Snap election in Denmark

Nordic Free Marketeers show last minute surge

by Clifford F. Thies

With elections having to be called by November, the ruling center-right coalition has called a snap or early election, for September 15. Assuming no change to the current coalition of parties the center-left coalition looks to replace the center-right, leading in the polls 53 to 47 percent. But, almost anything can happen, even in the very short time to the election, from a shift of a few points in the polls, to a realignment of the coalitions following the election.

The current ruling coalition consists of four parties: the Danish Liberal and Conservative Parties, which two parties form the government, the populist Peoples' Party, which supports the government from without, and the one Christian Democrat in the Danish parliament, who also supports the government from without.

It is supposed that the Danish Liberal Alliance might enter the center-right coalition, but how that would happen given its position on immigration and that of the People's Party is not obvious.

In any case, the party that finishes first will have the first opportunity to form a ruling coalition. Presently, the Social Democrats are ahead, but just barely, with the Liberal Party surging.

The Danish Liberal Party is headed by Anders Fogh Rasmussen, one of the architects of the so-called Nordic Model of a free, market-oriented economy, and one of today's champions of classical liberalism in the world. After serving eight years as Prime Minister of Denmark, he now serves as the 12th Secretary-General of the NATO alliance. As Prime Minister, he was succeeded by Lars Løkke Rasmussen (no close relation).

And sorry ladies. Rasmussen has been happily married to Anne-Mette for over 30 years.

Dr. Thies is a prof. of economics at Shenandoah Univ. in Virginia.

California Nanny-State Madness: Dems now want Teen Baby Sitters to have Workers Comp, Paid Vacation and Meal Breaks

As if Mom and Dad finding some quality time alone isn't already hard enough?

From Eric Dondero:

Date night for mom and dad may become a thing of the past for many Californians if the Democrats get their way.

CBS News out of Los Angeles reports, "Calif. May Force Parents To Pay Babysitters Workers’ Comp, OT":

Democratic lawmakers in Sacramento are fast-tracking a bill that would require workers’ compensation benefits, meal breaks and paid vacation time for all “domestic employees”, including nannies, housekeepers and even babysitters.

Assembly Bill 889, authored by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), has already cleared the Assembly and is expected to receive overwhelming support from Senate Democrats, who control both houses of the California legislature.

The small handful of Republicans in the legislature are fighting back as best as they can.

The bill marks “an unprecedented measure of legal recourse provided no other class of workers — from agricultural laborers to garment manufacturers”, Republican State Senator Doug LaMalfa told TheUnion.com.

LaMalfa also warned the “unreasonable costs and risks contained in this bill will discourage folks from hiring housekeepers, nannies and babysitters and increase the use of institutionalized care rather than allowing children, the sick or elderly to be cared for in their homes”.

Still not clear, will such regulations apply to family members? An older sister baby sitting her siblings?

Marc Levin: Paul not even a real libertarian

From Eric Dondero:

Constitutionalist conservative radio talk show host Marc Levin took Ron Paul to task last night on his radio show for his recent comments blaming U.S. foreign policy for Islamic hatred of America. Paul made the comments on a campaign stop in Iowa.

Levin said that even the Cato Institute, Reason, and "reasonable libertarians" shy away from any association with Paul:

He's not even a real libertarian. He's what they call a paleo-libertarian... against national defense.

Levin's show is one of the top 5 for ratings in the country.

Frankfurt Airport Muslim shooter Influenced by "Islamist propaganda"

Quell Surprise!

From the VOA "Kosovar Admits Killing 2 US Airmen, Wounding 2 Others" Aug. 31:

A 21-year old man from Kosovo went on trial in Frankfurt, Germany Wednesday and confessed to killing two U.S. Air Force personnel and wounding two others earlier this year.

Arid Uka admitted his guilt and apologized on the opening day of his trial, saying he had been influenced by Islamist propaganda. He added that he could not understand how he could have acted that way.

German prosecutors charged Uka with two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder for the March 2 attack at Frankfurt airport. Uka was employed at the airport at the time of the attack. He said he came to the airport with a gun and two knives with the intention of killing Americans soldiers to prevent them from going to Afghanistan.

Editor's note/comment - A quick check of so-called "libertarian" sites such as Cato.org, LP.org, Reason, LewRockwell.com, Daily Paul, et.al. shows none of them covering this story. Ah yes, it was U.S. troops in Muslim lands that led him to the killing spree.

Reality Show TV Celeb to run for Indiana Gov. as Libertarian

Runs a charity but takes no government funds

From Eric Dondero:

He competed on "Survivor: Pearl Islands, All-Stars and Heroes vs. Villains." Now Rupert Bohenham is about to enter a bigger competition - Governor of his homestate of Indiana.

