Andrea Clark Facing the Plug Pullers Again

Andrea Clark is once more in danger. The hospital who's ethics committee had decided to pull the plug on her offered to move her to another facility, but has now decided to rescind that offer. The claim is the facility was inadequate for her care. You would think a hospital that can decide when a person should die would know if a facility was set up to handle a patient before they make the family decide to move their patient. They very graciously added one more day to the drop dead date to give the family some time to figure out what to do, tomorrow.

Fortunately the family has a new doctor who will go to the committee and argue that her case is not futile. The family's lawyer will file for a stay in court. Seems St. Luke's hospital's lawyers won't make any real time commitments so the family doesn't want to get caught in a constant emergency decision circle.

St. Luke's is an Episcopal Hospital. One would think that a Christian founded institution would not be so eager to end a patient's life, but the Episcopals are more interested in gay bishops than they are in any issue of whether a person has a right to life. Ethics now trumps morality in the Episcopal Church.

You can find contact information here It is somewhat sickening to see the masthead on that page in light of this issue. See it below:

More at Right Wing News

pro-life religion

May Day May Be Bad Day for Illegal Lobby

A no win situation seems to be evolving as we lead into the "Day without Immigrants." The goal of demonstrating the economic power of illegal immigrants by boycotting work, school and business could actually have a very negative effect. Yet by not participating in the protest, the movement risks a embarrassingly ineffective demonstration that could demoralize the movement and doom political support. Americans are increasingly voicing resentment toward illegals in the face of brazen public demonstrations. Politicians are sticking their fingers in the air and sensing a change in the direction of the wind.

Various counter protests are emerging. Some are calling for citizens to make a point of buying or conducting other economic activity on May 1st to counter any effect the boycott may have. They are pointing out that only businesses that are open on May 1 are those that don't have illegals working for them so they should be patronized. Maybe not a hard and fast rule, but good enough to make a point. One radio station is planning to put out empty chairs at a park to represent those who are citizens, have to work, but want their elected representatives to remember who they serve.

If anything has angered people it has been the unabashed pandering of elected officials to the illegals with offers of amnesty., but already politicians are engaging in CYA statements. U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, California's senior senator is urging people to stay at school and work even though she supports their efforts. This in the face of the Sate Senate Democrats passing a resolution in support of the protests. More telling of the shifting political wind is LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa dropping his commitment to speak at the rally in LA so he can talk to the NFL about getting a team back in the city. Seems the NFL holds more economic potential that the illegals in LA. At least he sees that the next election may require he not be so cozy with the non citizens as he has been. California voters did pass Prop. 187 which sought to withhold government services from illegal immigrants only to have the courts interfere. In spit of his former membership in a radical separatist group, MEChA, he certainly doesn't want to have to tack against the wind in the next election. When politicians scramble to cover it's a sign the times are a changing.

Meanwhile the Minuet Men are on the border building a fence. Two hundred volunteers are constructing a quarter mile long, six foot high fence extending the one built by the federal government They are doing the job that American politicians won't do.


immigration politics

Project Hero

QandO has the next Silver Star recipient tribute up on their site.



Our hero this week is SGT James Witkowski, Silver Star

Entering a kill zone of approximately one mile, the convoy started receiving small arms fire. As IEDs exploded on both sides of the highway, insurgents rushed the convoy, shooting RPGs and lobbing hand-grenades.

Meanwhile, Witkowski held insurgents down with suppressive fire from the 50-caliber weapon atop his vehicle. When a grenade landed in his turret, Witkowski continued to engage the enemy amidst incoming fire. Doing so, he absorbed the full brunt of the explosion, saving the lives of three other Soldiers in the vehicle.

If Witkowski had not taken that action, “all four of them would have died without a doubt,” said Master Sgt. John Souza, of Watertown, Mass. Souza, who was also in the ambushed convoy.

Witkowski’s father, a Vietnam veteran from the 101st Airborne Division, swelled with emotion as Mock pinned the prestigious medal on his chest in his son’s behalf.

“This shows that he was a much better person than I was. I’m just so very proud of him,” said the senior Witkowski.

You can see his memorial site here, perhaps sign the guestbook.

Andrea Clark's Family Finds Hospital

Good news on the story of Andea Clark. I found this on Right Wing News.

Would you know a gentleman named John Hawkins (he is with Right Wing News)? I promised him I would call him, but the number on my cell phone for him was "restricted." I then tried to email him, but it came back to me as undeliverable (Hawkins' Note: Not sure what the problem was with the email and phone).

My family has made the decision to move our sister to the hospital in Chicago. Thank God there is someone willing to take her. And, really, it is best to get her out of Texas, because of the futile care law here.

St. Luke's played hardball with us on this issue. We were told that we could make the decision today and they would pay the entire amount of $14 thousand to move her, but if we made the decision tomorrow, they would only pay half of it, and if it were the day after tomorrow, they would pay nothing.

As you know, I'm a Democrat, but one that is against abortion. I agree with the Republicans on that issue, at least. After this experience, though, I have to tell you: I am in absolute awe of the power that the right to life people generate. I, of course, first posted on Democratic Underground, and I have to give them some credit: they let my post stand against the rules about posting something like this under the wrong topic. They also let it stand, even though it had people's (my sister's and mine) personal numbers in it. And, of course, some people there forwarded it to other blogs. And everyone there was very supportive in their comments, as well.

But the pro-life people stepped forward and just absolutely ground St. Luke's into submission on this issue. You have, without a doubt, saved my sister's life. I want you to know that. Without the pro-life/right to life people stepping in from the very first of this fight for Andrea, we would have lost. I have never in my life seen such a centered, focused and energized group of people.

You used that energy and focus to do some good in this world and you didn't care whether you were fighting for a Democrat's life or a Republican's. Now, that's conviction.

There are not enough words in the English language to tell you how grateful I and my family are, for what you people have done. When we protested at St. Luke's last Saturday, the strangers that showed up were people that had had relatives killed at St. Luke's in much the same way that St. Luke's had planned to kill my sister. These people hadn't known any better, and they hadn't known that there was such a powerful group of individuals out there, devoted to this one cause, that might be able to help them.

Because of the people in the pro-life movement, a light has been shown on the truth, for all of Texans; indeed, for all of the world to see. May God bless you for your works. And, please, do not hesitate to ask myself or my family, for anything that you may ever need in order to continue your fight for these precious lives. We are here for you and your cause, as you were here for us in ours.

Melanie Childers

Virginia Senate Wants to Tax Gas

The Virginia State Senate, dominated by Republicans, is just ate up with dumbness when it comes to taxes. There is no other way to look at a proposal to place a surtax of 6 cents on every gallon of gas. They must view the voters as stupid sheep who will fall for any scheme to exploit the issue of the day.. They have some justification for feeling that way. We did put them there on their promise that they would deal with the transportation issue. The problem is they have only dealt with the rounding up of more money part of it. No plan exists on what the money will be spent on. How on earth are we supposed to believe that increasing the cost of gas is going to help us? Sure they say they are just sticking it to the gas companies, but since when did a company ever not pass taxes on to the consumer?

Even the Governor who is a Democrat thinks the gas tax is a stupid idea. Well he also said he wouldn't veto it so he can't think it's that stupid. As can be expected though the most idiotic statements come from members of both parties.

