Singing the Blues With West Virginia Red

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If I Could Go Back In Time . . .

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

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

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

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

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

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

Obama Administration Rescued the Econmy?

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

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

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

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

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

(1) LIMITATION ON NEW ENROLLMENT-

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

60% Taxation Rate Is Looming For Some

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

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

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

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

West Virginia Republican Summit to be held July 25th

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Shane Wilson

Monday, July 20, 2009 304-768-0493

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Paid for by the West Virginia Republican Party

Congressmen ask to sign pledge they will read Health Care Bill

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This Could Help Car and Truck Sales

US Government Over Pays for Pork, Literally

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

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

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

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

13 Rue Madeline

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

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

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

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

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

Blast from the Past: Dollars and Sense

Barbara Boxer Plays the Race Card Against a Black Businessman

House bill to allow DC abortion funding and medical marijuana

WEST VIRGINIA

Democrats — Mollohan, N; Rahall, N.

Republicans — Capito, Y.

Voting yes were 215 Democrats and 4 Republicans.

Voting no were 38 Democrats and 170 Republicans.

Time to Roll Out a Plan of Action: the Honest Deal

10% unemployment and rising. Capital investment and purchases in decline. Yup the Democrats have done a great job since Congress took over in early 2007 of running the economy into the ground. Deficit spending and tax hikes are getting the country nowhere. Time for Republicans to roll out a plan. Here are some ideas:

CUT TAXES!:

Well, this will be a tax cut but it will probably bring more revenue than expected. Establish four numbers for income tax, zero, ten, fifteen, and twenty. Earners below a certain threshold pay zero, then ten percent, then fifteen, then twenty. No deductions allowed for any reason.

Eliminate any taxes on savings and investment. Our biggest economic problem as a nation is lack of capital even though we are the most productive country on earth. Encourage savings and investment in the United States.

This is not a tax, but here's a thought on Social Security. Stop raiding it for funds and deposit it into banks where the money paid in can collect interest. We put Bernie Madoff in jail for life for creating a failed Ponzi scheme that people had chosen to join. Who in the federal government will pay when this Ponzi scheme collapses? At the very least this fund will collect interest and help replenish the kitty while injecting real money into the economy. This is what we should have implemented rather than a bank bailout.

CUT SPENDING!:

The federal government needs to cut back its budget ten percent in real terms. There are quite a few ways to accomplish this.

How much money does the federal government waste on foolishness every year? Time to cut back on sheer waste. Any public service announcements funded by the government are a luxury. Get rid of them.

Federal grants not related to technology development or national security should be suspended for two years. No funding for art or humanities studies at all. again, this is luxury spending.

No work on new road projects for five years. Complete what we have started and maintain what we have.

Stop funding questionable groups like ACORN. That is a no brainer. Also stop funding any get out the vote efforts. If people don't know an election is coming in November of even numbered years, we might not really want them to vote anyway.

Cut off any education or welfare funds to states that distribute them to illegal aliens. Sorry, no benefits for those breaking the law. While we are at it, release states from unfunded mandate obligations while so many of them are about to break from the economic strain.

Cut off foreign aid that is not security related. Also suspend payments to the United Nations. This is a luxury we cannot afford.

Cut back the Census to a Constitutional minimum.

Of course there are thousands more ideas on cutting spending. If we stop proposing more crap and cut from what we are spending, life will be much easier and prosperity will return. Then when the economy is back on a firm basis, you can have luxuries like art and humanities grants.

OTHER POLICIES:

The United States relies upon cheap energy as an advantage in production. This offsets the labor cost advantages of third world nations when we have it. We need to make it a federal priority to increase the production of energy in this country to meet our own demand and to also make us an exporting nation when possible. Do what is necessary to get more power plants constructed. Do what is necessary to access a wide variety of energy sources, not only coal and natural gas, but also wind, solar, freshwater hydroelectric, and wave power. Get those power bills down and you will have more money available to invest and spend.

Simplify federal laws related to manufacturing. I am not saying that we should compromise the environment or work safety, but we add so many laws on a regular basis, how can industry really keep up? Every country from time to time has to evaluate laws and re-codify them. Let's make the law more understandable and more obeyable by simplifying it.

Get rid of all shares of privately owned companies. Also get the government out of the railway business. Privatize whenever and wherever possible.