TV Guide quotes the survivalist Libertarian:

"I have spent my entire adult life serving my community and I see an opportunity to make a difference for Indiana," Boneham adds. "While surveying the current choices for our next Governor, I do not see anyone that has an understanding of what daily life is like for many Hoosiers nor anyone who appears to understand the harm that misguided government policies are doing to our communities. It is obvious that career politicians are not the answer because they are often the problem. I will be evaluating whether or not hardworking Hoosiers are ready for a new voice with new ideas."

Boneham's likely opponent of course, Congressman Mike Pence, a favorite of religious conservatives.

According to the Indianapolis Star, Boneham would run as a Libertarian, per papers filed with the Indiana Election Division.

And he's no flash-in-the-pan LP nomination-seeking opportunist either. From Indiana LP's Chris Spangle at LPIN.org:

Outside of Survivor, Boneham, as stated, has long been involved in his own organization, Rupert’s Kids. Rupert’s Kids is a charitable organization that teaches youth, especially those too old to be considered for many youth programs, but also too young to be considered an adult, how to be responsible for their actions and how to grow into better people on their own. Respectably, Rupert’s Kids has never taken any government funding.

This summer, though, Rupert made appearances at the Libertarian Party booth at several of Indiana’s many summer festivals, including Indy Pride.

Photo h/t DBKP

RCP has Obama at very highest Disapprovals ever!

From Eric Dondero:

The spread is a whopping -10.6% which is .12% higher than the previous high in the spread of -9.4%. There has been a sudden and dramatic drop since Aug. 25.

President Obama Job Approval

RCP Average

Approve42.8

Disapprove53.4

Spread -10.6

Gallup has him currently at 38 approvals, 55 disapprovals, Rasmussen at 42, 57. Even the Obama-biased AP shows him at -6%, 46, 52.

No doubt this will soon start to be reflected in head-to-head match-ups against Romney and Perry.

American icon corporation under attack from Obama administration over environmental regs

From Eric Dondero:

Gibson Guitar was allegedly using wood made from "endangered trees" from South America.

What's next? The Feds raiding Harley Davidson for violating federal emission exhaust standards?

Feds raid (non-union) Gibson Guitar again

by Clifford F. Thies

Gibson Guitar has been making guitars since 1894. But, it's days may now be numbered. The company has now been raided twice by the Feds, supposedly enforcing an environment regulation. The U.S. law, described as the Lacey Act, another of the Nancy Pelosi law, requires American companies to comply with all laws of countries from which raw materials, components or finished goods made from plant matter, such as wood, are imported.

The company was raided by Food and Drug Police outfitted like a SWAT assault team, just as though it were a drug cartel. Of course, that's just the way things are in the USSA nowadays. Whatever you do, innocent though it may seem, exposes you to the black ops, automatic weapons, dynamic raids, helicopters and armored cars. From Fox News "Fed Raid Targets Guitars Made From Endangered Trees":

The Justice Department raided the Memphis and Nashville offices of a guitar manufacturing company this week, seizing several pallets of wood, electronic files and guitars as part of a crackdown on illegally harvested hardwoods from protected forests, The Wall Street Journal reported.

While U.S. customs may clear the import, the importing company and any company that becomes subsequently involved with the product remains criminally liable. And, while the company or companies and the individuals involved in it or them are criminally liable, as of yet nobody involved in these raids has been afforded any due process. Property has been confiscated. Individuals threatened with imprisonment. On the face of it, the law sounds like a catch-all law under which the government can prosecute anybody involves in international business.

Products made from endangered trees or something else at work here? In this case, the Feds have twice raided a non-union shop.

No Brainer: Canadian Natural Gas over Saudi Arabia

From Eric Dondero:

A number of right blogs and websites are running this ad complimentary. And we humbly join in and support the effort.

The message is simple: Why buy our gasoline from the authoritarian regime in Saudi Arabia, when we can buy it here next to home.

Muslims want NY Amusement Park to redesign their rides to accomodate their customs

From Eric Dondero:

A large scuffle broke out at a popular Westchester, New York Theme Park on Tuesday. A dozen or so Muslim women stormed the offices of Playland Park demanding that they be allowed to wear their hijabs on park rides. They pushed security guards at the entrance. Some Muslim men joined in and jeered at park employees. County sherrifs arrested 17 members of the group for disorderly conduct.

As one of the park managers explained all types of headgear (and loose-fitting clothing items) are strictly prohibited on certain rides because they could cause a serious safety hazard.

From the NY Times:

County officials say that the ban on headgear for some rides is a longstanding safety policy and that the organizers had been warned about it. “We told them several times we have what we call a headgear policy, meaning there are certain rides where you can’t wear headgear of any sorts,” Mr. Tartaglia said.

“Something flying off your head could land on the track” and require a ride to be stopped, he said. He added, “If you have a scarf on, you could be choked.”

However, a spokesman for the Muslim group visiting the park complained that the park owners should change the rides to accomodate Muslim customers.

Ahmed Jamil, who booked the event, said park guests should be allowed to wear what they choose on their heads. “Those machines,” he said, “they should design them to be safe enough.”