Gas companies "don't mind sticking it to me and sticking it to every person in Virginia when we come up to that pump, and I don't mind repaying the favor," said Sen. R. Edward Houck (D-Spotsylvania). Majority Leader Walter A. Stosch (R-Henrico) said the tax is aimed directly at "profiteering" by the gasoline giants.

Aim it as you wish or stick it to whomever you want, the reality is the consumer pays in the end.

In most endeavors, a problem is solved by identifying the need, forming a plan to address it then executing that plan. In the Senate of Virginia, they have stated the problem but not defined the need. Where is the plan? What are they proposing to do? Simply stating that they intend to solve the problem is not a plan. Are they going to widen the beltway? Are they going to expand public transportation and if so how? Without defining the solution there is no way of knowing the cost. That has not prevented them from defining the cost. It's as if they have some idea that when they have the pile of money in front of them the solution will magically present itself. The actual outcome will be they will allocate the money and declare the problem dealt with just in time for the next election, but nothing will be settled. Completing the endeavor would require leadership and decisiveness, virtues not easily found in any legislature. But hey, spending all that dough sure looks impressive don't it?


economics Politics taxes Virginia

Frist Wants to be Carter When He Grows Up

Bill Frist who some say has ambitions for the white house is quickly positioning himself as the next Jimmy Carter. In the face of rising gas prices he has put forward a proposal that would rebate $100 to taxpayers and temporarily suspend the federal gas tax. Suspending the tax would be a laudable goal, but sending a check to taxpayers sounds suspiciously like vote buying and populist pandering.

Giving out a flat fee and tying it to income levels has nothing to do with easing the price of gas. It is nothing but the same old redistribution of wealth schemes we count on the Democrats for. Republicans in the Senate of whom Frist is supposed to be a leader have become the very thing conservatives wanted them to oppose. It seems that the half life of a Republican elected official's conservative principles is quite short.



economics Politics taxes

George Allen Criticized for High School Photo

When I was in high school I did and said some incredibly stupid things. I believed some stupid things, But then wasn't I in high school to remedy this condition? And don't we have collages and universities so young people can continue to remedy the ignorance of youth. Now anyone who reads this blog regularly knows what I think about the state of education these days, but the concept is still valid. The reason I bring it up is one of the potential Democratic opponents of Sen. George Allen is complaining the Allen had a confederate flag pin on in a picture of him in his high school yearbook. The horror!

The two Democrats seeking the nomination to run against Allen are Harris Miller and James Webb. In an interview with The Washington Post Miller said:

"I can make a difference by focusing on the future instead of getting caught up in cheap partisan politics," Miller said Monday evening. "The whole way Washington is running right now is all about partisanship. There is no attempt to reach across party lines and reach common-sense solutions."

Focusing on the high school issue reported in the New Republic doesn't sound to me as "focusing on the future instead of getting caught up in cheap partisan politics." Mr. Webb to his credit dismissed this report as just what it is, a personal attack that skirts the issues. Not to be left out of an opportunity to demonstrate why the NAACP is a fossilized vestige of a by gone era " King Salim Khalfani, executive director of the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP, called the information about Allen's youth 'troubling to us because it just shows a long-held belief in the virtues of the Confederacy.'" Gee, I wonder what stupid things Mr. Khalfani did and said when he was in high school.? I have to assume he's a lot smarter now.

So far as I can tell at this point the choice for the Democrats is between a typical liberal panderer and an anti war activist. Impressive.

Update 15:09 : I'm sure these folks have criticized Sen. Robert Byrd for his past leadership of the KKK after he graduated high school.

Virginia Politics

May Day Illegal Immigration Rally

May 1st is just around the corner. Traditionally May Day has been celebrated by communists and labor movements world wide. This May Day has been designated "A Day Without Immigrants" and the usual leftist hangers on are glomming on for a free ride now that the anti war thing has lost its punch. You can see a list here. We all know what they want. They want to skip to the front of the immigration line by virtue of their success in thwarting our laws

"There will be 2 to 3 million people hitting the streets in Los Angeles alone. We're going to close down Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Tucson, Phoenix, Fresno," said Jorge Rodriguez, a union official who helped organize earlier rallies credited with rattling Congress as it debates the issue.

"We want full amnesty, full legalization for anybody who is here (illegally)," Rodriguez said. "That is the message that is going to be played out across the country on May 1."

They have reason for hope. The California State Senate passed a resolution in support of the "Gran Boicot"

By a 24-13 vote that split along party lines, the California Senate approved a resolution that calls the one-day protest the Great American Boycott 2006 and describes it as an attempt to educate Americans "about the tremendous contribution immigrants make on a daily basis to our society and economy."

To really appreciate what's happening here I suggest you read the vile blathering of the Voice of Atzlan. They are a group seeking to make the Southwest United States into the independent country of Atzlan, independent of the US and white people. Oh yea, they also don't like the JOOOs

The leaders of "El Gran Boicot" are asking that everyone who will be participating in marches, rallies and other demonstrations on May 1st, do so in a peaceful and non-violent way. Be careful not to confront police authorities or be provoked by the many racist bigots who will be out to do their dirty work. There are now indications that a "COINTELPRO" type effort is being implemented to destroy the movement. We are now seeing many infiltrators within our organizations that are attempting to divide the leadership. "Vendidos" and "Malinchistas" are being planted within our ranks. Already, the enemy has twisted the arms of some of the leaders of certain of our national organizations by threatening to withhold their funds and grants. Even Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles is now changing his tune because the Jews are threatening him with bringing up more cases involving his pedophile child abusing priests. We do not need organizations that are led by "coconuts" or compromised institutions to defeat our enemy. Remember, "No Work - No School - No Purchases" on Monday May 1st !

Mac Johnson at Human Events suggests we just go out and buy things that day. It will be easy to do so at stores and restaurants that don't hire illegals, they'll be open.

By making a point to do as much shopping as possible on May 1, Conservative Shopping Day, Americans can stop this scam in its tracks. If the issue is to be decided by a demonstration of "purchasing power," then let's demonstrate the purchasing power of 300 million legal American residents. The purchasing power of 11 million illegal workers and their bosses and sympathizers will pale in comparison.

People are feed up, I know I am. The politicians are ready and willing to pander to the mob if they smell votes. The actual citizens of this country are the one's getting the short end of the stick. We are expected to obey our laws and will suffer sanction when we do not. Yet get enough people to walk the street and no law is sacred. A recent poll by Rasmussen Reports shows how disengaged from reality the politicians are. Despite President Bush and the US Senate's efforts to hand the prize over to the illegal mob, voters want enforcement of the law.

The Rasmussen Reports national survey asked respondents how they would vote if "a third party candidate ran in 2008 and promised to build a barrier along the Mexican border and make enforcement of immigration law his top priority."

In that scenario, Democrats, with 31 percent, would be in a virtual tie with the third-party candidate, with 30 percent of the vote. The Republican candidate would be favored by only 21 percent.

There are three pillars of prosperity, security of privet property, a reliable currency and a reasonably expectation of equal justice. Without just one of these the ability to create and enjoy wealth is difficult at best. When the mob can repeal a law by simply ignoring it then the foundation for the rule of law crumbles for it will not take long for a new mob to form. If our political "leaders" cave on this issue we can expect everyone that want's to pick the taxpayer's pocket to storm the streets in hopes the populists will hand them the store.


