The Culture of No Responsibility

"Minnesota's disgraced former top transportation emergency official was 'belligerent,' 'aggressive' and took advantage of an office with limited and shifting oversight in order to bilk taxpayers out of thousands of dollars, according to a state legislative auditor's report."(LINK)

Her new job? With the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, at a salary of $89,000 per year. (LINK)

The is typical government bureaucratic culture: no responsibility, no consequences. It doesn’t matter if you are Democrat, Republican, or any flavor in between. The good-old-boy (and girl) network has a power beyond any political party. It has a life of its own.

It sickens me.

Playing a Shell Game With the Troops

From the Obama campaign website:

“…Obama introduced legislation to responsibly end the war in Iraq, with a phased withdrawal of troops engaged in combat operations.”

Nightline interview in Iraq, July 21st, 2008:

"I said a year and a half ago that we needed more troops in Afghanistan -- at least two brigades."

A brigade ranges in size from 1,500 to 4,000 personnel.

So yeah, we’ll get the troops out of Iraq. We’ll just send them to Afghanistan.

Change we can believe in.

Open Letter to Barack Obama

The Nation has published an open letter to Barack Obama which states in part:

“Since your historic victory in the primary, there have been troubling signs that you are moving away from the core commitments shared by many who have supported your campaign….

…retreating from the stands that have been the signature of your campaign will weaken the movement whose vigorous backing you need in order to win and then deliver the change you have promised.”

The letter goes on to list what the signatories believe to be the ten key principles that Obama must remain firm on in order to achieve change that can really be believed in. It is interesting to see that those who bought the initial mantras have been brought back to earth by political reality.

There are a number of signers to the letter, including most interestingly Gore Vidal and Studs Terkel. Included also are Richard Parker (Americans for Democratic Action), Bill Fletcher, Jr. (Black Commentator Dot Com), Tim Carpenter (Progressive Democrats of America), and Jodie Evans (CodePink).

This letter, along with the group I Own My Vote shows that all is not harmonious bliss within the Democratic Party. What assurances will come from the Obama campaign either in full light or behind closed doors is unknown. Also unknown is what impact, if any, this will have on the convention. Will all fences be mended so that the party shines in its own unified light of hope and change? Or will the troubled miscreants make their voices known in a not-so-polite way?

Time will tell.

LINK TO LETTER

Those Cold, Heartless Republicans Are At It Again

There has been much hand-wringing recently by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on the “obstructionist” tactics of some Republicans, most notably those of Oklahoma Republican Tom Coburn to block the Advance America’s Priority Act (S.3297).

This legislation bundles approximately forty different bills into one high-sounding measure, with a CBO cost estimate of approximately $10 billion over the 2009-2013 period.

Senator Reid wails:

“Mr. President, today I am joining with Senators Leahy, Lieberman, Feinstein, Inouye, Kennedy, Boxer, and Biden, to introduce an important bill, with provisions in a variety of areas – from advancing medical research in critical areas, to cracking down on child exploitation, to promoting important U.S. foreign policy goals, to helping improve America’s understanding about the oceans. What unites this diverse package of bills? One thing – unprecedented obstructionism.”

Child exploitation? Medical research? Understanding the oceans? What scurrilous Scrooge could have anything against any of these lofty goals? Even in the wake of huge deficits that are beyond the capability of most people to even fathom, we can’t shirk our duties in these important areas, can we?

Let’s take a look at this little bundle of joy. I’ll take one of the hard ones first. The Act includes the Christoper and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act (S. 1183/HR 1727):

“S. 1183 would authorize the appropriation of $25 million a year for fiscal years 2008 through 2011 for the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to undertake activities to improve the quality of life of those with paralysis and to establish a population-based database to be used for paralysis research. The bill also would authorize the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to award grants for the cost of planning, establishing, improving, and providing basic operating support to consortia focused on paralysis research and for multicenter networks focused on paralysis rehabilitation.”

I am all for paralysis research. After all, one of my best friends is a paraplegic. The goals are admirable. But let us also take a look at an organization that is pursuing these same goals: The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. From their “about us” page:

“Together, we've come a long way. The research progress in recent years has been outstanding. Awareness and perception of spinal cord injuries has shifted dramatically, both in the scientific community as well as in the general public. Today, our belief in a cure is shared by the neuroscientists, researchers, clinicians and, perhaps most importantly, thousands of people living with spinal cord injuries and their families.”

The Foundation’s financial statement for 2006 showed revenues of over $17 million. They received over $5 million in federal grant money, but interestingly enough the bulk of their revenues (over $11 million) come from contributions through pledges and their direct mail program. (LINK: PDF, 40 pages). In 2006, they spent almost $14 million in research, public education, and quality of life programs.

Are we gilding the good work of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation when the evidence from their glowing report seems to indicate that they are doing just fine, not to mention spending over $3 million on “salaries and related expenses”?

Another bill included in the Advance America’s Priority Act is S. 1079, the “Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission Act”. This one is a mere piker:

“S. 1079 would establish a commission to encourage, plan, develop, coordinate, and execute programs, observances, grants, and activities commemorating the historic events that preceded and are associated with the War of 1812. The commission would consist of 22 members and would have eight years to report to the Congress on its activities. Members would serve without pay but would be reimbursed for travel expenses. In addition, the commission could hire staff, use personnel from other federal agencies or state employees, and volunteers. The commission would terminate 90 days after submitting its final report. S. 1079 would direct the commission to prepare a strategic and annual performance plan for its activities. The bill also would authorize the appropriation of up to $500,000 annually over the 2008-2015 period for the expenses of the commission.”

Let me make one thing perfectly clear. When legislation states that it will authorize the appropriation of “…..up to $500,000”, it means that it will cost $500,000 per year. Grantees do not economize; in order to sustain themselves they spend the maximum of the grant amount. Grant money is not (or, very rarely) returned to the government.

While these activities sound very nice, I am wondering at a time when ordinary citizens are cutting back on non-essential items, balancing the priorities of medicine, fuel, and food, and generally in an uncomfortable angst over their very existence why we need to spend this money. The normal person managing a household budget would cut nip this one right in the bud.

Why can’t Congress have the same sense as the American people?

Reid tries to dance around and say that the legislation does not add to the federal budget because it does not authorize spending. He even produces the letter from the CBO on this:

"A simple authorization of appropriations does not provide an agency with the authority to incur obligations or make payments from the Treasury…….For discretionary programs.., the authority to incur obligations is usually provided in a subsequent appropriations act.”

Translation: You have passed a bill, but have not provided for how to pay for it.

That is like saying to your son or daughter: “You are going to Yale, I just don’t have the foggiest idea how”.

So, I say kudos to those heartless Republicans. It is about time we take a hard look at what the Federal government spends its money on. Aside from prioritizing spending and cutting waste, we can also take a hint from Reason magazine:

“I myself am partial to the notion, promoted by such rogue right-wingers as James Madison, that the federal government may exercise only those powers explicitly enumerated in the Constitution, which do not include subsidizing medical research, museums, or foreign travel for college students. As Madison pointed out, if Article I's General Welfare Clause is interpreted as blanket permission to spend money on good things, much of the rest of the Constitution is superfluous.”

They don't call it Reason magazine for nothing.

Larry Binger Brings Home the Gold for Delaware !

This is just a quick update based on a phone call to Delaware's own Rolling Sportsman Larry Binger last night. His results from the National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Omaha are:

Trapshoot - Gold Medal

Archery - Silver Medal

Way to go Larry ! (But what was up with the fourth place in bowling? Ah, maybe next year you'll get a sponsor !).

When we spoke with Larry, his voice was all hoarse. He said it got that way from cheering on his fellow atheletes. He was getting ready to go to the closing ceremonies last night, and should back home some time today. In addition to the competition, it sounds like he had a real blast.

Some pictures are posted on his site.

I'll have more details, along with more pictures in a few days. Let's just say we are so proud of him, and he makes Delaware proud as well ! All that hard work and training paid off.

Welcome Home, Larry !

State-Run Health Care Gives You Plenty of Options

Blatantly lifted directly from FARK because the headline is so precious:

"Sorry; our state-run health care won't pay for your chemotherapy. Too expensive. But if you want to commit doctor-assisted suicide, good news!"

"After her oncologist prescribed a cancer drug that would cost $4,000 a month, the newspaper reported, "Wagner was notified that the Oregon Health Plan wouldn't cover the treatment, but that it would cover palliative, or comfort, care, including, if she chose, doctor-assisted suicide."

STORY HERE

“I Do Three Things: Work, Sleep, and Ferment Revolution”

An interesting story today from Pennsylvania on “The Coalition”:

“They are an informal group of about a half-dozen citizen activists - most of them middle-aged men from Central Pennsylvania - who spend their time waging a grassroots war for governmental change in the Capitol.

Each member of the group's cast of characters has his own political persuasion and priorities - not to mention colorful turns of phrase and memorable props to enliven the good-government message. But all are motivated by the same philosophy: State government needs fixing and elected officials aren't doing the job.”

Hmmmm, perhaps those internet tubes are again during their mysterious work. Isn’t this pretty much what kavips was saying? The Coalition consists not of one political ideology, but many common-sense goals.

And they get things done.

It is worth reading the whole story.

Convention Challenges and Blogger Hotness

Tommywonk may want to pack a doggy-bag:

“The host committee is as much as $10 million short in fundraising, and financial difficulties have forced it to cancel two dozen parties for delegates.”

“Criticism has been so harsh that this month the host committee felt compelled to issue a news release defending its much-mocked catering guidelines, which recommend organic produce and color-coordinated meals and discourage fried food.”

Speaking of Tommywonk, don’t forget the fundraiser organized by Delaware Liberal to help with his expenses in attending as Delaware’s Official Blogger to the convention. All you need to do is show up at Catherine Rooney’s at around 7:30 PM this Thursday, 7/31, in order to cast your vote (I believe each vote requires a $5.00 donation) for Delaware’s Hottest Blogger.

I really don’t care who Delaware’s Hottest Blogger is; I just want to contribute what will be an admittedly paltry sum to Tommywonk’s travel fund so maybe he can sneak out and get himself some really delicious trans-fat induced donut (if he can find one) in Denver next month.

Oh, and I will be one of these wussies:

“….if of course you can hang and not say, while you hold your diaper, “ohhhh I would, but I have to work tomorrow.”

Unless, of course, man-boobs are involved. Then I might be able to hang a bit longer. I don’t know about Chainsaw, though.