Editor's comment - Funny that the concept of property rights never seems to occur to Mr. Jamil. (Photo credit - Dguides.com )

A genuine "pistol-packin'" Cowgirl Governor in New Mexico

And she now has the c.c.p. score to prove it!

From the Las Cruces Sun, "NM governor gets perfect score on renewal of her concealed-carry permit" Aug. 20:

SANTA FE - New Mexico's pistol-packin' governor is a sure shot.

Gov. Susana Martinez received perfect scores on recertification for her concealed-carry permit over the weekend in Las Cruces. She scored 100 percent with both .38- and .45-caliber handguns, her staff said.

Martinez's permit to carry a concealed handgun, originally obtained in 2009, was extended for another two years.

She was a district attorney and a Republican candidate for governor when she first went through training and qualified to carry a concealed weapon. Her spokesman, Greg Blair, said Martinez's personal and professional experiences motivated her to arm herself.

Editor's comment - Word on the street is all about Hispanic Republican Marco Rubio for Romney or Perry VP pick? But Florida is more solidly in the GOP column than NM. Time to create some buzz about Ms. Martinez?

New Hampshire LP's Brendan Kelly wants to join the "50 other" (GOP) Libertarians already in the NH Legislature

NH State House Special Election Update!

From Eric Dondero:

The election is next Tuesday. Brendan Kelly may become the highest elected official serving in public office as a Libertarian Party member nationwide. And he could become the first Libertarian elected to a State Legislature in over a decade.

A drunk-driving conviction caused a Republican Rep. in Seabrook to resign his seat. Now a three-way race is set between Kelly (A Seabrook Town Selectman), moderate GOP Kevin Janvrin, and a Democrat. Janvrin, who has the support of the unions was quoted, by the Newburry Port News, "GOP clash plays out in Seabrook":

"I think people can separate me from the tea party, and they know that I'm a moderate Republican." Janvrin said.

Kelley for his part, is planning to join a growing number of Tea Party/libertarian Republicans in the legislature if elected.

Kelly, 70, a two-term Seabrook selectman and former chairman of the state Libertarian party, said about 50 of his Libertarian colleagues have been elected to the state's 424-member Legislature running as Republicans. He believes they're "making a difference in Concord" and are responsible for insisting on the deep cuts in the current state budget.

Kelly sees the present political environment in the state as a good thing.

"I believe there's a big change coming in our state and our country," Kelly said. "At some point in time, everyone is going to recognize that two-thirds of the people have Libertarian ideas."

RLC Chairman under fire from Ron Paulists for backing Gary Johnson

LR MOVEMENT NEWS!

From Eric Dondero:

Republican Liberty Caucus Chairman Dave Nalle is receiving harsh criticisms for his backing of libertarian Republican presidential candidate Gary Johnson.

From DailyPaul.com:

The fact is the RLC chair and vice chair are not supporting Ron Paul and never really have. They have become the cheerleading squad for Gary Johnson and are willing to throw Ron under the bus and have been doing this for years.

in 2008 they openly supported John Mccain while throwing Ron Paul and his supporters under the bus yet again.

Also at issue a statement Chairman Nalle made in an on-line forum in 2008:

A Reality Check for the Ron Paul Fringe
Written by Dave Nalle
Published June 08, 2008

Putting aside the fact that our trade deficits are smaller than they have been in decades, McCain's lack of knowledge in economics is no more of a threat to us than Ron Paul's colossal ignorance of foreign policy.

RLC.org

Muslim cleric in Toronto arrested on 13 counts of Sexual Assault

"Please allow me to introduce myself..."

From Eric Dondero:

He would be invited to homes of fellow members of the Mosque, and then he would allegedly rape their children. The victims included both male and female victims.

From the Toronto Star, "Toronto religious leader charged in sex assaults" Aug. 28:

Mohammad Masroor, the imam at the Baitul Mukarram Islamic Society on Danforth Ave., faces 13 charges involving sexual offences and death threats relating to five alleged victims.

Police said Masroor, 48, travelled the world before settling in Toronto in 2008, and believe there could be more victims, here and abroad.

But he still has the support of many of his Islamic followers. Members of his Mosque describe him as "nice" and "humble":

Abdur Rouf Tarafdar was one of more than a dozen people who vouched for Masroor’s pious character as he left afternoon prayer on Wednesday.

“I know him. Behind him I pray,” he said.

Editor's comment - Any resemblence to a certain dark world figure popularized in a famous late 1960s Rolling Stones song, is purely coincidental.

Anti-EU, Pro-Tax Cuts, Anti-Islamic Immigration Party emerges in Switzerland

Campaign Poster for Swiss People's Party: Freedom or Islamist domination

From EuropeNews.dk, "Biggest Swiss party takes election aim at immigration, EU" Aug. 29:

Election candidates for the far-right Swiss People's Party, Switzerland's biggest, signed a "contract with the people" Sunday promising to deport foreign criminals and halt "mass immigration". The "contract" also promises to fend off any moves for Switzerland to join the European Union.

