When Losing Reveals Class and Character

The First District race for Republican nomination was tough on all of us that care about the GOP. Friends ended up backing different candidates in many cases. The ugliness of the campaign produced a lot of hurt feelings. An e mail from Mac Warner to his supporters today puts a lot in perspective. It showed Warner to be a true class act. He asked Republicans here and elsewhere to unite behind David McKinley and included a set of e mails from his son in Afghanistan about a woman who sacrificed a great deal for her country.

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FROM: Mac Warner
TO: All my Supporters, Campaign Staff, Contributors, Classmates, Volunteers, Friends and Family
From the notes below, you can see there were a lot of things going on this week far more important than an election in WV's 1st Congressional District. Please keep the young MP, her unit, and all our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and other dedicated public servants who risk their lives daily for us in your prayers. (Note Steven's observation, "The Good Lord definitely had a hand in keeping everything under control.")
Each of you has been an inspiration to me, and I'm so glad my children, Steven, Krista, Lisa, and Scott - along with my wife, Debbie -- prompted me to make this run. I have met so many wonderful people, many of whom will be friends for life. I'd like to thank each of you for your contribution, whether it was a financial donation, volunteer time, phone calls, introductions, door to door, advice, or stuffing envelopes. Everyone added value to the campaign, and I'm grateful.
As for this election, it's too important to not be involved. The health and vitality of our Republic depend on the quality of our elected leaders. Whether it is local, state, or national, they need our help. Please, stay engaged, get behind fellow Republicans -- and all candidates -- who will restore conservative, family values and common sense to government.
God bless you, your family, and may God bless America!
Sincerely,

Mac Warner

From: Steven WarnerSent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010To: Dad
Yo Dad,
Heard about the results today. Pretty bummed about it, but I'm really proud of you, the team you established, and the campaign you all put together. I can't thank you enough for running on my - and my soldiers' - behalf. The state, the country, and our military are definitely missing out on the best possible man for any public office. I'm still praying that the people of West Virginia see that someday.
Yesterday was pretty awful. I was on a patrol with one of the Troops responding to a suspected IED. Before we got there we were hit by another one. We were in the heart of the bazaar, nobody around. It was straight out of a movie - the whole thing was eerie as all hell. The IED hit the second soldier in the formation, a female E4 MP from my battalion in Bamberg (I was back around a corner, probably 60 m away). The shrapnel tore through her left leg, above, below, and at her knee, ripping meat and bone with it; she'll be lucky if she keeps the leg. From there, it only gets worse. We're in a completely urban environment where there had been small arms and RPG (Rocket-Propelled Grenade) fire all day long, and the only HLZ (Helicopter Landing Zone) we can find is a small graveyard next to a mosque. It has power lines running over top of it, so we have to go rig up our own demo to take down the poles. Clouds start moving in, it starts raining, the sun's long gone behind the mountain, and we are literally smack-dab in the middle of the most dangerous place in our AO (Area of Operations) - one of those absolute, worst case scenarios that you do everything in your planning process to avoid.
We get the MEDEVAC birds on the way, set up security, pop smoke, they confirm the LZ, come in for an approach - and they hesitate. They go to make another pass. Pop another smoke. The second smoke catches the small field on fire, and as the bird comes back the prop wash just spreads the fire like crazy. So now our HLZ, the only one in the area, is completely consumed by flames, we're getting pelted with dust and embers as the flames lap at our backs, trying to get this girl with half her leg missing into cover. Absolutely terrifying.
The brush fire keeps pushing out - and, thankfully, dying b/c everything's getting burned - as the birds move out for another look. At that point, they refuse to land and say they're going to drop a hoist. Which takes another eternity to rig up. I go making rounds to check security and watch for any incoming fire at the aircraft. Mentally I start preparing for movement to and securing of a downed Blackhawk. This thing will be coming back close enough for me to take it down with a slingshot.
The bird comes back in and hovers to hook up the hoist right above us. The thing's spewing rocks and embers and dust and water from the small stream - an absolute mess. I must have had my back turned for about 3-4 minutes, though it felt like 30, before I turned to look and see what was taking so long. I glance up at the Blackhawk hovering only 50 feet above us, and see her on the litter spinning out of control on her ascent up. I thought to myself that a perfectly healthy me would probably pass out from the violence of that spin, much less a girl who had, in our minds, just lost her leg and waited nearly an hour to get EVACed. How that helicopter did not get shot down, though, is a miracle in my mind. How she survived that spin was a miracle. That all of that happened and the doctors think they might be able to save her leg is a miracle. Despite the IED, we definitely had Someone divine pulling over watch for us.
After the MEDEVAC, we still have to get to the suspected IED. It's pitch dark at this point, 8% illum (with these conditions our night vision is practically useless), and all air support has been called off because of the weather. We're able to find it, blow it in place (turns out to be nothing), then start our egress back to the COP. That's a nightmare in itself. We have about 25 guys in all, trying to climb over walls and cross creeks to stay off the main roads, all while getting reports that ambushes were getting established all over the place. I must have busted my ass at least 8 times, fell off a couple 7-10' drops, and even thought I sprained my knee at one point (I hit the ground HARD... I was down for a couple minutes before I was able to recover).
We were only about 1800 m from the COP (Combat Out Post). Given the conditions, it took us about 3 hours. Another miracle that we made it back in one piece, no one else seriously injured (save a couple bum knees and ankles).
It was a helluva night, one that I hope I never have to experience again. As bad as it was, it could have been - and should have been - a lot worse. I honestly thought we were going to have our own real-life "Blackhawk Down" scenario. The Good Lord definitely had a hand in keeping everything under control.
So that was my last 24 hours. Paired with the last three weeks and the results of the election, I'm pretty worn out. Again, I'm sorry to hear about the election - I think I wanted it just as much, if not more, than you did. But, like you said, there's a reason behind it. I love you and can't wait to see you.
- Steven

From: Steven Warner Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010To: Dad
Dad,
We just found out that they had to amputate the girl's leg, just about a hand's length down from the hip. Definitely a blow to us all. It'll be a tough road for her - she was one of the more active Soldiers in the battalion, always in the gym, always working out. She's a tough kid though. If she can keep her head straight in the next couple weeks, I think she'll be an inspiration for a lot of people.
- Steven

From: Steven WarnerDate: Thu, 13 May 2010 To: Dad
Dad,
I talked to her company commander today and he said she's taking it pretty hard. No surprise there. I'm going get to Walter Reed when I get home to check on her.
Love,
Steven

Safe School Czar Kevin Jennings Has Ties to Group That Advocates Legal Child Molestation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3YVMZ0pQpA

The above is a clip from the Hannity Show about (Un) Safe Schools Czar Kevin Jennings and his connections to NAMBLA, a group that promotes homosexual child molestation.

The same question comes up over and over again in the conservative and libertarian community. Does Obama have ANY normal friends and associates, meaning does he know anyone who just goes to a normal job, has a family, has traditional values? If he does, he has not appointed any of them.

We need to question a president who thinks that it is a good idea to appoint a guy into an influential education position who believes that child molestation is okay.

We need to get rid of Obama and all of his creepos.

Results Are In!

It has been an exciting night in West Virginia politics as twenty-eight year veteran congressman Alan Mollohan condeded before 10:00 tonight to State Senator Mike Oliverio. Oliverio ran on a conservative slate of issues that blasted Mollohan for his support of Obama/Pelosicare. Locally, Mollohan won Mineral County. If he pledges and continues to pledge that he will not support Nancy Pelosi to retain her speakership, Oliverio will be a tough candidate despite the Republican trend this year.

David McKinley bested former Senator Sarah Minear and Mac Warner who charged in hard in the last few weeks. He must quickly put to rest the acrimonious primary to build Republican and independent support for his candidacy.

House of Delegates races also provided excitement. Charles Messick handily won the Democratic nomination in the 49th, defeating Jim Maybury. His victory earns him the right to battle former Mineral County Planning Commissioner Gary Howell, the unopposed Republican nominee. In the 48th Delegate district, incumbent Republican Allen Evans outlasted a challenge from Phyllis Cole. He has no general election opponent. In the 50th, Ruth Rowan had no primary opposition, but will run in November against Alan Davis.

Incumbent Republican Dave Sypolt will face Steven Shaeffer in the State Senate race for the 14th District. Shaeffer won handily over two opponents.

In Mineral County, Krista Johnson Dixon defeated Robert Schadler for Circuit Clerk. She has no general election opponent. Neither does County Clerk Lauren Ellifritz who won an unopposed primary race.

One of the closest races of the night locally featured Ridgeley mayor Doctor Richard Lechliter narrowly defeating former county commissioner Jack Bowers. Lechliter is the Republican nominee to run against incumbent Commissioner Wayne Spiggle who defeated William Nichols in a somewhat closer than expected race.