He ventured forth to bring light to the world

Hat tip to Jeff the Baptist for this wonderfully clever snark from across the pond:

"When he was twelve years old, they found him in the temple in the City of Chicago, arguing the finer points of community organisation with the Prophet Jeremiah and the Elders. And the Elders were astonished at what they heard and said among themselves: “Verily, who is this Child that he opens our hearts and minds to the audacity of hope?”

In the great Battles of Caucus and Primary he smote the conniving Hillary, wife of the deposed King Bill the Priapic and their barbarian hordes of Working Class Whites. "

Worth reading the full piece (with video) by Gerard Baker.

The Dangers of Neo-Conservative Economic Policies

Ron Paul's weekly column begins:

"The dangers inherent in the foreign policy advocated by the neo-conservatives are well known. While many Americans have become increasingly aware of those dangers, far less attention has been focused on the dangers of neo-conservative economic policies. This issue is of critical importance right now, because many are mistakenly pointing their fingers at the free market as the culprit behind our current economic plight."

Read More

Freedom Makes Strange Bedfellows

On May 22nd, Professor Newton, prolific blogger extraordinaire, told us about Rachel Hoffman, the 23-year-old in Tallahassee who was effectively used as bait by the local police department, an exercise which ended in her death. The post is titled, “Rachel Hoffman Could Have Been My Daughter……Or Yours”. The good professor concludes:

"Had Rachel been my daughter, I would have been tempted to reprise the scene from Terminator wherein Arnold visits the local police department."

Unbeknownst to Steve, way across the internet tubes, my good friend RC who lives right around Tallahassee was outraged at the same incident. It’s RC’s neck of the woods.

Now RC and Delaware Libertarian have little in common as far as lifestyle. Check their profiles. Delaware Libertarian is a professor. RC is a biker. I think, perchance, that there is a little bit of biker in DL, and a little bit of the professor in RC. However that may be, they have a lot in common when it comes to freedom and liberty. They have a lot in common when it comes to the treatment of this young woman by the Tallahassee Police Department. RC follows the story:

May 15th: Protest at the Capital for Rachel Hoffman

May 16th: Keeping Rachel Morningstar Hoffman Up Front

Little news reported of late relating to the death of Rachel Morningstar Hoffman used as a drug informant by the Tallahassee Police Department while receiving treatment for substance abuse. It is our contention that public needs to be kept up to date as to all aspects of the investigation. Until the whole truth is known this story needs to stay up front.

May 30th: Defendants in Rachel Hoffman Case Plead Not Guilty

June 2nd: A Plea for Justice: Rachel Hoffman

If anyone has been following the posts made here or the stories in the Tallahassee Democrat and feel as enraged as this writer I would ask that you not let this case die or be whitewashed. If you follow the links here you can get much of the info with out having to pay to access the Tallahassee Democrats archives.

We want the unnecessary oppression of individual rights, the violation of civil rights and the unnecessary killing in the name of saving lives to stop now. Let it begin here.If you have a post that is germane to the issue send it via rgostic@gmail.com. No he saids she saids please. Make it factual and we will print it.If you have information you are afraid to reveal get it to us the same way. Send a phone number. We will get in touch. We will get the info out and protect your identity. Do not let Rachels death be in vain by saving the lives of others in her similar predicaments.

June 2nd: More on Rachel Hoffman: Do Not Allow This Case to Die

And just what is the hold up in the investigation? Are they running into dead ends? Is someone stone walling? If the Tallahassee Police Department has policies and procedures and keeps records, i.e documents, then what is the hold up? Does the AG's office need help? Are they short handed? If so bring in some outside fol that are expeteince, know what they are doing and get it done!

June 5th: Kidnapping Charges in Rachel Hoffman Case Not Yet Filed

June 14th: And Let Us Not Forget Rachel Hoffman

NOTE: We have printed excerpts from these stories we found interesting. They are not meant to be construed as conclusions or summaries and each story should be read in it's entirety to insure each excerpt is read in the context it is meant to be AND EACH READER ARRIVE AT THEIR OWN CONCLUSIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS.

June 23rd: What’s Happening With the Rachel Hoffman Case? Keeping it on the Front Burner

Is it my imagination or does it take the police longer to investigate themselves than it would to investigate you and I?

June 26th: Rachel Hoffman Died of Multiple Gunshot Wounds

And finally……………………

July 26th: Tallahassee Police Chief Jones: RESIGN NOW!

Open Letter to TPD Chief Jones:

Any doubt regarding your competence to perform your primary duty to insure the public safety and/or admit when you are wrong was removed by your performance on 20/20's coverage of the Rachel Hoffman case last night. It was painfully obvious that rather than being guided by tolerance, understanding and concern that you are guided by an ideology that puts you above the the law.

Evidenced by how easy it is for you to speak of Ms. Hoffman as if she were a hardened criminal yet so easily blow off your own agencies failure to abide by policy and procedure and contact State Attorneys Willies Megs office before risking Ms. Hoffmans life. Did you fail to do that because standard operating procedures regulary slip your mind or because you knew you would probably be refused a request to engage in such insane actions?

Your answers to the questions asked of you not only demonstrated that you are out of touch with the community you are sworn to protect but gives one pause to wonder if you can answer a few very important unanswered questions:

Who tipped off the two men "accused" of killing Ms. Hoffman, Deneilo Bradshaw, 23, and Andrea Green, 25? How was it that the meet location could be changed and Ms. Hoffman move about while wired with no police "eyes" on her?

Again, WHO tipped of these individuals that a bust was about to occur?And WHO were Deneilo Bradshaw, 23, and Andrea Green, 25 working for? They knew they were being set up or would not have changed the location, twice. What did Ms. Hoffman learn that led some one to make the decision, we have to kill her now? What made Deneilo Bradshaw, 23, and Andrea Green, 25 so stupid as to believe they could
get away with killing a wired informant and then spread the money around Perry?
WHO is it that is not being arrested?

"Police Chief Dennis Jones, interviewed for tonight's 20/20 broadcast, says he does not accept that his department is in any way responsible for the death of the young woman.

"Do we feel responsible? We're responsible for the safety of this community," Jones said, labeling Hoffman a "criminal" because she was caught twice with a baggie of marijuana."

Not true Mr. Jones. Ms. Hoffman was no more a danger to this community than large number of negligent and distracted drivers who kill people through violation of the law with little consequence. You sir are responsible for not following policy and procedure or standard operating procedure. You are responsible for negligence resulting in death.

"It's beyond my imagination how the police lost them," said (Former FBI
Agent) Garrett. "It's clear no one followed her, and once they lost her she was just on her own."

Chief Jones confirmed his men were not trailing her and did not have sight of her. "My understanding is that there was not eyes on at that point," Jones said.

Why is that sir? WHY? Were the officers whose job it was to protect her look the other way? Were they outsmarted by Bradshaw and Green? How?

(Former FBI Agent) Garrett, who reviewed the operation for 20/20, said
police should have aborted the sting once the location was changed, even if it blew the deal.

"Who cares if it blows the deal? It's all about safety. It's just a drug deal, that's all it is. There'll be one tomorrow," said Garrett.

But then this wasn't about safety or getting drugs of the street. This was about a 23 year old girl used by men more familiar with the streets and violence than she was. And she had to go because she new something didn't she?

For the last number of days this site has been slamming you over your refusal to state publicly that the honor and respect of returning servicemen is more important than than FSU football. That pales in comparison to the light you have brought on the good and honest officers in your department. The handling of this case has tarnished the Tallahassee Police Department.

Do the right thing Mr. Jones, step down and turn it over to the good and honest officers of your department, because in all honesty sir, your brand of
"law" scares the hell out of me.

The professor and the biker....keeping it real.

Be Careful How You Spend Those Carbon Offsets

The Democratic National Convention’s Green Delegate Program encourages conventioneers to purchase carbon offsets from community-based clean energy projects.

This is most admirable, and allows attendees to the convention to offset the carbon footprint they make in traveling to the convention. The DNCC is partnering with an organization called Native Energy, whose goal is to make the 2008 convention “more sustainable”.

One of the projects with which to offset those nasty imprints is a windmill installed by a school district in eastern Colorado. There is one small problem, however:

The windmill does not generate any electricity.

It has been a rough week for Andrea Robinson, the “Director of Sustainability and Greening” (yes, that is her title) for the convention.

One may say well, my carbon footprint will eventually be offset by some electricity by the windmill. Someday. Sometime. That is, once they go to a more reliable model. And it is odd that the school district still cashes in these credits, although how the money is used is somewhat up in the air. And Superintendent Ron Howards quips, “I'm also not going to tell you how much we got from the sale of the green tax for green energy. That's all there is to it."

I’m all for saving the environment, but this just seems like a bit of a sham, and Mr. Howards seems a bit flippant about the whole project.

Our little footprints would be more readily and realistically offset by something that actually works.

Response to Newark's Selective Enforcement of Noise Ordinances

A recent News Journal article highlighted the targeting of motorcycles for violating the city’s noise ordinance. The following is a response from Gary Hilderbrand, State Legislative Coordinator, ABATE of Delaware:

“I read the article in today’s edition of the News Journal dated July 24, 2008 by Ginger Gibson about the City of Newark selectively enforcing its noise limit.

I use the word selective because Lt. Brian Henry said the increased efforts were primary targeting motorcycles. This discriminatory action using tax dollars to harass and target a specific group should not be tolerated.

Bikers it is time we stood our ground and quit letting others take our freedoms away from us. No compromise is the solution.

If you have received a ticket from the City of Newark for allegedly violating the City’s noise ordinance plead not guilty and ask for a trial.

The City has its own Alderman’s Court. Take your appeal out of their system and keep appealing the ticket through the State of Delaware’s court system.

Every time you appeal your ticket to a higher court they will have to allow the arresting officer the time to appear. If he doesn’t show up ask the court to issue a subpoena and set a new trial date.

You will have tied up valuable court time, personnel costs, and over time costs to the City. Eventually the cost of writing tickets for infractions such as these will prove to be too costly to enforce.

This discriminatory selective enforcement of a noise law must be challenged and in a way that tells those who wish to discriminate that we will not tolerate it.

As a motorcycling community we have an obligation to protect our freedoms. Every time we turn around some group of elected officials or appointed group of people who do not ride seek to hinder our life style and way of life.

If civil disobedience is the only way to make others understand that we are tax payers and citizens of this community and state then so be it.

