QOTD x2: Searching for Monsters

From founder John Adams: 

Wherever the standard of freedom and independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will be America's heart, her benedictions and prayers, but she goes not abroad in search of monsters to destroy.  She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all.  She is the champion and vindicator of her own.

Should we interpret this quote to mean that the United State should be an isolationist country?  Perhaps that argument could be made, but unfortunately it is only true in theory.  Throughout the history of mankind, there are morally righteous cases to be made for going to war or waging conflict against other nations, but those cases are made with opaque colored glasses.  If one side is right, and one side is wrong, who has the righteous clarity to play referee?  (Often, the winner of the war, I suppose.  It's a deep philosophical question without a correct answer). 

So why do we engage in such conflicts when our founder warned against seeking conflict and "troubles" to be "correct?"  It is even harder to answer that question.  There is no mandate for the USA to play referee to the world when there are human rights at stake by anyone other than ourselves.  We chose to intervene in one civil war, but which other civil wars are we neglecting?  True, we can alter world events and change the course of history into the future should the right tactics be used, the best results achieved, and the evils eradicated, but it's time we start asking "at what cost."  (And I mean not just monetary terms).  

Battle is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge.  It brings out all that is best; it removes all that is base.  All men are afraid in battle.  The coward is the one who lets his fear overcome his sense of duty.  Duty is the essence of manhood.

Patton was a pure student of history and realized that often times, just one simple event changed the course of mankind for forever.  Further, the general realized that battle was only ever, at best, a necessary evil; one he emphatically hated.

As the last beacon of true freedom in the world (that which is quickly dimming and dwindling for its own people), should we be looking for monsters?  Should we be engaged in Libya while still trying to win the hearts and minds of Iraqis and Afghans?  Or should we realize that perhaps our doctrine of spreading democracy and forging peace with friendly nations should no longer be spread by the spear, but by pure example?  Should we switch from a manifest destiny of military action, foreign aid, and good will towards all men (enemies or friends), and once against turn inward to concentrate upon our own?  

I'm sorry dear reader, I've been doing a lot of pondering upon my beliefs lately, and I find myself questioning just how much I claim to know (or believe that I am right).

1000' Zones: Fail at Food Distribution Too

 One thousand foot zones are good for more things than just guns apparently (sorry that this is a month old).

Seems as though Old El Passo (not the salsa or taco brand) has a thing against mobile food vendors and thus prohibits them from stopping to do business within 1,000 feet of any brick and mortar restaurant.  Regardless of the insanity of preventing free enterprise, perhaps one could find a way to incorporate the "bicycle lunch" whereby people have to pedal to transact for their meals.  Think about the business opportunity as customers get exercise for free while they pay you for their lunch.  It's a win-win for the customer as they get a BOGO.

Something tells me though, vending beer to someone on a bicycle could create a potential liability for DUIs.

Toops Deserve Beer!

A renewed push to drop the drinking age down to 18 for military members. 

Works for me.  Old enough to die for one's country should mean you are old enough to consume adult beverages.  If adult hood legally starts at age 18, shall not that be the legal age for all non-minor child freedom? 

WikiLeaks: Liberty vs Tyranny in Real Life

Where does one start in this saga?  It is quite hard to grasp all the facts, simply because there are so many facts, and so many talking heads debating the facts.  With the twenty-four hour news cycle, it is easy to react and debate the rumors, only to have to recant and face the truths, or rather half truths. 

Obviously, over the past few weeks, we've seen calls for Assange to be tried for espionage, or even treason.  The calls for the whistle blowing website to be shut down, permanently, have resonated from a multitude of Washington officials.  We have even seen the CEO of WikiLeaks defended for his actions by people we wouldn't ordinarily consider as his supporters, including those whom often kill their political enemies with rare radioactive isotopes (speculative that is).  

So, how is it that one of the most noted libertarians in the US as well as one of the most noted totalitarians in Russia can be in agreement on the same subject?  Also, how is that foreign countries who were or are less free than the United States have leaders that sound more open towards freedom than our leaders?  These are the questions that should be asked and answered, not the "how do we charge this guy" questions that are being asked.

