WikiLeaks: A Defense of Secretary Clinton

So let me put this whole “WikiLeaks” storyline in cliff notes.

Established in 2006 they have become a clearing house for “top secret” information gathered by world governments. They believe in transparency no matter what the outcome.

PFC Bradley Manning, a 22 year old Army intelligence analyst, was arrested for leaking video and documents classified but for which he had access. The first released included an airstrike in Baghdad (2007) and other various Pentagon documents dated between 2004 & 2009.

Mr. Manning apparently was upset with the military over its (DADT) “Don’t ask, Don’t Tell” policy as he is gay and had been demoted from Specialist and was scheduled to be discharged when the theft occurred.

The latest set of documents indicate that Sec. of State Clinton “directs her envoys at the United Nations and embassies around the world to collect information ranging from basic biographical data on foreign diplomats to their frequent flyer and credit card numbers and even "biometric information on ranking North Korean diplomats." Typical biometric information can include fingerprints, signatures and iris recognition data.”

This directive, which came out in July of 2009 seems more like an “update” of current files then establishing new covert actions. Having just become Sec. of State, I am sure Mrs. Clinton wanted to establish that the information she and her department are working with was up to date and not old information left over from the Bush administration.

The fact that most of the information described could be found after a “Google” search doesn’t make it anymore of becoming an intelligence asset then what this document does on this subject.

It is possible that more information will come out that will that Mrs. Clinton ordered more than just this updating of files but until then we need to give her the benefit of the doubt.

Sources (cnn.com),(wikipedia.org)

The government is making marriage obsolete.

Yes, I'm blaming the government. For 45 years the government has been either intentionally or just as "unintended consequences" dismantling the family unit as part of the welfare state.

1960 - Birth control pill introduced helping women manage their reproductive years.
1965 - "Great Society" legislation makes the father less and less important to women and the need for financial security for poorer women comes more from the government.
1973 - Roe V Wade for those that can't or won't use birth control they simply end the child, I'm sorry the non-viable tissue matter.

As unwed mothers rise and the welfare state rewards those who are irresponsible there is no need for marriage. It is among the youth and the poor that this survey shows that pattern. Ironically, the only group who seems interesting in it are gay couples and for them it is just living a fantasy from their youth of being the bride.

Source (abc.com)

The Ponzi Scheme

TSA: Idiocracy in the here and now

Last week I flew from Des Moines to Reagan Int'l and a few days later flew out to a connecting flight in Detroit before landing back in Des Moines. This is my observation of the TSA and air traffic in general.

Last Week we had two things:
"Unions representing pilots at American Airlines and US Airways last week advised their 14,000 members to avoid the scanners, calling them intrusive and saying they could emit dangerous radiation." (UPI News) (AIT)

Second was an individual incident:
(AP video) " “if you touch my junk I'm going to have you arrested.” and now he faces a civil suite.

So, DSM is usually friendly, and quick and this time was no different. I believe that my drop off to the gate was under 15 min. (Quick tip to check in the day before via the internet) One thing different and I don't know if it was new or just because I was going to DC was a "vapor" sniff of my open water bottle before getting on the plane. As part of the rules you get pretty much locked down in your seat for the last hour of the flight and can only use the toilette in the back of the plane.

On my return trip I thought there was a chance I would have to use the newer AIT but not even much of a chance as I only saw one person put in it. I am going to assume I'm too big to use the machine and if ever chosen I will have to be patted down.

I had some time to sit and watch and what I saw two TSA agents that couldn't have been any help except to "observe and report" much like the movie. One gentleman was as big as I am, I know how fast I can run, yes he was at least 10 years younger but still at our size people can run away. The other agent was a pregnant woman who had to un-tuck her shirt to walk around, again not sure who she was gong to stop in an emergency.

The TSA has not changed any since 9/11 except in the way that the government has changed. Blotted with cash and inefficient. Their little high tech toys are still being used by people that would have a tough time getting a serious security job or any job that calls for independent rational thought. Sorry guys.