Let’s organize a ride through Newark to show our objections to their selective enforcement of the laws and then start a protest movement asking people to stay away from the City of Newark.

A reduction in revenue to the businesses and City will bring about a need for the City to find other means of raising revenue. Perhaps higher property taxes to offset the losses will make the citizens more respectful of our rights.

Let that be the price they pay for the silencing of another group of individuals.”

RLC endorsed candidate left off the ballot!

The mistake marked the second time in less than a week that it was necessary to reprint some of the ballots.

The total bill for the taxpayers: $33,000. Oh, yes, let’s put the government in charge of health care.

h/t RLC Blog

read more digg story

Ooooops !

Someone got a picture of the wrong Larry:

“According to a new political button just unveiled, Obama is running on the same political ticket as Republican Sen. Larry Craig, who had that embarrassing to-do last summer in the men's room of the Minneapolis Airport.”

It was supposed to be Larry LaRocco.

“The button company, Tigereye Design out of Ohio, simply picked the wrong Idaho Larry from the photo file. After selling a few buttons to some sharp-eyed collectors, the incorrect button sale was halted.”

"What I observed when I came in were a bunch of very tall men encircling a very small woman"

You Go, Girl:

Children's librarian Judith Flint was getting ready for the monthly book discussion group for 8- and 9-year-olds on "Love That Dog" when police showed up.

They weren't kidding around: Five state police detectives wanted to seize Kimball Public Library's public access computers as they frantically searched for a 12-year-old girl, acting on a tip that she sometimes used the terminals.

Flint demanded a search warrant, touching off a confrontation that pitted the privacy rights of library patrons against the rights of police on official business.

FULL STORY

From the Inbox: Response from Unicity Arts Festival on My WTF Email on the Censorship of John Waters

"Hi Shirley,

Thank you so much for taking the time to write. The decision was made because of the following reasons. We have had major opposition from people in the town, we were forced to move the original location for John and Sandra from a 800 seat tent (that is completely blocked off to people) to indoors, no one would rent to us, even though spaces were available that in turn forced us to be unable to sell enough seats to pay for really either act but definitely not both thus having to cancel Sandra and lose money on John show. We are still searching for a new place to put John and believe we have finally found one. We are asking people support the event by attending as we have been told no one wants this here. We have had lots of support as of late and are looking forward to a great event."

Eat Shit and Die, Middletown, DE !

Now, Middletown, take a look at the flyer to the left. John Waters performed in Harrisburg, PA last May.

Harrisburg, people. The home of the friggin' Amish.

Don't you feel silly, now? Don't you feel like a bunch of prigs?

Banned in Boston used to be the mantra for free speech.

Now it is BANNED IN MIDDLETOWN !

The Angry Grammarian and Savage Love

Although I tire of the daily trek to Philadelphia each day, one of the advantages of working downtown is the availability of a number of so-called “alternative” newspapers. These newspapers highlight people, neighborhood, and events beyond the scope of the mainstream rags.

My favorite is Philadelphia Weekly, and while the online version is very nice, the hard-copy just a joy: offbeat bands, arts festivals, and interesting stories fill each issue. This week’s Editor’s Note ponders the life of a writer, and the Ask A Mexican feature ponders the best tortilla. Two of my favorite columns are The Angry Grammarian and Savage Love.

The Angry Grammarian is, as the name suggests, a column about grammar. The author also touches occasionally on proper word usage, and in this week’s column he bemoans the disappearance of three delicious words and encourages us to use them so that they don’t complete go out of existence due to lack of use.

On occasion, The Angry Grammarian will print reader feedback, and at times the discussion can be lively. People are really serious about their grammar ! Oddly so !

Savage Love is a sex and love advice column by someone appropriately named Dan Savage. His writing style is crisp, clean, and often painfully to the point, as he responds to a question by saying, “First, grow the fuck up. You guys are 23 and 25, not 13 and 15, which means you get to make up your own minds about premarital sex.” You gotta love that Savage Love.

The horoscopes are different, and the crossword puzzles always challenging. It’s nice to take a break from the usual AP stories and dip a little deeper into this strange, sad, and wonderful city that is Philadelphia.

In Defense of Marriage (Sort Of)

I have met Dave Anderson, and he is quite a likable guy. I agree with him on many issues. I could probably throw back a few with Dave.

But he has this one thing, and it really bugs me. He wants to have a “Defense of Marriage Act” passed in Delaware.

Sorry, Dave, but I’ll wrassle you in a vat of pig shit before that ever happens. Maybe some people who can’t get tickets to John Waters can get tickets to this one. You may have me in height, but I’m one tenacious bitch when I get riled up.

Why does marriage (or Marriage with a capital M) need defending? It is what it is, and what you make of it. Sometimes “marriage” is all in your mind. Or in your pocketbook.

I personally don’t think that “marriage” should be a province of the State. Marriage, in a religious sense, is personal. Distribution of assets and handling of offspring in the event of dissolution of the “corporation” of marriage is a matter of the State (or so they say), and the State will have its hands in it. The State can be involved in civil unions (I guess), but not marriage.

I am violating a rule about not talking about my own situation in saying this: I am married, just not to Chainsaw. It is a long story, and quite sad in many ways, but I stay married due to a promise I made over ten years ago. It all has to do with healthcare benefits. As long as I am working, my ex (though not officially an ex) will be taken care of.

So yeah, I’m married to someone I haven’t seen in well over five years. Just keeping it real so he can have the benefits we both worked so hard for.

But, in the meantime, here Chainsaw and I are. We are “married” in every sense of the word except for being “legal”. We struggle, cry, laugh, and howl together. We share the banalities and boredom of everyday life. We fart in front of each other. Now THERE is a testimony !

I was never brought up to seek a “man to take care of me”, or a big storybook wedding, yet my parents had one of the most beautiful marriages in the world. Over 50 years. I never looked for a big ceremony…in fact, I think I was actually married by a Moonie. We got married in our house, and had the best party ever. I sang “Blue Moon” into a pepperoni, now how cool is that? And does that make a marriage?

I hate all of the traditional rites of passage. The rituals are so fleeting.

How does one defend marriage? What is marriage? I am legally married to one, yet emotionally married to another. Where does it begin or end?

So, in Defense of Marriage, I say this: be married, however you want to be. You don’t need anyone to validate it except yourselves. That’s it. And if you can validate it between y’all, well Good God Almighty, then I think it’s pretty much alright.

To Married and “married” people everywhere:

Carry On.

Ron Paul = Magneto ?

see famous look-a-like faces

Larry Binger's Got a Record

.....well, a Congressional Record, that is. The event yesterday at Cafe Adria went well. I wasn't too nervous (just a little).

Here's a short piece that is on Delaware Online. At the end, you see Chainsaw and Wolfman, and then my fat ass. I am having agita putting the video on blogger, but you can view it HERE. I didn't know the camera was on, otherwise I would have sucked it in.

For the entire presentation (about 12 minutes), including the remarks of Congressman Castle, Newark Mayor Vance Funk (I love that name), and little old me, click HERE. If nothing else, check out the copy of what was put in the Congressional Record (directly under the video).

OK, OK, you're all probably tired of hearing me talk about Larry Binger. I just can't help it, the dude is so enthusiastic it sucks the curmudegon right out of me.

And that's not a bad thing, is it?

Middletown, DE is a Bunch of Pussies -- John Waters Censored !

From the News Journal:

"Officials for the Unicity Performing Arts Festival, scheduled Aug. 2 in Middletown, today announced performance changes stemming from a controversy over planned appearances by director John Waters and comedian Sandra Bernhard at the festival."

John Waters has been moved from a 1600-seat venue to an 80-seat venue. Sandra Bernard's act was cancelled completely.

This totally sucks, and I am outraged !

From the Unicity website:

"Due to censorship issues, we have had to make adjustments to the original idea. At this time John’s performance is scheduled to take place in The Premier Centre for the Arts. Due to the venue change, there are currently less than 50 tickets available. "

Censorship issues? WTF? Whose standards were used and what makes them the official standards for Middletown?

This demands action from the non-pussies of Middletown and beyond !

Memphis Police Sue for Blogger's Identity

"Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin and the city of Memphis have filed a lawsuit to learn who operates a blog harshly critical of Godwin and his department.

The lawsuit asks AOL to produce all information related to the identity of an e-mail address linked to MPD Enforcer 2.0, a blog popular with police officers that has been extremely critical of police leadership at 201 Poplar.

"In what could be a landmark case of privacy and the 1st Amendment," the anonymous bloggers write on the site, "Godwin has illegally used his position and the City of Memphis as a ram to ruin the Constitution of the United States.

(LINK)

DNC Committee Bigwigs Are Better Than Everyone Else

Seems like egalitarianism goes out the door when it comes to Democrats paying for gas in Denver:

“The committee hosting the Democratic National Convention has used the city's gas pumps to fill up and apparently avoided paying state and federal fuel taxes.”

This, along with the fact that this so-called “party of the people” is shuffling those pesky and inconvenient homeless people off to the zoo during the convention (so as not to offend the sensibilities of the attendees, for sure), seems to belie the hope and change mantra.

Maybe the “change” being referred to is “spare change”. At least that’s what homeless people are looking for. Ah well...out of sight, out of mind.

As for skirting the fuel taxes, one bumbler tried to pass it off as being for security reasons:

"We know the gas is not tainted. We use it as a safety and security measure."

Yeah, right. So it’s OK for the mere plebeians to risk using tainted gas? And here I thought it was the Republicans that were cold-hearted.

Typical of the better-than-thou attitudes displayed by the hope-and-change crowd.

Public Lewdness and Partner-Swapping on the River Yesterday

I don’t know why I find this so amusing. I must have a tastelessly tacky bone in my body somewhere.

DelmarvaNow has pictures of a canoe race that was held yesterday. The caption reads:

“BJ’s on the Water 29th Canoe Race”.

BJ’s on the water? I thought that was against the law, at least in public.

But it gets even more tawdry:

“Canoers make the switch between partners during the BJ's on the Water 29th Annual Canoe Race.”

I will let you draw your own conclusions about what was going on. I’m just sayin’ it all sounds pretty fishy to me

Ted Nugent Says: Don't Feed the Pig

"Unless you are an ignorant socialist stooge, punishing successful people by raising their taxes is never the right approach, but it is the foundation of the Democratic Party. They have never seen a tax increase they didn’t support or a government program that didn’t need to be expanded.