Cheap power, tax cuts, and less government spending. That is how a country gains and keeps prosperity. This should be part of the Republican Plan for Resurgence. Call it the Honest Deal

Unemployment Rates by County in West Virginia, Not Seasonally Adjusted

Area	May 2008	May 2009	Net Change
United States	5.2	9.1	3.9
West Virginia	4.2	8.5	4.3
Barbour County, WV	4.7	9.5	4.8
Berkeley County, WV	4.7	9.4	4.7
Boone County, WV	4.0	9.7	5.7
Braxton County, WV	4.4	8.3	3.9
Brooke County, WV	5.4	12.4	7.0
Cabell County, WV	3.8	7.2	3.4
Calhoun County, WV	5.6	14.2	8.6
Clay County, WV	5.5	11.5	6.0
Doddridge County, WV	4.5	8.0	3.5
Fayette County, WV	4.3	9.7	5.4
Gilmer County, WV	3.5	7.8	4.3
Grant County, WV	4.6	8.9	4.3
Greenbrier County, WV	4.7	10.1	5.4
Hampshire County, WV	3.8	8.4	4.6
Hancock County, WV	5.4	12.4	7.0
Hardy County, WV	4.1	9.8	5.7
Harrison County, WV	3.7	6.9	3.2
Jackson County, WV	4.8	13.2	8.4
Jefferson County, WV	3.7	7.4	3.7
Kanawha County, WV	3.5	6.9	3.4
Lewis County, WV	3.9	8.0	4.1
Lincoln County, WV	4.7	10.8	6.1
Logan County, WV	4.1	8.7	4.6
Marion County, WV	3.5	6.0	2.5
Marshall County, WV	4.5	9.3	4.8
Mason County, WV	6.7	13.0	6.3
McDowell County, WV	5.8	13.0	7.2
Mercer County, WV	3.8	7.0	3.2
Mineral County, WV	4.2	7.3	3.1
Mingo County, WV	4.1	10.4	6.3
Monongalia County, WV	2.7	4.7	2.0
Monroe County, WV	4.2	7.7	3.5
Morgan County, WV	5.4	9.4	4.0
Nicholas County, WV	4.4	9.0	4.6
Ohio County, WV	4.0	8.4	4.4
Pendleton County, WV	4.2	7.9	3.7
Pleasants County, WV	5.1	9.8	4.7
Pocahontas County, WV	9.7	17.2	7.5
Preston County, WV	3.5	7.7	4.2
Putnam County, WV	3.3	7.0	3.7
Raleigh County, WV	3.9	8.2	4.3
Randolph County, WV	5.6	10.4	4.8
Ritchie County, WV	5.1	9.8	4.7
Roane County, WV	6.0	13.2	7.2
Summers County, WV	4.5	8.2	3.7
Taylor County, WV	4.2	7.9	3.7
Tucker County, WV	6.0	12.5	6.5
Tyler County, WV	5.3	10.4	5.1
Upshur County, WV	4.2	8.2	4.0
Wayne County, WV	4.7	8.2	3.5
Webster County, WV	6.0	11.7	5.7
Wetzel County, WV	6.1	11.7	5.6
Wirt County, WV	5.9	14.0	8.1
Wood County, WV	4.6	9.5	4.9
Wyoming County, WV	4.6	12.0	7.4

NOTE: Rates shown are a percentage of the labor force. Data refer to place of residence. State and county data for both the current and prior year are subject to revision early in the following calendar year.

Rockefeller, Byrd must vote NO on Anti-Gun Sotomayor

Sotomayor had this to say on gun rights, "I understand how important the right to bear arms is to many, many Americans. In fact, one of my godchildren is a member of the NRA. And I have friends who hunt." She said nothing on her stance in that statement. Understanding how important gun rights are to some and supporting the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution are two different things. Having friends that hunt or family that are members of the NRA, doesn’t mean she shares those opinions. That was a total dodge of the question. You only dodge the question when you do not want to reveal your true feelings.

When Tom Coburn of Oklahoma asked about gun rights, Sotomayor said, "I can't answer...because I can't look at it in the abstract.” There is nothing abstract about the 2^nd Amendment. It is quite clear, “the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” Coburn went on and pressed Sotomayor asking if a person had a fundamental right to self defense. Sotomayor’s reply should have been, “Yes!” It was not, she stated, "What we do is different than the conversations citizens have about what they want the law to do. It's not that we make a broad policy choice and say this is what we want."

Founding Father Thomas Jefferson summed up his feelings in letter to Peter Minor, July 20, 1822 when he wrote, “I presume he is a gun-man, as I am sure he ought to be, and every American who wishes to protect his farm from the ravages of quadrupeds & his country from those of biped invaders. I am a great friend to the manly and healthy exercises of the gun.” The Founding Fathers were quite clear the right to defend ones self and ones nation were to be in the hands of the people. Sotomayor’s position does not reflect that of the majority of the nation, the people of West Virginia or that of the Founding Fathers. Our Senators in Washington should vote NO on her appointment to the US Supreme Court and we must ask them to vote NO. The number for the Senate switch board is 202-225-3121.

Capitalism Beats Alarmists Again

Remember when alarmists told us that biofuels made from corn would drastically increase the price of that basic staple?

The best measure for whether or not that has held true is to go down to WalMart and see for yourself. Look at the price of an ear of corn. Earlier this year it was something akin to forty or fifty cents per ear. That's not really too bad and the early prices for fresh corn are usually higher.

This week I bought some ears for twenty cents a piece. That seems about right for this time of year and it should keep dropping as we move into harvest season. Now I thought that we were supposed to have a worldwide disaster because of the switching of production to biofuels. Of course people around here know that a lot of land lies fallow. If you increase the price for corn, you will see people increasing production. Is that what happened here?

