While The Cat's Away, Other Bloggers Will Play

We have Eric hidden away in a secret location on the west coast and until we want to let him out, Ran, Tim and I will post articles of our choosing on Libertarian Republican. While Eric is away, the other guys will play.

The story that has gotten little play in the news, at least in what I read, is the Mark Halperin Incident. Honestly, who cares if he called Obama a dick. That doesn't even scratch the surface of his Obamajesty's omnipotence at incompetence. Still, Mark had to know in his mind's eye that even calling The One a dick would get him sentenced to journalist's purgatory, he should have gone the full monty and at least fomented a charge of lese majesté. Asshole would have been closer to the truth although F'ing moron would have been more satisfying. I mean, in for a penny, in for a pound, right?

Next off we have Beck claiming he left with his soul. I mean, who gives a flying eff you see kay? While I applaud his success, I am starting to wonder if he is 15 minutes is up. With the money he's made, he could buy a soul if he lost it at Fox News.

Of course what would a crisis be without the philanderer in chief charging to the rescue? Bill Clinton, the evergreen aw shucks boy from deliverance-land, seems to be always at the ready to save the country from Disaster.

Lastly, we have the 4th of July weekend coming up. One has to wonder if Obama will celebrate this great country of ours and all its 57 states? It's actually much worse than that. Barry doesn't even know how old his kids are. Talk about social promotion. How did this guy get into Harvard? A better question which bears an answer is how did he get in the White House? They can sell, he just can't deliver.

Thank you for reading this blog and Eric will return tomorrow evening.

From CNS: U.S. Designates Israel as Country That Tends ‘To Promote, Produce, or Protect’ Terrorists

From Ran for Eric Dondero:

U.S. Designates Israel as Country That Tends ‘To Promote, Produce, or Protect’ Terrorists; Also Calls Israel Anti-Terror Partner
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
By Edwin Mora

(CNSNews.com) - In an implicit admission that Israel is so threatened by terrorism that it is not only surrounded by countries and territories that produce terrorists but also unwillingly harbors terrorists within its own territory in a way that most other nations in the world do not, the Obama administration is currently listing Israel among 36 “specially designated countries” it believes “have shown a tendency to promote, produce, or protect terrorist organizations or their members.”

Before the anti-Israel noise machine begins the Snoopy-dance, they must observe that Mora's report also notes four other countries that fall into the same category. By sheer coincidence all five (including Israel), though not islamic majority "have had internal problems with radical Muslim terrorists, as reported by the State Department." (One might ask why Britain, France, Spain, Germany, Holland, Canada etc. etc. are not also on the list? We could name a very large country with a Muslim extremist problem as well...)

Tip o' the hat to Lonely Conservative & Maggie's Notebook and thanks to CNS.

Bachmann - Palin Mud Wrestling match?

From Cliff Thies:

Michele Bachmann: won't get into cat fight with Sarah Palin

"They want to see two girls come together and have a mud wrestling
fight. And I’m not going to give it to ‘em," Michele Bachmann.

Who, who wants to see this???

Libertarian Party member in NH gets Bachmann to agree to No Taxes!

From Eric Dondero:

Don Gorman is a former two-term New Hampshire State Rep. elected as a Libertarian. He currently serves as a local elected official on the Deerfield Town Board. At a recent forum he posed an interesting question to GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann.

From Forbes this morning "Michele Bachmann On Board With Tax Holiday":

Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann one-upped the competition when instead of sticking with the routine “no new taxes” mantra being recited, she suggested “no taxes.”

Bachmann indicated that she would support a one year moratorium on federal income taxes.

Bachmann made the comments in response to a question posed by Don Gorman, a former state representative for New Hampshire and considered “the most-elected libertarian in the country.” Gorman asked Bachmann what she thought about his suggestion to:

Put a moratorium on the entire income tax for one year for every citizen in this country and watch this country take off.

Bachmann called the notion “awesome” and went on to say that if taxpayers could keep their own money.

If we would have allowed every American to take that much more money home in their pockets, what would they have done? They would have paid their bills. They would have spent it. They would have grown their businesses. They would have grown the economy.

Note - Gorman himself ran for president in 2,000, but lost the Libertarian nomination.

Lady Gaga a Libertarian Hawk?

Self-proclaimed "Machiavellian"

From Eric Dondero:

Known for her extreme libertine views on social matters, Lady Gaga has now come out of the closet as a military hawk.

From Forbes this morning:

Lady Gaga, the music industry phenomenon, is surprisingly hawkish in her views on foreign policy. In an exclusive interview, at a café around the corner from her parents’ Upper West Side apartment, she laments what she terms “the pathetic U.S. policy on Iran.”

“They support terrorist groups, ferment trouble in Iraq, and are building a nuclear bomb. And what do we do? Nothing. Not that we do anything about North Korea either. Why are we so spineless?”

She goes on to add:

Influential liberals like Alec Baldwin may want you to think that celebrities are liberals, but I get a big crowd at my monthly [Prussian War General] Carl von Clausewitz reading group.”

And stunningly she takes a jab at the Queen of Celebrity Liberals:

Interviewer:“Oprah? But she’s a well-known supporter of President Obama.”

Gaga's response: “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer,” Gaga replies, “Have you not read Machiavelli?”

Though, admittedly little if anything is known about her economic views, allowing herself to be interviewed by the economic libertarian publication Forbes sends a good signal.

Photo credit - Exiled in Paradise

Republican leadership votes with their feet

Walk out of budget talks

ABC's George Stephapolos: The President is going to have to take off the table any talk of tax increases to get this started.

Is the L.A. Times trying to torpedo Romney?

by Clifford F. Thies

The L.A. Times is now reporting that Mitt Romney is touting his ability to work with Democrats. It is this some kind of dirty trick on the part of the L.A. Times?

Supposedly, Romney would be able, where the House Republicans aren't, of negotiating a budget deal with Obama and the Democrats in the Senate. Would this be just like the way he negotiated with the Democrats in Massachusetts on health care, by agreeing with them?

Here's the choice we face boys and girls. On the one hand, we can make a deal with the Democrats the way Neville Chamberlain did with the Nazis at Munich in 1939, and proclaim that we have achieved a budget deal "in our time." Or, we can conclude, as Ronald Reagan was finally forced to conclude, that "you cannot negotiate with terrorists."

Violent Flash Mob in Chicago attack the brother of famous '90's Modern Rocker

The results of the Obama Economy?

From Eric Dondero:

The brother of Smashing Pumpkins Bill Corrigan was harrassed and punched by an angry mob of African-American youth in Chicago last week.