A good place to start cutting

"Calculations by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office and other independent fiscal experts show that the $1.1 trillion cost over the next 10 years of the Medicare prescription drug program, which the Republican-controlled Congress adopted in 2003, by itself would add more to the deficit than the combined costs of the bailout, the stimulus and the health care law." (nytimes)

I have spoke to a few people and they are always surprised how cheap this program is. That might be great but if it is just our money paying for their low prices it can't last. Medicare is hundreds of times more expensive then originally projected and so will this program.

Thomas Jefferson thought the constitution might be rewritten every 19 years, but instead of that I think major laws (ranked by expenditures) should be voted on every 10 years. This will force our representatives in the House and Senate to make a political statement in their vote instead of taking a position that never gets tested.

November 3rd and beyond

In 2008, John McCain was leading Barack Obama until September when the financial crisis hit home. McCain was flip floppy when he canceled his campaigning only to do nothing and then vote for the first bail out. Obama did nothing but looked less uncertain and more ‘Presidential’. Voters did not have time to process what was the right thing to do and voted for the new guy hoping for new ideas.

2 years later people have had a chance to see the results of the “crisis” and the 3+ trillion dollars in added deficits and have rejected Washington solutions.

The Republican majority in the house is slim and the Senate is even with the White House to keep them in check. I believe the White House will now actually get involved with law making, instead of allowing Pelosi and Reid to do what they want and just sign rubber stamp it.

Deficit spending will decline, and passed bills (healthcare, cap & trade) will be cut back before they take effect. Most importantly the tax code will be shored up with a continuation of the Bush tax cuts for a majority of people (not exactly like it is now) and you will see businesses decide it is okay to hire and invest to expand.

I believe it will be a while before banks loosen up credit as we are going to be going through another housing bubble for more expensive homes. This is a subject not yet discussed in the mainstream media.

Thus begins the 2012 election cycle. Have fun, but for now no more crappy campaign ads.

Why the Democrats loose.

Last Thursday I heard the nastiest radio ad ever. A group supporting Boswell ran an ad with back ground noise like a 911 call for the woman that called the police on Brad Zaun some 10 years ago. No such recording exists. The tone would lead you to believe that Zaun was a rapist and almost killed the woman. It was disgusting.

All over the country Democrats, especially those that are incumbents, have taken the gloves off, suggesting their opponents are mentally ill, or a Nazi. It is one thing to question one’s views on issues, it is out of bounds to say if they disagree they are mental.

Voters will turn against those that run these ads and add to the route for the night.

Quick hit: Sen. John Kerry (who served in Vietnam)

"We're in a period of know-nothingism in the country, where truth and science and facts don't weigh in. It's all short-order, lowest common denominator, cheap-seat politics." – Sen. Kerry (D-MA) (boston.com)

This from a man who sits in his tub soaking with his Ketchup queen wife and wonder how he lost to that idiot G.W. Bush. This from a man who wants us to just sit down, shut up and let him and the other lizard overlords rule over us.

My ballot for November 2, 2010

I am for term limits, baring legislation I will try to impose them at the ballot box. 10 years maximum at any level of government.

US Senator – John Heiderscheit (Libertarian Party) I like Sen. Grassley but I just can no longer vote for him, too long in office.

US Representative – Brad Zaun (Republican Party)

Governor & Lt. Gov. – Johnathan Narcisse & Richard Mariar (Iowa Party) Branstad has more than 10 years as Governor and I don’t see a lot of difference between him and Culver. Narcisse is a fighter and believes in the best things for our children and Iowa.

Sec. of State – Matt Schultz (Republican Party)

Auditor of State – David Vaudt (Republican Party) His last term.

Treasurer of State – David Jamison (Republican Party)

Sec. of Ag – Bill Northey (Republican Party)

Attorney General – Brenna Findley (Republican Party) Tom Millers second time around has had some good points but still just too long in office.

State Representative – No vote – Scott Raecker (Rep.) has been in for 11 years, just too long.

Co. Treasurer – Mike Adams (Republican Party)

Co. Recorder – Eric Zingler (Republican Party)

Co. Attorney – No Vote – Sarcone has been in too long but has no one running against them.

Judges – I’m voting no on all of them to allow Branstad (if he wins) to have the ability to put in new people if he chooses.

