because we know how popular gun rights are in those areas, even though upstate NY presents a very different ball game from NYC.

And my sympathies along with my thanks to Gov. Paterson, who's being attacked rather uncivilly ...

Also, it makes me wonder.

Deserved or not, the extreme anti-Bush sentiment (whereby he could have saved a puppy and been accused of irresponsibly increasing the stray pet population to ultimately spread bubonic plague) has been, I believe, a major obstacle. I think the party leadership's playing of that sentiment polarized people (and shut their ears) who might otherwise have listened to others' ideas to achieve a workable solution - or at least a group hug. So...

Perhaps Obama's presidency has alleviated that hear-/see-/speak-no-Bush-ism a bit already, to the extent that more representatives (and governors) feel inclined to agree or disagree respectfully with each other, instead of trying to toe some party line in order to avoid being seen as sympathetic to Bush.

If so, that's a silver lining in the gathered clouds that have been hovering over us for years, because as we are willing to be honest with each other, our Constitutional republic's chance of survival improves dramatically.

Welcome, President Obama

Quite an emotional inauguration! I caught the last half hour or so and saw the swearings-in.

(And might I add, heaven help us after the "digital transition" - the consistency of the signals we receive leaves quite a bit to be desired... analog gets fuzzy; digital gets full-out unwatchable.)

Truly a historic occasion. Our morning prayer was quite tender, and it was very moving to read people's faces on TV and see a little part of what this morning meant to them.

Perhaps I'll parse his speech later, but speeches are one thing, and speculating about what he means by which phrases won't mean nearly as much as watching what he does.

May God bless him with discernment, strength, and courage... and the rest of us likewise.

Okay, Tell Me These Are Unrelated.

FBI hiring spree

Obama wants a civilian national security force

Federal military training for civil defense (btw, the last word in the second linked article there should be "dissidents," not "decedents." I'm just sayin'.)

I'm going to have to start using cash more often, aren't I?

(Feel free to contribute your own "coming nanny state" links...)

Interesting Post at Mudville...

From the Mudville Gazette, a great John Adams quote; here's a bit from the end that seems especially pertinent:

And the new Governments we are assuming in every part will require a purification from our vices, and an augmentation of our virtues, or they will be no blessings. The people will have unbounded power, and the people are extremely addicted to corruption and venality, as well as the great. But I must submit all my hopes and fears to an overruling Providence, in which, unfashionable as the faith may be, I firmly believe. (emphasis mine)

Yep, What They Said.

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty published a full-page ad in the New York Times, decrying the recent anti-Mormon violence and intimidation after Proposition 8 passed in California (and similar measures passed elsewhere).

This probably means that the Times is pretty hard up for advertising revenue, but I appreciate their allowing its publication, all the same. *wink*

It's a beautiful thing when people of faith can unite to stand up for others' rights to speak and act according to their consciences; and if it continues, this cooperation has the potential to really help solve the root of a lot of our problems as a society by reorienting our priorities and encouraging civility and respect.

Here's to continuing "civil defense" of our rights!

Power to the People, Baby!!!

Shoppers stopped and detained an armed shoplifter today in Idaho.

It makes me all giddy!!! I just LOVE it when people feel like they can do something positive.

Time to Get Our Houses in Order

Not "again."

STILL.

$700 billion has all of a sudden ballooned in size to $7.4 TRILLION. (h/t: Drudge)

Things are going to get a heck of a lot worse, a heck of a lot faster.

All I can say is to get your house solvent, because our country is not... and it will never be as long as our runaway government keeps promising more of our FUTURE INCOME.

Also, CALL your representatives, senators, and the President. Tell them to stop the madness. Do your part to fight this grand theft while you're still allowed to do so.

Hummmm...

A lawyer is challenging the music industry's anti-piracy lawsuits, proposing alternate solutions and charging that:

...the Digital Theft Deterrence and Copyright Damages Improvement Act of 1999 is unconstitutional because it effectively lets a private group - the Recording Industry Association of America, or RIAA - carry out civil enforcement of a criminal law.

and that:

...the music industry group abused the legal process by brandishing the prospects of lengthy and costly lawsuits in an effort to intimidate people into settling cases out of court.

Agreed.

I'm not certain about the implications, though. RIAA really does seem to have morphed into a vindictive, petulant organization, but those who knowingly downloaded illegally DID break the law. But fining college students hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of dollars? (And so on with the "buts" - back and forth, back and forth...)

In a way, I think it's kind of like seat belt violations: it's a common violation; most of the time nothing happens; and the potential costs to others are huge. And actually, seat belt violations are more important, in a life-and-death way.

On the other hand, there's nothing inherently wrong with not buckling yourself up; whereas there's definitely something inherently bad about wrongly possessing someone else's property. That's where my problem lies. I don't think I have any legal objection to people doing whatever they please with their own property, for their own use.

While the fines and lawsuits are simply ridiculous, there has to be a penalty for wrongful property possession - especially doing so knowingly.