Do not feed Fedzilla. It is a pig. "

(FULL ARTICLE)

Libertarian Response to A Common Man

Jan MacKay is the Libertarian candidate for State Senate District 15 in Wake County, North Carolina. She received an e-mail from someone who called himself A Common Man which begins:

"I am a common man with, what used to be, a common plan. At least so I thought. I was content with an everyday job. I didn't want to be rich, I just wanted to survive comfortably. Pay my bills, treat my family to a little fun and enjoyment, and have a few bucks to store for my golden years. Nowadays my golden years are coming closer and closer and the only bucks I've stored aren't enough to get me through a single year."

Common Man goes on to say:

"I've watched factories that's been in business for more years than I've been alive, factories that's built cities, just fold and let hundreds of thousands of people go all in the name of prosperity. And the plan that the city council has is to annex new land, start building ball fields and golf courses that can't even afford to keep themselves going and let the unemployed taxpayers pay for it all. And while WE THE PEOPLE scavenge around to come up with money that WE THE PEOPLE could be buying food and cloths with, to pay for their great ideas, they sit on their bureaucratic butts and see what kind of new laws they can come up with, all in the name of what's good for WE THE PEOPLE. When will they say enough is enough?

What will it take to get them to realize that WE THE PEOPLE are tapped out ?"

He ends with:

I voted for Bush, and for that I apologize to the country. I will vote for Jan Mackay, but I gotta tell you, I wouldn't want to be in her shoes for nothing in the world. I send her good luck and God speed."

Jan MacKay responds:

Thanks for the best wishes. In the last year, I have been fortunate to be represented "somewhat" adequately by the Senator I am running against. However, in two terms, he still hasn't found a way to become effective in working with a majority rule legislature. I believe he tried. For that, I cannot fault him.

I'm running because silence and just showing up in order to cast a vote is not good enough. It is frustrating to sit in the galleries, and see a great opening where someone on the floor, with fiery passion could stand up, speak with conviction, and make a big difference. Passion, energy, and courage to stand up to the senior political hypocrites is required in order to fight back against high taxes, unnecessary spending, frequent corruption, and lousy politics which pit those who have, (such as health care system administrators, federal and state bureaucrats, corporation board members, lawyers, insurance companies, university administrators, and even the Governor himself), against the common citizen who has lost everything, or is about to lose everything they worked so hard for.

You are right that it is not an enviable task. It will be a constant struggle to convince the majority legislators of the problems with their approaches. The best way to do that is with demonstrated passion, conviction, researching the best solutions, and daring to vote no, more often than yes (when required). Silence is not in my nature, and neither is blindly following a "party line". As you said, enough is enough!

The Governor just came back from a really nice $170k trip to Italy. He and the first lady stayed at more expensive hotels than you and I would ever dream of staying, and the NC taxpayers footed the bill. Meanwhile people are losing their homes, and cannot even afford gas to commute to work, if they are fortunate enough to still have a job.

I've been looking at the budget adjustments, and am astounded at the high price tags on pork spending projects that do not contribute in the least way to the infrastructure. These expenses are not needed, and will only benefit a privileged few. In the meantime, people like you and I cannot afford to repair our own roofs, yet the state plans to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to put a walkway and rotunda in between buildings at an exclusive school which nobody in our families will ever see. Meanwhile, the highways and bridges infrastructure is getting older, and quality mass transit to relieve traffic congestion is nothing more than a bad joke.

You have to pay taxes for everything you do, including paying for groceries, even though you already paid taxes on your income. You pay taxes when you buy anything, and pay taxes on any real property you are lucky enough to afford to keep, and now they want taxes even if you are forced to sell your home. Selection of protective gear on your motorcycle is a basic decision but you cannot make it. When moments count, cops are only several minutes away, and there are safety nannies who want to stop you from carrying anything larger than a pocketknife and sharper than a butterknife. Every level of government thinks they have the right to trespass on your land, and privacy is a thing of the past. There are too many things wrong with status quo, and this is no time for mediocrity.

Thanks for your support!"

Liberal and Libertarian Bloggers Duke it Out on the Mean Streets of Newark

The Delaware Curmudgeon and Delaware Way crossed paths at the Newark Shopping Center today.

Much mayhem ensued.

Some calls were made for vats of Jello, but it was too hot, so we managed a mere polite fisticuffs.

No blood was shed.

(P.S. Nancy, thanks for coming)

Larry Binger is Front Page News !

Check out the Sports section of today’s News Journal where there is a story on Larry Binger, Delaware’s representative to the National Veterans Wheelchair Games…

If you can, be at Café Adria in the Newark Shopping Center tomorrow at around 11:00 A.M. Congressman Mike Castle will be there to honor Larry’s participation in the games. I will also be on the agenda to say a few words about our friendship with Larry and his participation in many Patriot Guard Rider missions. Don't worry, I'll be brief !

RLC Endorses Tyler Nixon for State Representative, District 4

The Republican Liberty Caucus has endorsed Tyler Nixon for Representative, Delaware District 4.

For those not familiar with the Republican Liberty Caucus (RLC), their mission is to “…advance the principles of individual rights, limited government and free enterprise..”.

The RLC is "the conscience of the Republican Party". Back to the principles that have been lost along the way.

Those of you in the blogosphere are familiar with Tyler’s positions. If you are inclined to insert a bit of sense and reason into Delaware politics, consider contributing to his campaign.

I did, and I’m not rich by any means. In fact, it was actually the very first time I have contributed money to a political campaign. Ever.

The way to fix Delaware is to get good people where it counts.

Tyler Nixon is one of them.

Most Popular Post

Almost a year old, and this one is still popular.

Over 6,000 hits the last month, and this post was a big part of it.

There's A New Political Party In Town

The Gunpowder Chronicle is starting a new political party:

“I've decided to start a new political party. I don't have a name yet, and "The Leave Me the Hell Alone Party" doesn't cut it. So for right now, we'll call it the "Grizzly Adams Party", after that fine 1970s show about a mountain man who lives alone with gentle grizzly bear, and is visited occassionaly by Denver Pyle.

The basic principle of the Grizzly Adams Party can be boiled down to this: government should leave me the hell alone, and stick to the things it does best (note: I did not say well, because I do not believe it does anything well).”

Hmmm…..sounds decidedly Libertarian, doesn’t it?

The whole post is worth a read.

Create Your Own Vague Statement About....Errrr....Something

Here's mine:

"These people haven't had enlightenment for fifty years. So you can't be surprised if they get bitter and cling to their traffic conjestion and their dog feces and their terrorists. That's what my campaign is about. Teaching all the little people in this country that they can have rays of sunshine."

Create your own Obama quote here.

h/t Ace of Spades HQ

Mike Castle to Honor Local Veteran Larry Binger at Cafe Adria Next Week

Congressman Mike Castle will coordinate an event to honor, thank, and wish Larry Binger well before Larry leaves to compete in the 28th National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Omaha next week.

The event is tentatively set up for 11:00 AM -11:30 AM, Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at Cafe Adria, in The Newark Shopping Center right off of Main Street in Newark, DE.

For this event, Rep. Castle would like to highlight Larry's continued service to our country and ongoing participation and representation of the State of Delaware in the Games.

Newark Mayor Funk is a close friend of Larry and may join in the presentation with the Congressman and speak about Larry's work and their personal relationship at the event.

Larry would appreciate it if all the troops, his friends, contributors, sponsors, motorcycling friends, and other veterans would attend this event. He is a personal friend of ours and you may have seen him at various PGR and V.A. Hospital events.

Click here for the ABATE page dedicated to Larry Binger and his accomplishments.

The more the merrier !

We are both taking off of work that day so we can participate in a well-deserved and exciting send-off.

See you there !

I Wouldn't Hold Your Breath, Bubba

"Former President Clinton says he is ready to campaign for Barack Obama whenever the Democrat needs him."

(LINK)

No One Is Being Served Here

In England, the mission of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is to maintain and develop the national curriculum and associated assessments, tests, and examinations. It is sort of the across-the-pond equivalent of our own Department of Education. Both websites have lofty goals, and the requisite multi-tiered levels of bureaucracy.

Back in 2002, the QCA was under quite a bit of scrutiny surrounding accusations that it was putting pressure on examination boards in order to adjust test results. It was alleged that QCA staff condoned downgrading, because they were worried that a big increase in the number of pupils getting A grades would lead to complaints about exams becoming easier. The Education Secretary at the time, Estelle Morris, stated that she no longer had confidence in the QCA and the grading process. Many appeals were made, and it was feared that some students may have been denied admission to the university because of the alleged grading practices.

Now, six years later, a similar hullabaloo (or “cockup” as they say in England) is occurring over similar issues. It was revealed that two students, called Student A and Student B received the exact same grade for their compositions, despite what could only be called a obvious difference in quality.

Student A wrote:
“If he wasent doing enthing els heel help his uncle Herry at the funfair during the day. And had stoody at nigh on other thing he did was invent new rides.

Becoues he invented a lot of new rides he won a prize. He didn’t live with his mum he lived with his wife”

Student B wrote:
“Quickly, it became apparent that Pip was a fantastic rider: a complete natural. But it was his love of horses that led to a tragic accident. An accident that would change his life forever.

At the age of 7, he was training for a local competition when his horse, Mandy, swerved sideways unexpectedly, throwing Pip on to the ground, paralysed.

A teacher at the school rightly claimed that the marking was absolutely off the radar.

Of course, an investigation is being conducted, and the suitable inquiries are being made (again).

Massive educational institutions most certainly are not evil, but in order to justify their very existence they create unmanageable “systems” which are nearly impossible to administer, and can lead to pressures on administrators to perform as expected. The bureaucracy feeds on itself and ultimately no one is served, especially not the children.

As one commenter to the article stated,

“Just remember kids: Don't let school get in the way of your education.”

It is showing my age to wish for the simpler days at Concord High School in the early seventies. I have no clue what administrative pressures my teachers were under, but I have to believe they are nothing like they are today.

And, despite what some may think to the contrary, I seemed to turn out OK.

Get Drunk and Vote 4 McCain

h/t to Gazizza for this gem: Get Drunk and Vote 4 McCain.