For all statewide results, go to http://apps.sos.wv.gov/elections/results/results.aspx?county=Statewide&electionid=0

I apologize for not having more detailed results from local races in other counties, but I only have the Mineral County results right in front of me.

Today, Decision. Tomorrow, Unity

Today is a day of decision all over West Virginia. Hundreds of offices are up for election this year. They range from local positions to offices of national significance.

Although participation is expected to drop from last year's presidential election, this year could see a lot more voters than a normal off year primary election.

Most years see the primary as a pretty unexciting affair. Usually only one Republican steps up to run in most legislative and congressional elections. Democratic incumbents face few strong challengers from within their own party. The entrenched nature of the Democratic machine in West Virginia has produced a one party state for many years. Primary 2010 may be a sign of things to come.

West Virginia has always been a one party state. Democrats or Republicans usually control state politics for decades at a time. We have seen very few years in which a viable opposition party has existed. The switches from the dominance of one party to the other usually come quickly as a response to national party shifts. West Virginians generally agree on issues and will vote with a party and for individuals that represent them best, as far as they are concerned, anyway. Republicans are definitely pushing into position to challenge Democrats at least as a viable opposition, if not political supremacy a few years from now. Vigorous primaries on the Republican side, the retirement of the state GOP's debt and emergence of a new vision, and the weakening hold of the state Democratic Party thanks to Obama and Pelosi have all contributed to these developments.

To continue moving forward, we must win elections. The First Congressional District is a key example. We are not used to acrimonious primaries for this position because few people in the past have desired to challenge Alan Mollohan. He is not a dead incumbent walking, but he is also not indestructable. To beat Mollohan we need all Republicans behind whichever candidate wins nomination Tuesday. With the large field, it is wide open. However since all the candidates basically agree on the same issues, the attacks focused not on ideology, but personality. In short, it got ugly and fast.

On Wednesday the candidates need to have a conference call and pledge support for the Republican nominee. They need to appear together, shake hands before the cameras, smile, and congratulate the winner. Sure there will be hurt feelings and resentment for how these campaigns operated. You can't just shake off the accusations and anger privately, but all must unite behind the cause. We need a Republican to represent the First Congressional District. We can only win if everyone enthusiastically gets behind the nominee, whomever that may be.

Shelley Moore Capito's Plan For Financial Reform

May 10 2010
Capito Op-Ed in Roll Call: Plan Would Restore Accountability to Markets
May 10, 2010 By Rep. Shelley Moore Capito
Special to Roll Call
For the past few years, the American taxpayer has been forced to rescue Wall Street institutions from self-inflicted financial ruin. While Main Street continues to bear the pain associated with poor financial choices, the bailout precedent provides little incentive for financial institutions to change their ways and avoid making irresponsible decisions.
Many Democrats have accused Republicans of acting as a roadblock to financial regulatory reform. This could not be further from the truth.
We have a plan for reform that better addresses the root causes of the financial collapse and protects Americans from paying for Wall Street’s mistakes.
This plan, introduced last year by the House Financial Services Committee Republicans, provides for enhanced bankruptcy — an approach that would set up a new chapter to handle the failure of highly complex entities. This type of bankruptcy will ensure the orderly unwinding of firms in a downward spiral without shifting the burden to hardworking Americans.
Under this new chapter of bankruptcy, regulators will coordinate with and assist the courts to ensure that the plan approved by the judge is sufficient for the complexity of the institution. The judges will also be able to prevent panic and instability in the case of a faltering large firm by staying the claims of creditors, which would prevent runs on the troubled institutions.
In a strong free-market system, all participants should know the rules of the game. When the government provides bailouts for some institutions and not others, market instability ensues. Our new chapter of bankruptcy would be consistent for all large and complex actors within the financial system and will strip the unsavory power of picking winners and losers from the federal government.
Recognizing that there are bad actors in any market system, true financial regulatory reform should include protections for consumers. The House Republican plan would increase investment fraud enforcement and monitoring of systemic market risk through increased coordination between regulators. Rather than creating new bureaucracy, we should maximize the effectiveness and coordination of our existing regulators.
In an effort to deter fraud, we are seeking to increase monetary penalties for those who deceive investors. The increased fines collected from civil and criminal actions against those who would defraud the market would help offset the damage to the system and would prevent future acts by handing out more than a slap on the wrist. Innocent victims of this type of fraud need every remedy available to them to recover their money, which is why our proposal includes provisions that would increase restitution remedies for these victims.
Enough is enough.
Will Congressional leadership have the courage to stand up for Main Street and enact financial regulatory reform that truly restores accountability to our markets and protects the American taxpayer from future bailouts?
As debate continues in the Senate, it is my hope that Republican ideas on financial reform will be included and the final product will be truly bipartisan. Financial reform is too important to be subjected to the partisan ideas of only one party. The integrity of our financial system is crucial to the success and safety of our country. For better or worse, what happens on Wall Street has far-reaching implications for the hardworking folks across our nation. We must take a bipartisan approach to this problem.

Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) is the ranking member of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity.

Shelley Moore Capito Obtains Funds For Mathias-Baker Volunteer Fire Department

Apr 28 2010
Capito Announces $138,130 Grant for Mathias-Baker Volunteer Fire Company
Department of Homeland Security Funding Awarded Through Assistance to Firefighters Program
WASHINGTON—Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., today announced that the Mathias-Baker Volunteer Fire Company has been awarded $138,130 by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Operations and Safety Grant will be funded through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.
“Our volunteer firefighters selflessly commit to protecting their neighbors on a daily basis, and we have a duty to provide the support and resources they need to do their jobs safely,” said Capito. "Grants like this one are critical to our first responders’ ability to better serve their community—I am confident the dollars will be put to good use."
Grants awarded through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program seek to help enhance the preparedness capabilities of local fire departments and emergency medical service (EMS) organizations. Funding often supports equipment upgrades and training for first responders.
Operations and Safety Grants, like the one awarded to the Mathias-Baker Volunteer Fire Company, specifically support training, equipment, personal protective equipment, wellness and fitness, and health and safety modifications to stations and facilities.
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Letter to the Principal Who Sent Children Home From School For Wearing the American Flag

This is an e mail sent to a principal in California. On the 5th of May, a Mexican holiday, several students were sent home for wearing the American flag. This is the response of an American who counts immigrants on both sides of his family tree, Italians who fought in World War II and Germans who fought in the revolution.

Dear Sir,
You ought to be ashamed of yourselves.

People like yourself do know and understand that this country was built by immigrants, but that is only part of it. It was built by immigrants who came here legally, believed in what America stood for, and did what was necessary to become full fledged Americans.

My grandmother arrived here on a boat. She came over with her family from southern Italy by way of Cherbourg. They settled in the mountains of West Virginia and worshipped in their faith late at night in a sanctuary loaned to them by the local Baptist Church. Their father started out working as a laborer for the State Road Commission and eventually built several businesses in Barbour County, West Virginia.

They changed their names. Nicolo became Nick. Franceso became Frank. Philomena became Minnie. They were strictly taught to speak only English because, as my grandmother put it "Dad said that it was rude to speak Italian around natives because they might think you were talking about them." The father sent all of his children to the nearby college.

When World War II and Korea came, they volunteered to go fight for their country and flag. These men and women were and are proud Americans. Yes they retained their pride at being Italian, but not one would place the old country flag over top of that of the United States.

It is a shameful day when American students cannot wear the flag that our forefathers fought and died for because of fear that it might cause offense. And if it does cause offense, so be it! If you are here from another country and the flag of the United States of America offends you, well you know where the border is, buddy. Don't let the door hit you in the rear end on the way out. No one should ever be sanctioned for proudly and appropriately displaying OUR flag.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Stephen A. Smoot
Keyser, West Virginia

The Hutaree Militia and Aaron Burr

The government case against the Hutaree militia, according to Andrew Brietbart's "Big Journalism" blog, is quickly unraveling.

The news told us several weeks ago that the government had foiled in the nick of time a diabolical plot to assassinate law enforcement officers. This plot was cooked up in the Michigan backcountry by a "Christian right wing militia."

On TV, the United States attorneys and FBI agents almost always try to get their ducks in a row before proceeding. They want an airtight case and exude professionalism. In this case, Special Agent Leslie Larsen was unable to answer questions about the case and had failed to bring her notes with her. United States District Court Judge Victoria Roberts denied a motion that the group be held without bail.

The judge, defense, and anyone paying attention must be shocked at the inability of an agent in charge to answer even simple questions about a case that was supposedly thoroughly investigated. The judge expressed her shock and indignation before setting bail.

Hutaree members face charges of conspiracy, among other things, for discussing the murder of police officers. Defense attorneys pointed out that laughing and joking indicated an element of fantasy, to which Agent Larsen agreed. But she countered with the statement that killing police officers is not a joking matter.

