tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50836612012-01-10T23:24:51.457-08:00Discussion, news articles, and musings on the death and rebirth of liberty in AmericaJonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.comBlogger3141100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-73938494776144682762009-04-08T22:01:00.001-07:002009-04-08T22:01:29.114-07:00

This story just disturbed me, in a number of ways. The story in a nutshell: Nik Evans died after a bar fight (he fell and hit his head).  His mother wants to carry out his wish of having children someday (according to her, he wanted three kids).  So before he’s taken off life support, she wanted to collect some of his sperm to carry out this wish.  Judge Guy Herman says yes. This is a horrible

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-34469535435707562352009-03-24T23:32:00.001-07:002009-03-24T23:32:48.252-07:00

Well thought out and remarkably understated (for those who know my style).  Too short IMHO, but good nonetheless. Its The Christians Who Practise Intolerance (from The Herald )

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-8081688499730426592009-03-22T11:11:00.001-07:002009-03-22T11:11:32.011-07:00

I didn't know this person, and don't watch even the US version of the show, so I've no real connection to this, but was struck by the comment by PM Gordon Brown.  Yes, the leader of the government of Britain made a comment on the death of a participant of a “reality” TV program. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was "deeply saddened" by the news and described Goody as "a courageous woman both

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-62627183445541823002009-03-17T11:06:00.001-07:002009-03-17T11:06:57.372-07:00

This has got me a little bent – populist “mobs” of people are in arms about this, and even Congressional leaders are asking tough questions. Let’s do the math people – according to the article, AIG has recieved 170 billion (that $175,000,000,000) in government bailout money. They then paid 165 million (that’s $165,000,000) in bonuses to top performers. That represents 0.1 percent (or one

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-69618755703166061622009-03-11T23:22:00.001-07:002009-03-11T23:23:27.038-07:00

This is good stuff here.  I’m in the process of reading Yoo’s memos (one from October 23, 2001, and one from 2003), and if what the Salon story reports is true, this man needs to be in front a Congressional investigative panel for his role in the Bush administration’s war against the U.S. Constitution. I’d say we need to include Bush as well, but I don’t think he’s smart enough to understand the

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-46231298605551875192009-03-10T20:02:00.001-07:002009-03-10T20:03:47.728-07:00

It’s been a while since I posted, but I felt compelled. I heard on the radio that Bernie Madoff was planning on pleading guilty to his charges on Thursday, and that he faced 150 years behind bars. And that disgusted and appalled me. Why, you ask?  Simple – because cops like Gregg Junnier, Jason Smith, and Arthur Tesler are only facing 21 years.  Combined. And because people like Ryan

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-76123706639927985402008-04-08T20:34:00.001-07:002008-04-08T20:34:45.478-07:00

And he's an American Christian who wants you to die to fulfill his death wish. Pastor John Hagee threw his support behind John McCain, and McCain was "very honored" by the endorsement. The only problem is that Hagee wants to kill us all to bring about the second coming of his savior.  In 2006, he said: The United States must join Israel in a pre-emptive military strike against Iran to

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-35870653807832417692008-04-08T09:33:00.001-07:002008-04-08T09:33:20.042-07:00

They have a gift card personalization program - get a gift card with a personal message on it.  According to them, however, foreign phrases and political statements are off limits. However, the problem is "Laissez Faire" appears to be the only foreign phrase political statement they won't print.  Seems they will print "People Not Profits" and "Si Se Puede". For the record, "laissez faire" is

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-78790750264824068722008-04-07T15:30:00.001-07:002008-04-07T15:30:11.121-07:00

At least, that's what her spokeswoman says she said. Hillary's been telling the story about an uninsured pregnant woman denied treatment at an Ohio hospital for wont of US$100, who winds up losing her baby and then her life.  The hospital, it seems, took some offense to Hillary saying they denied treatment to the woman, who in fact had insurance, was seen, and if pretty much alive.  Seems

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-33522353456510515012008-03-26T18:34:00.001-07:002008-03-26T18:34:43.531-07:00

Don't even think of exercising it if you want to be on a citizen's advisory councils for local Chicago parks.  Apparently, if you want to be part of the council, you'll need to submit to a criminal background check and provide references.  And any money you wind up raising for the new swing set may be used for other things. Apparently, the park district's director of legislative and community

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-51923179220660931272008-03-24T18:38:00.001-07:002008-03-24T18:38:41.729-07:00

Glad I don't live in New York.  Not sure about the details here - MSNBC deployed their usual crack staff of reporters to bring you all the details - but apparently it's illegal for a dentist to get smashed on his own stash.  I can only assume it's legal to have and administer nitrous to patients in NY, but illegal to take it yourself if you're the doctor prescribing it. Of course, nitrous is

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-65248998023642361712008-03-19T18:37:00.001-07:002008-03-19T18:37:58.011-07:00

If the notion of President Hillary Clinton doesn't scare you already, I doubt this will cause you to start.  But if, like me, you're completely terrified of a "government junkie" who doesn't believe there's such a thing as "other people's children being President, then this will just push you over the top. I'd Love to see if this is Hillary's position or just what her Zionist staffer believes...