Update: Seems Lou Dobbs at CNN has noticed also

Carnival of the Trackbacks LXI



Immigration economics politics

The Senate and Border Security

The US Senate has approved $2 Billion for border security. Why the sudden enthusiasm? The citizens are about to upstage the politicians and build a fence themselves. Politicians are adept at running to the front of a parade. They nearly bowled each other over to pander to the illegal immigrants when they saw them marching in the streets, but they seemed to realize that getting votes from illegals could take too long now that citizens, who can vote this year, are willing to ignore the politicians in favor of getting the border fence up now. They did take the money from the Iraq war funds, and it only amounted to 3% of the war budget. Even at $2 billion it is not mush compared to the needs on the border. WorldNetDaily.com highlights three projects to build a fence on our southern border with privet funds and labor.

The Minuteman Civil Defense Corps has begun to promote the construction of a fence along the Arizona border based on the design used by Israel on the West Bank. This design has been adapted by Colin Hanna and We Need A Fence.com. They have two contractors ready to organize the project and are accepting donations of money and labor.


Another group, Border Fence Project.com is promoting a more simple fence they claim would cost $2.50 a foot. They want to work with land owners and volunteer labor to build a contiguous fence from the Pacific to the Gulf

This is the only way that Congress will take this issue seriously. Their approach up to now has been to sweep the issue under the carpet, or exploit it for their own political interests. The push for Motor Voter laws followed by the push for driver's licenses for illegals looks suspiciously like an attempt to round up a new voting block. They have exhausted the ability to buy citizen votes with government programs so naturally salivate when they think of all those illegals looking for largess.

Border, Government, politics, Mexico

Ehtics, Morality and the Right to Life

Texas has a law that gives the ethics panel of medical institutions final say as to when to pull the plug on a patient. Apparently this includes patients who are not brain dead or in a coma. Their decision gives the patient and family 10 days to find another facility or they ganck the plug.

In January, Clark underwent open-heart surgery and later developed bleeding on the brain. A ventilator, which the committee voted to remove Sunday, helps her breath.

Talking about the Texas law, Dixon told KHOU: ""If their ethics committee makes a decision, it doesn't matter what the patient wants. It doesn't even apparently matter what the patient's condition is, because our sister is not in a coma; she's not brain dead."

Clark's family says though she cannot speak, they are able to communicate with her by moving her lips and blinking her eyes.

In an atmosphere of anxiety about the cruelty of lethal injections for the execution of murderers one has to wonder at the enthusiasm of the hospital staff for terminating a patient's life without recourse. How can lethal injection be more cruel than suffocating of starving a patient who in this case did nothing but undergo a operation resulting in complications? Did the hospital just keep her alive long enough to avoid a lawsuit had she died on the table? Is the insurance company tired of paying her bill? It is hard to come up with a scenario that does not accommodate the medical profession's interest over the patient's. When a committee carries the title ethic beware, the term is now a replacement for morality. The chasm between the two is vast. Morality is a standard of behavior that instructs us on the difference of right and wrong. Ethics is a cover for the capricious nature of man.

ethics
pro-life
government
economics

Coffee, You Can Sleep When You're Dead

The good news on the diet front just keeps on coming. I thought all was well when The Washington Times reported a study finding chocolate to be full of antioxidants. Now Fox News has a report on an extensive study that finds significant health benefits for large amounts of coffee consumption.

The Nurses' Health Study started in 1976. The Health Professionals Follow-Up Study started 10 years later. Upon enrollment, participants had no history of heart disease and were in their mid- 40s to early 50s, on average.

About 44,000 men and more than 84,400 women took part. They updated their health information every two years. Every two to four years, they also completed dietary questionnaires, including information on coffee consumption.

The study claimed that 4 cups a day actually lowered the risk of heart disease. The article on the web site does not include the claim in the interview on the Fox News Channel where the interviewee also claimed that men who drank six cups a day also had a lowered risk of type 2 diabetes. Ha! Now I have a health drink every morning, a cup of coffee (it has to be the filtered kind. not expressio), Splenda instead of sugar, 1/8 tsp. cinnamon (fights type 2 diabetes), 1/2 tsp. extra dark cocoa, creamer, six cups a day. Life is good!

I'm waiting for that study that says doughnuts prevent obesity.
See more of the picture above here.

Evidence of Social Security fraud Ignored by Government

The defenders of illegal immigration prefer to call them "undocumented workers." The truth is many of them are documented, possibly with your social security number. Counties have been publishing public records such as court documents, marriage and divorce records Only six states redact the documents before they are posted on the Internet. The state of Ohio was forced by court order to do so just recently.

Florida, Ohio and other statesare trying to get sensitive personal data off official Web sites before identity thieves find it.

Privacy advocates say it can take months to remove Social Security numbers and other data from the sites, USA Today reported.

The newspaper said at least six states use redaction software, which digitally erases information.

Florida's Manatee County removed Social Security and bank account numbers from 3 million public records on the county's official Web site. Another 2.5 million court records were redacted before going online.

The newspaper said Florida was the first of several states to pass laws requiring counties to redact sensitive information.

A federal judge last month approved a settlement forcing the removal of Social Security numbers from financial documents posted on the Ohio Secretary of State's Web site.

Until the rest of the states discover how stupid a practice not redacting a SSN from public records is, one should contact one's county office of records and see to it that this is done for one's personal records.

More perplexing is the agencies that handle tax enforcement such as the IRS have no interest in investigating or alerting anyone to the obvious evidence of fraudulent use of SSNs. It makes one wonder where the government's priorities are. The shielding of illegal activity from scrutiny implies an approval of that activity. The fact that those being shielded are illegal immigrants who are victimizing citizens calls into question their loyalty to national interest.

Two federal agencies are refusing to turn over a mountain of evidence that investigators could use to indict the nation's burgeoning work force of illegal immigrants and the firms that employ them.

Hiding behind privacy laws does not excuse concealing criminal activity. Congress needs to get busy and pass legislation forcing these agencies to report illegal activity that is so painfully obvious that a five year old would recognize it.

Evidence abounds within their files, according to an analysis by Knight Ridder Newspapers and The Charlotte Observer.

One internal study found that a restaurant company had submitted 4,100 duplicate Social Security numbers for workers. Other firms submit inaccurate names or numbers for nearly all their employees. One child's Social Security number was used 742 times by workers in 42 states.

"That's the kind of evidence we want," says Paul Charlton, the U.S. attorney in Arizona. "If you see the same Social Security number a thousand times, it's kind of hard for them to argue they didn't know."

The potential crimes are so obvious that the failure to provide such information to investigators raises questions about Washington's determination to end the widespread hiring of illegal immigrants.

We would make giant strides toward solving the illegal immigration crisis if this information were forwarded to law enforcement for prosecution. If the sources of income for illegal immigrants were dried up we would not need to deport them, they would leave of their own accord. Perhaps after having enjoyed the opportunities of the US they may try to change the government back home to one that would vitalize the economy rather that loot it.

Basil's
Divorce Information Links

Immigration governent Mexico

Sex-Predator Laws Stiffend in Virginia

Last week I wrote about child rapist and cop killer Paul H. Clouston who was released from prison on mandatory parole. The governor has signed a law increasing the mandatory sentence for sex crimes against children from 5 to 25 years. It would also make the placement of child rapists in "civil commitment" easier.

