Memorial Day: What Were They Fighting For?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6llT2ZYg-4E

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/fdrpearlharbor.htm

This Memorial Day it is time to not just remember the men and women who served and sacrificed. To honor them, we must also remember why they fought. The top link actually will take you to a condensed version of a Winston Churchill address in which he throws down the gauntlet at Hitler and defeatists. Britain will fight for every inch of her island and Empire. Franklin Roosevelt in the next link calls for a declaration of war on Japan after the destruction visited on Pearl Harbor.

The men and women of the armed forces who march into combat and defend our nation fight for the nation and the principles that serve as its foundation. The ememies of this nation were never Germans or Koreans, Chinese, and Vietnamese as much as they were militarists, Nazis, and Communists. We fought ideologies more so than peoples. German militarism under the Kaiser, National Socialism under Hitler, Communism under several different countries served as ideological world views. Radical left wing ideologies such as Nazism and Communism sought to infect, overthrow, and dominate all of the owrld's great nations. We rightfully fought to keep the threat at bay.

Why did we have to fight? Because of who we are. Our culture, both its positive and beautiful aspects as well as its flaws, stem from the ideal that each individual has the right to choose and the responsibility to live with their choices. Other ideologies believe that humans should have little or no choice, be forced into certain lifestyles by political leaders, or religious law in the case of fundamentalist Islam. We are, as Reagan put it, a shining light of freedom in the world. We inspire the individual. That is why they hate us. That is why they attack us from without and within. They must give us a black eye. They must destroy us if possible. Our ideals of freedom have the power of logic and reason. Live and let live. Allow each man and woman to chart his and her own destiny. They believe destiny must be charted by the Leader. as long as the American alternative exists and is respected, they will always have strong opposition to their demands for control.

That is why we have fought and continue to fight. No man or woman is ever rightfully the slave or subject of another. No government has the right to coerce its own people in the name of "the greater good" because that means that a Leader or chosen few has defined the "greater good" and imposed that definition upon all. Our military fights for the freedoms and natural rights of Americans first and occasionally others as well. Only when the entire world recognizes the natural rights of mankind and the God-given dignity of the individual will there be peace. We cannot fight for all of them, nor should we, but as long as we remain the shining light of freedom, there will always be hope and inspiration.

Massachusetts Governor Levies Sedition Accusation

The Governor of Massachusetts heard the grievances of the people. They complained about the increasing tendency of the central government to exercise power. They complained about the increase in taxes. They complained about the increasing meddling of the government in the natural flow of the economy. The Massachusetts Governor responded by calling the mere airing of grievances seditious, dismissing the rights of the people to speak freely as nearly criminal.

This governor was Thomas Hutchinson of Massachusetts in 1772 and Deval Patrick in 2010.

Governor Patrick described Republican opposition to Obama as seditious recently. Opposition to Obama's radical policies, leftists want to portray as obstructionist and political instead of the threats to America that they really are. The word seditious implies that the speech is criminal and a threat to the government. Left wingers such as Patrick would not be as irritated with Republican tactics but for the fact that most of the country opposes Obama's initiatives.

Compare this to the hate filled speech levied against George W. Bush. Bush allowed the showing of a movie filled with outright lies about America's wars to the troops in the field. Bush placed his belief in free speech above all other considerations. He saw anti-government speech as healthy, not seditious.

Obama has a credibility problem of his own making. When his friends call opposition speech seditious, they make it even worse.

The Federal Bureaucracy, Once Again Moving At the Speed of Smell

Thank God we put the federal government in charge of cleaning up oil spills. At least we haven't entrusted the feds with decisions that could actually affect life and health. Oops, too late.

Why, several years after Katrina, do we still have the same dilemma and issues. A monumental disaster occurs and the federal government is shown to be impotent and incompetent. It did not even follow its own rapid response plan because it lacked the necessary equipment called for in the plan. The rapid response plan at the Department of Homeland Security called for quickly surrounding the slick with booms and setting it on fire. The DHS owned no fire booms to implement the plan and valuable time was lost. Now it is trying to hold up Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal's plan to use sand barriers to protect wildlife out of fear that the sand barriers might harm wildlife. More than the slick itself?

