American Troops Continue Their Hard Work Worldwide (no thanks to the liberal media)

This week, Congress has grilled General David Petraeus, as well as other high level officials. Republicans have generally sought reassurance, as one put it, that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The expected announcement of troop cutbacks comes as welcome news, but war supporters increasingly call for some idea of when Iraq will be ready for us to leave.

Democrats of course came out with their knives sharpened. Many of them almost gleefully (including some of their presidential candidates) too the opportunity to criticize without offering their own ideas. This is all too familiar territory for liberals. They attack without offering solutions of substance. They know that running away won't deter America's enemies, but it's much more important to try and win the next election.

It is interesting that the liberal media hangs on the words of a few retired generals that have not set foot in Iraq if they are critical, but ignore the facts given by the guy that has been there doing the job.

Moving Iraq into the next phase will require a massive investment in intelligence capabilities. When President Jimmy Carter pulled many of our human resources off the ground in the Middle East, he destroyed decades of work. We still have not restored our former capabilities there and reap the consequences of that president's poor decision-making. America must invest the resources, but also demonstrate the willingness to allow the CIA enough latitude to do its job. We must be willing to let them do in real life what we expect them to do in the movies. Sometimes that requires harsh measures. That, however, is how we move Iraq forward towards a successful conclusion and remove most of our ground forces.

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You will never hear about these guys on the news either, but their hard work deserves a salute.

The USNS Comfort just concluded a week long deployment in Haiti. The medical relief ship has been deployed by the Navy on a tour of the Caribbean and some Latin American nations. In Haiti the ship's staff treated over 11,000 Haitian patients in one week. Throughout the tour thus far they have seen well over 70,000. A Naval Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit went ashore to repair water facilities and work on other community projects.

Not just in Iraq and Afghanistan, but in so many places around the world our men and women in uniform work, struggle, and sometimes sacrifice to improve people's lives.

Conservatives Need to Get Out in Front on Marriage

This week an Iowa judge struck down the state's ten year ban on homosexual marriage, creating the latest in a series of signals that gay marriage bans will soon be a thing of the past. The United States Supreme Court will likely rule these bans as unconstitutional as soon as it gets the next opportunity.

Gay marriage tends to split the conservative community. Social conservatives will support bans upon it whole heartedly while economic conservatives feel less comfortable in doing so. Democrats enjoy exploiting the fact that the party that wants government off the back of the people also seems to want to keep illegal a very personal issue.

Gay couples do need some sort of legal protection. They experience many of the same problems as heterosexual couples. Those enduring abuse or theft have a more difficult time finding legal remedies for their problems. However some object to the name marriage being applied to non traditional relationships

The problem can be solved with conservative philosophy. Conservatives want the government out of our lives as much as possible. The solution is to get government out of marriage entirely. The legal contract can be a civil union done before a magistrate or some other official. It applies to either form of coupling. Marriage would be the social and cultural event. This would mean that people could call their relationships marriages and not have to worry about government interference. Gays do not want the government legally saying they are not really married, others object to the government imposing a different interpretation upon them. Getting government out of marriage makes sense. It will also get one more time consuming issue off of the plates of state legislatures and courts.

Potomac Highland Conservative Candidates at a Glance

The following Conservative Candidates have Pre-filed to run for office in 2008

• 14th Senatorial District
  
• Republican
  
• Gary G. Howell
• Hometown: Keyser, WV
  
• Filed 4/26/2007
  
• Home County: Mineral
• District: Barbour, Grant (part), Mineral, Monongalia (part), Preston, Taylor, Tucker
  

• 15th Senatorial District
• Republican
• Clark S. Barnes
  
• Hometown: Elkins, WV
  
• Filed 12/11/2006
• Home County: Randolph
• District: Berkley (part), Grant (part), Hampshire, Hardy, Morgan, Pendelton, Pocahontas, Randolph, Upshur (part)
  

• 50th Delegate District
• Republican
• Ruth Rowan
  
• Hometown: Points, WV
  
• Filed 12/11/2006
  
• Home County: Hampshire
• District: Hampshire (part) and Mineral (part) Counties

• 51st Delegate District
• Republican
• Daryl E. Cowles
  
• Hometown: Berkeley Springs, WV
• Filed 2/9/2007
• Home County: Morgan
• District: Hampshire (part) and Morgan (part) Counties.
  

The Too Busy Generation

I had originally written this article specific to my fellow Gen-Xers, but an interesting thought occured to me this Sunday at church. For the first time in a long time, I turned away from the sermon, and away from my daughter to look at the other people in the congregation. Whammo! I was struck to see the same stare at the pulpit that I have seen a million times when I looked at people watching TV. I had written the article based on a generation that was too busy being distracted to be productive. Now, I am revising that to include...well...everyone. And, I pose the question, what is TV doing to our natural ability to think and reason for ourselves?

It is a common thought that ...

So, I am now calling this group of people the "Too Busy Generation". And the range of people that are affected is spreading. Actually, it is probably better labeled the Too Busy Dilemma. It is spreading to those older than Gen-X and it is probably appropriate for the younger ones as well, I just don't know them. There are so many distractions in life that we feel compelled to address this very second that we have to prioritize. A sad fact is that most people start their priority list with the activity that requires the most distraction with the least amount of personal interaction. Let's just look at a couple of activities that we do by ourselves, such As

1) TV shows- No longer is their one favorite, but there is a favorite for each night, plus re-runs of old favorites. There are favorites that can take you from the end of business day all the way to bed time. You could spend 8 hours at the office then "unwind" in front of the TV for 5-6 hours. Where does the day go?

2) Video games - I got an Xbox 360 for Christmas, I love it, but I rarely let myself turn it on. Why? Because there were several times that I played for 6-8 hours without realizing more than an hour had passed. I told some fellow gamers and they responded that they had spent 125-150 HOURS playing the same game. THAT IS A FULL MONTH OF WORK!!

3) The internet - Between email, blogging, chatting, surfing and working, it is amazing our computers have not become permanently attached to our bodies. Of course, for some, their cell phones are doubling as mini-computers so that they are always in touch with EVERYONE.

4) Music - I recently saw a fast food employee here in Keyser with headphones on. Not the ones that help him communicate with the rest of the staff, music headphones. When did our world become so full of noise? When did peace and quiet become obsolete? I guess that the prospect of being left alone with their thoughts could seem quite lonely to some.

I am going to stop listing things there. I have known all this for a while, but it has really begun wearing on me lately because I run a fairly hectic schedule, but I am not too busy to attend church, or to be a member of community groups, or to attend volunteer events, or to attend a political event. Actually, I have a lot of fun with many of these activities. But my biggest reason for championing these causes is that I want more of my fellow Americans to get involved. Liberals aren't the only ones that want to see the poor get helped, our young get educated, or our domestic lives improved. I agree 100% with many of the good intentions that liberals advocate, but I differ on one point, the government should NOT be the group in charge. Besides it's complete lack of accountability, there is no requirement for the recipient to reciprocate what they receive. That is the opposite of the economic belief system that we conservatives pro port...Capitalism. If I want a paycheck, I perform a job. If I want a loaf of bread, I pay someone who has bread. If I need my house painted, I contract someone to paint it (I am not a big fan of painting anymore).

If someone can get a government check, they don't need to find a job. Why would they. Once the checks start, they just pick them up at the post office each month. There's no boss to report to, no action necessary on their part. If the government will educate and distract their kids from 8-3 each day, why should they be bothered with teaching their kids anything or helping with homework. If the government will build parks, why would a civic group take on the challenge? If the government will pay my health bills, why wouldn't I go to the hospital every month (I know about this from growing up near a hospital, ambulances only run people to the hospital not back home. Instead of walking back, it was logical to many that the people living near the hospital should drive them home, so they knocked on our door)

Now we are entitled to have big brother take care of the trivial civic issues so that we can get to work on managing the noise in our lives.