She is right. Few people would find that funny that anyone would advocate the killing of law enforcement even in jest. So why weren't rap groups in the 1990s arrested and charged with the same crimes? They openly proclaimed that their listeners should go kill police officers at a time when urban violence was rising. Threatening police officers is no laughing matter and nothing that a sane individual ought to joke about. Nor should they sing (if rapping is considered singing) about killing police. That being said, the First Amendment protected the right of rap groups in the 1990s. Unless the government has more substance to their case, the Hutaree will be freed as well.

In the early 1800s, Aaron Burr had a run of self-induced bad luck. He stabbed Jefferson in the back and tried to steal the presidency from him in an Electoral College mishap. Burr then fatally killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel. His last gasp at some kind of influence and power lay to the West. Burr planned to go to what was then Mexico, seize land there, then establish his own empire. Many in the U.S. thought Burr wanted the newly acquired Louisiana Territory and New Orleans. We now know he didn't, but speculation back then ran wild.

President Jefferson still nurtured hatred for Burr. He declared Burr a traitor and had him arrested on those grounds. Burr was taken to Richmond to be tried in federal district court for treason. The government's only proof of a treasonous mindset was the Jefferson declaration. Otherwise, Burr was merely collecting guns and money, abiding by the laws of the United States such as they were.

Chief Justice John Marshall presided over the district court. He gave the court's opinion to the jury before it retired. It found Burr not guilty. Burr was found not guilty because the mere statement by the executive branch that a person or persons is/are guilty of treason is not enough to form evidence. Biographer Jean Edward Smith wrote "He had no affection for Burr, especially after the death of Hamilton, yet he was determined that the text of the Constitution be adhered to."

Under Obama the government has been issuing increasingly hostile statements about the gathering storm of anger against it. It warned the country that gun owners, veterans, and others might grow dangerous. Now we see the arrest of nine people based upon, what looks like right now, stupid jokes.

In the Hutaree case, we either see a real example of a conspiracy that was fumbled by an incompetent FBI agent or an incident of government action due to the fact that these people happen to dislike those in charge of their government. Either way, the Justice Department has a lot of explaining to do on this case.

Simply Put, We Are On the Verge of Becoming a Banana Republic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtvHAqK8P14&feature=player_embedded#!

Watch the video above, a clip from C Span. Rep Ron Paul (R) 14th Texas is questioning Chairman Bernanke of the Federal Reserve. The Fed Chairman admitted that the federal government has printed money to cover expenditures, a practice called "monetizing the debt." Lyndon Johnson's administration did this as well and it helped to create the dire stagflation crisis of the 1970s. Obama's irresponsible administration is doing the same. Monetizing the debt inflates the currency tremendously, eroding the value of people's savings. In a sense it operates as a tax because the government spends money at the expense of wealth held by the people.

Scary times, folks. Scary times.

Zoning Kills Competition and Communities

http://mises.org/daily/4264

This article demonstrates the killing power that zoning laws create. They attack small, locally owned businesses by eliminating the convenience and connections that they have in the communities.

A group of Mineral Countians has supported bringing zoning laws into the area for years. They express the fear that someday Mineral County will wake up one day and look like a county in Virginia that is ten minutes' drive from Washington D. C.

This article describes the true cost of zoning laws. Put that against the fanciful idea that within ten, twenty, or fifty years that this county will be completely urbanized.

Obama Politically Damaging Congressional Democrats

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=512CFE45-18FE-70B2-A88050FA3A86819E

In the above Politico story, congressional campaign staffs, notably that of Nancy Pelosi, have reacted with alarm at the recent statements of Obama. He blames problems on "Washington" or "Congress" rather than Republicans specifically. In carefully guarded language, congressional Democrats claim the Obama is trying to position himself for re-election rather than align himself with the most unpopular Congress in history.

Of course Congress has gotten so unpopular by trying to enact Obama's radical agenda.

This family spat will grow more interesting as we get closer to November. Democrats will lose many seats and likely at least one house of Congress this fall because of Obama and Pelosi. Now Obama is abandoning them. Not that the country can stand another session of this Congress, but now even Democrats will understand that this might be the most narcissistic president in memory.

Senate Minority Leader Don Carruth Passes Away at 59

West Virginians today are mourning the passing of Senate Minority Leader Don Carruth (R) Mercer.

He succumbed to brain cancer at the age of 59.

Carruth had the respect and admiration of legislators in both parties. He will be missed as a great representative from his district.

First Congressional District Race Growing Expensive

If the stacks of mail on the table by my door are any indication, the race for Republican nominee in the First Congressional District has grown extremely expensive. Almost every other day I get a piece from McKinley. Minear mail comes somewhat less often. I believe I have received maybe two pieces from Mac Warner. A recent McKinley e mail requests more contributions from his supporters due to the fact that, as the e mail claims, Sarah Minear has put $500,000 of her own money into the campaign. Give Sarah Minear credit, she is willing to put her own money on the line and can claim to be less beholden to special interests. Be prepared for an onslaught to literature from her.

The campaign has also gotten ugly. All three front runners have created attack pieces, but the war between Minear and McKinley has gotten most vicious. Every once in awhile you see McKinley attack Warner in his e mails, but they have set their bulls eye on Minear. All parties accuse each other of outright lies.

McKinley's negative mailers may be hurting him. Polls may show a different story, but anecdotally, moderate and independent Republican voters tell me that they don't tend to read the fine print. All they see between the mailbox and the trash can is the bold print. (Incidentally, they also say they are more likely to read a mailer when they know, or at least have met the candidate.) Constant daily attacks against Minear create a negative impression. One voter told me that her only impression of McKinley is that he was an ass, based upon simply reading the bold print of the mailer she got. For people in the 14th who supported Minear over the years, they will likely end up with a negative impression of McKinley because they have met Minear and many voted for her faithfully.

This is not meant to attack McKinley, but to point out that constant negative campaigning at this stage can backfire. I would humbly suggest that McKinley should send more positive mailers about himself into the 14th senatorial district. People get that he and Minear have a difference of interpretation on their records by now. They want to know more about the candidates from this avalanche of literature they are receiving.

Finally, the candidates should realize that West Virginia Republicans are not used to a primary competition in many areas. Seeing Republicans viciously attack each other, almost every day in this case, does not create a positive impression. The 11th Commandment means more to Republicans unused to this public spectacle. Warner may benefit from this kind of fatigue because he has not been able to match the sheer amount of stuff sent out. What I have seen of his mailers has been, unfortunately, negative. However Warner can't reach your house five times a week like the other two. That may make him seem less negative by default.

At the end of the day as a voter you often have to ignore most of the negative stuff and look at the candidates, their ideas, and their backgrounds. What have they done? What credentials do they have? What potential do they have? Who are they? The candidate with the best record, the best ideas and principles, and the strongest background and abilities should get the vote. I am holding off on voting until the end this year just to see how the congressional race shakes out. I know pretty much how I am going to vote otherwise. With the enormous pressures of this campaign, you will likely see at least one of the candidates eliminate themselves through some rash statement or action. Stay tuned.

Liberal Rhetoric Aside, the Mexican War Was NOT Started By the United States

Came up with this earlier and it bears repeating. The illegal alien law in Arizona affects those of Mexican descent much like it would someone carrying a bag of pot in their pocket. If you just go around, act normally, and live your life then you likely will not get caught, either as an illegal or a carrier of a pot baggie. If you drive stupid, get into fights, and otherwise act like a fool, chances are that a cop will see you and wonder what is up. This is when the window opens to check on your legal status.

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

Thing 1,098 that liberals refer to and have no idea what they are talking about: the Mexican War.

Liberals love to point at it as some kind of unwarranted war of aggression and conquest waged by a rapacious United States (led at the time by President James K. Polk, Democrat.) That is far from the truth. Since it is being brought up, let's get the truth about this war told.

Conflict started the day Texas won its independence. Texas rebelled against the dictator Antonio Lopez y Santa Anna. This rebellion included both Mexicans and American immigrants who wanted the government to leave them alone. Santa Anna invaded the province, lost the war, and signed off on Texas independence.

This independence was recognized by the Great Powers, Britain first and foremost. Recognition means that you are a sovereign state. Because of the slave issue and fears over war with Mexico, the United States put off annexation for nine years despite repeated requests from the Republic of Texas to join the Union.

Polk in 1844 ran on admitting Texas and won. Congress soonafter approved Texas' entry into the Union. Mexico warned that this meant war. Despite the fact that Texas was a soveriegn nation, recognized as such by other nations, and it had every right to unite with the U.S., Polk sent diplomats to offer Mexico money to prevent war. Mexico refused, cut off diplomatic relations, and mobilized their military.

Polk sent the Army to the border to protect Texas. Mexican troops crossed the border and attacked U.S. soldiers, killing several. Congress responded by giving Mexico what they had been begging for, a war.