Here's the problem. Government does not work well. The more massive the governmental entity, the less effective and efficient it is. When will we learn that the federal government is not capable of doing anything well because that is the nature of government. It makes political decisions on every field of endeavor that it gets involved in. The federal government for over a decade thought that the Humvee could be an urban warfare vehicle despite the fact that Somalia proved that idea wrong. Katrina proved that major disasters expose the government at its worst.

State governments with energetic leadership respond much better. Governors know the "ground" and understand best where resources can be used effectively. Arch Moore in 1985 after the floods did what needed done. He angered and annoyed federal officials, but Moore understood the role of sovereign state governors. The job is not being nice to the feds, but doing whatever you can for the people. Bringing in the private sector on different types of disaster response would help. I don't mean trusting British Petroleum to clean up its own mess and remain honest about it. I mean bidding out to a company or consortium of companies the job of quick response. If they have a plan and lack the equipment after signing the contract, they, unlike the federal government, can be held accountable. Yes, the payout would be expensive and the company would be accused of profiting off of disaster, but what we are doing now is not working and will be much more expensive.

Impeachable Offense?

Representative Joe Sestak (D) Pennsylvania, a former Navy officer, wants to be Pennsylvania's next United States Senator. He, like most, did not believe that Arlen Specter could effectively serve after his party switch and challenged him in the primary. Obama's White House, fearful of losing their new friend, offered Sestak a federal job to get him out of the primary. Sestak refused the job and won. He now faces Republican Pat Toomey in the fall.

What most media outlets will not mention with much enthusiasm is that this violates federal law. The president is not allowed to meddle in elections by offering bribes, in this case the bribe of a prestigious job. The last president that failed to serve out an elected term had to resign because he tried to cover up election interference. Richard Nixon's own party rightfully joined the chorus of media and political officials calling first for an investigation, then congressional moves towards removing the president from office.

This is not like "Bush Derangement Syndrome." A well respected member of Congress has accused the White House of actions in the election process that are blatantly criminal. It reflects the general lack of respect that Obama and his followers have for any kind of law, whether it be federal immigration law or the Constitution itself. Obama represents the worst case scenario. When Republicans regain Congress, the first order of business must be strong limits on presidential authority, including regulatory law and executive orders. Of course, like this situation, Obama could simply ignore the law out of belief that no consequences shall arise.

National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair Fired By Obama

In the wake of several incidents and near misses, Obama fired his National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair. Blair's job lay in coordinating information and action among sixteen separate agencies that have the task to either gather and analyze intelligence, launch operations, or both.

Without understanding the particulars of the job (and few people probably actually do) the idea that Blair holds total responsibility for the Times Square near miss, the Fort Hood attack, etc. seem ludicrous. I cannot imagine trying to coodinate sixteen different people, much less sixteen agencies.

The problem is not Blair. The problem is this administration.

It does not take seriously the reality that Moslems seeking residence or government jobs must be checked over with a fine toothed comb and rigorously watched. Methodists have not sworn to blow up American sites. Italian immigrants have not tried to attack American soldiers on bases. When you have US Army majors with ties to terrorism, something is not right with military policy. Toss out the PC and admit that Islam is a more potent threat to this country than Catholics, Jews, Buddhists, Baptists, Presbyterians, etc.

It does not take seriously the international situation. When it softens its stance on terror and terror supporting nations, it does not encourage friendship, it encourages more violence. You cannot reason with terror. You must destroy terror and relentlessly pursue it until it gives up or is killed.