The “About” section tells us that this site was apparently inspired by a quote attributed to Anne Coulter:

“The irony is, the only people McCain can count on to vote for him are the very Republicans he despises — at least those of us who can get drunk enough on Election Day to pull the lever for him. In fact, we should organize parties around the country where Republicans can get drunk so they can vote for McCain. We can pass out clothespins with his name as a reminder and slogan-festooned vomit bags. The East Coast parties can post the number of drinks necessary for the task to help the West Coast parties.”

And the pictures in the sidebar? Just a bunch of drunks.

I'm game.

News Release from the Jan MacKay for Senate Campaign

JULY 14, 2008
N.C. SENATE CANDIDATE FIGHTS
UNCONSTITUTIONAL HELMET TICKET

Jan MacKay, a candidate for Senate in NC State Senate District 15, Wake County, is a freedom fighter for motorcycle rights. Jan was issued a helmet ticket three months prior to announcing her candidacy for the Senate. Her next scheduled court appearance is on July 29, 2008 at Wake County District Court, in downtown Raleigh, on the 5th floor.

"I am spending much of my time and energy fighting this, so that hundreds, perhaps thousands, of motorcyclists will not have to guess at how to comply with the vague helmet statute in the future. My defense will raise questions as to the unconstitutional aspects of the current helmet statute in North Carolina.

So far, all North Carolina officials I have contacted, including the Governors office, the Attorney Generals office, the NC DMV, the NC State Highway Patrol, the NC legislators, and the legislative drafting division, have been unable to provide a legitimate answer to motorcyclists for the following question:

How can motorcyclists ensure, with absolute certainty, that their helmet is compliant with federal motor vehicle safety standard "FMVSS 218?"

The federal government does not maintain a list of approved helmets, and by its' own admission, does not approve helmets. They do not test helmets prior to allowing them onto store shelves.

The standard calls for manufacturers to "self-certify" that each and every helmet they sell complies with the long list of requirements and specifications in FMVSS 218.

"If law enforcement suspects a helmet does not comply with the standard, rather than go after the manufacturer, they go after the consumer! This establishes a dangerous precedent, and should be of concern to every motorist and consumer. Imagine if they went after consumers to comply with all the hundreds of motor vehicle equipment items controlled by FMVSS.

Then, imagine if the FDA did this! It would take responsibility from the drug manufacturers, putting a burden of compliance on anyone who legally uses prescription drugs."

"Since the Governors office and the state legislators have no idea of how to answer that basic question of how to comply, for those lawful citizens who wish to abide by the statute, it is not right for them to leave this up to the citizens, and then ticket them for not complying.

The NC helmet statute is vague, because it points to a standard which is not meant to be adhered to by consumers. At present, it is arbitrarily enforced using ad hoc determination by law enforcement who cannot test a helmet for compliance or non-compliance during a roadside stop.

The federal and state governments are prevented from enacting legislation which makes them liable. Arbitrary and ad hoc enforcement is the basis for vague laws. Vague laws which people cannot abide by, with absolute certainty, are unconstitutional. Grayned v City of Rockford.

The legislature failed the people when they adopted GS 20-140.4 and I am looking forward to a judicial solution. This is an issue of basic citizens rights to know, with certainty, what is lawful and what is not lawful."

So far, Jan has been to court twice for the alleged infraction, which carries a $25 fine.

The first time, the prosecution was not ready to proceed and there was no witness, so they said they would subpoena the state trooper.

The second time, Jan and two assistant district attorneys appeared before Judge Joyce "Joy" Hamilton, and the same thing happened. The state trooper was not present, and an ADA motioned for continuance, which was allowed.

"I like how Judge Hamilton reacted to the prosecution not being ready.”

She will allow them just one more chance to get the trooper to appear. "I do not want a dismissal. I want this to be adjudicated by a fair trial with concern for the Constitution."

Copyright 2008 MacKay For Senate. Unauthorized duplication without permission is prohibited by law.
For permission to use, please contact MacKay For Senate.

GOP Asks For Advice Online, Gets Swamped By Ron Paul Fans

When the Republican party issued a clarion call last week for its grassroots supporters to submit ideas online to build the party's platform, RNC officials probably weren't expecting a concerted push for the dismantling of the Federal Reserve and a return to the gold standard. Ron Paul supporters have made themselves at home on the the GOP site.

read more | digg story

John McCain, Kid Rock, and Sturgis Bike Week

McCain's hipness factor definitely needs a boost. Maybe this will help:

U.S. Senator, John McCain, of Arizona, the presumptive Republican Party nominee for President of the United States in the upcoming 2008 election. He will participate in the Buffalo Chip’s annual Tribute to American Veterans and Active Duty Servicemen on Monday, Aug. 4 during the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Sturgis Rally music fans will also be treated to concert performances by Kellie Pickler and Kid Rock the same night.

Many of those who come to the annual Sturgis Bike Week are veterans and active duty servicemen who will have a great appreciation for McCain’s family history of service to our country.

(THE REST OF THE STORY)

Out of Touch?

Cindy McCain’s transportation woes and Michele Obama’s wardrobe accessory issues should make us all feel grateful for the many advantages we have in our own miserable little lives. We should all just stop whining and stop being so bitter !

Cindy: “In Arizona the only way to get around the state is by small private plane.”

Michelle: “You’re getting $600 - what can you do with that?.... The short-term quick fix kinda stuff sounds good, and it may even feel good that first month when you get that check, and then you go out and you buy a pair of earrings.”

While the rest of us are schlepping around on public transportation and wondering why on earth anyone would pay $600 for a pair of earrings, the two main political parties show us just how out of touch they really are.

Really.

Oh Dear

It seems as though blogger DrewM over at Ace of Spades HQ doesn't seem to think much of one of Delaware's own, Joe Biden, who he equates to being a Professional Idiot.

"Okay, so the fact that Delaware's Joe Biden has a history of saying dumb things is hardly new but this has to be a new low."

HotAir's headline was equally damning: "Biden: The “bad guys” don’t live in Iraq"

Hehehe

Middletown, Delaware is all a-twitter:

Waters' one-man show, "This Filthy World," is scheduled to kick off the festival at noon. Festival organizers are searching for an indoor venue so that Waters, who considers himself a connoisseur of bad taste, doesn't cause offense.

Concern over the festival's entertainment coalesced during last Monday's Town Council meeting, prompting Councilwoman Catherine Kelly to declare, "I'm disgusted with it."

"I find that delightful!" Waters said from Provincetown, Mass. "I love the fact that anyone thinks my words will be carried on the wind and contaminate somebody's cookout."

Letter to Shirley

What follows is an e-mail from my friend, Larry Binger, which he sent as an attachment called "Letter to Shirley'.

Dang, I feel like such a big naive dolt sometimes:

Thank You Shirley,

But again, this isn't really about me, it's about letting the people know about the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. When the Veterans Administration and the Paralyzed Veterans of America sends out the athletes’ information and press releases to the news media in our respective states during the games, it would be great if the media would print it or show it on the news and let the people know what a positive thing this is.

The games are nearly 30 years old and most of American doesn’t even know they exist.

When I tell people I compete, they immediately think I am in the "Special Olympics”?? Not even close. I blame this on a total lack of education because of the media.

After all, the American people read about these men and women when they get deployed and when they are killed or seriously wounded.

Wouldn't it be great if the American people could read about these special people whom they expect to defend our country at any cost are rebuilding their shattered lives through sports? The National Veterans Wheelchair Games is just one event offered by the Paralyzed Veterans of America that allows these heroes to do just that.

I think every state should send a media representative to the games to spend several days in a wheelchair with these veterans and get a first hand look at what actually transpires there. Sports is the main focus but what these men and women really get out of the event is the strength, courage and knowledge that they can live normal lives even after all they have endured.

Think about it, if these men and women can still compete in sports after a horrific disability, than they can carry that strength, courage and knowledge into their every day lives.

America has a short-term memory when it comes to our military men and women. We are heroes when we go, but we are ( ? ) when we come home mentally or physically wounded.

That nice boy or girl who used live next door is now something else and America tends to put on the blinders.

This is what we used to do with our family members who suffered from mental illness or physical disabilities in the "Victorian Age" - we locked them up in asylums or kept them in the house so no one would have to see them. Thus we avoided embarrassment to ourselves and our families.

We as Americans claim to be enlightened, modern and sophisticated. But when it comes to dealing with some one who has a disability on a daily basis, what we really are is blind and clueless due to the lack of education.

However, if the media doesn't let the general population about this event and these amazing people / athletes and their truly inspiring stories of survival and recovery than America will continue to have a short-term memory.

“When America is threatened or in need, she demands so much of her young. In return, she gives little or nothing when they have answered her call and they are in need.”

Did you know that there is a movie about birth of the Paralyzed Veterans of America? ? It's called: "THE MEN"

“The legendary Marlon Brando makes his stunning cinematic debut in this film as an ex-soldier physically and emotionally wounded by the menace of war. Stuck at a veteran's hospital with debilitating injuries, he and the men around him must find a way to battle the bitterness that threatens to overwhelm their very souls.” Co-stars Richard Erdman
and Virginia Farmer. Named by the National Board of Review as one of the 10 best films of 1950."

This is how the PVA – Paralyzed Veterans of America was founded.

Sorry, I get a little long-winded and protective of these folks, my brothers and sisters in arms – my fellow veterans.

Shirley, to summarize this I leave you with a poem I wrote several years ago about these men and women and the National Veterans Wheelchair Games:

Onward Wheelchair Soldiers

Roll onward wheelchair soldiers into the light of day

For the battle we fight is not one of war but for the strength and courage to say

We are best at what we do, at home, at work, at play

We meet each challenge the best we can, the all American way

Let all the wheelchair soldiers, assembled here today
Summon up that strength and courage as we go out to play

The National Veterans Wheelchair Games is but one way we can say
We are the wheelchair soldiers and we are here to stay

Though our weapons be the shot-put, javelin and the disk
That each and every event we choose may hold a certain risk

It is with strength and courage that we do battle on this field
And carry the banner of sportsmanship as our golden shield

Let all the wheelchair soldiers assembled here today
Show the world, that we are the best at home, at work, at play

Roll onward wheelchair soldiers into the light of day.
_________________
Written by: Larry G. BingerU.S. Navy Disabled Veteran and Wheelchair Athlete2005

Thank you Shirley for all your help.

Larry

The Nose Knows?

Prove it:

"Two North Georgia troopers say they followed their noses to almost 3 pounds of marijuana stashed in the trunk of a car they stopped on I-75.

Troopers Jeff Adamson and Kevin Turner said they caught a whiff of "raw marijuana" from within Jarmane Vernon Knox's car.