Virginia is one of 17 states with a civil-commitment law that calls for sex offenders deemed too dangerous for release to be confined in a treatment center after they have served their prison sentences.

The hole in the system is the common practice of plea bargaining to a lesser charge. This practice is used to spare the child involved additional trauma from a trial and testimony. The increase in the mandatory sentence will make this practice less of a risk. The civil commitment program is supposed to treat the offenders to change their behavior. It's track record is, not surprisingly, very good.

While 28 men have been committed to the Virginia Center for Behavioral Rehabilitation, adjacent to Central State Hospital near Petersburg, only 25 are there now.

One man was freed on appeal, another was sent back to prison, and the third is accused of committing a new sex crime and is awaiting trial on that charge, said a spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services.

The man freed on appeal abducted and sodomized a juvenile and now is serving a new prison sentence.

Society in general knows the chance of rehabilitation for child rapists is near non existent. The politicians need to realize this also. This law takes a step in the right direction. More needs to be done to remove these beasts from our midst.

Son of the Windfall Profits Tax

The dinosaurs in the US Senate have predictably stumbled into the windfall profits tax tar pit. Many of it's members have been in congress since the last time this tax was used. They at least should know better, but they are politicians so the learning curve it quite steep. The last time this idea surfaced was in the Carter Administration. If it had any effect it was to deepen the crisis rather that relieve the price at the pump. Such ancient history is irrelevant when politicians see an opportunity to exploit an issue to gain a bump in the polls.

Sen. Arlen Specter fresh from his effort to give amnesty to illegal immigrants has jumped on the anti oil company band wagon. He laments the mergers of oil companies blaming the consolidation as the culprit behind the cost of fuel. He fails to mention the consolidation of oil companies happened when oil was $10 a barrel and oil companies were loosing money. He makes no mention of government's windfall profits in the form of taxes. Just counting the tax on gas at the pump government at all levels take 3 to 4 times the amount per gallon as tax than the oil companies do in profit. This is not taking into account the tax on oil rigs, transportation refining and the income tax on all the people working to do these things. Government gets a piece of the action every step of the process. You can bet the lowering of the tax rate on fuel will never see the light of day

Unhindered by the facts he and others in congress want to start waving the magic wand of regulation and require more use of ethanol. No matter that the infrastructure for producing and delivering large amounts of ethanol do not exist and forcing the use of it beforehand would just increase the cost at the pump. They can just blame the villain of choice at that time for their failures. Not so long ago special accommodations were made to people who bought hybrid automobiles. They got tax incentives, commuter lane exceptions and such, but when the tax revenues fell because of better fuel economy governments started looking to rescind of modify these exceptions. Any such offers coming out of congress now should be viewed with healthy skepticism.

The marketplace is an aggravating system because it is fluid. It is also very efficient at solving problems when properly regulated. Congress has a talent for regulating it to death. Or worse mandating specific outcomes. The only benefit that a windfall profits tax will produce is a windfall of tax money for politicians to throw away on their next vote buying scheme while we sit in gas lines

Washington Post Likes Some Leaks Not Others

Why am I not surprised the mole in the CIA was a Clintonista and appointee of Sandy Berger? It has been painfully obvious there was a leak from inside the CIA. The muted reaction from the press is disturbing in itself. An officer of an intelligence service cannot be loyal to anything outside of the nation's interest. This is a serious offense and indications are she's not the only one.

Eight years of the Clinton administration can't have been good for our intelligence efforts. The White House during that era was full of people who had no security clearance. The best that could be said about the Clinton attitude toward security would be it was caviler. Clinton turned everything he touched into a Clinton support organization. Just a look at what he did to the DNC demonstrates his thoroughness. One can hardly conduct effective foreign policy when the people charged with collecting intelligence cannot be trusted.

The leak was to a reporter at The Washington Post who won a Pulitzer for the resulting report. Needless to say they do not condemn the CIA officer's action. They lament the fact that disseminating classified information to the press is illegal.

Post Executive Editor Leonard Downie Jr. said on the newspaper's Web site, "We don't know the details of why (the CIA employee) was fired, so I can't comment on that. But as a general principle, obviously I am opposed to criminalizing the dissemination of government information to the press."

The effort has been widely seen among members of the media, and some legal experts, as the most extensive and overt campaign against leaks in a generation, and has worsened the already-tense relationship between mainstream news organizations and the White House

But what is National interests compared to a Pulitzer? They deplored the Plame leak as a national tragedy, but that leak was revealing information contrary to their political agenda.

Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., called on President Bush to hold accountable those in his administration who leaked information about the Iraq intelligence in the run-up to the war and outed undercover CIA operative Valerie Plame. "Apparently, President Bush doesn't believe what's good for the CIA is good for the White House," Menendez said.

The liberals are quick to toss accusations around when one of their own is caught to try and deflect the issue. Such an approach calls into question whether or not the people who are always crying about justice have any sense of what it is.

Project Hero

QandO has the next Silver Star recipient tribute up on their site.



Our hero this week is 1LT Jeffery Lee, Silver Star

First Lt. Jeffery T. Lee was awarded the Silver Star Medal here for his actions as 3rd Platoon commander, Company A, 2nd Tank Battalion from Nov. 8 to Nov. 11, 2004 in Fallujah.

Then a 2nd Lt. Attached to Company C, Lee accepted great tactical risk and continued to engage and destroy the enemy for more than 12 hours despite being low on fuel. This decision allowed the infantry company they were supporting to successfully take the battalion’ objective during two major firefights, according to his award citation.

Later, while attached to Company A, Task Force 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, he led an attack on the south side of the city.

“During the initial battle of Fallujah, I was the first vehicle to establish a foothold in the city, and we continued to push forward,” he said.

He was shot in his right arm while heavily engaged with the enemy.

“We were running short on (ammunition), so I reached up out of my tank to get a pop up shot off, and that’s when I got shot in the arm,” he continued. “I felt the shot immediately, so I got back down in the tank and my Marines helped me put a roll of duct tape on my arm to stop the bleeding and continued on.”

Refusing medical attention, he continued to fight the enemy. In spite of his gunshot wound, he pushed the assault two more city blocks to reach the battalion’s objective.

“I didn’t take a lot of time to see the corpsman because there were more important things going on than me,” he said. “My tank could do a lot more damage to the enemy.”

Once they reached the objective, the tank was critically exposed in a courtyard while the infantry established positions in the buildings. He continued to eliminate insurgents who attacked their position.

His aggressiveness and bravery broke the enemy’s will and were critical to the success of the company as it continued to attack the heart of the enemy defenses.

After receiving the award, Lee explained how it felt to receive the Silver Star.

“It feels good, but I just think more of my men,” he explained. “It’s amazing what Marines can do when they’re asked to do it.”

Lee is currently with 2nd Tank Battalion as the Headquarters and Service Company executive officer. To this day, he recognizes his Marines for the job they did in the heat of battle.

“I wouldn’t be standing here today if it weren’t for them,” he said. “My Marines deserve all the credit.”

US Christians Detained Briefly after China Raid

Much news about the Falun Gong protester during the speech by President Hu Jintao of China. I have seen little about the arrests of Christians in China that included Americans.