Perhaps. Perhaps not. The bottom line is that capitalism has provided corn for fuel as well as corn for food without raising prices in the long run. Most alarmists base their predictions on models that do not take into account rises in production. The media will usually report the alarmists' point of view because it makes for more interesting copy. In the boring old real world, as long as we keep it, capitalism will provide food and fuel as efficiently as possible.

Is there a correlation between Unemployment and Election Results?

Obama Administration pushes race/sexual orientation based "Hate Crime" bill

According to, Lanier Swann, the special assistant to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. "Moments ago Majority Leader Reid filed a hate crimes amendment to the DOD Authorization Bill. He then filled the tree, which means no amendments can be offered to his amendment, and filed cloture on the amendment."

The amendment is not based on fairness under the law, but on race or sexual orientation. The facts of the matter are any violent crime is a hate crime and should be punished equally. Race or sexual orientation should never be the basis for the punishment for a crime. Those convicted of a violent crime should be treated harshly and equally no matter if the victim is straight, homosexual, male, female, black, white, etc.

By calling for cloture to rush the bill through, this will limit debate and could allow a race/sexual orientation based bill to move forward into law. We must have equal protection under the law with no special classes of citizens. If you value our nation of equality ask for this amendment to be removed from the bill. The number for the Senate switch board is 202-225-3121.

County to waste more taxpayer money on Water Shortage Farce

The on going waste of taxpayer’s money on the fake water shortage continues. As our economic continues to slide deeper into the recession many people are cutting back and saving their money for the future, but for some reason government doesn’t want to do the same thing. This puts an ever increasing burden on the taxpayers when they can least afford it.

The Wednesday addition of the News Tribune reports a WVU student was paid $5,000 as a precursor to a much larger study. The PHC reported last year that “DHHR notified the county they are making available $92,000 to assist with the study.” This $92,000 of taxpayer money is just an assist as the full study is expected to cost somewhere around a quarter million dollars.

This is what the study will tell us: We will find that Piedmont gets its water from Savage River in Maryland, the Elk Garden area gets its water from Grant County, and Ridgeley and Wiley Ford are connected to Cumberland’s water supply for now. This means that many of the people of Mineral County don’t even rely on water from within the county. History will also show that even in the worst drought, the Keyser and New Creek water systems have never ran out of water. Also keep in mind that the Limestone Dam is a water reservoir for the city of Keyser that is no longer used and they can’t seem to empty it, because to much water flows into it. The Mountaintop Water Department commissioned a study which claims that their reservoir contains over 100 million gallons of water and does not drop much even in dry spells.

The study will also find that Jennings Randolph Lake has 41,000 acre feet of water in storage that is enough to supply every man, woman and child with 100 gallons a day for over 13 years if the river stopped flowing today. There is an additional 51,000 acre feet used for water quality management, so we are looking at over 27 years worth of water if it didn’t rain for the next 27 years and nobody in Mineral County uses any of that water now!

The county government is acting very strange and very anti-business on many issues. Consider that the County Commission is not actively supporting the $138 million dollar investment in the county on the Wind Project which will generate an additional $326,591 in taxes for the school system alone as reported by the News Tribune on Wednesday. I cannot understand why the county commission would not actively support the increase in funding to the school system. County Commissioner Spiggle’s wife Betty sent a letter to the Public Service Commission actively opposing the project and can be viewed on the Public Service Commissions website. Commissioner Wayne Spiggle pushed the County Commission to request making US 50 a Scenic Byway which would hinder business. Now it is the water study, which if not done correctly, can be used as a way to restrict business growth and economic growth.

It is time for the County Commission to stop wasting the taxpayer’s money on anti-business policies and water studies. If you want to spend our tax dollars on water, then we believe you should spend it on providing additional water and water safety. Connect the different water systems in the county together, so that in an emergency the separate water systems can help each other. If a chemical truck were to wreck and spill its contents into New Creek, then a connected system would allow Keyser to bring in water from Elk Garden or Piedmont. If water quality becomes and issue in Fort Ashby, then water could be supplied from Fountain or elsewhere in a connected system.

The More Things Change . . .

The American people have witnessed the calamitous consequences of full and unrestricted Democratic control of the Government. It has been a record of unparalleled incapacity, dishonor and disaster. In administrative management it has entailed an unceasing deficit, eked out ordinary current expenses with borrowed money, piled up the public debt, forced an adverse balance of trade, kept a perpetual menace hanging over the redemption fund, pawned American credit to alien syndicates, and reversed all the measures and results of successful Republican rule. In the broad effect of its policy it has precipitated panic, blighted industry and trade with prolonged depression, closed factories, reduced work and wages, halted enterprise and crippled American production, while stimulating foreign production for the American market. Every consideration of public safety and individual interest demands that the Government shall be rescued from the hands of those who have shown themselves incapable of conducting it without disaster at home and dishonor abroad, and shall be restored to the party which for thirty years administred it with unequalled success and prosperity.

Republican Party Platform of 1896. The more things change, the more things stay the same.

