Ben Stein schools Ron Paul on Foreign Policy, strong support for Israel

From Eric Dondero:

Ron Paul appeared on Larry King Live on Monday night, along with Co-guests humorist Ben Stein and ironically Rep. Sheila Jackon-Lee of Houston. The subject: The Muslim Christmas Bomber.

Stein has been a longtime favorite of cultural libertarians ever since the iconic 1980s hit movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off, where he played the monotonous high school teacher, droning "Bueller... Bueller..."

Stein is a loyal and outspoken Republican. He's been a contributing editor to libertarian/conservative American Spectator, and a regular free enterprise advocate guest on cable business shows. He now hosts a game show on MTV.

So, it's especially ironic that libertarian-leaning Republican Stein would be chosen to go up against another individual often identified as "libertarian" Ron Paul. (Praise for Stein from Libertarian Leanings blog)

The segment quickly turned into a shouting match. Paul called the United States "occupiers," and blamed the US for Muslim attacks. Stein responded by calling Paul an "anti-Semite."

Here's the partial transcript courtesy of PoliticsUSA:

STEIN: Well, that's -- I have never heard anything quite like that in my whole life. What he's saying, basically, is we are doing something wrong by defending ourselves. Look, if these terrorists are trying to kill the government of Yemen, we've got to help defend them. They're our friends. We can't just let al Qaeda run wild. If we try to stop them --

PAUL: Why?

STEIN: Why should we stop them? Because they are terrorists and murderers and they're very anti-American.

PAUL: Why are they terrorists?

STEIN: Surely congressman --

PAUL: Why are they terrorists?

STEIN: They're terrorists and murders because they are psychos.

Paul also asserted that terrorist AbdulMutallab was motivated by American bombings of terrorist sites in Yemen two weeks ago. However, it's now being learned that AbdulMutallab and his handlers had planned the terrorist act, at least one month ago. Robert Spencer over at Jihad Watch pens this devestating rebuke of Paul's comments on CNN:

Obama believes essentially the same thing: that the jihad is a response to various actions of the West, which if we stop doing, all will be well. In line with this assumption, Paul apparently thinks that the Flight 253 jihad attack was a response to U.S. airstrikes in Yemen. However, according to an unnamed source in the White House quoted by Jake Tapper at ABC News, the Flight 253 jihadist had set his plot in motion before the airstrike. And it certainly seems that Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab had his mind on jihad for years.

Additionally, yet another terrorist attack with a virtually identical circumstance - syringe and explosive PETN in the passenger's underwear - has just been discovered by the media. It occured 3 weeks ago at the airport in Mogadishu, clearly indicating that both attacks were coordinated by Yemeni Al Qaeda.

Since the spat with Stein, Paul has been receiving a great deal of praise and support from mostly 9/11 Truther blogs, Alex Jones sites, and of course, Lew Rockwell and AntiWar.com.

One site JudeoFascism in defending Paul, said that Stein was "playing the anti-Semite card," and noted that Stein:

"is Jewish [and] under psychiatric care."

Another popular site among Truthers and Anti-Warists, IncogMan, said the following:

Ron Paul... gets hit with the usual Jew crap... neither of them will say the Jew out loud because they can’t and still get any exposure... The Jew knows the real history and the Jew Question...Phony Al Qaeda CIA/MOSSAD people may have picked-up on this particular idiot Negro [AbdulMutallab]...

why don’t we just pull all our troops back home from the Mideast? Let’s do exactly what Ron Paul says we should. And give Israel the finger while we’re at it. How does that sound, America?

To be clear, Ron Paul is not an Anti-Semite and would abhor such statements. In fact, Stein has since offered a bit of an olive branch, retracting the "Anti-Semite" accusation in a brief editorial at American Spectator. However, it's quite alarming that individuals such as the fringe bloggers mentioned above, gain inspiration from Paul's anti-intervenionist talk to use for their own racist means.

Meanwhile, other more mainstream political sites have come to Stein's defense. Blue Collar Blog comments:

At least Ben Stein had enough sense to take it to Congressman Paul.

I once was mildly enthused by Congressman Paul now I think he's gone over the deep end. He does not understand that Islam is the motivation for the attacks on the United States. And anyone who does not realize that puts our lives in danger by seeking to appease these radicals.

The Nation's #1 Right site HotAir.com hosted by Michelle Malkin and Ed Morrissey, is more succinct:

Ron Paul is a "useful idiot."

You can see the entire segment of Larry King Live at YouTube.

IMPORTANT EDITOR'S NOTE: The views expressed in this article are mine, and do not necessarily reflect the views of all LR contributors and writers.

DISCLOSURE: I worked for Ron Paul on and off for 15 years, first as his Personal Travel Aide in his 1987/88 Libertarian Presidential campaign, then again briefly in 1992, and then as his Campaign Coordinator in 1995/96 for Congress, and finally as his Senior Congressional Aide, and District Policy Advisor, from 1997 - 2003.

Peter Schiff shifts to Pro-Defense stance: Says intervention in Afghanistan and Iraq may have been justified

On Iran, if they don't let our inspecters in, we need to "just blow the place up"

Woodbury, Connecticut, Nov. 19, speaking to a local Young Republican group from YouTube video:

QUESTIONER: I take it you wouldn't have gone into Afghanistan and Iraq...

SCHIFF: I might have gone into Afghanistan to get Bin Laden, but I wouldn't have been there to occupy the country. I might have gone into Iraq, if I thought there were weapons of mass destruction. We had intelligence, and we knew where they were. I might have gone in there to take them out. Just like we think that Iran may be building nuclear weapons. If we really believe that, and we think that, and we tell the Iranians, and we tell the Iranians this is where we believe those weapons are, you need to let our inspecters in there, well, if they don't let us in there, we need to just blow the place up...

Some of his supporters from the Ron Paul faction are now threatening to pull their support for Schiff. From Sean Booth of PoliticalLore.com:

He says that if their was proof of WMDs in Iraq he would have approved of the invasion. Like so many others in Congress, unless Schiff was willing to do his homework on foreign policy, he may very well have followed his potential colleagues in the vote to invade.

The bottom line is that Schiff needs to take a principled stand on foreign policy issues, and not just economic issues if he expects the already great sums of money ($1 million plus) to continue to flow into his warchest from his legion of followers nationwide.

(Note - In contrast to Mr. Booth's views, though under-reported by the mainstream media, WMD were found in Iraq on numerous occasions, including weapons cache's found by both American and Polish troops, and most recently, 1 1/2 years ago, when 500,000 tons of yellow cake from Iraq were found.)

Other Ron Paulist candidates moving away from strict Non-intervention

Another Ron Paul-oriented candidate, Rand Paul running for US Senate recently caught flack from Paulists nationwide for issuing a press release staunchly opposed to the closure of Gitmo and transfer of Gitmo Prisoners of War to the mainland United States.

A third Ron Paul-oriented prospective candidate, Gary Johnson who's eying a Presidential run for 2012, recently stressed in a TV appearance that unlike the common view, he supports a "Strong National Defense," and "Defense of our Borders."