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-91953639128116732922008-03-18T14:19:00.001-07:002008-03-18T14:19:12.508-07:00

According to George Nation, a law professor at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, they should. The professor offers no opinion on whether: Auto makers should be liable for car accidents Weathermen should be liable for flood damages Law professors should be liable for frivolous lawsuits. Personally, I'm willing to print him out a dozen or so "Owner Unarmed - Pleaser Don't Rob Me"

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-37473816543280002712008-03-12T17:12:00.001-07:002008-03-12T17:12:24.740-07:00

Interesting - RateMyCop.com, a website to watch the watchers, gets some crap from LEO's, and the hosting company pulls the site quicker than you can say "You have the right to remain silent". The story is disturbing not only for the reaction of the hosting company (I won't name them - they don't deserve the publicity), but also the reaction of law enforcement officers who are afraid of ... what

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-52765723099022809022008-03-11T13:26:00.001-07:002008-03-11T13:26:19.080-07:00

If you live in Florida, try not to stand in front of Representative Mary Brandenburg, lest her knee-jerking cause you great bodily injury. More on this later... del.icio.us Tags: crime,government,drugs,reponsibility,liberty Is Salvia the Next Marijuana?

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-71551497111106247872008-02-11T22:06:00.001-08:002008-02-11T22:06:02.639-08:00

Maybe when I wrote about the subprime mortgage problems and alluded to buying more car than you can afford, I should have kept my mouth shut.  Apparently, that's exactly what's happening. Of course, in this case, it is pure fraud - inflating income to qualify for financing.  The question is who is at fault - the seller who put down an inflated income, or the buyer who signed the lease knowing

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-54787813336659600072008-01-30T18:50:00.001-08:002008-01-30T18:50:14.815-08:00

Next time someone asks me why I don't like state licensing of businesses and trades, I'll point to this story. The hero, one Mary Jo Pletz, was investigated by PA state officials for running an eBay store without a PA state auctioneers license.  The situation was summed up brilliantly by Barry Fallon, who was similarly investigated by PA's bureaucrats: It's like the buggy-whip manufacturer's

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-38782607097791700502008-01-15T21:32:00.001-08:002008-01-15T21:32:20.754-08:00

Great article, as is the predecessor article on why irresponsible borrowers don't deserve a bail-out.  And no, I don't want to hear that you're losing you home because of this.  As a responsible homeowner, mortgage holder, and taxpayer, I'm tired of bailing out folks who think they don't need to be responsible. You bought more house than you can afford - had you done this with any other

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-44757183791499852252008-01-15T21:24:00.001-08:002008-01-15T21:24:56.767-08:00

If this man doesn't scare you, you're not listening.  Even if you're an evangelical Christian, you should be scared, because I can guarantee you one thing: you won't like what your evangelical Christian neighbors want to do with your Constitution. del.icio.us Tags: religion,politics,government,election Think Progress » Huckabee: ‘amend the Constitution’ to ‘God’s standards.’

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-42415036532602308112008-01-04T16:50:00.001-08:002008-01-04T16:50:07.128-08:00

I'm a libertarian - forcing anyone to do anything is anathema to me.  Telling people how to raise their children is also beyond what I think a civilized society should do.  However, with this libertarian philosophy comes the responsibility to do things correctly and appropriately.  I do not steal, not because the law forbids it, but because it is wrong to do so.  I do not kill, not because the

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-82310258828264935852008-01-03T15:30:00.001-08:002008-01-03T15:31:41.879-08:00

Pat Robertson's predictions are meaningless drivel, and should be treated as such.  Let's take a look at some of Pat's work... Pat and his personal god are predicting violence for 2008, when in fact the stage in Pakistan and Kenya is already well and truly set for violence, and there has already been violence in Kenya this year.  So, good for you Pat - you and your savior got one right.  You're

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-3311234872749997312007-12-31T13:31:00.001-08:002007-12-31T13:31:51.077-08:00

This is why you don't want to elect anyone with a strong religious background, especially someone who professes his belief as part of his campaign to be President of the U.S. I wonder how Huckabee feels about capital punishment?  Most evangelicals I know are pro-capital punishment - I thought the god of the Christians was a loving, compassionate, consistent god, not some whack-job who can't tell

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-46255524395442407272007-12-31T11:42:00.001-08:002007-12-31T11:42:47.038-08:00

A woman on a bus in Fort Worth this past Sunday was asked to leave the bus for reading her Bible out loud to her children.  Apparently, it was bothering the driver, and she was then asked to either stop or leave.  When she wouldn't stop, she was asked to leave. And shortly thereafter began the "Help!  Help!  I'm being persecuted!" cries that Christians are famous for. This is the basic problem

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-83707504681787618532007-12-07T12:30:00.001-08:002007-12-07T12:30:58.844-08:00

From the folks who brought you Fark.com - this is wonderful.  A pill for parent's to turn off the over-protective behavior.  My skinned knees are thankful this wasn't needed when I was a kid... Farkitrol® - It can help™ with Dangerous Playgrounditis. del.icio.us Tags: parenting,humor,funny,fark,satire

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-36283826729465576482007-11-20T14:56:00.001-08:002007-11-21T22:43:09.624-08:00

