IS EXCESSIVE TAXATION IMMORAL?

Just a little something to piss you off for the New Year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Do you ever wonder why certain traditions just have to be adhered to? It's New Years Eve and I must, because I always have and so did generations before me, eat herring and some Limburger cheese. For good luck. And I don't have any idea why.

Fortunately, I like the stuff but I think the tradition ends with me. My kids refuse; they can't get past the smell. My granddaughter said she'll try it but we'll see how that goes. It just may be that every generation from this point forward suffers the most terrible turns of bad luck. They'll never know that all it would take to rectify the situation is a little cheese and fish; one night a year.

Oh well, life is a mystery. HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Enjoy whatever strange traditions your family has and I'll see you later.

PELOSI AND FREE WILL

"Pelosi goes on to criticize the Church for its position on abortion and gay marriage while still claiming to be a "practicing" Catholic

I think you have had some brushes with [church] hierarchy.

I have some concerns about the church's position respecting a woman's right to choose. I have some concerns about the church's position on gay rights. I am a practicing Catholic, although they're probably not too happy about that. But it is my faith. I practically mourn this difference of opinion because I feel what I was raised to believe is consistent with what I profess, and that is that we are all endowed with a free will and a responsibility to answer for our actions. And that women should have that opportunity to exercise their free will."

Creative Minority Report

So, Mrs. Pelosi believes that she has free will. Fine. What is her definition of free will? Apparently it is the right to do whatever she damned well pleases. This is the same definition that most people would adhere to.  Yet she claims to be a Catholic, and this is not the definition of the Church. Of course, since she has "free will" she really doesn't have to concern herself with what the Church teaches, does she?


So, what does the Church that Mrs. Pelosi claims to be a member of teach regarding free will?


From The Catechism of the Catholic Church:

1731 Freedom is the power, rooted in reason and will, to act or not to act, to do this or that, and so to perform deliberate actions on one's own responsibility. By free will one shapes one's own life. Human freedom is a force for growth and maturity in truth and goodness; it attains its perfection when directed toward God, our beatitude.
1732 As long as freedom has not bound itself definitively to its ultimate good which is God, there is the possibility of choosing between good and evil, and thus of growing in perfection or of failing and sinning. This freedom characterizes properly human acts. It is the basis of praise or blame, merit or reproach.
1733 The more one does what is good, the freer one becomes. There is no true freedom except in the service of what is good and just. The choice to disobey and do evil is an abuse of freedom and leads to "the slavery of sin."²⁸
1734 Freedom makes man responsible for his acts to the extent that they are voluntary. Progress in virtue, knowledge of the good, and ascesis enhance the mastery of the will over its acts.


The question that I have for Mrs. Pelosi is this: as a Catholic do you believe that exercising your free will in the service of evil is truly an exercise of free will? 1733 from the Catechism calls this an abuse of freedom. Abuse is defined in Webster's dictionary as "to put to a wrong or improper use". Are we free to misuse our freedoms and rights? I know we can, but are we free to?


If we were to accept Mrs. Pelosi's definition of freedom how could we ever justify laws proscribing any activity? If we have the "right" to exercise our freedom in any way we please what would give someone else the "right" to stop us from doing it? Using her definition would the government have the right to force me to buy health insurance if I have the freedom to choose not to? How could my state require any sort of license for any sort of activity? Shouldn't I have the free will right to choose to drive or practice medicine without government interference?


The answer, of course, is that Mrs. Pelosi is wrong on her assertions about free will. We cannot choose to do as we please because our actions affect others. I cannot murder because it is a violation of the rights of another. I cannot steal because it is a violation of the rights of another. Most sensible people realize that while we have free will it is not an absolute right to do as we please. We are only free to involve ourselves in actions that are ordered towards the good.


Mrs. Pelosi, like most modern Catholics, picks and chooses Church doctrine to suit her own beliefs. Of course, if she could find it possible to be honest with herself, this makes her a Protestant, not a Roman Catholic. She refuses to accept the teachings of the Church that she claims to belong to. Yet, she expects her constituency and, by virtue of her office, the American people to trust her and accept her as an honest broker in the health care debate. This heretic cannot be trusted with anything! She will bend and twist the truth to her purpose whenever she feels it necessary to do so. She can't even be honest with herself about her own beliefs. If she could she would abandon the Catholic faith for one that agrees with her.


Because, after all, who is God to be telling her what to do?

HACKERS BREAK CELL PHONE CODE - CONE OF SILENCE SALES SURGE

"Computer hackers this week said they had cracked and published the secret code that protects 80 per cent of the world’s mobile phones. The move will leave more than 3bn people vulnerable to having their calls intercepted, and could force mobile phone operators into a costly upgrade of their networks.

Karsten Nohl, a German encryption expert, said he had organised the hack to demonstrate the weaknesses of the security measures protecting the global system for mobile communication (GSM) and to push mobile operators to improve their systems."