The fact that the United States easily whipped Mexico and took as compensation a huge chunk of Mexican territory does not erase the fact that Mexico begged for a war and started it when the U. S. would not oblige. We went to great lengths to avoid the war, Mexico overcame every obstacle we tried to throw in their path.

OK liberals, that is your lesson for today

Breaking the Law Now Illegal in Arizona, Obama Mulls Challenge

Arizona's Governor Jan Brewer signed a bill into law this week that makes it illegal to break the law in her state. Furthermore, she has worked with law enforcement to draw up a plan to enforce laws that were once broken with impunity. As expected, Obama has sided against the enforcement of the law and mulls a challenge. His Justice Department may work strenuously to prevent Arizona from enforcing the law, thereby enabling lawbreakers to continue violating the laws of the state and nation.

Sound ridiculuous? Of course it does. As most people know, the law violators are illegal aliens. Most do not realize that Arizona has attracted much of the violent criminal element acrosss the border. Phoenix has become the kidnapping capital of the United States and law enforcement is losing control of gangs that operate with impunity. On top of that, wrongheaded federal courts have ruled that states must provide illegals with social services. Arizona has figured out a way around lax enforcement at the federal level. Make illegal residence a state crime and enforce the law itself.

Arizona will save millions, maybe billions, in social service and law enforcement costs. California is sinking like the Titanic from the same issues, yet politicians there blast the Arizona law. Obama threatens to challenge it in court, calling the law profiling. Of course illegal aliens in Arizona are going to be 99% Mexican, there is no way around that fact. However, Governor Brewer should likely ignore any ruling or opinion against her state. After all, to go back means to continue to saddle Arizona with escalating costs and violence. The federal government will do nothing. States, especially on the border, must take action.

Bill Aiming to Force Puerto Rico to Vote Every Eight Years On Statehood

Under a bill entitled the Puerto Rico Democracy Act, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico would be forced to vote every eight years on whether or not they wish to become a state.

Puerto Rico predates the United States. For centuries it fell under Spanish jurisdiction until the Spanish -American War. Its strategic position recommended to the government that it be snapped up along with the Philippines, Guam, and other territories. Repeatedly the government has tried to entice it into statehood, but that move has been consistently rejected. A vocal minority demands independence, but the people of the island do not want that either. The status quo preserves their distinctive identity in the international community and Olympic sports as well as their connection to the United States.

Will repeated elections convince the Puerto Ricans to commit to statehood? Probably not, although Democrats certainly hope that it will. They expect that the poor island will vote for their party. Until now. Puerto Ricans, as Spanish speaking peole in the Caribbean, have a sensitive nerve when it comes to Yankee Imperialism. Anything that looks like imperialism, even a naval base, creates a stir.

This forces vote, after repeated rejections, would be an imperialist move on the part of the Democratic Party against the choice made repeatedly by Puerto Rico. It would likely strengthen the independence movement, though not enough for that island to vote for sovereignty. Republicans can stop this and accuse the Democrats in Congress of imperialism all at the same time. Should be fun!

It's Inevitable, Democrats Will Lose Power in West Virginia Within a Few Years

It's inevitable. It has a momentum all its own. And no one is pushing it faster than those that stand to lose the most.

West Virginia will soon be a Democratic minority state. I would say this process will be complete by at the latest 2014.

Yes Democrats have the majority of registered voters now, but they face a steady stream of defections from their ranks. New voters who see little future in what Obama promises, who understand that leftists want to steal the rewards of ambition and work, they are leaving. Miners and their families, even in die hard Democratic counties, are leaving. People who have clung fiercely to the Democratic Party for generations have found that Obama, Pelosi, Mollohan, etc do not follow policies that will put food on workers' tables in West Virginia. Demographics do not favor Democrats. The older generation is passing on, taking away the last of the FDR voters and some of those inspired by Kennedy. Younger people tend to choose Republican or Independent registrations.

But will West Virginia be a Republican majority state? It all depends. In state history, party switches happen quickly. Chaning conditions and party stances often provoke powerful and fast changes. West Virginia has never been a two party state.

In the 1890s Stephen Elkins, pictured to the left, brought organization and leadership to West Virginia in a time when major party shifts took place nationwide. Elkins sold the GOP vision in West Virginia. Not everyone was entirely on board in support of Elkins, but the people favored the development policies he advocated. West Virginia moved from the Democratic to the Republican Party.

Republican leadership in West Virginia is moving forward to take advantage of the shift taking place in the state. It must continue to remind voters that Republicans here support development and oppose additional federal burdens. They must stay committed to lowering taxes and reducing spending at all levels of government to gain support.

Democrats are declining quickly in West Virginia, but it is not yet inevitable that Republicans will gain a clear majority. Disgusted Democrats and Tea Party style libertarians for different reasons are choosing to remain independent. To gain and keep the support of both, the GOP must continue to support basic anti-tax and pro-development issues. Elected officials must also act on the principles that got them elected.

Obama to White Males: "Drop Dead"

First of all, apologies for not posting at the end of last week. I had to travel last weekend.

Obama, according to Politico.com, released a video message through the DNC trying fairly uncharismatically to connect with the same voters who he thinks enabled his victory originally, blacks, hispanics, women, and (supposedly) women. The Democrats hope that a national resurgence of Obamamania will save them this fall.

Remember when Obama was supposed to be a uniter, break racial, partisan, and gender divides? Perhaps the drop off in support over the past couple of years reflects that fact that Obama was not what he promised to be. He is taxing the middle class, demonizing his enemies, keeping his legislation secret instead of open, and showing a distinct pettiness and condescension towards even his supporters. Instead of distancing himself from the ultimate politician, Bill Clinton, as he tried to do in 2008, he now embraces Clinton.

Obama did this partly to himself. He built up unreasonable expectations and promised certain things to the electorate. Those promises were forgotten quickly. The carefully crafted image of a liberal messiah sent by heaven to erase Bushism crumbled. If an election were held today between Bush and Obama, Bush would eke out a win. This puts Obama back at the same level of popularity as John Kerry.

Will those voters come out to support Obama and vote in the off elections? Likely no. Young people now understand that he is not an idealist. Furthermore, Republicans have convicned them that Obama policies have mortgaged their future. All Obama can do is say "no it won't" even as his own budget offices prove that he deceived us. Middle class and wealthy blacks are increasingly agitated about taxes. Traditionally Democratic Jewish voters are angry over the mistreatment of Israel and its leaders. In short, Obama's radical agenda, condescending nature, and horrible foreign policy have alienated much of his base. Democrats will pay in November.

The Potomac Highlands Conservative Endorsements For Primary Elections

The most difficult choice of the various elections came in choosing our endorsement for Republican nominee in the First Congressional District.

We sent out a three page list of questions to gauge the candidates' conservative principles. Some questions had a very conservative aspect whereas a few could have been answered either way by a good and principled conservative candidate. Every candidate for the Republican nomination scored very high on conservative principles, although some scored slightly higher than others.

Next we had to look at electability. Three candidates have emerged from the pack. David McKinley and Sarah Minear are well funded. Mac Warner may have less money, but he seems to have as committed of a set of volunteers as the other two. All three would provide a powerful opponent for the eventual Democratic nominee. Even some of the less well-funded candidates, such as Tom Stark, may have a good shot with the current mood and national money behind them.

Experience matters. Again, all three of these individuals have tremendous experience. Sarah Minear represented her senatorial district very well for many years. Many of those most closely involved in GOP politics in her district are powerfully loyal to her and respect her political service. David McKinley served as Republican Party chair and also worked hard as a state legislator. Mac Warner spent many years in the United States Army traveling the world, then returned to West Virginia to establish businesses in the Morgantown area.

Of the three candidates, two have committed themselves to visiting this area in person. Sarah Minear and Mac Warner both have visited the Potomac Highlands multiple times. We saw both speak in person at a Meet the Candidates forum in Fort Ashby. Both candidates conveyed a sense of strength, ability and leadership. Mac Warner and Sarah Minear have also both demonstrated a strong concern for the portion of the Potomac Highlands that lies within the First District.

So we whittled it down to two and must choose between them. Republicans in the First District have put forth a powerful field, one of the strongest for an office that I remember. All of the GOP contenders are good conservatives. Four of them are running strong campaigns, three of them seem to have very good organizations, especially in the Potomac Highlands. Of those candidates who have come in person to this region repeatedly, Minear and Warner present the stronger image and have tremendous experience, albeit in different fields.

So it comes down to Minear and Warner. I want to stress that either one of these two, and also McKinley, would be great candidates. I would have no problem doing what I could for any of them. However the slight edge goes to Mac Warner due to his strong military background. With the nation still at war (whether the media remembers it or not) having congressional representatives in place that understand the military from the inside helps tremendously for many reasons.