Constitutional Questions
1 – Water and land legacy – No Vote- It wants to set up a 20 million dollar fund, we don’t have the money.
2 – Constitutional convention – No Vote – Even with problems our state constitution is the best we can do and has remedies for any problems we have.

Public Measure for Prairie Meadows
Yes – I would like for the casino to be private but the county has been too involved to get out now.

"They knew who I was." – Rep. Boswell

Hopefully that will be how we remember Rep. Boswell, as a name, as a footnote. As for how he represented the 3^rd District it was very unremarkable. He has had no reason to be remarkable, the independent vote has asked nothing of him and just falls in line and re-elects him every 2 years. When asked what his 16 years as a congressman has produced his claim was a veteran’s bill to help with suicide issues after serving, don’t get me wrong they need all the help we can give veterans. He also mentioned live stock legislation attached to a farm bill, but after 16 years that is an awful long time to only be able to mention 2 pieces of law when he personally has collected 1.6 to 2 million in salary as a congressman. If he is defeated next week what type of pension will he receive? The only one who has benefited from our relationship with Leonard Boswell is Leonard Boswell.

It is time for a change. Brad Zaun has his own issues like all of us do, and as a people we have struggled with financial and personal issues, he too has been there. As a Councilman, Mayor and State Senator Brad Zaun has always been an honest broker and a man who has been available and in touch with his community.

Boswell vs. Zaun Iowa Dist. 3

10/25/2010

Neither candidate did anything to hurt themselves, however, no one did anything to help themselves either and that is bad news for Brad Zaun. He is 28 years younger than the Congressman and should have shown a lot more energy and be able to respond more quickly to things like, when Boswell said he was not worried about challengers, I would have said "because you have taken the Independent and Democrat support for granted and don't even try any more."

Most of Boswell's responses were typical main line Democrat. There was absolutely nothing that he said that Barney Frank or Pelosi would disagree with. Brad was very vanilla too, maybe an attempt to win some moderate votes. His one point he did bring home was Boswell's promise to 3 terms and a need for change in D.C. Boswell's response was to tell us he and his seniority is the thin red line between Iowans and congressman from other states that would control everything. Of course those are Democrats so there wouldn't be any difference.

They did agree that we need more boarder security, with no details, and employers need to be held more responsible for hiring illegal immigrants.

I will update as I review my notes.

This Conservatives view on Prop 19

Legalization of Marijuana which is on the ballot in California this November has a very good chance of actually passing. I am sure there will be some legal hurtles to jump but it most likely will be available to the general public by next summer. What does this mean for the rest of the nation and how does this conservative feel about this biggest change in drug laws since the end of prohibition.

I have a libertarian ilk in me that wants government out of our lives. Yet I know there are many areas that a government body needs to protect, namely protection of our property. The very reason why we broke away from England was because of a lack of property rights for the colonist. Until just a few years ago, this was not even an issue, however, courts began to agree with local and state government bodies that condemning property for the “greater good” under eminent domain includes for tax purposes. This and other examples are why we should not trust any level of government and should always challenge their logic.

Other areas I believe the government has a right to regulate are ones in which it is difficult for the general population to be an expert in, yet are necessary for our well being, such as pharmaceutical items and the medical industry as a whole. I cannot know the effects of drugs on my body nor do I have the time to investigate most drugs, so I rely on a government agency to regulate the industry. Monopolies in energy, electronics or any industry that is necessary to life, liberty or the pursuit of happiness can be shown to have a need for governmental oversight.

Marijuana is a controlled substance according to federal laws; however, states have used different sets of rules regarding its use. In 14 states there is a maximum amount you can have on you as “personal use” without being arrested, these are different from federal laws however, and it would be very difficult to enforce such small amounts (typically under 2oz). I whole heartedly believe that state laws should trump federal laws when it comes to rights not found in the constitution or its amendments.

According to the UN, about 4% of adults admit to using Marijuana annually, however, that number is probably higher in the US as 42% of adults claim to have used it at some point in their lives. This ranks second to Canada and I found the list of top users interesting, in 3^rd is New Zealand followed by Denmark, France and Great Britain. The interesting part is that they are all industrialized, “white” majority populations, I’m not sure what it means but of interest none the less.