I feel that it is an encumbrance upon myself and all conservatives to step up. We say we want smaller government, great...the poor still need support, kids still need educated, and what's the point of waking up each day if you don't do something to make your life a little better? Turn off the TV and go join a civic group, volunteer with a church, or the United Way, run for an office. And most importantly, give 110% in your volunteer work. If you believe in what you are doing, you will want to be active. If you don't believe in it, go find something you do believe in and do that. Can't find anything, start your own group. Good luck, and God Bless.

Capitalism Creating Environmental Solutions

A Toronto firm is working hard to try and make the internal combustion engine obsolete. Two years ago it purchased the rights to a new form of battery that could be plugged into an outlet for five minutes and efficiently power a car for 500 miles. EEStor of Austin, Texas previously held the rights to the promising technology.

Critics call it the modern version of alchemy, but this once again demonstrates how market needs combined with vision can lead to potential breakthroughs. People believe enough to invest time and/or effort into creations that could revolutionize the world. That is certainly noble.

However these revolutions would take place less often without the profit motive. People need to see the possibility of reward for the risks they take in money, time, and effort. Then they will invest the endless hours, sleepless nights, and life savings to make the dream real.

One can predict what will happen when the technology is finally created. Some academic will demand that rights to the invention be released and shared for the general good of the human race. It almost sounds like a joke, but you can bet it will happen. Or perhaps some environmental group will oppose it because the creating of some component threatens some obscure species,just like with the wind farms.

Regardless of these obstacles, it should be much better publicized that capitalists work the hardest to create practical solutions to environmental issues.

Want to See the Wealthiest State in the US?

Do you want to see the wealthiest state in the entire nation? All many of us have to do is to look out our front doors across the Potomac River. Yup, it's Maryland. Looking for the second poorest state will not be too hard. Just look at the ground under your feet.

Now these statistics are skewed somewhat. The $35,000 median income of West Virginia in most counties has drastically more purchasing power than in many parts of Maryland. Their median income of around $66,000 does not look nearly as good in areas where the cost of real estate is frighteningly high.

All that admitted, West Virginia should perform much better. Sure we can pat ourselves on the back for being better off than Arkansas. We can also remember when times were much worse. However these new income numbers reflect what three fourths of a century of Democratic Party leadership has done for our state. Certainly some individuals such as Senator Robert C. Byrd have worked hard and gotten some federal money sent our way. However sound conditions for economic growth would have rendered federal investment less necessary. It also would have meant West Virginia would have capitalized more on the ripple effects from the influx of public money.

The time is 2008. Vote Republican. 76 years of Democratic dominance have made 50th in too many catagories. It's time to end the slide. We would have fired a football coach for putting us consistently in last place for only a couple of years. Yet we put up with the same Ruling Party decade after decade.

The Friends of Joe Bowl

By the time this is posted, the West Virginia game with Marshall will be in the books. Likely it will be one more huge victory for the Mountaineers as they prepare for the challenging portion of their schedule beginning with Maryland.

A lot of WVU fans have formed very negative opinions of the governor as a result of this series between West Virginia University and Marshall. Basically the governor interfered in a process when he did not have to in order to score political touchdowns. What does Joe Manchin get from this game, you may ask?

Every year this game appears on television you can be sure that Joe Manchin's mug will be all over it. This year he will do almost everything except sing the national anthem, including read the starting lineups for ESPN. It's not often that a politician with national aspirations can gain free and positive national air time.

What does West Virginia University get from this game? Nothing. Absolutely nothing except a win over a rather bad college team. Due to the language of the Big East conference deal with ESPN, WVU gets no television money because it is an away game against a non-BCS school. Unlike Marshall and almost every big time college athletic program, WVU uses no money from the state or college to support its athletic program. It relies on revenues from football and men's basketball to support all of its teams, most of whom have enjoyed tremendous success over the past few years. They even pay for the athletic scholarships. You might say that WVU is one of the few capitalist college athletic programs, competing well in a world of state subsidized athletics.

Some argue that it is good for the state that the two teams play each other. They say that it keeps money in West Virginia. Certainly it does mean that money circulates from one part of the state to another. Would it not be better for the state if both teams hosted games that weekend and brought in dollars from outside the state?

As governor Joe Manchin has done some good in terms of inching the state closer towards having a better business climate. However it is stunts such as "Open for Business" and what WVU fans call "The Friends of Joe" Bowl that do tend to irritate people. Those that may be favorable to or at least neutral towards the governor have a reason to vote against him.

The Great Bailout and Taxes

The Great Bailout and Taxes

In a recent conversation with my dad he said that he never thought that tax revolts would occur in his lifetime, but for the first time, he is beginning to anticipate that a tax revolt is not too far away. I was a bit taken aback, but then began thinking about the possibility, and he may have a valid point. Consider two extremes – 0% taxation is total freedom, 100% taxation is essentially slavery. At what point are we all simply indentured servants to Uncle Sam? Right now, if you are actively working for a paycheck, it is likely that about half of the money that is paid by your employer to you is going to Uncle Sam. For some it is a little less, for some it is a little more.

Don’t believe it…? Are you taking into account your employers 7% of matching taxes that are paid and not even shown on your pay stub? How about gasoline tax? Who nets more money from your gallon of gas, the oil company or the government? Did you think about normal sales taxes? How about the approximately 22% of business taxes that has been found to be passed to consumers in the ordinary cost of goods?

This leads to a big question, are we all really working until lunch everyday just to raise enough money to pay taxes for the privilege of…working?

How is this possible? It's easy, no one knows what he or she pays in taxes. So, at what point does that amount become so exorbitant that people start to seek the information that is out there and figure out what they are paying? Can we always blame businesses for gouging consumers without looking at what the government is taking in? Thus far most Americans seem OK with taxes and small tax increases because the government is supporting our troops, building roads, funding schools, and helping less fortunate people. So we do our duty, complain a little, but cough up because at the end of the day it isn’t worth going to jail over taxes (which is what happens if you don’t pay, is it not?)

But then a program is proposed that just doesn't make sense and people like me get extremely irritated, such as, the mortgage bailout. In case you are not aware? Some people, mostly in Southern Florida similar areas bought property they couldn’t afford in fast appreciating markets, sat on it too long, and now they can’t unload it for the windfall profits that they were hoping to obtain. They now face foreclosure because they simply cannot afford the payments. President Bush announced an effort to allow the government to guarantee the loans of these people while they ride out this dip in the market, or continue to sell their property for a smaller amount of profit. Make no mistake, this isn’t mom and pop at the end of a thirty-year mortgage getting ready to be thrown out, these are people that bought way too much home thinking they would get to re-fi before the bigger payments hit, or re-financed at the appreciated value of their home, i.e. took out a bunch of cash and bought other stuff without understanding what they were getting into. After all, there was no end to how high their home values would go, right? Wrong, now their investment (a home is usually referred to as a person’s largest investment) is crashing and they can’t get away from it.

Real Estate is not a liquid asset, never has been, never will be. It's one of the reasons for the buyer beware motto when one is purchasing property. Now after subsidizing the cost rebuilding Southern Florida and coastal areas in post-hurricane season every year (if you don't think we are doing this just look at the price of lumber and construction materials in your area), we are going to bail the homeowners out of their bad investments? Or at least hold the fort down long enough to let them ride out the downturn.

Are we going to bail out business owners whose business fail in low-income parts of the country? Or investors who buy hot stocks and lose their shirts? Nope, just the people who guessed wrong on the housing market in over-valued areas. It is easy to get caught up in thinking that we are "helping" people, and as I have said most Americans believe in helping their fellow man or woman. We seem OK with taxes going to help people, so why is this any different? The difference here…these people are living BETTER than we are!!! That’s right, they are living in nicer houses, with fancier cars, toys, furnishings, etc in parts of the country that most of us only get to visit for a week on an overpriced vacation. Will the average American be OK with losing half of their income each day only to subsidize a person in a million dollar home in Southern Florida, driving a Hummer and/or Mercedes while he/she is driving two used cars and living in a modest home in this area because the cost of living was more manageable? Should those of us who didn’t over-buy, didn’t make a mistake, and didn’t wait too long to get out be footing the bill for those that did? Should those of us who moved to more rural, more consistent areas continue to subsidize big city and coastal living? I hope not.