And I don't blame her.  Read the story if you don't already know it - the basics are this: a 13 year old girl named Megan committed suicide last year because of cyber-bullying.  Seems she had a falling out with her friend, and her friend's mother (who I'll call Eva) set up an account for a fictional 16-year-old boy named Josh, who pretended to like Megan, then turned on her and started the

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-38532429874608881832007-11-09T16:02:00.001-08:002007-11-09T16:02:03.574-08:00

Might as well object to gravity and the fusion temperature of hydrogen.  This is another reason why religion is evil. I love Dr. Leakey's smack down at the end. del.icio.us tags: religion, creationism, science, anthropology, atheism Creationists object to evolution exhibit

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-16862891980383705332007-10-31T16:41:00.001-07:002007-10-31T16:41:27.632-07:00

MSNBC reports on a lawsuit from the father of a fallen marine against Rev. Fred Phelps and his "God hates fags" Westboro Baptist Church.  Read the whole story, the disturbing part is at the bottom. Remember folks, if you're Christian, Phelps and his followers are reading from the same Bible as you, whether you're a hippie love child or a conservative Catholic.  They obviously get something much

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-17912950289585800362007-10-15T15:14:00.001-07:002007-10-15T15:14:03.975-07:00

Interesting ZDNet article, which parrots one of the arguments my wife had over OLPC (One Laptop Per Child).  The basic question, as stated in the article title, is whether a laptop will make that big a difference in the hands of a child with no electricity. Reading the comments, I came across a gem: Kids in third world countries have already been robbed of their childhood. They face the harsh

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-56668509716020101782007-10-15T11:32:00.001-07:002007-10-15T11:32:44.438-07:00

There's a huge push in Seattle to pass Proposition 1 (anti web page here, pro web page here, raw text here).  The link below from the Cato Institute shows why light rail is a bad idea.  Personally, I dislike buses for various reasons, but I have to admit that they're better than trains for commuting distances with lots of people.  Of course, I hate taxes with a vengeance as well... I'm voting no

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-1568600795493544062007-10-10T21:26:00.001-07:002007-10-10T21:26:19.384-07:00

Here's the Vermont meets the League of the South story, this time from the POV of Vermont... del.icio.us tags: politics, libertarian, secession Anger over Iraq and Bush prompts calls for secession from the US for Vermont - Independent Online Edition > Americas

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-45445454485561113152007-10-09T09:14:00.001-07:002007-10-09T09:14:03.856-07:00

I'd be shocked, but after the Kelo decision, anything the SCUSA says is worth as little as anything coming out of the administration or the legislature. del.icio.us tags: supreme court, terrorism, liberty Court nixes suit claiming CIA torture - U.S. Security - MSNBC.com

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-6928167623648850212007-10-04T10:22:00.001-07:002007-10-04T10:22:46.318-07:00

Interesting - the Middlebury Institute. a secessionist group in Vermont , is meeting with the League of the South, a secessionist group from the south.  Kinda like the secessionist from the War of 1812 meeting with the secessionists from the War Between the States, one hundred and fifty years later... The Free State Project comes to mind - too bad they weren't invited. Farkers have some comments

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-24528615996187575022007-10-03T10:41:00.003-07:002007-10-03T10:41:42.732-07:00

Woo hoo!  One part down, all the other parts to go! Part of Patriot Act ruled unconstitutional - U.S. Security - MSNBC.com

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-32387149454342921262007-10-03T10:41:00.001-07:002007-10-03T10:41:29.904-07:00

Since I ride a motorcycle with loud pipes, I like this article - it supports my argument that loud pipes save lives, although the lives being saved in the article aren't the ones I was talking about. There is one very disturbing passage in this article - when National Federation of the Blind President stated he'd like to see hybrids make a bit more noise so blind pedestrians can hear them, he

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-33524285364519527212007-09-08T17:59:00.001-07:002007-09-08T17:59:21.729-07:00

It's been a while but I'm back - vacation and a lack of real news items kept me out of the loop. Here's one about Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the Maricopa County Sheriff who's a celebrity for keeping his prisoners in tent cities out in the Arizona sun.  For those of you who love his antics, try these on for size... Phoenix - News - Dog Day Afternoon

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-80460057343561482952007-07-27T17:47:00.001-07:002007-07-27T17:47:09.601-07:00

I'm not sure what I'm more upset about in this story... A couple had a flag flying upside down, which signals distress, as a political statement.  So far, so good.  They're told by one sheriff they're fine, then get harassed by someone driving a vehicle with government plates and wearing fatigues.  Shortly thereafter, after making some changes, including adding some decorations to the flag,

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-68294339684675770602007-07-24T21:14:00.001-07:002007-07-24T21:18:07.902-07:00

A very well written story about Marines who were asked to watch nuclear bombs explode at close range by our government. Remember, this is the evil of all government. Life: atomic bomb, atomic blast, bomb testing - OCRegister.com del.icio.us tags: government, nuclear, atomic, crime

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-75636900091404352502007-07-24T20:22:00.001-07:002007-07-24T21:19:04.679-07:00