Consider this; a brand new law made to be able to prosecute Assange for his dissemination of the cables, despite the legal precedent and tradition of the freedom of expression offered in the USA.  Not to mention the fact that Assange is not a resident of the US nor has he stepped foot inside the country to commit any of his alleged crimes, there should be no over reach of sovereignty in this instance.  Even if the man behind the leaks had been a state sponsored conspirator, countries don't simply hand over their spies in an effort to save the spied upon country's face.  Not to mention that passing the SHIELD (Securing Human Intelligence and Enforcing Lawful Dissemination) Act and using it to charge Assange would be completely unconstitutional.

Not to worry, as it seems that law and justice are not something the US government bureaucrats are interested in any more.  Have we gone the way of the Romans?  An empire in such decline that we are witnessing the last gasp efforts to retain knowledge (which is power) in any and all efforts?

According to this guest post on Zero Hedge, that seems to be the way things are going.  If you read no other link from this post, or this blog period, you should read the one by Charles Hugh Smith.  His depth and brevity of the situation, and why there has been so much feigned outrage by the ruling elites, is 
spot on in my opinion (emphasis added).

Balto O's Player Scott, Excoriated for Political Leanings

While it is no secrete that the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are effectively dead in this country, it is sad to see the denigration run all the way into the world of sports.  Though, that statement should be qualified since it is sad to see the repugnant stench of the leftist agenda and legacy media excoriate a decent man who believes in God, Guns, and Country. 

Oriole's slugger Luke Scott is well known as an avid firearms enthusiast and hunter.  Scott was a loud critic of the new MLB rules regarding firearms in the clubhouse that went into effect earlier this year.  Though, being a bit more "centric" in one's political and heritage leanings, will seem to earn you the target on your back.  Especially if those leanings including having questions regarding the President's citizenship status. 

Last week,  Scott, did an interview with Yahoo Sports "Answer Man," David Brown.  The two engaged in a lengthy question and answer session that covered the gambit from baseball winter meetings and free agent signings, to hunting, and of course politics.  While the main soundbite is what got the play last week, most news agencies failed to convey the back story in the lead up to what Scott said about the President and his birth certificate.  Scott's skepticism of Obama's citizenship status wasn't the only criticism the designated hitter had for the current regime, as he conveyed a central distrust towards the CIC. 

Reading the whole article, it puts a perspective onto professional athletes, and how some are just your average, law abiding, country loving, people.  Scott appears to have a genuine love of our country.  He firmly believes in our founding and our founding documents, and absolutely loathes anyone that would mean to tear apart our freedom, independence, and the ability to live in those ways.  What is truly sad is that media outlets, other baseball players, and even Scott's own organization either chided him or distanced themselves from him.  Last I checked, this is a free country, and as Scott said in his interview, "It is what I believe."

Well said Luke!  Well said!  This is a free country (or at least that is what we have always been taught).  So it should come as no shock when the likes of Keith Overbite try to smear Scott as the worse person in the world.  Further, Overbite accuses (with no evidence whatsoever) Scott of taking steroids.  While sports and politics might not mix, if that's where the interviewer lead Scott, then let the interview run there.  We are all free to read or not read an article or ignore a specific player.  I am glad that Overbite actually admitted that Scott has a First Amendment right, and hopefully Scott realizes that he has right to sue the hell out of someone that has slandered him.  (Granted, there is a huge hurdle to overcome since Scott is a public figure and does play in a sport surrounded by steroidal controversy).

I honestly am not one that really believes in going out of my way to boycott leftist actors or athletes, but the double standard that is presented here is absolutely horrific.  Overbite is nothing more than a shill and a cheerleader for the president, and has been suspended for direct contributions to the leftist party of the USA (read demos). 

So, in a put up and shutup kinda statement, it is easy to say that Luke Scott is now my new favorite Oriole.  Too bad most of the Christmas shopping is done for this season, else I would consider going out and buying a Luke jersey and some form of autographed memorabilia!  I wounder if the O's would plan on doing a Wounded Warrior Project and auctioning off the items so I can get a Luke Scott autographed camo jersey?  Tis' the season! 