Disgraced Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu has WV Connection

From the Official Federal Election Commission Filings.

HSU, NORMAN
NEW YORK, NY 10012
NEXT COMPONENTS, LTD./PARTNER

ROCKEFELLER, JOHN DAVISON IV VIA FRIENDS OF JAY ROCKEFELLER
	02/22/2007	2000.00
	06/08/2007	300.00
	06/08/2007	1700.00

News Article about Norman Hsu; Democratic Donor a No Show at Hearing

Pick the Welcome to WV sign

After 6 months of programming to create a poll (Government efficiency at its finest, takes about 30 seconds to create a poll on most websites) the Governor's office has put up a poll to find a new slogan for the Welcome signs.

Click here for the website

I find it odd that this site says the signs were made to be temporary. They are bolted on just like every other sign along the states roads. Also when I was in Charleston during the state of the state address where the governor unveiled the "Open for Business" signs, he never said it was temporary. In fact why would you even mention a temporary sign in a state of the state address. Kind of like the governor saying in the state of the state, "By the way the DOH wanted me to let you know there is going to be a flagman on US 50 in Preston County tomorrow. They will put up a temporary sign to that effect."

Let's face it. The governor tired to come up with something clever, but failed. We all make mistakes, but don't cover them up. Just admit you tried and it didn't work. I have more respect for someone that tries and fails, than one that fails and says, "I meant to do that."

Here is your chance to vote on what you would like to see on the welcome signs.

Recommendations

• Wild Wonderful, West Virginia
• The Mountain State
• 50th Place, but better than Guam*
  

WV Republican Presidental Convention Participants

The following candidates have signed on to participate in West Virginia's Presidential Convention on February 5th, 2008.

• Sam Brownback
• Rudy Giuliani
• Mike Huckabee
• Duncan Hunter
  
• Alan Keyes
  
• John McCain
  
• Ron Paul
  
• Mitt Romney
  
• Fred Thompson
• Gene Zarwell

Gere Calls For Boycott

Recently actor Richard Gere called for a boycott of the 2008 Beijing Olympics in China. Long an advocate for freedom in places like China and Africa, Gere holds special concern for the people of Tibet. It is one of the few worthwhile causes that you see among the Hollywood crowd.

Would this work? Few will actually abide by this call, although not many sympathize with China maintaining their government of repression. Catholics who acknowledge the Pope as their spiritual leader must hold Mass in caves or face arrest. China claims it alone has the right to name the Dalai Llama.

However it is changing slowly. As a middle class gradually emerges, it will demand more rights and a larger voice in the government. China fears exposure to outside ideas enough to censor internet traffic. The Olympics will bring a flood of Westerners and an avalanche of scrutiny that could help stimulate greater change.

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China also has a problem with the English translations of some of their food. For the duration of the Olympics, government restaraunts will not serve "steamed crap." Coca Cola had similar problems once. A worldwide ad campaign from many years ago that read "Coke adds life" in English translated into Chinese as "Coke brings your ancestors back from the dead."

Senator Larry Craig

For anyone, anywhere, regardless of orientation, trying to have sex in a public bathroom is a bonehead move. For Senator Larry Craig (R) Idaho it could be a career killer. Nevada Republican Senator John Ensign has publicly called on Craig to quit. Democrats once again have ammunition to attack the party of family values, accusing Republicans of hypocrisy.

Republicans cannot duck the morals issue. If a party uses the issue of family values, it will be pilloried when one of its members acts in a way that is less than consistent with those values. Beyond that, homosexual, or any kind of sex in a bathroom is illegal. Maybe the crime ends up being about as legally ominous as a speeding ticket, but Republicans have asked their constituents to expect better of their representatives. Unfortunately too many lately have not lived up to those standards.

Is Larry Craig's career over? One of the most socially conservative delegate districts in West Virginia returned by a rather large margin a Democratic incumbent caught on tape at a homosexual sex party. Most voters knew of this tape, but voted based upon his record instead of his private life. However this is West Virginia, a different political bird than Idaho.

Republicans certainly fear that this will undermine them in 2008 just as teh Mark Foley incident did in the fall of 2006. It is more likely that people will completely forget about Craig if the GOP lets them. Either Craig himself or the voters of Idaho should decide it is time for him to leave. The rest of the party needs to let the process happen. That being said, acting in that manner in public definitely deserves condemnation. Some child could have walked in and seen that. However the party needs to issue its disapproval, then let the democratic process take over.

Party School

The state media has debated a lot in the past week over West Virginia's resumption of the top spot in a national poll. It isn't the AP football poll (although we are close.) The Princeton Review ranked West Virginia University the top party school in the United States.

West Virginia University president David Hardesty battled this image for a number of years. He was concerned that a party reputation might harm the academic mission of the school. Dan Page's recent op-ed in the State Journal asserts that the label adds no value to the reputation of WVU, stating "How sad."

West Virginia University does not necessarily sit in poor company here. Ohio University, Penn State, and the University of Wisconsin also receive regular mention on this poll None of these schools' academic reputations suffer as a result of their recognition there.

The problem lies in the criteria used to rank the schools academically. US News and World Report, among others, looks more closely at whether or not a college or university screens out low achievers in high school. Some schools do, West Virginia University does not. It should not.

WVU exists to serve the people of West Virginia, not the judgment of people that may have never set foot on campus. Our state university provides an outstanding education. They can and often do lift students up who have not done well in the public schools and turn them into scholars. Some kids just do not fit the mold of the classic public school student. They cannot pay attention for six or seven straight hours. College gives these students more flexibility and support. They get a chance to succeed if only they can get in.

The university is one of the few government run organizations in the state that consistently gives the taxpayers their money's worth. One could always get a great education there, now it has turned into an economic engine. The future of the institution looks bright in many different ways despite what the ivory tower says. If you ask me, that is reason for anyone associated with WVU to party.

Romney first to file for West Va. GOP Convention

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY TO PARTICIPATE IN WEST VIRGINIA REPUBLICAN CONVENTION



ROMNEY FIRST IN WEST VIRGINIA

Governor Mitt Romney came to West Virginia to officially enter the WV GOP Presidential Convention being held February 5, 2008. Governor Romney was joined by Republican Party officials as he signed the certificate of candidacy and paid the $5,000 filing fee. Shown (left to right) is Jim Reed, Republican National Committeeman; Donna Gosney, Republican National Committeewoman; Bob Ashley, Chairman of Governor Romney’s WV Committee; Bob Fish, CEO of WV GOP Presidential Convention, Inc.; and Douglas McKinney, Chairman WV Republican State Party.

If I'm not mistaken, Governor Romney is also the only candidate to commit to attend the conference as well (as opposed to just competing). Speaking personally, I think this demonstrates a commitment to West Virginia that we haven't seen since a certain governor from Texas was running for president, oh, about 8 years ago.

West Virginia Ranks Second in Obesity. So What?

State media and hand wringers have jumped all over the numbers that say West Virginians are the second most obese people in the country by state. Around the nation no state reduced its obesity rate. One group called for "systemic change" in how we approach the subject.

I doubt I am overwhelmingly old just because I remember that in the not too distant past that our main problem in Appalachia was people not having enough to eat. Lyndon B. Johnson based a lot of mistaken, but well-intentioned ideas on eradicating hunger. Welfare did not eradicate hunger. America's productive economy has made food cheaper and more accessible than ever before. Advances in technology mean that fewer people have to perform as much manual labor. More people have a college education, meaning that they have less physically strenuous jobs.

Many studies link poverty to obesity. This should not be a surprise. Many healthy foods benefit from agricultural price supports. When a poor single mother has to choose between paying about a quarter for a gallon of Kool Aid versus three dollars for a gallon of juice, who can blame her for her choices. Hamburger Helper costs about five dollars with the meat included and it feeds an entire family. How much does fish and chicken breast cost? Many act as if the poor are ignorant, but in reality they make rational choices about scarce resources. Potatoes and bread are very inexpensive and most importantly very filling, yet they do tend to make people gain weight.

