The Road Kill Report (v. 1.0)

Welcome to the 1st edition of the Road Kill Report. Where we quickly master the art of devolving into ignorance, with an intellectual twist.




Master of Puppets: Seems Obie is telling lobbyists and special interests to, "Bring it on," while his cultish dolts are more than willing pick up the special interest flag. As long as it suits their agenda.
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Frayed Ends of Sanity: Warren Buffet told his shareholders that,

"the nation's economy will be in shambles throughout 2009."

But Buffett remains optimistic about the country's future. He says America has faced bigger economic challenges in the past, including two World Wars and the Great Depression.

He says America's best days remain ahead.

I am not sure we want to be listening to any financial forecasting from this bipolar economic prognosticator, Berkshire Hathaway Reports Worst Year Ever.

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Disposable Heroes:The Prez, as he likes to be called now, gave a little speech on downsizing the forces Iraq to the infantry alpha dogs of the USMC at Camp Lejeune. All the while letting them know they are going from one meat grinder to another and some of them and their brethren will kind of sort of, but not really, be remaining in Iraq.

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Well that's it for the Road Kill Report (v 1.0). The place, where hope got run over by an eighteen wheeler. Hope you enjoyed today's Metallica theme.



Inspired by my love of small dead animals, read them frequently and often.

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Jindal lied about helping Harry Lee? Video evidence says different...

Bobby Jindal lied about his interaction with Sheriff Harry Lee during Katrina? How could he, the horror! Well that is what TPMnutcraker wants you to believe. Seems a couple of blogs might have cracked their nuts on this one, though.

From Talking Points Memo, and written by Zach Roth.

Jindal Admits Katrina Story Was False

TPMmuckraker-Looks like the game is up.

Remember that story Bobby Jindal told in his big speech Tuesday night -- about how during Katrina, he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with a local sheriff who was battling government red tape to try to rescue stranded victims?

Turns out it wasn't actually, you know, true. read more...

Well, Jim Treacher and Flopping Aces have a little bit different story.



The large Asian gentleman with the semi-flat top? That is Harry Lee, you know the Sheriff that Jindal supposedly fabricated the story about? Being an indigenous native of Nawlins', I think I know the late Sheriff when I see him.

Oh, and one other thing. Zach Roth and the staff at TPM are now the proud members of the



Cred to Jim for finding this and Flopping Aces for being preemptive in making the video available.

Update:

Just came across this one, too.



TPM is gonna need more than a rake to dig their way out of this one.

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Atlas Puked

Atlas, along with Ayn Rand, aren't just shruggin' on this one, they are puking.





From the WSJ,

WSJ-Mr. Obama is asking the 111th Congress for accomplishments that rival those of the 1933 Congress that passed the New Deal and the 1965 Congress that enacted the Great Society. read more...

Blah! I think I need to brush my teeth.

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Honk If You're Paying My Mortgage!

This was too funny to pass up cause it's true.



The O-budget,



which will lead to,



(H/T to small dead animals for images)

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John Boehner at the CPAC Invoking the "S" Word, Socialism.

House Republican Leader John Boehner in a rhetorical speech at the CPAC (Conservative Political Action Committee), invoked the "S" word, socialism. However he did place in its proper context.

Here is the video of Boehner speaking at the CPAC. (Tip o' the Lid to the almighty Gateway Pundit for the vid.)



At around 2:17 into the video, Boehner puts the ideas about Socialism in America in its proper context. He says,"The stimulus, the Omnibus, and the budget. It's all one big down payment on a new American socialist experiment." "They are laying the ground work for everything in these bills; expanded welfare, government run health care, green jobs, the works." "They even want to pay your irresponsible neighbor's mortgage off for them."

We aren't there yet, but as Rep. Boehner, not so eloquently, but rightfully, points out, the ground work is being laid.

Making it simple, from Wiki,

"Socialism refers to a broad set of economic theories of social organization advocating public or state ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods, and a society characterized by equal opportunities for all individuals, with a fair or egalitarian method of compensation. Modern socialism originated in the late 19th-century intellectual and working class political movement that criticized the effects of industrialization and private ownership on society. Karl Marx posited that socialism would be achieved via class struggle and a proletarian revolution, and would represent a transitional stage between capitalism and communism."

What we are looking at in the future is a concept known as central planning, somewhat like the Soviets used. As of now, though, it is in a much smaller state of deployment. Central planning is nothing more than the government fully running or controlling major parts of the economic system.

The gub'ment decides major facets of the economy, how it is used and distributes wealth accordingly. Examples of this are; cap and trade, forcing auto manufacturers to go green, expansive welfare, increasing tax burdens on higher income brackets, etc.

As to whether or not we are becoming socialist, the devil is in the details. Central planning is a key to a socialist and communist form of governance. However, it can be used, to a lesser extent, in democratic free market economies, also.

The model which we seem to be gravitating to is European Democratic Socialism. Nevertheless, it is still socialism at the end of the day and these principles in any form should be abhorred by the American people. It is not what our country is about.

Related Articles:

Michelle Malkin-Tea Party photo album: Fiscal responsibility is the new counterculture

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In the News:27 February 2009

Mentally ill Chicago man sends Obama letter with HIV infected blood on it, German labor unions crying, Comrade Putin won't tolerate economic protests in the Soviet Union, and Soviet warplane wanted to tell Obama hello during his visit to Canada.