From Spinner.com:

Thirty-five-year-old Jessie Andersen, the half-brother of Smashing Pumpkins ringleader Billy Corgan (pictured), was mugged in his hometown of Chicago on Thursday, June 9, while taking public transportation to his job. He wasn't held at gunpoint, nor was there any other weapon involved, other than the swiftness and the audacity of a pack of teenagers, riding the same Red Line train.

Corrigan released a statement:

My little brother Jesse was attacked and robbed this morning ..." Corgan tweeted. "He's ok, but if you want to send him some love ..."

Violent flash mobs have become common occurences in Chicago, Philadelphia and other major American cities in recent months. Many are organized on Facebook.

Drudge highlights this morning via Philly.com:

a pack of teens roving through Center City after leaving a Philadelphia music fest.

They were part of about 100 or more young people who had left Saturday night's event, police said, committing a series of violent assaults and robberies.

Devastating to inner-city Job Creation

Floyd Brown at FloydReports notes some interesting Labor statistics in his column "Angry Flash Mobs, Brought to You by Obama":

this Obama recession/depression has devastated inner city job creation. Only 54,000 jobs were added in May as the Obama recovery is in slow-motion, turning to the Obama double dip recession. There are still at least 14 million U.S. workers who can’t find jobs. When you add part-time or underemployed workers who want full-time jobs, the total rises to 30.6 million who want more economic opportunity.

Blacks and inner city youth are the hardest hit by Obama’s policies. According to the U.S. Department of Labor the percentage of black adult men with a job has fallen below 60 percent for the first time. The latest unemployment rate for black men is 16.1 percent. These unemployment numbers rocket higher when you study those formerly in jail or living in the most economically depressed big city neighborhoods like those in Chicago, formerly represented by Barack Obama.

Brown goes on to add...

Chicago business regulations are so prohibitive and Illinois taxes are so exorbitant that it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand why business job creators are fleeing to first Texas and then oversees. These young people need hope. Hope comes in the form of a job, a wage, a living, and a life.

Photo of recent Flash Mob in Akron, Ohio.

Did the Multi-billionaire Co-Founder of Google just make an Ayn Randian statement?

From Eric Dondero:

Prof. David Cheriton of Stanford University, teacher of Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, makes some interesting statements regarding economics in a recent BBC interview.

He says that Obama is driving the American economy on a "crash course." Further, "there's going to have to be a course correction or this is going to end very badly."

But he makes an even more explicitly free market plea earlier on.

Inspired by Rand? Judge for yourself. See the Video at the BBC website 2:10 mark.

A simple Google search of "David Cheriton" and "Ayn Rand" shows no previous connections to the libertarian philosopher.

Photo of Sergey and Larry from Google Images. And just for the record, we here at LR have always been, and remain very Pro-Google.

Tom, don't be so Petty!

by Clifford F. Thies

Recording Artist Tom Petty, always the Heartbreaker, has informed Michele Bachmann that she can't use his "American Girl" song any more at her rallies, which is perfectly within his rights as the author.

Petty had previously denied George W. Bush from using "I Won't Back Down" at his rallies.

Probably the most famous denial of use of a popular song was back in the 1996 Presidential campaign. The legendary Sam Moore, who as part of Sam and Dave, recorded "I'm a Soul Man," re-wrote the song,as "I'm a Dole Man." The song super-charged Republican rallies until the recording company, which actually owned the rights to the song, said no.

Bummer!

Politicians don't have to ask for permission to use a song. But they must desist from continuing to use a song when informed by its owner. Owners of songs have an interest in keeping themselves and their works disassociated with particular candidates and political parties.

As for Tom Petty, we still love your singing "I Won't Back Down" at the concert for New York City following the attacks of 9-11, and we still think your Superbowl Halftime Show of 2008 was the best ever, including "American Girl" (Video here.)

Photo credit - SilverTonqueOnline

Michele Bachmann announces: Middle American values

Waterloo, Iowa

We work hard. We don't spend more money than what we take in. And we expect to pass on a better life to our children. But the problem is, our government keeps getting bigger. And it makes it tougher for all of us to pass on our values to our children.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker becomes Hero of School Choice Movement - Signs Voucher Bill

“This is terrific news and affirms what the Friedman Foundation has been saying since the beginning of the year: 2011 is the year of growth for school choice of which Milton and Rose Friedman would be proud.” -- Patrick Byrne, Chairman of the Friedman Foundation

INDIANAPOLIS, June 26, 2011 /NEWS.GNOM.ES/ — With a stroke of a pen, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker today signed a 2011-2012 state budget that dramatically expands the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program to include tens of thousands of working class and middle income families. His signature also means that a brand new school choice program will be established in Racine County.

The budget had previously passed the Senate and House on June 17 by votes of 19-14 and 60-38, respectively.

“This is incredible news that I know would make Milton and Rose Friedman smile,” said Robert C. Enlow, President and CEO of the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice, the nation’s leading advocate for school choice. “The Friedmans understood the importance of the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program to the cause of educational freedom for all children, and they long hoped it would be expanded to include other cities. Today, thanks to the tremendous leadership of Gov. Walker and the state legislature, that hope is fulfilled.”

The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice has long supported the expansion of the program. For more than a dozen years, the Foundation has undertaken research on the effectiveness of the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program and provided funding to support the local efforts spearheaded by School Choice Wisconsin.

“The expansion of school choice to Racine is a huge victory and we are grateful to the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice Foundation for their support of our efforts there,” said Susan Mitchell, President of School Choice Wisconsin. “This is a game changer for Wisconsin – for the first time, parents outside Milwaukee will reap the benefits of educational choice.”

The Milwaukee Parental Choice Program will significantly increase the number of families and schools eligible to participate in the program. Specific changes include:

• A large increase in the family income qualifications.

• Removing the cap on the number of students who can participate

• A sizeable increase in the number of private school options.

The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice (edchoice.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and nonpartisan organization, solely dedicated to advancing Milton and Rose Friedman’s vision of school choice for all children. First established as the Milton and Rose D. Friedman Foundation in 1996, the Foundation continues to promote school choice as the most effective and equitable way to improve the quality of K-12 education in America. The Foundation is dedicated to research, education, and outreach on the vital issues and implications related to choice and competition in K-12 education.

Photo credits - conservativebyte.com, Racine for School Choice

Christie wins concessions from public sector unions

From Eric Dondero:

Another big win for the big man. NJ Guv Chris Christie gained major concessions from the public sector unions on health care and pension reform.

From the WSJ "N.J. Slashes Public-Worker Benefits":

New Jersey's public workers will have to pay more for health-care benefits and will receive smaller pensions under a bill that won final approval in the state Legislature, with the support of nearly a third of Democratic lawmakers.

Gov. Chris Christie, who is expected to sign the bill Monday, said the second round of cuts under his watch will bring sufficient change to the issue that has roiled private-sector workers who saw their jobs eliminated and salaries and benefits slashed during the recession.

