Where Have the Heroes Gone?

Real heroes are important. They give us models on how to get to where we want to go, on how to conduct ourselves, on what is important versus what is trivial.

It used to be easy to find heroes. Schools used to place them on the walls of each and every classroom. Framed prints of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln beside the large United States flag once dominated each room. These men defined courage, strength, and fighting against fearful odds for the cause of right. We learned about other heroes as we made our way through history. We got to know Thomas Jefferson, both Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Dwight Eisenhower, Martin Luther King Jr. and so many others. Great men and women who made a strong impact upon history deserve attention. Students deserve to learn about people such as Jesus Christ, Moses, Queen Elizabeth I, Catherine the Great, Martin Luther and a long list of mentionables.

Open a textbook used in public schools these days. Where can one find a hero? Today the books and many of the new teachers represent the new style of teaching history. Let me be correct, social studies. The word history evokes the powerful narrative of human development from tyranny to the freedom we enjoy today. Social studies does not have quite the same power. It's not meant to. Nowadays you read more about how America has oppressed this group or that group at any given time much more so than you learn about an America that learns from its mistakes and strives to meet its own standards.

The textbooks and many of the teachers create a massive drumbeat of a message. They developed during a time when the academic world rejected the idea that individuals could make a difference. Rightly they sought to study and emphasize peoples heretofore ignored by history. Wrongly they destroyed the idea of "hero." George Washington's status as a slaveowner makes him a villain rather than a hero that stood for the kind of principles that would later insist upon emancipation.

To the new social studies experts, all capitalist and democratic forms of authority differ very little from dictatorships. President Thomas Jefferson does not differ much from Idi Amin. To the new way of thinking, authority exploits unless it is grounded in some "progressive" (read Marxist) line of thinking. Heroes don't exist because the new social studies shows that social movements matter, not individuals. If you did not have a George Washington to lead the Revolution, some other exploitative authority figure would have.

It's not American and it's blatantly wrong. Individuals can make a difference. They do matter. We need heroes now more than ever, men and women that stand larger than life and represent something real. The good side of this is that the heroes are still with us. We've been taught for so long to ignore or dilute heroism and not think of great individuals. The challenge to those that still believe in a heroic America is to find these men and women, lift them up, and give them the attention they deserve. Not for the sake of the heroes themselves. Real heroes usually do not like recognition. Do it for the sake of those looking for inspiration, who still believe an individual can make a difference doing the right thing instead of the wrong thing.

The taxman cometh, The people goeth

The facts are all around us if you choose to look at them. John Adams said it best,”Facts are stubborn things and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” Of the Potomac Highland Counties, Mineral has the highest tax levy rate and lost 0.2% in population in the 2005 census estimate, Hampshire County which has the lowest levy rate gained 9.0%. If not for Mineral County’s proximity to Allegany County, MD it would have been worse. Mineral is the lesser of those two evils.

Migration reflects the dissatisfaction of the populous with the policies of the local government. Those that don’t like the current policies with the means leave, those that like them arrive. With that migration comes a change in influence. As Hampshire County grows in population it will pull in more voters in its senate and house districts. This obviously will increase Hampshire County’s influence in Charleston, and Mineral County’s will wane.

The counties seeing a reduction in population are saddled with an increasing burden of providing services with a reduction of tax base. The tendency is for political pressure to increase taxes, as is the case in Mineral County. This increase tax will increase the rate of migration out of the county. This migration is higher with the better educated residents as their skill set is more easily transferred draining the local economy of its highest income earners.

With the facts in evidence a clear course of action emerges for sound growth, cut the taxes. A counties budget increases should be limited to a combination of inflation and population growth. This will keep tax rates low and encourage economic growth for the benefit of all residents.

Howell praises Supreme Court decision upholding Second Amendment rights

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Gary Howell

Friday, June 27, 2008 304-790-9292

Howell praises Supreme Court decision upholding Second Amendment rights

KEYSER, WV — Gary Howell, candidate for the State Senate from the 14^th District, today praised the United States Supreme Court for overturning the Washington D.C. ban on handgun ownership and reaffirming the protections afforded by the Second Amendment.

“The decision by the Court is good news for all of us who care about the right to keep and bear arms,” said Howell. “In West Virginia, we especially value the protections of the Second Amendment, so this ruling is particularly good news in the Mountain State.”

Howell warned, though, that the narrow 5-4 decision signals that those who value the rights guaranteed by the Constitution must remain vigilant.

“It is obviously imperative that citizens continue to elect candidates to office who will protect all of our rights, from the president to the local level,” said Howell.

Howell is a longtime member of the NRA who owns and operates Howell Automotive in Keyser.

-30-

Where Homeschooled Children Can Go From Here

The Mineral County Board of Education passed into legitimate law the action taken last school year to remove from the rolls of homeschoolers those that spend more than 50% of their time in traditional school classes. This action provoked a hostile reaction at the time because it had no basis in the law. Now some homeschooling parents will have to make the adjustment.

Increasing numbers of parents every year opt to remove their children from the traditional school environment. At one time schools reflected the values and standards of each individual community. Now they mirror the goals and dreams of far away bureaucrats and academics. Under their leadership, public schools veer crazily from social experiment to social engineering.

Consolidation has damaged the schools severely. In the past the schools were based in the community and so were the teachers. Teachers were neighbors to the students they taught and had stronger connections to the community. Now the ties that once bound teachers to students and parents have frayed considerably. No one knows each other. This makes it easier for teachers to not hold themselves to high standards. It also makes it easier for parents to mistrust and dislike the school system.

These and other factors drive students out of the traditional school environment. So where can their parents go to get them the best education possible? The answer lies in the free market. Homeschooling parents can band together, pool money, and pay a retiree or a graduate student to teach a subject (such as math) that parents might find difficult to explain. They can establish their own mini schools that reflect the values they want to teach.

The freedom to choose should always remain the basis of a democratic society. When parents create more options for their children, this invigorates their own children's education. Hopefully it will force the public system to respond more effectively to community concerns.

An Idea For Our Schools

Last weekend, the West Virginia Republican Party's convention heard a tremendous speech from the former Minister of Labour for New Zealand. He explained how aggressive reforms geared towards expanding the free market helped to galvanize almost every sector of a formerly depressed economy.

He explained that his office tried common sense solutions. They had twenty-four programs addressing skills and employment. Only four of them actually produced results. To the minister, the solution was clear, eliminate the twenty that did not work and use some of the savings to help the productive ones. The Anglican Church leadership levied intense criticism until it found that many thousands more people gained employment after the reforms.

Common sense also found its way into education. Reforms swept away various bureaucratic boards that governed the school system. Were they replaced by gubernatorial appointees? No. Instead parents of children actually in the school campaigned to serve on a Board of Trustees that had real power to use funds available. Of course teacher unions feared tremendously the idea that parents might actually run the school. However more money made it into the classroom to benefit the children and performance indicators skyrocketed.

Perhaps the best advice this gentleman gave was to take chances, even if one risked losing the next election. A political party must make a difference while in power, or what good does it do to hold power. The next time Republicans gain ascendency nationally, on the state, or the local level, we must remember our values and put them into place. In New Zealand the liberal party eventually regained power, but found that the free market ideas worked too well to remove.

The Governor Needs an Economics Class

Recently when pressed by a reporter on whether or not to put off an increase in the state gas tax until next year, Governor Manchin stated that state Republican leaders should ask their oil company "buddies" to hold off on their collection of profits.

This demonstrates a typical lack of understanding of the economic system. In times of shortage, prices must go up or we run out of a resource. Since the Democrats will not allow us to drill our own oil, we must rely upon uncertain supplies. Recently terrorists attacked oil facilities in Nigeria, causing a temporary drop in world supplies. This will not help prices at all. Since the Democrats will not ease regulatory burdens on refinery construction and will not help with the burden of fighting myriad frivolous lawsuits, we have not constructed a new refinery in thirty years. We must rely on refineries elsewhere built with inefficient (and more pollution producing) technology. We could be the largest producer of oil on the planet and control our own destiny. Liberals fear our nation enjoying such self-sufficiency and power.

Perhaps the governor does understand this, but wants to make nice with his new buddy Barrack Obama. He can't be seen showing up his new friend who has also shown blatant ignorance on this issue. If we had only listened to George W. Bush four years ago, we would not be in this mess now.