Financial Times

KUNSTLER, PEAK OIL AND THE TRUTH

Cluster**** Nation  posted its 2010 forecast on Monday. Kunstler is one of my favorite writers. He drifts off into knee jerk left wing calumny from time to time but I don't care. His ideas about where we are heading as a country and as a people are, I believe, uncannily accurate. Some will quibble with his insistence on the accuracy of Peak Oil; I don't. I think that Peak Oil is here. There are a number of different ways for the scenario to play out, none of which has to involve the actual depletion of oil. We are seeing the effects all around us, politically, economically and in our day to day existence. Anyone notice how prices of food are starting to climb? Peak Oil is part of this dynamic. The price of fuel is directly related to Peak Oil and this price is a huge part of the cost of food with the average meal traveling 1500 miles to your plate.

We are at the beginning of the end as far as cheap and readily available energy is concerned. With the disappearance of cheap energy goes our entire way of life. Our government has decided to inflate one last huge bubble in hopes of keeping us drugged on technology and comfort just long enough to siphon off whatever wealth is left. We are entering a long period of diminishing standards of living which will move us back to the 1880-90's. The sooner we plan for this and accept it the faster we can start to prepare.

Most don't believe it, don't want to hear it and will not prepare for it. And many, maybe most, will not survive.

Unless we begin to reestablish local markets and sources of supply we will not be able to weather the coming storm. It is vital that we learn how to live within our means and our local economy. This will require rethinking our entire idea of money. Money will cease to be a fiat currency backed by nothing and will become something issued by local banks, as it used to be. These paper bills will be redeemable for gold or silver, just like they used to be. We are going to return to barter. This means that if you don’t have a useful skill, you need to learn one. Your worth will be based on your ability to contribute, not the car you drive or the house you live in. Cars will be monuments to a life no longer possible and houses will be practical means of staying under cover, not testimonials to your job status.

If you don’t believe this is possible, look at the news today. YRC is struggling to stay alive. The deadline for their survival has been extended another 24 hours to 11:59 p.m. today. If they cannot get the money they need they will go bankrupt. This seems to be what the end result will be since Goldman-Sachs will profit from their demise. Who is YRC, you ask? It’s Yellow Freight and Roadway, the largest trucking company in the country; and this on the heels of the collapse of Arrow Trucking a few days ago. In an economy based on just in time delivery, with most products shipped from great distances to the shelves in your neighborhood store, how long do you think we can keep things together without trucks?

This is Peak Oil in action. The slowdown in the economy that was started by the run up in fuel prices that culminated in oil at $147.00 per barrel has led to the collapse of trucking in this country. Along with trucking goes the supply chain. This takes out your shipments of fuel, food, medicine, clothing, building materials and everything else that you can’t get within walking distance. And, because of just in time delivery, there is no inventory of these goods at the retail level. When the trucks stop it will be only a matter of days before you can’t buy the most basic necessities.

This will happen with the speed of flipping a light switch. Soon, some vital support will be removed from the economy and everything will collapse like a house of cards. Is the imminent possibility of the loss of the two largest carriers in the country that support? I don’t know. But, if it is, what are you going to do? Have you prepared? No access to food, fuel, money, energy, medicine or damned near anything else? Have you prepared physically, mentally and spiritually?

I pray to God that you have. Because, if you haven’t you’re going to show up at the door of those who have looking for help. Some of us will do what we can because it is our duty but many won’t. And then, what? You’ll have to kill to survive. You’ll just be one of millions, clawing and murdering your way to an ugly, hungry, thirsty deranged death. Because you didn’t prepare. You laughed at people that told you it was ending. You were to smart to fall for the “conspiracy”.

Remove the blinders and the biases and do your homework. Look at the numbers and do the math. We are in a corner that we cannot extricate ourselves from. This isn’t some (fill in the blank) wing conspiracy. This is plain, simple logic. Both parties have been involved, along with all of us. We put the gun to our own heads and we are about to pull the trigger.

2010 is going to be unlike anything we have ever seen. Everything is on the table; anything is possible. Except going back to the way it was before. We will never, ever live in the full blown hedonistic orgy that we have lived in the past 20 years. It’s not coming back. Quit living as though it will. Face facts and prepare. You owe it to yourself, your family and the rest of us. We’re going to have it hard enough keeping ourselves alive without having to carry you, too.

AMERICA AND RUSSIA - COMPARING COLLAPSE

If you have the time read the article that this links to. The author compares the Soviet Union during its collapse with the coming collapse in the U.S. He points out, I think, the inherent weakness in our system, overwhelming dependence on everything but ourselves. Strange to think in these terms since the mantra of capitalism and America is the myth of rugged individualism. In reality, most of us are completely reliant on all kinds of systems just to support our existence.

I was at a coffee shop today and marveled at the number of people around me absolutely addicted to technology. I asked my wife if she thought that they could survive without cell phones and laptops. I had this sudden picture in my mind of drug addicts suddenly cut off from their supply.

