...It's time for Americans to moveoff their duffs and demand better government...^sm



Latest Analysis, Commentary and Opinion*
(The title of each article is linked to the complete article)

Friday, November 20, 2009

We Don’t Like to Stock That, It Sells Too Well
  Socialism piece by Guest: Michael R. Shannon (11/20/09)

I imagine the Postmaster General grinds his teeth when he thinks about how much easier his life would be, if he had a monopoly like the “public” schools. If customers were forced to buy the equivalent postage before they were allowed to ship FEDEX or UPS his competition worries would be over.

D.C. sued for blocking vote on marriage
  Police State piece by Offsite (11/20/09)

A lawsuit has been filed in Washington, D.C., challenging a decision by the city’s Board of Elections and Ethics not to allow citizens to vote on the definition of marriage, as had been proposed by an initiative.

‘Hacked e-mails reveal global-warming fraud?‘
  Global Warming piece by Offsite (11/20/09)

Top climate scientists discuss hiding contrary data, marginalizing dissenters - Officials at a key global warming research center in the United Kingdom have authenticated a series of e-mails and other documents apparently taken from their computer system by a hacker, but they cannot explain what scientists in internal exchanges meant by references to a “trick” that would “hide the decline” of global temperatures nor by instructions to delete contrary data.

Civilian Trials Provide Soapboxes for Terrorists
  Terrorism piece by J. D. Longstreet (11/20/09)

So now we are going to try the terrorists in civilian federal trials in New York City, just blocks away from the site of the former World Trade Center Twin Towers, where 3,000 innocents were murdered. Can you possible see how this move by the Obama Regime makes the US appear weak, indecisive, and just plain DUMB to our enemies?

DDT: The Silent Killer…Only When It Was Gone
  Junk Science piece by Kevin Roeten (11/20/09)

Because mosquitoes were almost nonexistent with the use of DDT in places like Africa, elimination of DDT brought mosquitoes back - in force. The 1972 ban of DDT in the U.S. did not help matters at all. Now, many less effective and more costly methods are used - netting, other chemicals, you name it. But from the “Malaria Clock” listed in the following paragraphs, one gets an idea of exactly how many deaths have occured, especially from malaria.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Proposed Healthcare Reform Keeps Hospital Doors Closed
   Health Care piece by Thomas D. Segel (11/20/09)

Harlingen, Texas, November 18, 2009:  If we are to believe the nightly news reports, half of our population is eagerly awaiting the Obama Administration’s healthcare reform bill to bring about lower prices, faster service and medical care to everyone.  That mantra may be a soothing promise to some of those who are currently uninsured, but to the citizens of San Benito, Texas it means they still do not even have a hospital to provide current of future treatment.

Communist China, 1995—- the dawn of capitalism
   Economics piece by Guest: Steve Selengut (11/20/09)

The Hong Kong based guide talked about the free enterprise zones, building projects, golf courses, and roads with a chest full of pride and visible excitement. Capitalism was everywhere along the tour route, and judging from the advertisements on billboards and posters, the world was coming to China!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Conning the conservatives
   Shadow Government piece by Offsite (11/19/09)

Passes the plate for ACORN, other left groups - ...As this Sunday’s “second collection” approaches, most Catholics planning to donate to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development probably think their money will be used to help the poor by funding soup kitchens and homeless shelters. Well, the joke’s on them. CCHD has never provided direct relief to the poor. That’s not its purpose.

‘Where did the “Silent Majority” go???‘
   Politics piece by J. D. Longstreet (11/19/09)

During the decade of the seventies the “Silent Majority” was often spoken of in the press. Prominent politicians, including the President, openly sought their support.

Palin, Conservatism, And The Disconnected GOP
   Republicrats piece by Christopher Adamo (11/19/09)

For nearly two decades now, and particularly in the wake of the 2000 presidential election debacle, Democrats have been pursuing a diabolically simple political strategy. In short, they moved hard-left, knowing how reflexively the “mainstream” Republican response would be to follow them. But of course the GOP would pathetically claim that, by doing so to a lesser degree than the Democrats, it would somehow retain the mantle of “conservatism.“

Deer Issue Catches Liberalism In Headlights
   Progressivism piece by Frederick Meekins (11/19/09)

Early in American history, one was pretty much free to do as one saw fit on one’s property so long as it was moral especially if one lived in a rural area where one’s actions were not likely to encroach upon the sensibilities of one’s neighbors.  However, now it seems the landholdings of the United States in general and private property in specific are for everyone else to decide what to do with except the one to which it is titled.