In classic Christie style, after the vote he taunted the unions in an interview (via NewsMax):

“They’re not gonna always get their way, all the time.”

Photo h/t FactsandFantasy.blogspot

Republican Cong. Peter King on Seattle Muslim Terrorists

Fox News Reporter:

"This is the eighth suspected terror plot on military installations in the last two years..."

Republican Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee Peter King:

"It was very deadly. It would have caused a large number of casulaties. This has become a pattern of either Al-Qaeda or self-starting terrorists in this country."

Gutfeld on Muslim arrests and Media PC

RedEye Host Greg Gutfeld excerpted from column at Fox News "Radical Islam Swept Under Rug of Political Correctness"

So a Marine reservist whose odd behavior last week set off a scare at the Pentagon, has now been charged in shootings targeting military buildings that occurred last year.

His name is Yonathan Melaku, and he was originally picked up while lurking inside Arlington National Cemetery. (He was probably just planting flowers.)

Anyway, for peaceful reasons I'm sure, he was carrying spent shell casings, some ammonium nitrate and a notebook containing stuff about Usama bin Laden and the Taliban... now Feds are charging him with a bunch of stuff. But I've read this story around the web, and so far the only spot where his religion was noted, was on some blogs and FNC... we're a bunch of Islamophobes for bringing it up.

And yet we have another example of willful blindness born out of political correctness and the fear of being labeled a bigot.

This kind of terror-based incident has happened before, also involving our military. At Fort Hood, tragically.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department says two men have been arrested in a plot to attack a military recruiting station in Seattle with machine guns and grenades.

Their names? Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif and Walli Moojaheed

Editor's comment - "Some blogs?" Would that include one with the initials L - R?

Prince says Islam is great because it ends choice

by Clifford F. Thies

The artist formerly and once again known as Prince revealed in an interview with the Guardian, "It's fun being in Islamic countries, to know there's only one religion. There's order. You wear a burqa. There's no choice. People are happy with that."

As for those who are unhappy with having no choice, he said: "There are people who are unhappy with everything. There's a dark side to everything."

As Joseph Stalin said, you can't make an omelet without breaking some eggs. But, what about the Muslims who have declared music to be illegal? Isn't that taking totalitarianism a bit too far?

On a more serious note, it's hard to take anything Prince says seriously. He's been the Lady Gaga of philosophy since he burst onto the scene in an awesome display of creativity. In the 1990s, he was Mr. Emancipation, a celebration of freedom, striking out on his own from what he viewed as the overbearing power of the big record companies and objecting to all power of some over others.

We, at LR, hold that all people have an equal claim to be free, not just the artists.

Reference - UK Guardian

Turkish and Syrian militaries mass at the border

by Clifford F. Thies

The Syrian Army, so far, has held its own against civilians protesting the Assad regime. Only a couple times has the Syrian Army been beaten back, and, in those cases, it retaliated by wiping out entire villages. But, now, the Syrian army may be in over its heads. Syria has moved much of its military to its borders with Turkey and Lebanon.

The ostensible purpose of this deployment is to stem the flow of refugees from the country. (Gosh, other than languishing in poverty and being murdered by the government, why would anybody want to leave Syria?) In response, Turkey is increasing the readiness of its forces on the border. Unlike civilians, the Turkish Army is equipped with tanks, attack helicopters, and other weapon systems. In addition, the Turkish Army is backed up by a large Turkish Air Force and a small but potent Turkish Navy.

Will the soldiers of the Syrian Army show as much courage against the Turkish Army, as they have shown against unarmed women and children? Something makes us doubt it.

Geert Wilders victory celebration on Video

From Eric Dondero:

Last week a Dutch court cleared Member of Parliament and Freedom Party leader of all charges of "hate speech," for critical comments against Islam.

"Wilders has called Islam a violent, fascist religion"

This news report shows Wilder leaving the courtroom with an exhalted look of victory, while supporters cheer and hoots from the mezzanine.

Shout "Ayaan Hirsi Ali" on a public sidewalk in downtown Minneapolis - Go Straight to Jail

From Eric Dondero:

Evoking the name of prominent worldwide libertarian activist and Islamist critic Ayaan Hirsi Ali too loudly in increasingly Muslim-dominated Minneapolis can now get you a night in jail. That's what happened last week to John H. Gilmore of the blog ConservativeMinnesotans.blogspot

From the Minnesota Star Tribune "Blogger's shout starts argument on Nicollet Mall":

Conservative blogger and St. Paul attorney John H. Gilmore spent a night in jail last week after a sidewalk confrontation on Nicollet Mall with two women wearing traditional Muslim dress.

According to police reports, Gilmore, 52, called out the name of a well-known critic of Islam, author Ayaan Hirsi Ali, to the women as they crossed paths on the sidewalk near the Dakota Jazz Bar and Restaurant Thursday night.

"He just shouted it out," said Anwar Hijaz, a Muslim woman who wears a hijab, the Muslim head scarf. Hundreds of progressive bloggers happened to be on Nicollet Mall that evening after attending the first day of a four-day conference known as Netroots Nation.

Right bloggers contend that the sidewalk confrontation may have resulted from a group of hijab-wearing Muslim fundamentalists who confronted conservatives and libertarians at a right blogger confab.

From TheOtherMcCain:

The “hijab flash mob” appears to have been a provocative stunt by the Left — at one point, these women came to Right Online trying to waylay Herman Cain.

Comments Stacy McCain:

Well, maybe we got a little rowdy at happy hour, but I didn’t think anyone did anything worth getting arrested for.

A progressive blogger named Matt Glasser was at a nearby bar, and called the police on Gilmore.

More Violence by Muslims against Christians in Egypt

From Jim Lagnese:

In what seems to be a shocking trend, islamists threaten to kill priest why laying siege to his church. While Egyptian authorities secured the priest away, parishioners were left to defend the church themselves. While Libertarian Republican does not endorse any particular religion, we do believe in the free exercise of religion, which is not the case in many muslim countries.

From Adnkronos.com June 24:

Hundreds of Muslim extremists surrounded a church in central Egypt and threatened to kill the local priest, the Assyrian International News Agency reported. The extremists began targeting the church in a village 7 kilometres south of the city of Minya in March after renovation work began, threatening to demolish the church.

AINA Friday cited eyewitnesses as saying that the Muslim mob, dressed in white robes and long beards, chanted: "We will kill the priest, we will kill him and no one will prevent us."

One of their leaders was cited as saying they would "…cut him to pieces," AINA reported.

The priest Father George Thabet, who was holding morning mass and was locked in the church with several parishioners. Security forces arrived five hours later and escorted the priest away in a police car to the Coptic Diocese in Minya.

Note - there's been very little coverage in American media of the rising Muslim violence against Christians in the Middle East.