WV Delegation Returns from Young Republicans National Federation Convention

Press Release

Monday, July 13, 2009 Contact: Lisa Peana

For Immediate Release (304) 730-4599

　WV Delegation Returns from Young Republicans National Federation Convention

National Committeeman Elected to Regional Position

Kenova, WV - The West Virginia Young Republicans Delegation returned from the Young Republican National Federation Convention that was held in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Kevin Noe, WVYR National Committeeman was elected Sunday as Secretary for the Southern Region.

“I’m honored to serve, and I am determined to work to build a better network of Young Republicans that will continue to work to strengthen our core values,” said Noe.

The YRNF Convention activities included board meetings, the election of officers, establishing dates for future national meetings, appointment of positions, and establishing a statement for the YRNF.

“It was a privilege to be part of WV’s full delegation to be seated at the convention which is the first time in recent history that WV carried full voting power.” added Mike Howerton, WV YR chairman.

The convention began Wednesday, July 8^th and concluded Sunday, July 12^th. The WVYR Delegation consisted of 5 YR’s allowing WV to cast the state’s full voting power. The Delegation include Mike Howerton, Chairman; Kevin Noe, National Committeeman; Lisa Peana, Executive Director; Matt Clay, Secretary; Jamison Jeffrey, delegate.

For more information about the WVYR visit

www.wvyr.org

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Henry Morganthau and How Liberalism Has Changed For the Worse

Henry Morganthau served Franklin Roosevelt as Secretary of the Treasury during World War II. Needless to say, as a faithful practitioner of Judaism, Secretary Morganthau shared with the majority of Americans a deep hatred and disgust for Nazi Germany. Even before the full extent of the Holocaust was revealed by Allied troops, he had devised a plan for postwar Germany.

Morganthau, a liberal in a liberal administration, advocated that Germany be completely deindustrialized. Her factories would be demolished and her economy returned to an agrarian basis. This would serve as a means to prevent any resurgence of German power while punishing her for misdeeds.

What we have seen in this country over the past few decades is a reduction in our national ability to actually do anything. How long does it take to build a power plant? How long does it take to build a road? How many manufacturers have decided to build abroad because they do not want to go through the unending process of permits, studies, public hearings, etc.? Why would they not want to avoid the Byzantine labrynth of federal, state, and local laws as well as the off chance of a ridiculous lawsuit? Once you reach a certain threshold of regulation, how possible is it to avoid committing infractions of some sort?

Liberals do not want industry, at least left wing liberals do not. They take the money and support of unions and then turn around and pass laws, taxes, and pursue policies designed to destroy traditional manufacturing. What they want is clear, an America of forests, farms, and tourist attractions that do not attract many tourists. We wouldn't want to mess up the natural wonders by having too many real people looking at them. They want jobs, but only high tech, academia, health care, and other employment they consider "clean."

In other words they want to do to America what a liberal Secretary of the Treasury once thought was fit as a punishment for one of the most evil regimes in history. So many of the extreme leftists think that we are that as it is, spreading democracy and capitalism as we have.

WVGOP's Underwood interns’ Summer Roast

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Shane Wilson

Monday, July 13, 2009 304-768-0493

CHARLESTON, W. Va. – Please join the WVGOP's Underwood interns’ for a Summer Roast tomorrow Tuesday, July 14 at 6:00 P.M. at the Riverside Shelter in Coonskin Park in Charleston. As Republicans, we have decided it is time to eat pork, not waste and spend it like the Democrats. Come join your state GOP legislators, party activists and community leaders as we pass out pork the only way everyone can enjoy it. No bailout money required – however, donations are welcome! Red t-shirts will be sold for $20.00 with the slogan – "Eating pork so the Democrats don’t spend it." For more information contact Shane Wilson at 304-768-0493.

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Paid for by the West Virginia Republican Party

Just in Time For The Fourth of July, Compulsory Health Care

You are going to buy health care and you are going to like it.

The Senate's version of health care deform includes a clause that makes it mandatory to purchase health care. Those who opt not to will face a federal fine of $1,000 per year.

I do not even pretend to be able to understand the monster that Congress and Obama is currently trying to conjure. All I know is that taxpayers will be paying for something that will eventually be worse than we can possibly imagine. The government will be shouldering a great deal more of the decision making and organizational burden currently held by the private sector. If anyone thinks that this can be run without corruption and extreme inefficiency, they should check out other federally run operations.

The worst aspect is compulsion. Advocates say that we have to buy car insurance, why not health insurance. The difference is at the end of the day you can choose to ride a horse, a bicycle, a bus, or use the feet God gave them. How do you avoid the all compassionate hand of Mother Government?

And if we ever dare to ask why, Obama answers "because I said so." The Won cannot be bothered to defend his ideas except in front of sycophants at specially arranged "town meetings."

This sets yet another ominous precedent in our path towards feel good fascism. If Republicans can only delay this monstrosity past this year we have a chance to bring this process back to an American way of thinking.