Outside of the poor, everyone else has choices. Many simply choose to not restrain themselves and frankly it is their God-given right. It always worries me when people start saying something ought to be done about the free choices people make. Obesity is a life choice. So is avoiding it. We need no laws, nor do we need any government programs outside of education. We certainly do not need lawsuit legislation. America needs to remember what freedom of choice means. It is a right, and also a responsibility.

So many countries in the world would love to have a dire social problem like having too much to eat and no reason to perform daily back breaking exercise.

The Tangible Benefits of Tort Reform and a Republican Victory in 2008

Everyone by now has probably heard of (and hopefully been outraged by) the multi-million dollar lawsuit filed by a West Virginian against McDonalds. Apparently they failed to hold the cheese on his burger.

West Virginia has a sad reputation in the business world as a "judicial hell-hole." The State Legislature has repeatedly failed to tighten up West Virginia's legal system. This results in a condition where corporations have to spend millions to fight frivolous lawsuits. Some simply decide to bypass the state altogether.

One almost did so. Oklahoma City based Chesapeake Energy planned to build its Eastern Division headquarters in Charleston. This would spearhead its efforts to develop West Virginia's natural gas resources. However a Roane County court awarded $404 million in damages to a group of people who claimed Columbia Gas shortchanged them in royalties. $134 million was for actual damages while $270 million was assessed to punish the company.

This verdict nearly convinced Chesapeake to bypass West Virginia. Governor Joe Manchin promised to convince the legislature to pass laws addressing royalty payments. The governor's entreaties seemed to work and Chesapeake plans to move into its new headquarters in 2009. It is obvious that businesses want to invest here and will come even if the governor only promises to try to help. Imagine what real tort and tax reform would do for the State of West Virginia.

Chesapeake Energy's move into Charleston does have benefits for all West Virginians. They will employ a substantial number of people in high paying jobs. Corporate headquarters will bring in white collar employment while developing the gas fields will increase opportunities for blue collar workers. The increased tax receipts and market ripple effects will strengthen the state as a whole. If Chesapeake has a positive experience in Charleston, that could convicne other corporations to locate major operations in West Virginia. The state has to approach this opportunity intelligently and use increased tax revenues due to Chesapeake Energy to benefit home grown business owners. Only with native capital and industry can West Virginia truly build a sound economy.

And only with a business friendly tort and tax system can we have a prosperous future. A Republican State Legislature is necessary for West Virginia to even start to pursue real reforms that will give us a strong and diverse economy. In a recent special session, Democrats in the State Legislature blocked the Manchin backed billto correct the royalty issue. Democrat Carrie Webster of Kanawha County among others expressed pride in their non-passage of this bill that will mean many new jobs in the state. No one should be surprised because Democrats have blocked development and investment in West Virginia for almost three generations now, even when urged to by more moderate members of their own party!

Without a Republican Legislature, West Virginia will continue to struggle. Period.

Peace

Every sane human being in the world seeks peace. Do all understand what real peace is? The answer is a resounding no.

Peace is not simply the absence of war. One of America's greatest generals, William Tecumseh Sherman, despised war and the horror it created. He understood that achieving peace in his time did not simply mean halting the use of arms. Sherman endeavored to make war more horrible in the short term to ensure that people would shrink from it in the future. He also believed that real peace only came at the real settlement of an issue.

Vladimir Lenin in 1917 promised a crowd in Petrograd, Russia peace if he came to rule. Many people supported his rebellion against the emerging democracy because it continued to help Britain, France, and the United States fight the German Empire in World War I. Lenin delivered his land from that conflict, but Russia knew not peace. The cost of Lenin's "peace" lay in the complete abandonment of political rights and the people's ability to defend them. The way was cleared for Lenin to start a new war against the Russian people. His war, carried on more terrifyingly by Stalin, successfully stole from the Russians their religion, land, firearms, and personal security against a despotic system. The Soviet Union from the 1920s until 1939 very rarely sent its soldiers to war, but its people did not know peace.

Peace is also unknown when threats hang like a Sword of Damocles over the world. British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain infamously tried to purchase peace from Adolf Hitler by giving away parts of another country. Shortly thereafter Britain fought a war that, even though it technically won, ended with the destruction of its own empire and economic power. Again, lack of conflict did not mean peace.

We did not know peace with Iraq from 1991 to 2003. Hussein worked hard to skirt United Nations edicts, shoot down US and British planes, and make war on the Iraqi people. His sons, raised to be psychopaths, would have completely destabilized the region when they took over. We did not know peace with Iraq as it was. We will not know peace if we pull out too soon.

Trying to buy a lack of war or ignoring problems and hoping they go away is not peace. It is only war deferred. Better to address issues while they are still manageable than wait until they become dire. In the 1930s we waited too long and gave evil a chance to triumph. We are lucky that George W. Bush makes decisions for the good of the country as opposed to the good of the party or himself. Our sacrifice for peace over the past few years has been high, but not nearly as high as it would have been had we simply ignored the problem.

Peace is not war deferred. Peace only comes with a real and lasting commitment between all parties concerned.

Keyser's Continuing Council Conundrum

The Keyser City Council now is officially short one member. It may have been short one member since August 13th, or maybe even back to the last election.

On August 13th, Mayor Glen "Bunk" Shoemaker announced that council member George Chidester had submitted a written letter of resignation. This would be effective September 24th. One of the issues was the re-appointment of Jim Hannas as Supervisor of Streets and Sewers. Council member Sally Burnside has staunchly defended Hannas while Chidester has been critical. Burnside made a motion to accept the resignation of Chidester. However Marques Rice refused to second it.

One of the problems is that Chidester never took the oath of office, making him legally ineligible to have ever held a council seat. This could potentially call into question actions taken by the city while Chidester acted as a council member. This includes the designation of times for street parking around Potomac State College.

Keyser has over 5,000 residents, many of whom pay taxes. Hopefully whomever fills the vacancy left by Chidester can help strengthen the city government and its ability to meet the needs of the people. In many areas the city government provides outstanding service. However, the city council must quickly move past its own problems and get its house in order. The appearance of disorder in government will create an image detrimental to development.

Fireworks at the Health Department

Thursday evening the Mineral County Clean up Committee met. Repeatedly discussion erupted into fireworks.

One argument erupted over the proposed use of Raleigh County's derelict and junked property ordinance as a template to be adjusted to Mineral County's circumstances. Gary Howell pointed out that Clyde Burdock consulted the state Attorney General and was told that ordinance contained multiple flaws. Others argued that the ordinance conformed with the state code. Raleigh County also has adopted some of the most restrictive laws in the state concerning citizens' property rights, which includes the taking of private property through eminent domain. Howell proposed that the proposed Mineral County ordinance conform as much as possible to that of Keyser town laws on the same subject. This would reduce confusion for those owning property inside and outside city limits. Kolin Jan at one point asked of Gary Howell what was wrong with the Raleigh County ordinance. Howell responded that it would have the ultimate effect of depriving poor citizens of rights and property.

The motion to use the Raleigh County ordinance as a template failed to carry, sparking frustration among some. Mineral County Commissioner Wayne Spiggle, who abstained from voting, refused to be drawn in when asked by Rev. Daniel Stemple to vote after the votes had been counted. It could have been construed as a conflict of interest and also would have violated parliamentary procedure. Kolin Jan asked Howell why he objected to using the Raleigh County ordinance as a base. Howell replied, the use of Eminent Domain to take private property from low and fixed income land owners that can not afford to comply is wrong. Eventually the committee agreed to use a power point presentation to compare the Raleigh County ordinance, the West Virginia State Code, and the Keyser city laws. Using these examples, the committee could then break down the laws and create a workable and fair ordinance for the county.

Other discussions centered around an ordinance for the legal length of lawn grass in the county. Joe Zacot, and Gary Howell objected strongly to an ordinance for a legal standard for grass length of 1.5 inches proposed by David Isenberg. This led to some attempts to define a farm to exempt them from the 1.5 inches, until the entire discussion was shut down. Such definitions could be problematic as some small property owners bale hay off as little as a few acres for extra money.