Editor's note - Jim "Right Guy" Lagnese lives in Iowa.

Nationally-adored Environmentalist company now under fire for bad Employee relations

From Eric Dondero:

L.L. Bean, has for years been the darling of liberal environmentalists nationwide even if that meant hurting the local Maine economy.

An example of their staunchly green policies from NCRM (National Resource Council of Maine) 2007:

Maine's most recognizable company declined to renew its contract for catalog paper with Verso, which has mills in Jay and Bucksport. L.L. Bean said Verso was unable to meet the company's new standards for environmental friendliness in timber harvesting.

In its decision, L.L. Bean flexed the market's muscle by making environmentalism a benchmark for doing business. Papermakers in Maine already feel environmental pressure from advocates and government...

Now this from MPBN (Maine Public Broadcasting Network):

Four L.L. Bean employees say they were unfairly fired from their jobs as customer service workers, after purchasing a leather tote bag that had mistakenly been given a huge markdown...

All the trouble started at the beginning of the month, when customers began bombarding L.L. Bean's Lewiston call center with orders. They'd found what they thought was a steal on the retailer's website: a woven, $169 leather tote bag for nineteen bucks.

"Customers were snapping these up. And then some of the employees noticed the deal and bought some themselves," said Rebecca Webber, a lawyer representing the workers.

She says her clients believed the deal was one of the steep discounts L.L Bean frequently offers to move old merchandise and compete in the marketplace. The workers, she says, had no idea the markdown was a company mistake.

Former Republican legislator and longtime ME Republican Liberty Caucus executive board member Stravos Mendros quoted at As Maine Goes...

I worked there for 4 years and this is utterly disgusting.

They threatened the employees with lawsuits if they came forward that they would "take away their homes and every last penny."

When you work there they encourage you to buy stuff on sale, its actually a selling point for why many seasonals take the job.

This was listed on the web site as 88% off for 2 days before any employee bought it. Hardly a "hand in the cookie jar" scenario.

Now they are running ads to hire temps at 1/2 the pay and no benefits.

Photo credit - Wikipedia

Republican lawmakers telling Feds stick Light Bulb ban where it doesn't shine

Light Bulb "Freedom of Choice"

From Eric Dondero:

A dozen Republican congressman, including presidential candidates Reps. Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul, are seeking to overturn the 2007 discouraging use of incandescent light bulbs.

From AFP via Google News "US lightbulb rules spark new political fight":

The US law does not ban incandescent bulbs, but creates new standards for them, basically requiring increased efficiency, so that the bulbs with a lighting equivalent of 100 watts consume just 72 watts.

Still, repeal backers including at least two Republican presidential candidates argue the law is an intrusion on Americans' freedom of choice. Activists have launched petition drives calling the rules an example of a "nanny" state.

"The government has no business telling an individual what kind of light bulb to buy," said Representative Michele Bachmann, who is running for president, in introducing her "Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act" earlier this year.

Texas already set to opt out

Meanwhile Texas has enacted a law that would exempt itself from the federal requirement, and other states are debating similar legislation...

Governor Rick Perry on June 17 signed a bill that exempts the state from the federal law, as long as incandescent light bulbs are manufactured and sold within the state.

2011-12 NCAA Basketball season to tip-off aboard the USS Carl Vinson

From Cliff Thies:

The NCAA will tip-off its 2011-12 basketball season aboard the USN Carl Vinson on Veteran's Day, November 11, 2011 In the game, the Spartans of Michigan State will face the Tar Heels of North Carolina. Seven thousand temporary stands will be erected on the super carrier's flight deck, almost all of which will be filled by Marines and Sailors.

We have two days to honor those who have served or who are serving in the defense of the country: Memorial Day, which grew out of the proper remembrance given Union soldiers who had been buried in unmarked graves by the freedmen of the South, and, Veterans Day, which grew out of the Armistice Day that ended World War I. One honors all those who have served or who are serving, while the other honors those who have died, especially those who have died in combat.

Among those whom we honor this Veterans Day are the following: Congressman Ron Paul, MD, Air Force flight surgeon, and Governor Rick Perry, Air Force pilot.

US Team's Goalie blasts Pro-Mexican outburst by Fans in L.A.

"I think it was a fucking disgrace..."

From Eric Dondero:

Mexico defeated the US Soccer Team in the Gold Cup Final on Saturday, 4 to 2. But controversy swirled after Mexico fans jeered and booed US Team players. They also blared horns during the US National Anthem. Additionally, announcements over the loudspeakers were made only in Spanish.

From ESPN:

Goalkeeper Tim Howard was still upset after the U.S. lost the Gold Cup final, but his strongest reaction had nothing to do with the four goals Mexico slotted in his net.

Howard blasted CONCACAF officials for conducting the title ceremony in Spanish.

"CONCACAF should be ashamed of themselves," Howard said. "I think it was a [expletive] disgrace that the entire postmatch ceremony was in Spanish. You can bet your ass that if we were in Mexico City, it wouldn't be all in English...

Howard seemed visibly upset when officials tried to line the U.S. up for a team photo after the ceremony was conducted in Spanish.

Photo credit - US Dept. of State

Aussie Anti-Nanny Staters fight back

From Eric Dondero:

Tobacco companies launch hilarious television advertising campaign against encroaching restrictions on smoking.

"I make the rules around. So, I am going to remove all branding so every cigarette pack looks the same... Just do as you're told. [And] give me some money..."

So, when can we expect a similar ad campaign from the tobacco industry for the United States?

McConnell, Kyl: GOP won't agree to any Tax increases

GOP, Congressional Democrats on a huge collission course

From Eric Dondero:

The deadline for raising the debt limit is August 2. And Republicans still aren't budging.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said this morning on ABC's This Week (via Fox News):

"Throwing more tax revenue into the mix is simply not going to produce a desirable result, and it won't pass. I mean, putting aside the fact that Republicans don't like to raise taxes, Democrats don't like to either," McConnell told ABC's "This Week."

Fox also reports that Senator Jon Kyl said that the GOP is very unlikely to agree to any Democrat tricks of raising taxes through disguised "closing of loopholes" such as on oil companies.

"If you want gas prices to rise, if you want to pay more than four bucks at the pump, then go ahead and do this..."

Meanwhile Bloomberg reported hours ago "Pelosi Says Debt Deal Has to Reduce Tax Subsidies":

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said any deal to cut the deficit and boost the federal debt ceiling has to include reductions in “tax subsidies” for U.S. companies.

Photo credit - LifeNews.com, Zimbio

Suspect in attempted Pentagon bombing: He shouted "Allahu-Ahkbar"

From Eric Dondero:

New information is emerging in the case of the Virginia man arrested last week for attempting to set off a bomb near the Pentagon, shooting at DC-area American war memorial monuments, and on 26 charges of grand larceny.