Chinese police detained five US citizens in a raid last month on a Christian retreat in the country's southwest, an overseas church monitoring group said yesterday.

Interrogators accused the five of being "foreign religious infiltrators," it said -- not a formal criminal charge, but a reflection of the Communist Party's fears that outside forces are using burgeoning Christianity to undermine their rule.

About 120 officers took part in the raid on a conference center outside Kunming on the morning of March 23, said the association, based in Midland, Texas

This is not an isolated incident. There is a concerted effort on the part of the Chinese government to control any religious expression.

"According to reliable reports by China Aid Association, from February to December 2005, at least 1317 confirmed arrests of house church pastors, leaders, and believers have occurred in over twenty provinces in China. Seventeen foreign missionaries including eleven Americans in ten different provinces were arrested during this time. Most of the arrested were released after they were interrogated anywhere from 24 hours to several months."

"Religious groups which already had limited fundamental rights have been deemed a 'cult' at any time and have lost what legitimacy they previous held. Foreigners were ordered to leave the country after hours of interrogation," said the news release. "On August 2, 2005, the two American theological students from Westminster Theological Seminary were treated brutally and handcuff after they were arrested at a bible study site in Zaoyang City, Hubei Province. Both were denied their right to contact the US Embassy as part of the international consulate protection procedure guaranteed by US-China bilateral treaties.

It is hard to make the case that such a government can be friendly to the US. People of all religions should speak out against China. Corporations looking to set up shop in China might consider the risks of doing business in a country who's government is so hostile to religious expression. A government that is so hostile to individual rights would easily become hostile to business rights if it suited its interest.

Stop the ACLU Linkfest

Minuteman Leader Will Build Border Fence

Demonstrations, tough talk and PR events have their place in addressing problems. What counts is getting something effective done. Take Gov. Janet Napolitano of Arizona for instance. She made a big deal of declaring a state of emergency because of the flood of illegal immigrants only to veto a bill that would use state resources to confront the problem. Contrast that with the Minuteman Civil Defense Corp.. They have had public demonstrations and stood at the border, but now they are making plans to help landowners along the border build the fence the government won't.

Simcox, whose civilian watch group opposes illegal immigration, said Wednesday he was sending an ultimatum to President Bush to deploy military reserves to the Arizona border by May 25 or his supporters will break ground for their own building project.

"We're going to show the federal government how easy it is to build these security fences, how inexpensively they can be built when built by private people and free enterprise," Simcox said.

While congress, the White House and state governors fiddle over the issue, the Minuteman are taking the lead. Once some success is evident and the politicians see the support the project receives they will run over each other to get in front of the parade. Our politicians like to think of themselves as leaders, don't be fooled, they are watching the direction the wind is blowing. When they realize the citizens are not going to wait for them they will get off their collective butt. If the government does not send National Guard troops to the border by Memorial Day, work on the fence will commence. I know where my next charitable donation is going.

Click here to donate Directly to Minuteman Border Fence

Rampent Psychosis at Ohio State University

After the whole staff of professors at Ohio State Mansfield were stricken with Bibliophobia, it has been discovered that was just a side effect of their Enissophobia. This out beak caused Librarian Scott Savage to suffer Poinephobia after being accused of Homophobia.

Mr. Savage's story became public and further aggravated the professor's Enissophobia. In hopes of quelling the public outcry causing them to suffer Demophobia, the university absolved Mr. Savage of wrong doing and suggested a liaison person, none other than the accuser himself. Seems their Sophophobia prevents them from seeing how Orwellian this is. Not surprisingly they now suffer Liticaphobia and warned Mr. Savage against retaliation for their baseless accusations. Just making such a statement shows they suffer from Paralipophobia.

Potential students when considering how best to spend their tuition dollars may suffer Harpaxophobia if they enroll at Ohio State Mansfield.

From The Indexed Phobia List
Bibliophobia Fear of books
Demophobia fear of mobs
Enissophobia Fear of criticism
Harpaxophobia fear of being robbed
Homophobia fear of homosexuals
Liticaphobia fear of lawsuits
Poinephobia fear of punishment
Paralipophobia fear of responsibility
Sophophobia fear of learning

Basil's

Who Needs Robocop When There's the Ten Foot Cop

NY City is not what one thinks of when talking of horse and rider, but the NYPD has found the combination to be very effective for crime. Dubbed the ten foot cop one officer mounted on a horse can see a city block and effectively control a crowd like 10 foot officers.

"They can do more than a cop on foot, or a guy in a car," said Mr. McClelland, speaking from his ranch on the plains of Saskatchewan. "They can gallop through traffic, go the wrong way up one-way streets, and they're great for community relations. I mean, you can't exactly pet a cop car. Or a police dog, for that matter."

In New York, once paired, officers and their horses often spend the rest of their careers together. For example, Sgt. William McKay and Angus have been partners for nine years. Recently, they helped round up a group of men involved in a shooting. All it took was the approaching clippity-clop of Angus and few stern shouts from Sergeant McKay.

"When a cop on horseback issues a command, people tend to listen," he said. "I mean, I'm sitting on a thousand pounds of animal. It's also human nature to respect and fear a horse."

Having worked as a farrier for 27 years and studied ancient military history I can vouch for the intimidating nature of a man on horseback. Most horses weigh in at around 1200 lb. At the shoulder they stand around 5'4". They Walk at 4 MI/hr, trot at 8 MI/hr and gallop at 30 MI/hr. A typical man runs at 15-20 MI/hr. Standing in front of a horse trotting toward me I understood how the ancient foot soldier feared cavalry.

What is remarkable is the horse's instinct is to runaway. They must be trained to act in an offensive roll with a rider on its back. A horse who has confidence in the rider will do anything the rider asks.

On a recent afternoon, about a dozen horses, some newly arrived, some tried-and-true veterans, were put through "nuisance training," an ad-hoc obstacle course. Because they are highly socialized pack animals, the old-timers will often lend confidence to the rookies, which is particularly helpful when horses and their riders are forced to gallop across a blue plastic tarp, dash along an allée of burning hay, then made to march against a phalanx of hostile men waving trash bags and firing off air horns.

The idea, trainers explained, is to simulate the more harrowing aspects of city life: a gun battle, the possible mayhem of a United Nations protest or, say, the ugly aftermath of a Yankees-Red Sox game that spills out into the parking lot. (Attention would-be troublemakers: police horses cannot be thwarted by firecrackers, carrots or golf balls rolled beneath their feet.)

Not only that, but wood shampoo delivered off the back of a horse traveling 8 MI/hr has got to hurt.

OSU Drops Sexual Harassment By Book Charge

The case of Scott Savage, a librarian at OSU, has taken a quick turn. The entire faculty had voted 21-0 with 9 abstentions to support the charge of sexual harassment brought by three professors. National attention to this suit has forced the University to drop the charges.

The complaint came about because Mr. Savage had as a member of the First Year Reading Experience Committee recommended four books among others. They were "The Marketing of Evil" by David Kupelian, "The Professors" by David Horowitz, "Eurabia: The Euro-Arab Axis" by Bat Ye'or, and "It Takes a Family" by Sen. Rick Santorum. Because these books are critical of homosexual activism the professors, two of who are open homosexuals, felt threatened. That's sexual harassment by other people reading a book.