*******************************************************

Michael Steele's message to the state GOP convention, much like Shelley Moore Capito's in recent months, was refreshing. How often does one hear a politician saying that their party made mistakes? Steele, current chairman of GOPAC, talked at length about accountability and teh need to get back to basics. The ideals of the Contract With America, according to Steele, were forgotten by too many in Congress. That was why we lost. Certainly you cannot say that about every Republican congressman. Capito and many others never forgot the people.

Did we ever hear the Democrats saying such things while they were "out?" No, they simply assumed that the voters had been craftily tricked or that they lacked intelligence. The difference is that conservatives have more faith in the voters. If we lost their trust, we did something wrong and we need to earn it back. That is statesmanship fit for the greatest democratic republic in history, as opposed to the occasional arrogance demonstrated by the other side.

Right to Work Added to State GOP Platform

After many failed attempts over the years, the West Virginia Republican Party chose to add a Right to Work plank to its platform during last weekend's convention.

It did not pass without debate and it certainly will not have universal support from Republican candidates this fall. Political realities dictate that candidates in certain districts cannot support it without figuratively slitting their throat. Unions still hold tremendous influence in some areas. This usually hurts, but sometimes helps Republicans. How many union voters will support a pro-Kyoto candidate in this state?

Unions in the past provided a vital role when the decks of government and business were stacked against workers. We have come a long way from those bad old days. Government regulations provide many of the protections unions once demanded. Also the new highly skilled workers in many cases have skills that companies need.

Right to work will help union members because it creates competition. Right now workers can be coerced into joining the organization and paying dues. Under such a system, what incentive does a union have to respond effectively to its members? Right to work ensures that union members get the full benefit of membership because each worker can simply walk away or not join in the first place.

States that embraced right to work tend to have economies that have exploded past West Virginia in the past few decades. It is time that our state joined the ranks of the prosperous.

There Must Be Someone to Blame, Right?

For almost a week now many news watchers around the country have been riveted to the story from Gloucester, Massachusetts about seventeen teenage girls executing a pregnancy pact. They range in ages from fourteen to sixteen and all promised that they would have children at the same time and raise them together. One so desperately wanted to conceive that she utilized the services of a twenty-four year old homeless man.

You can predict the response. Some blame the difficult economic times, others blame the school system. On Fox News last night an analyst actually suggested that the sex education they received was not sufficient enough (seems to me that they figured it out just fine.) Of course the parents will all face the righteous indignation of society. The Roman Catholic Church and its stance against contraception has received blame as well. Catholic parents opposed the dispensation of contraception at school without parental consent (horror of horrors!)

This had nothing to do with the Catholic Church and their anti-birth control beliefs. These girls were TRYING to get pregnant. All the contraception in the world could not save them from themselves. Certainly the school sends a certain message when it has nurseries in it to help school age mothers, then again it is important that they do receive an education to have a chance of escaping a life on the welfare rolls.

This had everything to do with bad judgment and immaturity. Like it or not, the human body achieves physical maturity before mental maturity. Did these girls know what they were getting into? Probably not. That being said, they made the choice and now they must do the best they can to raise their children properly. It is not the fault of the school, the community, or the Roman Catholic Church. Their parents may bear some responsibility, but the fact is that they made the choice.

Life is about making choices and facing responsibilities. How can schools be blamed for what students elect to do on their spare time. Those that blame schools must have expectations that the schools should be empowered to know and direct a child's entire existence. That is a road no one wants to tread.

There's no one to blame. And it is not a tragedy unless one of these girls gets convinced to murder the life growing inside of them for the sake of convenience. They have a hard row to hoe, but that is the life they chose. Making them live up to their responsibilities is a better object lesson for other kids than assigning blame or giving the girls an easy way out.

************************************************************************

Congratulations to the West Virginia State Republican Party and its chair Dr. Doug McKinney for a fine convention last Saturday. We also thank those in the West Virginia State Republican Executive Committee and other valuable state party members who worked so hard to make it work so well. The speakers were outstanding and gave our candidates practical intellectual ammunition to use against the Ruling Party and their anti-business ideology.

Is a Hybrid Car really the best choice to save fuel?

The Toyota Prius gets about 45 mpg a Volkswagen Golf Diesel gets about 52 mpg. The Golf will run circles around the Prius while saving fuel. Just watch the video.

Mineral County Planning Commission hears requirements for Zoning

Wednesday night the Mineral County Planning Commission was visited by Michael Dougherty of the WVU Extension Office. Mike spoke for 21 minutes to the commission on what was required for implementing zoning in Mineral County.

His speech is complete with all the parts below.

Part 1



Part 2



Part 3

Hillary Clinton Supporters Call Fox News Fair and Balanced, Indirectly

Democrats, especially those of the pantsuit persuasion, have many times over the years chided Fox News as being a bastion of conservative bias. They love bashing the network's "Fair and Balanced" slogan.

Certainly over the years Fox News has gotten its shots in at both Clintons while other networks cast a glow upon them. This primary season saw the Clinton backlash candidate within Democratic circles result in the nomination of not a formidable Clinton Part II, but of Jimmy Carter and George McGovern rolled into one vague and incomprehensible package.

Hillary Clinton thought she had this one in the bag. Based upon the media love affair with her over the years, why should she have felt any differently. Negative media coverage, not just in stories, but also photo selection, point of view, even jokes, assailed her as it normally does the GOP nominee. She found out suddenly what it was like to be a Republican.

Last week her supporters called out MSNBC and CNN for their presumed bias against her nomination. Of course they hauled out the sexist card against those two organizations. Interestingly by default she acknowledges Fox's claim of fair and balanced coverage. Stories also surfaced last week describing the possibility of retribution against those who turned on the Clintons. In our state, Governor Manchin only announced his support of Obama after receiving the blessing of the Clintons. Not that it matters since Joe Manchin would rather be seen with Mao Tse Dong at this point than Barrack Hussein Obama (of course there's not much difference between those two.)

*****************************************************************

Speaking of disciples of Mao Tse Dong, Delegate Carrie Webster (D-Kanawha) spent over $73,000 in the primary! The party of the common man has 80% of the $1.28 million that all legislative candidates have at this point, according to Lincoln Walks at Midnight.

Voters must look past the flash and dash that the Democrats can afford and pay attention to their pro-abortion platform that also endorses the Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol was voted down by the US Senate in 2000 99-0. It would have been 100-0, but Strom Thurmond was too ill to vote. It would effectively destroy much of the coal market. Additionally it would place restrictions on the US economy that competing third world nations would not be burdened with. Senators Byrd and Rockefeller as well as all our representatives voted against it.

Illegal to be Overweight Part Two

If you saw the previous article about Japan passing laws to outlaw obesity, you know what I am talking about. That country established national waistline standards that will cause towns and cities to be punished if their citizens are too overweight.

The big question here is, how would the state find out if people in a given city are too fat or not? My guess is that the government has too much access to health care numbers on individuals. They can leverage that information against towns and cities who will then bring compulsive power down upon individuals. All this effort for a problem that is none of the state's business.

It can't happen here, right? Too late! Governor Joe Manchin expends state resources to gather information about what kind of exercise each child in school does every day. That's right. Children must report their physical activities on a calendar every day or they receive a D in their physical education class. Are you an aspiring valedictorian that believes in freedom and keeping government out of your life? Too bad. Uncle Joe says you have to tell.

Expect more of this kind of interference if the government ever gains control of health care. That will give them access to all your information. Governments cannot be trusted with the economy because they make economic decisions for political reasons. That is why the Soviet Union fell apart and why China has abandoned real Communism (although they maintain their dictatorship.) It is why Britain has almost no dentists and why people there have taken to extracting their own teeth.

Socialized health care will not only result in poor decisions by politicians, it will also allow the government to craft policies to encourage you to be healthier whether you like it or not. Someday compare pictures of those who led our Revolution and crafted our Constitution with those who founded fascist and communist states. The American founders are certainly a mixed bag. For every trim George Washington you have two or three pear shaped Franklins or John Adamses. You also have a few morbidly obese men such as General Henry Knox. Look at the Nazis. Outside of morphine addict Hermann Goering, you have a group that was obsessed with physical fitness. Look at Stalin's inner circle. Krushchev was a little pudgy, but most of those men stayed pretty fit as well.

The difference is the freedom to choose. Our society is based upon that ideal but it is difficult to maintain it. The enemy is the nanny state and they don't take all our freedoms at once. They use what Stalin called "salami tactics." If you slice away a bit at a time, no one notices. Uncle Joe Manchin takes a little freedom by forcing kids to give up their privacy "because it is for their own good." Socialized health care by comparison is giving away the farm. We put this crucial part of our system into government hands and we have told the world that we are no longer free.