The theory of Marijuana being a “Gateway” drug has some validity in that almost anyone who has used harder drugs probably used Marijuana first. Much like alcoholics most likely started with beer as their “gateway” to the other liquors. This is why no one gets truly upset the first time someone drinks a beer but it is still regulated the same as all other alcohols.

To the point:

I believe Marijuana should be kept illegal in any amount for those under 18, Prop 19 allows for only over 21, but again these laws are inconsistent with most laws, either 18 is the “age or majority” or it is not. It is okay for parents to be hypocrites and tell their kids they didn’t do it and neither should they (the kids). For those over 18, a small amount (1 oz or less) should be legal for personal use. This should be sold through much regulated stores, perhaps state ran stores, and not grown in your home or farm. We do not allow bathtub gin to be bottled and sold because it cannot be regulated or taxed. I know and believe that this will continue to create a market which brings the drug up from Mexico and other Central and South America countries but that is why we need to regulate our borders through a fence and better immigration laws (for another blog)

All laws were Marijuana use is found to have influenced a person’s decisions should be the same as under the influence of alcohol. Heavy fines, jail and loss of driving privileges must be part of the punishment for abusing its use. Employers can mandate its employees to not use Marijuana while at work, like other controlled substances, with exceptions for doctor prescriptions.

The irony here is that the very progressives that would sponsor such legislation will later criticize and segregate Marijuana smokers for the same reasons they go after tobacco smokers, pollution (global warming), health issues and taxation.

I am completely satisfied with the current laws in Iowa and if it is never legalized I will be happy with that decision too. Any substance that alters your mind can potentially be harmful to you and should be avoided.

Converting to Islam at 43

I was reading news on the internet (via popurl.com) and I came across the headline “Lauren Booth converts to Islam” I highlighted the line because the name was not typically one that would be connected to Islam, being a woman, and the summary stated “Sister-in-law to Tony Blair”. This got my attention being a person so close to an international leader who had, in 2007, converted to Catholicism.

Mr. Blair’s wife was born Cherie Booth and Lauren is a half-sister who is a journalist and human rights activist (according to Wikipedia). She works for Press TV which is an English television station owned by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting. Her experience in recent years has been in the middle-east and has been pro-palestinian.

Women in their early 40’s don’t usually convert, especially to a religion like Islam without something changing in their life. The first thing I thought of was that she had married a man from the middle-east, a check told me that wasn’t it, she was married to a minor actor/screenwriter Craig Darby (not even on IMBD) and has 2 children. So what gives?

In 2009 she had 2 events that might be a clue. She had a fight with her husband, via Facebook and actually changed her status to “single”. Now this might and is nothing but a couple days later Darby had a bad motorcycle accident that put him in a coma. The second event was that all this became known in the media.

There were several articles on these chain of events and although she was treated as a sympathetic person who just got angry for a moment and felt terrible, it still had to take a big toll on her personally. Her husband did recover after about 6 months with several issues including vision and memory.

None of the articles gave any reason for her conversion, but that she has worn traditional clothing and given up pork, alcohol and prays 5 times per day. This is a woman offered in 2001 to model for playboy! I have to believe that she was forced to asses her life and she wasn’t happy with it and despite Islam’s harsh treatment of woman in the middle-east and world wide, she is going for it. No word if her husband or children are converting but if they don’t that divorce maybe coming soon. (guardian.uk)

Extremist Tea Party - Follow up to previous blog

Like you didn't already know, but I am officially an extremist. Not by my extreme standards but by the NAACP. I'm reading their little story about the "Tea Party" (www.teapartynationalism.com) and all most all the pictures they have posted are extreme and I find inappropriate. I would have liked them sourced (date, tea party rally location) just so I know they are from actually TP rallies and not just other rallies. But I found one quote they used very mild so I must be extreme:

Donna Baker, a TPN member from Gainesboro, Tennessee, for example, wrote: “Yes, things ran quite well before the swarm of manipulated underclasses invaded our country. If they stayed home and made half the effort to change their country as they do marching our streets demanding our laws not be enforced, they could change their own lives. They are blindly being used and manipulated by other forces ... [they are] a huge burgeoning looming voting bloc.”