I have met Sarah Minear and, if elected, believe she would make a great congressional representative. I have heard positive things about McKinley. If you could endorse more than one, I'd not hesitate to do so. Minear, McKinley, and Warner all bring experience and skill to campaigning and Congress. However, you can only endorse a single candidate and that will go to Mac Warner.

Now for the Democratic nominee in the First Congressional District. We will endorse no one at this time. Mike Oliverio is a good conservative Democrat, but must pledge publicly to not vote for Nancy Pelosi as Speaker should he win election. She has harmed West Virginia and its people considerably and needs to go.

Second Congressional District: This one's easy. We support Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito for re-election. No one has fought harder for West Virginia since the Obama Administratiuon started its relentless attacks on mining and manufacturing.


14th Senatorial: Also easy. Senator Dave Sypolt has represented his district admirably since winning election. He returns to Mineral County on a regular basis and is responsive to voter concerns. Sypolt has leadership qualities that could serve him well in higher office, should he ever decide to seek it. He is a strong Republican legislator and we enthusiastically endorse him


On the Democratic side we endorse the personable Glynis Board.

Finally we get to the races for House of Delegates.

In the 48th Delegate District we only received one response and that was from incumbent Allen Evans. Evans has a good legislative record and has worked hard to benefit the entire region. A local mayor outside the 48th noted that Evans was very helpful in securing help for his town. When looking at the Republican legislative "team," Evans helps considerably with his knowledge and experience in agriculture. Our enthusiastic endorsement goes to Allen Evans.

In the 49th Delegate District we endorse Gary Howell. Howell has been involved in regional transportation development issues for several years. He has worked on the U. S. 50 committee and has researched alternative and cost reducing ways to finance Corridor H. Howell spends a great deal of time researching public policy. Since Republican legislators do not have their own researcher in Charleston, Howell can add that talent to the team in Charleston.

We received no responses from the Democratic candidates in the 49th.

In the 50th Delegate District we are happy to endorse Ruth Rowan. Rowan's years of teaching experience make her a leader among Republicans in crafting education policies. Her husband also brings his decades of teaching experience to Charleston to help support Delegate Rowan. They make an outstanding team and represent their district well.

On the Democratic side of this race we will endorse Joseph Moreland over Alan "Mitch" Davis. Moreland responded to the survey and has a fairly conservative lean.

In the 51st Delegate District, incumbent Daryl Cowles receives the endorsement on the Republican side. He has amassed a strongly conservative voting record that represents his district well.

There of course are endorsements for the primary election cycle. We will run endorsements again for the general election at the start of early voting.

Early voting has started across the state. Now go out and vote!!!!!!!

Stephen P. Goodwin, Former Board of Governor's Chief, Dies

I am truly saddened to learn of the death of Stephen P. Goodwin, former head of the Board of Governors.

Mr. Goodwin, a partner in Goodwin and Goodwin, was one of the most prominent Democrats in the state. However, I knew him more as the father of my friends, a sponsor of youth sports, and an all around great guy. His optimism and spirit are reflected in the success of his children, Aly, Carte, and Ryan, whom I am proud to call good friends.

Please say a prayer for this good man and his family.

I Love Money

I'm admitting it. I am saying it. I refuse to add a caveat or a qualifier. I refuse to refer to St. Augustine or any country song written by a comfortable artist and sung by a rich person.

I like money. Actually I love having money when I have a little of it. I wish I had it. I know it would make my life and the lives of those closest to me a lot better.

One of the best events in life is getting your first paycheck. For most of us, it was probably something like a hundred bucks or so. It represented a sacrifice of time and energy spent earning money. As you work hard and move ahead in life you see that pay day get better andbetter, hopefully. You see it grow even larger as you achieve in your job or graduate from college. Making money off of investments makes a person feel good too. You risked money in a viable enterprise, helping it and yourself if the investment succeeded.

Money is great. It feels great to have a nice thick stack of bills in your wallet. You can take your kids on trips that broaden their mind, you can fix up your house or, hey, buy a new one. Money and property liberate the mind, body, and soul. Obviously that liberation can go in positive or negative directions. But it's your money, you can do what you want, enjoy the benefits, or reap the consequences. I want to have as much of it as I can possibly earn. I refuse to allow myself to be socially badgered into thinking that is a bad thing. If I had a lot of money, I'd put more money into the collection plate at church, into the Salvation Army buckets, and leave giant tips. Best of all I would invest it into the private sector, helping to create jobs and economic expansion. I'd also spend a good bit too.

Investing and spending generate more wealth. It's the capitalist system and it has done a very good job of creating massive amounts of wealth in the United States. It's that wealth that Obama and the Left want to seize so they can run their unnecessary programs. Wealth liberates and taxes control. They want your money and your liberty.

The fact is that such statements sound shocking. We have been conditioned to think of money as a necessary evil, a corrupting influence, and a signpost on the road to perdition. We've been trained to always add some moral caveat every time we say we want money or like it. I'm tired of that. Money is a good thing. For every lottery winner or sports star that ends up worse off, there are many whose lives improve because of it. Country music usually hits the nail on the head, but I cringe every time I hear a millionaire singing that he or she just wants to live in a little house in the sticks and drive a car that breaks down all the time.

Left wingers love to bash money and bash businessmen that earn it, even when they are rich themselves. They want to raise taxes that siphon away that money because they think they can spend it better than you can. Part of their strategy is to demonize money itself and make people feel shame for having it even when they work hard for it. Don't give in to that kind of mindset because it is the road to serfdom, if not downright slavery.

And it is not greed to want to keep your money. If the money was earned by someone, somewhere properly, it is not greed to want to keep it. Greed is when you believe that you are entitled to resources that you did not earn or own. It is not the rich man who holds onto his cash that is greedy, it is the government that comes to take it so it can fund pointless programs. The government is greedy, not the owner of wealth or property.

Be proud of the money you earned and fight for your right to keep it. Because money, after all, is potentially a very good thing.

Obama Insults Poland

Ronald Reagan in 1981 said of Poland and its people:

"The Polish nation, speaking through Solidarity, has provided one of the brightest, bravest moments of modern history. The people of Poland are giving us an imperishable example of courage and devotion to the values of freedom in the face of relentless opposition. Left to themselves, the Polish people would enjoy a new birth of freedom. But there are those who oppose the idea of freedom, who are intolerant of national independence, and hostile to the European values of democracy and the rule of law.
"Two Decembers ago, freedom was lost in Afghanistan; this Christmas, it’s at stake in Poland. But the torch of liberty is hot. It warms those who hold it high. It burns those who try to extinguish it."

Poland has becoem one of our strongest friends and supporters since the fall of Communism in part to to words and deeds of Ronald Reagan, a true president.

This week Barack Obama, currently occupying a house where heroes once lived, could not tear himself away from a a game of golf to ride over to the Polish Embassy to pay respects for their fallen president. Obama's non attendance at the actual funeral in Poland was understandable given that an engine destroying cloud of volcanic ash hovered over Europe. What prevented him from stepping into a car and riding to pay his respects to Poland's representatives in the United States?

Again, this is what you get from a minor league man in a major league role. In other news, Libyan dictator Moammar Qadaffi praised Obama's leadership . . .

Beautiful Day

My apologies to regular readers. I was at a conference in Virginia Beach from Thursday until Saturday. Friday afternoon featured a beautiful 88 degree day without a cloud in the sky. My hotel sat right on the water so I enjoyed an afternoon with the surf and sand.

At some point during that afternoon I turned away from the Dean Koontz novel I was reading to survey my surroundings. I walked down to the ocean and waded in to my knees (water was too cold to go any further!) To one side I saw two somewhat plump children about ten years old defiantly running into the surf. Our nanny staters would bemoan the fact that the children had grown slightly overweight. I saw it as beauty. How wonderful to live in a nation where so much is so abundantly available. How rare that is in history!

I turned to look at the line of hotels extending about a quarter mile to the south and miles to the north. All moderately sized, they came in different forms, but not much variety of color. From behind them, you could see the multicolored (mostly pastel and white) shops across Atlantic Avenue. Our environmentalist friends would bemoan the presence of endless citadels of humanity and pine for the days when Virginia Beach was a pristine and savage place, scrub trees on the sand, swamps a few hundreds of yards inland. They see humanity as intruders upon the world and seek to limit man's reach as much as possible, no matter what that might mean to real, everyday people. The proliferation of hotels in Virginia and elsewhere creates a competitive environment where establishments must offer good service at reasonable prices. Reasonable prices mean that people on average or even poor incomes can scrape together money to take their children or just themselves to a decent vacation. Environmentalists not only want to limit the number of hotels and cottages, they also want to drive up the price of gas and shrink the size of vehicles. How can an inland family squeeze into a compact and pay outlandish prices for gas to go to the beach. Travel educates and broadens the mind, even if it just goes to the beach. Environmentalist policies would drive travel beyond the affordability of many people who can scrape together money to do it now. In an environmentalist world, travel is only for an elite few, namely themselves. They want it this way because they see common men, women, and children as invaders upon their secular creation, destroyers of a static sense of nature that they invented and has no basis in true reality.