About 200 party candidates for October parliamentary polls signed the document, printed on parchment, before a thousand party loyalists at a ceremony in Zurich.

The Swiss People's Party has consistently sparked controversy over its campaigns.

Editor's comment - Controversial campaign tactics indeed.

21-Year Marine Vet to run for Congress against Radical Islamist Keith Ellison

MINNESOTA

From Eric Dondero:

Meet Chris Fields. He is running for the Republican nomination for US Congress to face Democrat incumbent Rep. Ketih Ellison in Minnesota's 5th CD.

From his campaign website (still under construction):

In order to turn this economy around and put all our resources to work. We must begin by lessening the burden on those who are willing to expand and grow their businesses. We must give incentive to those who are willing to take risks. We can do so by getting rid of every job-killing regulation and re-designing the tax code so that it promotes job growth and less social engineering.

Minnesota congressional districts are going through re-distrcting, which may give Fields a fighting chance.

ChrisFieldsforcongress.com

Pro-Border Security libertarian-leaner to run for Congress - Georgia

From Eric Dondero:

Meet Martha Zoller. She is a popular "Tea Party radio talk show host" in Georgia. She's syndicated on 12 stations around the state. Now she's preparing to announce for congress, for a newly-added 12 district (redistricting).

Of particular interest to pro-national security libertarians, Zoller wrote a piece for PJ Media back in 2008 on Bob Barr's Libertarian Party presidential run, Could Bob Barr Be the Spoiler Candidate of 2008?

She complimented the former Georgia congressman for taking a non-standard Libertarian approach on border security.

It looks as if former congressman Bob Barr will seek the Libertarian Party nomination for president. If so, he could make John McCain's bid for the White house even more challenging than it already is.

One of the big stumbling blocks for old-time Libertarians was their view on open borders. In light of the existence of the nanny state in America today as well as a less than free market impeded by regulation, Barr is taking a more forward view than the Libertarian Party now professes on illegal immigration. He believes there must be border security but doesn’t support a fence. In addition, he believes it is an issue of sovereignty. Libertarians have acknowledged that in a perfect world involving a free market and personal responsibility, an open border is not a threat because you have to make your own way. But this is not a perfect world and Barr’s position on border security may play well with many voters.

MarthaZoller.com

Surprise! Big Government Democrat praises Government

From Eric Dondero:

Barbara Mikulski's former aide and current Governor of Maryland Martin O'Malley was quoted on Meet the Press, on Irene (via TheHill):

“The federal response was excellent,” said O’Malley on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday. “They were with us since day one.”

The agency, he said, was a “much better FEMA than the old days.”

Note - O'Mally has consistently scored as one of the top 3 big government governors in the US in various rankings from such libertarian groups as Cato, Club for Growth and NTU over the past few years.

He was famously quoted in 2005 as Mayor of Baltimore, calling President George W. Bush "like a 9/11 terrorist," for his cuts to federal programs and funding for programs for local governments.Photo of Obama, O'Malley and Mikulski, credit - India Times

Perry stickin' to his guns on Social Security criticisms

Telling youth that S.S. will be there for them "it's a lie"

From the Houston Chronicle, "Perry calls Social Security 'monstrous lie'"

"If you're for the status quo in America, I'm not your guy," Perry told an overflow crowd eager to see the presidential candidate at The Vine Coffeehouse, where people repeatedly sang God Bless America

Asked by a woman in the crowd about Social Security being viewed as an entitlement program, Perry reiterated the suggestion in his anti-Washington book, Fed Up!, that the program amounts to a Ponzi scheme.

"It is a Ponzi scheme for these young people. The idea that they're working and paying into Social Security today, that the current program is going to be there for them, is a lie," Perry said. "It is a monstrous lie on this generation, and we can't do that to them..."

New IMF Chief Lagarde blasts Tea Party on spending cuts to solve economic crisis

"Commitments to cut spending" cannot survive "lengthy stagnation"

Reported by R. Way Ford, Gather.com:

IMF head urges U.S. to "Act Now"! One of the many, varied underlying tenets of the so-called Tea Party is both Libertarian and Republican: Reduce taxes... of all kinds, personal and business. The Party notions seem rather like a cloud of a thousand droplets but, well, if that's the one thing Libertarians, Republican, and T-Party members agree on, then it's already "mission accomplished."

The new head of the IMF, Managing Director Christine Lagarde, said today at Jackson Hole, WY: "Developments this summer have indicated we are in a dangerous new phase."

"The stakes are clear; we risk seeing the fragile recovery derailed. So we must act now."

Regarding the U.S., she also admonished that long-term fiscal focus must not ignore the imperative of a near-term growth strategy. So much for balancing budgets or any massive fiscal restraint... which all is financed somewhere—or somewhen—by taxing someone. "After all, who will believe that commitments to cut spending can survive a lengthy stagnation with prolonged high unemployment and social dissatisfaction?"