From a recent press release from the Johnson exloratory effort:

Governor Johnson has also been a strong advocate of the war on terror... “Our efforts should be directed towards protecting U.S. citizens and our allies from terrorism...

Political realities may be setting in for these candidates, or perhaps more likely, realities of foreign affairs stemming from recent Muslim attacks on the US, may be having an impact.

Pro-Defense Libertarians who wish to contribute to Schiff's campaign are urged to visit schiffforsenate.com

Or, show your support for RandPaul2010.com

And GaryJohnson2012.com

Rising Star Kansas Democrat abrubtly pulls out of Congressional race

Was running to unseat popular "Tea Party" Republican Rep. Lynn Jenkins

From Eric Dondero:

Democrat State Senator Laura Kelly has just announced that she will end her Congressional race for the seat of Republican incumbent Rep. Lynn Jenkins (photo).

Reports the Topeka Capitol-Journal (via Memeo):

Kelly was a lock to win the Democratic nomination in the 2nd District, which includes Topeka, Manhattan, Lawrence and communities from the Oklahoma to Nebraska borders.

(Topeka, and Lawrence the only two liberal areas in the State.)

Continuing:

She said demands of conducting the U.S. House campaign and responsibilities of being a member of the Senate were incompatible. The obligation to serve her constituents proved stronger than the desire to defeat Jenkins, she said.

"I can't do this race and do the Senate," Kelly said.

Translation: She read some internal polls, and looked at the coming political climate - Tea Party movement, and generic Republican vs. Democrat numbers which now show the GOP ahead by 8, and concluded she couldn't win.

Rep. Jenkins, is closely identified with the Tea Party movement, nationally and in Kansas.

Get Well Rush, from your friends at Libertarian Republican

From Eric Dondero:

Late yesterday paramedics were called to Rush Limbaugh's hotel in Hawaii. It had been reported that he was suffering "chest pains." He was taken to a nearby hospital. Latest word is that he's "recovering," and that it might not have been a heart attack. Although, we caution this is not yet confirmed.

I speak on behalf of the editorial board and writers here at Libertarian Republican, and I'm sure for the Libertarian Republican movement nationwide, that we wish Rush a speedily and full recovery.

Eric Dondero, Publisher
Libertarian Republican
Founder, Republican Liberty Caucus
& Daily diehard Rush Listener

Increasing influence for Libertarian Republican blog: Max Baucus slobbering drunk story and the "Heckuva job Janet" affair picked up by MSM

From Eric Dondero:

We've had five straight days with approximately 1,000 daily unique visitors. That's a welcomed sign. We do know, that this very blog is read on a daily basis, by a high-placed communications director for the Republican Party in DC, and a communications director for a very large state GOP. Plus, we often receive emails from congressional staffers on Capitol Hill saying the same. That's all very encouraging and quite inspiring.

But perhaps just as encouraging we appear to be increasingly influential with the mainstream media. Last week we clearly influenced one major media story, and very well might have influenced another to some degree.

San Francisco Chronicle links to Libertarian Republican blog

On Monday, you may recall, we ran a follow-up story on the Max Baucus scandal:

"Liberal Media circles the Wagons to Protect Baucus: Says he wasn't Drunk"

The story was in reaction to an editorial in the San Francisco Chronicle, SF Gate on-line.

What I hadn't realized at first, was that the SF Gate editorial actually linked our story. What's more, the editorial was largely in response to the story we originally wrote. The SF Gate piece was written by Zennie62, a well-known media host and liberal Democrat activist in the Bay Area.

He was responding to our original story: "Montana Senator Max Baucus slobbering Drunk on the Senate floor."

Here's an excerpt from Zennie's piece:

There's a video going around that claims Montana Senator Max Baucus is drunk on the floor of The Senate as he spiritedly takes on Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker in a talk about Health Care Reform.

Baucus was not "slurring" or "drunk" , or "slobbering" when he was speaking. Otherwise he could not have got off such a great blast against Wicker.

And Conservatives know it.

Rather, Baucus was just plain tired and really angry. The product of long hours of debate against Republicans who just don't play fair at all.

The link came at the word "slobbering."

Note to Mr. Zennie: While we appreciate the plug, perhaps you missed the banner on our site? We are an explicitly Libertarian blog, most assuredly not Conservatives.

What's also noteworthy, Zennie's piece received 38 comments. All 38 slammed Zennie and sided with our view. Here's a sample:

* Good god,the man is so wasted. Don't any of you democrats have the integrity to be truthful or honest in any respect these days?

* Bauchus is stone drunk and Zennie is high on something

* Of course he's drunk. He was probably whooping it up with his TRAMP, in the cloak room.

* Since zinnie is clearly a san francisco liberal I will defer to his judgement and experience in the areas of ganga, coke, crack, meth, the big H... As a recovering alcoholic ,however, I defer to no man when it comes to booze! Baucus is drunker than a frickin billy goat!

NY Times may have been inspired by Libertarian Republican piece

Then there's the New York Times. Yes, that's right. Little Libertarian Republican blog scooped the Times on using a well-known phrase that previously entered the political lexicon. Or, perhaps they've been reading LR and they simply scooped it up from us?

You may recall after the Andrew Breitbart scooped all of the major media on the ACORN hooker/pimp scandal back in September, the NY Times instituted an ongoing program to "monitor the news coming out of rightwing blogs and websites." And as you may also know, LR is often listed/rated as one of the "Right's Top 100 blogs."

Here's our headline from Sunday, Dec. 27:

Napolitano downplays Terrorist Connections: But emphasized Good Job done by Homeland Security

The sub-heading in bold:

"The System Worked..." Heck of a job Janet!

And then the intro paragraph:

Homeland Security Director Janet Napolitano may have just had a "Brownie moment." In 2005, during the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, President Bush visited Louisiana and pronounced to his own FEMA Director: "You're doing a heckuva job Brownie."

DHS Director Napolitano was interviewed on CNN by Candy Crowley on Sunday...

Now, let's switch over to the Times piece.

Peter Baker is one of two main bloggers at "The Caucus - The Politics and Government Blog of the Times." Two days after we wrote the Napolitano "Brownie" piece this appeared, dated Dec. 29:

On the White House
A Phrase Sets Off Sniping After a Crisis

HONOLULU — To the list of phrases it may be best for political leaders to avoid after a major security incident, add “the system worked” right after “Brownie, you’re doing a heck of a job.”

Just as the public did not really share President George W. Bush’s assessment of how things were going after Hurricane Katrina, so too was there a good deal of skepticism when President Obama’s homeland security secretary declared faith in a system that failed to stop a guy who tried to blow up a passenger jet on Christmas Day...

At least the Chronicle was kind enough to give Libertarian Republican a link. Nothing at all from Mr. Baker and the Times.

Note to Mr. Baker: Will you kiss me please? Why? Because I usually like to get kissed before you do sex to me.

(Line stolen from Saturday Night Live recent skit of Obama with the Chinese Premiere.)

We do like to give propery attribution here.

Scott Brown for US Senate - Massachusetts: New TV Ad

Special Election - Ted Kennedy seat

It's being hailed as perhaps the most brillant political TV ad ever. But is it enough to propel Republican Brown to the US Senate from deeply Democrat Massachusetts?