Illegal to be Overweight?

If we need any more indications that what we used to call liberal democracy is on the decline, we just need to look at Japan.

When someone uses the term "liberal democracy" or "classical liberalism" they do not mean the left wing socialist style liberalism that has gained ascendancy in the current Democratic party. Liberalism at one time referred to those who advocated breaking through the restrictive regulations of 18th century mercantilism to create freedom and opportunity for individuals and business. It meant that people needed freedom from government so they could thrive. Individuals and businesses had the freedom to make choices and the responsibility to live with them. There was no contradiction between the fact that these people called themselves "liberal" and that the word derived from the same Latin root that gives us "liberty."

After World War II, societies began exercising their democratic rights to trade away their liberties. In America those advocating more restrictions and less freedoms called themselves "liberals." Europeans traded their economic freedoms for what they felt would be a more orderly economy. The socialist regulatory state resembled Mussolini's Italy more than a classically liberal state. On the Continent this was understandable since real democracy had only existed there a short time. The virus has recently infected Britain, however. Their so-called liberals forced the population to give up their guns. And this country was the origin of the idea of natural rights!

That brings us to Japan. They recently passed legislation that established a national standard for waistlines. Towns and cities that do not meet national standards will face sanctions. Of course this means the people will suffer eventually. This kind of legislation probably appeals to some American nanny staters who would use the power of the state to force people into certain lifestyles. However it reeks more of the physical obsession of states designed by Stalin, Hitler, and Mussolini.

The anti freedom virus has infected too many states. We must work to turn back the tide.

Battling Jay's

Jay Wolfe is sending a message that all of us can identify with when we head to the pump to fill up with fuel.

The irony that Rockefeller's money comes from Standard Oil, as he is a direct decedent of the founder, should not be lost on any of us. The majority of Congress in the past have voted to block drilling for US oil. That majority has included both Democrats and Republicans. In West Virgina all of those members have been Democrats.

The problem is this should not be a partisan issue. It should be an American issue. Each day we send nearly $2,000,000,000 to foreign nations for oil. Years ago oil drilling was blocked in much of the US coast, in the Rocky Mountains and ANWR. At the time the technology was not there to drill safely, but now it is any many refuse to accept that.

Rockefeller whose vast fortune comes from oil should understand that technology in the oil industry has changed significantly. If our elected officials will not change with the times, then maybe it is time to change our officials?

WV land owners benefit from high energy prices

High energy prices around the world are impacting many people in a negative way. We are reminded each time we fill up our vehicles with $4 plus a gallon gas, but for some there is an up side. Many landowners have valuable energy that the market now wants.

Just a few years ago gas leases were running around $100 per acre, today most are in the $300 to $400 per acre range for the first 3-years with a bump to $1,700 per acre in the fourth year. Once the well starts producing the land owner will typically be able to negotiate between a 1/8th royalty on the low side and a 1/4th on the high side.

Wind farms are also providing a positive economic impact for landowners. Some are paid $5,000 per year per wind generator, while others opt for a $3,000 per unit lease with a percentage profit from the electricity generated.

Even if you are not a land owner you will see a positive impact in the local economy. Each dollar pumped into the area will act as three dollars to the local economy. The facts are people tend to spend extra money they get. After all that was why the Federal Government sent out the economic stimulus checks. They knew most people would spend them pumping money into the economy.

Most of the people receiving royalty and lease checks from the gas and wind companies will do the same thing. They will buy the boat they always wanted, build a garage they always wanted, start a business the didn't have the extra money to risk on, etc. Somebody will have to sell that boat, someone will have to build that garage, somebody will have to work at that new business. All of those people benefit indirectly from the increased wealth in the area.

Rising energy prices can benefit the local economy when you are in an energy producing region and the Potomac Highlands has the ability to be a major playing in the current energy market.

West Virginia Congressional Delegation on Wrong Side of Issue

Some of those Representatives that West Virginia sends to Washington are not listening to the people back home. These are starting to pop on the internet and around the state trying to send a message Rockefeller, Rahall, and Mollohan.
The United States is currently worlds number 1 user of oil and only the worlds 3rd largest producer of oil. Each day the US sends $2 billion overseas to purchase oil while over 600 billion barrels of oil are accessible in the US with current technology. The only thing stopping the drilling in the US is our own US Congress.

The Internet is playing a greater role in WV politics

Russ Weeks candidate for West Virginia Governor spend most of last week touring the Potomac Highlands spreading his message. In case you missed him Russ has a new internet video.

Mineral County Stawberry Fest

I'm going to use the blog today to thank everyone involved with the Strawberry Fest. If I try to list the individual names I will miss somebody and I don't want to leave anyone out.

There was a lot of hard work by a lot of volunteers on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year so far. I want to thank the county for providing the space and all of the county employees that pitched in to help. I want to thank City of Keyser for their help in blocking of the streets and providing much needed help and man power. I want to thank all of the volunteers from all the different organizations that made Strawberry Fest 2008 the largest one ever held.

Thank You

West Virginia’s High Fuel Tax is Reducing Fuel Tax Revenue

West Virginia has one of the highest fuel taxes in the nation. That tax adds 31.5¢ to each gallon of fuel we purchase within the state and that bad tax policy, like so many others Charleston has given us, is reducing our tax revenue.

Free market forces are doing exactly what they will always do. The price-conscious consumer searches for the lowest price, and they are increasingly finding that price across state lines. With much of West Virginia’s population located along the border in cities like Weirton, Parkersburg, Huntington, Bluefield, and others, it is easy for consumers to avoid the higher priced West Virginia fuel. Sometimes the choice for consumers is extremely easy with gas stations sitting on both sides of the border within sight of each other having up to an 18¢ difference in price on the same grade of fuel — the West Virginia station being the more expensive of the two. The state’s fuel tax is the biggest cause of the price difference.

These price-conscious West Virginians are voting to fill their tanks in other states, decreasing the amount of tax the state receives. At the same time they are giving a tax boost to the states of Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Kentucky when they pay that state’s fuel tax.

West Virginia funds its entire portion of highway construction and maintenance with taxes from fuel. A major component in highway maintenance is the petroleum based product; asphalt. The state’s equipment runs on diesel fuel and gasoline. All of these items are rising in price significantly right when the state’s poor tax policy is reducing the amount of funding the Department of Highways receives.

An opportunity for West Virginia lies in these high fuel prices, and we need to seize it. We must cut our fuel taxes now and get two great benefits. The first will be to West Virginia taxpayers who will see an immediate reduction in fuel cost providing much-needed relief. That lower fuel cost will free up consumers’ money to spend in other parts of our economy, causing long overdue growth in West Virginia.

The second benefit will come when the free market brings those price-conscious West Virginia consumers back to purchase the cheaper fuel. They will now begin to pay the West Virginia fuel tax instead of the fuel tax in the other states, but something else will happen as well. Price-conscious consumers living in the bordering states will begin to shop in West Virginia for fuel. Those from Ashland, KY, Marietta, OH, Cumberland, MD and other bordering communities will cross over the border, buy fuel here and pay West Virginia taxes instead of their home states, providing greater tax revenue for West Virginia.

Now is the time for West Virginia to make a significant cut in the fuel tax to help West Virginia taxpayers and consumers increase revenue to the WVDOH and boost our state’s economy. We need to put an end to the bad tax policies in West Virginia that are destroying our economy.

Garrison's Last Pitch

West Virginia University President Mike Garrison recently made his last desperate pitch to keep his job. Summoning up his powers to convince, he made such a strong impression on the Board of Governors that they absolved him of direct responsibility for the degree scandal. However the Board stated that they would continue to look at the situation and meet again on June 6th.

Michael Garrison may or may not have had a direct hand in the scandal. However the perception is that his political connections bind him too tightly to the governor and that this played a major role in the wrongdoing. The revelations in the Rich Rodriguez case that Garrison was assumed to be the next president long before his hiring do not help.

Who suffers here? Certainly the governor must want this to go away very badly. His opponent in November, Russ Weeks, has benefited tremendously. Not too long ago Weeks had little name recognition outside of Republican circles. Now increasing numbers of people see him as an alternative to the Manchinocracy. Weeks will be able to use this and other issues to bridge the gap between himself and his opponent by this fall. Garrison himself has taken an image hit from which he will not recover.