My family decided about a year ago to collapse our own personal economy. We made this decision because we believe that an orderly collapse at a personal level will be much easier ahead of the general collapse that is coming. I would rather have already reduced our needs and increased our self sufficiency before the rest of the world begins the process. It's easier to work the bugs out of the system while there is still normality all around us. I don't want to have to work out these issues when everyone else is in a state of panic.

When I read this article it verified for me the wisdom of our decision. I don't see a down side to living at a lower standard. We are ready for the SHTF. And, if it doesn't, what have we lost? Nothing. But, what we've gained is a more reasonable life with a better, less dependent future ahead of us.

So , take a look at the article and think about the future. We are on the verge of collapse and all the happy talk from those in the government and the banks can't change that. Be proactive and plan to protect your family. Look to Russia and Argentina for the future. They've been down this road; without global collapse at the same time. Argentina is still in the middle of it. Listen to those that have seen it happen and lived it. Learn from them about what it's really like when all the systems modern society is based on go away.

And if you get prepared, and nothing happens? That's better than the other way around.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I am not an expert or a scholar or an activist. I am more of an eye-witness. I watched the Soviet Union collapse, and I have tried to put my observations into a concise message. I will leave it up to you to decide just how urgent a message it is.

My talk tonight is about the lack of collapse-preparedness here in the United States. I will compare it with the situation in the Soviet Union, prior to its collapse. The rhetorical device I am going to use is the "Collapse Gap" – to go along with the Nuclear Gap, and the Space Gap, and various other superpower gaps that were fashionable during the Cold War."

Energy Bulletin

ONLY STATES RIGHTS CAN SET US FREE FROM THE SLAVERY OF STRONG CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

As I come out of the Christmas haze and try to focus back on the current state of affairs for some reason these two documents came to mind. It's good sometimes to look back on our history and realize that nearly everything we are going through today we have gone through before. Sure, there are differences but the central issues remain the same. And the most central of all is "states rights". The powers that supported the slavery of centralized government control, under the leadership of our most evil and destructive President, Abraham Lincoln, thought that they had put this to rest forever. But today, once again, the central argument of American history has moved to the forefront.

It is the states, and only the states, asserting their just and Constitutional authority, that can end this usurpation of our freedoms under the cover of health care and environmentalism. The people need to understand the argument for limited Federal power as put forward by Jefferson and Madison. Only in returning the power to our states will we be able to secure our freedom.

The Tenth Amendment and its powers should be the cause that we rally 'round in the coming year. This is our path out of slavery.

Kentucky Resolution of 1798

"Resolved, That the several States composing, the United States of America, are not united on the principle of unlimited submission to their general government; but that, by a compact under the style and title of a Constitution for the United States, and of amendments thereto, they constituted a general government for special purposes — delegated to that government certain definite powers, reserving, each State to itself, the residuary mass of right to their own self-government; and that whensoever the general government assumes undelegated powers, its acts are unauthoritative, void, and of no force: that to this compact each State acceded as a State, and is an integral part, its co-States forming, as to itself, the other party: that the government created by this compact was not made the exclusive or final judge of the extent of the powers delegated to itself; since that would have made its discretion, and not the Constitution, the measure of its powers; but that, as in all other cases of compact among powers having no common judge, each party has an equal right to judge for itself, as well of infractions as of the mode and measure of redress."

Constitution.org

Virginia Resolution of 1798

"RESOLVED, That the General Assembly of Virginia, doth unequivocably express a firm resolution to maintain and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of this State, against every aggression either foreign or domestic, and that they will support the government of the United States in all measures warranted by the former.

That this assembly most solemnly declares a warm attachment to the Union of the States, to maintain which it pledges all its powers; and that for this end, it is their duty to watch over and oppose every infraction of those principles which constitute the only basis of that Union, because a faithful observance of them, can alone secure it's existence and the public happiness.

That this Assembly doth explicitly and peremptorily declare, that it views the powers of the federal government, as resulting from the compact, to which the states are parties; as limited by the plain sense and intention of the instrument constituting the compact; as no further valid that they are authorized by the grants enumerated in that compact; and that in case of a deliberate, palpable, and dangerous exercise of other powers, not granted by the said compact, the states who are parties thereto, have the right, and are in duty bound, to interpose for arresting the progress of the evil, and for maintaining within their respective limits, the authorities, rights and liberties appertaining to them.

That the General Assembly doth also express its deep regret, that a spirit has in sundry instances, been manifested by the federal government, to enlarge its powers by forced constructions of the constitutional charter which defines them; and that implications have appeared of a design to expound certain general phrases (which having been copied from the very limited grant of power, in the former articles of confederation were the less liable to be misconstrued) so as to destroy the meaning and effect, of the particular enumeration which necessarily explains and limits the general phrases; and so as to consolidate the states by degrees, into one sovereignty, the obvious tendency and inevitable consequence of which would be, to transform the present republican system of the United States, into an absolute, or at best a mixed monarchy."

Constitution.org

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!

Our economy is collapsing along with our Republic. The President has just modified a Reagan era Executive Order that will allow Interpol to take whatever action it wants in our country with no legal restrictions. America and our freedom is drifting away.