One need not look very close to understand how such nonsense could come from these professors. Just the titles of their classes and books reveals the world of goofiness they live in.

The professors who filed the complaint against Savage are Hannibal Hamlin, Norman Jones and J.K. Buckley. Jones teaches courses in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender literature, and according to his bio, "his current research focuses on sexuality and spirituality, particularly exploring the phenomenon of the 'post-secular queer' in contemporary literature." Buckley has written "The Social Critic: The Rise of Queer Performance Within the Demise of Transcendentalism" as well as "articles on sexual orientation in Hemingway and Melville."

Fortunatly Mr. Savage is not going away quietly. The University is hoping that dropping the charges is sufficient to remedy the dispute. The problem however is the total lack of discretion on the part of the faculty to recognize this suit for what it is, an effort to stifle dissent. If left to walk away from this attack on Mr. Savage there would be no deterrent to future efforts to enforce a liberal ideology within the university.

"Scott's exploring litigation – he has already filed an internal complaint accusing the professors of a false allegation of harassment. But he is definitely exploring possibilities of litigation," said the ADF attorney.

"While we're glad there was no finding of harassment – that's merely common sense on the part of the university – we're upset there hasn't been a direct communication of that fact to Scott or his attorneys."

Much more importantly, said French, "the damage has been done" to Scott's career and reputation. "Ohio State University allowed its resources to be used in a campaign of slander and defamation." Saying Savage "wants to do something substantial to deter any future tyranny or bullying of others," French concluded: "We're certainly glad Scott has been exonerated, but by no means is this over."

The hysterical side effect of this issue is the increased sales of the book "The Marketing of Evil" moving it to ##56 on Amazon.

Paul Revere's Ride

Paul Revere's Ride
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Listen my children and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five;
Hardly a man is now alive
Who remembers that famous day and year.

From the steeple of Old North Church in Boston a lantern was lit to signal the warning that the British were coming by land. Paul Revere William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescottrode out to spead the news. The Minutemen met the British the next day at Lexington.

Conservative Books Equate to 'Sexual Harassment'

Ohio State University hosted a conference held by the Palestinian Solidarity Movement. No doubt the Jewish members of the student body were uncomfortable with their school hosting such an event, but they have to be sensitive to the statement in The Mission of The Ohio State University.

At Ohio State we celebrate and learn from our diversity and we value individualdifferences. Academic freedom is defended within an environment of civility, tolerance, and mutual respect.

Along comes reference librarian Scott Savage who recommended to students such books as "The Marketing of Evil" by David Kupelian, "The Professors" by David Horowitz, "Eurabia: The Euro-Arab Axis" by Bat Ye'or, and "It Takes a Family" by Sen. Rick Santorum. This behavior has earned him a sexual harrasment suit from members of the faculty. I don't know how recommending books to students caused harm to faculty members, but they're real smart people so I' sure they know how that works. Either way the whole faculty voted to support the suit.

It has reached to point that it is cliché that free speech on campus only applies to liberal speech. So overrun with nitwits are US universities that one has to wonder about the quality of education coming from these institutions. This is a big reason for the surge in enrollments in evangelical collages. Parents who want their children to actually receive an education are voting with their checkbooks. A liberal education in the true sense of the word is a valuable asset, "liberal" indoctrination can only be a liability.

Basil's

Somalia OKs U.S. Navy Patrols Along Coast

The UN has found their efforts at delivering food to starving Somalis increasingly hampered by bandits and pirates. The most efficient method of getting supplies into the country is by ship. Pirates off the coast of Somalia made that impossible. They began the long and expensive overland delivery by truck only to be raided by bandits. Their only recourse has been to ask navies in the area to interdict any pirates they come across.

The US along with other nations has been patrolling international waters off the coast of Somalia with some success. Now the US can move ships into Somali waters. The Somali government in exile has granted permission for patrolling their coastline.

The country having descended into complete anarchy has no navy or coast guard. Now that the US has come to the rescue once more, the UN may be able to resume the shipping of supplies into the country.

Georgia governor signs sweeping immigration law

"It's our responsibilityto ensure that our famous Georgia hospitality is not abused, that our taxpayers are not taken advantage of and that our citizens are protected," Perdue said before signing the law.

Not a difficult concept. This is the statement Gov. Perdue made when signing the illegal immigration bill passed by the Georgia Legislature. In the bill illegals are prevented from receiving taxpayer financed state benefits and employers are required to verify the status of employees. The Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce complained the this was a punitive bill. Duh, illegal activity is supposed to be punished.

One can only hope that more politicians will find this kind of respect for the citizens that they are supposed to represent. It is a slap in the face of all law abiding people, both citizens and those wishing to become such, for politicians to be pandering to the illegal immigrants.

Stop Womans' Suffrage Now

Thanks to old 'n Cranky for this one. It is unbelievable the speed with which people move to make fools of themselves.

See the video here

Child Rapist Freed in Virginia

In Virginia we have mandatory parole. Mandatory parol happens when a prisoner has six months left to serve, by law he must be released. I would like to know who's idea this was. If the law requires mandatory parole six months before the sentence is up than all sentences are by law six months shorter than what is publicly announced.

More disturbing is this applies to sentences that are much less than would be handed down for serious crimes if the criminal enters a plea deal. This is often the case when child rapists go to trial. To spare the victims of the crime the trauma of testifying at trial, plea bargains are made. Such is the case of Paul H. Clouston who has an extensive record including the rape of several children and the murder of a police officer.

On Sept. 21, 1972, police detective Darrel "Bud" Cate, a father of five, was shot to death in Anaheim, Calif., while investigating the sexual assault of a pregnant woman.

The suspect, Herman Lee Clouston, aka Paul H. Clouston, had prison records in Ohio and West Virginia.

He fled the scene of the shooting, triggering one of the biggest manhunts in Southern California history. Before his capture six days later, authorities said he took four people hostage, hijacked cars, burglarized homes and shot it out with police.

Clouston was convicted of Cate's murder and other crimes and sentenced to three concurrent 10-year prison terms. After his parole Jan. 30, 1982, his career in crime resumed. He served 11 years in Virginia prisons and is a fugitive once again.

He is a fugitive again because he was released on mandatory parole.

State law required the 70-year-old, aka Herman L. Clouston, be released on parole last year. He promptly fled and is now one of the most wanted men in Virginia.

Had he been committed to the Virginia Center for Behavioral Rehabilitation, he wouldn't have been released until a judge was satisfied he no longer presented undue risk to public safety or himself.

Even the option of committing him to the rehab program is dubious.

While 28 men have been committed to the Virginia Center for Behavioral Rehabilitation, adjacent to Central State Hospital near Petersburg, only 25 are there now.

One man was freed on appeal, another was sent back to prison, and the third is accused of committing a new sex crime and is awaiting trial on that charge, said a spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services.

The man freed on appeal abducted and sodomized a juvenile and now is serving a new prison sentence.

The bottom line here is there are some criminals that just need to be separated from society. The chimera of rehabilitation has led to huge expenses and more victims. Sexual predators, especially child rapists has shown little if any inclination to change. Stick them on an island where they can be productive or stick a bullet in their head, it doesn't matter. The government needs to take measures to keep these beasts of the streets for as long as necessary.