Blast from the Past: This for that

President Sees Something He Likes a G8 Summit

President Obama sees something he likes at G8 something. French President Nicolas Sarkozy appears to agree.

Senator Rockefeller’s Stimulus Numbers Don’t Add Up

On June 9^th, 2009 Senator Jay Rockefeller sent out an e@mail to many of his constituents. In the e@mail he explains why he voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, better known as the “Stimulus Act.” So far the Stimulus Act has done little to help the economy and has mostly been filled with waste, like “$18 million in additional funds are being spent to redesign the Recovery.gov Web site” as reported by Jeff Klein of ABC News on June 8^th. Peter Nichols of the LA Times reported that over 8,000 stimulus checks were mailed to dead people.

These are just a few of the things happen when our elected officials fail to read what they are voting on. You think they would be able to take the time to do their job right and actually read the bill. One of West Virginia’s representatives, Congresswoman Capito, actually did the right thing and voted “no” because enough time to go over the bill was not given. As the Stimulus Bill continues to fail the American people, those that voted for it are trying to cover their backside with the voters. Senator Rockefeller is no exception, but his numbers do not quite jive.

In the e@mail sent out the Senator states, “700,000 West Virginia families are receiving $300 million in tax cuts through the Making Work Pay Tax Credit.” There is a problem with that number. According to the US Census Bureau’s latest numbers, there are only 502,381 families in West Virginia.

Senator Rockefeller goes on to state in his e@mail, “88,000 West Virginians are benefitting from an additional $25 per week in unemployment compensation, the extension of the emergency unemployment compensation program, and the tax break on the first $2,400 in unemployment compensation benefits received in 2009.” According to the US Department of Labor’s, Bureau of Labor Statistics latest numbers there are only 68,543 unemployed in West Virginia.

This begs the question how can Rockefeller effectively represent the people of West Virginia if he can’t take the time to read the bills that affect us? Rockefeller voted for a bad bill without having the time to read it. He sends an e@mail trying to justify his voting for the bad bill, but portions of the information are just flat wrong. It took less than 5 minutes on the internet for one person to get the correct data, while the Senator with a full staff couldn’t get it right. Rockefeller’s e@mail states, “West Virginians deserve economic policies that will support them through these tough times.” I agree, but I also believe West Virginia deserves a representative takes the time to read bills before he votes on them and takes time to look up the correct information before making a decision for the people of West Virginia. You can’t make good decisions with bad information.

Stepping Stones and Entitlement

It is part of the job of commentators, bloggers, columnists, etc. to look for deeper meanings in everyday events and controversies. Sometimes we stretch things a bit and find depth in a situation where none exists. Sometimes the faithful reader has to be the judge of whether or not we are on target.

Consider the story on the very periphery of the legitimate news, actress Megan Fox's blowup at Transformers director Michael Bay. The 23 year old actress claimed that she did not want to dump feces (she, of course, used a more vulgar word) on her own movie, but went on to say how the emphasis was on special effects rather than acting.

Well, duh. You are in a movie based upon a cartoon originally conceived to market a line of Japanese made toys, not Richard III. I was impressed that the first one had any depth at all.

This is a director known for smash 'em up, big budget, big audience blockbusters. He introduced Nicholas Cage, Ben Affleck (for better or worse) and others to mainstream audiences. You want depth, there are plenty of graduate school film students out there looking to give you a big break. Might not pay as much as a Bay film, though.

The deeper issue is this belief by many young folks that they are entitled to what they want, when they want it. Many young people, even in their early 20s, just do not have a proper perspective to make mature judgments. Bay has made a gazillion dollars over the last decade and a half making a certain brand of movie. At the end of the day, it's less about art and more about capitalism. Expecting him to make something different so one actress can explore her artsy side is ridiculous. Nicholas Cage makes some movies for art and others for a pay day. Stephen King writes in the same way. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon was art, much of the rest of his writing is for cash and fun.

Megan, it's called a stepping stone and almost all of us do it. We take a job to help develop ourselves even though it means not getting all we want. You build a resume and strike out afterwards for more ambitious roles. Young people naturally think that youth and energy entitles them to anything. They should be taught that paying your dues and working hard is the way to get what you want.

Obama's numbers go negative!

If Slasher Flims were Pro-Second Amendment

On Czars

The first man to assume the title of "czar" was Ivan the Terrible in Russia. His reign introduced a period of totalitarianism never seen again in the country until the time of Stalin. Over twenty years ago the word was used in American government to refer to officials with unprecedented powers to address dangerous problems. President Reagan appointed one to address drugs. Subsequent presidents appointed a few here and there. They were seen as emergency officials, not part of the routine.

Obama has appointed thirty one. Thirty one!

Czar Nicholas I wanted to expand his authority over Russia in the 1800s but found the traditional bureaucracy in his way because his ideas wer emostly ill-founded. To get around them, he appointed special commissioners to do his bidding and ignore the usual government procedures. This created confusion and turf wars more than anything.