In the end though, the only thing that really matters is that around 2000 years ago God became man. Because a simple young girl had the courage and the faith to say yes we have a savior born as one of us.

Thank you God for the gift of your Son and thank you Mary for being the Theotokos.

Jesus, protect us and give us the wisdom and understanding to do your will in these incredibly trying times. We need all the help we can get. Amen.

If I don't talk to you before hand, Merry Christmas. My son, who I haven't seen in a year should be walking in the door in just a bit and I think that I'll be spending the next day or two catching up.

I don't know how many people read this blog but thanks. I enjoy writing and it helps me to get things straight in my head.

Again, Merry Christmas. May the blessings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be on you, your family and the world.

Good Night.

INTERPOL GIVEN DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY

Let's just say that a government wanted to investigate its citizens without any pesky oversight. Wouldn't it be nice to have a third party that was legally protected from that same oversight? America, where have you gone?

President Obama has issued an amendment to Executive Order 12425, designating the international law enforcement agency Interpol as a "public international organization," thus extending diplomatic immunity to the law enforcement group

The amendment to the Executive Order -- which does not need to be put to the senatorial test of "advise and consent" -- reads:

"By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 1 of the International Organizations Immunities Act (22 U.S.C. 288), and in order to extend the appropriate privileges, exemptions, and immunities to the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), it is hereby ordered that Executive Order 12425 of June 16, 1983, as amended, is further amended by deleting from the first sentence the words "except those provided by Section 2(c), Section 3, Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 of that Act" and the semicolon that immediately precedes them."

The text of Section 2(c), which now applies to Interpol states:

"(c) Property and assets of international organizations, wherever located and by whomsoever held, shall be immune from search, unless such immunity be expressly waived, and from confiscation. The archives of international organizations shall be inviolable."...

...By virtue of this declaration, any information that Interpol may have on political operatives or elected officials in the US -- including SEIU president Andy Stern, domestic terrorist Bill Ayers and President Obama himself -- would be immune from any attempts to bring the information to light."

New Media Journal

WILL STUPAK KEEP TO HIS GUNS?

It'll be interesting to see if Stupak stands tough here. He could single handedly shut this down. I think in the end though that even if the abortion restrictions stand the Dems will vote for health control. They know that if they can get some of it into the law they can come back and make adjustments as needed at a later date. The Commies always work this way; they settle for a little knowing that it just gets their foot in the door. That's all they want.

"Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) said the White House and the Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives have been pressuring him not to speak out on the "compromise" abortion language in the Senate version of the health care bill.

“They think I shouldn’t be expressing my views on this bill until they get a chance to try to sell me the language,” Stupak told CNSNews.com in an interview on Tuesday. “Well, I don’t need anyone to sell me the language. I can read it. I’ve seen it. I’ve worked with it. I know what it says. I don’t need to have a conference with the White House. I have the legislation in front of me here.”

CNS News

ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL

Animal Farm posted a rant today about his total disgust with the Senate and Health Control. I couldn't agree with him more.

This got me to thinking about Washington and its ability to control and direct our lives. This isn't what the Framers had in mind.

So, forget Washington. Focus on local politics; dog catchers, school boards, county politics. The progressives have infiltrated these local groups to such an extent that they will be able to control voting at the national level. We need to cut this off at the root.

Insist on the reestablishment of state militia groups under the controlling authority of the governor. This is to keep militia within the bounds established by the Constitution. These militias will be needed to enforce state sovereignty as spelled out in the Constitution. Again, this has to be done at the local level by electing state reps that share the same goal.

If we can control our states we can control our country. The Progressives have focused our attention so thoroughly on national politics that we haven't been paying attention at home. They've done this so that they could flank our defenses; defenses established by the Constitution through the Tenth Amendment.

Communists work this way. They are happy with the small victories knowing that they add up over time. They always make sure to gain control over the institutions that have the most ability to impact public opinion, starting with the schools. They always work from the bottom up. The cancer stays hidden until it can erupt, fully malignant into public view.

Take over your local political committees, regardless of affiliation. People of good will can disagree about details while working towards the common goal of protecting our Constitution and our way of life. This isn't right or left, this is right or wrong.

Learn how the system works so that we can use it to our advantage. Do the same things the commies do and fundamentally change the direction that they have established. We've got to get deadly serious about this because we are running out of time and options. It may be too late already.

If working within the system doesn't get it done the next step will involve guns. We will end up with something similar to the French Revolution; needless bloodletting with a result that will still be terrible. We can't let it get there. We have to save our Constitution and our country.

We have to realize that we are fighting for all the marbles. The winner will take all.

REMAKING ROD...AS A MARTYR?

I'm not sure where to go with this. Blago was arrested because he took on the bankers. Really? It wasn't because of his own personal corruption? I mean, I don't know. I've always thought that the guy was a sleazeball but with the way things are going nothing would surprise me.