North Carolina Democrat Senate leader, resigns over Shooting incident and alleged Sex scandal

From Cliff Thies:

After a grand jury indictment for shooting a 22-year old man, North Carolina state Sen. R.C. Soles, a Democrat, said he will not seek re-election next year. A criminal attorney, Soles apparently maintained close relations with his former clients. He says this was to ease them back to a law-abiding life and denies it was because he was having sexual relations with them. Soles is the latest in a string of senior Democrats in the state legislature that are stepping down.

Soles, from Tabor City, is the State's longest serving legislator.

From the Raleigh News & Observer, Dec. 30:

Soles long was at the center of grumbling in his hometown of Tabor City about young men who were former legal clients and hung around his home or law office.

In the August incident, Soles shot 22-year-old Thomas Kyle Blackburn, who was allegedly trying to kick in Soles' front door.

Soles' lawyer, Joseph Cheshire of Raleigh, has said the shooting was self-defense. Cheshire and Soles repeatedly have said that Soles has been generous to former clients in hoping to ease them back to a law-abiding life. Soles has denied having sexual relations with any of the young men.

An NC political blog out of Wilmington - Clean it up Dammit - which regularly covers corrupt politics in the region has more details:

The boy, a 16 year old kid with some troubles that the good senator helped to deal with, told the senator that he would go to the news with stories that would ruin the senator's career. The Senator had the kid, Allen Strickland, arrested and the kid said, "see you in prison"

(Photo of the 16 year old accuser at the Clean it up blog.)

Jihadist Empire Builders: Abdulmutallab confirmed Islamic Warrior

"I imagine how great it will be when Muslims will rule the world"

by Eric Dondero

Anti-War activists, Left-Libertarians, Paleos and even the tiny faction of Isolationist Republicans like to make the claim that the United States is an "Empire Builder." This, as we have consistently pulled out of foreign lands we've liberated, such as the Phillipines, Panama, El Salvador, Granada and now even Iraq.

We've even given away some of our long-held US Territories (5 Alaskan islands to Russia, 5 South Pacific islands to Kirabati in the 1990s, attempted giveaway of 3 Caribbean islands to Columbia and Haiti).

Turns out the real Empire Builders happen to be America's enemies: The Islamic Jihadists. They're on the rampage in Sub-Saharan Africa, expanding Islamic territory ever southward, from northern Kenya across the Continent to Nigeria. In Southeast Asia, the Thais, Malaysians and nearby in the Phillipines, they are having to beat back an ever increasing radicalized Muslim population. In Western Europe, particularly Britain, France, Sweden and the Netherlands, Islamists have set up "Muslim-only" enclaves in major cities, where even local "polezei" refuse to venture.

Now comes a curious quote from the Christmas Day Bomber Umar Abdulmutallab confirming his own Jihadist Imperial beliefs. The UK Daily Mirror looked at over 300 of his Facebook postings.

From the Mirror:

"I won't go into too much details about my fantasy, but basically they are jihad fantasies.

"I imagine how the great jihad will take place, how the muslims will win (Allah willing) and rule the whole world and establish the greatest empire once again."...

In some other Facebook postings Abdulmutallab made some teenage groans about lack of sex.

"I have no friend. Not because I do not socialise etc but because either people do not want to get too close to me... And this problem makes me want to get married to avoid getting aroused."


"As I get lonely, the natural sexual drive awakens and I struggle to control it, sometimes leading to minor sinful activities.

Luckily for America he never got to fulfill his fantasy of Worldwide Muslim domination due to a falty igniter in his explosive-lined panties.

Luckily perhaps for the fine ladies of London where he was attending college, he now will never get to fulfill his other more lustful fantasies.

Although, they say that in the afterlife 72 virgins lay in wait for those who kill the American Infidel.

(H/t Jihad Watch)

Fall-out for Ben Nelson

Just released poll from Rasmussen finds the Senator's popularity has plummeted since his "yea" vote on ObamaCare.

Rasmussen Nebraska 2012 Senatorial Survey

•Dave Heineman (R) 61%
•Ben Nelson (D) 30%
•Some other candidate 5%
•Not sure 4%

Rasmussen comments:

Nelson's health care vote is clearly dragging his numbers down. Just 17% of Nebraska voters approve of the deal their senator made on Medicaid in exchange for his vote in support of the plan.

Jesse Kelly for Congress - Arizona: Cato Connection

One of the hottest Congressional races in the country will be District 8 AZ. An embattled and vulnerable Democrat is a top GOP target for 2010.

As Ilya Shapiro at Cato.org explains:

The Arizona 8th, which covers part of Tucson and the extreme southeast of the state, is currently represented by Democrat Gabrielle Giffords. Giffords won in this traditionally Republican district in 2006 when the GOP fielded a candidate too socially conservative for this libertarian area. Though she was reelected in 2008, John McCain carried the district 52-46. Giffords is considered to be vulnerable; while apparently a member of the “Blue Dog” caucus, she voted for TARP, the stimulus, Obamacare, and cap-and-trade, and has a D+ rating from the NRA. And so the 2010 election should be an opportunity for a libertarian Republican

That libertarian Republican is Jesse Kelly.

He is a United States Marine Corps combat veteran. He led a squad of Marines while deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Since his discharge in 2004, he's been a Construction site Manager.

Kelly has garnered an impressive list of supporters on the Right: Reps. Michele Bachmann, Marsha Blackburn, Trent Franks, Mike Pence, and two legends in Arizona Barry Goldwater, Jr. and Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

A Tea Party Patriot, his views are solidly libertarian.

Continues Shapiro:

I actually met Kelly once and was impressed with how forthrightly he spoke not only about “limited government” generally — any politician can mouth that — but about constitutional protections for liberty, such as Article I’s enumerated powers and the Ninth and Tenth Amendments. Adam tells me that Kelly’s been known to reference Locke, Jefferson, Hayek, and Friedman at house parties and fundraisers alike.

On Defense, from his website:

We live in a time when our enemies test nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles capable of reaching American interests. Terrorists continue to plot attacks against America and her interests. We must fully fund our nation's military and ensure the men and women in uniform have the tools, training, and care they need and deserve.

Our government has a constitutional obligation to protect its citizens. Border security needs to be a top National Defense priority. I am committed to fully funding vital military systems such as missile defense and upgrading our fighter and bomber fleets.

And Kelly has a solid "movement libertarian" link. One of his campaign staffers comes from the Cato Institute.

Adam Kwasman is a former economics and law student at George Mason Univ. He's also a former Cato intern. Kwasman serves as Policy Director for the Kelly Campaign.

Libertarian Republican for President sighting in New Hampshire

On the edge of 2010, with only two years to go before the first Presidential primaries and caucuses in the US. A Libertarian Republican appears to be the very first to make an explicit move towards a candidacy.

From the Nashua Telegraph, Dec. 29:

Republican Gary Johnson, who served as New Mexico’s governor from 1995 to 2003, will speak at a forum Jan. 23 organized by the Republican Liberty Caucus of New Hampshire.