The main issue preventing productive work by this committee is the low tolerance for disagreement. All too often voices were raised due to simple opposing points of view. In an atmosphere with angry voices and statements bordering on personal attacks, real progress will not happen. All need to remember that to craft a good law requires time and effort. When people's property and livelihood are in question, care must be taken to get it right. Rushing the matter through will result in bad law. At this point no one is hurt or threatened by junked cars and dilapidated buildings. There is plenty of time for the committee to make sure it does right by the people of Mineral County.

Kanawha County, This is For You

Congratulations on your expanded gambling. Here's a poorly written song in commemoration

On a warm summer’s evening with the state economy bound for nowhere
We met up with the Gamblers, we were all too edgy to sleep
So we took turns a starin’ at dropping coal revenues
Desperation overtook us and they began to speak

They said “Fella’s we’ve made a life out of raisin’ people’s taxes
And spending all their money pretty recklessly
Now if you don’t mind my sayin’ you don’t want any higher taxes
If you want to pay for all this I’ll give you some advice

So we let them have grey machines and all we got were Hot Spots
Same colors as a dog’s sore and just as healthy
Of course that just wasn’t enough. What about Pennsylvania?
We need to offer more just to keep up.

You got to know how to hold ‘em
Know how to cajole them
Don’t let them walk away
Let them think they’re having fun
We’ll all be counting our money

And we'll keep them at the tables

There's money enough to count
Till the dealing’s done

Now every gambler knows the secret to survivin’
Is getting in the desperate and the down on their luck
Taking all their money, give the state their cut
Hungry kids are crying and the bank will take their truck

Of course the real song has a bit of wisdom in it

Now every gambler knows
The secret to survivin’
Is knowing what to throw away
And knowing what to keep
For every hand’s a winner
And every hand’s a loser
The best you can hope for
Is to die in your sleep

Good luck guys. The state should never rely so heavily on a revenue stream that it will have to help combat eventually.

Bush As Phoenix???

History will judge George W. Bush otherwise, but right now in the summer of 2007 his presidency has grown politically problematic. Except for Texas and some parts of West Virginia and Western Maryland among a few other spots, President Bush's popularity fell through the floor over the last few years. Democrats have grown to count on anti-Bush animosity while many Republicans regard potential mentions of him with anxiety.

Although it is certain that George W. Bush cannot be re-elected, Democrats will make him one of the major issues of the 2008 campaign. They will assault the Republican nominee for president with Bush, wanting to force either a potentially unpopular defense or an equally embarassing disavowal. Congressional Republicans will see the most heat on the issue. Voters will see, hear, and read a steady diet of the Democratic mantra of Bush and Iraq. Unless . . .

From the Democratic political perspective, a potential nightmare scenario has commenced. Some liberal critics of the war have started praising signs of progress since President Bush launched the troop surge. The Kurdish north appeared on 60 Minutes as an island of freedom and prosperity. Add to this the substantial improvement shown in illegal alien numbers since the Bush administration started a crackdown and voila, instant rises in approval ratings. Signs also are evident of voters growing fatigued of hearing constant Bush bashing.

The nightmare scenario of the Democratic Party is this. The September report on Iraqi progress may show little improvement in political developments over July. However Iraqis understand what an American presidential election year means, especially if a Democrat wins. A sense of urgency should result in real advances. Meanwhile the Democratic Congress has accomplished little. Add this to progress in illegal alien control and continued economic strength and the Democrats suddenly appear weak.

A strong and electable Republican presidential nominee coupled with a Bush revival will overwhelm the Democratic party. Bush rising from the ashes in popular opinion is the last thing they will expect, but given the good news on important fronts makes this eminently possible.

Mineral County Republican Executive Committee holds meeting

The Mineral County Republican Executive Committee held a meeting Thursday night at the courthouse to be briefed on the upcoming state Presidential Convention to be held on February 5^th, 2008 in Charleston. Tom O’Neil of the state Executive Committee was on hand to explain West Virginia is moving from selecting a Republican presidential candidate by primary to selecting the candidate by state convention.

Tom O’Neil went on to say by moving to a state presidential convention the West Virginia would become more relevant in selecting a Republican presidential candidate. West Virginia will be the 5^th state to select its Republican presidential candidate behind Iowa, South Carolina, New Hampshire, and Florida respectively.

Mineral County will be allowed to send 27 delegates to the state convention. The 12 county executive committee members are automatically selected. All county chairs, and Republican House of Delegate members are automatically are selected as well. Since both county chair Bob Harman and delegate Bob Schadler are also county executive committee members they are allowed to appoint two additional people. A vote was taken and Sara Geis of Short Gap and Harry Boggs of Keyser were selected to fill those two positions.

One additional convention delegate for every 1,000 registered Republican voters will be granted, which is 8 for Mineral. All counties that the majority voted for George W. Bush in the 2004 Presidential election will be given an additional 5 delegates. This gives Mineral County 13 additional convention delegates.

The 13 additional delegates are open positions. People wishing to serve must be a registered Republican in Mineral County as of July 1, 2007, and file a request to be a delegate with the state Republican Executive Committee in Charleston. If more than 13 apply, a county caucus will be held to narrow the field to 13.

The 27 delegates from Mineral County will help select the Republican presidential nominee at the state Convention. Christy Barnett of New Creek will also serve as a delegate as she is a member of the state executive committee.

In other business Candy Gordon was appointed to take over the position of Treasurer for the County Executive Committee and Sara Geis will take on the roll of Secretary.

Update from the Republican Convention

Preparations for the convention are proceeding at a rapid clip. We are in contact with each of the presidential campaigns and are providing each one with the information they need as we approach our filing deadline for presidential candidates of September 1. Look for a major announcement right after the September 1 deadline regarding which candidates have filed in West Virginia. Also, our Regional Political Directors are active in each county, answering the important question: How can I become a delegate to the West Virginia GOP Presidential Convention? The deadline to file as a candidate for your county’s at-large delegate positions is November 30, so look for announcements in the press, on our web site and in future issues of the WVGOP Presidential Convention NEWSLINE about the filing process.

–Bob Fish, CEO, WVGOP Presidential Convention, Inc.

Saluting the Keyser Mini Tornadoes and Football Values

Last Saturday the Keyser Mini Tornadoes A, B, and C teams all rolled over their competition from Oakland, Maryland. The game kicked off what ought to be another strong season for Keyser. Another run at the league championship should lie in these teams' future.

Evn more important is what football does for these children. In America today children have few chances to learn real values. Few minors have to do much work these days as their parents or grandparents did on the farm. Many of the schools have transformed into institutions that emphasize self-esteem and rigid enforcement of rules rather than overcoming challenges. Even other sports try to remove the competitiveness by not keeping score. Everyone is supposed to walk away a winner just for showing up even though the kids are well aware who won or lost.

Football is a harsh and unforgiving sport. Each player must work hard to learn their job and do it to the best of their abilities. If someone does not do their job, the team fails, and likely a teammate ends up getting hit hard. Football punishes physically, but helps develop menta and physical toughness. It also teaches the value of hard work and the important lesson that your best on some days was just not good enough. Within football, individual achievement is recognized and praised, but children also learn to work with each other. More than other sports, players learn a sense of brotherhood that comes from experiencing hardship together.

Football has its own value set. With some notable exceptions, the culture encourages pride with humility, strength without boasting. Players celebrating after a touchdown are told "act like you've been there before." There is a reason why the National Football League has the most player pastors of any professional league.

In short, football is one of the last opportunities available to children that teaches how to compete, how to succeed, and how to respond to failure. These values give participants a leg up when they eventually hit the adult world.

How Democracy Dies

Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez took another step towards the final strangulation of democracy in his country this week. He announced a proposal to eliminate presidential term limits and the rubber stamp National Assembly will undoubtedly approve enthusiastically. Venezuela's people will again suffer from Chavez's quest for absolute and permanent power.

Wealthy people, private enterprise, and the middle class definitely suffer. A business climate requires the rule of law and protection of private property. Without these guarantees, investment dwindles and people lose opportunities. The poor suffer as well. They may appreciate the crumbs thrown their way by the government, but the opportunity for real advancement (except through the government) disappears. Even though Venezuela sits atop a major oil pool, the state ownership of much of that resource means that the private sector must kowtow to Chavez. One wonders if Jimmy Carter received a gift basket for his certification of the rigged vote that assured Chavez of continued power.