Fifteen Year Old Arrested for Koran Burning

Say what? 

A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of inciting religious hatred after allegedly burning an English language version of the Koran.

And they wonder why England is a nation in social, moral, and economic decay? 

Granted, yes, it is semi-insightful, but who are we kidding here?  Condemning a misguided youth for an expressive act when there are Islamofascists who encourage children her age to maim and kill solely in the name of Alah?

How's that political correctness and religious tolerances working out for ya there Brits? 

QOTD: TSA Groping Perspective

I just find it funny that on some forums, there are rednecks who live in a cabin in Montana who have probably flown on a plane once in their life making a huge deal out of the TSA screenings like it's the end of the world and a huge challenge to their ability to live a free life.  Give me a freaking break!  Shut up and pay your taxes!  They can grab my balls all they want if they stop stealing my money!

Ahhhhhh, AK Fan.  Always having the way to put things into perspective.  He is right that we have the ability to vote with our feet and our dollars.  When we choose to fly, we do choose to sign over our rights.  Rights are not unlimited and everyone's ideas on rights are just a bit different.  It has often been said that my rights stop at your door step.  If I choose to fly, I imply that I agree to the terms and conditions that you set forth for my use of your service.  Granted, people choosing to opt out of the scanners and make a scene is one way to get the airlines to change their terms of service (same thing goes with canceling our tickets and telling them the reason why is because of the TSA).  

The main point that he makes is, we can choose to opt out of TSA check points and somewhat invasive searches by simply not flying.  Unfortunately, we do not have that option when it comes to earning a living, paying taxes, abiding by National Firearms Act laws, or the illicit growing of pot in our basements (not that we are advocating anything illegal).  We are controlled by the government in ways we have not stood up for in centuries, and yet this simple act of securing airlines, airplanes, and passengers is our "line in the sand?" 

We, the US People, have fairly well become sheeple, in a death by 1000 paper cuts assault on our individuality and freedoms.

More Vet's Day Goodness

Hear the veterans in their own words and the words of the community in a video article from the Military Times!

Click here for the history and significance of the poppy on Armistice or Remembrance Day. 

And of course, a little more history with the poetic flair (literally), I give you the poem "In Flanders Field" by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae of the Canadian Army.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place, and in the sky

The Larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To You from falling hands we throw

The torch, be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Just some of the simple things I discovered this Veterans Day!  Cheers boys and girls, keep us safe and may we forever be free from tyranny!    

Texas Women Packing More Heat

Courtesy of John R. Lott (the author of More Guns Less Crime), comes a story from Tyler Texas where more women are now carrying concealed handguns than ever before.  Some 31,000 females now have Texas CHP licenses which is up nearly 40% from the previous high in 1996 (initial year of issuance for the permits to all individuals). 

What is also fascinating is this little blurb from KLTV 7's coverage of the story: 

Terry Adams and John Coblentz teach concealed handgun classes and say it's not just women who are arming themselves. "The people that are pushing gun control are making people nervous and they're buying weapons," said Adams.

Interesting.  So, those who are against us are now becoming the biggest hypocrites in the kitchen?  (Sorry for using hypocrite twice today).

Just more subtle evidence that the trend toward individual freedom as afford to us in our founding documents is mainstream and very much alive.  All the more reason that our freedom is attacked with regularity by those who wish to take our freedom away.   

9/11 Tribute: Shinning Beacon of Freedom Still Lives Within American Souls

One part of the date:  Nine years.  Nine years since the most dastardly, underhanded, devilish attack against the homeland of the United States of America.  A cheap shot would be a good term if it had been a bar fight.  But the infamous date of 9/11 wasn't just a sucker punch in a bar fight.  It wasn't even David smacking Goliath.  It was a strike at the heart of freedom, and freedom struck back harder than the little arrogant jihadists had anticipated. 

September 11, 2001.  A sentence unto itself.  One that will always exist and never change.  A day when far too many innocent people from all over the vast earth perished at hands of a few disgustingly perverted young men who's minds had been brainwashed by their equally disgusting and perverted political leaders.  That date reminded us that even in the absence of the cold war, peace was more dangerous for your enemies were not as discernible.  Accurately put, the hate mongers we Americans are blamed to be now nine years later, are not the ones who changed the landscape of hate in the world. 