Worst of all the university has taken a hard right cross to its reputation. Coming from a state all too often maligned (thanks Dick Cheney), West Virginia University must always fight an uphill battle in its quest to be recognized for the great research institution it is. Since it has low standards for admission (which it must since it serves the state), magazines rating the best colleges ignore WVU's track record of research excellence. It was the one state run institution believed to be free of the usual political garbage. That reputation is gone.

The current president of WVU must love the university. I do not see how anyone who has taught or attended there cannot. WVU strikes a unique balance between teaching excellence and research that is rare at its academic level. Michael Garrison's best leadership decision would be to resign right now. That is how he could save the situation for himself and West Virginia University.

Take one for the team, President Garrison. Please.

Author Russ Weeks to Speak at Keyser Rotary

Senator Weeks, a Navy veteran who ran for office believing one man could make a difference, exposes the hypocrisy of state government in the Mountain State, and reveals an insider’s account of the true story behind:

Governor Joe Manchin’s handling of the Sago tragedy and the real reason behind the emergency mine legislation that followed the event.

The cover-ups and government interference regarding serious allegations at a West Virginia healthcare facility, and the heavy-handed efforts to stop Senator Weeks from pursuing the truth.

The charade of the lawmaking process, and how bills are often changed long after being approved by the legislature.

The real reason West Virginia ranks last in almost every category.

No Strings Attached is a riveting first-hand account of government malfeasance at its most shocking, told by the man who held the same Senate seat once occupied by Robert C. Byrd. And Senator Weeks issues a challenge: “Now that you know what’s going on with your elected officials, what are you going to do about it?”

Russ will speak to Keyser Rotary on Thursday June 5th at 12:00 at the Pines in Keyser.

"Water Water Every Where (sic) Nor Any Drop to Drink?"

Samuel Taylor Coleridge's Rime of the Ancient Mariner gives the reader a powerful image of what happens when a luckless ship breaks into an ocean bereft of breeze or rain. The crew suffers as they lose their supply of fresh water. Lack of water tortures them, giving them "black lips baked." This dire situation of no water has been presented to us by some of our leaders. According to a test that is far from conclusive, the aquifer under Keyser and New Creek may be low.

The problem faced by Coleridge's sailors was that their most convenient source of water had actually disappeared. Although no one has concluded that is the case in Mineral County, let us assume for a minute that the aquifer did start to run low. The unfortunate men on the ship described by Coleridge were surrounded by "water, water every where, nor any drop to drink." If they had lived in our time, modern technology could have saved them by separating the salt from the seawater, giving them as much as they needed.

We don't need modern technology. If the aquifers are low (and that is doubtful considering the precipitation that we have received since November) then all we need is the same technology used 2,000 years ago by the Romans. They drew millions of gallons per day from mountain sources, enough to fill the needs of over a million people and flush Rome's sewers.

We have ample sources of water. The Mountaintop Water Department commissioned a study which claims that their reservoir contains over 100 million gallons of water and does not drop much even in dry spells. Another study confirmed that 10% of the lowest ever recorded flow of the Potomac out of Jennings Randolph Lake could supply the needs of almost ten times the number of people currently living in Mineral County. The idea that we face a water crisis when surrounded by lakes is absolutely preposterous. Did anyone else see some of the streets of Keyser under four inches of water on Saturday?

Coleridge's ship ended up in a supernatural realm where each member of the crew was either sent to death or "death in life." Death in life was a crueler punishment, a cursed existence where a man had some sense of his surroundings, but those surroundings were decayed and foul. This water question, if it creates enough concern, will certainly be used to prevent significant development in Mineral County. For those in certain situations of comfort, keeping things as they are makes sense. However for those who need to find better jobs to feed their families and stay in this region, a Mineral County without growth becomes a death in life. Communities will continue to wither and lives and homes will decay. Of course if given a chance they will leave the state to live better and give their families more.

Ed Koch Continues to Support George W. Bush

Former Mayor Ed Koch represents a dying breed. He is one of the last of the nationalist Democrats that once dominated American politics. Starting with Woodrow Wilson and continuing through Franklin Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy, these Democrats supported a strong American foreign policy. They learned the lessons of Munich and Pearl Harbor while fashioning the policies that Reagan eventually used to win the Cold War.

Koch compares President Bush to Harry Truman. Both men had a number of difficult decisions forced upon them by an unfriendly and changing world. Both men acted from the principle that American power wielded justly would deter the forces of tyrannical aggression. Certainly this required sacrifices that were not easy on the American people. History looks kindly on Truman today for his strength; Koch believes that George W. Bush will be remembered similarly. Bush's stand for a democratic Israel combined with his recognition of the threat posed by Islamofascism won him Koch's praise.

*************************************************************************

One of the last active nationalist Democrats is Joe Lieberman. Since his defeat as part of the Al Gore ticket in 2000, the Democratic Party has sought to purge him from his US Senate seat because he dares to support President Bush. Lieberman strongly supports John McCain in this election and a large silent percentage, if not a silent majority, of conservative and moderate Democrats will likely follow him. Interestingly, Hillary Clinton has turned full circle from her Vietnam War protest days and looks increasingly like a Democrat of old. However the radical MoveOn.org organization's money will defeat her in the end.

**************************************************************************

Looks like it might be a little while longer before we find out who Ruth Rowan will face this fall in the 50th delegate district. Alan "Mitch" Davis came within twenty votes of Royce Saville. Although declining to request a recount initially, Davis eventually decided to ask for one.

Rowan is a two term Republican incumbent.

Congratulations to NASA

NASA almost never gets full coverage unless they screw up in a major way. However what they do with their relatively tiny budget is sometimes nothing short of incredible. Their Phoenix Mars Lander successfully landed on our solar system's fourth planet recently with its intricate parts all working in good order.

Phoenix's mission lies in testing the subterranean ice just beneath the surface of Mars' northern hemisphere to see if it at one time supported life. The presence of water on Mars makes an eventual manned landing and colonization much more likely within the next few decades. The Phoenix mission cost $420 million total which actually carries a relatively small price tag compared to other government expenditures. Additionally NASA's research and development usually creates a host of new technological advances for each mission, making the investment well worth the money. We should remember that NASA also employs West Virginians in the Fairmont area.

The day should come this century when the shoestring budgets of NASA are eclipsed by private enterprise as men and women search for economic opportunities in space. The moon and other space objects should contain multitudes of useful minerals. Low gravity manufacturing in a century or so be more cost efficient than that on Earth. Space's potential to benefit mankind is potentially limitless. Future generations will thank the tireless and determined minds now at NASA for their baby steps into the great beyond.

Shelley Moore Capito Working on Your Fuel Costs

Shelley Moore Capito announced that Congress will halt shipments of oil into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for the time being. President Bush had opposed such a measure because the reserve currently is short of full capacity by 3%. However Capito cited statistics that claimed gas prices could drop by as much as a quarter a gallon in some areas.

Capito had called upon the president to not oppose this move and it looks like he will not veto it. From his perspective it certainly makes sense to fear a severe supply crisis, but people and the economy need relief now. However, Capito realizes long term solutions must continue to be worked upon.

Will fuel costs go down as much as anticipated? Definitely in the short term the impact will be felt. The question is whether or not the drop will be enough to restimulate demand. After all, driven miles actually dropped in the last several months for the first time in years. Stimulated demand could drive the price back up again.

More concerning is the attitude of the oil producers who rebuffed Bush's request to increase production. The US market is no longer the only major player and our leverage as consumers has decreased. If the Congress would act, we could once again command leverage as producers as we did before World War II.

In any event, Capito's work will be much appreciated by those of us scraping to put gas in our tanks this summer.

Press Release

Republican Club President steps down, to focus on House Campaign

For Immediate Release Contact: Lisa Peana
Thursday, May 29, 2008 304-730-4599


Ceredo , WV – West Virginia Republican Club President, Lisa Peana, stepped down from her position on Thursday to focus on her efforts to capture a House seat in the 17th Delegate District.

Lisa Peana, who has served as WVGOP Club president since its inception, said, “It was a tough decision, but now that we have entered the General Election, I must step aside to focus on my campaign.”

The West Virginia Republican Club was formed by volunteers in 2007 to help the West Virginia Republican Party with candidate recruitment and volunteer efforts.

“I am very proud of the efforts and progress the Club has made so far,” said Peana, “We recruited great candidates, and I am proud to share the ballot with them this November.”

The Republican Club also held a Republican Candidate Training seminar early in the primary election cycle. Trainers included state Legislators and campaign consultants.