Progress is cheap vacations, cheap power, cheap food, and drained swamps. Regress is rising prices, rising scarceness, and fewer opportunities for travel. The self-styled "progressives" believe in rolling back the progress of the industrial world, limiting its benefits to a few, and creating artificial scarcity. Virginia Beach is currently a symbol of the triumph of American civilization. Even lower middle class and poor have leisure time and money to enjoy a few days at the beach. A few more years in the hands of the so-called "progressives" and those opportunities will disappear.

Tax Day Protests All Over, Especially In Washington DC

Tax Day Tea Party in Washington, D.C.

Fron FreedomWorks in Washington DC

Join us this April 15th by the Washington Monument

FreedomWorks has agreed to host the 2010 Tax Day Tea Party for Washington, DC. On Tax Day, April 15th, hundreds of thousands of Americans will protest big government around the country. They will protest in big cities and small towns, from Los Angeles, California to Burlington, North Carolina.FreedomWorks will be hosting the DC Tax Day Tea Party, at The Washington Monument, in view of the White House.As we put together the details of the event, check back here for updates if you are planning to attend. Just so you know, we are planning to have an evening event with speakers, music and lots of rowdy protesters.

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Try to find a protest somewhere if you have free time. Almost 15,000 appeared yesterday in Boston to listen to Sarah Palin and other speakers.

The image above came from that event, courtesy of Stacey Higgins, Tea Party activist extraordinaire.

Capito Speaks on Energy, Once Again Defends West Virginia and Its Workers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: AshLee Strong(202) 225-2182 or (202) 450-9695 ashlee.strong@mail.house.govApril 14, 2010 Capito on the Coal Industry’s Role in the ‘New Energy Age’Opening Statement at Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming WASHINGTON—Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., made the following opening statement at today’s Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming’s hearing titled, “The Role of Coal in the New Energy Age”:
“Mr. Chairman, thank you for hosting today’s important hearing. “Even though today’s hearing focuses on the role of the coal industry in the new age, I think it is important for us to recognize the sacrifice miners make to provide the energy and power so many of us take for granted. “Last week’s mine disaster at Montcoal, WV that killed 29 miners was the worst in the U.S. coal industry in 40 years. “Just four years ago, 12 people were killed at the Sago Mine disaster in my district. With the investigation underway and as further details are available on the cause of the accident, we must continue our commitment to keep our miners safe. “The Upper Big Branch Mine disaster only furthers people’s poor image of mining and has led many to discuss the future of coal. “Coal is a prime energy source throughout the world. Fast-growing countries such as China and India rely on the low-cost fuel to meet their electricity demand. “Here in the United States, coal is our nation’s most abundant domestic energy resource with recoverable reserves sufficient to last 250 years. Coal currently fuels more than 50% of all electricity generation in the United States.
“In my home state of West Virginia, 98% of our electricity comes from coal. “It provides 125,000 direct high-paying jobs for U.S. coal miners and supports hundreds of thousands of additional jobs throughout the supply chain. “When considering the future of coal in the global warming debate, the first thing that we need to remember is that climate change and energy policies are inextricably connected with economic, environmental and social issues. “Last year, the House passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act. I did not support the legislation because I believe it stood to push energy prices upward and threaten an economy that is already in trouble. “A tax increase on carbon dioxide emissions will come directly out of customers’ pockets in the form of higher electric rates. “Manufacturing output would also fall considerably. Manufacturing firms who have traditionally relied on low and stable electric rates in our states will be subject to massive cost increases, likely forcing them out-of-business or to relocate their operations overseas.
“Instead, we need to do much more accelerate the development of advanced clean coal technologies, including and most importantly, carbon capture and storage technologies (CCS). Carbon capture is important to West Virginians and ensuring our national energy independence. Without it, we deprive ourselves of the most effective tool for addressing CO2 emissions from coal. “We need to provide sufficient funding and incentives to accelerate the development, demonstration and broad commercial deployment of CCS technologies. “The American Electric Power Mountaineer Plant located in New Haven, WV represents an important milestone in our efforts to bring CCS online. The facility began operations last fall and captures and stores approximately 100,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. The Mountaineer Plant is the first demonstration of CCS from an existing coal-fueled power plant.
“The implementation of CCS technology will not only benefit a state like mine with jobs and revenue, it will also benefit our nation by making clean coal a reality. “In addition to climate change, coal has been the subject of continued federal scrutiny for its impact on water quality. “Recent action by the Obama Administration and the EPA to further scrutinize mining permits only confirms their anti-coal agenda. “The Minority Staff of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works initiated an investigation into EPA’s handling of Clean Water Act Section 404 permits for coal mining in Appalachia and found that in 2009, EPA froze 235 coal mining 404 Permits, claiming that additional time was needed to assess the environmental impacts of mining operations.
“Since the initiation of the investigation, EPA issued 45 of the 235 permits. To date, there are 190 permits that EPA continues to hold for operations including surface, underground and refuse operations. “Furthermore, decisions being made by federal environmental regulators are not focused enough on the importance of coal to the economy. In my conversations with Lisa Jackson, the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, she said that she explicitly omits economic considerations from her decision-making process. “I find this particularly troubling. The EPA’s delays in handling these permits will jeopardize jobs in Appalachia and weaken energy security for the nation.
“Even more disturbing, on March 26, the EPA announced their intent to veto the existing Spruce Mine permit. The Spruce permit is the most scrutinized and fully considered permit in West Virginia’s history. The 13-year permitting process included the preparation of a full environmental impact statement. “In the course of the permit’s review, EPA had ample opportunity to review and comment on the mine’s decision. The EPA also had the chance to use its veto authority at the time the permit was issued instead of waiting until production had started. "The decision by the EPA to veto the Spruce permit brings into question the reliability of the entire permitting process and shows their complete disregard for the impacts it will have on West Virginia’s economy. “I look forward to hearing the testimonies from the panel.”

Tea Party Gearing Up and So Are Saboteurs

From the "some people have too much time on their hands" department.

Jason Levin has established a site called Crash the Tea Party. It intends to recruit left wingers to join Tea Party protests. Their mission is to say and do things publicly to make the Tea Party activists look racist, secessionist, violent, or unacceptably radical in a variety of ways. This brazenly open attempt must rely on the mainstream media to ignore its existence if something does happen.

Since its inception, libertarians have themselves infiltrated the infiltration movement. Most likely nothing will happen.

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A large number of Tea Party events are planned for April 15th, known to most as Tax Day. Close to us is Washington DC's event at the White House. Obama will probably have somewhere else to be that day.

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Many liberals and leftists have tried to paint the Tea Party movement as racist, anti-gay, Nazi, and a long list of things that it is not. The Tea Party is libertarian in nature. Their motto, if they were to agree on one, would be "Leave me the #@!! alone." Most Tea Partiers break with social conservatives on issues such as gay marriage. It is different in some ideological features from the Republican Party and seems to regard its organizational structure as evidence that it is too moderate and too willing to compromise with big government. However both movements share the conviction that the current administration is dangerous to the general welfare of the nation and our posterity. It is essential that Republicans and Tea Partiers join forces and combine efforts this fall.

Confederate History Month in Virginia

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell made some cardianl sins in the left wing world recently.

First, he stated that there at one time in history was a Confederate States of America.

Second, he implied that there may have been popular support for it.

Third, he did not preface those statements with some sort of disclaimer saying that every Confederate was the equivalent of Hitler, Genghis Khan, and Judas Iscariot rolled into one.

Fourth, he dedicated a month to the history of the Confederacy and those who fought for it.

You would have thought that Governor McDonnell had raised the Nazi flag above the Virginia statehouse.

The Confederacy was not created for the purpose of maintaining slavery. That may not be the politically correct thing to say, but it it the truth. From the time of James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, southerners had expressed deep concerns about the advancing power of the federal government and the northern states. As northern populations and wealth grew, Southerners grew terrified at the prospect of a federal government in which they had little say.

What was the role of slavery? It retarded the South economically. It prevented immigration, because immigrants could not compete for unskilled labor jobs. It prevented innovation because societies with slaves are less interested in reducing costs of labor. It inspired some strange radicalism among some of the South's dominant thinkers; some arguments for slavery argue for it as a type of feudalistic communism. Slavery created conditions that led to the political fears of shrinking southern influence. But slavery was not the reason for war.

States' rights concerned the South from the 1790s until the 1860s. It came up in debates over the Sedition Act of 1798, and the Tariff of Abominations of the late 1820s and early 1830s. Southern states wanted reassurances that the federal government would not expand its power to the point that it could overwhelm the states.