The group’s chairman, Jim Forsythe, told the New Hampshire Union Leader that speculation that Johnson may run for president in 2012 was one of the reasons he was invited. Johnson has not said whether he is considering a run, but he is building a following among ladvocates for smaller government, and there are several Web sites dedicated to drafting him to run.

Johnson also recently set up a political action committee to promote libertarian views.

Meanwhile Johnson has been gaining attention on another front. He's been carving out a "third way" approach on foreign policy, simultaneously opposing the War in Iraq and calling for the Troops to come home from Afghanistan, while also carefully distancing himself from isolationism, and stressing his support for a strong Military and Defense against all threats to the US.

From a recent press release:

Governor Johnson has also been a strong advocate of the war on terrorism but has been critical of the war in Afghanistan. “Our efforts should be directed towards protecting U.S. citizens and our allies from terrorism. We are at war with Al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden. I am very concerned about the direction and focus of our continued involvement in Afghanistan,” Johnson said.

Johnson's PAC OurAmericaInitiative.com

Terrifying Video out of Iran: Police Truck runs over Protesters

Various media reporting 8 Freedom Fighters were killed on the streets of Tehran by Iranian Police over the weekend. And now this.

(H/t Pamela Geller)

Tea Party leaders call for full repeal of Dem Health Care bill

Beat back the Democrats on their "horrendous" legislation

From Eric Dondero:

The Tea Party movement has been searching for one single issue to unite all various factions heading into 2010. The movement consists of Fiscal Conservatives, Dick Armey's FreedomWorks, big city stockbrokers and businessmen inspired by Chicagoan Rick Sintelli of CNBC, Libertarian Party members, Ron Paul followers, Anti-Federal Reserve Goldbugs, Sarah Palin supporters, and small-town Moms mad at the Big Boys in Washington, who can't even balance their own checkbook.

Now, Tea Party leaders may have found an issue all Tea Party Patriots can rally behind.

The Plum Line (Who runs the Gov), a liberal-leaning publication, quotes a promiment leader in the Tea Party movement - Alex Pappas, VP of FreedomWorks, on the Health Care legislation:

"This has an unusual ability to be repealed, and the public is on that side.” he said. "The Republicans are going to have to prove that they are worthy of their votes."

Writes Greg Sargent of Plum Line:

It’s now becoming clear that this could be a major issue for Republicans in 2010: the Tea Party movement, as well as high-profile conservatives, are going to demand that candidates call for a full repeal of the Dem healthcare reform bill, presuming it passes.

Rosputin, top blogger at FreedomWorks.org puts the deeds into action:

For the next 11 months, until the 2010 elections, we will see a continuous battle of messaging between the Democrats trying to show what the bill "gives" people and Republicans (and others) trying to show what it takes from people (money, liberty, quality of health care.) It is absolutely critical that the Democrats be soundly beaten back every time they try to offer a positive message about their horrendous legislation.

For tips on activism against Health Care and how to get active in the fight for the 2010 campaign - FreedomWorks.org blog

It's the Women who increasingly lead the Tea Party movement, and even the Republican Party

Thus says the City Paper of Nashville On-line - "Post Politics, the new GOP is a She" Dec. 28:

Beyond a steady rightward shift and an increasingly reactionary rhetoric, conservative leadership is taking on another characteristic — it’s becoming more female. Both nationally and in Tennessee, the most beloved and vocal conservative leaders these days seem to be women.

Exhibit A is the 2008 presidential campaign and the continued popularity of Sarah Palin.

Named in the piece, Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, most prominently, as a rising star and possibly even Presidential material for 2012.

Also: State Sen. Diane Black, or Lou Ann Zelenik (middle photo) both running for the 6th Congressional District recently vacated by a retiring Blue Dog Democrat Bart Gordon. And State Republican Chair Robin Smith running in the 3rd.

After Congress, mentioned as new Tennessee GOP leaders: Sen. Mae Beavers, Rep. Susan Lynn, Rep. Debra Maggart and Rep. Donna Rowland. Who are described as "all very conservative and outspoken."

Continuing:

Whether it’s state Sen. Mae Beavers on the Tennessee Firearm Freedom Act, Rep. Susan Lynn (photo below) spearheading the effort for a state sovereignty resolution or Rep. Marsha Blackburn taking on Al Gore in congressional hearings, the more confrontational political work is increasingly being left to women. These days, if you’re talking about an unapologetic, unequivocating public conservative, there’s a good chance you’re talking about a woman.

Rep. Blackburn explains the phenomenon:

“The amazing thing to me about the tea parties is, when you look out across the crowd, the crowd is predominantly female. ... It’s amazing, the number of women attending these events, and women are speaking out as never before. ... They are looking at what’s happening with the cost of health care, they are truly concerned about the strong arm of government reaching into their lives and into their pocketbooks.’’

For the 6th District race, Ms. Zelenick is identified as the clear Tea Party choice.

From the Nashville Post, Dec. 20:

With so many candidates in the race, the Republican vote is expected to be fractured... ardent support of Tea Party activists could propel an outsider candidate to the nomination, and possibly Congress.and according to Bruce Oppenheimer of Vanderbelit Univ. "30 percent" is all it would take to win that GOP primary and to ultimately take the seat.

And the Tennesseean in regards to the Bart Gordon seat, states:

members of the so-called "Tea Party" movement — a diffuse group of conservative and libertarian activists that has defined itself in opposition to the policies of President Barack Obama — could cast the decisive votes in a bellwether election.

More info VoteLouAnn.com

Hipster CEO John Mackey taken to task by Liberals at Gawker for Libertarian views

He's a libertarian, and everyone knows libertarians are a wing of the GOP

The Gay/Liberal sensationalist celebrity site Gawker highlights Whole Foods Market CEO John MacKay on the top fold. The article: "Meet rightwing hippie CEO John Mackey." He is featured this month on the front cover of Reason, which was the basis of Gawker's attention.

From Gawker:

libertarian magazine Reason stuck Mackey on the cover of their January 2010 issue... is about how this rebel capitalist is playing by his own rules and ruffling a few feathers.

Ayn Rand nothing more than Free Enterprise Porn for Teenage Boys

The piece goes on to describe Mackey's transformation from liberal to money making libertarian. Continuing:

he used to be a liberal but then he started making money and he read Atlas Shrugged and suddenly it all made sense! And he is a political independent! Except, obviously, that means he is a libertarian, which is, still, a wing of the Republican party, even if they pretend it isn't, because it's still primarily about not ever paying taxes for anything while feeling very high-minded about it.

Then Gawker takes even harsher shots at Mackey and more specifically the libertarian movement. Continuing:

the Ayn Rand books that convince teenage boys that they're secretly the masters of the universe happened after he made his first million. Now he's qualified to say Keynes was "proven" wrong about everything, as the financial sector collapses under the weight of decades of Milton Friedman.

Best Video of the Year - Iraq War Solider and Dad comes Home

The Top 25 now up at Rightwing News

From the Editor: Our good friend and partner John Hawkins over at RightwingNews.com and his editorial board, have come up with a list of the Top 25 Videos of 2009. Above is #1. I think just about all conservatives and pro-defense libertarians will agree, this one is the clear winner.