9/11: The Never Forget Project

Credit: The Yeshiva World

The Andre Controversa Show presents:

Our first guest at 7:00 pm is Ron Meyer, Program Officer for the Young American's Foundation. His topic, the 9/11 Never Forget Project.

At 7:30 pm we will have a panel to discuss Marco Rubio. Our first panelist is Kevin Wagner, Political Science professor at Florida Atlantic University. At 8:00 pm professor Susan MacManus from the University of South Florida, will be calling in.

Other guests TBA

Show time 7:00PM CST Tuesday August 30

Call in at 949-203-4821 or stream here.

Host Andre Traversa

Co-host Jim Lagnese

Islamists rally in London: Tony Blair's sister-in-law calls for Israel to be put out of existence

From Eric Dondero:

Lauren Booth, sister-in-law of former Labour Party prime minister and close friend of Bill and Hillary Clinton, Tony Blair:

“We say here today to you, Israel, we see your crimes and we loathe your crimes. And to us your nation does not exist, because it is a criminal injustice against humanity. We want to see Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt go to the borders and stop this now. Liberate Al Quds! March to Al Quds!”

Via Israel National News

Perry in Iowa: Tough Talk on Iran; staunch Support for Israel

Defending Israeli Borders

From MySanAntonio.com, "Perry gives voters in Iowa an earful of tough talk" Aug. 28:

On foreign policy, Perry was asked about Israel and cited a statement by Obama that Israel's borders with a Palestinian state should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps — a position Perry called “throwing Israel under the bus.”

“I'm going to stand with Israel,” he said.

Asked whether he'd consider pre-emptive strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, Perry said there are “a lot of different ways to deal with Iran,” including diplomatically and financially. But he added, “I'm never going to take off the table our ability to have a military solution to a country like Iran.”

RickPerry.org

Over a Thousand Islamists march against Jews in Berlin

Shades of Germany's past

From Eric Dondero:

And so it begins... again...

From YnetNews.com, "Islamists hold anti-Israel march in Berlin - Al-Quds Day march led by Iranian clerics, radical Jews; Israel fans rally nearby" Aug. 28:

Muslim hatred in heart of Europe: More than 1,000 Muslims marched Saturday in Berlin and chanted anti-Israel slogans to mark al-Quds Day, set by Iran following the Islamist revolution in the country.

The Muslim protestors held up banners accusing Israel of committing war crimes, as well as photographs of late Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeini. They chanted "Freedom for Palestine" and "End the killing of civilians in Gaza."

Some pro-Israel activists counter protested. However, they were prevented from chanting pro-Jewish slogans by German police.

Several Israel fans who held up Israeli flags near the Islamist march were immediately surrounded by police officers, and were asked to refrain from chanting pro-Israel slogans while the march passed by.

Photo notes - Previous Islamist protest in Germany courtesy BareNakeIslam. Ynet news has photo of yesterday's protest.

Hot Libertarian Babe fights back against Islamists in Brisbane

LR AUSSIE POLITICS WATCH!

by James L. Fryar

For some time far left groups along with pro Palestinian and Green groups have been waging, what they call a “Palestinian Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS) campaign,” targeting Jews. One of their favorite targets is chocolate store Max Brenner, “to highlight the support of its parent company, the Strauss Group, for the Israeli military and its sale of chocolate to it.

Danielle Keys, a university student from Brisbane, Queensland, who was appalled at seeing flyers being handed out for the protest, organized a counter protest as a Facebook event. This took off and counter protesters heavily outnumbered rentacrowd. She has placed a report on it at Menzies House:

When the Socialist Alliance marched down to Southbank they were not counting on being outnumbered by ordinary Australians telling them to go home and that their intolerance was not welcome. They quite seriously didn't bank on it and were very upset about it (ha-ha!). …

Image: Protest contained. Courtesy J Wire.
It was amazing to see the Socialist Alliance and Justice for Palestine outnumbered and placed into a nice little contained area. There were stacks of people and in particular many young people out to stand up against the Socialist Alliance. Unlike in other cities, the Socialist Alliance were kept away from the Max Brenner store (as they would have had to get through 10 police officers and 70 regular Australians who were fed up). Max Brenner Southbank was really busy and business was booming for them. We had random people off the street so disgusted by the Socialist Alliance that they went and bought some chocolate then stood with us.

This rabble of socialist sycophants were chanting about Max Brenner's support for genocide and how it has blood on it's hands. I found this particularly disturbing as Jewish people have been systematically persecuted and subjected to genocidal attacks for thousands of years. The conduct of the Socialist Alliance yesterday made it clear their attachment to violent, aggressive and fundamentally anti-Semitic behaviour.

We responded with many different chants and songs, but I think one of the most amazing ones was when a Max Brenner staff member came up to join us before his shift started and chanted about how he loves the company he works for. I was happy to give that guy the megaphone for a welcome break... everyone's vocal chords have taken a beating

As a young idealist and libertarian I got lost in the principled machinations of what is happening surrounding the BDS. What is really important for all people to remember is that there is a huge personal element to these things. Because ordinary Australians stood up and said no to the Socialist Alliance's intolerance and hatred, the Jewish community has felt a level of support that I am not sure they felt was there before. I've been invited to an event at a synagogue!