Anyway, I thought that this is interesting; not because I necessarily believe what he says but more because I like how he is spinning things. Even if it's a lie it sure is fun to watch. But, what if it's not a lie? Just because he is corrupt doesn't mean he didn't ruffle the wrong feathers and then his corruption was used to remove him and shut him down. Of course, taken to its logical conclusion, if the powers that be wanted him quiet he wouldn't have the freedom to spin his way out of this mess. He wouldn't be sitting there signing books.

Don't you just wish that the world was an honest place?

NAUGHTY, NAUGHTY JACK

FORD OFFERS BUYOUT TO ALL AMERICAN HOURLY WORKERS

Man, aren't you glad the economy has turned around? Happy days are here again!

"Ford Motor Co. says it is offering buyout and early retirement incentives to all of its 41,000 U.S. hourly workers to further reduce its factory work force.

Company spokesman Mark Truby said Ford still has too many factory workers for its current sales levels.

He would not say how many workers the company wants to leave but said Ford is working that out with the United Auto Workers union. Ford currently has about 600 blue-collar workers laid off but available for recall.

The buyout offer includes $50,000 cash plus a $25,000 car voucher or $20,000 more in cash. The retirement package includes $40,000 cash for skilled trades and $20,000 for production workers."

CBS

ENEMY COMBATANTS NON PERSONS ACCORDING TO SCOTUS RULING

I guess this is the change that all of those screaming about the abuses of the Bush administration were hoping for when they voted for Obama. Not only is torture acceptable it is to be expected as a normal condition of imprisonment during war. And they went a step further, declaring prisoners non persons. So, if you are declared an enemy combatant (we know that would never be abused) you will effectively be stripped of all rights afforded a human being. You will be considered a non person; just like slaves were before they were granted civil rights and just like babies in the womb today.

So, if you speak out against government activities during a time of war would you be considered an enemy combatant? If so, what stops the government from making you disappear? Does this ruling effectively give the FBI or Secret Service essentially the same powers as the KGB?

Do we even have a "Bill of Rights" any longer? Do we have freedom? Is this still America?

"In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s refusal Monday to review a lower court’s dismissal of a case brought by four British former Guantanamo prisoners against former defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld, the detainees’ lawyers charged Tuesday that the country’s highest court evidently believes that "torture and religious humiliation are permissible tools for a government to use."

The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., had ruled that government officials were immune from suit because at that time it was unclear whether abusing prisoners at Guantanamo was illegal.

Channeling their predecessors in the George W. Bush administration, Obama Justice Department lawyers argued in this case that there is no constitutional right not to be tortured or otherwise abused in a U.S. prison abroad.

The Obama administration had asked the court not to hear the case. By agreeing, the court let stand an earlier opinion by the D.C. Circuit Court, which found that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act – a statute that applies by its terms to all "persons" – did not apply to detainees at Guantanamo, effectively ruling that the detainees are not persons at all for purposes of U.S. law."

Anti War

BRITS MAY BE ALLOWED TO DEFEND THEMSELVES...SOMEDAY

Hmmm... 12 gauge or .45? I wouldn't want to do anything inappropriate. Glad to see someone is showing just a bit of sense in England. I can't imagine how you couldn't defend yourself when threatened. The law, as it stands, asks and expects the impossible.

"Homeowners would be handed a licence to kill burglars by a Tory government.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling raised the election stakes on crime by promising law-abiding citizens extra rights to defend themselves.
If the Tories win the election, he said, they would tear up the law which lets householders use only 'reasonable force' to defend their families against intruders.
The move comes amid public outrage at the 30-month sentence handed last week to Munir Hussain, who chased and beat a member of a gang who had held his family at knifepoint in their home.

Mr Grayling said homeowners should escape conviction even if they kill a burglar - unless they use 'grossly disproportionate' force.
His intervention put the government on the back foot and forced Home Secretary Alan Johnson into a pledge to review the law.
Mr Grayling made it clear that killing a burglar would not necessarily be classed as 'grossly disproportionate'."

Daily Mail

CAN YOU HEAR US? DO YOU CARE?

Can they hear us? Sure. Do they care? Nope. Why? Because by the time the elections roll around they will have so thoroughly consolidated their power that no peaceful force on this earth will dislodge them. How will they do it? I'm not sure, I just know they have a plan. If they didn't they would have never passed something that obviously would cost them their power.

So get ready. Something wicked this way comes.



Tea Party Patriots

POPE SAYS HE DOESN'T WORSHIP THE GORACLE

“The Pope denounces the ecological crisis but does not belong to the church of Al Gore," wrote Giuliano Ferrara, director of Italian daily Il Foglio, in his editorial column after reading Benedict XVI's message for the World Day of Peace. Ferrara described the papal message as being "of great culture" in its reminder that man must be valued above all other living things.

The Pontiff's message underscores the threats to the environment and the necessity of taking decisive action to find long-term, inter-generational solutions to the crises of today. It also provides parameters for the role of the Church and individual Christians in combating the environmental and economic crises, pointing to a renewal of values and morality without losing sight of the "distinctiveness and superior role" of human beings over nature.