One of my personal favorites is explicitly political - #9. Lots of crazy dogs and cats videos, of course. Though one of them, #18, has a distinctly anti-Obama message. Others, #16, #12, and #10 - non-political - are spectacularly funny. Trust me. #12 will have you rolling on the floor.

Watch them now. RightwingNews.com

Al-Shabaab Militants in Somalia seize 5 Islands: Advance on Kenyan Border

by Eric Dondero:

Islamic Militarism is on the rise throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. Muslim insurgents are pushing further and further southward on all fronts. Nigeria, home to Flight 253 Terrorist Bomber Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab , has become almost entirely Muslim-dominated, except for the City of Lagos, and surrounding suburbs.

The eastern part of the Continent is also suffering under an increasing Islamic onslaught. And the center for the Muslim insurgency is Somalia.

Strict Sharia Law being imposed

Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda linked Militant Islamic group out of Somalia, has now taken full control of all southern provinces from government troops. Witin the last few days they have seized 5 islands off the Kenyan coast.

In areas controlled they are quickly imposing Sharia Law in the strictest sense.

Speaking from one of the islands seized - Raskamboni Island - an Al-Shabaab spokesmansaid (via NewstimeAfrica.com):

"We arrived here to implement the Islamic law, and this is kind of extending our rule into more lands in Somalia. The Mujahideens have realized their grip on all southern regions in Somalia and in the near future we hope to govern all Somalia under the holy Quran rule."

Meanwhile, Kenya has reacted by sealing off their border completely.

From AllAfrica.com:

Nairobi — The government has stepped up security along the Kenya-Somalia border to ward off security threats posed by militias that have taken control of most of the war ravaged country.

Administration Police commandant Kinuthia Mbugua said on Wednesday that Kenya's border with Somalia was now under intense security following these threats, including specialized team operations patrolling the Indian Ocean.

"There was the initial threat posed by piracy but extremist groups in Somalia have now compounded the security problem at our border with the country and we have imposed heavy security border patrols," he said.

Kenya falling to Islam: Threats from within and without

Kenya for decades has been viewed as a model Western-style democracy. Now Kenya is under threat of Muslim domination. The Eastern Africa Nation is suffering through an increasing amount of ethnic violence, between Muslim-dominated Tribes and members of the Kikuya Tribe. Two years ago, the ruling Christian party was forced into a power-sharing arrangement by Luo Tribe leader Raila Odinga.

From the Washington Post, Dec. 23:

Odinga accused Kibaki, who is Kikuyu, of stealing the 2007 presidential election. What followed has been described by investigations as a well-planned bloodbath...

Odinga's supporters then "burned houses and farms and otherwise drove Kikuyus out of the Rift Valley with bows, arrows and machetes." In one village they surrounded a church and burned alive 600 parishioners. When the violence subsided by some accounts over 3,000 Christians and non-Muslim secular Tribesmen, had been killed.

Today the situation is threatening to flare up yet again. Compounding the problem, Al-Shabaab, rumored to be aligned with some Kenyan Muslim factions, are threatening cross-border incursions.

Continuing from WaPo:

Despite a power-sharing deal and a reform agenda intended to rescue this nation from collapse, the situation remains dangerously volatile...

With Kenya's eastern neighbor, Somalia, at war with al-Qaeda-linked rebels and its northwestern neighbor, Sudan, sliding toward civil war, U.S. officials say a stable Kenya is more crucial than ever.

But the coalition government of President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader turned prime minister Raila Odinga has remained entrenched in the divisive tribal politics that led to the ethnic violence.

Director of the Kenyan group Centre for Human Righs and Democracy, Ken Wafula said:

"Unless something is done, we are waiting for an explosion that would be very disastrous."

Key - Map highlights increasing encroachment of Islam through Sub-Saharan Africa. Areas in Green are Muslim-dominated. Shaded Green areas are new areas of Muslim influence.

Liberal Activist and 9/11 Truther Charlie Sheen used Weapon during Domestic Attack

Just Breaking...

Actor Charlie Sheen is a backer of progressive causes, most well-known his belief that the Bush administration had prior knowledge of the attacks of 9/11.

Now he's being accused of an act of domestic violence against his own girlfriend over the Christmas break.

From Breitbart.com:

ASPEN, Colo. (AP) - Authorities say actor Charlie Sheen has been accused of using a weapon in an alleged case of domestic violence in Aspen.

Sheen spent part of Christmas Day in jail after being arrested at a home in the Colorado ski resort town.

Police spokeswoman Stephanie Dasaro did not provide details on what kind of weapon Sheen is accused of using.

Sheen also was arrested on investigation of second-degree assault, a felony, and criminal mischief, a misdemeanor.

Fox reported on Sept. 9:

[Sheen] has been an adamant “9/11 Truther” for years

he charges that the Bush/Cheney “regime” was behind the attacks as a prelude to justify an invasion of Iraq. Sheen also insinuates that Usama bin Laden is working for the U.S. government.

Sheen was an enthusiastic supporter of Barack Obama in the 2008 election.

Liberal Media circles the wagons to protect Baucus: He wasn't drunk, he was just tired

LR FOLLOW-UP

The Max Baucus drunk on the Senate floor story is spreading furiously across the Rightosphere this morning. Drudge is headlining it as the very top story: "Drunk with Power: Dem slurs on Senate floor." Some liberal media are already doing damage control, blaming "conservatives," for misinterpreting Baucus' body language.

From the San Francisco Chronicle on-line(SFGate):

There's a video going around that claims Montana Senator Max Baucus is drunk on the floor of The Senate as he spiritedly takes on Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker in a talk about Health Care Reform.

Baucus was not "slurring" or "drunk" , or "slobbering" when he was speaking. Otherwise he could not have got off such a great blast against Wicker.

And Conservatives know it.

Rather, Baucus was just plain tired and really angry. The product of long hours of debate against Republicans who just don't play fair at all.

Still, Fox, CNN and other majors have yet to pick the story up. The blogosphere is clearly driving things. There are nearly 200,000 views of the video on YouTube alone.

Napolitano downplays Terrorist connections, but emphasizes Good Job by Homeland Security

"The System Worked..." Heck of a job Janet!

From Eric Dondero:

Homeland Security Director Janet Napolitano may have just had a "Brownie moment." In 2005, during the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, President Bush visited Louisiana and pronounced to his own FEMA Director: "You're doing a heckuva job Brownie."

DHS Director Napolitano was interviewed on CNN by Candy Crowley on Sunday.

From the LA Times:

Napolitano, speaking on CNN's "State of the Union," said it was too early to speculate on the claims of Al Qaeda connections made by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the 23-year-old Nigerian held in connection with the incident

Napolitano said that "right now we have no indication that it is part of anything larger."

The Secretary then went onto to give an inarticulate response to a question by Crowley as to how this was allowed to happen.

From Politico.com:

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Sunday that the thwarting of the attempt to blow up an Amsterdam-Detroit airline flight Christmas Day demonstrated that "the system worked."