Jim Fryar is an oil rig worker from South Central Austraila, and LR's longtime associate editor.

Michigan Bar Owners banning Politicians over recently enacted Smoking Ban

NANNY-STATE WATCH!

From Eric Dondero:

Politicians Not Allowed, will be the sign at some entrances of small bars and taverns throughout Michigan soon. The Michigan legislature, both Democrats and Republicans recently enacted a smoking ban at the behest of the hyper-nanny-state organization the American Lung Association.

The ban has already led to some establishments permanently closing their doors, during a tough Michigan economy.

From Capitol Confidential "Victims of Smoking Ban Cut Off PoliticiansLawmakers no longer welcome in bars and restaurants hurt by state smoking policy" Aug. 28:

Small bar owners angered over losing their butts to the statewide indoor smoking ban plan to give lawmakers the boot.

A newly formed group, Protect Private Property Rights in Michigan (PPPRM), has organized an effort to ban lawmakers from their establishments in protest against Michigan's smoking ban. This lawmaker ban is scheduled to start Sept. 1. PPPRM, which claims to have a membership of about 500 businesses, argues that the smoking ban has been disastrous for Michigan's small bar owners and their employees.

“We're not smoking advocates or advocates for tobacco use,” PPPRM Executive Director Stephen Mace said. “We 're just people who believe in private property rights and are trying to speak out against this law that's hurting us and our employees. It has already put some of us out of business.”

One Young Republican State Rep. is working to repeal the ban. Continuing:

In Michigan, a handful of lawmakers have either introduced or talked about introducing legislation to modify Michigan's ban. The most aggressive of these would be a measure to create a smoking-on-premises permit. Rep. Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan) is expected to introduce the legislation soon.

To their credit two Democrats are also looking at reforming the legislation: Reps. Doug Geiss (Taylor) and Rep. Tim Melton (Auburn Hills).

Herman Cain Big Winner in GA Straw Poll

Beats Paul, Perry and Romney at annual GA GOP Fish Fry

The totals (via Jim Galloway at AJC - Political Insider):

– Herman Cain, 232 or 26 percent;

– Ron Paul, 229 or 25.7 percent;

– Rick Perry, 179 or 20 percent;

– Newt Gingrich, 162 or 18 percent;

– Mitt Romney, 51 or 6 percent;

– Michele Bachman, 29 or 3 percent;

Gains in South Carolina

Poll Watch: South Carolina Primary (Magellan via Race42012.com)
Magellan Strategies South Carolina Republican Primary

•Perry – 31%
•Romney – 20%
•Bachmann – 14%
•Cain – 9%
•Gingrich – 5%
•Paul – 4%
•Santorum – 2%
•Huntsman – 2%
•Undecided – 9%

HermanCain.com

SHOCKER!! Theo van Gogh type attack comes to North America

Anti-Islamist author dragged off his bike, tied to a tree, and beaten to a pulp, near Toronto. His house later ransacked.

From Eric Dondero:

In 2005, Islamist critic Theo van Gogh was knocked off his bicycle by a Muslim attacker and stabbed repeatedly in the chest in the streets of Rotterdam. He had produced a film critical of Islam. Van Gogh died from his injuries on the street, as passers-by looked on.

Now, here in North America, a near repeat of the Van Gogh episode.

From EuroSon, "Author attacked..." Aug. 27:

Dipersico was attacked by two Muslim men who referred to him by another F-word: “faggot.” According to the Toronto Sun, Dipersico was ”dragged from his bicycle Aug. 17, tied up among trees, then beaten briefly unconscious” by them... they were offended by Dipersico’s flamboyant book, in which he talks about drugs, sex, and, occasionally, Islam — in not an altogether flattering light.

He believes “Islam is a Religion of ‘peace’ and Muslims will kill you to prove it.” Being brought up in a Muslim household himself he questions the very existence of God.” [Dipersico also challenges the sanctity of Ramadan and Koranic verses.]

“His book Wake Up Call is not only considered blasphemous and pornographic but also explicit due to his excessive use of drugs and alcohol.”

After the attack, his house he shares with cousin Gabrielle Dipersico — who contributed to the book, and who is pictured on the cover — was broken into, and Paris’s Back-up files were stolen.

Note - a check of popular websites claiming to be "libertarian," (Reason, Cato.org, LewRockwell.com, Daily Paul, LP.org, et.al.) shows no coverage of this story.

H/t Vled

Noonan's odd argument against Perry: He's "too Chesty"

A man with feelings better fit for the Job

From Eric Dondero:

Peggy, you didn't really write that did you?