The hundreds of thousands that fought for the South certainly did not fight for slavery. Few of those in uniform owned slaves and would have bristled at the notion that they fought for a wealthier man's property. They fought to defend their states. They fought out of fear that an invading army might arrive on their farm one day. Robert E. Lee himself repeatedly expressed disdain for slavery. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson faced heavy criticism, even ostracism, before the war for illegally establishling schools to teach slaves to read. They did not see themselves as fighting for slavery either.

And it is they that deserve the month. Countless thousands of Virginians fought and died for their state. Many more enlisted in Virginia state forces or the Confederate Army itself. The Confederate battle flag is the controversial symbol, but it is the one least associated with slavery historically speaking. The battle flag represents the small farmers and others who rallied to the Southern cause that never owned anyone. Perversely, by the end of the war, the letter of the Emancipation Proclamation resulted in a situation where slavery remained fully in place in several Union states, but was nearly eliminated through most of what was the Confederacy.

And racism was not exclusive to the South. New York City rioters massacred blacks in the streets in 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation killed much of the support Lincoln enjoyed in the early part of the war. Only victories in the Fall of 1864 from Grant and Sherman saved Lincoln's chances. West Virginia statemakers pondered whether or not they could legally exclude free black movement into the state.

I'm not a "South shall rise again" type of person. There are a lot of problems with choosing to secede from the Union. One should want to fight for this country the Founding Fathers established and bring it back to where it ought to be. However, I understand that they fought for political principles over and above slavery. They fought out of fear for their liberties, while slaveowners both black and white unfortunately continued to oppress the natural rights of slaves.

An Apology From Tiger Woods

I don't care about Tiger Woods. I don't care about his infidelities. I like golf, kind of. I think he's a great golfer and a hard working athlete, but question how well he'd do with the much stronger field faced by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold palmer, and Nick Trevino. Just like Michael Jordan dominated an NBA diluted by expansion and not yet flooded by great foreign talent, Woods' role in golf history will always be debated.

I don't care about his infidelities, I just don't. His wife is having a hard emotional time, but not as bad as some women trying to raise children suddenly on a single income. His wife will pull through one way or another. Until Obama takes her money, she'll live pretty comfortably. I really don't feel sorry for the women he hooked up with. I actually heard people in the media saying he owed them an apology. Why? They don't deserve anything from him. He already gave them the notoriety they craved. A reason to make money off of interviews and books.

Tiger Woods does not owe me anything.

Contrast that with a politician. If a politician poses with his wife and children while campaigning, he creates an image I buy into. I feel that he and I share something in common and that he understands my issues. I might vote for him based upon that common ground, at least in part. If he then throws that away by sleeping with seventeen women and I voted for him, I might want an apology. A person's personal life is their own and they can do as they please. But don't sell me on the idea that you are a family man if you are not. Don't send out pictures with your wife and kids, don't pose with them on photo ops. If you do that and I vote for you, you have defrauded me in a sense. I can't take my vote back. A real apology will be the only thing I can get from you. I am speaking in general, although the Governor of South Carolina is the politician most on my mind as I write. I'm not thinking of anyone in this state or region.

But Tiger Woods? I never asked for anything from him. He never asked anything from me. Woods offers stuff for sale, he doesn't offer a vision of anything except swinging a stick at a ball.

I don't expect, need, or want an apology from him. The only people he owes anything to is his wife and children. And he owes them a lot. He does not owe the media, golf fans, or anyone else anything at all.

A Class Act: Governor Joe Manchin

The greatest test of leadership often comes from times that one wishes would never happen at all. How a man or woman reacts, makes decisions, and engages with the people demonstrates the kind of leader he is. George W. Bush in September of 2001 could not have performed better. In our state, Governor Joe Manchin has once again shown that he can rise beyond his office and lead in difficult times.

I watched him in a nationally broadcast press conference yesterday. He did not look like a governor and I mean that as a compliment. That means that he was not trying to use the situation as a platform for himself. He allowed the experts to speak first. Then when it was his turn, he carefully explained what the state and company were trying to do to rescue the four who may still live deep within the mine. Manchin's manner and tone came across as a human being with knowledge of the situation and compassion for those involved.

Manchin's activity and involvement are reminiscent of another governor who understood how to approach a crisis. Governor Arch Moore during the flood of 1985, as many around here remember, actively worked to ascertain the needs of this region's communities, appear in person to reassure the victims, then work with the Reagan Administration to get aid in quickly.

This is what state governors are supposed to do. They take the lead in a crisis, they make decisions about how to react, and they do not wait for federal leadership on an issue. Governor Joe Manchin in this instance has done as his supporters expected and should be praised from all sides for his role during this disaster.

Time For Race to Take a Backseat In American Political Discussion

Race this past week once again surfaced in politics. Left wingers accused black conservatives of race treason while RNC chief Michael Steele stated that his skin color gave him less of a margin for error than other political chiefs.

Both statements are baloney.

First comes the idea that anyone can be a traitor to their race for holding a different point of view. Who says these types of things outside of Nazis and the corporate culture of what used to be a civil rights movement?

Michael Steele himself was subject to having oreo cookies thrown at him by radical blacks who accused him of not being true to his race. Increasingly blacks are moving towards the Republican Party and the Tea Party movement in particular. They are running for office and establishing conservative blogs. Increasing participation from different populations has changed the face of the Republican Party. This invites a backlash from race baiters such as Chris Matthews of MSNBC, an unholy combination of Obama lackey and a man who preaches black political conformity.

No one should conform to anything on the basis of skin color alone. That defies the dreams of men such as Frederick Douglass and Martin Luther King Jr. The goal of civil rights was race blindness, not political apartheid.

Small government, limited spending, and lower taxes attract support regardless of color. Those that believe that people ought to keep more of what they earn are not restricted by race, ethnicity, creed, or sexual orientation.

At the same time it is important for Steele and others to remember that in this very important election year, it is important to run a tight ship. Erratic statements and proposals distract from the message and perpetuate the image that the GOP is out of touch, not the Democrats. No one would enjoy much margin of error this year and it has nothing to do with race.

Prayers For Victims of Explosion

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/04/05/explosion-underground-west-virginia-coal/

We would like to offer our sympathy and prayers for the miners and families stricken by yesterday's disaster in southern West Virginia.

Nice Guys, Players, and Coaches

On the way home from a tournament in Pittsburgh Saturday evening, I was talking to a couple of our 6th grade travel team's players in the backseat. We were talking about Bobby Huggins and his reputation for not always being the nicest guy in coaching. One of the players responded that people who are nice all of the time don't make great coaches. It's true. Sometimes a great coach has to play mind games. Sometimes they have to be gruff and abrasive. However that alone will not get those players to run through a wall for you. They have to know that behind the occasional yelling that the coach cares, not just about winning, not just about basketball, but about the player as a person.

Bobby Huggins' team did not beat Duke the other night. They came out slightly flat, lacking the emotion that helped them win so many games against the best teams in the country. Duke shot the ball better than they had all season long. However, Huggins and his team emerged from the floor winners in a different way.

West Virginia's basketball team has a bond with themselves and their coach that will last a lifetime. Love, commitment, passion, teamwork pervades this team and it flows from the man that patiently worked to bring them together. When star guard Da'Sean Butler hit the floor with a knee injury, ending his team's chance at a national title, we saw the growling coach grasp his stricken player by the head and hand and talk him through the crushing sorrow evident all over Butler's face.

Huggins had to do this once before. At Cincinnati, star player Kenyon Martin's injury ended a run at the national title. Huggins talks occasionally about that player being upset over letting his team down. Emotion fills the coach's voice when he speaks of that incident.

Huggins talks about being special. Definitely getting to the Final Four is special. The adoration of fans who will remember every name on this team forever is special. Even more special is the personal bond between coach and player and the players with each other. As the disappointment fades, the bonds remain cemented in place forever.

We saw Saturday night why Bobby Huggins is a great coach. Beyond the screaming and the scheming is a human being that cares about his players, a figure cared about by the young men he leads. Plenty of nice guys are out there that are very pleasant to be around, but neither feel nor inspire a great depth of emotion from most people. Huggins has legions that admire and despise him. Those who dislike him need to revisit that minute or two when the coach guided his young star emotionally before helping him off the floor.

While Obama Is Obsessed With Jews Building Houses in Israel, Iran Is Ready to Build a Bomb

The CIA, according to the Washington Times, has concluded that Iran is now fully capable of building a nuclear device.

It expanded uranium production last year and had to fight through numerous problems with faulty centrifuges, but is now ready to construct a weapon.

What does this mean for moderate Moslem states now confronted with Islamic revolutionaries armed with even more weapons of mass destruction? What does it mean for Iraq's fledgling democracy? What does it mean for US and other western nations' influence? Only time will tell.