Chicago Man Arrested for Allegedly Targeting Obama With HIV-Infected Blood

Fox News-A man from President Obama's hometown of Chicago has been arrested for allegedly sending Obama and his staff envelopes containing HIV-infected blood, in the hopes of killing or harming them.

It's only the second time ever that HIV-infected blood has been sent with malicious intent through the U.S. mail system, a spokesman for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service said. read more...

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'We're Not Paying For Your Crisis!'

Spiegel Online-Anger rises in Germany as the economy falls. Trade unions and globalization-critical protesters are planning demonstrations in Berlin and Frankfurt under the banner: "We're not paying for your crisis." Alexis Passadakis, 31, an activist from the group Attac, tells SPIEGEL what's wrong with the system. read more...

They don't like spending their money, but, I betcha they wouldn't have a problem spending other people's money. Look at Arnie.

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Russia's Putin warns against economic protests

Reuters-Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin warned opposition critics on Friday not to use the economic crisis as an excuse to challenge his government and told them to abide by the law.

Unrest across Russia over economic upheaval has been muted, with the biggest protests so far taking place in the Far East port of Vladivostok where hundreds were arrested in January demonstrations over car tax.

Speaking at a meeting with leaders of Russia's dominant political party, United Russia, ahead of regional elections this weekend, Putin said that criticism of the Russian government during a crisis was allowed, but only within the laws.

"If opposition actions go outside the law, it means they are not pursuing the goals of improving people's lives, but their own selfish goals and the state has the right to defend itself properly," Putin said at his residence outside Moscow.

Russia has tight controls that restrict opposition groups from holding rallies or marches without official sanction. Applications from groups like chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov's 'Other Russia' movement are frequently rejected. read more...

I wonder if the Germans are glad they don't live in Mother Russia. At least the Fatherland lets you protest these days.

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CF-18s intercepted Russian plane before Obama visit

CTV.ca-As security officials worked to secure Ottawa on the eve of U.S. President Barack Obama's visit, Canadian fighter jets were scrambling to intercept a Russian bomber plane in the Arctic skies.

At a press conference Friday, Defence Minister Peter MacKay said the incident happened on Feb. 18th. read more...

They just wanted to say, "Здравствуйте!, товарищ президент." (Hello, Comrade President.)Guess they are realizing they have more in common than they first thought.

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A New Era of Irresponsibility: FY 2010-2019 Budget

Here is the sorted tale of "A New Era of Irresponsibility." Enjoy your future, it's gonna cost.



Deficit:



Click on image to enlarge. Press back button to return to post.
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Mandatory Spending:



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Taxes:



Click on image to enlarge. Press back button to return to post.
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Discretionary Spending:



Discretionary Spending Continued:



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Summarizing the information, we have a national debt projected to climb to $6,969,000,000,000 over 10 years, in addition to the $10,840,000,000,000 of existing debt. Just a sidebar, this is a topic I very rarely hear the administration or Congress speak about.

Social Security spending rising from $662 billion in 2009 to $1.14 trillion by 2019. Medicaid spending is getting somewhat under control, rising from $209 billion in 2009 to $468 billion by 2019, total spending $3.5 trillion. However, this article from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services tells a little different story. Medicare spending rises from $425 billion in 2009 to $872 billion in 2019, total spending is $6.4 trillion.

Income taxes rise from $958 billion in 2009 to $2.15 trillion in 2019. Social Security payroll taxation rises from $662 billion in 2009 to $1.05 trillion in 2019. Medicaid payroll taxation rises from $191 billion in 2009 to $308 billion in 2019.

The numbers paint quite a different visage than the President is presenting.

The President is touting his claim that the yearly deficit will be halved by 2013. Unrealistic or not, what is being glossed over is that by 2019 we will reach yearly spending deficits close to $1 trillion dollars. This is wagering that the stimulus does exactly what they predict it will and no more spending is required.

However, as you have seen, spending does not take a sharp downturn, as expected. In fact, it increases dramatically in most areas, fueled by increasing the tax burdens. The wealthiest of Americans will only be able to bear this brunt for so long. Eventually, in the not so distant future, taxes will have to be levied against the lower income brackets to support these vast government expenditures. The numbers are showing a trend of doubling over ten years in income payroll tax alone.

To understand this problem and how pandemic this budget is, the most important factor is the amount of debt the country will be carrying. If these estimates are accurate by 2019 we will have expanded, not cut, the overall debt of the United States to about $18 trillion dollars, not counting interest.

While engaging in this sort of deficit spending and debt acquisition, you have one of three options as we saw by using California for our model; raise taxes, cut spending, and sell off debt. Raising taxes is inevitable, there are too few spending cuts to make a difference, and Hillary Clinton has been attempting to woo the Chinese into buying more American debt.

As the debt grows in percentage of GDP it will soon overtake the output of the country, it is quickly reaching unsustainability. Sobering isn't it?

Related articles:

Washington Times-LAMBRO: Obama's budget to raise small-business taxes

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Eleven States now Declare Sovereignty Against Progressive Intrusion

Progressive interloping of the Constitution, through acts of judicial and legislative activism have been an ongoing and growing problem which is now shifting into high gear. One which some states, governors, and members of Congress are choosing not to ignore.

We started following the states' rights topic with New Hampshire and then found six more states had issued very similar legislation, mostly within weeks of each other. As A.W.R. Hawkins of Human Events notes, the count has grown to a total of eleven, including Minnesota, Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas.