Now we have the spectacle of a president creating positions to try and get around the Cabinet that he appointed. Senator Byrd has attacked the proliferation of czars as an abuse of power and an attempt to do an end run around the authority of the Senate over the executive branch. It is now routine in the Obama era to try to rush wrong headed policies thorugh as quickly as possible. The president's henchmen are empowered to do whatever he wants with no oversight whatsoever.

2010 cannot come quickly enough.

The Biggest Threat to Our Constitutional Rights

Credit Don Surber for bringing this to our attention.

Let's do some math.

Take the Department of Homeland Security listing tea partyists, NRA members, veterans, etc as potential terrorists.

Add it to a current proposal by Democratic Senator Frank Lautenburg to outlaw gun ownership for anyone on the TSA's no fly list.

What do you get?

A system by which the federal government could outlaw gun ownership to anyone that could not prove their innocence to a liberal bureaucrat.

It is interesting that liberals are so concerned about the rights of those captured on the battlefield, while they seek to void the Constitution for law abiding American citizens.

"Liberalism" is supposed to be based upon the same root as "liberty." All liberals seek to do is tax your wealth, infringe upon your rights, and augment their power.

These people seek to not only roll back the Reagan Revolution, but to also redefine the ideals, values, and very freedoms of this nation. I teach my students that rights are given by God, not a list of things the government lets you do. These people never took that class. At the end of the day, if we let them, we will end up with all the freedoms of North Korea along with the prosperity of that ill starred land.

Tom Tancredo Says Sonia Sotomayor Member Of "Latino KKK"

Sypolt Is More Jeffersonian Than Most Attendees of Jefferson Day Dinners

State Senator Dave Sypolt spoke to the Keyser Rotary last week about legislative affairs. One theme that he constantly returned to while discussing the business of the Legislature and the running of state government was efficiency and reduction of costs. For example, he suggested using technology to integrate state information systems to make operations more efficient. That alone could save a great deal of money and reduce the need for personnel. It would also make delivering information less time consuming. Sypolt also criticized the "think tax" mentality of many in state government when it comes to meeting revenue shortfalls. He stated over and over that if we run government more effectively, we can save enough money to make up the difference. Senator Sypolt by principle votes against tax hikes.

Senator Sypolt is right and his principles are very much shared by the founder of the Democratic Party, Thomas Jefferson. While researching my Saturday column, I found repeated statements written at different times in Jefferson's life advocating for small government. Elected officials must remain vigilant and cut programs and positions whenever possible. That way, the government does not have to raise taxes that could ruin private fortunes for public consumption, as Jefferson once explained. The State of West Virginia has a stagnant population. With technology improving constantly, there is no need for our state budget to continue to expand at 8% per year. As Senator Sypolt explained, if we use it right technology can keep our budget at the same levels year after year. Sure this means less political jobs for the administration to use to reward the faithful, but the people of the state would be grateful and vote for any party that cut the budget and taxes for them.

Small government? Less taxes? How often do you hear those concepts at Democratic Jefferson Day Dinners? Sounds like the GOP should have Jefferson dinners, not the modern Democratic Party.

Sarah Palin Bashing Award

Gotta Love Joe Biden

Presidential Candidate? You Betcha!

I like Sarah Palin. She brings a fresh and honest approach to national politics that appeals to many people who do not live within 100 miles of blue water. However her decision to resign as Governor of Alaska is truly mystifying.

One ought to run for president based upon what they have done. We have seen very clearly what happens when the people elect a celebrity rather than a person of substance. Substance comes from accumulating years of experience in a position of trust and responsibility. Experience and accomplishment transforms one from a political preacher to the choir to someone that can reach a broader audience who might not generally agree with you.

Few occupations prepare one for the presidency more than two terms as governor of a state. Sarah Palin as state governor had the ability to speak to the burdens that Obama's failed policies place upon her state, its people, and its industry. She could also complain that the empty policy towards North Korea placed her state in the line of fire of that country's nuclear arsenal. Alaska was purchased by Secretary of State William Seward (Republican of course) as a strategic asset. Did she not understand the politically strategic position she used to enjoy? The media didn't like her, but as a state governor they had to pay attention to her. Unfortunately by shedding her position of responsibility, she will be pushed farther into the realm of celebrity and farther away from serious politics. That is not my wish, but it is the way of the media world.

I can understand that she felt that she was trying to sit on two stools balancing her ambition to be president with her job as Alaska governor. In spending too much time in the lower forty-eight, she was losing the allegiance of the people in her own state. It was an honest decision made by an honest person and that in itself is respectable, even if I see it as unwise and missing a huge opportunity.

In such a situation, the aspiring president should cut back on the campaigning and continue proving in their work that they ought to be trusted at the next level. Sarah Palin has only given more ammunition to her critics and that is unfortunate. Winning the GOP nomination means convincing Republicans. We have a different standard than Democrats in expecting a candidate to bring a resume to the table. They nominated a man for president strictly based upon the fact that he could read in a pretty voice.

Like I said, I like Sarah Palin. I just do not see how quitting her job to be a full time candidate will help her ambitions.