From the WSJ, "Perry's Popping-Off Problem - The Republican candidate comes across well as consistent and sincere, but his quick-draw machismo will scare voters away" Aug. 26:

His primary flaw appears to be a chesty, quick-draw machismo that might be right for an angry base but wrong for an antsy country. Americans want a president who feels their anger without himself walking around enraged…

[T]he nation is roiling and restive. After Mr. Obama was elected, the right became angry, feisty, and created a new and needed party, the tea party. The right was on fire. The next time a Republican wins, and that could be next year, it will be the left that shows real anger, with unemployment high and no jobs available and government spending and services likely to be cut. The left will be on fire. The only thing leashing them now is the fact of Mr. Obama.

So there will be plenty of new angers out there. It probably won’t be helpful if the next president is someone likely to add to the drama with a hot temperament or carelessness.

H/t Bryan Preston

Michele Bachmann doles out some libertarian Red Meat for Florida Republicans

"Rock Star" Minnesota Congresswoman - Cut Taxes; Abolish EPA; Repeal Fed Health Care

From Eric Dondero:

The event was the Solivita Republican Club meeting in Polk County, Florida. Republican presidential hopeful, Michele Bachmann gave a rousing speech 43 minute speech "focused almost entirely on fiscal and foreign affairs issues"

From the Orlando Sentinel, "Bachmann rocks Solivita" Aug. 27:

"We need a coalition of social conservatives, and fiscal conservatives, and national security conservatives and peace through strength conservatives, and I bet we have a couple of Tea Partiers here today too," she said. "If we work together, I will tell you, we are a team that can't be beat in 2012."

She continued:

She did not disappoint them, pledging to repeal the federal health care reform act, abolish the Environmental Protection Agency and dramatically reduce taxes on the highest tax brackets, for people she called "the job creators."

Photo credit - Allure.com

Ron Paul acknowledges "Sharia" at Iowa campaign event

Uses the 'S' word for the very first time?

From Eric Dondero:

At a campaign event in Iowa, a local challenged Ron Paul about his views on radical Islam. Paul shot back in typical Ron Paul fashion.

From the Des Moines Register, "Paul says US intervention motivated 9/11 attacks":

“I don’t see Islam as our enemy,” Paul said. “I see that motivation is occupation and those who hate us and would like to kill us, they are motivated by our invasion of their land, the support of their dictators that they hate.”

But of particular interest to pro-defense libertarians, Paul seemingly acknowledged that Sharia Law might be a concern. Continuing:

“After 9/11, (people said) ‘Oh yeah, it’s those very bad people who hate us,’ but 15 of (the hijackers) came from Saudi Arabia,” said Paul. “One of the reasons they attacked us, is we propped up this Sharia government and the fundamentalists hated us for it.”

“That was one of the main motivations for getting your attention on why they hate us and want to kill us,” he said. “You could send 20 million people over there and all it would do is make our problems worse.”

Editor's comment - Could it be that our constant pro-defense libertarian haranguing of left-libertarians on their hypocrisy over Sharia Law might just be getting through? Even the top non-interventionist is now using the 'S' word.

What we'll all lose if Islamists succeed in implementing Sharia Law here in the U.S.

PRO-DEFENSE LIBERTARIAN MOVEMENT

From Eric Dondero:

A relatively new blog - JakeFinnegan.com - has a series running called "Burkalesque Babes." Jake highlights photos of hot American actesses and musical artists. He explains:

Burkalesque babes is an ongoing series detailing just exactly what we’ll lose if Sharia law were ever to be implemented in the West.

One of his first features is Katy Perry. Ms. Perry got into a hot dispute recently when she Tweeted out her support for Israel: “My prayers are for you guys tonight, Shalom!!! Please pray with us.” For that she was called "a whore" and a "heartless lesbian," on a number of Islamist sites. She was forced to re-Tweet and retract her remarks.

But as Jake points out, regardless, do we really want to let Islamists cover up this awesome looking American chic in an ugly black bag?

Please visit Jake's website to see more hot photos of Katy, and other super-hot American Babes.

FEC moving closer to allowing foreign-born Immigrant to run for US Presidency

From Eric Dondero:

A move to overturn the centuries-old restriction that only naturalized US citizens can run for the presidency, perhaps?

From Roll Call:

The Federal Election Commission is showing signs that it might allow a Guyana-born American citizen to file papers and raise money to run for president of the United States.

The agency released two draft advisory opinions Friday that could permit New York lawyer Abdul Hassan to go through the initial steps to run for president.

Though, as Roll Call later notes, the FEC has yet to make a final decision on the matter.

Hassan, an NYC attorney, is denying any ties to the Obama campaign, and any motivations outside of him just being a "political junkie." He is running on a platform of selling Treasury Bonds to get rid of the national debt.

Bye Bye Bikinis in Egypt thanks to the Muslim Brotherhood

To be replaced by "Burqa Beach Babes"

From Eric Dondero:

Ah, yes, the "Arab Spring."

The Obama administration is touting their foreign policy successes in Egypt, and Libya.