Buried in the Crime Report of the Richmond Dispatch, this new info:

A Marine Corps reservist arrested in a security scare near the Pentagon last week was charged Thursday in a series of pre-dawn shootings at military buildings in Northern Virginia last year.

Federal prosecutors said in court documents that they found bomb-making materials in a backpack carried by Yonathan Melaku, 22, and found suspicious items inside his home. They also said authorities discovered a video he took of himself firing shots outside one building last fall and repeatedly saying the Arabic phrase "Allahu Akbar," which means "God is great..."

he was carrying a backpack with a quantity of ammonium nitrate, which is used in explosives and is available commercially as fertilizer; a spiral notebook containing references to al-Qaida and Osama bin Laden; spent 9 mm shell casings; and cans of spray paint.

The Dispatch and other DC-area liberal media are still refusing to identify the Ethiopian man with an Islamic name as a Muslim.

MINNESOTA: Anti-Sharia Tea Partyer to challenge Islamist Keith Ellison again

And, what do I know of Islam? Well, I know of 911. Nineteen (19) men from Saudi Arabia, all Muslim, hi-jacked planes, and flew into the two (2) World Trade Towers murdering thousands of people, and tried to fly into our Pentagon, and some believe they also tried to fly an airplane into our White House. From this, what I perceive is Islam conducting an act of war against my country. -- Lynne Torgerson

From Eric Dondero:

We featured the Republican candidacy of criminal defense attorney Lynne Torgerson during the 2010 campaign here at LR. She unfortunately lost in the Fall to radical Islamist Democrat incumbent Keith Ellison in the largely urban Minneapolis-area district.

Now this from Tea Party Nation (via MN Independent):

“I, Lynne Torgerson, am running for Congress in Minnesota, against radical Islamist Keith Ellison. Keith Ellison fails to oppose banning Islamic Sharia law in the United States. He accuses people of trying to ban it as ‘conspiratorilists.’ Keith Ellison also fails to support that the United States Constitution should be supreme over Islamic Sharia law.”

Republicans now control both chambers of the legislature. And redistricting is underway. A transformed district could give Torgerson a fighting edge against Ellison this time.

This intriguing note from Chris Cillizza at WaPo:

Minneapolis Rep. Keith Ellison’s (D) 5th district needing to pick up significant territory and Bachmann’s district needing to shed population...

So, in an irony, anti-Islamist libertarian-conservative and Tea Party leader Michele Bachmann's presidential race could determine the fate of the most radical Islamist member of the US Congress.

Photo credit - TheGrio.com

Renewed ethnic cleansing in Sudan gains little media attention

Arabists killing remaining black Christians in middle part of the country

From Eric Dondero:

On July 1, mostly Christian South Sudan will gain its formal independence from the Islamist North. There have been border clashes since the vote for independence 6 months ago. But going un-noticed is the violence against the Christian tribes still in isolated regions of the North.

From BeliefNet.org "Sudan Christians facing genocide, bishop pleads for worldwide prayer"

Violence has broken out in the Nuba Mountains, home to many Christians, which will remain under the control of the Muslim North.

“The situation in Nuba Mountains is beyond imagination, almost all the buildings in the town were destroyed, and all the churches in the town in Kadugli are either burned or looted,” reports Gabriel J. Waddell of the Assist News Service, a British advocacy group.

In January, 2011 southern Sudan voted overwhelmingly to secede from the north. The result has been to plunge the country back into turmoil as the north and south struggle to maintain power over oil-rich and strategically important disputed borders.

Meanwhile Eric Reeves at the Washington Post warned on June 17 -"In Sudan, genocide anew?":

We are, once again, on the verge of genocidal counterinsurgency in Sudan. History must not be allowed to repeat itself.

By early 2004, it was clear that the ideologically Arabist and Islamist regime in Khartoum was waging a genocidal counterinsurgency war throughout the western region of Darfur.

Today, another episode of genocidal counterinsurgency is beginning in another part of Sudan. Absent a vigorous international response, there will almost certainly be a reprise of ethnically targeted human destruction in the middle of the country, specifically within the Nuba Mountains region of South Kordofan, which has a rich mixture of African inhabitants.

Of course, the ethnic cleansing presents great complications for the dominant American liberal media; pitting the largely protected Muslim ethnic group, against sub-Saharan Africans.

Photo h/ts AFR.com, FrontPage

Payback's a bitch

From Eric Dondero:

We all remember this hit TV commercial from the late 1980s. And some 25 years later, the Russians are getting their revenge.

From Adage.com:

Turns out Wendy in Russia is a little sexier than Wendy in the states.

The Moscow Times reports that a Wendy's in Moscow -- the first stand-alone location in Russia -- featured two girls outside the restaurant dressed as Wendy during the location's opening. Sure, the girls had the signature pigtails and ribbons, but they wore short dresses, striped knee-high socks and stiletto heels -- which, now that we think about it, sounds kind of like a "sexy" Halloween costume.

Wendy's/Arby's Group Chief Operating Officer Andrew Skehan told the Moscow Times that he had not been aware of the of the franchise group's decision to sex up the icon...

Editor's comment - We can only imagine what the models at a new Wendy's franchise in Riyad, Saudi Arabia would look like?

Breitbart's BigPeace.com has the photo of the women.

Those Cross-dressing Atheists

by Clifford F. Thies

No doubt about it, everyone believes that what he believes is correct and what others believe is wrong. And, when it comes to religious beliefs, this means heresy. Latest in the accusations of heresy is that Governor Rick Perry of Texas, an evangelical Christian, is a heretic as his politics “are not the politics of Jesus, but the politics of Ayn Rand.”

Jesus, we are told, taught we should sell our possessions and give the proceeds to the poor, not fight for tax cuts for the rich. And, Jesus taught we should honor and love the children, not cut programs that help poor kids and cut schools that teach all kids.

These accusations reflect the progressive movement’s influence on the church. One of the leaders of the Social Gospel Movement among protestant Christianity, at the turn of the 19th into the 20th Century, Richard T. Ely, said “Christianity is primarily concerned with this world.” He said:

“God works through the State in carrying out his purposes more universally than through any other institution … The Protestant Reformation meant the exaltation of the state … The distinction of ecclesiastical and profane laws can find no place among Christians … The main purpose of the State is the religious purpose. Religious laws are the only laws which ought to be enacted.”

Mixed into the message of a theocratic and socialistic state were the supposedly scientific doctrines of population control, eugenics, natural aristocracy, race and nation. The Social Gospel’ers taught that inferior people were to be segregated, placed in labor colonies, and – above all else – prevented from reproducing.