I don't believe things ran quite well before some date in this persons mind, but if these hard working people did change things back home, it might be a better place. I know that if my ancestors had also demanded better conditions I wouldn't be here either but my ancestors didn't expect this government to take care of them without assimilation.

Are real racists, homophobes and anti-Semites in the movement, yes just like there are communists in the white house (v.jones)

This report takes small incidents, bloggers and just a few photos out of thousands of rallies, millions of people and say they are all this way. I guess we all look the same to the NAACP.

1. Identify constitutionality of every new law: Require each bill to identify the specific provision of the U.S. Constitution that gives Congress the power to do what the bill does. (82.03%)
2. Reject emissions trading: Stop the "cap and trade" administrative approach used to control carbon dioxide emissions by providing economic incentives for achieving reductions in the emissions of carbon dioxide. (72.20%)
3. Demand a balanced federal budget: Begin the Constitutional amendment process to require a balanced budget with a two-thirds majority needed for any tax modification. (69.69%)
4. Simplify the tax system: Adopt a simple and fair single-rate tax system by scrapping the Internal Revenue Code and replacing it with one that is no longer than 4,543 words – the length of the original Constitution. (64.9%)
5. Audit federal government agencies for constitutionality: Create a Blue Ribbon taskforce that engages in an audit of federal agencies and programs, assessing their Constitutionality, and identifying duplication, waste, ineffectiveness, and agencies and programs better left for the states or local authorities. (63.37%)
6. Limit annual growth in federal spending: Impose a statutory cap limiting the annual growth in total federal spending to the sum of the inflation rate plus the percentage of population growth. (56.57%)
7. Repeal the health care legislation passed on March 23, 2010: Defund, repeal and replace the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. (56.39%)
8. Pass an 'All-of-the-Above' Energy Policy: Authorize the exploration of additional energy reserves to reduce American dependence on foreign energy sources and reduce regulatory barriers to all other forms of energy creation. (55.5%)
9. Reduce Earmarks: Place a moratorium on all earmarks until the budget is balanced, and then require a 2/3 majority to pass any earmark. (55.47%)
10. Reduce Taxes: Permanently repeal all recent tax increases, and extend current temporary reductions in income tax, capital gains tax and estate taxes, currently scheduled to end in 2011. (53.38%)

Pouring everything into the ‘Tea Party’

In February 2009, Rick Santelli (CNBC) was reporting from the Chicago Exchange and called the stimulus plan government’s “Bad behavior” and mentioned a “Tea Party” protest (video). At the same time other movements were beginning in places like Seattle, WA. As these blogs got picked up by the Drudge Report and The Huffington Post things were set in motion and the April 15, 2009 tax day protest occurred in most of the 50 states.

The “movement” had identified mostly tax related and federal spending agenda items as it core reason to exist. A balanced budget, simplified tax system, limits on federal spending along with a rejection of health care legislation and “cap and trade” policies were and are at the center of the Tea Party.

However, everybody seems to pour their own beliefs into what they believe the ‘Tea Party’ stands for. If you are a progressive you see it as an “asto-turf” movement on cutting your pet projects in government. If you are a minority rights group you see it as a racist agenda organization that wants to take away the rights of “non-whites”. If only want to help the poor, they are against children and women, if you want to allow the tax cuts to sunset (as they will on Jan. 1^st, 2011) you see the party as being for the rich. Everyone who has an agenda seems to somehow dump that into the Tea Party. This includes Republicans who are spending money to incorporate or hijack the movement for their benefit. This cannot be allowed to happen

The ‘Tea Party’ isn’t even really a party, it is a movement without a center and that is the way it should be. Once it has actual leaders they can be corrupted by the other parties which will lead to its demise. There are parties running candidates but they are in individual states and are not a national organization nor should one be created.

Much like the premise of our constitution and our motto “E pluribus unum” (from many one) the ‘Tea Party’ movement must be grassroots and have a singular focus of limited government and yet be open to any candidate that believes in the same agenda.