This gave them probable cause to search, find the pot and arrest Knox and his passenger, Derrick Mikes.

But Knox, of Chattanooga, claims that something about the arrest smells funny.

Specially trained dogs are often used to sniff out illicit drugs, but is the human nose that sensitive?

The dispute has spawned a novel challenge in a court motion filed in Gordon County Superior Court.

It seeks a court order to have the marijuana put back inside a trash bag and placed in the trunk of a random car in the courthouse parking lot.

The troopers would then be asked to prove they can really smell as well as a trained, certified drug dog can, the motion said.

The motion, filed by Knox's lawyer, David West of Marietta, seeks to have the seized marijuana suppressed as evidence from an unlawful search."

Unfortunately, the motion was denied. Would have been fun !

Picture of the Day

h/t ThinkProgress

Go, Larry, Go !

Getting the butterflies in the stomach yet, Larry?

Cut, Cut, Snip, Snip: The Castration of America

There was more than one castration reference in recent news. Aside from the most obvious one, the Constitution itself was successfully emasculated with the passage of the revised FISA bill, the consequences of which are more insidiously serious than the mere granting of immunity to the telecom industry.

And quietly, ever so quietly, the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board has limp-dicked its way to oblivious obscurity.

The Board came about as the result of a 9-11 Commission recommendation. Its goals were to:

“….ensure that concerns with respect to privacy and civil liberties are appropriately considered in the implementation of all laws, regulations, and executive branch policies related to efforts to protect the Nation against terrorism. This includes advising on whether adequate guidelines, supervision, and oversight exist to protect these important legal rights of all Americans.

In addition, the Board is specifically charged with responsibility for reviewing the terrorism information sharing practices of executive branch departments and agencies to determine whether guidelines designed to appropriately protect privacy and civil liberties are being followed..”

Fine-sounding goals, indeed ! You know, protecting privacy and civil liberties and all that stuff from the zealousness of an overreaching government.

The only thing is, the Board was placed within and was therefore under the auspices of the Executive Branch. A bit like the fox watching the hen house, isn’t it?

It took nearly two years for the hand-picked members of the Board to be sworn in. Fourteen months later, one of the members resigned in disgust, saying that they were virtually impotent (are you following along with the castration theme here?):

“The board can't demand documents; it can't force bureaucrats who actually implement the program -- and who might be aware of malfeasance -- to speak with them under oath. Instead, its sole and complete authority is to take the administration at its word.”

In 2007, some changes were made ostensibly to make it more independent of the White House, but the original Board members’ terms expired on January 30th of this year, and no nominations have been made to replace them.

Lisa Graves, deputy director for the Center for National Security Studies said:

"Now that Congress has changed the board's rules to make it a little more independent, the White House appears to have no interest in appointing anyone to it."

Cut, cut. Snip, snip.

Jefferson, are you weeping?

In The Dead of Night

To what ultimate fate?

From Boston ----

After most members had fled the chamber for the night, the House passed a bill prohibiting the taking by eminent domain of any person's property for commercial purposes. The Rep. Martha Walz bill was amended by House Minority Leader Bradley Jones before members sent it to the Senate without debate.

"Property shall not be taken from one owner and transferred to another on the grounds that the public will benefit from a more profitable use," according to the bill.

Who Knew Economists Could Be So Touchy?

I downloaded John McCain’s Jobs for America economic plan, and of course had to immediately consult my second Mom, Economist Mom. As expected, she had already posted her initial assessment:

“I would love for any of them to explain to me how they believe this plan realistically, and wisely, would eliminate the budget deficit in four years, and how any of them who might be less than thrilled with the Bush Administration’s record on fiscal policy can read between the lines (and fluff) of this McCain plan and see anything substantially different.”

She was also similarly less than enthusiastic about Obama’s Social Security tax proposal, so I trust her as a no-nonsense, non-partisan guide to understanding some of the complex economic issues facing us today.

But who knew that economists are mere mortals? The Jobs for America post has generated some hissy-fittedness among the econo-geeks:

Comment Rescue:

Unsympathetic says: Keep talking bombastically, making personal attacks, and changing the subject, PRS. Somewhere, the person in a mirror cares. Why can’t you respond to the points in the post by economistmom?

Patrick R. Sullivan says: How does quoting Alice Rivlin constitute ‘talking bombastically’?

Brooks says: So, no I didn’t “ignore” what you said at all, and no, I wasn’t trying to change the subject. You flatter yourself way too much by presuming that I would need to avoid debate with you.

I love it when economists argue. It goes beyond the news flash and the pompous pronouncements of campaign shills.

These are complex issues, and trying to weed through the debate can only increase one’s understanding. I’m not saying it’s easy. I’m not even saying you can come to a conclusion, but a responsible and concerned voter should at least try to get a grip on the debate.

Thanks, Mom.

The Obligatory Nuts Post

Dude, what were you thinking?

Louisiana The Latest to Reject Real ID

Louisiana House Bill 715 was signed by Governor Bobby Jindal on 7/7/2008:

"An Act to direct the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to not implement the provisions of the Federal Real ID Act of 2005."

It recognizes, among other things, that:

(1) ..some of the intended privacy requirements of the REAL ID Act...will be stolen, sold, or otherwise used 20 for purposes that were never intended or that are criminally related than if the REAL ID Act had not been enacted.

(2) ..these potential breaches in privacy that could result directly from compliance with the REAL ID Act may violate the right to privacy, as secured by Article 24 I, Section 5 of the Constitution of Louisiana..

(3) ..the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the National Governors' Association, and the National Conference of State Legislatures have estimated, in an impact analysis dated September 2006, that the cost to the states to implement the REAL ID Act will be more than $11 billion over five years.

(4) ..for all of these reasons, the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the National Governors' Association, and the National Conference of State Legislatures, in a letter dated March 17, 2005, to the majority and minority leaders of the United States Senate, opposed the adoption of the REAL ID Act, but the opposition of those groups and the groups' request that Congress rely on driver's license security provisions already passed by Congress in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 was largely ignored by Congress.

(5) ..the mandate to the states, through federal legislation that provides no funding for its requirements, to issue what is, in effect, a national identification card appears to be an attempt to "commandeer" the principles of federalism contained in the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America

"The Legislature of Louisiana does hereby direct the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, including the office of motor vehicles, not to implement the provisions of the REAL ID Act and to report to the governor any attempt by agencies or agents of the United States Department of Homeland Security to secure the implementation of the REAL ID Act through the operations of that division and department." (LINK)

Coordinate Existing Resources to Alleviate Traffic Woes

Our own Representative Castle introduced H.R. 6435, the “National Highway Chokepoint Congestion Relief Act.” The Act calls for:

(1) Development of criteria for designating national chokepoint regions
(2) The awarding of grants for capital improvements in such regions, the Federal share of which would be 80%

The Act also calls for establishing “performance measures and quantitative goals” in order to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of congestion-relief projects.

While I applaud the spirit of the legislation, I question its potential effectiveness and feasibility. It also appears to me to duplicate other efforts and could result in funds and projects that work at cross-purposes with each other.

The first issue is, of course, money. The Act is to be funded by the federal transportation trust fund, which is “expected to be broke next year”. While it is reported that savings can be found in the fund through the elimination of wasteful spending and earmarks, I don’t see that happening anytime soon. It is also too early for a CBO report on the Act, which would shed some light on the actual costs expected to be incurred.

Much is already being spent by the federal government on the very issues that H.R. 6435 is addressing. SAFETEA-LU appropriates the following for each fiscal year from 2005 through 2009:

(1) $196.4 million/year for transportation research, development and deployment programs
(2) $27 million/year for the Bureau of Transportation Statistics
(3) $69.7 million/year for university transportation research
(4) $110 million/year for intelligent transportation systems research

The University of South Florida was one such grant recipient, and was one of ten universities that was awarded $1 million a year for years 2006 through 2009. The theme of the research as stated in their strategic plan is:

“….to make public transportation and alternative forms of transportation, including managed lanes, safe, effective, efficient, desirable, and secure. The goals of NCTR are: to minimize traffic congestion, maximize mobility options, promote safety and security, improve the environment, and enhance community sustainability. This will be accomplished by conducting applied and advanced research, energetically disseminating the results, and expanding the workforce of transportation professionals through education and training to address the challenges and opportunities of the future.

NCTR’s theme is completely consistent with the strategic goals of the USDOT. Public Transportation must become a more prominent mode of transportation as our population increases and ages, funding of highway infrastructure becomes more expensive and difficult to secure, congestion reduces the efficiency of the economy, gas becomes scarcer and more expensive, concern for the environment continues to increase, and our reliance on oil puts our national security at severe risk. More attractive public transportation services and managed lanes can provide more choices to the traveling public and business community to complement and supplement the highway construction that will be undertaken.

NCTR will also focus on research that promotes travel choices for all trip purposes and improves transportation system reliability. Research will include enhancements in the use of alternative forms of travel and practices such as managed lanes, telework, flexible work hours, congestion pricing, traveler information, ridesharing, bicycling, and pedestrian modes. In addition, NCTR researchers will conduct research that helps advance the use of alternative fuels and technologies that help protect the environment while enabling traffic to move more safely and smoothly.”

Sound familiar? There are many institutions of higher learning and government agencies that are ostensibly working on the problem. It is the job of the Department of Transportation to coordinate this research and set the strategic tone.

But local regions may actually be working at cross-purposes with any efficiencies that may be gleaned. From theNewspaper, in a recent article titled, “New Virginia Toll Lanes Designed to Create Congestion” (emphasis added):

“In effect, the contract between the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Transurban is designed to ensure the area remains sufficiently congested so that motorists will have an incentive to pay to use the toll lanes.

For example, VDOT can make no changes, expansion or improvements to the free lanes on the Beltway until the year 2087 unless the agency first consults Transurban. VDOT agreed that if any such changes were made to the general purpose lanes without Transurban's explicit approval, they would at least be made in such a way as to guarantee the company maintained a high level of profit."

This ill-conceived program creates disincentives towards improving highway efficiency. The details of the agreement with the Australian firm Transurban only came to light when questionable campaign donations were discovered from that company to politicians who had a hand in orchestrating the agreement.

So, on the one hand Castle’s legislation duplicates existing efforts and projects that are already costing the taxpayer billions of dollars. On the other hand, State and regional transportation projects (also funded primarily with Federal dollars), are not sufficiently monitored to ensure that they don’t thwart the very purpose of highway funding. H.R. 6435 just adds another layer of administration and bureaucracy that is not needed.