Term limits have generally defined the limits of our presidential system. George Washington rejected pleas for a third term because he wanted to avoid the precedent of a man serving until he died. Washington died in 1799, two years before his possible third term would have ended. Franklin Roosevelt broke the third term barrier due to an unusual national emergency and served until his 1945 death. Since then a constitutional amendment bars third terms.

America benefits from this limitation. The strain of the job wears down the holder of the job mentally and physically. Few leaders have the kind of political and state responsibilities that the American president has. Early Roman Emperors who shared their authority with other bodies provide a parallel. However the immense power drove many of them mad within their first decade of rule. Being Caesar for too long can mentally unbalance a person, or physically destroy them (like FDR.)

Chavez has few political worries except for a bullet in the head. However he presents a danger to his people and to US influence in the region. Hopefully his murder of Venezuelan democracy will inspire other Latin Americans to hold even tighter to their freedoms. Conversely he has grown into an inspirational figure for loony leftists such as the mayor of Macon, Georgia who requested a partnership with him. Does he think he can inspire revolution here? Likely. His activities require watching.

Hardy County and Cell Phone Service

The lack of cell phone service in Hardy County comes down to one main reason, local government interference in the Free Market. With a population of 12,669 as of the 2000 census, Hardy is a rural county with low population density which makes it hard for companies to justify the cost of installing towers. The government adding additional cost only makes it less likely for a company to make the investment.

About one year ago the Mineral County Planning Commission was presented with a proposed ordinance to limit the installation of new cell towers in the county. The ordinance presented was a copy of Hardy County's, and it was quickly rejected by the planning commission. Mineral Count wants increased cell coverage in the county. Earlier this year Mineral County granted a $300 building permit to put a new cell tower in the Fort Ashby area, that is a far cry from the open ended $5,000 requirement of Hardy County.

It cost, a cell company, about the same amount of money to construct a tower no matter where it is located, but the permit cost varies. In Mineral County a $300 permit puts a tower in a county with over 27,000 persons that works out to just over $0.01 per possible customer. In Hardy County it is a $5,000 plus permit in a county with under 13,000 people, which works out to just over $0.38 per potential customer. It is simple economics keeping cell service out of Hardy County, the permit cost 38 times more than a neighboring counties. For a business or an individual you try to save money whenever you can, and businesses save money by not locating towers in Hardy County.

The answer for Hardy County is simple, if you want improved cell service stop interfering with the free market. You have the disadvantage of a small population, don't add a disadvantage of extremely high permit cost. Lower the permit cost to bring it in line with the neighboring counties. Everybody will benefit. Increased cell service will reduce response time to traffic accidents, increase flexibility for law enforcement and increase opportunity for business.

Interesting Information on Climate Change (Possibly)

The technology blog "Daily Tech" recently published a story that could be a huge blow to the hopes and dreams of anti-capitalist environmental ideologists.

According to this website, which publishes a wide variety of technology oriented stories, NASA's climate change information was faulty. It previously showed that the year 1998 was the hottest on record. Global warming supporters rely on NASA's relatively short term statistics to bolster their theories on climate change. The Daily Tech asserts that a bug associated with Y2K skewed the temperature records. 1934 now stands as the hottest year, with five of the ten warmest occuring before World War II.

The author of the article claims that NASA "quietly" re-released their climate figures and that the mainstream media will likely ignore the story. If true, this removes another pillar from the argument that mankind needs to place more economic decisions in the hands of anti-capitalist scientists and bureaucrats to save itself.

Most other "evidence" comes from correlations and models that get tweaked by their creators more often than video games. Questioning such methods will lead to the truth of the matter whatever that may be. Journalists need to follow up on the Daily Tech's story to see if it has legs, then communicate the results to the mainstream media market. John Stossel? Are you out there?

Update: apparently someone did. Fox News covered the story in their science section on August 11th.

Link to article http://www.dailytech.com/Blogger+Finds+Y2K+Bug+in+NASA+Climate+Data/article8383.htm

Governor Mitt Romney Announces West Virginia Statewide Steering Committee

Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced the Romney for President West Virginia Statewide Steering Committee. The committee includes fifteen West Virginia Republican leaders from communities across the state. Chaired by State Delegate Bob Ashley, these West Virginians will help Governor Romney organize grassroots efforts and will communicate the Governor's message of conservative change in Washington.

Announcing his endorsement of Governor Romney, the Honorable Bob Ashley said, "I am proud to support Governor Romney's candidacy for President of the United States. We need to elect someone with conservative credentials who can take Washington apart and put it back together so that it works better for hardworking American families. Governor Romney does not run from problems, he faces them head on. He is a proven problem-solver and principled leader. I am pleased to chair his steering committee in West Virginia."

Governor Romney said, "With the help of the West Virginia Steering Committee, we will be able to take our message of a strong military, strong families and a strong economy to the voters throughout the Mountain state. As West Virginians know all too well, a strong economy is based on a sound national energy policy. Energy issues are important nationally but I know they're particularly important in West Virginia."

"I am honored to have the support of these West Virginia leaders. I look forward to working with them as the campaign moves forward," Governor Romney concluded.

Last week, the Romney for President Campaign announced its intent to participate in the West Virginia State Republican Convention on February 5, 2008.

John H. McCutcheon, II and Bill Phillips, Jr. are serving as Senior Advisers for Governor Romney's West Virginia statewide campaign.

Background On The Romney For President West Virginia Statewide Steering Committee:

The Honorable Bob Ashley (Spencer) – Delegate Ashley serves in the West Virginia House of Delegates, and is the former Minority Leader of the House. He is also a member of the West Virginia Republican State Committee. Mr. Ashley will serve as Chairman of the Steering Committee.

Patricia Adams (Buckhannon) – Adams is a member of the West Virginia Republican State Executive Committee. She also serves as Chair of the Upshur County Republican Executive Committee.

Mark Blankenship (Charleston) – Blankenship was a member of the senior staff for former Governor Cecil Underwood's Administration. He has also served as an adviser to various political campaigns.

Mark W. Browning (Charleston) – Browning is a member of the Kanawha County Republican Executive Committee. He is an attorney in Charleston and is the former President of the Kanawha County Bar Association.

John Golden (South Charleston) – Golden was the Communications Director for the Bush for President Campaign West Virginia in 2000. He also served on the campaign staff for Underwood for Governor in 1996.

Jeffrey N. Loudin (Elkins) – Loudin was the Director of Administration for the West Virginia Bush for President Committee in 2000. He also served on the campaign staff of Moore for Governor in 2004.

Jerry Mays (Martinsburg) – Mays served as Chairman of the Berkeley County Republican Executive Committee. He also has a prominent presence in Eastern West Virginia Republican activities.

James M. McCutcheon (Parkersburg) – McCutcheon is a former member of the West Virginia House of Delegates. He also served on the West Virginia committee for the George W. Bush campaign in 2000 and 2004.

Thomas J. O'Neill (Morgantown) – O'Neill is the Vice Chairman for the First Congressional District of the West Virginia Republican State Executive Committee.

Rick Rice (Buckhannon) – Rice served as a County Commissioner for Upshur County. He was also President and Chairman of the Association of County Officials.

Robert Ryan (Charleston) – Ryan is an attorney in Charleston. He also worked on the Victory Fund with the Republican National Committee.

Patrick Westerfeld (Elkins) – Westerfeld has served as adviser to various political campaigns.

Deborah Wolfe (Huntington) – Wolfe is a former Mrs. America. She also managed several local and regional Republican campaigns.

Kim Wolfe (Huntington) – Wolfe is the Sheriff of Cabell County. He also ran for Congress in 2006 in West Virginia's 3rd Congressional District.

Duane Zobrist II (Lewisburg) – Zobrist is a Greenbrier County businessman and civic leader.