Now this from AllHeadlineNews "Egypt’s Brotherhood declares war on the bikini":

Sunbathing in Alexandria may soon be a thing of the past, at least if some Egyptian Islamist politicians have their way.

Egypt's tourism industry has suffered a severe blow since the outburst of anti-regime demonstrations in January. But that did not stop the Freedom and Justice Party, the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood, from demanding stricter regulations over what tourists can do and wear while visiting the country. The party is urging officials to ban skimpy swimwear and the consumption of alcohol on Egyptian streets.

"Beach tourism must take the values and norms of our society into account," Muhammad Saad Al-Katatny, secretary-general of Freedom and Justice, told Egyptian tourism officials on Monday. "We must place regulations on tourists wishing to visit Egypt, which we will announce in advance."

Note - A check of so-called "libertarian" websites who claim to support civil liberties, such as Reason, Cato.org, Radley Balko, LewRockwell.com, Daily Paul, NolanChart, et.al. shows not a one of them covering this story.

Photo - Egyptian beaches, credit - SydneyMorningHerald & Bare Naked Islam.

Global Warming depriving us of Hurricanes?

by Clifford F. Thies

When was the last really big one, 2005? And, for going on six years this is the best we can come up with?

Well, since Tropical Storm Irene (no longer even a Cat 1 hurricane) is what we have to work with, Mayor Bloomberg of New York has ordered the 250,000 residents of the Far Rockaway section of the city to evacuate.

Here are some photos of the people of Far Rockaway shivering with fear and desperation, trying to flee. Notice the rampant looting, the abandoned buses in the school parking lots, and the hooligan police shooting people trying to cross over the bridge.

Among those ordered to evacuate are people in hospitals and nursing homes, along with others with chronic illnesses that make it difficult or dangerous to move anywhere fast.

One news story quotes Dr. Irwin Redlener of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University. He says moving people who are ill or feeble can even cause deaths.

But, Mayor Bloomberg believes it's better to be safe than sorry.

To help people evacuate with their pets, the Metropolitan Transit Authority has relaxed rules against the bringing of animals on the subway. Exactly how this is supposed to work, I don't really know, since the subways terminate in the Bronx. Perhaps that's where FEMA, the National Guard, the blue helmets of the UN, and Paul Krugman's Space Aliens will pick them up.

Photo credit - AP

Ron Paul: Leave FEMA responsibilities up to the States

MSNBC is reporting, "Ron Paul: No FEMA response necessary":

"We should be like 1900; we should be like 1940, 1950, 1960," Paul said. "I live on the Gulf Coast; we deal with hurricanes all the time. Galveston is in my district.

"There's no magic about FEMA. They're a great contribution to deficit financing and quite frankly they don't have a penny in the bank. We should be coordinated but coordinated voluntarily with the states," Paul told NBC News. "A state can decide. We don't need somebody in Washington.

Editor's note - This is the Ron Paul we love here at Libertarian Republican: The hardline free market/limited government side. (Not the far-out foreign policy stuff.)

Bachmann hints at Minimum Wage changes

Republican making a Libertarian Wet Dream come true?

From Politico, via AP:

The Minnesota congresswoman told supporters at a packed sandwich shop that the corporate income tax needs to be reduced because companies are moving to other countries to save money. She was later asked by a reporter whether changes to the minimum wage should also be considered to balance the cost of labor here and overseas.

"I'm not married to anything. I'm not saying that's where I'm going to go," she said.

She did say she wants to look at all aspects of doing business, from regulations to tax codes, and will consider anything that will help create jobs. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour

Editor's comment - More evidence Republicans getting their stance straight from the Libertarian Party platform.

Perry makes the grade for libertarian groups

Solid 'B' from Cato, High ranks from Club for Growth

Excerpted,  "Front-runner for a reason" columnist Deroy Murdock, BostonHerald.com:

His record should satisfy limited-government conservatives far more than Romney’s...

The libertarian Cato Institute’s Report Card on America’s Governors gives Perry straight Bs and Romney consistent Cs.

Cato praised Perry for introducing “a zero-based budget to force the state agencies to justify their continued existence and funding levels” and noted that he has presided over moderate increases in the Texas budget. Cato applauded Perry’s “substantial achievement:” a $6 billion property tax cut in 2004. However, Cato criticized Perry for partially offsetting this tax relief with a cigarette tax hike and a gross receipts tax on business.

Cato observed that Romney’s “first budget, presented under the cloud of a $2 billion deficit, balanced the budget with some spending cuts, but a $500 million increase in various fees was the largest component of the budget fix.” Cato also saw that Romney “proposed modest increases to the budget and line-item vetoed millions of dollars each year, only to have most of those vetoes overridden.”

On health care, the free-market Club for Growth lauds Perry for expanding managed care within Medicaid. After Perry’s lawsuit reforms, “the number of insurance companies offering medical malpractice insurance soared 650 percent.”

Editor's note - Deroy is a syndicated columnist who writes for National Review and a friend of this website.