Blast from the Past: Walkin on Wall Street

Blast from the Past: Fire Works

Might As Well Call It the Michael Jackson Act

Bills currently (as of the last full week of June) are making their way through the House and Senate that would create federal protection under hate crime statutes for pedophiles. It was originally intended to bring homosexuals under the 1994 act protecting different races and religions, but liberal congressmen and women have included language that protects 547 different kinds of sexual behaviors including incest and pedophilia.

That means that if Mr. Smith finds out that his son was molested by a sexual predator and he hits him with a Louisville Slugger, he will be subject to assault and battery under his state laws and federal hate crimes prosecution as well. He might spend more time in prison than the sex offender.

Republican attempts to specifically exempt incest, pedophilia, and other acts not involving two consenting adults were rebuffed by Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and other House Democrats. Even specific child protection language was stricken from the proposed bill.

Luckily the bill could run into a filibuster conducted by Senate Republicans and conservative Democrats. As it is, the law is flawed.

Hate crimes legislation, quite honestly, is a violation of the 14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause. We need to stop looking into the psychology of the criminal act so much and simply punish all violent crimes to a strong extent. The identity of the victim should not be written into a statute as some kind of required factor in sentencing or prosecution. Federal hate crimes prosecutions after the fact of a state prosecution of a violent crime is an end run around the "double jeopardy" clause in the Constitution.

It is interesting that liberal Democrats have seen fit to put simple, regular homosexuality on the same legal level as pedophilia, incest, or some of the other listed behaviors such as zoophilia, and stuff you wouldn't really want to consider. I imagine that a lot of homosexuals would be deeply offended by this stunt of adding incest and pedophilia to their protection bill.

Our Vision As West Virginia Republicans Going Into 2010

Historically, the West Virginia Republican Party has succeeded best when it has effectively sold its message. A lot of factors go into that sale, including the willingness of the opposition to live up to the image that we apply to them. Republicans in 1888 controlled nothing in West Virginia. By 1896 they wrested control of the state. Why? Because they sold their message of industrial based prosperity, asserting that the state could only do more to better people's lives if it had an economy that could pay for things such as roads and schools. The Democrats, in turn, offered no pragmatic vision.

Just my opinion here, no one else's, but I suggest that we tailor our message in this coming year to fit our national mission statement: the Declaration of Independence.

Citing this document makes it very clear that we as Republicans are drawing parallels to the past, when a government pushed its authority beyond acceptable limits.

We base our message on the three basic jobs of government as cited by Jefferson and his inspiration, George Mason. Jefferson and Mason both talked about the government's role in protecting innocent life and promoting liberty, but Mason finished the phrase with "pursuit of property." These three roles of government reflected a belief in the natural rights of each individual to live their life and make choices.

I would center the message around those three roles.

Life: The Republican Party backs the right of each innocent individual to live their lives. Each human being has the right to be born into this world and make choices about their lives. They also have the responsibility to live with the consequences of those choices without a nanny state bailout.

Liberty: The Republican Party believes that a democracy can rest upon nothing less than the belief that individuals have the capacity to make choices that reflect their own personal taste and interest. The state has no right to force its citizens to conform to its idea of education, health or welfare.

The Republican Party backs a strong interpretation of the Bill of Rights for each United States citizen. The Second Amendment does not refer to hunting. It gives each citizen the right and even the obligation to defend his property, his life, and his country against all enemies.

Every citizen should have the freedom to speak his mind without fear.

Every citizen should enjoy a reasonable right to enjoy his property without fear of seizure or overregulation.

Taxation for revenue is acceptable. Taxation for social engineering is theft and a transgression on the natural right to pursue and retain property.

Governments should never "take an inventory" of the lives of individual citizens.

Information is power so we call upon the United States Census to have a constitutional limit upon what information a person is required to give. The more the government knows, the less freedom we have.

Pursuit of Happiness/Property: The American economic system is built upon the premise that every participant can make sound economic decisions. When each person pursues their opportunities, some succeed, some fail, but we all end up prosperous. The current economic problems were started in large part by government intervention into the financial sector. We must remember that twenty five years of economic prosperity came after some Democratic congressmen and Ronald Reagan pushed to deregulate and remove the weight of burdensome and unnecessary rules from many businesses.

The Republican Party is devoted to removing all reasonable obstacles in the path of people pursuing and keeping their property. Property ownership in the hands of the people creates a valuable check on the power of government.

This is not an exhaustive list and it may need to be trimmed down to essential, but more general points. Personally I believe we should stick to issues that revolve around personal and economic freedom along with limited government. We must sell ourselves as having the right plan and vision for the economy and society. West Virginia needs less government, especially at the federal level.

Only Republicans have the right ideas going into the next election. With work, we'll get our country back.

Why the Rush, Democrats?

If it seems like congressional liberals are in a rush these days, you're right. They want to shove the national energy tax, health care socialization, and everything else down the throats of America this year. Why? It may be their last chance.

