The Natural Born Right to Act Like a Jackass

At first glance even, the arrest of Henry Louis "Skip" Gates Jr. looks odd. A professor in an upscale neighborhood led away screaming by suburban police does not happen every day. Professors do not normally kick up a ruckuss and police in the 21st century rarely seek trouble with an academic of Gates' standing. But there it is.

We posted the police report yesterday morning just for everyone's perusal. It's not like a famous local gets arrested every day. The Piedmont native, known best by his famous, or infamous depending upon who you ask, narrative Colored People has never shied from controversy. He certainly did not on the day of his arrest either.

Let's take the police report at face value. Police show up at Gates' home because he himself is trying to break into it. He locked himself out of his recently purchased home. Now you and I might have been grateful for the quick response to a perceived break in, we would have produced our driver's license, and thanked the officers for their punctual response.

Gates upbraided the officers for their questions, at first refused to produce identification, and shouted at them. According to the report he threatened them with his influence and called them racists. Eventually he produced a Harvard University identification, but continued making a loud scene. Gates never became physically violent, however. Eventually the police arrested him and took him down to the police station. Gates' mug shot became national news.

Unless the police report is horribly inaccurate, the police appeared to act with restraint. Gates basically, as we say here in the Mountain State, made an ass of himself. Some have speculated that he even tried to provoke an arrest for some reason. After Obama bashed the officer in question, residents rose in defense of the career officer. Apparently he even tried to save the life of Boston Celtics star Reggie Lewis by using mouth to mouth rescusitation.

Here is my problem with this situation. Yes, Gates acted irrationally by the accounts of the report and all witnesses. However, he never became violent. Gates is an elderly man with a slight frame. At the time he wore a polo shirt and expensive slacks. The crime with which he is charged is vague in the extreme, something akin to "disturbing the peace." I do believe that the officers acted with restraint, not "stupidly" as the Maximum Duce Obama claims (or claimed before he retracted it, then didn't retract it.) Of course now his press secretary wonders why a topic that Obama mentioned in his own press conference would be covered by the media.

However there is something that bothers me about a loud, but otherwise peaceful and physically non threatening man, being led away in handcuffs for acting like a jackass on his own property. Officers certainly had the obligation to find out that he owned the home whose door he broke down, but after that, why not just leave the old man to gnash his teeth by himself? Gates and any of the rest of us have the right in broad daylight to scream, holler, and cuss so long as we do not threaten or harm others. His dignity remains his personal problem. Acting like a fool is a natural right, especially on one's own land.

Census Counts Illegals and It Changes Congress

Yesterday I had the opportunity to hear a great presentation by a US Census worker on the up coming 2010 Census. The expected questions about Acorn involvement where asked and answered. It was stated that all people living in an area will be counted, even non-citizens. That begged the question as to why were non-citizens and illegal aliens being counted in the US Census. The reason given was a good one, that resources for health care, transportation, etc are allocated on a basis of population and, citizen or not, those resources are being used. While I believe illegals should be deported, I do understand that they are a drain on social resources and I understand the reasoning, but I do not agree with it.

The problem is they should not be counted as part of the population of the US, because they are not citizens and only citizens of the US should be counted. Article I, Section 2 of the US Constitution calls for Enumeration to determine each states Representation in the US House. This was later modified by the 14th Amendment. "Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside." It goes on to state, "Section 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed." It seems quite clear that only citizens are to be counted.

So what does this mean? According to the Department of Homeland Security the "estimated numbers of undocumented immigrants [are]-- California (2.0 million), Texas (700,000), New York (540,000)" By counting these non US citizens in the Census, these states get extra Congressional seats they should not have. An average of 693,000 residents is needed for each house seat. That means that California has at least three extra members of the US House of Representatives and Texas and New York each have one extra. Those five mis-allocated Representatives are at the expense of other states. Utah, Indiana and Mississippi would most likely pick up one each of those five mis-allocated seats.

It is important that the Census only count US Citizens. We are the only ones that are supposed to be voting. The presence of Legal or Illegal Aliens should not come in to play when dividing up the US House of Representatives. Once you become a citizen, then you should be counted and only then you should receive the benefits of citizenship, not before.