Another goal the Republican Club had set was to help the GOP retired its debt left over from previous election cycles. “The WV Republican Party, led by the efforts of State Chairman, Dr Doug McKinney, did a terrific job retiring the debt. I feel that the Republican Party is poised to help our candidates and lead them to victory this November,” said Peana.

Although Peana won’t be in the leadership position with the Club, she does not plan to walk away completely, “My door will always be open to help candidates and the Club in anyway that I can,” added Peana.

Peana is running for the House of Delegates in District 17, which encompasses most of Wayne County.

-30-

Shortages and Price Rises

The Moorefield Examiner ran a poll yesterday asking how the US government should stabilize gas prices. 30% responded that the answer lay in increasing supply by drilling into known reserves including public lands. 11% suggested that current market forces ought to be left alone. However 53% suggested that the oil companies be overwhelmingly taxed to seize their profits.

The price of oil and gas rises because of shortages in supply. Gas companies (and this is true for food as well) must raise prices substantially in times of short supply. Price rises actually represent the lesser evil when compared to a complete cut off of product to the market. Seizing profits won't help because these companies do not stick their money into a sock and hide it. Most of them reinvest profits into production and research, looking for new sources of energy or making production more efficient. Putting legal caps on gas or food prices will not reduce demand and we would run low on or run out of gas and perhaps some kinds of food as well. President Bush's recent veto of a bill that would put caps on food prices showed real leadership.

Does it make anyone happy to pay $4 a gallon for gas? Nope. The key for the United States whether it comes to food or fuel is to assume leadership and increase supply. We can do both since we have vast untapped reserves of oil and we pay farmers to not farm. Flooding the market with US oil and food will drop prices substantially, but it will take congressional action to make this happen. We must remember this in the coming election.

*********************************************************************

Kudos to Lisa Peana and the West Virginia Republican Club's blog for predicting the primary day massacre of incumbent Democrats. My question is this, were these Democrats all very publicly associated with Joe Manchin? I wonder how many Democratic candidates and incumbents will be eager to get their pictures with the Gov in this go-round?

**********************************************************************

Prayers for Senator Edward Kennedy and his family. No one except the most evil should have to suffer from the ravages of brain cancer. We may disagree with the Senator a lot, but we hope that God sees fit to enable him to make a full recovery.

West Virginia University Losing Professors Due to Garrison

On Friday, newspapers around the state announced the departure of three long time professors from West Virginia University. One of these was Professor Steve Zdatny.

Professor Zdatny just took over the history department chair at the university. I have worked with him quite a bit and know him to be a professor who is a rarity in the academic world outside of WVU. Zdatny produces quality research while also being a zealous teacher. You do not often find professors like this in major universities. The loss of Zdatny is a terrible blow to the school and its students.

Now he and I did not always agree. Once I lectured on the Russian Revolution to his class and he told me I was too hard on Lenin. However he always had respect for different opinions and points of view regardless of whether he agreed with them or not. I remember a lot of good natured teasing back and forth between him and conservative graduate students. This respect for different points of view is also somewhat rare in academia.

Zdatny also is a man of principle and another aspect of his character I remember is that he hates to have his intelligence insulted. Plagiarists received not just an F on the assignment, but an unforgiveable F in the course. His statements upon leaving for the University of Vermont tell me that he believes that the administration has insulted his intelligence. Zdatny said he never considered applying for another position until the scandal broke.

West Virginia University lost not just one experienced professor, but three. These unexpected losses mean that extra search committees will require funding from the taxpayers. The costs from this scandal just keep adding up.

Honor those that gave us Freedom on Memorial Day

This weekend marks Memorial Day, a day in which Americans should pause and remember all those brave men and women who have served in our armed forces and who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom. In towns all across the country, the main streets turn into parade routes as Americans remember those whose blood was shed on unseen shores -- whether in the Argonne Forest, on Omaha Beach, at the 38th Parallel, on the Ho Chi Minh Trail, or in Baghdad.

Author James Michener quoted an unknown admiral in his book Bridges at Toko-Ri, "where do we find such men?" to which President Reagan answered, "where we've always found them in this country. On the farms, in the shops, in the stores and the offices, they are just the product of the freest society man has ever known."

May 17th marked Armed Forces Day in the U.S. which honors those who are currently serving in the military, whether apart of Operation Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, or stationed somewhere else abroad. Please join with me in not only honoring those who have given their lives for freedom but also in honoring those who continue to serve our great country. We are proud of their sacrifice and their sense of duty and patriotism.

Private Property Sezied to Fund Big State Governments

Unfortunately this can happen to you.

The Barack Obama School of Diplomacy

Last week Barack Obama, in a very defensive move, lashed out at President Bush. Bush stated that some advocate negotiating with terrorist states such as Iran, but that he refused to do so. Obama naturally felt that Bush referred to his long cherished dream of someday negotiating with the only world leader currently calling the Holocaust a hoax and lashed out.

Obama angrily denied that he would ever negotiate with terrorism. Then he turned around and said he intended to open negotiations with Iran. Apparently he does not believe Iran represents a terrorist state. Iranian homosexuals might disagree, had they not been murdered or driven into hiding by the regime. The Iranian president's dream of destroying Israel might also strike some as terroristic.

To back his idea, Obama strangely brought up the Reagan talks with Mikhail Gorbachev. If Barack Obama seriously wants to compare the current Iranian leadership with former Soviet leader Gorbachev, the latter might have a great case for slander in US federal court. Reagan started out his presidency with tough talk and tougher action. He moves against Soviet designs in Grenada, helped anti-Soviet rebels in Afghanistan, and scared the bejesus out of them with the Strategic Defense Initiative. The Soviets spent themselves into collapse and Reagan had given the United States a position of strength from which to begin talks. A position of strength is the only one dictatorial regimes respect. Besides that, Gorbachev advocated expanding liberties and free speech. I do not see Iran's government doing the same.

Obama is not the next Jimmy Carter. He could be far worse. Obama believes that his charm and savvy would be enough to make revolutionary Iran see reason. Five presidents' best efforts tell a different story. Iran's best hope lies in the kind of quiet pressure maintained by Bush, not public enough to force a nationalist response on the part of their people but strong enough to impress the many in that country that yearn for freedom. Iran's mullahocracy may not be as stable as it looks, but giving it credibility by negotiating with it would be a huge mistake.

Our position in the world cannot afford the appeasment impulses of Barack Obama.

E-Vitation to an E-Fundraiser

Lisa Peana, candidate for the WV House of Delegates cordially invites you to a fundraiser like no other!

No heavy hors d'oeuvers, no sit down dinner, no drinks. No dressing up and no driving to the reception.

In fact to participate, you don't even have to leave the comfort of your own home. All that we need you to do is walk to your computer - turn it on - and click your mouse!

Please join us Thursday May, 22nd at http://www.peana4wv.com/ to learn about Lisa Peana's campaign and make a contribution online.

Your very generous contribution of $500, $250, $100 or whatever you can contribute will make the difference in sending a determined, hard-working conservative to the House of Delegates. Please click here to donate.

With no name ID and on a shoestring budget we came so close to victory two years ago. Lisa knows this is the year for a Republican to win in Wayne county, but she needs your help!

Your very generous contribution will go a long way toward tackling important issues including Tort Reform, Sunshine Laws, Tax Reform, and fighting for Pro-life legislation and West Virginia families.

These issues stand at the core of Lisa's beliefs and she will be a strong voice for Wayne County and for conservatives across the state who want to make West Virginia wonderful again. Please click here to donate.

Your very generous contribution will help Lisa on her path to victory in November!We hope to see you at Lisa's E-Fundraiser on Thursday. Join us to make West Virginia wonderful again.

Thank You,
Friends of Lisa Peana

P.S. You can contribute online by clicking ­here, or you can mail your check to PO BOX 313, Ceredo, WV 25507.

Contributions are limited to $1,000 per person. Contributors over $250 must provide occupation and employer per state campaign finance reporting requirements. Corporate contributions are prohibited. Public Employees Must Disregard.
Paid for by Peana4WV, Jamison Jeffrey Treasurer

Commencement

Some of West Virginia University's graduation ceremonies last week lacked a certain key element, the president.

After one ceremony where students took the opportunity to show their outrage, Garrison opted to skip the Eberly College commencement. An empty chair sat in the president's spot.

Did Mike Garrison understand how symbolic that could be? An open wound that refuses to heal. A vacancy where leadership ought to guide. Whatever good intentions or vision he had when he entered the job could not outweigh the harm he does daily by clinging to his seat. A university president driven from commencement ceremonies cannot possibly retain the moral authority necessary to continue.