Election years produce little of controversy or value in Congress. This is the "please forget what I did last year and re-elect me" time. Roll up the pork barrel and spread it thick. Try to make people forget just how badly Congress has done on the whole since 2006 when the Democrats came to power along with Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. So try to shove all the crap in before 2009 ends and hope people forget before November of next year.

Congress has some of the lowest approval ratings in the history of polls right now. Senator Arlen Spectre (formerly R, now D, PA) has emerged as the face of Democratic fear. He tried to seize the tide of history by switching to the Democratic Party when they seemed to be in the ascendancy. Now, according to a poll conducted by Franklin and Marshall College and published by the Philadelphia Daily News, only 28% of Pennsylvanians believe he ought to be re-elected. This, remember, is a Democratic state. Only a short time ago, he posted a still anemic 40% re-electability number.

Democrats in Pennsylvania have seen their share of hard times. Like West Virginia, coal provides a substantial part of their total number of jobs and helps their state balance the budget. Proposals coming from Washington will only raise their electric bills and send them out of work, just as in West Virginia.

What will happen to Spectre? Probably his new "friends" will find some up and coming young guy to support in the primary who might have more charisma and less baggage to a fight with Pat Toomey. Just like Robert Byrd, the liberals will use him and toss him aside when they are done milking his name.

The party of the working man trying to put people out of work and raise their bills. The party of compassion tossing aside the elderly like garbage. This does not reflect the ideals of most Democrats, at least in our area. But the actions of liberal leadership have put their party at odds with the needs of their faithful.

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By the way, much appreciation (if this holds up) to the West Virginia congressional delegation which decided to oppose the radical energy policies of Pelosi and Reid. However, the fact remains that so long as Democrats control Congress, we will be subject to radical whims cooked up in san Francisco mansions. We need a Republican Congress to return sanity back to policy making.

Billy Mays Was More Important to the American Way Than Michael Jackson

I hope that by now the media love affair with an unrepentant pedophile is over so it can get back to its primary business of trashing Republicans (Governor Sanford is the Devil, Michael Jackson is an angel.) Lost in all the foolishness has been the deaths of some other folks.

Farrah Fawcett: Here's a person that did very little harm to anyone, except maybe the militant feminist movement.

Ed McMahon: A much more interesting (in a positive way) cultural icon than Jackson. His partnership with Johnny Carson defined America's sense of humor for two generations.

And then there is Billy Mays. Billy Mays? Where does he fit in? Billy Mays upon his death was participating in a television show that illustrated much of what he has been doing for many years now. Mays and others located promising inventions, usually by ordinary people, evaluated them, and sold them to the public. Mighty Putty, Oxy Clean, and many other gadgets, doo dads, and supplies were hawked by this guy over the years.

At its core, what Billy Mays did was to give an assist to people trying to live the American dream, but doing it in their own way. These inventors work for years, invest uncounted amounts of time and money, and take major risks to create a usable product. The best of the bunch were taken by Mays and sold to the American public. The show refreshingly had no silly sentimental crap about making people's lives better through a new kind of GPS holder, it just encouraged people to do what they could to make everyone the most money possible while delivering a quality product.

When it boils down to it, America has always been about that. Unfortunately this week, the United States is not known for Mays, a hard working apostle of capitalism, but for a freakish, gyrating, semi man with a fascination for little boys and a penchant for ignoring contracts with major corporations.

United States: World Referee

Imagine a football, basketball, hockey, soccer, or even baseball game played for high stakes without a referee. The idea of calling your own foul would be abused and ignored until finally fights would break out.

That is the world without the presence of the United States.

Sometimes we call major and minor penalties, sometimes we throw people into the box temporarily, sometimes we toss them out of the game entirely. We get cursed and are often accused of being blind, but the game cannot continue without us.

Until January of this year the players in the great game of world affairs sullenly behaved themselves. The remaining two members of the "Axis of Evil" restrained their ambitions, waiting out the adversary they feared the most, President George W. Bush. They understood as did Bush that war is never your last resort, that the Republican president always reserved the right to act forcefully to defend his country.

Then came His Apologizency, begging the world's forgiveness for the United States "interfering." Obama never understood that American interference kept the different regional pots from boiling over. North Korea and Iran hated President Bush, but they respected him. Now with Iran and North Korea both pushing the envelope, it becomes an invitation for others in the region to act. Israel at some point will have to attack Iran. Is this the best scenario? No. But unless a revolution removes the nuclear minded mullahs, it will happen. Do we really want Japan to feel insecure enough to lash out on their own at North Korea, possibly antagonizing China? How many years until Japan reaches that point of fear, mindful that the US under Obama will not even act to protect Hawaii?

American "interference" actually created the promising situation in Iran. The ever vigilant American press exposed a Bush era covert operation to funnel $400 million into Iran to destabilize the regime. It is only now bearing fruit. Hopefully it removes a nuclear upstart from the equation. Of course that was a product of Bush's "arrogance."

I (and Bill Maher, surprisingly) would like to see a little less talk and a lot more action from Obama when it comes to national security. And I mean against North Korea, not the National Rifle Association.

Blast from the Past: Tyrannosaurus Debt