Presently there is an argument, amongst some Governors, about the intrusion on states' rights required by the federal government to receive stimulus money. Governors Haley Barbour of Mississippi, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, and Marc Sanford of South Carolina are considering only taking portions of the stimulus money which have no requirements to change state laws. The main point of contention is concerning unemployment benefits. From the National Review Online,

NRO-(B)(i) If the Secretary of Labor finds that the State law provisions (disregarding any State law provisions which are not then currently in effect as permanent law or which are subject to discontinuation) meet the requirements of paragraph (2) or (3), as the case may be, the Secretary of Labor shall thereupon make a certification to that effect to the Secretary of the Treasury, together with a certification as to the amount of the incentive payment to be transferred to the State account pursuant to that finding.

— American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Division B, Title II, Section 2003 (emphasis added)

As the top executive officials, it is their solemn obligation and duty to protect the long and short term fiscal health of their states and its people. The stimulus package has been sold as a short term solution to jump start the economy. Not create a situation in which states have to change existing laws and fund this federal encroachment with obligatory state money after government funding has run out. These governors' have a legitimate right to question and refuse parts of the stimulus monies which are not conducive to the progress of their state, long term.

This simple realization is often overlooked by Progressive leadership due to the fact it is questioning their authority and power. Take for instance Senator Charles Schumer's response to this gubernatorial insurrection. From The Hill.com,

The Hill-"This was never intended by congress to be an a-la-carte menu," he said. “ Schumer said. "It's a complete package — they ought to take it or leave it."

We are already seeing one of the greatest expansions of the government since the New Deal. Within the Porkulus Maximus, there are already 31 new government programs or agencies being created at a cost over $136 billion and the promise, by the President, to create 600,000 new government positions. Both of these conditions greatly expand the already over-bloated federal government and its potential for intrusion.

Even some high ranking Democratic officials, who are ex-Klan members, are taking notice of the power consolidation the White House is embroiled in. In a letter to the President, Robert Byrd, the Senate pro tempore from West Virginia, expressed concern about the White House's appointing "czars" to oversee urban affairs, health care reform, and energy and climate change. Not one of these appointments will be subject to Senate approval. This gives the appointees the ability to shield information from Congress under the right of executive privilege.

CNN-"Too often, I have seen these lines of authority and responsibility become tangled and blurred, sometimes purposely, to shield information and to obscure the decision-making process," Byrd wrote in the letter.

It's foolish not to think that the White House, and certain groups within Congress, are successfully engaging in central planning and power consolidation. Constant infringements upon states' rights, individual liberties, and now apparently against Congressional power are quickly becoming the moniker of this new administration.

What is even more disturbing is the speed at which they are assailing this project. The face of American government is changing for the worse and if no action is taken to challenge this tsunami of authoritarian and collectivist control, it will swiftly become our new way of life.

Stay tuned for further updates.

Individual State Bills:

Minnesota: H.F. 997

Georgia: HR 280

South Carolina: H. 3509 and S. 424

Texas: H.C.R. 50

Note: These particular bills were found by our own research and apparently are the latest legislation passed or proposed by each individual state. These are not edicts of secession, they are mostly resolutions. Meaning, this is a legislative proposal that does not require action by the governor if adopted by the Legislature (State House and Senate). It serves merely as a protest against federal government intrusion.

Related Articles:

Judicial Watch-Dem. Senator Blasts Obama’s Czars-

Update:

PACT-Governor Rick Perry supporting Texas State's Rights

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Where was this Bobby Jindal?

There has been an interesting comparison between Obama's delivery of the State of the Union and Governor Bobby Jindal's response. Obama has been considered to be lofty and elevating, while Jindal was thought of as boring and ineffective.

How true, Bobby Jindal seems to be the anti-Obama, in more ways than one.

From the Today Show this morning,

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Conclusion, Obama needs a teleprompter and speech writer to communicate effectively. Jindal needs to be on his feet with some questions being fired at him, the flipside of the coin from the President. It's a shame not too many people will see this side of Jindal, using his brain more than rhetoric.

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Obama's State of the Union and Bobby Jindal's Republican Response

Kind of an unprecedented night as far as the annals of political history go. Our first Progressive Black President offering a State of the Union and the Republican response delivered by our first Indian American Governor and potential 2012 candidate for the POTUS.

What I got from Obama was a setup for TARP II, more green agendas, nationalized health care, and the expected Hope theme. Jindal gave a less animated, tax cut philosophy and small government retort with an admission about GOP inadequacies to deliver on their philosophy in the past few years. Both hit the now popular meme of "American exceptionalism."

Here are links to each speech, in case you missed them, and want to read or reread them.

Video of Obama speech.

Jindal speech.

Just curious about your opinions on message, style, and integrity of President Obama versus Governor Jindal.

Related Articles:

FACT CHECK: Obama glosses over complex realities

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In the News: 23 February 2009

In the news, Santelli responds to White House on Larry Kudlow, Secratary of State Clinton is auctioning off America to Chicoms, Congress worried their private account, better known as Social Security, is about to become depleted, and more economic fear mongering by Progressive agents.

Rick Santelli Responds to The White House Attack



This mght have been a few days late but it was too good to pass up. (H/T to Flopping Aces.)

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Clinton wraps Asia trip by asking China to buy US debt

Breitbart-US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Sunday urged China to keep buying US debt as she wrapped up her first overseas trip, during which she agreed to work closely with Beijing on the financial crisis.