"Benedict XVI," wrote Ferrara in his analysis, "in no way denies human abuse of nature,” but in affirming the ecological crisis, neither does he share "the environmentalist religion or environmentalism as a religion."

Catholic News Agency

The Pope doesn't subscribe to the religion of environmentalist earth worship. I never thought he did. And, his statements have been rather clear about his position on the current global environmental crisis. Great.

WHAT FREAKIN' CRISIS??!!!!!

This is the part that I can't get my hands around. He keeps referring to this so called "crisis". Last time I looked around the air seemed pretty clean, the water from my well tastes pretty good and there isn't a whole bunch of trash laying on the ground. There are more critters running around here in Missouri than we know what to do with. I mean, things look pretty peachy here.

The Pope writes about the inequality of wealth in relation to this "crisis", as if cleaning up the air will make the kids with the bloated bellies in Africa full. Sorry to break it to him but the environment isn't the problem. Leftist political ideology that destroys any incentive people may have to better themselves is the problem. Oppressive government controlling all aspects of life in the name of "social justice" is the problem. Focusing on a redistribution of wealth at the expense of creation of real, productive wealth is the problem.

America consumes an awful lot of resources to maintain our standard of living. We create some pollution but considering how much energy we consume we keep it pretty clean. It's a whole lot better than it used to be.

The reason for this is that the energy we consume creates wealth and the wealth allows us to innovate. We aren't consumed by the need to keep from starving so we have time to worry about other, less immediate problems; like the environment. If it wasn't for our wealth created with the use of energy we would have a bunch of kids with bloated bellies, too.

It seems like the people that promote the redistribution of wealth would be happier if we had a few more bloated kids around here. It seems like here in America, where admittedly some do much better than others, in some cases obscenely better, that this system of ours has raised almost all the ships. Even the leaky, poorly maintained ones do OK. It may not provide equality of outcome for all, but it has provided an acceptable quality of life for most.

MAN IN PRISON FOR DEFENDING FAMILY

I knew that it is nearly impossible to get a gun to defend your family in Britain, but I had no idea that just the act of self defense could land you in jail.

How can the government expect anyone to obey the law when the law is insane?

"A MILLIONAIRE businessman jailed for taking on a knife maniac who threatened to slaughter his family yesterday told of the hell his sentence has caused.
Munir Hussain was sent down for two and a half years on Monday for GBH with intent while the masked burglar who broke into his home with two accomplices brandishing 12inch knives was set free.

Munir, 53, told his lawyer the injustice had left him "stunned - in a living hell". He said: "I just can't understand a justice system that would jail me for trying to save the lives of my children."

The Sun

RON PAUL ON BERNANKE AND THE PERSON OF THE YEAR

PELOSI THANKS GOD FOR ABORTION

C'mon Bishops, she's daring you, throwing it in your face. Pelosi is implying that you are tools. She believes that you will, in the end, support the bill. Regardless of the reality of abortion funding. Because she believes that your desire for socialized medicine and socialism in general will trump everything else.

So pull the rug from under her. Announce today that you will not support this health control bill. Period. That you will work actively against it in any form it may be presented. Because to do less will only show to the world your impotence; your lack of self respect and moral indignation.

You're being jerked around by your supposed buddies in the political world; again. Don't just stand there and take it. Don't turn the other cheek. For there is, "A time to rend, and a time to sew. A time to keep silence, and a time to speak. A time of love, and a time of hatred. A time of war, and a time of peace." (Eccl 3:7-8)

This is your time, and ours. Rise up Bishops and lead the way. Show the truth to the world. Let it see the power of God and His Church!

"In yet another comment that will draw guffaws from pro-life advocates, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is thankful to God that the Senate bill include massive abortion funding. Pelosi also claims she has enough votes to pass a pro-abortion health care bill in the House, though that is disputed."

Life News

CLAIMS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT RISE

I'm not sure why this would be unexpected since I have been reading about the retailers laying off Christmas help because sales are so bad. You can't spin this away. We are in a depression, and it is just beginning.

"The number of newly laid off workers filing claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose last week as the recovery of the nation's battered labor market proceeds in fits and starts."

My Way

LOOKING FOR TRUTH IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES

"The Vatican's doctrinal crackdown on American nuns will only add fuel to a fire that now has young Catholics, like myself, fleeing the Church. The unilaterally conducted investigation reins in nuns in for such infractions as not wearing a religious habit or living outside of convents. Or, more to the point, promoting the ordination of women to the priesthood.

Yet it comes at a time when studies show that many young American Catholics--leery of a creed that is identified with scandal and dogmatism--are abandoning their religion in remarkable numbers.

According to a 2007 study conducted by Catholic University's Life Cycle Institute, just 15 percent of college-aged American Catholics attend mass regularly. The rest know Catholicism only from what the media tells them of it. The authors of the report, Bill D'Antonio and Vincent Bolduc, conclude, "Once a generation has established a pattern of Mass attendance, evidence suggests that it does not change much throughout their lives. If we follow the present pattern, the church of 2050 may well be a fraction of its present size."