The Catholics mostly resisted the evil that was brewing within the Protestant community; but, by mid century, even they succumbed, endorsing the Mussolini’s fascist form of socialism. To be sure, this form of socialism was not as corrupt as Hitler’s Nazi form of socialism insofar as it did not engage in race genocide, but it was plenty enough evil.

And, so, after WWII revealed just how evil were the doctrines of the all-powerful state and the denigration of some people as inferior, the decent people who had embraced the Social Gospel pulled back from their more extreme positions. Today, hardly anybody even knows what church leaders such as Richard T. Ely stood for. And, in their haughtiness, contemporary liberal Protestants attack Ayn Rand because she rejected religion along with rejecting the evil that their predecessors had associated with Christianity.

I will now interject a few words from the Bible. Jesus said:

“My kingdom is not of the world.”

Those who say otherwise are following themselves, not Jesus. Jesus said:

“Suffer the children not to come unto me.”

How, then, do we reconcile the education of children with the disestablishment of religion? Jesus performed a miracle for the payment of the Temple tax of merely two days’ wages. What kind of miracle is it today when we pay taxes amounting to more than 40 percent of our income and can live at all decently?

Jesus had this to say about those who taught against the commandments, he said they “shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.”

Why is teaching against God’s Law so strongly denounced? It is because Jesus came to save everybody. He is described as a blessing to the nations. And, the angel who proclaimed his birth proclaimed it to all men of good will. But who has undermined God’s will to save everybody: those who mix into the commandments stuff like socialism and racism?

Dr. Thies is of the Messianic Jewish faith. He resides in Virginia.

Seattle Muslim Terrorist looked like an Average Everyday American Guy

From Eric Dondero:

The glaring top-of-the-fold headline in the print version of the liberal-leaning Seattle Times, read:

Alleged terror plotter "looked like everyday guy"

That quote has since been scrubbed from the on-line version.

What is known from videos the two men posted, DVDs and literature found by the FBI, they were admirers of Osama bin Laden, were inspired by Major Nidal Hasan who murdered 13 soldiers at Ft. Hood Texas in 2009, and were vehement critics of the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

From the Seattle Times, "Two men arrested in plot to attack Seattle military processing facility":

There was a point in the alleged conspiracy to maim and kill recruits and workers at a Military Entrance Processing Station in South Seattle when one of the plotters predicted they would be making headlines.

Both men are U.S. citizens and converts to Islam... The men are charged with conspiracy to murder U.S. officers, conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction (a grenade) and other firearms-related counts.

Abdul-Latif said the attack was inspired by the murderous shooting spree at Fort Hood in 2009, where a Muslim Army psychiatrist, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, killed 13 people and wounded 29 others.

The men planned to storm the building, kill the security guards, order everyone to the floor and kill as many military recruits as possible, according to the federal complaint.

His wife is quoted:

He is a very good person. He worked hard and then he come home and watch TV," she said. "I don't even know how this could happen."

Photo of generic MEP, not Seattle MEP Center

Seattle Muslim Terrorist was a Burqa supporter

"Laws of the Hijab"

From the Seattle Times "Man arrested in plot to attack military center posted his beliefs on YouTube":

The SeaTac man accused of conspiring to kill military recruits in Seattle decries the wanton killing of innocent people in a self-recorded YouTube video.

Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif speaks into a camera at what appears to be his apartment and explains that Muslim belief may require jihad...

In another video, he explains the "laws of hijab" — which means "to cover" in Arabic, as his wife, who is completely covered except for her face and hands, smiles at the camera. Then he reads from the Quran, "Tell the women to lower their gaze and guard their modesty."

Photo credit - ShabbySheikReview

River Tubing inflatable not sufficient protection

NANNY-STATE WATCH!

First they enacted the Seat Belt laws; then they required Bicycle Helmets; and then, they came for the River Tube floaters

From Eric Dondero:

Who knew? A river tubing inflatable does not offer sufficient protection from drowning on King County rivers.

From the Seattle Times Editorials - "King County's new life-vest rule will save lives":

UNUSUALLY heavy snowmelt this year presents life-threatening conditions on King County rivers. An emphasis on life vests is a proper public-safety response.

The Metropolitan King County Council took a measured step by adopting a summerlong life-vest rule. Swimmers, floaters and boaters on waterways in unincorporated King County will be warned the first time they are caught without a personal flotation device. Subsequent infractions invite fines of up to $86.

Tubers were not exempted, leading some to wonder why not. But rescue workers who have to pluck them out of the water say including tubing in the life-vest rule is a natural. People can fall off inner tubes and find themselves unable to get back on.

Always anxious to promote a bigger and more encompassing Nanny-State the good liberals at the Times reminds Washingtonians:

Public mindsets ought to begin viewing life jackets as necessary on water as helmets are for cyclists and seat belts for drivers.

Photo credit - LadiesLoop.com

Palin the only "libertarian-conservative" in the race?

Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Gary Johnson left out

From Eric Dondero:

A staunch Sarah Palin-ite Robert Eugene Simmons, Jr. penned this piece over at American Thinker, "Why Palin Can Win" (excerpted):

If Palin doesn't run it will be a disaster for the Republican Party and quite possibly the country.

Aside from the fact that there isn't another libertarian-conservative in the race, at least not another one who isn't an international isolationist. If Palin doesn't run, it will represent an enormous victory for the Republican beltway establishment and the big players in the left-wing-dominated media.

On the issues, Palin's conservatism combined with her small-government libertarianism will make a stark contrast to Obama who will now be forced to defend his policies rather than run on emotion ad-hominem attacks and catchy phrases.

When the political calculus is done, it is clear that Palin is the only real conservative with libertarian leanings that can possibly be elected in the country.

Editor's comment - I'm about as hardcore Palinista as they come. But to say she's the only libertarian-conservative in the race, does a great disservice to Bachmann, Cain, and Johnson. All four are nearly identical on the issues.

Tim Wahlberg beneficiary of Michigan re-districting

From Clifford Thies:

The Michigan re-districting mostly benefits incumbent Republican Congressman Tim Wahlberg, who was elected in 2010 with 50 to 45, with 5 points going to third-party candidates (CD - 3). Wahlberg is a social conservative with a libertarian streak on taxes.

The legislature wanted #1 to force the loss of one seat unto the Democrats, and #2 shore up the most vulnerable Republicans, of which Wahlberg was first on the list and Benishek was second.

In 2010, freshman Republican Rep. Justin Amash won 60 to 38 percent, which was a pretty strong margin in an open race (CD - 4). However, he has lost some strong Republican areas and picked up some mixed areas.

There will be four potentially competitive Congressional races in Michigan in 2012: Wahlberg, Benishek, Amash and the district formed by the merging of two Democrat districts. With the state being a purple to feint blue state and a potentially exciting Senate race, all four of these Congressional races will be in play, at least initially.