Clinton made the plea shortly before leaving China, the final stop on a four-nation Asian tour that also took her to Japan, Indonesia and South Korea, where she worked the crowds to try to restore America's standing abroad.

In Beijing, she called on authorities in Beijing to continue buying US Treasuries, saying it would help jumpstart the flagging US economy and stimulate imports of Chinese goods.

"By continuing to support American Treasury instruments the Chinese are recognising our interconnection. We are truly going to rise or fall together," Clinton said at the US embassy here. read more...

I wonder how much of the US the SoS was given permission to sell off by the White House? Another question, when did repeating the same mistakes form the past become accepted as logical thought?

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Democrats Resisting Obama on Social Security

NY Times-President Obama is eager to seek a bipartisan solution to ensure the long-term solvency of Social Security, people who have spoken with him say, but he is running into opposition from his party’s left and from Democratic Congressional leaders who contend that his political capital would be better spent on health care and other priorities.

Mr. Obama considered announcing the formation of a Social Security task force at a White House “fiscal responsibility summit” that he will convene on Monday. But several Democrats said that idea had been shelved, partly because of objections from House and Senate leaders.

The president signaled in his campaign that he would support addressing the retirement system’s looming financing shortfall, in part by applying payroll taxes to incomes above $250,000. But that would ignite intense opposition from Republicans, especially with the economy deep in recession. read more...

I guess Congress doesn't want their own private slush fund raided. Start paying a little closer attention to Social Security legislation as well as Medicare. There are some interesting legal developments potentially coming down the pipe concerning these two problems.

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Soros sees no bottom for world financial "collapse

Reuters-Renowned investor George Soros said on Friday the world financial system has effectively disintegrated, adding that there is yet no prospect of a near-term resolution to the crisis.

Soros said the turbulence is actually more severe than during the Great Depression, comparing the current situation to the demise of the Soviet Union.

He said the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers in September marked a turning point in the functioning of the market system.

"We witnessed the collapse of the financial system," Soros said at a Columbia University dinner. "It was placed on life support, and it's still on life support. There's no sign that we are anywhere near a bottom." read more...

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Glenn Beck: Conspiracy Theorist or Realist?

Glenn Beck's Friday performance about current real world scenarios going apocalyptic has met with fierce criticism, as well as some considering his points. Either way, even if you think he is nuts, the main part of his message is worth considering.

Glenn Greenwald of Salon.com, has taken issue with Beck's segment on Friday called the "War Room." Here is Beck's opening statement of this segment.



This is Beck's explanation of why he did such a potentially controversial show.



Is Beck a "nut" as Greenwald points out? I personally don't know, but this judgment isn't just reserved by the Left, there is also criticism coming from Little Green Footballs and somewhat from Hot Air.

What is interesting is in Greenwald's world when a person analyzes the bleak situations surrounding us and says "be prepared" or have some "situational awareness," automatically there is a parallel drawn between that person and a group of right wing militia types hold up in, as Allahpundit puts it, lead-lined bunkers. I see no criticism, from Greenwald, of the White House for their usage of these same tactics and strategies for getting the stimulus package pushed down our throats.

Nevertheless, will any of Beck's claims translate into civil war or New York turning into Mexico City? I don't profess to know. What I do know is this is starting to extend far past just economic fears. According to Rasmussen, only 28% of Americans feel that the country is headed in the right direction. The psychology of the Middle American public is radically different than it was 40 years ago, they are under economic siege and they know it.

The first signs of dissatisfaction and anger are starting to appear. As noted here, 6 states have issued legislation relating to reaffirming states' rights under the 10th Amendment, Rick Santelli and traders at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange are expressing virulent outrage towards the White House for their economic strategy, to a standing US Senator warning abut civil unrest and violence, and gun sales skyrocketing.

Crazy? Maybe, but definitely worth considering. Our little plastic world is quickly melting down and where it's going to take us is anyone's guess. Admittedly, Beck forms some pretty far reaching scenarios that borderline on paranoid, but, the idea of being prepared is the message I got the most out of. And I don't mean hunkering down in the mountains of Montana, learning survival techniques, and grabbing every weapon in sight. Right now, the best course of action is stay educated, think logically, but creatively, and stay focused on what is important; your family, friends, and yourself (If you believe in God, then add Him to the list, too). Don't get to caught up in apocalyptic scenarios, but ponder all the situations that are possible, and above all else have a plan. Remember, these are trying times and luck favors the prepared.

Related Articles:

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US-Mexico: Border Battles

Since the stimulus package and the economic recovery being at the forefront of domestic and international affairs many of our other problems seem to be systemic background noise. One of the greater threats becoming apparent is the disturbing situation south of border, in Mexico.

This report is from The Monitor, via ThreatsWatch.

REYNOSA — A violent street battle between suspected gangsters and Mexican soldiers killed at least five people Tuesday morning as separate protests against the military presence shut down parts of the city for several hours. read more...

Why should you care about the interior workings of Mexico? Here is the location of Reynosa in proximity to the United States.




According to the Monitor, there were spillover worries among federal and local authorities.

The Monitor-On the U.S. side, federal and local authorities flooded the international crossings with heavily armed officers, fearing a spillover of the violence.