In this blog I advocated last fall that Garrison deserved a chance and I stand by what I said. He did deserve a fair shot. How his administration handled this situation more resembles the Dukes of Hazzard character Jefferson Davis Hogg than David Hardesty. Hardesty often sparked complaint, but never derision or questions about honesty. Most people believe Hardesty led the university well, despite his hiring sparking many of the same complaints as Garrison. The handling of this degree was at best was incompetent, at worst corrupt.

Silence often speaks louder than a voice. In this case absence revealed more than presence. West Virginia University must have the opportunity to commence a new era in its history with untainted leadership.

McCain’s Visit

Friday marked John McCain’s first visit to West Virginia this election cycle. It was a great event. Supporters and Party officials turned out to support our next President.

Among the speakers Tim Armstead, the Republican House Minority Leader introduced our candidates for state-wide and federal offices. It was an opportunity for everyone to rally around our candidates and give them the support they need as we head into the General Election.

Congresswoman Shelley Moore – Capito introduced Mrs. McCain as she handed the microphone to Senator McCain. Senator McCain talked about the issues that are not only important to West Virginia but our nation as a whole. He also took questions from the audience and used his Straight – Talk to provide real answers and not rhetoric.

First off, as a candidate, one thing I must say is that I am humble and proud to be sharing the ballot this year with such great candidates. Our candidates have held positive, issue-oriented primary campaigns whether they were opposed or not. Each the GOP candidate is educated and well-versed on the issues of their office giving our voters the best possible choices as they are looking for change this year.

But one thing must be said and Reagan said it best, “There is no limit to what you can accomplish if you don't care who gets the credit.” That is one quote that merits reminding this election year. Each and every volunteer, supporter, committee member, etc has something positive to offer our candidates to win these elections. After all, isn’t that why we, as Republicans, get involved to begin with? To further the GOP platform, and to help Republicans gain elected seats?

By pulling together our resources, energy, ideas and support for our candidates, our volunteers and if we keep what Reagan said in mind, I know that we, as a Republican Party, can accomplish great things not only this election year, but for years to come.

Bits and Pieces

Recount in Mineral County Commission Race. After canvassing the votes on Friday only 2 vote separate LaRue and Leatherman. Leatherman has asked for a recount after picking up 3 votes in the canvass.

********************************************************

John McCain visited Charleston on Friday to meet with Republican Party leaders from around the state. He took a few questions. Here are his comments on protecting Gun manufactures from unnecessary law suits, something Clinton and Obama are encouraging and a solution to the home mortgage issue that doesn't raise taxes.



********************************************************

Mineral County selected its 14 delegates to the state convention in Flatwoods on June 21st. Those delegates will vote to select the 5 Republican Electors that will represent West Virginia in the Electoral College should West Virginia select a Republican candidate in November.

What We Learned Here and Across the State

The West Virginia state primary last Tuesday had dramatic and unanticipated moments both at home and statewide.

First of all, the governor obtained less than 75% of the votes of the Democratic Party. This number presents the perfect opportunity for spin. Gary Abernathy's Republican Gazette declared that one in four Democrats failed to support Manchin. Manchin's camp can claim a sizable victory. If one does the numbers, however, adding 25% of the Democratic Party's registered voters to 100% of the Republican Party's registered voters produces a very slim margin for Manchin in the general election. Russ Weeks must run up the same hill as every other GOP gubernatorial contender, convince every voter in his party while counting on disenchantment with the Democrat. As the West Virginia University scandal flowers into fruition, Manchin will find himself in a very competitive race.

The commissioner of agriculture race saw J. Michael Teets annihilate his adversary on the Republican side. Lawrence Berkerle garnered 36% of the vote statewide. Former Hardy County Commissioner Teets ran particularly well in Mineral, getting 2,440 of the 2,572 votes cast. That was a better percentage than in Hardy County itself. Grant, Pendleton, and Hampshire also gave Teets solid support. Interestingly, incumbent commissioner Democrat Gus Douglas lost in Mineral County to challenger Wayne Casto. He won in the rest of the Potomac Highlands counties by much narrower margins than his statewide tally. Casto got very strong victories in Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan as well. Certainly Gus Douglas has not endeared himself to Eastern Panhandle voters of his own party. Teets certainly has a strong foundation from which to mount a victorious campaign in November.

The 14th Senatorial District race produced a surprise on the Democratic side. Mineral County's David Webb picked up around 90% of the votes in his county and also fared very well in Grant. This allowed him to close upon, but not defeat Bob Williams. Williams led 68% to 32% (by at one point nearly 4,000 votes) with 75% of the precincts reporting Tuesday night, but the surge of late returns from the courthouse in Keyser closed the gap to 55-45 with Williams winning by around 1,700. Gary Howell consistently garnered less "undervote" (when voters fail to select an unopposed candidate) than the statewide candidates. Williams was the more conservative of the two Democrats. Certainly Mineral demonstrated a strong desire to elect one of its own while the entire district leaned conservative. This ought to give Howell an edge since a Democratic state legislature will never achieve the goals conservatives desire.

Mineral County's Republican nomination for county commissioner continues to produce drama. At this writing the race remains too close to call. Janice LaRue defeated Roger Leatherman 1102 to 1097 as of last night while Annette Favara placed third. Likely, voters did not reject LaRue personally as much as they showed disenchantment with the county commission as a whole. The Democrat dominated body generally opposes development and job creation so Republican voters focused their discontent upon the incumbent running in this election. Hopefully the loud and clear message sent Tuesday will resonate with the other commissioners.

The Mineral school board levy suffered defeat again. While supporters may be angered and believe that voters showed greed and short-sightedness, that is not the case. Mineral County residents do support their schools, but they also share concerns about how the money gets spent. I heard a few people complaining last night about the former Keyser High School. They wondered why it was considered unsafe for children, but not a wide variety of businesses. Legitimate answers to this and similar questions may exist, but if voters keep asking the questions, they have not heard or have been convinced by the answers. School officials need to continue working to try and understand the voters' perspective and increase their efforts to communicate. Of course the levy would not be necessary if economic development produced a larger property tax base.

One last interesting note. Before 2004, the state Republican Party rallying cry issued by then party chair Kris Warner was to fill every slot. The Republican Party did not fill every slot this time, but many Republican incumbents such as Keyser's Bob Schadler, Karen Facemyer (4th Senate), and Donna Boley (3rd Senate) saw no Democrats lining up to oppose them. This shows that the state GOP slowly has created strong points in the state. Now it is time to build upon these and move closer to a two party system.

*********************************************************************

I'd like to congratulate our friend Assessor Terri Funk of Preston County on her well-earned primary victory on Tuesday. She has served her county well as its assessor and has remained one of the Republican Party's strongest friends in north central West Virginia. Funk works as hard as anyone else in the state holding that office. Congratulations Terri!

Wind Farm Windfall

Recently it was reported that Grant County earns over $500,000 per year in tax receipts from its wind energy operations. That number should skyrocket along with the number of turbines now in operation there. Last night, news reports out of Washington DC glowingly described how wind energy in Pennsylvania provided power for some suburban governments that want to gain the reputation of being environmentally friendly. Maryland's lieutenant governor spoke on television about the necessity of harnessing win, despite that state's recent decision to deny construction of new farms in western Maryland.

Some reports indicate that wind may help generate up to 20% of America's electric power needs in the future. This should not indicate that wind will replace coal. America's expanding energy market requires us to think beyond oil, especially since hybrid and electric car purchases will continue to skyrocket. Our electric power grid needs all the help it can get and coal will remain the backbone of that process. However, getting in on the ground floor of wind power will be like going back in time and buying a piece of Microsoft; it is an investment that will pay dividends for years.

Tuesday May 13th we voted on whether or not to pass an excess levy to supplement the tax money we get from our schools. Wouldn't it be better to increase the property tax base? Wind farms in Mineral County will help our environment, help create jobs, and help our schools.

The winds of change are blowing in counties around us. Time for Mineral to get on board.

Bond Levy Defeated Soundly, Fraley & Rotruck Win

Many races were tight, but in unofficial results here is the break down on contested races.

Williams takes Democratic nomination for 14th senate seat, but does it without help from Mineral County. Webb dominated the Mineral County vote.

Fraley picks up Democratic nomination for Sheriff

Craig Rotruck grabs School Board seat and Arnholt keeps hers.