Image - Current map

LR Comment of the Month - All the Way from Spain

From Eric Dondero:

We are one of the very few, if not the only libertarian website that regularly covers international politics. Back in the 1980s (and early '90s), the International Society for Individual Liberty (ISIL), which Clifford and I were both members of, gave excellent coverage of libertarian global politics. But they had a couple of deaths of leaders of the group. And in the early 2000s they pretty much went defunct.

Any way, the job has fallen to us. And we revel in covering libertarian politics worldwide, particularly aligned political parties and groups.

That's why it was particularly pleasing to get the following comment the other day in our comments section of one of our posts, "Indignados of the World Unite!":

NELCAT said...

Thank you for taking interest in "Spain". I'm from the Catalan Countries, a territory which unfortunately still belongs to the Spanish State.

Anyway, I agree with you 100% so I'm grateful because it feels good when somebody out there cares for you.

The demands of the "indignados" are mainly to become even more socialistic and more centralized. Regardless of their frantic insistence on being "non-partisan" they are most certainly hardcore leftist Statists.

Obama back under-water at RCP

From Eric Dondero:

I've been monitoring it like a hawk. While many swear by Gallup, and others by Rasmussen. Some even Zogby. I prefer the Real Clear Politics running average, which totals up all the major polls including those mentioned, plus, NBC/WSJ, ABC, Bloomberg, Marist, AP, Time, and Pew.

For the first time since the killing of Osama bin Laden, President Obama is in negative territory at RCP.

Not by much. But yesterday he dipped to 47.3% approvals, versus 47.5% disapprovals.

I have a feeling it's all downhill from here.

Christian man defends Israel against Michigan Islamists

From Eric Dondero:

An impassioned defense of Jews and the Israeli state, by a Christian man at the recent Pro-Free Speech rally in Dearborn, Michigan.

[American Islamist group CAIR] has ties to the Muslim Brotherhood... If you look at the Muslim Brotherhood, the founder, colaborated with Adoplh Hitler. And why is the Nazi Party, the new Nazi Party, now trying to form in Egypt?

Christians are being slaughtered right now in Egypt. Israel is the only one that seems to care.

Note - American-themed music plays dramatically in the background as the man speaks.

Geert Wilders Wins! Geert Wilders Wins! Geert Wilders Wins!

“I am delighted with this ruling. It is a victory, not only for me but for all the Dutch people. Today is a victory for freedom of speech. The Dutch are still allowed to speak critically about islam, and resistance against islamisation is not a crime. I have spoken, I speak and I shall continue to speak” -- Geert Wilders

From Eric Dondero & Clifford Thies:

From Reuters via J-Post, "Dutch court acquits Geert Wilders in hate speech case" June 22:

A Dutch court on Thursday acquitted populist politician Geert Wilders of charges of inciting hatred against Muslims, in a case that tested freedom of speech in the traditionally liberal country.

The court case has attracted attention, not just because of Geert Wilders' controversial comments about Islam -- which he compared to Nazism -- but also because of the increasing influence of his political party, which supports the minority Dutch government on economic and other issues.

Jewish libertarian and close friend of Wilders, Pamela Geller wrote at Biggovernment.com via her site Atlas Shrugs:

The judges in the Court of Amsterdam delivered their verdict Thursday morning in the heresy trial of Dutch Freedom Party politician Geert Wilders. Wilders has been found not guilty of all charges of inciting hatred against Muslims. The judge, Marcel van Oosten, and the other Dutch authorities ended up doing the right thing, no matter how cowardly and compromised they may have been. They must have known how history would view them if Wilders had been found guilty: as troglodytes who ushered in the return of the Dark Ages.

When do the Islamic supremacists go on trial for inciting hatred against non-Muslims?

From the Editors - Clifford Thies and I would like to extend our hearty congratulations to Geert Wilders for his enormous victory for free speech not only for the Netherlands but worldwide, as well.

Six-party coalition freezes out True Finns

by Clifford Thies

The National Coalition, a conservative party, has formed a six-party, Left-Right coalition, drawing on parties across the entire political spectrum, in order to free out the True Finns. The new government will have three parties of the right or center-right (the Swedish Peoples Party and the Christian Democrats, in addition to the National Coalition) and three parties of the left or center-left (the Social Democrats, Left Alliance and Greens), each bloc having about half the seats needed for a majority. In opposition will be Center Party and the True Finns.

It was originally thought that the National Coalition, which finished first in the election, would form a three-party coalition involving it, the Social Democrats and the True Finns. But, talks broke down. At that point, alternatives for the National Coalition included a Center-right government involving it, the Center Party and the True Finns; and, a Left-Right government involving something like the six-party that was put together.

In Finland, as in Ireland earlier this year, a shift to the right by the people has strangely resulted in an incremental shift to the left in the government.

Photo h/t LondonPatriots.org

Fred Grandy breaks story on Jews, some Christians, Sexy Women not allowed on Delta Airline flights to Saudi

From Eric Dondero:

Libertarian anti-Islamist radio talk show host Fred Grandy is getting major web news buzz for breaking a story on Delta Airlines new partnership with Saudi Arabia Airlines. Seems Saudi Air is dictating to Delta that passengers flying on their airlines must meet certain requirements.

The restrictions could include clothing requirements for women and banning passengers from "carrying and reading religious literature of their choice."
"This includes, but is not limited to, both Christian and Jewish sacred texts, such as the Old Testament and the New Testament, as well as any objects that reflect their religion, such as a cross necklace," Lovitky said.

Catherine Grandy, the former congressman's wife commented on air:

"It looks like Delta will be the first Shariah-compliant airline in the United States."

See a copy of a letter by Kathy Johnson, Coordinator for Delta Customer Care at USADotCom.blogspot, where Ms. Johnson concedes that Delta will comply with the policy set forth by Saudi Arabian Airlines.

Editor's comment - Of course, businesses should have the right to discriminate, including Delta. And airline passengers in the US who support American values and culture have the right to be discriminatory in their purchasing habits when flying. Bottom line: If you're Pro-America, don't fly Delta.

Muslim woman at Dulles wanted special rights to avoid Air France uniform policy

From Eric Dondero:

19-year-old Riham Osman was hired by the Temp Agency Aerotek to serve as a gate teller for Air France. During her initial training session, a supervisor told her she'd have to conform to the company's uniform policy and take off her hijab. She refused, and ran to CAIR to file a complaint.

From NBCWashington:

Refusing to take it off, Osman left the airport in tears. Soon after, she contacted the Council on American-Islamic Relations for help. Noting the ongoing controversy in France about the legality of wearing a hijab, CAIR filed a complaint and sent a letter to Air France saying in part, “It is clear that a discriminatory dress code implemented in France would not supersede American laws protecting the religious rights of employees. Air France must follow American law and grant reasonable religious accommodations for its employees.”