From the Virginian-Pilot - a man attending a street fair in Norfolk were harassed by police for open-carrying.  When asked to disarm or leave, he protested saying there was a problem, whereupon he was arrested.  The DA declined to file charges, but the man is looking at a harassment case against the police. Lesson?  Know your rights and stick to them, despite what the "authorities" tell you.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-34409602305163011172007-07-19T17:23:00.001-07:002007-07-24T21:20:05.631-07:00

As someone on Fark.com put it, Fifth Amendment, RIP 1787-2007.  Killed by George "What Constitution?" Bush and Dick "I don't see no Bill of Rights" Cheney. Let's pick this apart a bit, shall we? Basically, the order blocks the property and interest in property of anyone who is in or enters the U.S., if that person has engaged in violence to undermine the reconstruction of Iraq.  They can't bring

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-14119763286867215252007-07-17T23:10:00.001-07:002007-07-17T23:10:52.610-07:00

While I'm not a big fan of an active federally controlled military (the Constitution mandates funding a long-term Navy only), it was good to see lots of military folks supporting Ron Paul for President.  The blog article below shows the breakdown - an update to it shows more good numbers for Dr. Paul. Military support for the republican candidates » The Truth @ The Spin Factor del.icio.us Tags:

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-48848094317694902882007-07-16T09:40:00.001-07:002007-07-16T09:40:30.990-07:00

Interesting - part of a series of fortifications built in the 1860's off the coast of Portsmouth, UK, is up for sale.  If I had the scratch, I'd buy it, and here's why: In the comments to the story, someone made reference to no more screeching tires, football hooliganism, etc.  Someone then referenced that the owner would not escape the poll tax.  Both missed three key points: The property is a

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-75634010674006301462007-07-13T09:26:00.001-07:002007-07-13T09:26:22.100-07:00

Wow.  Just... wow. There's a law in Florida, updated as late as 1970, the makes flag desecration a crime, and someone was actually arrested and kept in jail for a few days because of it.  It took the DA to say, "We're not pressing charges, let him go," to effect his release.  I guess no one in Florida since 1919 (when the law was written) has read the Constitution or understood the Freedom of

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-32746290056819787692007-07-12T13:28:00.001-07:002007-07-17T23:13:09.340-07:00

MSNBC's headline is a bit misleading - Bush didn't fully admit anything, but did say it was likely someone in his administration that leaked Valerie Plame's name.  However, the stickler for me is this: President Bush on Thursday acknowledged publicly for the first time that someone in his administration likely leaked the name of a CIA operative, although he also said he hopes the controversy

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-71799291709379830702007-07-10T22:19:00.001-07:002007-07-10T22:19:17.109-07:00

File this under "Know thy enemy, know thyself". In case it's not painfully obvious, Michael Moore is a socialist who wants no part of a free America. AlterNet: Blogs: Video: Michael Moore Rips Wolf Blitzer on CNN: "Why Don't You Tell the American People the Truth" [VIDEO]

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-56783932505291915182007-07-10T22:04:00.001-07:002007-07-10T22:04:39.116-07:00

Nothing much else to add - Internet Radio is close to gone.  Guess I'll never discover any new music I like anymore... Reason Magazine - Silence Is Golden

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-66961712061438770952007-07-07T22:14:00.001-07:002007-07-07T22:14:20.088-07:00

The NH legislature passed a state bill banning Real ID, and NH Governor John Lynch signed it - welcome to the club, guys. Interestingly, the NH legislature called Real ID "contrary and repugnant" to the NH and U.S. Constitutions, which it is, certainly - however, it's ironic that they thought banning smoking in bars and restaurants was OK by the Constitution. Let me be clear - I'm glad they took

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-84462974875889223932007-07-06T10:48:00.001-07:002007-07-06T10:48:32.473-07:00

Details at the link below, but here's my take: If you can't show you're affected by the secret spying program, you have no standing to sue to find out if your affected by the secret spying program. Folks, we had a revolution over less bullshiat than this. How Appealing

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-49013171586998307112007-07-05T16:28:00.001-07:002007-07-05T16:29:37.621-07:00

Apparently, seven in ten of you think the government should take care of people who can't take care of themselves. If you're one of those seven: Do you even know what that would entail?  How do you define "take care of themselves"?  How do you provide to fund that entitlement?  Assuming I can take care of myself now, and that you have a plan that means I pay more taxes to make sure some needy

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-84153397926778361192007-07-03T10:23:00.001-07:002007-07-03T10:23:33.363-07:00

This is a month-old commentary from Cato, but it's still current in geological time...  Basically, it laments the politicization of Google, comparing it to the politicization of Microsoft a few years ago.  It's a different view on the Google v. Microsoft battle you hear about amongst lawmakers, and it's dead on. Parasite Economy Latches onto New Host del.icio.us tags: government, capitalism,

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-7502752430888128612007-06-30T09:03:00.001-07:002007-06-30T09:03:50.919-07:00

Yes, that's right - part of a fence between the U.S. and Mexico in 2000, designed to stop cars from driving into the U.S., and built by U.S. border officials, is actually in Mexico by some 2 meters (about 6 feet).  Doesn't seem like much, but ask yourself: what you would do if your neighbor put up a fence six feet onto your property?  How about six inches?  That's what Mexico is doing - asking