In recent years, Mexico's narco-culture has become a growing and dangerous problem. Since Columbia gained a degree of control over the drug cartels' influence within the country and with better enforcement in the Caribbean, the once stagnated Mexican drug routes have turned into the most efficient way to traffic illegal narcotics from Latin America into the US.

This has in-turn, sparked fierce competition among Mexican drug gangs in areas such as, Acapulco, Monterrey, Tijuana, Juárez, Nogales, and Sinaloa. Violence has been on the rise as turf battles and power grabs erupt.

After Mexican President Felipe Calderón took office, ties between the Mexican government and US were strengthened somewhat. The Bush administration signed the Merida Initiative into law, "A three-year, $1.5 billion anti-drug assistance package for Mexico and Central America."

However, many of the problems facing the Mexican authorities are actually being influenced by activities within the United States. From the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

Wilson Center-While drugs flow north from Mexico to the United States, several of the key inputs for the drug trade flow south from the United States. The cartels in Mexico receive most of their arms from the United States, usually through purchases at gun shows along the border. The U.S. and Mexican governments have so far been unable to limit the flow of this “iron river” southward and the U.S. government has few resources devoted to this.

From the Heritage Foundation,

• Drugs. An estimated 90 percent of the cocaine consumed in the U.S. enters via Mexico. This means that between 300 metric tons (MTs) and 460 MTs of cocaine is smuggled into the U.S. annually.

• Arms-According to Jane's Intelligence Review, Mexican authorities believe that 86 percent of the illegal weapons used and in circulation in Mexico were smuggled in from the U.S.

• Cash-Another key export from the U.S. to Mex­ico is bulk cash. The National Drug Intelligence Council estimates that between $8 billion and $24 billion in bulk currency is smuggled annually out of the U.S. into Mexico.

Although the noise being generated by this growing and persistent problem has reached the ears of the Department of Homeland Security. From a recent DHS press release.

DHS-Southbound Gun Smuggling-A growing wave of criminal violence in Mexico’s border communities and in the interior of the country, fueled by the availability of guns and currency smuggled south from the U.S. poses a serious threat to Mexico’s security and portends deepening problems for our nation’s border regions.

Much of the success to secure Mexico relies on their own internal responsibility and accountability, the US shares a sizable load also. Only until recently, did America start maintaining a strengthened presence on the 2,000 mile border we share with Mexico. While securing the border is a great start, there is far more that needs to be done. We have to clean up our own house by cutting cut off the pipeline of weapons and cash flowing into Mexico. This means aggressive law enforcement against the gangs and people whom are dealing in these illicit trades with the Mexican drug cartels while continuing to partner with the elements of the Mexican government that are still legitimate.

Related articles:

Foreign Policy Research Institute-Los Zetas: the Ruthless Army Spawned by a Mexican Drug Cartel

CNS News-Mexican Drug Cartels Getting Guns From U.S.

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2nd Amendment Rights: HB0687 & H.R. 45

Examples of media gone wild are all over the damn place. Once in a blue moon you come across some stuff that is actually informative and dusts the cobwebs off of the old gray matter. This time it is concerning attempts to abridge your 2nd Amendment rights and the interesting strategy the government is using.

We have all heard the rumors about the heavy taxation that the Federal government is going to attempt to levy on firearms and ammunition. While this might happen, another strategy was pointed out by Glenn Beck today.

Rep. Kenneth Dunkin, state Representative from Illinois and flaming Democrat, has introduced legislation in the state House to make gun-owners responsible for carrying firearm insurance.

From 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY, HB0687,

Introduced 2/6/2009, by Rep. Kenneth Dunkin


SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

430 ILCS 65/4.5 new
430 ILCS 65/8 from Ch. 38, par. 83-8

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that any person who owns a firearm in this State shall maintain a policy of liability insurance in the amount of at least $1,000,000 specifically covering any damages resulting from negligent or willful acts involving the use of such firearm while it is owned by such person. Provides that a person shall be deemed the owner of a firearm after the firearm is lost or stolen until such loss or theft is reported to the police department or sheriff of the jurisdiction in which the owner resides. Provides that the Department of State Police shall revoke and seize a Firearm Owner's

Identification Card previously issued under this Act if the Department finds that the person to whom such card was issued possesses or acquires a firearm and does not submit evidence to the Department of State Police that he or she has been issued in his or her name a liability insurance policy in the amount of at least $1,000,000 specifically covering any damages resulting from negligent or willful acts involving the use of such firearm while it is owned by such person. Effective January 1, 2010.

Now here is the thing, try finding an insurance company that will cover you for this. If you do, how much do you think it will cost? Beautiful legality, you still keep the right to bear arms, no technical abridgment of your Constitutional rights, but you cannot due to the cost of covering the bill for insurance coverage.

A few other items to think about, this is not on the federal level, this is state. If the citizenry of Illinois want this, then by the states' rights credo, have at it. However, this does open the door for interpretation on the federal level, and if you think the government hasn't successfully enforced legislation like this in the past, think again.

Say hello to the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 enforced by the now defunct Federal Bureau of Narcotics, via the History channel. The very same act which kept marijuana in check until 1970 when the Nixon administration successfully passed the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970

Long story short, in order to possess or sell marijuana, you had to receive a tax stamp from the federal government. The only problem was that only a limited number of stamps were printed and no one could attain any. If you were caught in possession of any Mary-Jane, without the tax stamp, you could go to jail for up to five years and face $2,000 in fines. But there was no way to get the tax stamp. Catch 22. (Little disclaimer: We are in no way advocating marijuana usage, trafficking, sales, or banking. This bill was brought up to use as an example that this same type of legal tactic has been used successfully in our past.)