School bond was defeated yet again.

In the county commission race LaRue leads Leatherman by 5 votes with all but challenged ballots counted. Outcome may not be known until Friday.

LaRue 1102
Leatherman 1097
Favara 834

West Virginia Democrats Hurt Themselves

Back in February on Super Tuesday, Doug McKinney and West Virginia's Republican Party took a lot of criticism for the decision to go ahead with a party convention instead of the customary primary vote. The party was accused of disenfranchising voters even though much of the problems lay in a misunderstanding of how the convention worked. In reality, active Republicans as never before got to join together, listen to the candidates, and choose. Huckabee's win of West Virginia served as the headline of the day. The state met its goals of garnering attention, getting people out to participate who had never been active before, and being a player in the campaigns.

West Virginia Democrats had to wait until May to make their choice. Hillary Clinton still has a chance to win the nomination, mathematically anyway. Obviously counts upon a huge win in West Virginia to rekindle momentum. It is true that superdelegate pledges mean as much as soft verbals in college football recruiting (they can always change their mind.) Also polls show that Clinton has a better chance at winning in November than Obama. Her supporters cling to an ever shrinking margin of hope.

It did not have to be this way. Imagine if Democrats had followed the Republican example and arranged to make their selection much earlier. A lopsided West Virginia win for Clinton certainly would have shown Obama's tenuous hold on rural and union Democrats. Right now if you ranked the preference of West Virginia Democrats, Clinton would come in first, then McCain, and Obama far behind these two. This would have changed the dynamic of the Democratic campaign.

Not that we want Clinton to win the presidency, far from it. However this example reflects the wisdom of state Republicans in moving back the date upon which they chose for the presidency.

Time to go to the polls

For over 200 years the United States has been fairly unique. We elect the officials of our Republic by voting. Unfortunately many of us take that for granted and don't bother to vote.

Maybe we are to far removed from a time when as colonist we didn't have the opportunity to vote. Consider that men took up arms fought and died to give us the right to vote some 200 years ago. I little over 150 years ago again men took up arms fought and died to preserve the Union and protect our right of self determination and give others the right vote that never had it. 60 plus years ago America's greatest generation fought to save Democracy for the world.

A few years ago Iraqi's risked bombs, snipers and death to vote for the first time and had an overwhelming turnout. They proudly displayed their purple thumb showing they voted.

Today very few that can will vote in the West Virginia election, but it is important that you vote. You have a voice each election day and if you don't use it you will not be heard. Honor those that fought and died to give you the right to vote by exercising that right.

Vote Today!

Joe Manchin and King George III

When the American colonies separated from Britain 232 years ago, we had a lot of grievances against our king. One of the biggest lay in the fact that the king's government and Parliament insisted on taxing the American colonies despite the fact that America had no direct representative in Parliament. Even worse, they attacked the power of the colonial assemblies that we did elect. They assured us that the king and Parliament would represent our important interests and that we needed no direct voice. America believed otherwise.

I had the opportunity to speak with a member of the Taylor County Board of Education on Tuesday night and what he said astounded me. First, the influence of the Board of Education has declined to almost nothing. In this member's reckoning, the elected Board of Educations in West Virginia make 5% of the decisions. Federal guidelines and state mandates eroded some of that authority, but much of it also has been shifted to state appointed bureaucrats. Second, this school board member explained that Governor Manchin proposed to eliminate the school boards altogether.

This was shocking, not just because of the potential to eliminate elected officials, but also due to the fact that these moves are not widely known. Even in the address Governor Manchin mentioned the issue in a fairly off hand way, according to this board member. The West Virginia Constitution fails to guarantee the existence of these institutions. Of course their powers and duties are not strongly defined either. Bureaucrats appointed by the governor run our schools more than the people we vote for.

This represents yet another shifty power grab. Boards of Education are not always popular and do not always do a great job. However they are still the voice of the people when it comes to how our tax money is spent in our school system. It is time to constitutionally guarantee their existence and grant them more authority. This will balance off the power of superintendents and appointed bureaucrats. Sure this will be less efficient, but the people will have a stronger say. The people in turn must remain educated about their school system and make sure to vote in effective and qualified individuals. If the people choose poorly then so be it. That is democracy. Like Winston Churchill said, democracy is the worst form of government, except for all of the other ones. We should never turn over our school system to bureaucrats as long as our property taxes support these schools.

No taxation without representation!

The Second Amendment Explained

A comment recently argued that the Second Amendment was vague and therefore open to an interpretation that would prevent people from owning handguns. He likely got this interpretation from the writer Garry Wills who has made a good living attacking conservative ideals over the past couple of decades.

The reason for the language in the Second Amendment is that those at the time worked within an Anglo-American tradition that needed no explanation. Just as today, we would say "the dream of Dr. King" and no one would ask "what dream" or "who is Dr. King?" those of the 1790s were children of a centuries old tradition.

King Henry II helped to build this tradition with the Assize of Arms, requiring that every male citizen own some sort of weapon. Although Alfred the Great in his time had ordered the creation of a fyrd, or militia, Henry's assize was much more specific. This enabled him to get by without a standing army because all were required to help defend the realm. However, an armed citizenry meant that Henry also had to take steps to make sure those people were happy. He traveled his kingdom to make sure he was aware of the people's needs. Later it became more convenient for kings to call representatives to the capital. The partnership between ruler and ruled, cemented by an armed people, put England on the road towards democracy. A good government has nothing to fear from an armed population, but the armed population is the best insurance policy against tyranny. And don't bring up the argument about modern weapons. The experiences and/or writings of Giap, Che Guavara, Max Boot and others about guerilla warfare bely the notion that people with their own arms are powerless in modern warfare.

In the 1600s Britain knew tyranny from both power hungry kings and Oliver Cromell's dictatorship. The natural rights of life, liberty, and property were unsafe in the hands of such a government. By the 1700s British Whigs spoke openly about the need for an armed population to protect itself from tyranny. Our forefathers, according to noted American historian Bernard Bailyn, absorbed these principles like mother's milk. It was part of the justification for the Revolution itself. Meanwhile, the Indian chief King Phillip's war of genocide against New England spurred Americans on the frontier to understand that every good citizen must be armed to defend his community. Add to these historical antecedents the natural right of people to protect themselves and their property and you have the Second Amendment.

But let's imagine for a second that guns would magically vanish. Would we be safer? Maybe the strongest of us would be. I am 6'2, 250, and fairly young. I could handle a baseball bat pretty well to defend myself and my property. What if I were elderly and frail? My grandmother until she died at age eighty kept a handgun under her bed. Her husband who died in 1973 taught her how to use it and she kept it for security. She lived far from possible police protection. If there were no guns, home invaders could easily have harmed her with bats or axes. The possibility of getting shot deters a lot of these predators. Who is anyone to deny the right of the elderly or the disabled to defend themselves? How about the young woman trying to break away from a much stronger and abusive man who has promised to kill her if she ever leaves? Who is anyone to take away her right to protect herself? The intruder will think twice before entering a home if there is a possibility of the resident shooting him or her to death.

The Second Amendment's guarantee of gun rights is meant to help assist in the national defense, give property owners the ability to defend themselves and their families, and insure against a tyrannical government. Thomas Jefferson, who has been described as James Madison's collaborator to the point that one historian claimed they by the early 1790s almost shared the same mind, described the Second Amendment as his favorite because it helped protect against tyranny. This gives an important clue as to the mindset of the author, James Madison. No one at that time would have fathomed that people's right to defend their persons with deadly force would ever be questioned. It would be like questioning your right to eat whatever you wanted.

The violent will be violent, governments at some point will seek too much authority, and at some point we will face a serious attack on our territory. The first measure taken to prepare any nation for dictatorship is the removal of the citizens' guns. We must never allow ourselves to be in that position as a nation or as individuals, vulnerable to whatever strong force seeks to violate us.

How to Restore Faith in West Virginia University

Governor Joe Manchin faces desperate times in his quest for reelection as West Virginia's governor. His daughter who works for one of his biggest financial supporters received a faux MBA from a university run by his friend. Manchin also faces strong criticism over cuts to one of the state's most effective child development programs, Birth to Three. Russ Weeks has stepped up his campaigning and presents a serious challenge to the incumbent.

To restore confidence in West Virginia University and his own reputation, Manchin must turn to a man with experience that has no political ties to him. The best candidate to replace Garrison at West Virginia University (because right now everyone except Manchin seems to see the need for him to go) is Robin Capehart.