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-82586744280051353922007-06-29T13:59:00.001-07:002007-06-29T13:59:56.279-07:00

Threaten fines on kids selling water on the street. Yes, that's right - kids acting as entrepreneurs are being threatened with fines for selling water to passing motorists. Milwaukee officials claim they're concerned about the kids' safety, but I'm thinking that's the concern of the parents, not the government.  One parent in the story actually acted responsibly, keeping his kid safe - good for

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-5804650256210384402007-06-29T11:31:00.001-07:002007-06-29T11:31:24.036-07:00

Yes, that's an actual headline - New York City is considering making it mandatory to get a city license and carry $1 million in insurance if you're a party of two or more taking pictures or filming in one public location for more than 30 minutes, or using a tripod for more than 10 minutes.  They say it won't be used to harass tourists or families, but the language of the regulation is broad

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-43337986777976026812007-06-28T13:27:00.001-07:002007-06-28T13:27:54.048-07:00

Don't speed in Virginia.  At least, not if your a Virginia resident - not sure how the state will tax out of state offenders, but I doubt lawmakers thought that far ahead...  Virginia Introduces $3550 Speeding Ticket del.icio.us tags: traffic, driving, government

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-62151326576966000932007-06-28T11:02:00.001-07:002007-06-28T11:02:00.892-07:00

And what have we learned?   First, the government is not to be trusted.  Second, when you're in close with someone you don't trust, make sure you're as well armed as they are.  Too bad the U.K. banned all guns a few years ago - maybe those violent crime numbers wouldn't be off by a factor of 82%. Government figures 'missing' two million violent crimes - Independent Online Edition > Crime

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-65545770024488831782007-06-28T10:46:00.001-07:002007-06-28T10:47:08.315-07:00

Wow, this is a real problem - apparently, having solved all other problems, the Denver City Council decided to do away with Ladies Nights.  In other words, if you want to increase the folks who come to your establishment by letting ladies get in free, or offering them free drinks, you're now breaking the law. The one thing that was never stated is why Steve Horner, the man who started all this,

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-83801459423334607782007-06-27T17:57:00.001-07:002007-06-27T17:57:39.917-07:00

It's not exactly liberty related, but this is number two on my list of pet peeves while driving (for the record, number one is failing to use your turn signal). The only problem?  Flashing your bright lights at people is, at least to me, the universally recognized sign for move right.  Too bad we need to spell it out for some folks. One man's message to left-lane slow pokes | More Washington News

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-65185876598602433382007-06-27T10:06:00.001-07:002007-06-27T10:06:24.883-07:00

Check out this MSNBC video.  I have never seen this show, never heard of Mika Brzezinski, but I have respect for her as a journalist. Note, this respect begins and ends at Mika.  I see MSNBC website still shows Paris Hilton as their lead story - too bad there are more Mika's at MSNBC. The good news?  MSNBC is now one journalist better than CNN. del.icio.us tags: news, video, journalism

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-11476558682699654872007-06-25T17:57:00.001-07:002007-06-25T17:57:57.592-07:00

On the other hand, I know exactly how I feel about this: Killing another human being is wrong.  Period. No, I don't care that you've killed another human being because he killed another human being, because killing another human being is wrong. No, I don't care that he went through the system - the system is created by humans, who are fallible.  Therefore, the system is fallible, and mistakes can

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-33722284794136832012007-06-25T17:44:00.001-07:002007-06-25T17:44:06.773-07:00

Wow, I'm not sure how I feel about this.  On one hand, I don't think force or legislation is the answer to any problem, but the cause of more.  On the other hand, how is having the Constitution and Bill of Rights available in a classroom anything but good?  I'm hoping some student will read it and have these same kinds of doubts and thoughts - maybe a classroom discussion will be started and then

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-16041200079860111972007-06-25T15:06:00.001-07:002007-06-25T15:06:46.993-07:00

For as much as I hate socialized medicine and cameras on every flipping street corner, the British have it right this time - there is no place in scientific discourse for creationism.  If it can't stand up to the scientific method, it's not science, and I've yet to meet a religion that can. UK Gov boots intelligent design back into 'religious' margins | The Register del.icio.us tags: government,

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-66263648494132335532007-06-24T19:42:00.001-07:002007-06-24T19:42:30.737-07:00

This is yet another reason to do away with public schools. In Buffalo, when you, as a parent, are delinquent in paying your child's lunch debt, the school district takes it out on your kid.  All that sins of the father crap, I guess, although they do find it works.  But of course it does - ask any parent who's bought their kid some useless piece of crap hawked on TV how loud and whiny they can

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-71940488903404606252007-06-22T23:30:00.001-07:002007-06-22T23:30:29.872-07:00

Well, if you live in New Jersey, this is what your school dollars buy you - yearbooks filled with pictures of kids kissing, and school administrators deciding which pictures of kids kissing are appropriate or not. One student bought a page in the yearbook for $150, and filled it with pictures of him and his boyfriend (yes, they're gay).  One of those pictures were of the two of them kissing. 