Galileo silenced again
   Junk Science piece by Guest: Willie Soon, David R. Legates (11/19/09)

The American Geophysical Union is sending science back four hundred years - Four centuries ago, “heretics” who disagreed with religious orthodoxy risked being burned at the stake. Many were the dissenting views that could send offenders to a fiery end.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

GOP’s Coburn Plans to ‘Read’ Healthcare Bill
   Senate piece by Offsite (11/17/09)

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., vowed Monday to read the entire Senate heathcare bill on the chamber floor - an act that will take days considering the bill’s 1,000-plus size.

Speech-protecting student president restored
   EdukShun piece by Offsite (11/17/09)

An attempt to remove the student body president of a California college from office has collapsed because student government officials failed to follow state law in targeting the elected leader when he refused to censor the free speech rights of a pro-life organization on campus.

Monday, November 16, 2009

‘So we’re tea bag extremists, eh?‘
   The Republic piece by Offsite (11/16/09)

In order to persuade some House Democrats who were undecided about voting for the health-care deform legislation, or H.R. 3962, last week, President Obama resorted to ‘name-calling’ of those opposed to the legislation.

Fallacy of recovery
   Economics piece by Offsite (11/16/09)

A one-time skeptic of fiscal stimulus, [German chancellor] Ms Merkel plans what amounts to a third stimulus package worth about € 7 billion ($10.4 billion), starting on January 1st. - The Economist, Oct. 31, 2009 - The mainstream media is full of reports of economic recovery and an end to the recession of 2008, even though the Business Cycle Dating Committee of the National Bureau of Economic Research has not yet spoken its official word on the matter. The significant rise in the stock markets and a single advance GDP report has been enough to convince nearly every economist and financial analyst that the worst is past, that 10.2 percent unemployment is a lagging indicator, and that the primary concern at hand is now too much monetary and fiscal stimulus leading to inflation.

The Empire State and Eminent Domain
   Big Brother piece by Offsite (11/16/09)

In September, Dan Goldstein received a letter from New York State informing him and his wife that the government was about to seize their Brooklyn apartment “In furtherance of the Atlantic Yards Arena and Redevelopment Project.“ The building would be razed as part of a 22-acre, $4.9 billion sports-complex project.

It Takes The Village: A Review of AMC’s The Prisoner
   Entertainment piece by Aaron Goldstein (11/16/09)

Shortly after the death of actor Patrick McGoohan last January, his widow was asked about the remake of her departed husband’s best known work The Prisoner.  Joan Drummond revealed that he had been approached to participate in the new series but declined to have any involvement.

It’s Never Too Early to be Too Late
   Political Correctness piece by Robert R. Owens (11/16/09)

If no one has told you this yet let me be the first, as you get older time goes faster.  If you’re under thirty you’re thinking, “This old coot has finally gone off his rocker!  Everyone knows an hour is an hour.  So how can time go faster as you get older?“  If you’re between thirty and forty you’re thinking, “Who’s got time to think about time and who cares?  I’ve got to go to work!“  If you’re between forty and sixty you’re thinking “He might have something there” as you day-dream about those endless summers when you were in High School.  If you’re over sixty you’re hoping time doesn’t end before you finish reading this paragraph.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Discover(ing) Stupidity
   Business piece by J.J. Jackson (11/15/09)

A couple months ago my wife and I received notice from Discover Card that they were canceling our joint credit card.  The reason was basically the same as so many other Americans have heard themselves from such companies; we simply were not using it enough.  Why it was that we were not using it was of no concern to Discover.  But had they asked they would have learned that their card was simply not being used because it did not give us any incentive to use it.  With a bank issued debit and credit card and several other credit cards with equal or better interest rates and far superior rewards programs, Discover was low man on the totem pole and looked certain to remain there.