Maybe the problem isn't with the legal system, per se... maybe it's with judges and juries who issue such outlandish fines.

And with the whiny, maliciously-behaving RIAA.

And with the whiny downloaders who - while seeming apathetic rather than malicious - obviously don't have a real principle to cling to.

Manners

As in, what we've largely forgotten in today's society.

Just basic decency and respect for others.

A gay "rights"*** group interrupted a church service, yelling and throwing fliers at people (which, I might note, is technically assault), as well as protesting outside the church.

This kind of intimidation is absolutely unacceptable. What are the consequences of the "protest?" Let's see:

churchgoers were unclear as to the purpose of the demonstration.

The Eaton County Sheriff's Department responded to the scene Sunday but no arrests were made.

Moral of the story: It's okay to act like a violent, spoiled child, as long as you're acting that way toward the politically-unpopular people who disagree with you - those oh-so-threatening religious fundamentalists who, I hope the "protesters" noticed, didn't attack them and yell hateful things back...

***in quotes because they already have specially protected rights - it's not a matter of rights anymore, but rather a matter of shutting down those who disagree, which is neither right nor respectful of others' rights.

What Happens When You Don't Get Real Information

This woman - a daughter of former slaves - was able to vote yesterday. Her friends were more than happy to help her, and I would've done the same.

But I think I would've done more to educate her first, because here's what she had to say about why Obama's a good choice:

"Republicans don't care for the poor people," she said. "They want it all and they don't want the Democrats to have nothing."

Wow.

Where do you even start with that? This poor woman has been isolated and bombarded with defeatist, socialist propaganda for so long that she honestly believes what she's heard.

So do the majority of the people in this country, apparently. (Thanks, public schools...)

Now, I am sick of the constant Republican capitulation to socialism, and I don't consider myself a friend of the party. But I don't think that bad people in positions of power in either party want to do anything but enslave us. The socialist programs we already have, have done little but steal both property and accountability, making it harder for honest people to succeed, destroying families, and undercutting the foundation of our country.

Corrupt, power-hungry people are the ones who don't want us to have anything; and the more we rely on the government, empowering those who seek authority, the less we'll all have, indeed.

Yep. Just in Time.

... or not.

Sarah Palin has been cleared of wrongdoing in an IMPARTIAL ethics probe about "Troopergate."

"Troopergate," wherein she (essentially) fired her Public Safety guy for not firing a slimeball state trooper.

That state trooper also happened to be an ex-brother-in-law. Abusive, drunk on duty, tasing a 10-year-old, corrupt guy - ask Alaskans... he was a real piece of work.

Of course, this is released after early voting, and just before the election, so the news doesn't get time to disseminate as it otherwise would...

What was the last news on it? The partisan legislative (preliminary) investigation thought she did something wrong. (And being part of the establishment she was dismantling, they WOULD.)

So it was referred to the State board, which - yes - just found that she did NOTHING WRONG.

Yep.

Of course.

Released "just in time" - not for people to know that she's been cleared before voting; but for the investigators to wash their hands of waiting until after the election.

It's so good to know that we conservatives can still be so OBVIOUSLY unjustly tarred by the media...

Election Jitters

They're gone.

Up until last night, I was losing sleep over the consequences of this election, however it turns out. I knew in my head that we could survive whatever comes, but I didn't feel it.

But yesterday I decided my votes, and without getting into details, I felt good about them.

And I woke up peaceful today. It felt like a combination of some surreal experience and Christmas morning.

I voted, and whatever happens, my family will be okay. We'll keep fighting the good fight, and we'll be okay.

A Taste of One Future

[Update 28Oct2008/12:43]: Here's an article that lists the questions the anchor asked both McCain and Biden. She's not throwing anyone softballs.
---

Hey, look! It's a whole new "don't ask, don't tell" policy!

One World WHAT?!?!

Surprise! Recent headlines suggest that the US-led, worldwide economic ... *cough* unpleasantries *cough* are spurring a global movement for "coordinated control." I mean, "order." Or at least something undoubtedly BAD.

Glenn Beck is on it.
Straight YouTube video (h/t Daily Liberty Research):


And here are a few stories:

• Only the First (sound familiar?)
• Happening All Over the World : ("perhaps it's time for a more coordinated approach globally")
• Rewriting Global Rules : Berlusconi says we're "talking about a new Bretton Woods.'' The Bretton Woods Agreements were adopted to rebuild the international economic system after World War II in a hotel in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire." (hmm... socialist FDR "rebuilt" something international - and hasn't that worked out well?) Sarko "l'américain" is totally on-board, too...

And to all of this, the White House says, "of COURSE not..." Best quote of the article: "There are absolutely no plans or discussions to interfere with the functioning of markets in the United States" - well, aside from what we've already done to completely DESTROY them... but no, why would you be concerned about international meddling? *jaw dropping in disbelief*

Oh, and here's a clearer assessment than I would have expected out of a main news service...