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-92022455987108038432007-06-22T21:08:00.001-07:002007-06-22T22:12:23.356-07:00

Head over to Darren Worden's web site and check out his Pompous and Powned pages - propagana posters for the police state.  Great stuff, and free to use as you see fit. del.icio.us tags: libertarian, liberty, government, funny

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-70533213606837623062007-06-22T20:19:00.001-07:002007-06-22T22:11:49.933-07:00

You know, I always had an impression of Newsweek as being slightly less "newsy" than U.S. News and World Report, but better than "Time" at being non-knee jerky.  Apparently I was wrong, and apparently Karen Breslau, a Newsweek reporter, doesn't know how to conduct an unbiased interview.  Her second question turned me off, and I stopped reading the article. Q&A: SF Mayor's Battle Against Water

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-4598627288762586892007-05-31T18:20:00.001-07:002007-06-22T22:11:49.933-07:00

The Free State Project was too little, too late to stop this one.  As one person on Fark.Com said, this is how freedom will die, to a round of applause. del.icio.us tags: libertarian, freedom, government Link to NH to ban smoking in bars, restaurants - Boston.com

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-38232933412559571242007-05-30T09:28:00.001-07:002007-05-30T09:28:45.485-07:00

Reason #2 to turn off your TV when the news comes on (reason #1 is that it's 90% indistinguishable from American Idol), and reason #1 to read stories from various sources and do your own research. del.icio.us tags: science, journalism Link to Straight Dope Staff Report: Why are the bees disappearing?

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-80421595390501619402007-05-15T22:59:00.001-07:002007-06-22T22:11:49.934-07:00

Comments from another blog on the GOP presidential debate.  Predictably, the blogger thought Ron Paul sounded like a Democrat - ask a Democrat, and Ron Paul will sound like a Republican.  That's because Democrats and Republicans sound alike, and when they hear something different, they can only blame the other side of their single coin... One comment I have on this blog: Tom Tancredo made one of

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-11902929794832440302007-05-14T08:47:00.001-07:002007-06-22T22:11:49.934-07:00

And the only reason I don't move to New Hampshire with the rest of porcupines is because my family lives there. Link to N.H. finds voluntary vaccination works del.icio.us tags: libertarian, liberty, government

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-78019588404960682202007-05-03T08:20:00.001-07:002007-06-22T22:11:49.934-07:00

You are now a member of a military dictatorship, at least if you live and claim citizenship in the U.S.  That's because, back in October 2006, the Defense Authorization Act gave the president the power to declare martial law basically whenever he likes.  The law states the conditions under which the president may declare martial law, and the last condition on the list is "other conditions".  In

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-60267513713678856692007-05-02T13:46:00.001-07:002007-06-22T22:11:49.934-07:00

Get your kids out of public schools NOW.  I mean it - this is the type of racist stereotyping that passes for responsible school administration these days.  Your kids are being brainwashed into thinking about the moment, not contemplating long term consequences to their actions. The administrators who executed this knee-jerk blasphemy should be taken out and re-educated themselves.  And the

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-29834481590648798062007-04-18T10:12:00.001-07:002007-06-22T22:12:59.524-07:00

Very interesting opinion, one I agree with completely.  While I've tried to ignore everything I could about the Virginia Tech story, this one crept in - glad it did.  I was tired of ignoring all the other media bullshit about it. Link to OpinionJournal - Featured Article del.icio.us tags: libertarian, freedom, guns

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-25616223557549411962007-04-13T10:51:00.001-07:002007-06-22T22:11:49.934-07:00

Kurt Vonnegut died on Wednesday.  And so it goes... If it's not already abundantly clear, get your kids out of a public schools, or you'll have someone else making decisions about what and how they learn. Link to Burlingame schools pull 8th-grade book from class del.icio.us tags: education, censorship, literature

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-77836915835405607432007-04-04T14:36:00.001-07:002007-06-22T22:11:49.935-07:00

Ignore the fact that the story comes from AlterNet, which appears to be more left that Castro.  Ignore the comments from the sheeple at the bottom - as long as they continue to get their weekly dose of American Idol, they don't care what else happens.  Read the story. Then, realize that Vermont wants to be free, and the Free State Project is moving to New Hapmshire, right next door.  How long

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-16912056385874407522007-04-02T13:46:00.001-07:002007-06-22T22:11:49.935-07:00

OK, this is now officially out of hand - IBM is donating software and devices to troops in Iraq because one of their salesmen's sons was maimed while over there protecting American interests (read: Bush's lies).  Apparently, if you work for IBM and sacrifice your own blood, the company matches your donation with software. According to one source, this donation will "accelerate the war effort",

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-83328521103217601992007-03-22T14:41:00.001-07:002007-06-22T22:11:49.935-07:00

Just a compilation of nanny laws coming your way.  Hope you don't get pulled over eating a donut on a metal bat while texting your friend in a child-seat of a car while smoking.... Link to `Nanny' Laws Are Added to the Books - Newsday.com del.icio.us tags: libertarian, laws

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-26562915001601706362007-03-22T12:00:00.003-07:002007-03-22T12:07:57.790-07:00

Good news for the online world - a federal court threw out the COPA bill (Child Online Protection Act).  I love this quote from Senior U.S. District judge Lowell Reed Jr.: Perhaps we do the minors of this country harm if First Amendment protections, which they will with age inherit fully, are chipped away in the name of their protection. Brilliant.  Absolutely brilliant.  It's refreshing to see