Background on Governor Romney's Senior Advisers For West Virginia:

John H. McCutcheon, II (White Sulphur Springs) – McCutcheon served as the Executive Director for the Bush for President Campaign in West Virginia in 2000. He is also a former Vice Chairman of the West Virginia State Party. He served as the White House Liaison to the U.S. Department of Energy in the Bush Administration.

Bill Phillips, Jr. (Elkins) – Phillips served as Chairman of the Bush for President Campaign in West Virginia in 2000. He was the Co-Chairman of the Bush for President Campaign in 2004. He also served as Chief of Staff for Former Governor Cecil H. Underwood.

The Pursuit of Happyness

Panning the Hollywood stream of movies looking for little gold nuggets of American values presents a real challenge. Most films reflect the liberal, if not extremely left wing, element that tends to dominate the entertainment industry. Last night I watched on DVD a film that shocked me in its dedication to good old fashioned capitalism.

"Pursuit of Happyness" stars Will Smith as Chris Gardiner, a down on his luck entrepreneur trying to hold his family together. He invested all of his money into medical equipment that resembles much less expensive technology and naturally has difficulty selling the products. The backdrop of this film is San Francisco in 1981 during the deep recession that preceded the Reagan era prosperity. At his lowest moment his wife leaves him and he is evicted from his apartment for non payment of rent. However he takes a six month unpaid internship at Dean Witter. Twenty interns get a chance to compete for one position as a stockbroker.

The film runneth over with positive messages of hard work, sacrifice, and opportunity. Ronald Reagan himself appears during one of the low points, giving America a pep talk in some of the worst economic times of his presidency. Of course now we know that his policies helped to build twenty five years of prosperity. This definitely seems to be foreshadowing teh development of Gardiner's own life. The Dean Witter executives come across as real people, not cariciatures of evil capitalist monsters. Material reward for hard work is Gardiner's ultimate goal throughout the movie and never is he presented as "learning a lesson" that some things are more important than money. Gardiner could take a menial job and support himself, but he chooses to live in homeless shelters and on the street while making connections in the business world to help him succeed. His words to his son are to not let anyone ever tell him he can't do something. Even characters that are presented as positive in most other Hollywood films come off as negative here. Gardiner entrusts a hippy girl on the street with a valuable machine, which she steals as soon as he is out of sight.

This film teaches more about what capitalism is all about than any economics class I have ever seen. Chris Gardiner chose to sacrifice, to work hard, and to never make excuses. He risked a great deal for an uncertain shot at success. In the end he was rewarded, but even if he was not, the film suggests he would simply try something else.

"The Pursuit of Happyness" inspires not just because it is a great story. Chris Gardiner is a real human being who eventually founded his own firm. He is a modern day hero in that he endured hardship out of faith. Gardiner had faith in America and its capitalist values. We could all learn from his example.

Ideological Environmentalism Threatens Freedom

For decades Czechoslovakia, now broken into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, felt the boot heel of one of the most brutal regimes behind the Iron Curtain. People in this country know oppression and tyranny when they see it. The Soviet Union in 1947 prevented that nation from receiving Marshall Plan aid to relieve their hunger and suffering. They went to jails, mental hospitals, and execution chambers for their beliefs. Czechoslovakia endured an invasion in 1968 not for trying to leave the Soviet bloc, but only for trying to make Communism more free.

Vaclav Klaus currently serves as president of the Czech Republic. This summer he addressed a letter to Americans through the Cato Institute warning about threats to freedom in Europe and everywhere. Neostatism and the European Union affect individual rights on that side of the Atlantic. Environmentalism, according to the Czech President, threatens all freedom loving people.

Although concern about the environment is common to most people, Klaus identifies environmentalist ideology as a threat. He states "Environmentalism only pretends to deal with environmental protection. Behind their people and nature friendly terminology, the adherents of environmentalism make ambitious attempts to radically reorganize and change the world, human society, our behavior, and our values." First and foremost among the goals of environmentalists is "disbelief in the power of the invisible hand of the free market and a belief in the omnipotence (of the) state." Their major weapon, the global warming issue, comes from science based not on time honored techniques, but on intricate models based upon false assumptions.

Clearly old time Marxism has evolved into a stronger threat to individual freedom and the capitalist system. Al Gore looks a lot less threatening that Vladimir Lenin, but his ideas undermine individual freedoms just the same. At the end of the day, both want to curtail your freedom with the power of the state. Defenders of freedom must avoid being fooled by the rhetoric and see environmentalist ideology for what it is.

Free market capitalism not only has shown itself to be the best way to improve the lives of people, but also the most effective way to develop environmentally friendly policies. Russia and Eastern Europe still suffer from the damage done under Communism. Environmentalist ideology's end result would see the state once again commanding the economy, bringing forth the same terrible results.

Shelley Moore Capito Gives as Good as She Gets

The latest political stunt orchestrated by the Democratic Congress came in the form of a bill that would have caused hardships and complications for our military. Few people understand the difficulties faced by the military as they struggle to deploy troops in different theatres around the world from a 100% voluntary force. Congressional Democrats proposed legislation that, if it passes the Senate, will make the process almost impossible by mandating much longer periods of leave for soldiers serving in Iraq.

Everyone would like to see soldiers able to spend more time at home, but this places severe constraints on the military's ability to operate. As the daughter of a man who served his country with distinction in World War II, Ms. Capito understands the strains that combat places on individual soldiers. She also understands that our commanders need flexibility in making deployment decisions. Some have accused the Democrats of trying to force a withdraw from Iraq by making the conduct of the war much more difficult. In any event Democrats know that President Bush will veto the bill. This is more of a statement than a well thought out bill. It is a ploy to create an issue to use against responsible Republican congressmen and women in 2008.

Shelley Moore Capito represents a district that has a higher than average rate of men and women in the service and knew the Democrats would target her if she voted against it. Six Republicans broke ranks to side with the Democrats and others merely signified "present." She had the courage to vote against the bill, preserving the flexibility of the military. Will this vote appear in a commercial next year? You can bet on it. Did Capito's vote represent political courage? Absolutely.

Once again Shelley Moore Capito shows strength, backbone, and responsibility.

The Gate Test

A few years ago I had the opportunity to hear a speech by Chuck Kinder of the States Auditors Office. During his speech he spoke about the “Gate test.” Basically the test is, if you want to see how your government and economy is doing, you open the gate and see which way the people go.

As a nation, the US is doing quite well on the gate test. In fact they don’t even bother to use the gate on the southern border to get into the nation, any hole in the fence will do. This is a direct reflection on the economic opportunity available in the US. It is people’s nature to want to go where they have greater opportunity to make a better life for themselves and for a large portion of the world that place is the US. The grade for the gate test can be found in the census data. In 1950 the US population was 150 million persons and last year the US population passed the 300 million mark. In a little less than 60 years the nation has doubled. The US has earned stellar grade in the gate test.

West Virginia on the other hand has failed the gate test. In 1950 the population of West Virginia was 2 million. In 1950 we made up 1.3% of the US population. Today there are about 1.8 million West Virginians, 200,000 less than there were in 1950. That number is deceiving. On the surface it appears to be a loss of only 200,000, but today West Virginia only makes up 0.6% of the US population. If West Virginia maintained 1.3% of the US population as we did in 1950, then today there would be around 3.9 million of us. That means in less than 60 years 2.1 million “would be” West Virginian’s went missing. West Virginia’s gates are open and over half left for better economic opportunity elsewhere. That goes far beyond a failing grade.

The loss of population is more than just numbers. We all have family and friends that have had to leave to find opportunity for a better life elsewhere, breaking up the extended family structure that is a corner stone of Appalachian life. The states power in Washington has been cut in half as we only send 3 people to the US House of Representatives every two years, where in 1950 we sent 6. The burden of taxes has increased on all of us and the load is spread over fewer and fewer people. We are all feeling the effects.

We have two options as I see it. The first is to expand the West Virginia government to build a wall like the former East Germany and close the gate to prevent the people from leaving for better economic opportunity. History tells us how that will turn out. The East German government collapsed and Germany reunified. Now with Virginia being ranked at the top in economic opportunity, some may consider reunification a good thing for West Virginia.