A more strategic and comprehensive view from the Department of Transportation is needed to address the issues in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

It's Now a Three-Way Race for Senate

There must be something in the water out there in Minnesota:

....former Gov. Jesse "The Body" Ventura, Ind-Minn., says he will run for Senate, challenging incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn.,whom Ventura defeated for governor in 1998, as well as Democratic nominee and former Saturday Night Live humorist Al Franken.

Egad. A "former wrestler" versus a "former humorist"?

I can't wait to watch the debates.

Four Days on the Fourth - Chainsaw Edition

My significant other has his own version of our July 4th weekend trip, with additional pictures.

A Sluggish Front and a Weekend at Bernie's

...well, Bernie and Penny’s to be exact. More on that later.

When we were planning our long weekend camping trip on the Skyline Drive, I had mentioned to Chainsaw that maybe we should get reservations at the campground. “Oh, hell no, we don’t need that”, he replied. For some reason, the night before we left, he decided to call both of the campgrounds we were looking at. Full up, both of them.

By this time the trailer had been packed with all the camping supplies and our friend Tim in Bear was primed to meet up with us at about 06:30 on Friday. We were screwed, or so we thought. Chainsaw (aka “The Saw”) remembered that we had some friends, Penny and Bernie, who lived on about 60 acres out around Mount Jackson, VA. We hadn’t seen them in almost two years, but keep in touch via a biker’s forum and Penny’s website and blog. The last time we had seen them was at a little TEA* Party in August of 2006.

Chainsaw gave them a call, and Penny said, “Hell, yeah, c’mon down ! Y’all can stay in the cabin !”

So, plans had been altered a bit, but we were still on our way the next day.

We met up with Tim and were on the road by 07:30 on July 4th. We took Route 340 through Harpers Ferry, then Twenty Miles of Terror on the Beltway (I-695) around Baltimore, then Route 70 to Front Royal. We were rained on the first hour or so. That rain stings on your face when you’re on a motorcycle. Chainsaw, aka “Mr. Meteorologist” told me that this was supposed to be a “sluggish front”, which meant it was supposed to hang around for awhile. It sure enough did.

On the way to Mount Jackson we stopped at a Sheetz in Boyce, VA.

After all, there are essentials in life and Chainsaw and Tim wanted to make sure we had them.





Once duly stocked, we continued on.





Now, Penny and Bernie are homesteaders and they live way, way, way back in the woods. There is a drive of about a mile off of the main road, then a mile or so of gravelly-stuff which is very challenging when you're on a bike. Not only was Chainsaw hauling my own quite sensible ass, we were also hauling a trailer full of "stuff". But Chainsaw, despite his grumbling did the deed with his usual grace (that is, if you don't count the cursing).

We were all prepared for camping, but were happy to stay in the cabin on Penny and Bernie's property. It was built in 1906 and has all the amenities (refrigerator, stove, sink, plenty of beds, television, dining room, and a right friendly front porch for sitting). The only thing it didn't have was running water. Hell, that's what they make woods for.

We arrived around 3:30 PM, and sat with Penny and Bernie in their house (which is just up a bit from the cabin), jawing and throwing back a few, catching up with everything that has been going on. We talked a bit of politics. When I asked Bernie what party he was registered with, he told me he wasn't a Democrat or a Republican; he was a Civil Libertarian. Penny told me that in Virginia they don't have to officially register with a party, and just pick what primary they want to vote in. She was in a quandry (like many people) with the Presidential race. I think she is leaning towards Bob Barr.

I didn't take any pictures of the inside of the cabin, but wish that I had. It was filled with things that bikers and various other miscreants had left during their stay, including a tambourine, a feathered boa, bottles of mysterious liquors, coffee cups, signs, and poker chips. We played poker for awhile on Friday, then hit the sack, all the while listening to the torrential rain pound on the roof. We were happy we weren't camping...this little shack was better than a 5-star hotel in our minds.

The door on the cabin had this sign posted on it, so we felt safe.


There also was a sign on a smaller shack right by us that warned that the FBI, ATF, and IRS were not exactly welcome, seeing as how this was private property.

The weather was not very encouraging on Saturday. Tim had never been on the Skyline Drive, but the clouds were ominous and we probably wouldn't have been able to see any views anyway.

We rode over to Shenandoah Caverns (and got rained on). Once we saw the price of $22/person for the tour, we decided that $22 was too much for a hole in the ground, so we bought a few tacky souveniers just to say we were there. The riding was all real nice when it wasn't raining. We decided to stop at the local Wally World and stock up on provisions so we could make dinner for our hosts. Chainsaw sprung for the ribeye steaks, Tim picked out some store-bought potato salad, and we refreshed the beer supply.

We went up to Penny and Bernie's house, and the grill was fired up. Chainsaw was the chef, and he had been soaking hicktory chips since the early morning. Penny came out with baked beans, salad, rolls, and macaroni and cheese. We had a good old time just a talking and bullshitting and eating. The weather held up for us that evening, which was a blessing.

I was just happy being around good, smart, interesting people (oh, I include Chainsaw and Tim in that). Penny and Bernie are founders of a group called VFR-RACE. VFR stands for "Virginia Freedom Riders". The word RACE stands for "Race Against Constitutional Erosion". They are all up on the same issues we care about, and I always learn something, especially since States can be a little different in some ways. The gun "laws" there are very different from Delaware. Bernie is a member of the state Motorcycle Advisory Council, and there is the big concern about increasing motorcycle deaths (VA is a mandatory helmet law state).

We jawed a bit, but not too late, as the woods life kind of makes you go to bed early and get up early. A good time was had by all.

By Sunday, the "sluggish front" was still being sluggish. We hemmed and hawed and looked at the mountains and finally decided to go for it. We did about forty miles on the Skyline Drive. On the other side of the one tunnel on the Drive, it started to pour. Just 15 minutes earlier, we had taken our jackets off ! We had a deer and a fawn cross our path twice. I never cease to be amazed at that.

We had some trash food on the road, and headed back. While I was reading in the dining room, Chainsaw and Tim were chattering away on the front porch. Penny and Bernie came down and we hung on the porch for about another two hours, just talking about all sorts of things, never at a loss for conversation.

Monday was the traveling-home day. We got everything packed, making sure to leave no footprints, and rode up the road to thank our gracious hosts. Promising to e-mail once we got home, we started out pretty much along the same route we had come in on. We stopped at the Harley dealership in Winchester (and 4 other bikers from Delaware rode in), then stocked up at a Waffle House (Chainsaw calls it "Awful House", but dang you always know what you're going to get).

On the Twenty Miles of Terror (I-695) going back, don't you know Mother Nature had to let us know who was boss and we got a torrential rain that lasted about 10 minutes. I guess She just couldn't let a day go by without us getting wet.

We got home around 4:30, plumb tuckered out for sure, but it was a "good" kind of tired. When you know you've ridden hard, been with good people, and seen some real pretty places. And Tim got to ride part of the Skyline Drive, which is probably the best thing of all.

After a quick supper of red beans and rice, Chainsaw and I hit the sack to prepare for the return to the rat race. I was sure tired out today, and had over 100 e-mails and such to deal with, but dang we had a good time. You can't ask for anything more than a safe trip, good fellowship, and beautiful country. You just can't.

*TEA = The Extreme Activist

Happy 70th Birthday, Dame Diana

Dame Diana Rigg may be 70 this month but she still drives a Mercedes sports car, smokes 20 a day and swears by a bottle of Merlot before bedtime. The spirit of Emma Peel lives on.....

(LINK)

Campaign Slogan: Enough is Enough !

Off the Grid

We'll be off the grid for the next few days. We're packing up the MUV (motorcycle utility vehicle) and heading for the Skyline Drive. We plan to set up camp at a site around the 53-mile mark.

Leaving around 6 AM tomorrow morning, hooking up with a friend in Bear, then heading to the Front Royal entrance via Route 340 (I think).

Grilling and good fellowship should abound ! I look forward to a break from these internet tubes.

Y'all have a safe and happy 4th, y'heya?

Two Equally Visceral Reactions to the Failure to Override the Gooberner's Veto of SB 245

Reaction one:



Reaction two:



Reaction #2 is starting to look real good to me right about now.

Let the bodies hit the floor, motherfuckers.

Just How Stupid Are We?

Apparently, incredibly so, according to Rick Shenkman. Mr. Shenkman has won the Emmy for investigative reporting, and is an associate professor of history at George Mason University. His recent essay, Citizen Stupid is an adaptation from Chapter Two of his recent book Just How Stupid Are We? Facing the Truth About the American Voter.

He writes a blog titled, appropriately, How Stupid.

The essay gives a quite discouraging assessment of the ordinary citizen’s political awareness and intelligence. I suspected this all along.

Some excerpts:

“…..Americans fall into three categories with regard to their political knowledge. A tiny percentage know a lot about politics, up to 50%-60% know enough to answer very simple questions, and the rest know next to nothing.”

“…But if they do not know the difference between liberals and conservatives, as surveys indicate, how can they possibly say in any meaningful way how the parties differ?”

“Most Americans cannot name their own member of Congress or their senators.”

“In 2003, the Strategic Task Force on Education Abroad investigated Americans' knowledge of world affairs. The task force concluded: "America's ignorance of the outside world" is so great as to constitute a threat to national security”

“…young people are the least informed of any age cohort save possibly for those confined to nursing homes.”

“Millions every year are now spent on the effort to answer the question: What do the voters want? The honest answer would be that often they themselves do not really know because they do not know enough to say.”

“How much ignorance can a country stand? There have to be terrible consequences when it reaches a certain level. But what level? And with what consequences, exactly?”

The article is worth reading in its entirety.

h/t Mother Jones

If Libertarian Bikers Ruled the World - First Edition

I am not a Libertarian scholar. The finer philosophical points at times can be tiresome, and border on nit-picking. So while I do read and learn, I am a mere dilettante on the more complex theories and tenets of Libertarianism as a school of thought.

So how do I know I am a libertarian? Very simple.

My gut tells me.

My gut has never led me astray. If I feel something is wrong, my gut knows it. Similarly, I know immediately when something is right. Freedom is simple. Individual rights are simple.

The gut knows.