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-5430245913643867372007-03-22T10:01:00.001-07:002007-03-22T12:07:24.986-07:00

And here's a reason to boycott America - at least in London , they only watch what you do with your property.  Here in America, with the Kelo v. New London decision, local government can do what they will with your property whenever they want. Link to Homeowner Upset Police Used House For Training - Yahoo! News del.icio.us tags: government, police, libertarian

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-78040676612244415732007-03-22T09:46:00.001-07:002007-03-22T12:07:24.987-07:00

Civil libertarians should be boycotting England, or London at least, for this one.  The same camera technology that I've heard praised for reducing crime and leading to their peaceful way of life is now being used to turn more Londoners into "enviro-criminals", whatever the hell that means.  This is the slippery slope libertarians talk about all the time. And this is the reason why, as much as I

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-62997183711099540722007-03-09T12:51:00.001-08:002007-03-09T12:53:24.728-08:00

This is good news indeed, although there's a catch at the bottom of the article - I'll admit, I hadn't thought of this aspect of gun registration, but there it is: ...gun registration to provide the government with information about how many people would be armed if militia service was required... Of course, militia service will never be required - as long as the government can instate a draft

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-48597867602110166992007-03-09T10:22:00.001-08:002007-03-09T10:23:01.397-08:00

I'm not sure why this was on PhysOrg, but there it is.  This isn't the real story, though - the real story is why Kroger has to take this action. If your religious beliefs get in the way of doing your job, may I suggest you find a different job?  In fact, I demand you find a different job, preferably one where you don't have contact with people who don't share your silly beliefs. And no, I don't

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-84968040947688755472007-03-05T14:51:00.001-08:002007-03-05T14:51:25.780-08:00

Don't go to Manchester, England.  Or if you must, make sure you: Tell everyone exactly where you're going at all times. Try not to make car rental agents suspicious (no word on how not to do that) Don't pay cash for anything, especially short-term rental on a room (or possible car rentals) Remember folks, the citizens of Manchester have been told by their police chief that they don't have to be

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-20761295065920517582007-02-26T14:24:00.001-08:002007-02-27T09:14:33.141-08:00

Read the story, but here's a short summary: A judge in Cali was sentenced for possession of child pornography.  The prime mover in this case was a hacker who let loose a Trojan on the judge's computers and found the evidence that was used to garner the guilty plea. I'm not sure whether to be scared or not here.  Vigilantes with time on their hands, an axe to grind, and some coding skills rooting

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-65208309316912220352007-02-23T17:39:00.001-08:002007-02-27T09:18:25.863-08:00

I'll have more to say on this later - gut reaction is that everyone wants power, red or blue, and neither side will give it up willingly. Link to White House opposes war authority limits - Politics - MSNBC.com UPDATE: OK, I lied here - I don't have much more to say.  It's a power stuggle, plain and simple, and should have a net result of zero on the rank and file soldier in Iraq.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-17855220232254944712007-02-23T09:24:00.001-08:002007-02-27T09:33:58.239-08:00

I'll comment more later, but here's some disturbing state lawmaking news. Arizona Lawmaker Tries To Ban Naked Lady Mudflaps No Bull: Lawmaker Wants Testicles Tossed UPDATE: OK, both of these should be filed in the "all-other-more-important-problems-solved" department. Rep. Ed Ableser in Arizona is the worst kind of politician - a busy-body who wants all of America to be as clean and sanitized as 

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-50766259066443044772007-02-09T13:25:00.001-08:002007-02-09T13:27:53.883-08:00

We've all heard about the overreaction of the city of Boston to a guerilla marketing campaign for a cartoon show.  Today, we learn that the head of Cartoon Network is resigning over it.  And today, I'm going to comment on it. Boston should slip into the sea.  Cleanse the idiocy with cold salt water and lobsters.  I'm sorry to say I lived there for a time, went to school there for a time, and

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-67735221340188495862007-02-07T12:30:00.001-08:002007-02-08T15:04:58.551-08:00

New York State Senator Carl Kruger is planning to propose legislation that would make it illegal to cross the street in New York City and Buffalo while using an electronic device, like a cell phone, Blackberry, iPod, or Zune.  Apparently, Sen. Kruger is very concerned that two recent fatal accidents involving people in his district who were using said devices are an epidemic and needs some sort

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-8958174905193782712007-02-02T16:02:00.001-08:002007-02-02T16:26:53.408-08:00

I wasn't sure where else to put this idea, but I've been really pissed at the new Toyota commercials.  Despite the fact that I'll most likely never buy a Toyota for my own use (my daughter has one I bought her when she graduated high school), these commercials ensure that I'll never buy one for anyone. The commercials start innocuous enough - a few pics of scenery and people enjoying themselves,

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-58321858127964724622007-02-02T15:59:00.001-08:002007-02-02T16:28:02.213-08:00

Do you know the primary way you can tell if someone is a responsible adult?  Watch them drive.  If they drive responsibly (in other words, with purpose, on purpose, and predictably), most likely they act responsibly as well.  Case in point - one small episode from one day of my morning commute this week. Normally, I ride a motorcycle - a 1996 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide to me exact.  However,