Rep. Dunkin's bill works similar to this, to possess a firearm you need liability insurance. Again try finding it cheaply or finding it at all. Don't have it? Oh well you can't have a gun, too bad for you.

Punishment under Dunkin's bill is far less egregious though. If you don't have any proof of insurance or have none at all your firearm will be seized. Nevertheless, to my untrained legal mind, it seems if your firearm is stolen and used to injure or kill another party, you are open to a serious lawsuit.

Final thought on all of this is, you can learn something from television, you just have to know what to watch. :)

Another bill to keep an eye on is Rep. Bobby Rush's (D. IL-1) legislation, H.R. 45. The general idea is directing the Attorney General to establish and maintain a federal record of sale system, obligatory protection laws (Like we don't have any of those already.), and manufacturing records of weapons. Just food for thought.

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Katrina, the Middle-Class Scylla and Charybdis

With two contributors here from Louisiana and one with strong ties; Katrina money, the red tape tape concerning it, the national misconception about Louisianians, and the general health of the Gulf Coast states are points of contention.

A little personal history, prior to Katrina hitting, my family and I evacuated to Georgia from Gulfport, Mississippi, my former residence. Due to the requirements of my job I had to return to Gulfport almost immediately. Leaving my family in Alabama, probably the hardest thing I ever had to do.

I have been several places around the world which were war torn and I can tell you, the state of the Gulf Coast was like nothing I have ever seen before. The amount of devastation, carnage, and broken lives was surreal and indescribable, especially witnessing it first hand and on the deck.

When the national coverage started, I was shocked to see what was happening in my birthplace of New Orleans. And the rumors, ranging from civilians shooting at helicopters that were trying to rescue them, to snipers shooting drug addicts that were attempting to pillage local hospitals for pharmaceuticals, to armed posses of New Orleanian residents roaming the streets looking to kill or capture looters and lawbreakers. Most are true in one fashion or another.

What was hardly covered was the kindness and the human compassion that was extended from stranger to stranger. Bonds of friendship that would have otherwise not formed if it were not for Katrina. The faith based and community groups who showed up to help rebuild and the military, for its incredible first response. None of this garners ratings.

All we have been privy to, thanks to the media, is welfare rats whining and wanting their FEMA checks, abuses by our local officials, the "Chocolate City," looting, a corrupt police force, and Spike Lee's ignorant movie which only assisted in propagating the media myths. Some of this is wholeheartedly true and other facets are a representation of a small minority, not the real story in its entirety. What was not reported, as often is the case, was the suffering of the middle American in this embattled region. I am here to tell you first hand, they're in the majority, not those you see on the television or read about in print.

These people are just like you; middle to average incomes, homeowners, 2.5 kids, a dog, they pay their taxes, they work, and they suffer because of partisan politics and games. Are they stupid for living where they do? Let me ask you this, are they any less stupid than someone who lives in California, close to the San Andres fault, the Mid-West in tornado alley, or the North East being subjected to blistering weather and snow storms? My humble opine is no, they aren't stupid. This is their home, it is what they know and love. A place full of rich heritage, decent people, and a fantastic culture. Something worth conserving.

Why do I bring this up? It was a comment by OP, on another post, and an article from MSNBC, that I just read that inspired this.

OP made the point, through an unofficial source (Whatever that means.) about Jindal being afraid of inciting political warfare with the WH and Congress by not accepting stimulus money and how that might effect the release of Katrina money. Funds which have already been set aside for the residents of the Gulf Coast and they have yet to receive. Keep in mind, there is plenty of money to go around, but accessing it is the problem as pointed out in this August 2007, article in Reason magazine. This problem still persists.

The whole point is not to gather support for the people affected by Katrina, your mind is already made up one way or another. This is about political noise generated by the government, which gets nothing accomplished, and the media sensationalism over the topic du jour. The truth and reality always walk the middle line, and not in the moderate sense either.

This applies to this particular blog, we do ride the right side of things because we are right wingers. Nevertheless, we are Americans first, and the atrocity of government mismanagement coupled with the vile displays of media sensationalism is what drives the fight here. The Katrina episode showed why our system is broken, it exemplified the hand out mentality of those who are not deserving and the taking away from those who rightfully are, the declination of an over-sized government bureaucracy which is still failing, and an abysmal dereliction to report the truth. Even with this evidence, our elected officials, supposed greatest minds, and media titans still continue dragging us down this hole.

Remember, we have them outnumbered almost 1,000-to-1 and our votes do count. If they continue with their malfeasance and treachery, vote them out on their collective asses. Get involved, stay informed, and do something. We may not always enjoy having these choices and freedoms, so exercise them and don't take them for granted. In other words, be an American.

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In the News: 19 February 2009

Cali gets its capital fix and taxpayers are paying for the fiscal dope, final stage of the recession is here, inflation, GREAT VIDEO of Rick Santelli, of CNBC, going off about the economy, and Oklahoma man gets pulled over for anti-Obama sign.

California Legislature finally approves new budget

LA Times-Voting at dawn to end a three-month impasse, the California Legislature passed a budget package that addresses the state's massive deficit with billions of dollars in new taxes and program cuts after Democrats and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger reached a deal with a GOP holdout.