I prefer the second option; let’s make the changes necessary to bring economic opportunity back to West Virginia. We need to make our side of the gate more attractive than the other side of the gate. Russell Sobel and his group have developed a blueprint to make that happen if we choose to make the changes. It is human nature to resist change, because change is uncomfortable and there is a fear of the unknown. I once heard insanity defined as doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. We must overcome that fear and make the changes or we will continue to get the same result.

Over the gate to West Virginia hangs a sign that reads “Open for Business,” but when you are going through the gate for better opportunity you only see the blank backside. It is time for a change.

Will Wakim Run?

That's a good question. Chris Wakim may have suffered a disappointing result in his first shot at the United States Congress, but a 2008 run may be the best choice for the state Republican Party.

Why, one might ask. He lost by a margin of about 65-35. Numbers can deceive, however. By all accounts, Republican voters lost confidence in their Congress in the midterm elections. Few people acknowledge this fact, but choosing to stay home is just another form of voting. Unfortunately Chris Wakim suffered from the malaise afflicting the GOP nationwide.

Look at 2008. Next year looks to be different, especially if the Democrats run You Know Who. It does not take a village to figure out that conservatives could potentially swamp the polls to keep their worst nightmare from becoming reality. Nancy Pelosi was a Johnny come lately horror for conservatives. Hillary Clinton is considered only slightly less palatable as a national leader than the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Chris Wakim will benefit from a very strong turnout of conservatives in West Virginia determined to keep the state out of the "Hillary" column.

Why Wakim? He has established himself as a known quantity among state Republicans and now can broaden that base. Wakim continues to work hard for the state party and that means something to the faithful. To be frank, he also has a great issue brewing in the northern panhandle custom made for him. Like many other West Virginians, Wakim comes from a family of recent immigrants. Like many of us, his family came here legally and became citizens the right way. Through hard work, obedience to the law, and determination, they became strong productive citizens. That story resonates with so many West Virginians tired of illegal aliens draining our resources.

If Wakim takes his positive program to the people again in 2008, it will pose a serious challenge to Representative Mollohan. If anyone doubts his ability to win a race after losing before, all they need do is look at the example of State Senator Sypolt of the 14th district. Or look at Ronald Reagan who lost the 1976 primary to an uninspiring incumbent, but won the presidency in the very next election.

Running a new candidate in the 1st district means starting over from scratch. Chris Wakim is the strongest candidate for 2008.

Zoning Is a Class Issue

Proponents of zoning often try to sell the idea of community planning as a concept that benefits everyone. However a recent article by Forbes.com writer Matt Woolsey demonstrates that average people stand to lose when local governments embrace more restrictive practices.

According to Woolsey, Texas shows the strongest economic growth for suburban areas. More importantly "as a result, these areas have some of the most affordable homes in the nation since there is plenty of supply to meet demand." This means that the average family will have less problems purchasing for themselves a piece of the American dream.

Conversely metropolitan Boston has some of the highest housing costs in the United States. Woolsey cites a Brooking Institute study that shows that communities with growth exclusion policies tend to have sharply higher housing costs. This forces those looking for affordable housing to seek out ever more remote areas, creating more of the very sprawl that planners wanted to avoid.

This hits close to home because Mineral County has the potential to catch some of metropolitan D. C.'s growth. If economic development comes, we need growth that will ensure that the children of families that have been here for sometimes hundreds of years will have the opportunity to stay home. Zoning helps to cement a status quo from which only the most elite will benefit. If the county develops and also zones while continuing to drive away manufacturing jobs, this means that it will grow into a more and more exclusive area for upper middle class and rich professionals.

Growth ought to benefit as many of Mineral County's families as possible. This study makes clear that zoning produces higher housing costs by restricting the choice available to buyers. Mineral County families for the most part pay too high a cost already. Zoning under any name will lessen the chance for the average person to get a job while forcing up the cost of living because it pares down choices and opportunities.

Governor Mitt Romney To Participate In West Virginia Republican Convention

Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President announced that the campaign will participate in the West Virginia State Republican Convention on February 5, 2008. Governor Romney's Political Director, Carl Forti, released the following statement on the campaign's commitment to West Virginia:

"The Romney for President campaign is proud to announce our intention to participate in the West Virginia State Republican Convention. We are committed to the state and have been encouraged by the Governor's energized and growing number of supporters. Our campaign has an organization, and a number of volunteers, who are working very hard to communicate Governor Romney's message of conservative change. His message of strengthening the American military, economy and family is resonating across the country, and it's time to bring that message to West Virginia. The Romney campaign looks forward to the state Republican convention in February."

Governor Romney visited West Virginia in March when he addressed the Kanawha County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner. He also campaigned for Republican candidates in West Virginia in October 2006.

What Did He Say?

Isn't it sad when a former president has descended to the level of Rosie O'Donnell?

Jimmy Carter at one point had a fairly strong reputation among not only liberals, but also moderates. Not in 1981, mind you, when he exited office as one of the least effective presidents ever, but later. Throughout the 1980s he led causes such as "Habitat For Humanity" and endeavored to promote peace around the world. Sure he seemed misguided in some of his efforts, but even some conservatives gave him credit for having his heart in the right place.

How times have changed. The election of George W. Bush either threw a bolt loose in his gourd, or maybe it unleashed the real character of the man already there. All the world knows Hugo Chavez for what he is, a brutal dictator in Venezuela. Democracies shy away from him; dictators cuddle up to him. Only Jimmy Carter would certify one of his "elections" as valid. He did so in an effort to embarass Condoleeza Rice who criticized Chavez for election violations that would have made Don Chafin blush.

Recently Carter condemned the United States and Israel for not treating Fatah and Hamas as equals. Say what? In the emerging Palestinian state two factions exist. The Fatah Party comes closest to committing to democracy and peaceful engagement with Israel. Hamas makes its political statements by sending suicide bombers into places where Israeli teenagers congregate. Of course you encourage the peacemakers and try to discourage those bent on killing Jewish kids and destroying Israel.

Either Carter is confused in his mind, or once again he wants to try to embarass President Bush. Whatever his true intentions, the former President has lost most of his credibility. Now, like O'Donnell, people just wait for the next crazy thing to pop out of his mouth.

Commencing Chaos

John Leo of Rudolph Giuliani's Manhattan Institute recently wrote an article about UCLA's graduation problems. Apparently every ethnic group and its uncle plus different gay groups have their own graduation ceremonies, all paid for by the university. This seems like typical California lunacy but take note. Local companies in the Potomac Highlands have already started requiring their employees to learn Spanish. To some, ethnic pluralism means not just respecting differences, but also having the right to have government and other services provided to them in their own language.

Lets look at two nations from around a century ago. Both contained large numbers of ethnic groups with different cultures than the dominant one. The first nation, we'll call it country A, required its groups to assimilate into society, at least to the point of learning the language and functioning in the dominant culture. Country B recognized each of its fifteen major ethnic groups as a unique and viable culture.

The vast majority of country A's ethnic peoples learned to speak the dominant language, but they still retained some of the aspects of their original culture. The groups grew patriotic to the point where they took pride in fighting for it when the time came. Country B saw its ethnic groups demand more and more concessions. When it went to war many of its ethnic peoples turned against it despite the extreme concessions and toleration shown them. That country no longer exists.

Country A is the United States but we have not learned from the positive policies used a century ago. In that case ethnic groups strengthened our nation for a new century of prosperity. Country B, Austria-Hungary, was torn apart because the ethnic groups within it did not assimilate to the dominant culture.

Now Austria-Hungary's fate is not necessarily ours. Many other differences exist that separate the two systems. However it does demonstrate that maintaining strong separation of cultures leads to severe problems. We need to return to the policy of not coddling those that do not speak English. It is not fair to native born citizens, nor is it fair to those that came here and worked hard to learn how to livehere. The more incentive they have to learn how to speak and function in the United States, the faster they will learn.

Coming to America (legally) ought to be the start of opportunities for them and us to benefit each other, but by the standards of this country not the one they just left. It should not be the commencement of cultural chaos.