‘By the sweat of ... someone else’s brow?‘
   Welfare State piece by Offsite (11/15/09)

In the most recent issue of my favorite magazine (dedicated to independence, self-sufficiency and rural living), I was stunned to come across the following letter:  “My husband and I want to purchase some land to start an organic vegetable and fruit farm, and maybe raise chickens and sheep. We have found several good prospects. The problem is money. I’ve tried going on the computer to find grants for starting to make my dream a reality. But everyone wants money just to give me books and list how to get a grant. How do you do it? Our home is not worth much (we are living in a fifth-wheel travel trailer in an RV park). Any advice on what to do would be very helpful. I have been reading books on organic farming, and I think we could make a real living at it.“

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Congress: Read the Constitution!
   Congress piece by Offsite (11/14/09)

Speculation about Roland Burris’ double-digit IQ followed him to the U.S. Senate, where he opened his mouth and removed all doubt. When a reporter asked him to identify the specific constitutional language that authorized the federal government to mandate individual health insurance, he stumbled a bit, and then said it is that part that says “... health, welfare and defense of the country.“ The word “health” is not in the Constitution.

State tries to deny homeschoolers vaccinations
   Big Brother piece by Offsite (11/14/09)

Officials in an least one state have tried to deny children who are homeschooled access to the limited supplies of vaccine for the H1N1 flu, which federal officials warn already has affected some 22 million Americans.

The George W. Bush Institute: Free Markets, Small Government… Since When
   Politics piece by Warner Todd Huston (11/14/09)

Get ready because I am going to slap George W. Bush around a little bit. Now, don’t get me wrong, it isn’t like I hated him. After all I voted for him twice. There was a lot that Bush did that I supported, mostly on the security and war fronts. But, I really stood against his domestic agenda almost completely. I was against no child’s behind left alone—er, I mean no child left behind—I was against the bailouts and against the drug benefit for seniors program. I disagreed with his “compassionate conservatism” narrative because it really was just an excuse for a little less big government than what the Democrats full-blown socialism would have been. About the only thing he wanted to do that I supported, the privatization of Social Security, he never pushed hard enough to implement.

Friday, November 13, 2009

‘No Global Warming - What Next?‘
   GreeenIsm piece by FreeCongressFoundation: E. Ralph Hostetter (11/13/09)

Global temperatures ceased rising in 1989 and have declined since then, according to an NASA study of satellite temperature data over the last decade.

Huge China Crash Coming
   Economics piece by Offsite (11/13/09)

To the growing number of China bears, add Kynikos hedge fund manager Jim Chanos, who is reportedly shorting the entire Chinese economy.

Chinese Go Wild on Credit Cards
   Economics piece by Offsite (11/13/09)

The conventional wisdom used to be that Americans are spenders while Chinese are savers.

Corzine Maybe New Bank of America Chief
   Economics piece by Offsite (11/13/09)

Soon-to-be former governor of New Jersey Jon Corzine - rejected by voters just last week - is already working his contacts in the Obama administration and may be named as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bank of America, reports Charlie Gasparino, on-air editor at CNBC.

U.S. Banks Nearly Socialist
   Socialism piece by Offsite (11/13/09)

Economist Henry Kaufman warns that the U.S. financial system is on the precipice of socialism, but can pull back with a few judicious steps by policymakers.

World Rushes to Prop Up U.S. Dollar
   Dollar piece by Offsite (11/13/09)

In efforts to prop up the ailing U.S. dollar, experts estimate that some of the largest emerging economies may have spent as much as $150 billion on currency intervention over the past two months, according to data from Brown Brothers Harriman.

Affordable Energy
   Energy piece by Guest: Paul Driessen (11/13/09)

The foundation of human rights and economic justice - Missouri Association for Social Welfare, 109th Annual Conference: Tools for Change – Awareness, Advocacy and Action, University of Missouri – St. Louis campus, J.C. Penney Building Friday, November 5, 10:45 – 11:45

Get Ready for a 60 Percent Top Tax Rate
   Taxes piece by Offsite (11/13/09)

Economists who have the Obama administration’s policymaking ear simply do not believe that higher marginal tax rates will retard economic growth, writes economist Irwin Stelzer.

A New Economic Crisis Looms
   Economics piece by Offsite (11/13/09)

CNBC commentator Charles Gasparino says another financial catastrophe is coming, thanks largely to President Obama’s flawed economic policy.

The Quality of Mercy - Soldiers of These United States
   Military piece by Rev Bresciani (11/13/09)

Almost everyone in America has been somehow affected by the recent events at the Ft Hood Army Base. The events were seemed particularly intense because only days later Americans honored those who served in Veterans Day observances around the nation.

N.Y. Congressional Race Not Over Yet
   Elections piece by Offsite (11/13/09)

The highly-publicized New York congressional race that had apparently been won by Democrat Bill Owens isn’t over yet—officially.