The government is authorized under the law to buy "troubled assets."

Those assets include mortgages, but according to the law, they may also include "any other financial instrument" that is "necessary to promote financial market stability ..."

It is the government's position that this authority extends to bank stocks.

"The plan we are executing is aggressive. It is the right plan. It will take time to have its full impact. It is flexible enough to adapt as the situation changes. And it is big enough to work," Bush said.

EEK! The only thing scarier than, "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help," is "I'm from the government, and I'll do WHATEVER IT TAKES to help!"

Today's Threat from Speaker Pelosi

"This is only the beginning..."

(heard on radio news just after the House passed the Bailout... good-bye, tax refund... good-bye, businesses... good-bye free enterprise...)

What a Dad

Alerted by his daughter's scream, 64-year-old man in Indiana killed a sex offender who broke into his home and was on his way to attacking the man's 17-year-old daughter.

The police spokesman said the dad didn't appear to have tried to kill the intruder - just tried to hold him and keep him away from his daughter - but either way, I believe he should get a plaque for "Services Rendered to Society."

Wow - Could We Have Actually Stopped It?

Just heard the latest roll call vote being 220-something against, 190-something for... with a few votes outstanding.

Does that mean the Bailout Bill failed? I'm keeping my fingers crossed...

Updates as I hear more...
[12:08 MDT] YES... FOR NOW. We'll just have to let the market fix itself.

[17:01] (Final count: 228 Nay - 205 Yea) Buckle up... it's going to be a very, VERY bumpy ride, and I'm pretty sure it's not the last we'll see of attempts to destroy the engine of the country, either. We're in a very, very dangerous place right now - economically and philosophically, and if we don't stand on principle, we'll end up in an even worse place than we're already headed.

[17:26] What the heck?!?! Check this out:

• "The Federal Reserve will pump an additional $630 billion into the global financial system, flooding banks with cash to alleviate the worst banking crisis since the Great Depression." and
  
• "The Term Auction Facility, the Fed's emergency loan program, will expand by $300 billion to $450 billion." THAT IS A 200% INCREASE!!! Carefully worded for scanning readers, but DANG.

Doesn't look like the Fed needed any additional authorization.

I Think I've Come to a Direction

I think I've finally started leaning very strongly on the proposed "$700B" bailout. (The quotes are because we should probably quadruple any government estimates...)

Up until yesterday around noon, I was very conflicted. And like Sarah at Trying to Grok, I didn't feel smart enough to blog the bailout. I needed more information, and I needed to see clearly the "lesser of two weevils," as it were.

Then I heard more from Speaker Pelosi.

To paraphrase, since it was a radio blurb and I haven't yet seen it online: "we can't just bail out these companies and do nothing for the little people."

Oh, wow. That helped a lot.

Bailing out these companies is (theoretically, propaganda-ly) designed to keep us little people's savings and jobs and finances intact. Why would we need something else?

Then Congress introduced another massive stimulus package last night.

And oh, wow. That helped more.

This is absolutely not about "helping." This is about taking over our lives - in answer to our desperate plea to fix the mess that CONGRESS CREATED by sticking their fingers in the markets!!!

I don't WANT the government to own my house, if/when we buy one again.

I don't WANT the government to own my husband's work or his workplace.

I don't WANT the government to own my financial products.

I mean, name the last time government got involved and things got better.

Even the architects of it don't think it'll fix things - otherwise, why propose an additional stimulus package? (More debt and dependency....)

So... now that this bailout is revealed to be exactly what it sounded like before the confusing propaganda started, namely: an unconscionable power grab to socialize the country by blindfolding and holding hostage the American people; I DO feel smart enough to blog about it. At least on principle.

What's coming is UGLY. But I'm finally of the opinion that what Congress, the Fed, and the Executive branch are doing is not going to help.

And I oppose it.

-- Very interesting source (h/t Drudge) --
from http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13918.html:

• "one option would be to make clear that the secretary needn’t be confined to buying up bad debts" - oh, why in the world would we limit governmental power???
• "Pelosi will be reluctant to expose her members if House Republicans are sitting out the process." - if you're so sure it's right, Ms. Pelosi, GROW A SPINE and stand up for it!!! Looks like she's just afraid of being "exposed."
  
• "Those principles will include improved oversight of the program, as well as a plan to phase in the $700 billion investment in stages, while still assuring the administration a virtual free hand for at least the first $350 billion." (emphasis mine) Pardon me???
• "And when Democrats left to caucus in the Roosevelt Room, Paulson pursued them, begging that they not “blow up” the legislation. ... The former Goldman Sachs CEO [Paulson] even went down on one knee as if genuflecting, to which Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Cal.) is said to have joked, 'I didn’t know you were Catholic.'" EXCUSE ME?!?! Yeah, joke about it, Madame Speaker, but we don't kneel before other mortals in this country. And I'd prefer NOT to have our economy bowing to Congress.