Sen. Abel Maldonado of Santa Maria provided the final Republican vote needed to pass a spending plan, which includes more than $12 billion in tax hikes. In exchange, Democrats agreed to rewrite election rules that Maldonado said had allowed the Capitol to become paralyzed by partisanship, leading the state to the brink of financial ruin. read more...

Taxes, taxes, taxes, and more taxes. Welcome to our future.
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Wholesale inflation takes biggest jump in 6 months

AP-Inflation at the wholesale level surged unexpectedly in January, reflecting sharply higher prices for gasoline and other energy products.

The Labor Department said Thursday that wholesale prices increased by 0.8 percent last month, the biggest gain since last July and well above the 0.2 percent increase that economists had expected.

The acceleration was led by a 3.7 percent surge in energy prices with gasoline prices jumping by 15 percent, the biggest gain in 14 months.

Even outside the volatile food and energy sectors, wholesale prices showed a bigger-than-expected increase, rising by 0.4 percent. Economists had expected a slight 0.1 percent rise in so-called core inflation. read more...

Oh wow, and the "experts" didn't expect it to jump as high as it did! Still think they know what they are talking about?

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‘Obama Are You Listening?’: Traders Mock Housing Bailout Plan During Live TV Rant on CNBC



You gotta love Rick Santelli, calling it like it is. Maybe he should be Secretary of the Treasury? Too bad he doesn't want to live in DC, I guess he is right about all the showers he would have to take. Think about the environmental impact.

Video credit to Breibart. I don't know what us bloggers would do without you, Andrew.

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OKC officer pulls man over for anti-Obama sign on vehicle

The Enid News-An Oklahoma City police officer wrongly pulled over a man last week and confiscated an anti-President Barack Obama sign the man had on his vehicle.

The officer misinterpreted the sign as threatening, said Capt. Steve McCool, of the Oklahoma City Police Department, and took the sign, which read “Abort Obama, not the unborn.”

Chip Harrison said he was driving to work when a police car followed him for several miles and then signaled for him to pull over.

“I pulled over, knowing I hadn’t done anything wrong,” Harrison said in a recent phone interview. read more...

The police are really becoming the thought police? I didn't know they were on that payroll.

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Al Capone ain't got nuthin' on the government

The Highway Robbery Act of 2009 is now history. President Obama signed The Porkulus Maximus into law this past Tuesday in Denver, Colorado, going into warp speed with the spending and gearing up the government expansion.

A couple of days ago we used the state of California and how they are handling their innumerable deficit as a benchmark for what we can expect when it comes time to pay the piper for Obama's luxurious use of a Presidential pen. Some more information is starting to leak about the exact cost of all this "legislation," as far as debt held by the public and everyday gub'ment cheese expenditures (i.e. The Omnibus)

First the CBO's prognostications on the debt. This is a lot to digest, I am not going to lie.



By 2010, after the stimulus, the federally public held debt as GDP will be 54.2%. You will notice that in 2007, when everything was getting ready to go down the proverbial tubes, as GDP, the publicly held debt was 36.9%. What does this increase mean for you? From Republican Office, Committee on the Budget.



This correlates with WashingtonWatch.com's findings which we presented in our earlier post and is actually worse once you take interest into account. Concerning the cost of temporary programs, I would say based on past experiences with "temporary programs" becoming extended, the likelihood of the $20,880 estimate is highly probable.

This is the CBO estimate for the long term effects of our legislator's present habits with spending.



You will notice the Alternative Fiscal Scenario is increasing almost exponentially after 2012. You reach critical mass, with publicly held debt, a little after 2022 and then the race is really on. The Extended-Baseline Scenario is a little less frightening since we will all be dead or drooling on ourselves by the time the tsunami of fiscal irresponsibility hits.

What is the AFS and the EBS? From the CBO,

CBO-"The extended-baseline scenario, which adheres closely to current law, follows CBO’s 10-year baseline from 2008 to 2018 and then extends the baseline concept in its projections for the rest of the 75-year projection period, to 2082."

"By comparison, the alternative fiscal scenario deviates from CBO’s baseline projections even during the next 10 years, incorporating some "changes" in policy that are widely expected to occur and that policymakers have regularly made in the past."

My reasoning for going with the alternative fiscal scenario might be sophomoric, but, since "change" is the keyword there, I think it's the most reliable.

Onto the Omnibus. According to Fox News, after our vaunted lawmakers return from a haranguing week off, due to President's day, (Why do the rest of us only get a day off?) they will vote on a $410 billion omnibus package to keep the gub'ment afloat till September.

This bill was not being voted on Oct 1st because then President Bush said he would veto the legislation.

Progressive wish list.

• Labor, Health and Education: $153.1 billion
• State Department and foreign operations: $36.6 billion
• Agriculture Department: $20.6 billion
• Commerce, Justice and Science: $56.9 billion
• Energy and Water: $33.3 billion

This goes beyond partisan politics, this shear disregard for the well being of our country and is organized crime at its best. I think investigations into blatant abuses of fraud and fiscal misconduct by our Congressional leadership, and otherwise, are in order. Anyone who attempts to say this garbage is necessary should be tarred and feathered, among other things.

I guess all I can really say is, "Yay!" :)


"Happy Hunting."