To stem this tide, the Catholic Church needs to rebrand itself in the eyes of American youth."

Huffington Post

This article contains a statement of truth that leads the author to a completely wrong conclusion. The statement "the rest know Catholicism only from what the media tells them of it", which is true, leads the author to assert that the Church needs to rebrand itself, which is false. This is typical of the way most people think. Instead of searching to find if what the Church teaches is true and conforming themselves to it, they expect the Church to conform itself to their worldview. To "rebrand" so that it is more acceptable to the world. To cast aside truth in search of popularity.

If you don't accept what the Church teaches then leave. Find a church that agrees with you. I mean, how can any church be so authoritarian as to expect you to accept the idea that there may be a higher power than yourself?

And if you can't find that church? Why then, start your own. This is the basis of the Reformation and Protestantism has done quite well for itself. Accept no authority but your own; become your own Pope.

Until we learn to accept the fact that we may not know everything we will learn nothing. These children that want the Church to rebrand , to become more acceptable in their eyes will grow up someday. And hopefully, along with their physical maturation comes growth in understanding of their place in the world and how little they truly know and understand.

With age comes humility. Humility begets wisdom and wisdom drives the search for truth. Truth stands apart from popularity and comfort. Truth is. The sooner we accept that the sooner real understanding of our reason for existence can begin.

MIGHT AS WELL VIOLATE THE P.C. LAWS EARLY - START THE DAY OFF RIGHT

"A California mayor’s comments saying that homosexuals are committing sin that will keep them out of heaven have caused uproar among activists. While the mayor also explained that he loves his close friends who are gay, some activists have called for him to resign and want the city to advance homosexual goals."

Catholic News Agency

What if the Tall Boot Sheep Loving Club wants to advance its agenda? Should they be given preference, too? Homosexuality is wrong according to the Natural Law, the three major religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and most of the American people.

You may disagree with the rest of us. You may believe that it is perfectly acceptable to give into every disordered impulse you have. Fine. Do it on your own time in your own house with full grown adults that share your opinion. If it doesn't hurt anyone else (and there are a lot of ways to cause harm so turn off the selfishness and think about this) go for it. Just don't expect the rest of society to elevate your deviant lifestyle to some special place of honor.

And, when someone speaks the truth about it, just shut up. Show some class; and shame. Because, it may feel good but then so does doing heroin. And involvement in both is a sign of weakness, giving in to your base instincts instead of elevating yourself above them.

We are all given crosses to bear. Sometimes we do better at it than other times. Forgiveness is there for all who ask but a precondition to forgiveness is a contrite heart and an intent to stay away from the sin.

Those that promote the homosexual lifestyle and activities are not trying to bear their cross with dignity and a sense of sacrifice. They are wallowing in a cesspool of self indulgence. I hope they enjoy themselves. But quit trying to drag everyone else in with you. Even if everyone becomes homosexual it will still be a sinful activity. Popular opinion cannot change the truth.

MIZZOU CHEERLEADER BEATEN BY BASKETBALL PLAYERS

It's bad enough the guy's a cheerleader, but to get beat up by girls? And then to call the cops? Show some respect. You're going to give the rest of us a bad name. When a woman beats you, suffer in silence. This kind of public exposure just encourages 'em.

"Meet Amanda Hanneman and Jessra Johnson. The University of Missouri basketball players were arrested Friday for allegedly beating up a male cheerleader who complained that they were making too much noise during an early-morning house party. According to a Columbia Police Department report, Hanneman (below, top) and Johnson were picked up after "victim reported being shoved and punched by the suspects." The victim, a 21-year-old senior on the university's cheerleading squad, suffered a broken nose and an eye injury during the 2 AM attack. Hanneman, 22, and Johnson, 21, both senior forwards on the basketball team, left the scene following the altercation, but were later arrested. The athletes were booked into the Boone County Sheriff's Office lockup, where they posed for the below mug shots (before being released on $500 bond). Hanneman and Johnson, their team's leading scorers, have both been indefinitely suspended from the 7-2 squad."

The Smoking Gun

QUICHE EATING GRINS AND BALSAMIC SMILES - AN INTERVIEW WITH GERALD CELENTE

More verification of what I know is coming and in fact has already begun.


H/T Ones Observations

CHILD SUSPENDED FOR DRAWING CRUCIFIX - STATE SPONSORED RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION

The teacher is an idiot along with the principle and anyone else involved with sending this boy home from school. They are obviously overwhelmed with a sense of political correctness mixed with Progressive righteousness.

That being said, what's up with the Dad? Racism? Apparently he is so blinded by the color of his own skin that he can't see the truth. Yes, this is a case of unjust discrimination, but I doubt skin color had much to do with it.

This is much more dangerous because it attempts to influence and proscribe rational, spiritual thought, which is purely a function of the soul. This is an attempt to twist this child's core beliefs into something that his parents obviously don't intend. The school has invaded the sacrosanct parent/child relationship and will be backed by the state in this usurpation of power.