Iran joining the nuclear club is one of the worst setbacks for Western Middle East policy in decades, perhaps since the fall of the Shah. It does prove that apologies and attempts at understanding resonate little with regimes such as Iran.

Israel now has serious problems. Obama is a disaster to them. He is liked by less than 10% of their country and seems prepared to bargain away their control of East Jerusalem to appease terrorists. However, only they have the will to act against Iran at this point.

Iran is not a rationalist state, but it has a will to power and nuclear capability. They also have weapons that can reach Western Europe. NATO should be prepared to act, but may have to wait until a post Obama America is ready to step up to the challenge.

West Virginia Bankers’ Association PAC Endorses Gary G Howell

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gary Howell
(304) 788-6554 or (301) 707-3069
gghowell1@verizon.net

West Virginia Bankers’ Association PAC
Endorses Gary G Howell

CHARLESTON, WV - The West Virginians Bankers’ Association Political Action Committee (WVBankPAC) has extended their endorsement to Gary G Howell for the 2010 election to the West Virginia House of Delegates.

WVBankPAC is comprised of bankers from throughout West Virginia. The association conveyed, “We pride ourselves on supporting those candidates who take an expansive view of their role as potential legislators in matters of economic development and do our best to examine candidates from a variety of different perspectives.”

“I’m pleased to receive the endorsement of West Virginia’s Bankers,” said Howell, “a strong economy is key to creating jobs in the state and a robust banking system is a cornerstone to economic growth.”

Paid for by Citizens for Gary Howell

Rudyard Kipling's "Dane-geld"

It is always a temptation to an armed and agile nation
To call upon a neighbour and to say: --
"We invaded you last night--we are quite prepared to fight,
Unless you pay us cash to go away."
And that is called asking for Dane-geld,
And the people who ask it explain
That you've only to pay 'em the Dane-geld
And then you'll get rid of the Dane!
It is always a temptation for a rich and lazy nation,
To puff and look important and to say: --
"Though we know we should defeat you, we have not the time to meet you.
We will therefore pay you cash to go away."
And that is called paying the Dane-geld;
But we've proved it again and again,
That if once you have paid him the Dane-geld
You never get rid of the Dane.
It is wrong to put temptation in the path of any nation,
For fear they should succumb and go astray;
So when you are requested to pay up or be molested,
You will find it better policy to say: --
"We never pay any-one Dane-geld,
No matter how trifling the cost;
For the end of that game is oppression and shame,
And the nation that pays it is lost!"

Bully

One thing that makes zero sense in schools is a zero tolerance policy on anything. Zero tolerance drug rules force draconian suspensions and even arrests onto children who share cough drops, make a gun gesture with their hands, and other nonsense.

This week a young girl committed suicide. A male student raped her, then a gang of students harassed and persecuted her over the incident until she ended her own life. School authorities knew on some level that the bullying was taking place but did nothing to punish the children until the victim killed herself. The story is in the link below:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/mar/29/9-charged-bullying-girl-who-killed-self/

Now students face prosecution under anti-bullying legislation.

Here is the problem. School officials have the responsibility to keep order within the school. In this circumstance they definitely failed to do their job. Of course overcrowded schools and classrooms do not help matters such as this. Teachers and administrators can obviously do their jobs better in smaller community based schools. However this was unconscionable. They failed this student miserably and ought to face suspensions and firing.

What of the students? Certainly the rapist needs to be sent to jail for a long time. What of the students who merely harassed her? Honestly, bad as it sounds, how can one be criminally prosecuted for what they say when the words carry no direct threat? Statements are subjective, subject to widely differing interpretations. Few people on this earth are as sensitive as middle schoolers to slights real and imagined. Bullying could also take the form of reporting an innocent for bullying and brining the weight of rules and laws down upon them. Perhaps some cases are clear, but others are not. Yes, suspend them and punish them via school rules. However prosecution for calling someone names, even relentlessly, opens up a free speech issue. Zero tolerance laws regarding non physical bullying require authorities to try and function as thought police.

Our schools around the country started to degenerate after mass consolidations starting a few decades ago. Consolidation did not help education progress, but regress. Large schools need to be divided into manageable student populations so we can restore sanity and education to the process.

Finally, parents need to step in. If they get any inkling of bullying on this level, they need to remove their children and homeschool them. Many schools will not protect them. If they will not do their job, someone else must step in. That someone else ultimately must be the parents.

House candidate Howell signs no-tax pledge

KEYSER — Gary Howell, Republican candidate for the 49th State House District, today announced he has signed the State Taxpayer Protection Pledge, promising to “oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.” The pledge is promoted by Americans for Tax Reform, which was founded in 1985 by Grover Norquist at the request of President Reagan.

“Promising to oppose taxes is an easy call for me,” said Howell. “The people of West Virginia are already over-taxed and over-regulated. Burdensome taxation stifles growth and smothers entrepreneurship. By reducing and cutting taxes, our economy will grow and good jobs will come to the 49th District and the rest of the state.”

Howell knows about growing a small business. For more than 19 years, he has been the owner and operator of Howell Automotive in Keyser, a leading supplier of auto parts. In 2003, Gary was named “Exporter of the Year” by the U.S. Small Business Administration. He was honored by the West Virginia Motor Sports Council in 2005 for promoting West Virginia across the country. In 2007, 2008 & 2009, he was honored with the Governors Commendation for International Market Entry, recognizing his in exporting products.

A lifelong West Virginian, Howell received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management from Frostburg State University's School of

Thanks AARP, No More Jazzies or Rascals

The AARP fought hard to get Obamacare passed. Now we are beginning to see many of the changes that they tried to hide until the bill passed.

One move sure to be unpopular is the elimination of the ability of the elderly to purchase motorized chairs such as Jazzies or Rascals on Medicare. One can still buy the much more expensive and difficult to maneuver rehabilitation chairs.

While Republicans tend to have problems with entitlement programs and spending in general, Medicare purchases of this kind of equipment tend to increase mobility, reduce dependence, and lessen the chance of injuries from those attempting to walk or use walkers.

It may or may not pass the fiscal responsibility test for some Republicans, but AARP is supposed to represent retired and elderly people. These people rely heavily on these devices for mobility. I seriously doubt that most members of that organization support this, or many other parts of Obamacareless.

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Congratulations to West Virginia for making the Final Four. Bobby Huggins has brought a can do, no excuses attitude to Morgantown and has his team in contention for a national title. His basic mantra demands hard work and results and is a powerful example for anyone to follow. WVU has no sure fire stars, but refuses to be intimidated. The entire state is proud of their accomplishments

WVL PAC Endorses Gary G Howell

Morgantown, WV - The West Virginians for Life Political Action Committee (WVL PAC) is pleased to announce the endorsement of Gary G Howell for the 2010 Republican primary election to the West Virginia House of Delegates.

WVL PAC is the internal PAC for West Virginians for Life (WVFL), the state pro-life organization. WVFL is affiliated with the National Right to Life Committee and through both education and legislation is working to build a society where all human life is respected, from conception until natural death.

“We commend Gary G Howell for expressing commitment to the lives of the weak and vulnerable, especially the unborn, the elderly and those with disabilities,: said Karen Cross, President of West Virginians for life.

Property, the Law, Liberty, and the State

Some people are confused about the relationship between property, the law, liberty, and the role of government.

Most do not understand that first and foremost, liberty belongs to each individual. They own certain basic rights to life and liberty even before they emerge from the womb. Governments cannot take away rights, only infringe upon them.

One of our basic rights as human beings is that of pursuing property. We have no right to property in the socialist sense of having property doled out to us. However, we can pursue it and once obtained, we can keep it. This right is also independent of government. We do not need government's permission to obtain or own it. Laws and legislatures do not exist to create rights or property because these concepts exist whether or not you have a government.

The purpose of government is to defend rights and property, not to interfere in the system to impose its idea of justice. Justice comes when each are free to pursue opportunities. Justice is not created when outcomes end up equal regardless of merit, work, or even luck. Gaps between richer and poorer occur because of different levels of productivity and they are natural. Left alone, those who have less will work to their own personal level of satisfaction. Some are satisfied with a small home, satellite TV, and a pickup truck and will only invest enough labor to achieve that level of material reward. Others have higher ambitions. If their judgment and level of work investment reflect those, they will obtain a higher material reward. That is justice.

Law and government becomes perverted when the state moves outside its necessary guidelines. Actions in the economic sphere by the government only reflect political morality, not recognition of rights. Implementation of a government ideal of justice and morality only causes dissent, disharmony, and disobedience. It is not cooperation, it is not compassion, it is coerced conformity.

These ideas were written almost a hundred and fifty years ago by the French economist Claude Frederic Bastiat. They are more relevant now than ever.