Obama's appeasement policy has weakened our security. Islamic fundamentalist terror is emboldened by our weakness, not deterred by offers of friendship and cooperation. They do not believe they can coexist with American notions of rights. We cannot coexist with their notions that rights must be erased. They want a revolution that will install the brutal Sharia law worldwide. America must stand firm against this and reaffirm our support for rights and democracy. Obama has not indicated in any way that he stands for the spread of democracy anywhere. He coddles Chavez and rudely snubs the British and other allies of freedom.

Blair didn't apologize for American actions defending itself, Obama did.

Obama didn't fire the right guy. If he was honest about who was at fault, he'd offer his own resignation.

Everybody Draw Mohammed day

A couple of months ago, a cartoonist in Seattle became so incensed at the threats made against those around the world who had dared to draw Mohammed that she declared May 20th to be "Everyone Draw Mohammed Day."

Although Arab artists painted Mohammed early in the Middle Ages, the brutal Islamic law code known as Sharia prohibits any visual representation of the Islamic founder. The television program "South Park" which has run Jesus Christ as an ongoing character was not permitted to portray Mohammed in a bear suit. A fanatical Moslem attempted to blow up a truck near the Viacom building in Times Square anyway.

Everyone Draw Mohammed Day is not meant to insult peaceable Moslems. It instead is aimed at those that try to use threats and violence to force Western nations and individuals to bow to their cultural demands. In the United States the First Amendment protects freedom of expression. Networks have the right to censor, but any attempt by a Moslem to avenge himself on a drawing of Mohammed will be dealt with severely by our legal system. They came to the West. They need to respect the laws and culture here. We do not have to tolerate barbarism.

The best way to attack this intolerance is to ridicule it, just as Charlie Chaplin and Mel Brooks ridiculed Nazism.

By the way, the picture below is Mohammed.
xxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxx
xxxxxxx
xxxxxxx
xx xx
x xx xx x
x x x x
x x x
x xxxx x
xx xx
xxxxxx

Anti-Incumbent, Anti-Democrat, Or Something Else?

Alan Mollohan is gone. Democratic Senator former Republican) Alan Spectre is about to be gone as well. However voters also rejected Senator Bob Bennett, a Republican from Utah. So is this a Republican revolution unfolding or a rejection of all incumbents?

Incumbents of both parties who supported massive debt expanding, budget busting initiatives are definitely vulnerable this year. Senator Bennett supported parts of Obamacare and also voted for bailouts. Utah rejected the campaign of a senator representing a small government party. It rejected a man running for his third term after promising to only serve two.

In other words voters almost everywhere are saying the same thing. They want to pull the throttle back on spending and taxes. They want officials they can trust. Regardless of party, those supporting big government are vulnerable almost everywhere.

Voters are anti-big government, anti-tax, and anti-compromise. They are angry at a government that is spinning out of control and seems bent on prusuing policies that will curtail growth, raise bills and taxes, and generally interfere in people's lives. Some prominent liberals, like Woody Allen, have seen the writing on the wall and advocated that Obama assume dictatorial powers. Alan Mollohan tried to make proposals for modest administrative cuts look like slashing Social Security checks.

The future is in our hands in November. Vote for the party and the candidates that will deliver massive cuts in the government and its spending. Nothing short of tremendous reform in how we look at government and its role will save this situation.

Another Case From the Glorious Health Care Paradise of Britain

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,593111,00.html

Doctors accused of trying to save time and money by not taking victim seriously. And Obama wants us to have the same system.

David McKinley Releases Statement on EPA Regulations Against Coal

From McKinley for Congress campaign e mail.

"The EPA is out of control. Nancy Pelosi and the other Democrats in Congress are doing everything they can to stifle the coal industry in West Virginia and ruin our economy. Our people are losing jobs because of this war on coal and it must stop. Someone has to stand up to the EPA and say 'enough is enough.' I plan on watching this debate very closely."

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

Here's my thoughts on the EPA. Until next year when Republicans control Congress, the states themselves need to hold the line and erect legal defenses. That means throwing down the gauntlet and challenging the constitutionality of regulatory law. Article 1 Section 1 of the Constitution is clear. Only Congress can make law. States cannot nullify federal statutes, but they can attack regulations passed by the EPA and others.