Lost in Lima Ohio links

Vigiia Blog Carnival at OMT

Easter, The Resurrection

Jesus' death on the cross finished the work of redemption. So if the goal was accomplished on Good Friday, why do we make such a big deal over Easter? The death on the cross for the forgiveness of sin would be meaningless if Jesus was not sinless. The resurrection of Jesus is the demonstration of his purity and deity. It is the resurrection that gives us confidence the our savior is who he claimed to be.

The account of the resurrection in the scriptures has some significant details that help in its credibility. First is the recording of the first witnesses being women. In the legal system of the time the witness of women was not considered credible. If an effort to deceive were the reason for the gospels rather than a truthful recording of events, the account of women would not be included. In addition the soldiers who were charged with guarding the tomb to insure the body was not stolen, claimed in public that they fell asleep. In the Roman army sleeping while on guard duty was a capital offense. A solider would never confess to having done so for fear of death. The lack of concern on the part of these soldiers implies a deal with authorities to discredit the event that was predicted by Jesus himself.

The penalty for sin is death, Jesus paid the price. The promise of salvation is eternal life, Jesus demonstrated and secured the promise with his resurrection.

Happy Easter

Project Hero

QandO has the next Silver Star recipient tribute up on their site.



Our hero this week is MSG Sarun Sar, Silver Star

The day of the attack they were conducting aerial reconnaissance, not one of their normal missions, according to Sar. In fog and extreme cold 9,000 feet up in the snow-covered mountains, the first Blawkhawk helicopter landed and immediately came under enemy fire. Sar landed in the second helicopter, dismounted, and rushed to prevent the enemy from damaging the aircraft and harming his team members.

He pursued one of the attackers into a building, and was struck in the helmet with a round from an AK-47 assault rifle fired from 7-10 feet away. "It felt like I was hit in the head with a hammer," Sar later recalled. For a moment he was disoriented, screaming "I'm hit! I'm hit!" to the medic, but within a few seconds he established that the wound was not life threatening, and he continued to fight. After the battle, he and his men administered first aid to two injured Afghan civilians, stabilizing them for medical evacuation to a coalition hospital.

Of the twelve personnel, only Sar and another soldier were wounded; no one was killed that day. "This country has given me so much, and this is a small price to pay, said Sar. "The hero is the guy in the cemetery right now, he and his family," referring to his weapons sergeant, who died in a separate battle in June. "He's the one who gave his life for his country. He's also an immigrant, from Mexico."

Mexican Boycott Targets U.S. Firms

Now the Mexicans back home are joining the fray. With cries of "Nothing Gringo" there is a call for boycotts of American products and businesses in Mexico in support of the boycott scheduled for May 1 in the US. The illegal immigrant movement has already pushed their luck with the most recent protests. The negative reaction is visible enough that some supporters are urging moderation. Highly visible demonstrations are too tempting to resist so the stage is set for a huge disappointment for the demonstrators.

Mexican unions, political and community groups, newspaper columnists and even some Mexican government offices have joined the call for a parallel boycott of U.S. businesses in Mexico. For some it's a way to express anti-U.S. sentiment, while others see it as part of a cross-border, Mexican-power lobby.

Advocates occasionally missed their mark in identifying boycott targets. For example, they incorrectly identified Sears stores in Mexico as American-owned even though Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim bought Sears Mexico operation in 1997.

And in an ironic twist, the protest targets the U.S. business community -- one of the strongest supporters of legalization or guest-worker programs.

"Boycotting would only hurt corporations that are backing what people want done in the immigration bill," said Larry Rubin, chief executive of the American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico.

What is even more distressing to organizers is the effort of the American left to co-op the illegal immigration movement. The left has been embarrassed by the lack of enthusiasm for the anti war protests. They see the illegal immigrant parade and have run over each other to get out in front.

Across the country, some groups have expressed enthusiasm for a May 1 action that they hope would paralyze restaurants, hotels, meat-packing plants and construction sites. But others have questioned the strategic value of such a move so soon after the wave of demonstrations, particularly as it would require many illegal immigrants to risk their jobs by skipping yet another workday.

Skeptics have another pressing concern -- that a prominent antiwar group may be playing a leading role in the boycott, linking its cause with the immigrant rights campaign to promote its own agenda.

When Congress comes back they may have a fresh outlook from visiting their constituents, you know, citizens.

Carnival of the Trackbacks LIX

Big Dog in a Small Pond

Our new Pyrenees has taken to lounging in our little fish pond.

To give the fish a break my wife bought a small water trough.

It didn't take long for him to begin enjoying it.


In fact he splashed the water out almost as fast as she was putting it in.

Mickey's Musings has the Carnival of the Dogs

Big White Dog

Illegal Immigration Group Fears Zionist Conspiracy

What is it about leftist groups that they all see some Zionist conspiracy? Go to any demonstration and you will find the anti Israel nitwits. Not that anti semitism is only found on the left, it seems though that the left is anti Semitic.

Latest news is from the illegal immigration group La Voz de Aztlan. These moon bats along with others such as La Raza, want to form an independent Hispanic nation out of the US Southwest. In Los Angeles they are involved in a dispute with a land owner over the use of his land by local people as a community farm. The city had taken the property through eminent domain for a waste facility. The community successfully got the city to change its plans. Since the city had no use for the property it gave neighbors a revocable permit to farm the land as a community garden. After ten years the city sold the land back to the original owner who now wants to develop the property. The locals sued in court and lost but have continued to use the court to hold off the eviction notice they receive when their permit was revoked by the city.

The background story seems to be a fairly common dispute between a community and a developer except that the community is Latino and the land owner is Jewish. In the eyes of La Voz de Aztlan this is all part of a Jewish conspiracy.

Los Angeles, Alta California- April 13, 2006 - (ACN) Not many people are aware that Los Angeles has a powerful "Jewish Mafia" that is in cahoots with the Los Angeles Police Department and many local elected politicians. This fact is becoming clear to the "campesinos" who are attempting to defend their 14 acre farm in South Central Los Angeles from the sinister Jewish land developer Ralph Horowitz.

Even the Concerned Citizens of South Central Los Angeles, a community-based nonprofit which helped stop the city from using the land for a waste incinerator, does not see anything sinister here. When one peals back the outer layer of the illegal immigration lobby one finds other kook groups like La Voz de Aztlan, La Rasa, National Alliance for Human Rights and People for solidarity with Palestine. The anti war movement is a no starter for the tinfoil hat crown so they've glommed on to the illegal immigration movement, and they agree it's all because of the JOOOOOS!