Asked by CNN's Candy Crowley on "State of the Union" how that could be possible when the young Nigerian who has been charged with trying to set off the bomb was able to smuggle explosive liquid onto the jet, Napolitano responded: "We're asking the same questions."

Napolitano added that there was "no suggestion that [the suspect] was improperly screened."

Libertarian-conservative Jonah Goldberg blogs at NRO in response:

I watched her on three shows and each time she was more annoying, maddening and absurd than the pevious appearance. It is her basic position that the "system worked" because the bureaucrats responded properly after the attack...

That is just about the dumbest thing she could say... the attack was "foiled" by a bad detonator and some civilian passengers... DHS had no role whatsoever in assuring that this bomb didn't go off.

If the White House wants to assure people that it takes the war on terror seriously... they could start by firing this patenly unqualified hack.

Montana Senator Max Baucus slobbering Drunk on the Senate floor

Slurring, Stumbling, and clearly Snockered

From the Editor: This video is making the rounds of the Rightosphere, ironically brought to us from TPM at the Leftosphere. We here at Libertarian Republican have given a great deal of coverage to the Max Baucus Sex Scandal, involving the appointment of his Mistress to a top position at Eric Holder's Attorney General's office. In fact, you could say we've been leading the media/blogosphere on the story.

With that background in mind, we believe it prudent to bring to you this Video. Perhaps all the pressure has gotten to the good Senator from Montana? Or maybe, he just forgot to sleep it off on his Senate office couch after the Dem Caucus Christmas Party?

Note: At exactly 3:25 Baucus gets especially beligerant, and sluring.

Gay Marriage: Surprise, surprise, it's all about the Cash $$$

by Eric Dondero

We Libertarians are the most tolerant people around, particularly when it comes to Sexual Freedom issues, and more specifically Homosexual Rights.

Consider:

* We Libertarians fiercely oppose any and all Anti-Sodomy Laws.

* We Libertarians are about the only ones out there who favor complete Legalization of (adult) Prostitution; Escort services, Brothels, even Streetwalkers.


* We Libertarians are viciously opposed to zoning regulations, liquor licensing laws, and other attempts by local municipalities to outlaw or severely restrict Gay Clubs, Bars, and Discos. Consider, it was the Libertarian Party of Georgia earlier this year who came to the defense of a downtown Gay Bar that was raided by the Atlanta Police Chief on orders from Democrat Mayor Sheila Franklin.

* We Libertarians are totally cool with every variety of (adult) Gay Pornography, and fiercely oppose any attempts at censorship.

* We Libertarians stand up for Human Rights around the World, particularly Gays who are persecuted and killed in Muslim nations like Iran, Uganda, Nigeria, and Somalia.

But the whole Gay Marriage issue, has left us Libertarians scratching our heads. Why is the Gay Rights movement clammoring for the State to give sanction to their Love Life? What's stopping Gays from going to some public park somewhere's hiring an attorney or two to work up a contract, invite all their friends, and have a priest or rabbi conduct a ceremony?

And since when did the Gay Rights movement become so Traditionally-oriented, when in the 1970s and '80s they were precisely the people railing against the institution of Marriage?

Now we have the answer...

From Fox News:

This year's legislation, sponsored by Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., an openly gay lawmaker, and with 138 cosponsors, would allow for homosexual partners of federal employees to receive the same benefits as married spouses, which include health insurance, survivor annuities, compensation for work-related injuries and travel and relocation benefits.

President Obama has indicated his support for the measure, which is still awaiting a vote in both the House and Senate. The Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee voted Dec. 16 to forward the legislation on to the full Senate. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee approved it in November.

You see, it's all about the Cash $$$. And after they force the Feds to cough up the cash, they'll no doubt go after private corporations and then small businesses, as well. It's only fair, right?

Then the shocking price tag to the American taxpayer is revealed. Fox continues:

Extending federal benefits to same-sex couples will cost taxpayers $898 million over the next nine years, according to an analysis of "domestic partnership" legislation released last by the Congressional Budget Office.

The CBO said in its Dec. 17 report that the House version of the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act -- H.R. 2517 -- would cost $596 million in direct spending and $302 million in discretionary spending through 2019.

The independent nonpartisan agency found that "providing additional health insurance benefits through the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program" -- for active and retired gay federal workers with spouses -- "causes the largest increase in both mandatory and discretionary spending -- $590 million and $266 million, respectively."

Ouch! In other words, your Gay buddy, or that Gay chic who works with you at the office, wants to stick you - the American taxpayer - with this enormous bill for his/her partner's living expenses, health care, survival benefits, and even burial expenses.

No doubt, conservative Republicans in Congress will be staunchly opposed to the legislation. And many of them, social conservatives that they are, may approach the issue from a traditionalist point of view.

They may soon be joined by fiscal conservatives and libertarian Republicans in fierce opposition to this proposed legislation. Not because we're uncomfortable with homosexuality.

You're Gay and you want to get married? You want to have a Big Fat Gay Wedding? Invite all the friends. Get drunk. Sing Judy Garland songs on Karaoke. Dance the night away. Well then, Mazaltaf! I raise my glass to you and your partner and wish you eternal happiness.

Just don't ask me - the American taxpayer - to pay for it.

Nigerian Terrorist Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab, shows Big Fail for Janet Napolitano and DHS to protect Americans over Holiday Season

"an intelligence and security failure of staggering proportions" -- London Telegraph, editorial, Dec. 27

by Tim Daniels, Left Coast Rebel

I read several sources that showed that the Department of Homeland Security laxed their alerts for Christmas travel. Both the FBI and Homeland Security issued intelligence in November of this year that pointed to a decreased threat level for the holiday season. And only now, a day after the attack is DHS raising the threat level (NY Times).

Could it be that DHS and the FBI have been too busy profiling, harassing and/or investigating law-abiding citizens speaking out against the malfeasance of our 'leadership'?

Big Government too worried about Rightwing Political Opponents, rather than Islamic extremists

I wrote back on Aug. 19:

AP story today that highlights the fact that the DHS pushed through the recent 'Right-Wing Extremist' report regardless of known civil liberty concerns. Nothing shocking here. I'll make this one simple, the DHS knew full well that singling out illegal-immigrant opponents, right-to-lifers, gun-owners, vets and others as possible security threats is a clear infringement on their rights.

If the following is true, it is nothing new.

Just look at this from NYDailyNews.com:

The terror suspect who tried to blow up a Detroit-bound plane is the son of a Nigerian banker who alerted U.S. authorities to his "extreme religious views" months ago, it was reported Saturday.

The father, Alhaji Umaru Mutallab,(photo here), a former minister and chairman of First Bank in Nigeria, is shocked that his son was even was allowed to fly to the U.S., family members told the Nigerian newspaper This Day.


The dad was meeting with security officials to discuss his son, identified as Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab, 23. The younger Mutallab was not on any no-fly list when he flew from Nigeria to Detroit through Amsterdam, Rep. Pete King (R-L.I.) told the Daily News.