Singing the Blues With West Virginia Red

As of this writing, when you Google "Doug McKinney" and "Hatch Act," you only come up with a handful of left wing blogs and West Virginia Red. Only one of the above has launched a serious crusade to split the West Virginia Republican Party by ousting Chairman Doug McKinney, and it is not one of the Democratic or Socialist ones.

For the second time in a row, West Virginia Red has tried to unleash a bombshell against McKinney on the eve of a major state Republican gathering. What was shocking has grown predictable, what is predictable will soon become boring. I asked the question before when discussing this issue with a couple of those ranging themselves against Dr. McKinney, how on earth do you think that a supposed major violation of a well known election law escaped the attention of Secretary of State Betty Ireland, much less the West Virginia Democratic Party? There is no answer to that question unless you believe that state election officials and the Democratic Party willfully ignored a major oversight. Yes it is not Ms. Ireland's job, nor is it the obligation of the Democrats to quote federal laws to the West Virginia GOP Chair. Then again both, for obviously different reasons, would be very inclined to do so. It would be within their interest.

What is the interest here for the cadre in and around West Virginia Red? Sun Tzu's Art of War says "trust in self-interest." Theirs is to tear down Doug McKinney, but why? The 2009 meeting season has ended and it is extremely doubtful that, barring a massive rise in debt or the uncovering of criminal activity, that the West Virginia GOP will remove him prematurely next winter only months before the end of his natural term. If their interest lies in removing Dr. McKinney before the end of his term, that ship has sailed.

Is it someone's interest to capture the chairmanship for themselves? If so, what can be gained by firing torpedoes into the side of the ship? Who wants to be captain of a boat that they themselves sank? Leadership turmoils spell trouble for any candidates running for election next year. Instead of answering questions about their issues, candidates will face a barrage of inquiries about the state party that they neither can nor want to answer. Forget financial or any other kind of support.

With Obama polls falling and the country witnessing the slow collapse of his presidency, Republicans across the land have slowly started to believe again. The evil of socialism and the death of American foreign policy also are a tremendous concerns. Republicans need to attack Democrats and their failed vision, not each other!

I will say something very unfaddish. I love the Republican Party. Behind God, family, and country it has my allegiance. Throughout history from day one to today, it stands for freedom and opportunity. Very few groups can say that, ever. It does not approach our ideal of perfection, but nothing on this earth does. Nothing is perfect and we all have different images of what is ideal. Republican principles have stood the test of history and remain the reason why we care. Our state Republican Party has overcome many obstacles in the past few years in spite of an unfavorable tide. Now we have a chance to ride the tide if we can only get all our oars out and moving in the same direction.

If anyone at West Virginia Red wants to gain the chairmanship, by all means take the next year and lay out your vision. Contact delegates, form a campaign, convince people to vote for your program for positive reasons. This weekend's summit should give the present and future leaders a chance to propose constructive plans. Tearing down what we have does no one any good, except the fellas in blue quietly sitting off to the side chuckling to themselves.

Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH): Many of my constituents would LOVE to wait in line for medical care

Police Report on the Arrest of Henry Louis Gates Jr. in Cambridge Massachusetts

http://www.amnation.com/vfr/Police%20report%20on%20Gates%20arrest.PDF

If I Could Go Back In Time . . .

If I Could Go Back In Time to September 2001 (assuming I could not go back prior to 9/12 that is) I would do the following.

Knowing what we know now about the idea to assassinate terrorists that never was implemented, and therefore never explained to Congress, but is now used as a political tool against the vice president (probably because he dares to speak against the Obamunists), I think the liberals may be on to something, but not in the way they think. Imagine if I could go back and have President Bush do this.

Speak to the nation Reagan style, from the Oval Office, just as Reagan did when he almost turned Moammar Qaddaffi into a crispy critter. President Bush would be brief and say the following:

"My fellow Americans. Terrorists have brought their fanatical hatred of freedom home to us. We will now take it to them. This is due notice that I am giving to the people and Congress of the United States as well as the world. We are sending out the best trained and equipped men and women on Earth. Their job, to locate every individual connected with the organization that murdered thousands of Americans. For some of you who are our enemies, we will find you swiftly, others it could take years. Trust me, you will be found. When found, you will be killed. It could be a silent bullet, it could be a knife across your neck. One way or another, you will die.