I was beside myself with pride when I learned that fellow biker and activist Jan MacKay was running as the Libertarian candidate for State Senate in District 15, Wake County, North Carolina (I spelled her last name wrong in my first post, sorry about that, Jan).

A few days ago (and the day before she filed her papers to run), Jan posted a letter she had written to the current Senator in her District (Neal Hunt). She has been fighting the mandatory helmet law in North Carolina, and has filed legislation on this and other biker rights issues. The letter was in response to an e-mail she received from Senator Hunt as follows:

“Jan, I pretty much agree with you about mandatory helmets for motorcycle riders. I would add one caveate [sic]. To avoid wearing a helmet a rider must carry personal health insurance to take care of any injuries they might sustain. However, S1800 passed by the Senate on June 11 and is currently in the House Committee on Transportation.”

Now, I think this got Jan's gander up a bit. Maybe it was something in her gut.

Jan's response to Senator Hunt was so good, I asked her if I could publish it here. For those of you who could care less about bikers' rights or mandatory helmet laws, fear not. Jan MacKay's reply is not just about those issues, but about personal liberty and freedom. I told her it was one of the best statements on Libertarian principles I have ever read.

What follows is Jan's e-mail to Senator Hunt (who will be her opponent in the election):

" Neal, I truly appreciate your responsiveness. If the bill comes back to the Senate, with my proposed amendments, for ratification, please support the changes. I understand the chances of this happening are slim to none.

Like you, I also believe in making personal decisions, and taking personal responsibility. The state needs to allow individual liberties rather than make such an important decision as to what kind of protective gear motorcyclists should wear. They should be allowed to wear, or not wear, whatever they choose.

Insurance stipulations only add more regulation and complications. There would still be a mandatory helmet law, with an exception for those with the right health insurance. Not only could a helmet-less rider be ticketed for having no helmet - they could also be charged with operating without appropriate insurance. There is no similar requirement for motorists to carry an amount of personal health insurance, yet there are almost 10 times as many of them injured every year, and, like motorcyclists, a percent of motorist injuries are head injuries.

I oppose mandating inequitable, discriminatory insurance legislation just to placate those who are misinformed that a helmet is a panacea to greatly reduce "public burden" of head injuries.

The CDC says the elderly are the ones who experience the most traumatic brain injury (TBI), and the best prevention is to exercise, yet I don't see anyone mandating that the elderly exercise. Such legislation would be as absurd as forcing a torture device onto someones head.

There are approximately 10 times as many people who die in motor vehicle crashes as die in motorcycle accidents. As with other vehicle accidents, causes of death of motorcyclists are primarily to the torso, rather than the head. Insurance companies, lawyers, doctors, and chiropractors, favor higher amounts of insurance, and have perpetuated the public burden theory as it applies to motorcyclists, while the reality is that the TBI costs of motorcycle accidents is a very minute percent of the total. The helmet lobby consists of insurance companies, lawyers, and chiropractors. It is good for their businesses, but a mandatory helmet law is an invasion of rights. If helmets work as good as the federal government bureaucrats say, their cherry-picked data, plus marketing, would create 100% demand for them, with no mandates.

According to the CDC, each year an estimated 1.4 million individuals in the United States sustain a TBI. Of those injured, 1.1 million have injuries serious enough to require treatment in hospital emergency departments. Annually, more than 235,000 people are hospitalized and 50,000 people die as a result of their injuries. An estimated 80-90,000 Americans with TBI experience permanent impairs their physical, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning which in turn impacts their ability to return to home, school, and work.

Approximately 475,000 children ages birth to 14 receive a TBI with emergency department visits counting for more than 90 percent of the TBIs in this age group. The risk for incurring a TBI is highest among adolescents, young adults, and persons over the age of 75, with the risk among males twice the risk among females. African Americans have the highest death and hospitalization rates from TBI. The reasons for these disparities are not well known.

Transportation incidents, primarily motor vehicle crashes, are the leading cause of TBI-related hospitalizations, whereas falls are the leading cause of all TBIs. The injury rates for falls are highest among children ages birth to four years and adults age 75 or older. The injury rates for both motor vehicle and assault-related TBI are highest among adolescents ages 15 to 19.

I typically do not preface arguments for helmet law repeal with talk of injuries, because I know how most of the folks in the NCGA are quick to go into panic mode. Protective attitudes, and knee-jerk reactions about regulating away all individual decisions pervade the legislature. They are like an overbearing parent who panics when they hear of injuries. Rights cannot be negotiated.

Thus, regarding the motorcycle helmet issue, I prefer to make my arguments based on loss of rights and violations of constitutional law. The current situation is that the law leaves enforcement up to arbitrary decisions of enforcement agencies, and with a state highway patrol which describes itself as paramilitary, I would prefer to make the laws clear.

I spoke with a Cary police detective last week, and told her there are tens of thousands of people who wear full-face helmets which conceal identities. They could all be rounded up, in violation of GS 14-12.7 and .8, the concealed identity statutes, and be sent to trial, facing prison for a year.

She said, "True, but we wouldn't do that."

I said, "Enforcement is arbitrary and at your discretion".

She said, "Yes, so it's okay."

I said, "What do you mean it's okay?! I am not okay about any part of that! That is why the law must change."

" ....the government cannot make any objective standards for helmets without taking on liability, and since they are expressly forbidden from taking on any liability, they can never make an objective standard for helmets. Without an objective standard it all becomes ad hoc and arbitrary. Ad hoc and arbitrary is the foundation of vague law. Vague law is Unconstitutional." ----------Richard Quigley

Thanks again for your response.
Will speak with you later,

Jan MacKay
Wake Forest
Senate District

My gut tells me Jan MacKay is going to give Senator Hunt a run for his money. Speaking of which, I have to get a check out soon !

Biker Chick Running for State Senate in North Carolina !

Oh, I know Jan McKay alright……Freedom Fighter extraordinaire. How do I know her? We are both members of the rag-tag-group of radicals called B.O.L.T: Bikers of Lesser Tolerance. She is North Carolina’s State Director.

I am excited beyond words that Jan has been selected as the Libertarian candidate for State Senate, District 15, Wake County, NC.

Freedom is not just a word to Jan…it is a way of life. It is in her blood.

The good people of District 15 could not have a better candidate. I for one will support her in any way I can.

Good on ya, Jan ! I’ll be watching you ! Look for a contribution later this month !

A Veto We Can Believe In

With no small amount of political risk, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has vetoed the legislative pay raise.

Lawmakers had voted to raise their annual base salary from $16,800 to $37,500. The raise was to go into effect Tuesday.

The pay raise was enormously unpopular with the people, but of course extremely popular with the Louisiana State Legislature. Jindal may now face a tough road in trying to enact his promised reforms in a State that needs it quite badly.

Be that as it may, he has made his bed and will now sleep in it:

Jindal said that legislators "are going to be angry I broke my word to them" by promising to stay out of the pay raise issue. "Let them direct their anger to me and not the people of this state," Jindal said. (LINK)

A Ride on the Freedom Bus

The Freedom Bus left from Crossroad Shopping Center on Route 9 in New Castle yesterday at 4:00 PM.

Destination: Dover

When I heard of the Goobernor’s veto of SB 245 and saw the glaring headline in the Sunday paper, I was beside myself with outrage. I can only imagine how Ed and Cindy Osborne felt.

I forget exactly where I saw the number to call to sign up for the Freedom Bus, organized by the Osbornes to take a contingent of Freedom Fighters to Legislative Hall. But in any event, I spoke with Cindy twice on Sunday (and she made me feel like we have known each other forever, she’s just that kind of person), got the details straight and contact information established.

I took a half-day vacation from work, arriving home around 2:15, then out at 3:00 for the trip to New Castle. The bus was there, along with eventually what came to about 25 supporters. I finally got to meet Cindy and Ed in person….their lives have been ultimately changed by this fight, but they go on, undaunted, ever-enthusiastic and positive.

The group was a motley one, all ages, sexes, and races. Mr. Osborne’s attorney rode down on the bus with us, all the while schooling us on the Fifth Amendment and giving us other resources on the Eminent Domain issue. My seat-mate on the ride down, “Nanny”, was a joy. We’re going to hook up on a project she wants to get going, and I may have some resources that can help her. What a story this woman had ! I got fired up just listening to her talk. We blabbed the whole trip down.

We assembled in front of Legislative Hall, flags in hand. I ran into a sexily-chubby dude in a yellow IZOD shirt, someone who looked suspiciously like Drew Carey, and commentor Paul Falkowski.

I don’t want to name all who spoke to our motley crew because I might forget somebody, but let’s just say it was all very inspirational. I was heartened by their energy and dedication.

Jeff and Paul from the Delaware Ron Paul Meetup group arrived later to join the fun. This is about the Constitution, after all. And just so we don’t forget:

“No person shall be … deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”

Jeff, Paul and I did some roaming of the halls. I met John Flaherty, and he was kind enough to explain the whole “bell ringing” thing, and direct me to the gallery. It was crowded, but I managed to squeeze my butt in after Paul gave me a spot (sometimes it helps to be a girl, and gallantry still lives).

We were only supposed to be there for a bit; the bus was leaving at 7 PM, and I was prepared to get home and listen to the rest of the session via computer, but lo and behold at around 6:45 PM Senator Venables introduced SB 245 and called for a vote to override.

“We’re holding the bus !”, declared Mr. Osborne’s attorney.

After Senator Venables gave his speech, a loud round of applause arose from the gallery, and I have to admit I did a little “woo-hoo !”. Mr. Carney expressed his displeasure at the outburst from the peanut gallery. That’s OK, Chainsaw was all set with bail money.

The saga has been reported extensively in the blogosphere and the News Journal. We all know how it went. Needless to say, when I heard my Senator’s vote (Cloutier), I was crushed beyond belief.

A weary and disappointed troop of Freedom Fighters boarded the bus for the trip home about 8 PM. Ed Osborne came to thank us all. In his hand he had the list of the Senators who voted against the override.

“These are the people we need to vote out !”, he exclaimed ! “This isn’t over !”

And it isn’t. To the person, the young and the old, the black and the white, the rich and the not-so-rich, each and every one of us vowed to ourselves that it isn’t over. And we’ll be back next year, stronger and madder than ever.

May God Bless Ed and Cindy Osborne for giving this old girl a fresh breath and a renewed reason to go on. The incessant whittling away of our Constitutional rights by the favored and powered few will not be allowed to happen. Not while I still have a breath in me.

Lest we forget:

“No person shall be … deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”