Aerotek pushed for her to be re-hired. But Air France has not buckled.

Now predictably:

Osman hopes travelers will boycott Air France until she gets an apology.

Editor's comment - Perhaps those of us who support free enterprise and the rights of businesses to hire employees as they see fit, should boycott Aerotek? What's next? Hijab-wearing Muslim woman demanding the right to work at Hooters?

77 Tax Increases aren't enough!

by Clifford F. Thies

Good news from Connecticut, one of the few remaining all-Blue States: after 77 tax increases, the state government is still facing a fiscal crisis. The mess described as a budget containing the 77 tax increases assumed $1.6 billion in concessions from the state's union workers. But, the union workers rejected the concession package.

The union worker deal mainly involved: (1) suspension of pay increases previously bargained, (2) raising the retirement age for sate workers by three years, (3) requiring state workers to contribute to their retirement health benefit plans, (4) raising deductibles and co-pays in the state's health benefits plans, and (5) a no layoff pledge by the state. The deal was negotiated with union leaders and required a large majority of bargaining units for approval.

Rejection of the deal appears to put the state government with no option by to start sending out layoff notices, perhaps 10 percent of its work force. It is said that state workers with up to ten years seniority will be laid off; and, that the state's unemployment rate will increase by 0.3 points, to 9.4 percent. Also, don't think even think about what will happen to state services in Connecticut. At least in Somalia, where there is anarchy, you don't have to pay any taxes.

Reference CT Mirror story

Libertarian Republican Congressman threatened by Redistricting in Michigan

From Eric Dondero:

Republican Liberty Caucus National Chairman Dave Nalle has a long report on redistricting nationwide and how it affects libertarian Republican candidates at RLC.org. Specifically Dave alerts - "Michigan Redistricting Puts Standout Freshman Congressman Justin Amash at Risk":

In his short term in office Amash has won even more support from his constituents by making himself unusually accessible, sponsoring innovative legislation including a new constitutional amendment to balance the budget, and even posting explanations of every vote he makes to his Facebook page. Amash has been singled out as one of the best new congressmen by conservative groups and even received praise from the libertarian press. He’s also angered Democrats in his district who have launched several recall petitions against him, another sign he is doing what his radical supporters want. He is in many ways the model of the kind of new political leader which the reawakened base of the political right wants to see in Washington.

Yet Amash’s popularity and success are apparently of little interest to party leaders in Michigan. When the state’s House Redistricting Committee met this week the redistricting map which they were given for approval by the state Senate would make it very difficult for Amash to win reelection while protecting and strengthening the districts of other more establishment-friendly legislators like Thaddeus McCotter, Bill Huizinga, Fred Upton and Dave Camp. It even helps solidify the districts of some Democrat incumbents like John Dingell.

But there may be a bit of a silver-lining. The proposed new district for Amash is far less Republican, however:

The reasoning behind this may be that the libertarian-leaning Amash has the ability to win more independent and crossover votes than an establishment Republican...

Submitted by Dan Sheill, former Michigan RLC Chairman, now living in Texas.

Muslim shooting suspect at Pentagon now charged with other shootings in the area

Beltway Sniper John Muhammed Redux?

From Eric Dondero:

Back in 2003, the Beltway Sniper John Muhammed shot 20 people in southern Maryland, northern Virginia, and earlier in Arizona. The shootings held the country's attention for a few weeks. The media was captivated by the story. But they soon lost interest when it was found out that the Sniper was a Muslim male motivated by Islam, and not a southern white possibly motivated by racism, as they had strongly anticipated.

Now this from the AP via Army Times "Officials: Marine linked to military shootings":

WASHINGTON — A Marine reservist who was detained during a security scare near the Pentagon last week has been linked to the shootings last year at the Marine Corps museum in Quantico and several D.C.-area military recruitment stations, officials said Wednesday.

Ballistics evidence appears to link Yonathan Melaku, 22, of Alexandria, Va., to the shootings, one official said. The two officials spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.

Melaku is being held on unrelated larceny charges. He has not been charged in last week’s incident or the building shootings.

Media except Fox, ignores Muslim affiliation

Scott Starnes of Politically Incorrect blog points out - "Muslim Marine Reservist Detained Near Pentagon…Linked to DC Militay Building Shootings":

Hey Democrats. This is the reason we need to investigate and profile those who follow that ever-so peaceful religion called Islam. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX)unavailable for comment.

And columnist Mollie at GetReligion.org notes the blatant media bias - "So is he a Muslim or not?":

I live not far from the Pentagon, I followed the changing reports throughout the day and the week that followed. Yonathan Melaku, an immigrant from Ethiopia, was the man taken into custody.

There are quite a few Ethiopian immigrants in this area...

I did a search of CNN, ABC, the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, NBC, CBS and FOX News sites for “Yonathan Melaku Muslim.” Only Fox showed any hits.

Like the Muhammed case, the media suddenly seems un-interested in this latest Beltway Sniper story.

Indignados of the World Unite!

You have only to lose your unemployment and high taxes!

by Clifford F. Thies

In Greece and Spain, the Indignados (the indignant ones) demand change. Facing a collapsed economy and massive unemployment among youth, they protest and join in riots. The hard left see them as the vanguard for their long coveted revolution. But, is the answer to the problems that beset the countries of Europe that are ruled by socialists to be found on the left?

In Spain, where the Socialists have now (with the Peoples Party forming a ruling coalition with the Left Party in Extremadura region, doesn't politics make strange bedfellows) lost the elections in all 13 regions of the country that were up for vote in May, having previously lost in Catalonia last December.

Public opinion polls clearly and overwhelmingly indicate that the national government has been rejected by the people. It is time for the Socialists to call for a snap election. Why are they insisting on waiting until next March?

Same thing in Greece, where public opinion polls likewise show that the people clearly and overwhelmingly reject the government. It is time for a snap election!

The choice is clear: Keynesianism, progressivism, and other forms of watered-down socialism do not work. You cannot support the growing numbers of moochers and looters created by semi-socialism, because the burden on the productive class become too great. The brain-devouring zombies spawned by semi-socialism will have to be killed off, either by true socialism or by true capitalism. Under true socialism, the zombies will be sent to labor colonies where they will be forced to work; and, in true capitalism they will face the choice of working in a suddenly revived economy or starving.

The idea that society will find a half-way house between socialism and capitalism, with an equilibrium between the parasites and the workers they live off, is a fantasy. What parasite comes into harmony with its host? That's not what parasites do. They exhaust their host, even though this means their own demise.

The stark choice we face, between true socialism and true capitalism is why we must do more than balance the budget through spending cuts, not tax increases. We also need to reform the entitlement programs, so all those who work will own their own pension and insurance funds so as to provide themselves for their needs when they are unable to work.