To escape certain death, you must turn yourself in to American authorities and cooperate in full.

Thank you and may God bless the United States of America."

Obama Administration Rescued the Econmy?

Health Care Bill Denies new Private Coverage: It's Right in the Bill

The Obama Health Care Bill will deny enrollment in new private care after it is enacted. Below is the text of that section of the bill, H.R. 3200, Section 102, (a), (1), (A). Outlined in yellow is the line denying new enrollment in private insurance. You can find this section and the full version by searching the office record at the Library of Congress.

H.R.3200
America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 (Introduced in House)

SEC. 102. PROTECTING THE CHOICE TO KEEP CURRENT COVERAGE.

(a) Grandfathered Health Insurance Coverage Defined- Subject to the succeeding provisions of this section, for purposes of establishing acceptable coverage under this division, the term `grandfathered health insurance coverage' means individual health insurance coverage that is offered and in force and effect before the first day of Y1 if the following conditions are met:

(1) LIMITATION ON NEW ENROLLMENT-

(A) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in this paragraph, the individual health insurance issuer offering such coverage does not enroll any individual in such coverage if the first effective date of coverage is on or after the first day of Y1.

60% Taxation Rate Is Looming For Some

That is what experts warn that New York City residents will face if Obama and Congress get their way on health care deform. The rest of us do not fall too far behind.

It's time for a constitutional amendment to clarify what was done in 1913. In that year an amendment was ratified that established an income tax. This amendment was necessary because the Wilson-Gorman law establishing such a tax in the previous century was ruled unconstitutional (Wilson was William L. Wilson of West Virginia, unfortunately.) At the time, voters were promised that only 2% of the nation's wealthiest would pay and even then, not that much.

The property and income of Americans need protection under law. That means that we need a constitutional amendment to prevent Americans from sliding into the lower standards of living prevalent in the more socialized countries in Europe due to heavy tax burdens. Let us have a simple constitutional amendment that says that no individual or corporation may be taxed by the federal government more than 25% every year. This includes income, capital gains, and other taxes. The only exception would be the duration of a declared war. Anything above that amount in peacetime is theft because it is redistribution of wealth.

A cap on the percentage of taxation gives the government an incentive to boost economic growth without inflation through policies that are free market friendly. That way they get 25% of an expanding pie, not increasing percentages of a shrinking one.

West Virginia Republican Summit to be held July 25th

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Shane Wilson

Monday, July 20, 2009 304-768-0493

CHARLESTON, W. Va. - The West Virginia Republican Party will be holding its first annual West Virginia Republican Summit at the Embassy Suites in Charleston on Saturday, July 25th.

"For years now, West Virginia has ranked near the bottom in every good category and near the top in every bad category. As we have watched our children leave the mountain state to find jobs, we don't want handouts anymore; we want hand-ups.” said State GOP Chairman Doug McKinney, “The West Virginia Republican Summit is an excellent venue to get young people involved in supporting Republican principles that as a result provide them the opportunity to positively change their state.”

The Summit will feature a day of grassroots workshops, panels featuring current and former West Virginia politicians, a presidential straw poll, Republican of the Year awards for Teenage, College, and Young Republicans, door prizes, and more.

The Summit activities are designed to both demonstrate that today’s political issues, such as cap and trade and judicial reform, are on the side of Republicans and to educate the next generation of leaders that the West Virginia Republican Party provides the most opportunity in the state to advance them.

Those interested in meeting fellow young Republicans, recognizing young leaders in the community, becoming involved in a Teenage, College, or Young Republican club, learning more about the immense opportunities for local Republicans in 2010 and 2012, or simply wanting to take a stake in plotting the future of our state are welcome to attend the Summit.

While a large youth turnout is planned, Republicans of all ages are encouraged to attend. Visit UnderwoodInstitute.org or call 304-768-0493 for more information and to sign up today.

-30-

Paid for by the West Virginia Republican Party

Congressmen ask to sign pledge they will read Health Care Bill

Let Freedom Ring has asked Congress to sign a pledge to do something they should automatically do, read the bill they are going to vote on. This should be a no brainier. All Congressional members if they are doing their job should be reading the bills.