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-1169229337504041122007-01-19T09:55:00.000-08:002007-02-02T16:29:03.778-08:00

OK, this isn't politics per se, but I have to get it off my chest.  The Microsoft Zune marketing campaign is disturbing me greatly. There are two ads I've seen for the Zune that make me think the marketing folks at Microsoft have taken George Orwell's 1984 and turned into a reference manual. The first ad has text which reads, "Welcome to the Social".  The second ad reads, "Anti-antisocial".  Both

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-1142537022252781732006-03-16T11:23:00.000-08:002006-03-16T11:23:42.303-08:00

It's not politics directly, but it strikes a chord with me and effectiveness of public education. Read the article, then come back...Student Recites 8,784 Digits of Pi - Yahoo! NewsSome thoughts I had...But his mathematical feat won the praise of others, including the math and computer science teacher who got Gaurav interested in it.What mathematical feat? Memorizing 8K+ numbers in a row is math

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-1141241521258015042006-03-01T11:32:00.000-08:002006-03-01T11:32:01.316-08:00

Man, this is a tough one.On one hand, if a group of like-minded people get together to form a community based on their own beliefs, to the exclusion of others, there's a First Amendment that says they can. So long as they're not going to be displacing other property owners to make their Vatican Vacation Getaway, I don't see a problem with someone buying a few million acres, calling it Ave Maria,

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-1139869555812479602006-02-13T14:25:00.000-08:002006-02-13T14:25:55.876-08:00

Exactly how flipping deep is the Washington State legislature gonna bury their fingers in the private sector's ass? How does this even REMOTELY fall under the auspices of small focussed government? If you're an employer (like the federal government, cited in the piece) and you can't spare the time to independently check on a given credential, maybe you deserve what you get.Inflating a resume

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-1139618151504637972006-02-10T16:35:00.000-08:002006-02-10T16:35:51.610-08:00

This, of course, surprises no one. At least no one with a naivete level above that of a third grader...Report cites ‘fraud and abuse’ at FEMA - Lisa Myers & the NBC Investigative Unit - MSNBC.com

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-1139514451319409792006-02-09T11:47:00.000-08:002006-02-09T11:47:31.370-08:00

Someone needs to explain something to Armstrong Williams.There are numerous ways to defend America against terrorist attack. The way the President has chosen - and which Armstrong defends - have the unfortunate side-effect of destroying the America it's trying to defend. It's like killing an infection by application of cyanide - sure, we stop the infection, but at the cost of the patient.His

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-1137311567454990472006-01-14T23:52:00.000-08:002006-01-14T23:52:47.520-08:00

Think the recent Kelo v. New London thing was a tragic anomaly, but couldn't affect you? Think again - government has all the time in the world to wait you out. Too bad taking them to court won't work...KTLA The WB Where Los Angeles Lives Land Seized for Animal Shelter May Be Sold to Developer-Donor

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-1137002722715969392006-01-11T09:41:00.000-08:002006-01-11T10:05:22.730-08:00

Usually, I ride my motorcycle to work, but since we've had rain for the past 24 days straight in Seattle, my wife thinks I should be driving the car instead. So, I've been driving the past few days, listening to the radio on the way in. I listen to KZOK-FM in Seattle, and the morning guys are Bob, Spike, and Joe from the Bob Rivers Show. They're reasonably funny, have good on-air chemistry,

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-1136578480833689442006-01-06T12:14:00.000-08:002006-01-06T12:14:40.880-08:00

A good article, and a good rebuttal to my previous comment - the Administration spying on U.S. citizens isn't the only issue, just the latest, and one I hope will be the straw that breaks the camel's back and pushes towards more liberty. I'm afraid, however, it's a juggernaut that can't be stopped short of revolution...Repealing the Magna Carta

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-1136319609414339442006-01-03T11:56:00.000-08:002006-01-03T12:20:09.630-08:00

A while ago, I mistakenly posted my blog article on Bush's defense of domestic spying to my other blog. I pulled it once I found out about it being posted incorrectly, but still got a comment. Since I'm not going to mix messages in a blog, here's the comment, in it's entirety (not sure who sent it to me):I don't know where your personal blog is, but you can take this comment andshoot it over

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-1135841279710864622005-12-28T23:27:00.000-08:002005-12-28T23:27:59.750-08:00

This is brilliant - if you don't like essays generously sprinkled with the F-word, skip it, but if you're an adult, go ahead and read it. Two things - first, let me say that I don't watch any news programs, let alone Fox News. I have nothing in particular against Fox News, just all newscasts. Second, as for profanity, there's a paraphrase of Lewis Carroll I like - are you the master of your

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5083661.post-1135195023624354442005-12-21T11:55:00.000-08:002005-12-21T11:57:03.633-08:00

An AP Report in a WV newspaper site...The CATO Institute said it best - I'm paraphrasing here. If the President can, by some extraordinary stretch of interpretation and imagination, defend any action he takes in the War on Terror as Commander in Chief, then 1) the Patriot Act is unnecessary, and 2) the doctrine of separation of powers is a joke.Bush can claim he's not a dictator - I'm sure Castro

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18346654242100702767noreply@blogger.com0