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer Asks You to Just Read the Law

Attorney General Eric Holder recently admitted that the Arizona immigration law that he publicly blasted was never read by him. He had simply been listening to and reading liberal media complaints. Here is the law so that you, Eric Holder, or anyone else can actually read it.

http://www.securetheborder.org/uploads/SB1070AmendedByHB2162.pdf

Another Conservative Movie Recommendation

I don't watch movies in the theatre all that often because frankly I cannot afford it. However I like to pass on a recommendation when I catch up to a good one.

Today I watched the movie "Rocky Balboa." It was a far cry from the formula driven Rocky II, III, IV, and V and resembled more the first hit in the series. It resembled the 1976 materpiece because Sylvester Stallone once again had a story to tell and something to say. Stallone will never get his due as long as he lives for creating two enduring characters in American fiction, John Rambo and Rocky Balboa. He will not get credit for his artistic genius because his creations took place after the 1960s. They came into existence after Hollywood started shying away from the John Waynesque or James Stewartesque American male hero.

Rocky Balboa works on many levels, as a story and a metaphor. Rocky is aging. His wife died of cancer, but he remains devoted to her memory through the entire film. Stallone breaks the Hollywood mandate that unrelated male and female leads must eventually have sex or at least look like they want to. The female lead remains a friend and Rocky remains wedded to the memory of his wife. It was refreshing that a male and a female could be friends in a movie. Anyway, Rocky gets a chance to fight an exhibition against the world champion, Mason Dixon. Dixon is undefeated but has never been tested. Rocky is given (of course) no chance and is treated as kind of a joke.

This is where it works as a metaphor, whether or not Stallone meant it. Stallone could represent the American heroic male as we rarely see in a movie. He is strong, tough, tries to hide the emotions that are destroying him, and faces everything with quiet courage. Stallone's Rocky in this movie is reminiscent of John Wayne's character J. B. Books in "The Shootist." This character also looked like a personalized metaphor for twentieth century fame. Rocky is an extremely kind and generous man who made his name through violence. He is a hero that we never see in movies anymore. Hollywood loves to mock and joke about the old hero images of earlier movies, just as Rocky absorbs insults and jokes in the movie.

What makes this a conservative movie? In one scene the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania denies Rocky a license to box. He replies with a monologue that attacks the government's right to deprive a man of his rights even for his own good. His son questions, at first, his decision to fight again and whines about living in his shadow. Rocky does not validate the whine or the selfish emotions behind it. He instead questions his son's courage and challenges him to be his own man, saying that nothing will hit as hard as life itself and that a man must get back up after taking the hardest hits. His son responds by quitting a job where his boss walked all over him and helps his father train.

It's a story about a good man being a hero by facing challenges laid before him by life. It attacks Hollywood's persistent undermining of male heroism by presenting a lifelike example of the figure it loves to mock more than anything, the good, even saintly, man of honor and action. Stallone pulls this movie off perfectly, making it about the characters more than the action. The exected training montage looks superfluous, but you can't leave it out.

This movie is also about Mason Dixon. He has no respect as a boxing champion because he never faced a real challenge. Stallone is saying with this character that there is no respect and no credibility unless you earn it first. You only earn it by facing a real challenge.

Rocky Balboa is a film about courage, facing challenges, and what it truly means to be a man.

It's a movie and it's a message that you never see anymore except on Turner Classic Movies. I highly recommend it.

When Losing Reveals Class and Character

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

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

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

Mac Warner

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Results Are In!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Today, Decision. Tomorrow, Unity

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shelley Moore Capito's Plan For Financial Reform

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

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

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

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

Letter to the Principal Who Sent Children Home From School For Wearing the American Flag

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

Dear Sir,
You ought to be ashamed of yourselves.

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Stephen A. Smoot
Keyser, West Virginia

The Hutaree Militia and Aaron Burr

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scary times, folks. Scary times.