A Failure of Big Government on Steroids

Meanwhile Bungalow Bill reports/comments:

The Department of Homeland Security relaxed their alerts for the holiday season according to My Way. Both the FBI and Homeland Security issued an intelligence release on November 20, 2009, about the threat picture for the holiday season. They had no reason to believe Al Qaeda or other terrorists was going to attempt anything for the holiday season according to the report.

I guess they were too busy profiling Americans who go to church, believe in life, and have Don't Treat on Me flags and stickers on their property.

Can you imagine this? The failure of big-government on steroids, (DHS), to even accomplish the most simple task of keeping us safe is mind-boggling. If this story doesn't speak to the inept nature of our Federal government in the most extreme scenario possible then nothing does. We should be jettisoning the powers that these bureaucrats and pols hold, not adding to them.

And bumbling Napolitano? Give her a one-way ticket back to Bullhead City, AZ.

Editor's Note - Both Left Coast Rebel and Bungalow Bills are two of the premiere Right Libertarian news blogs. Please give them a visit and add them to your daily favorites.

Republican Peter Hoekstra blasts Obama for downplaying Terrorist attack

Says Attack at Detroit Airport linked to other recent Jihadist attacks

From Eric Dondero:

The Yemen-based branch of Al-Qaeda may be responsible for the latest attack on the United States. According to various source, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, was on a terror list linked to the Yemeni-branch, and is said to have had numerous contacts with Yemeni Terrorist leader Anwar al-Awlaki.

The leading Republican on the House Intelligence Committee is asserting that the Obama administration is not acting agressively enough to investigate. One day after the latest attack he's criticizing the administration for their slowness to react, and ineptitude in connecting the dots.

From Rep. Peter Hoekstra, Twitter account:

Administration says attempted terrorist attack. No. It was a terrorist attack! Just not as successful as they (AQ) planned.

From the Detroit Free Press:

“It’s not surprising,” U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, a Holland Republican, said of the alleged terrorist attempt to blow up a Northwest Airlines flight in Detroit. A Nigerian who authorities said had told them he was ordered by al-Qaida to detonate an explosive was in custody. Reports linked the explosives to Yemen.

“People have got to start connecting the dots here and maybe this is the thing that will connect the dots for the Obama administration,” said Hoekstra.

A Connection to the Ft. Hood shooting?

The attack at the Detroit Airport amounts to what is the 3rd Muslim terrorist attack on US targets. In May a homegrown Islamic-convert terrorist shot up a Military Recruiting facility in N. Little Rock, AR killing 1 soldier and seriously injuring another. In November, Major Malik Nidal Hasan killed 13 soldiers at the Army Base in Ft. Hood, and injured 42 others.

Now Rep. Hoekstra, the ranking Republican on the House Intelligence Committee is suggesting a possible connection. Radical Yemeni Cleric Anwar Al-Awlaki was the spiritual leader of Ft. Hood Terrorist Nidal Malik Hasan. He's also identified as the spritual leader for Flight 253 suspect Abdulmutallab. Continuing from Freep:

Noting that Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan – the Army officer who is accused of killing more than a dozen people at Fort Hood, Texas, last month – was allegedly linked to a radical cleric now in Yemen, Hoekstra said this latest incident could be “one more indication” that the al-Qaida branch there is planning attacks.

According to the NY Post:

Abdulmutallab reportedly had links with US-born Yemeni cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, according to Sky News sources.

Al-Awlaki, who is thought to have died in a Yemeni airstrike on an al Qaeda meeting December 24, also had links with the shooter who killed 13 people and injured 30 others at a US army base in Texas on Nov. 5.

The latest news suggests that Al-Awlaki actually survived the drone attack, but that two of his closest associates were killed.

Note - Rep. Hoekstra, a fiscally conservative/strong on defense Republican, is a candidate for Governor of Michigan. He is leading all potential challengers, Republican and Democrat, in the latest polling.

Taylor Bryant, Libertarian for State Senate - Georgia

From Dan Sheill:

There's a special election in Georgia on January 5. The Libertarian Party has a candidate in the race. And there's no Republican even running.

Libertarian Taylor Bryant, an auto technician, is running in the election for a Augusta area seat.

He is up against three Democrats. He is the only free market-oriented candidate in the race. If no candidate wins a majority in the first round, a runoff election will be held on February 2.


From the Augusta Chronicle:

he's hoping the low turnout will give him a boost if the Democratic vote gets split three ways, and he can garner about 90 percent of the Republican vote and support from the small-government-minded Tea Party contingency.

Back in November, a similar situation occured in North Carolina for a Mayor's seat. No Republican was on the ballot, only 4 Democrats and 1 Libertarian in Durham. The Libertarian ended up in the second round. In the final voting against the well-known Democrat he received 27.

Learn more at his website.

Alhaji Umaru Mutallab, father of Muslim Terrorist suspect, feared son was a Jihadist

Flight 253 Terror suspect Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab was the son of a prominent banker in Nigeria. The Mutallabs come from Northern Nigeria, a region of growing radical Muslim violence.

The elder Mutallab served on the Board of Directors of the First Bank of Nigeria out of Lagos.

From MyLive.com (via AP):

In Nigeria, a prominent banker said Saturday that he was meeting with security officials there because he feared his son was the suspect. Alhaji Umaru Mutallab told The Associated Press said his son was a one-time university student in London who had left Britain to travel abroad. He said his son hadn't lived in London "for some time" but he wasn't sure exactly where he went to.

"I believe he might have been to Yemen, but we are investigating to determine that," the elder Mutallab said. He said he would provide more details later Saturday as he learned more from authorities.

Meanwhile, Mutallab says he feared his son had recently become a radical Islamist. From the Voice of America:

He said his son had been studying in London and then left there to travel. The Nigerian newspaper This Day reports the father had expressed concern about his son's extreme religious views.

More according to AllAfrica.com:

Mutallab has been uncomfortable with the boy's extreme religious views and had six months ago reported his activities to United States' Embassy, Abuja and Nigerian security agencies.

The older Mutallab was said to be devastated on hearing the news of Abdul Farouk's attempted bombing arrest

Photo - Map of Nigeria, including Muslim dominated north in green.

Editor's Note - More news on Mutallab including details on explosive device PETN used in bombing at our sister site Worldwide Liberty.

Geert Wilders proclaims Jasper Schuringa a Hero deserving of Royal Dutch Honor

Dutch libertarian Member of Parliament Geert Wilders called Jasper Schuringa a National Hero for saving a Delta flight from Amsterdam, from a Muslim Terrorist attack.

From Deep Faith news, Amsterdam, 3 hours ago:

Shortly before landing passengers smelled smoke, they saw a glow and they heard something that sounded like firecrackers went off. "First there was a sort of bang and then there was smoke," said Dutchman Peter Smith.

Schuringa told CNN that he heard a bang. "Somebody started yelling fire, fire!" Then he saw smoke and he noted that the Nigerian did not move. Then he began to suspect that something was not right. He jumped over the passenger next to him and hurried to the Nigerian.

They appeared to have his pants open and a burning object between his legs to keep. "I took that thing off him, tried to extinguish fire with my hands and threw it away." Schuringa the Nigerian pulled from his place, and dragged him to the front of the plane. The Nigerian seemed stunned. "He stared into nothing."