Piedmont, WV Native, Henry Louis "Skip" Gates, Jr, Arrested

Henry Louis "Skip" Gates, Jr., director of the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Studies and Mineral County native, was arrested Thursday at his home in Cambridge, MA for disorderly conduct. Police were responding to a call from a neighbor of a person trying to force their way into Gates home.

According to reports Gates' front door was stuck. He had entered his home from the rear and disabled the alarm. He then proceeded to the front door of his home to force it open. When Police arrived they found Gates and he refused to identify himself as the home owner. The New York Post Reports, "When Gates was asked to step out on the front porch and talk, he allegedly responded, "No, I will not!" and, "I'll speak with your mama outside!" When the cop explained he was investigating a break-in, Gates snarled, "Why, because I'm a black man?" the report claims."

As Gates continued to rant outside of his home police arrested him for disorderly conduct.

"Where's the Birth Certificate?" Emerges From Obscurity

Major Stefan Frederick Cook, US Army Reserve, challenged his deployment to Afghanistan recently. His problem lay not with the idea of going to a combat zone. Such men do not rise to the rank of major. Major Cook's issue lay with the credentials of his commander in chief. He stated that he did not see how he could abide by Geneva Convention rules when his orders might not come from the constitutional leader of the United States.

This conspiracy theory predates the election. In Hawaii there are two forms of birth certificate. A short form is easy to acquire and requires little proof of actual birth. The long form is accepted as the more definitive example of proof of live birth in a certain place. John McCain actually had similar problems. His birth took place in the Panama Canal Zone. Had he won election, Secretary of State John Hay's almost century old assertion that the Canal Zone was not United States territory would have exploded into an open issue.

Obama thus far has refused to produce a long form certificate. I personally believe the man was born where he said he was born, but have no idea why he cannot or will not quietly produce the proof. The question is, say Obama is proved to have not been born in the United States. That means that his presidency took place under fraud and, like a marriage, would have to be annulled. Would that wipe from the books every act he has committed or signed into law? I should think so.

People continue to file lawsuits as quickly as judges toss them from court, so stay tuned.

This Could Help Car and Truck Sales

US Government Over Pays for Pork, Literally

The Stimulus Act has been called the Porkulus Act by many that oppose it saying it is nothing more than Pork Barrel spending and will lead to massive government waste. This where rhetoric meets reality.

The Federal Government purchased $1,191,200 of real Pork with your tax dollars as reported by Recovery.org. It appears from the wording of the report this was for only 2lbs of Ham, but the USDA released a statement today clarifying, "Press reports suggesting that the Recovery Act spent $1.191 million to buy "2 pounds of ham" are wrong. In fact, the contract in question purchased 760,000 pounds of ham for $1.191m, at a cost of approximately $1.50 per pound."

Had the government simply shopped around they could have saved the taxpayers money. The Romney, WV Food Lion is selling Smithfield ham for $1.09 a pound, $0.41 cheaper per pound than the deal they got. By shopping at the Romney Food Lion the government could have saved the taxpayer over $300,000 on this one purchase alone.

When you buying in bulk you usually will get an even better deal, plus think of the Bonus Buy points you would get buying 760,000 lbs of ham!

13 Rue Madeline

Liberals have launched a stunning new offensive against Dick Cheney and the idea that the United States ought to defend itself.

You have to just shake your head. After 9/11 the United States intelligence community mulled over the idea of assassinating known terrorists. The Bush Administration refused to implement the program and therefore never told Congress about the program that never happened. Democrats are so desperate to pin something on Bush that they now want to bash Cheney for not telling Congress what the president did not do.

Liberals misunderstand the public. We grew up on James Bond and our kids grew up on 24. Most of us assumed we had been doing this all along! The unpleasant shock is that we had not been hunting down and assassinating terrorists at close range, not the non disclosure of a non program.

Just watched a great James Cagney movie from about 1946 called 13 Rue Madeline. It was the story of US intelligence operations in World War II. James Cagney trained a group of operatives to attack Fortress Europe from the inside. He told them that they needed to forget ideas of sportsmanship and fair play. Trickery, lying, and killing at close range were all parts of war. This reflected the assumptions and reality of warfare against Nazi Germany.

At what point did we get so soft that this is considered unacceptable even by hawks?

Blast from the Past: Dollars and Sense