Related Articles:

Western Experience-History on our national debt and what government hasn’t learned from it

Associated Press: Analysis: Democrats self-destructing over ethics

Associated Press: Poll: Public fears about troubled economy growing

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Eric Holder, A Nation of Cowards, and the Thought Police

From supporting and participating in the pardoning and commutation processes for billionaire, Marc Rich, and the FALN terrorist group, to the Elion Gonzales debacle, Eric Holder has gained quite a repugnant reputation. His latest antics now include calling the United States citizenry, "A nation of cowards."

While giving a speech on Black History Month to the Justice Department, Fox News reports Holder as saying,

Fox News-"Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and I believe continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards," Holder said.

Holder went on to say this about American's and their private lives.

Fox News-Even when people mix at the workplace or afterwork social events, Holder argued, many Americans in their free time are still segregated inside what he called "race-protected cocoons."

All of this from the same group of people whose leader called his grandmother, the very one which raised him when his mother took off, a "typical white woman" to his wife, who while making millions said, "For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country." The very same country which gave her the opportunity to do so.

Quite frankly, Mr. Attorney General, I don't know who in the hell you think you are? But, with who and how I spend my free time is NONE of your business. As long as I am not breaking any laws or hanging around nefarious characters, like a certain President I know.

Related Articles:

Hot Air-New AG Holder: When it comes to race, America is a “nation of cowards”

Department Of Justice-Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Attorney General Eric Holder at the Department of Justice African American History Month Program

Michelle Malkin-Holder: “A nation of cowards”

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In the News: 18 February 2009

In the News today, Louisiana Governor, Bobby Jindal, may go it alone without stimulus money, GM sales expectations unrealistic, now wants more money, DOW drops like a brick, 300 points, and Cali. budget proposal misses mark by one vote.



Jindal Signals Louisiana May Not Take Stimulus Money

CBS News-Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, a potential 2012 GOP presidential candidate, has suggested his state may not be interested in all of the roughly $4 billion allotted to it in the economic stimulus package to be signed by President Obama today.

"We'll have to review each program, each new dollar to make sure that we understand what are the conditions, what are the strings and see whether it's beneficial for Louisiana to use those dollars," Jindal said, according to CBS affiliate WWLTV. read more...

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GM: Unrealistic Expectations

Business Week-As promised, General Motors (GM) and Chrysler delivered their turnaround plans to the Treasury Dept. on Tuesday, Feb. 17. While both companies have slashed costs, both say they need more government cash and concessions from the union or their creditors to survive the downturn.

GM got another $4 billion from Treasury on Tuesday, completing a government commitment made in December to give the automaker $13.4 billion. But GM says that given the weaker economy and declining auto market, the company still could need as much as $30 billion in total. Chrysler has asked for $5 billion on top of the $4 billion it has borrowed from the government. read more...

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Dow slips nearly 300 points

IHT-Financial gloom was everywhere Tuesday.

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones industrial average came within sight of its lowest levels in more than a decade. Financial shares were battered. And rattled investors clamored to buy rainy-day investments like gold and Treasury debt. Markets from Hong Kong to Stockholm to London also staggered lower.

It was a global wave of selling spurred by rising worries about how banks, automakers - entire countries - would fare in a deepening recession. read more...

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California budget negotiations hit a new snag

LA Times-Reporting from Sacramento -- As California's government continued its grinding downshift toward insolvency, efforts to close the state's nearly $42-billion budget gap hit a new snag late Tuesday as Republicans in the state Senate ousted their leader. Around 11 p.m., a group of GOP senators, unhappy with the higher taxes that Senate leader Dave Cogdill of Modesto agreed to as part of a deal with the governor and Democrats, voted to replace him in a private caucus meeting in Cogdill's office. read more...

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Anybody get the feeling we will all be in the same boat as Cali, GM, and the Dow real soon?

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Roland Burris, the Darwin of Chicago Politics

Like Darwin, Burris seems intent on spinning a yarn that is evolving as rapidly as Darwin's theory. It seems now that our culprit du jour, hasn't talked with Balgo aides, even though he has, and didn't consider raising money for dear ole' Rod, but now he has. One more lie and I won't be able to keep up with it. Are we still trying to define the word "is?"

Burris now admits,

AP-U.S. Sen. Roland Burris now acknowledges attempting to raise money for ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich - an explosive twist in his ever-changing story on how he landed a coveted Senate appointment from the man accused of trying to sell the seat. read more...

When asked about possibly raising money for the embattled Governor by his brother, Burris gave a John Murtha styled, a la ABSCAM, response.

AP-"So some time shortly after Obama was elected, the brother called," Burris said, according to a transcript posted on the Chicago Tribune's Web site. "And now in the meantime, I'd talked to some people about trying to see if we could put a fundraiser on. Nobody was - they said, 'We aren't giving money to the governor.' And I said, 'OK, you know, I can't tell them what to do with their money."

The truth of the matter is that Burris, in the end did not try raising money for Blago, at least that is what we know so far. But his conveniently "forgetting to mention" these very important facts are, let's say, disturbing. I'm smelling perjury charges.

Burris has this comedic response to reporters, from UPI.

UPI-"What's going out on the airways is confusing to the public and making me look like I'm some criminal," he said.

Message to Roland Burris, "It's not what is going on out on the airwaves that is making you look like a criminal." "It's the constantly evolving story that is making you look like a criminal."

Here is something that's as alien to Illinois politics as ET. It's called the truth and it will set you free, or maybe get you locked up.

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