List of Organizations that are supporting the South Central Farmers:
1 NAACP
2 South Central Coalition
3 Labor Party Praxis
4 Dome Village
5 Food not Bombs
6 La Red Xicana Indigena
7 Brown Berets
8 International Workers of the World
9 A.N.S.W.E.R. LA
10 KPFK Radio Collective
11 International Socialist Organization (ISO)
12 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Latino Committee
13 Christine Chavez, UFW
14 Julie Chavez, Cesar Chavez Foundation
15 L.A. Coalition to End Hunger & Homelessness
16 L.A. Food Justice Network
17 Academia Avance
18 Jefferson High School Adult School
19 East Side Cafe
20 African American Association of L.A. County Firefighters
21 South Central Alameda Neighborhood Council
22 Mujeres de Maiz
23 Los Angeles Indigenous Peoples Alliance (LAIPA)
24 Dolores Huerta Foundation
25 Latino Urban Forum
26 20th Street School in South Central L.A.
27 Allianza Indigena
28 Hermandad Mexicana Latinoamerica
29 Mexican American Political Association (MAPA)
30 Southern California Anarchist Federation (SCAF)
31 Toma Esperanza
32 Mujeres Libres
33 UCLA Family Medicine
34 Federaciones Mexicanas
35 Radical Women
36 Zack de La Rocha
37 Devon G. Pena, Ph.D. Managing Member, Pena Land Conservation and
Restoration, LLC and Professor of Anthropology,
University of Washington, Seattle
38 Unity Corps
39 USC Graduate Students
40 AD46 California State Central Committee – Fabian Nuñez
41 USC Alumni
42 Code Pink
43 La Tierra es de Todos Coalition
44 LA Coalition against Raid and in Support of Immigrant Rights
45 Mexican American Political Association (MAPA)
46 Environmental Defense
47 The Community Food Security Coalition

Why "Good Friday?"

Why do we refer to the day commemorating the death of Jesus as Good Friday? One would think the rejection and execution of the Son of God would be refereed to as Black Friday. Why did he have to die anyway?

The whole of the Bible, both old and new testaments are the account of man's separation from God through sin, and God's effort to reconcile man back to Him. In the very beginning in the garden of Eden the plan is laid out.

So the LORD God said to the serpent,... And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring [a] and hers; he will crush [b] your head, and you will strike his heel." ...To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,' "Cursed is the ground because of you through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. ... The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. Genesis 3

This is the synopsis of what the rest of the work is about. Adam's choice caused God to end the innocence of creation. The serpent's (Satan) assault on man will continue with some success only to be defeated by the child of a woman (the incarnation). The covering for the nakedness of transgression against God is blood sacrifice (the animal skins used to make clothing). later we have the clear symbol of how that sacrifice will be made in the account of Isaac.

"Then God said, 'Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.'"
-Genesis 21:2

This is God demonstrating to and through his follower Abraham how he is going to redeem the world. The sacrifice of Abraham's son interrupted by God so a surrogate could take his place is clearly pointing to Jesus and the intervening sacrificial system leading up to his birth. Jesus comes to live as our example and teacher. Having fulfilled the law in all aspects without blame then willingly accepts the death on the cross offering it as payment for our failure to live according to the law. Before he dies he says" It is finished." The way of redemption was opened by his death. Tragic that God's own Son had to die so we could have peace with God, but the good news of salvation was paid for on Good Friday. But what about the resurrection?

I'll save that for Easter.

Bellevue Community College Apologized over "Condoleezza" Quiz

Bellevue Community College, Bellevue, Washington has had to apologize for a questionable math problem on a practice test. The teacher responsible for this remains anonymous but has been reprimanded and has requested "cultural-sensitivity training."

Richardson, 25, said she found the question on a practice test for a math final she was studying for in March. The question read, "Condoleezza holds a watermelon just over the edge of the roof of the 300-foot Federal Building, and tosses it up with a velocity of 20 feet per second." The question went on to ask when the watermelon will hit the ground, based on a formula provided. The question propagates a racial stereotype and denigrates Secretary of State Rice, said Perryman. While Rice's last name wasn't mentioned, the reference was clear, he said.

There is more than "cultural-sensitivity" involved with this. The question was deliberately changed. It has been demonstrated by the left that especially in the case of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice her race is fair game for criticism. While employing stereotypes critical of some liberal political figure would elicit calls of hate crime and demands for dismissal, the collage administration was reluctant to do more than take the question off the test until public outcry forced a statement from the President:

Floten praised the courage of the students who brought the question to the college's attention, and promised that the college would redouble its efforts to improve racial and cultural sensitivity on campus, including increasing staff training and creating an ombudsman position.

"We called this meeting, and we had the courage to meet each other and learn from each other and put that learning to use," Floten said.

The hour-and-a-half meeting, attended by more than 150 people, opened an important dialog, but more needs to be done, said Chelsey Richardson, one of the students who brought the issue to college officials.

The dialogue that needs to come about should be the inserting of political expression into material that has no political context. Educators at all levels seem to have lost the desire to teach the subject they are charged with in favor of pushing some social agenda. Fortunately students are shining light on this nonsense.

Basil's

Mass. Governor Signs Mandatory Health Insurance Bill

Gov. Mitt Romney who fancies himself a Republican candidate for President has taken a major step in Massachusetts' effort to become France. Mandatory health insurance is not like mandatory auto insurance. With auto insurance one can choose not to own an automobile, or only own one for a whole family. Neither does the government subsidize auto insurance for low income , or any citizens. But mandatory health insurance, that is subsidized, and the subsidies will increase as politicians need to buy more votes. They will need to buy them because the economic situation will deteriorate. When it gets so expensive costs start dwarfing all others in the state, like France trying to end guaranteed employment, the people will not let go of the largess of subsidized health insurance. Socialism is an odd path to take to the Republican nomination.

By July 2007, everyone in Massachusetts will have to have health insurance.

Under the plan, the state will offer free or heavily subsidized coverage to poor and lower-income people.

Those who can afford insurance but still refuse to get it will face escalating tax penalties. For example, they will lose the ability to claim a personal exemption on their state tax returns. That would cost an individual about $189 and a couple filing jointly about $378.

Call it what you want it's public health care and the money must come from somewhere. The insurance companies are not going to lose money, the subsidies will grow untill a cap is placed on premiumns. Then the companies will cease doing business in the state and the state will have to fill the gap. If a simple plan such as this would work, it would have been tried already.

See also Massachusetts Waves the Magic Wand on Health Care

The Blogometer

Alien Felony Provison Dropped

All the hubbub over the last couple of weeks has Republicans in congress rethinking the House version of the illegal immigration bill. This is a good thing. The felony provision was unnecessary and counter productive. It is difficult enough to get illegals to a deportation hearing as it is. Making it a felony only adds to that difficulty. The sanctions on helping illegals also needed clarification. A distinction should be made between helping a person in distress and helping a person violate the law. These changes would not significantly change the effort to address illegal immigration.

It is my hope that lawmakers in general don't follow the lead of French President Jacques Chirac and cave in to the demands of the mob. He at least caved in to his own citizens, the mob here includes a large contingent of non citizens. US politicians who are pandering to this crowd are denigrating the citizens they are supposed to represent. The changes they wish to make to the House bill are fine so long as they retain the provisions for increased border security, sanctions for employers who hire illegals and have no offer of amnesty of any kind at any time.

The insidious aspect to the felony provision is the Democrats blocked an effort to remove it when the bill was voted on. They obviously did so to have something to beat Republicans with.

House Democrats acknowledged they helped block Republican efforts on the floor in December to soften the Republican-crafted section declaring illegal immigrants to be felons, but they said ultimate responsibility for the bill rests with the Republicans, who voted overwhelmingly for its passage.

It is disingenuous for Democrats to blame Republicans for this provision when it was their efforts that kept it in. I'm not surprised the Republicans put themselves in a bind like this, or that Democrats are so manipulative. The pandering with offers of amnesty by members of both parties is just an effort to buy votes. Vote buying is nothing new, it's the primary motivation for legislation, but the contempt for the status of citizen reveals their self centered interest as few issues have so far.