According to the American media Jasper Schuringa, is now called a hero...

PVV leader Geert Wilders called Jasper Schuringa Saturday in a comment a hero. "He deserves a royal honor." Wilders says it will ask the Dutch government to award such grant.

Wilders is the leader of the Dutch Freedom Party. The PVV is pro-free market, and pro-civil liberties, yet stridently opposed to Islamization of Europe. Wilders is currently well ahead in polling to be next President of the Netherlands.

Partij voor de Vrijheid PVV (Party for Freedom)

Jasper Schuringa identified as Dutch Hero savior of Terrorist Flight

Just Breaking from the Dutch Pres...

Dutch Citizen Overpowers Terrorist on Flight to Detroit

Elsevier, Dec. 26:

Schuringa, an entrepreneur from Amsterdam, saw Abdulmutallab rise from his airplane and something lit. He dove right on top of the terrorist and held in a headlock Abdulmutallab until after landing, he told the CNN.

By his heroic action Schuringa was burned and lost his shoes.

After landing, he was treated like a hero, says Lydia Faber, partner at the media company of the Amsterdam redlayed to the Telegraph.

The parents of Schuringa indicated they were "very proud" of him.

A friend of Schuringa, Kasem Challiou, says that the terrorist had packed explosives.

"It definitely was not fireworks, but very serious," says the friend of Schuringa, who spoke after the failed attack.

Other media identify Schuringa as a "film director" who was traveling to the US to visit friends.

LINKS

The Right Guy who has dubbed Jasper an "honorary libertarian Republican."

Insurance Expert admits massive Civil Disobedience likely in avoiding mandated Health Care coverage

Says Insurance Industry should push for even tougher Penalties

From Eric Dondero:

Virginia-based health care consultant and former insurance executive and president Robert Laszewski believes penalties in the new health care legislation are not stringent enough to disuade Americans from avoiding mandatory coverage.

Laszewski (photo), a regular commentator on cable news business shows, would like to see fines beefed up before the final legislation comes out of Senate/House mark-up.
From NewsMax:

proposed fines are too weak and the subsidies too meager to truly motivate people to buy insurance, Laszewski said. This means the people most motivated to buy coverage through these exchanges will be those who already have health problems — who are money losers for insurers.

"There aren't a lot of families with an extra $6,500 in their checking account," Laszewski said. "The problem with this bill is the subsidies are really quite modest, and there really aren't any penalties."

The NewsMax piece goes on to explain:

Insurers need a mix of healthy people enrolled in their coverage to help balance out claims they pay for patients who use more insurance.

The Senate bill calls for fines for people who do not purchase coverage and are not exempt from a mandate to buy it. They start at $95 in 2014 and rise to $750 by 2016.

Others are preparing to Fight Back against all Mandated Coverage

Many libertarians an others on the Right, have threatened to avoid taking mandated coverage based on principle, even if it means jail time. Others are threatenening lawsuits against what has been deemed as an Unconstitutional requirement to purchase a product.

At least one organization is already threatening to challenge the requirement as far up as the US Supreme Court. The Liberty Counsel, run by President Mathew Staver, issued a statement vowing that the group:

"is prepared to challenge the constitutionality of the bill since Congress has no authority to require every person to obtain insurance coverage and has no authority to fine employers who do not provide the coverage standards that are required in the bill."

Staver further stated, quoted from WND (via GiveUsLiberty blog):

He told WND that if the plan gets to the point of being signed into law by Obama, “We will sue.”

He said Liberty University will be a plaintiff along with other groups or individuals.

“The thrust is that Congress lacks the power to force health care coverage on individuals,” he said. “It lacks the power to fine employers that do not have or provide health care coverage according to the mandates of the bill.”

For more information, or to get involved - LC.org

Editor's Note - We are adding GiveUsLiberty blogspot, a Christian libertarian blog, to our Right Libertarian Blog Roll. Please give them a visit and consider adding them to your Favorites.

Obama decides to continue Holiday in Hawaii despite Muslim Terrorist attack on US

Nigerian Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab attempted to blow up a Delta jet yesterday en route from Amsterdam to Detroit Metropolitan Airport in the US. The suspect is a UK Engineering student. He attempted to combine a powder and liquid explosive mix before he was overpowered by a fellow passenger. The suspect now claims to have ties to Al Qaeda, based in Yemen. He told authorities that he was traveling to Detroit for a "religious seminar."

The White House is taking a cautious approach.

From the BBC, 3 hours ago:

President Barack Obama, on holiday in Hawaii, has ordered increased security for air travel.

White House spokesman Bill Burton said the president was monitoring the situation.

Meanwhile the Washington Post reports:

The FBI is investigating the incident. President Obama, celebrating Christmas in Hawaii, was informed about it, a spokesman said... Officials said they are not prepared to raise the terrorism alert level, currently at orange -- or the second-highest of five levels -- for domestic and international air travel.

WaPo notes a delay in notifying Obama, who "was told of the incident about three hours after the plane landed."

UPDATE!

Ace of Spades is now headlining that the Washington Post changed their story to reflect a more favorable "hands on" view of the White House. They changed their original piece deleting the mention of Obama being told of the Terrorist incident 3 hours later. Asks Ace:

So why was the President allowed to snooze in Hawaii undisturbed?

I'm trying to not get too partisan about this, but it sure seems to me that this evidences a casualness about terrorist incidents that seems pretty dangerous.

Political Correctness at CNN: Interviewer Ali Velshi clamps down on mention of Muslim-named Terrorist Suspect on Live Air

CNN Anchor Ali Velshi was born in Kenya, and raised in Ontario, Canada. The son of a liberal Canadian parliament member, Velshi has a history of opposing rightwing politicians in Canada and working for Democrat elected officials here in the United States.

Interviewing Republican Congressman Peter King yesterday on CNN, Velshi shut him up in mid-sentence. Velshi halted the Congressman from mentioning the name of the suspect of yesterday's attempted bombing of a NorthWest Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Detroit.

The suspect in custody is 23-year old Nigerian national Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab. He is identified as an Engineering student at University College London.

Transcript (h/t Conservative Blog Watch):

REP. PETER KING (R), NEW YORK (via telephone): Basically the person's name. I understand he's a 23-year-old Nigerian who boarded the flight in Nigeria, his name is Abdulmattal (ph)...

VELSHI: Representative King, I've got to tell you, we have not got any information on anyone being charged. So thank you for bringing us information. But would ask you not to name anybody on TV right now, we do not have any word of official charges. Let me know what else you know other than the identity of the person who may be charged.

KING: His name did appear in a database as far as having a terrorist nexus.

Later on in the interview:

VELSHI: Ok, I understand that you do know -- or you believe you know the name of the identity. We're not in a position to say that on CNN yet. We are working to confirm that.

KING: Again, my understanding is his name was in the database. That he does have al Qaeda connections. Certainly extremist terrorist connections and his name popped up pretty quickly.

The name of the suspect had been released hours earlier by Fox News, Reuters, and various other media outlets.