Capehart has the experience. He participated in a Fulbright exchange program with Romania and currently serves as president of West Liberty College near Wheeling. Almost as important, he has no political connections to Manchin or his friends. Capehart ran as a Republican candidate for governor in 2004, losing the nomination to Monty Warner. He also served briefly as Republican Party state chair. No stronger statement could be made concerning the de-politicization of West Virginia University than the appointment of the man who once sought to defeat him for governor. Capehart also has familiarity with West Virginia and its particular culture as well as familiarity with potential donors.

Make no mistake, our state university has developed a severe credibility problem and news outlets around the world have mentioned it. The appointment of a political adversary to the governor would go a long way towards restoring people's faith in WVU.

Mineral County Citizens see Wind Farm as Postive for County

Monday night US WindForce held a well attended informational meeting on their proposed wind farm to be located on Green Mountain in Mineral County. Not only were US WindForce officials in attendance to answer questions, but realtors, environmental scientist, turbine construction crews and engineers were also available to answer specific questions.

The proposed project will run the ridge line starting northeast of the Pinnacle and heading towards the Potomac River and contain some 50, 2.5 megawatt wind turbines. Electricity generated from wind generally is used to replace electricity generated from inefficient oil fired plants.

According to area realty statistics home values have steadily increased in the areas where wind generators are present. Recently the single most expensive home sale in Grant County was recorded within a ½ mile of the Mt. Storm wind farm. Also ridge property is increasing in value as a possible sites for wind generators and the income they generate for the land owner.

Other concerns centered on bird and bat kills. Most opponents point to bird kill studies done at Altamont Pass Wind Farm in California. When Altamont was constructed environmental groups requested that special “rock piles” be built to offset the habitat lost to the access road construction. The rock piles became good habitats for local ground squirrels which attracted birds of prey. The combination of the older high speed wind turbines and the artificially habitat basically created the unique kill conditions at Altamont. The large slow moving, higher turbines that the Green Mountain project will use, will have bird kill ratios well below those birds killed by cars and large windows in homes.

County Commission Janice LaRue said she was worried about the taxes generated by the wind farm, but the state had recently changed the laws governing the taxation of wind energy allowing the counties to get a bigger percentage. The combined effects of increase taxes for the county, the creation of high paying maintenance jobs, and generous lease revenue for land owners will greatly benefit the counties sluggish economy.

Generally people were impressed with the scope and detail of the project they were able to see. Most left with a positive attitude about the project and want to see it completed. The wind farm will be positive growth for Mineral County.

A Little Competition Doesn't Hurt

In 1938 a lot of Austrians pined for the good ol' days. Until twenty years before, they were part of a huge empire that was respected on the world stage. World War I made them smaller and seemingly irrelevant. Austria identified a great deal with their much larger neighbor, Germany because of tradition and ties. They looked askance at their new neighbors, Poland, Czechoslovakia, etc. because they did not have the money or the power of Germany. Many Austrians wanted to form a partnership with Germany, whether or nor a position of equality was possible. We all know what happened. Germany absorbed Austria and took her with it to her utter ruin and shame.

Some of Mineral County's leaders seek to form a partnership with Maryland's Garrett and Allegheny Counties, claiming that it is the obvious move. Now no power mad dictator leads those governments to war, but they have a much stronger economic position than Mineral. In any regional cooperative gesture, the Maryland interest would absorb the Mineral every time.

Cooperation with Maryland counties would hurt Mineral County in the long run because any positives attracted to the region would end up in Maryland while Mineral received the scraps. Even worse, our leaders would be forced to trumpet such scraps as progress. It is not as if these counties will lower their competitive advantage to help us anyway. Will Maryland lower their teacher salaries and benefits so that Mineral can remain competitive for those experienced hands? Of course not, that would be ludicrous. Do not count on them to willingly send any economic development our way either unless it is something inconsequential or unwanted. Also, economic development in Maryland will increase their state and county tax base, enabling them to work on their schools and infrastructure. Will Maryland divert any road or school money to a West Virginia county in the interest of brotherhood and cooperation? Of course not, again that would be ludicrous.

Mineral County's natural partners are Hampshire, Hardy, Grant, and Pendleton. Our natural competitors are north of the Potomac. Mineral must abandon its infatuation with Maryland; sure that state is more wealthy and powerful. but that suitor will use Mineral up and throw her aside. Our sister counties in West Virginia have common goals to build up our road system, make our schools more competitive, and above all attract jobs to build up the West Virginia state and county tax base. Benefits accrued in Maryland will not cross the Potomac.

We should spend our time competing with Maryland for jobs and wealth creation, not helping that state improve its already predominant position. Cooperating with West Virginia counties confers benefits. The state of West Virginia will collect tax money and allocate it to where it is needed the most by our people. I promise that Maryland's legislature will not be using their tax money to do anything for our county.

The Wrong Way to do the Right Thing

To start with, our country, state, and localities absolutely need to address the problem of illegal immigration. All government benefits, including school, ought to be halted. Those who employ non citizens knowingly, or fail to obtain correct paperwork before hiring should face stiff federal charges and even jail time in many cases. Cut off the market for illegal labor and the problem will drop dramatically. When they come to hospitals for care, turn their names over to authorities so that they can be deported quickly. Illegal immigrants get benefits from breaking the law and this is unfair to the countless people who wait their turn and do the right thing.

Also it must be said that LEGAL immigrants are some of the hardest working believers in the promise of American capitalism that this world ever sees. They are to be commended for doing it the right way and also showing us what a work ethic really is.

That being said, there was an ugly downside to the raid recently at Pilgrim's Pride in Moorefield. According to Moorefield resident Rosie Mongold, authorities sent men to the Regional Jail while the women and children were placed under house arrest with no money and no means to get food. This shows a lack of planning and foresight.

First of all, I should hope that their Regional Jail costs get covered by the federal government. The Regional Jail system over the years has been shown to be a complete blunder on the part of a consolidation obsessed state and counties cannot meet their bills as it is. Regional jails also have a reputation as being tougher places than even the state penitentiary. Second, some provision for the feeding of these families must be made above and beyond schoolteachers collecting money and buying groceries for them.

These raids are absolutely necessary and the employers need to be punished at least as harshly as the illegal immigrants themselves. However, the workers and their families should be taken together to detention centers in preparation for deportation. Immigration enforcement should have buses prepared to take care of all these people at the same time. That way they are together in a traumatic time, and all can be fed and otherwise tended to. We must enforce the law, but in doing so we must remember that children sometimes get caught up in these situations and they willingly broke no laws.

Democrat Showdown Looming

We're not just talking about Clinton versus Obama either.

The West Virginia Young Democrats called for a complete halt on the assigning of permits for mountaintop removal mining in West Virginia. This certainly cannot sit well with traditional supporters of the West Virginia Democratic Party such as the United Mine Workers of America. It also shows that many liberal Democrats do choose to live in some sort of bubble world where reality strikes about as often as the tooth fairy.

Did they not watch the news last night? Shortages of energy around the world have helped spin off a rise in food prices. Coal is a vital part of America's energy solution and West Virginians are heading off to good paying jobs in coal related operations. In the long term, coal must replace oil entirely as an energy source for power plants. The explosion of electric car use will place even more strains on our grid. We need to use our coal, corn, wind, natural gas, and water resources.

That's where the West Virginia Young Democrats don't get it. Like most liberals they believe energy comes from some sort of magical place. In the real world that some Democrats and most Republicans inhabit, we realize that the needs of people must be balanced against our desire to preserve nature as it is. In the real world we need to mine more coal, we need to drill for natural gas, we need to build hydroelectric stations on some of our rivers, we need to put windmills on some of our ridges. You can put West Virginians to work and put a dent in our nation's oil demand at the same time. We can't leave all of nature unspoiled in the process, but we cannot ask Americans to sacrifice their standard of living either. Not only do we rely on energy, but the world relies on us to produce many of its necessities for it.

That is the solution that Republicans and real world oriented Democrats favor. The Young Democrats are completely out of touch. Their advocacy for a halt to coal permits pits them against their elders. It also shows locally the growing rift in the Democratic Party. Older voters and industrial workers who understand the world as it is have less and less in common with the young Obama supporting intellectuals who see the anti-American George Soros as their guru. We are seeing Democrats battle over the soul of their party nationally, and now at the state level as well.

Manchin-Bresch Scandal Cost WVU $2 million in donations

AP Article

Degree scandal costs WVU $2M donation of cash and art