Three thousand.  Another sentence unto itself.  It represents the number of Americans, including people of Muslim faith, that died for the advancement for a theocratic political experiment without borders.  One that hates not our impirical meddling, but our alliances with good.  One that hates our freedom and economic engine.  One that hates that we discredit their metaphysical qualities simply because we are non-believers.

NO.  The lives that were taken in that disgusting act of cowardise were not taken in vain, simply because their spirit was released to that of a higher power and to a far freer society.  In death, the victims of 9/11 acheived an ultimate freedom that islamofascists will never be able to acheive, not even in life.  The spirit of individual freedom, freedom from mind control, and from the backward ways that left the people of the earth nearly 200 centuries ago, was beset upon the victims that day.  No longer can they feel the pain from chains of bondage given to them by their assaultants, and they can certainly be at easy because of the eye for an eye punishment that both God and the USA have inflicted upon their "borthers in jihad." 

No outside force will ever criple our great nation.  No matter how much disagreement occures between our people, we certainly will not allow our nation to be attacked from those outside.  Our open society, the envy of the world's ruling class for our success, is the model most fit for then inovative nature of the human spirit.  So as is this 9th anniversary of the 9/11 jihad attack, let us pray for the saving of our fallen citizens, our troops in harms way, and the end to such propsterous and nonsensical attacks by radical islamofascists.  Let those who wish to do us much harm for our way of life remember this, ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ (come and take it)!

Fed Judge Rules Missouri Funeral Protest Ban Unconstitutional

From the Military Times, a Federal judge has ruled that Missouri's ban on funeral protesting is unconstitutional.

I guess Westboro Batnut Baptist "Church" will be free to infringe upon the civil liberties of those whom have made the greatest sacrifice for this nation.  I'm not quite sure why this cult seems to get off on the notion of wacky publicity, since most cults want to remain off the grid. 

The infraction of the Judge's unconstitutional ruling is that one man's rights, stop at another man's door step.  Do the Batnuts have the right to protest "God's revenge for homos?"  Sure.  Freedom doesn't discriminate against poor taste or moronic tool bags, but not at the expense of another man's right to grieve in peace.  There are far better forums for them to decry their inbred opinions than that of a soldier's funeral. 

Alas, there are several other cases pending to shutter these rejects from disgracing honorable men that are doing ridiculously hard work and making the ultimate sacrifices, so here is to hoping that the other Judges will get it right.  I guess we'll have to question their existence and necessity of their protests if the 9th Circus, and perhaps eventually SCOTUS, rule that same sex marriage are in deed, unconstitutional as well.  Something tells me though, a favorable ruling to the Wesboro Batnuts, won't stop them from protesting. 

Following Our Foundings, Renouncing Citizenship to Save on Taxes

The Financial Times has an article published Monday that people are lining up in London to renounce their US Citizenship and hand in their US Passports.  Apparently, the line is so long, that appointments are necessary and you can't get one until February of 2011.  According to the article there are many reasons why people are renouncing their US citizenship but chief among them is the attempt to escape the ever growing reach of the IRC (Internal Revenue Code).  It seems that those working and living abroad have better tax advantages available to them since nations like the UK do not have far reaching revenue generating schemes that extend beyond their borders. 

No longer is the IRC just internal and the people of this country should call it what it really is, an all encompassing Inter-World Revenue Code.  Our founders effectively renounced their loyalty to the English Crown on the basis of taxes, so it seems fitting that it is coming full circle.  It is a shame that those would rather renounce their citizenship than fight to make changes that would benefit all Americans.  However, it is a decision based on freedom following the American spirit of personal choice and one that I honestly can't find fault towards.  Good luck to those who have or are thinking about escaping the tax code through renouncing your citizenship, but just do me a favor, and move to the lower latitudes first! 

Missouri Rejects Obamacare!

By a vote of nearly 3:1, Missouri voters adopted Prop C on a ballot initiative to reject Obamacare.  Good for them!  Read about it here.