"An 8-year-old boy was sent home from school and ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation after he was asked to make a Christmas drawing and came up with what appeared to be a stick figure of Jesus on a cross, the child's father said Tuesday.
Chester Johnson told WBZ-TV that his son made the drawing on Dec. 2 after his second-grade teacher asked children to sketch something that reminded them of the holiday.

Johnson said the teacher became upset when his son said he drew himself on the cross. Johnson, who is black, told WBZ he suspects racism is involved. He said he thinks the school overreacted and wants an apology."

Breitbart

A BILLBOARD THAT POINTS THE WAY TO WAR - AND THE END OF AMERICA

I’ve been thinking about this billboard since I posted an article about it the other day. I went on a search to see what sort of reactions it was generating. Most of what I saw was on liberal/progressive websites. The reactions were predictable. The people that erected the sign were: haters, cowards, scumbags, liars, trying to stir up trouble and on and on. This got me to thinking about the gulf that separates the conservative/libertarian worldview from that of the liberal/progressive.

I got to the end of my thought process by starting with a movie; “Shenandoah” starring Jimmy Stewart. If you’ll remember, Stewart’s character was a farmer in the Shenandoah Valley during the Civil War. He has sons of fighting age that wanted to sign up to fight. He wouldn’t let them because he didn’t believe the war concerned him.

You see, the questions of slavery and states right weren’t of any concern to him. In his view, his job on this earth was to raise his family and his crops. He asked nothing of the government so he felt that they had no claim on him. His intent was to stay out of the way and do his job and fulfill his duty to his God and family.

His sons didn’t understand this. They were of an age where hormones easily outrun intelligence. I’m sure many of his neighbors resented this as they had sons that were dying in the war. The military tried to take his sons though impressment but he turned them away. I’m sure that he was called all the names that are being tossed around today by those on the left.

But the war couldn’t be avoided. Eventually Stewart is forced to engage, to pick up a gun to defend his family. When the time comes, and the war becomes his business, he carries out his duty with iron willed resolve.

This attitude of self reliance and the desire to be left alone runs strongly in much of America: especially in rural areas and among people that work with their hands. I realize that I may be making broad generalizations, but I’m going to do it anyway. Most of the people that I have met in my life that have strong progressive beliefs tend to be from urban areas.

Progressives have a mindset that is ingrained in them through experience, just as we all do. Living in an urban environment they learn that there is a system of support in place for almost any problem you may have. You just need to fill out the proper paperwork and submit it to the right people. The police are nearby to help you, somebody takes your trash and the diner’s always open if you need something to eat. The price of this convenience is a loss of liberty and a certain level of dependency for your existence.

The other thing that I’ve noticed about city people is that they learn to complain about every damn little thing. My guess is that this is because the system that they depend on for their day to day life doesn’t work as well as advertised. They are always forced to deal with some disinterested government employee just to get something done, waiting on the phone or in line for something that if they could do it themselves, would be just a minor inconvenience. So people in the city learn to yell. They learn that the squeaky wheel does get the grease and that grease is absolutely essential to their lives.

City people become used to government. Worse, they become absolutely dependent on it. It becomes just so much background noise, part of the normal activity of their lives. They view government as a necessary evil, can’t live with it, can’t live without it. The fact is, they have forgotten how to be self sufficient because government has enslaved them. They’ve been conditioned to believe that it is perfectly normal to pay taxes to a government to supply services to you that you could supply yourself at a cheaper price. They think nothing of intrusive government regulation of their lives because look at all the government does for them. The live a life that a large percentage of America can never understand.

Like I said, I’m speaking in broad generalizations. I realize that there are plenty of conservatives in the city. I’d go as far as to say that there are more conservatives in the city than there are liberals in the country. A lot more.

By and large, rural people are a lot more like Jimmy Stewart’s character. We are fairly self sufficient and don’t look to others for help. When we do, it’ll be our neighbors, not some government. As a matter of fact, governments in rural areas don’t generally have the capability to help anybody. Even our fire dept. is made up of volunteers.

The most contact rural people have with government is getting plates on the truck and paying our taxes. Farmers get a bit more because the Federal Government gets involved in their lives but even that is sporadic. We know that if we have a problem we are going to have to fix it. Sewer problem? I own the septic system, I’m responsible for it. Water problem? Same thing; I own the well. If the electric goes out, well I’ll call the electric company but I better have a generator because I’ve been without power for a week. If I don’t have a generator, I’ll sit in the dark. Nobody is going to put up a shelter for me.

All this writing just to get back to that billboard; I’d damned near forgotten about it.

That billboard and where it was erected got me to thinking about the rural mindset, self sufficiency and guns. I wrote a couple days ago that the sign and in particular, its location, were a clear indication of just how close this country is to a cataclysmic event.

One thing about growing up in a rural area is that you grow up with guns. Now, this is true in the city also; I realize that. But it’s different in the country. Kids carry guns out here to hunt and plink. I grew up in a part of St. Louis County that when I was a kid was still mostly farms. We didn’t leave the house without a BB gun and as we got older, .22’s. Even when the police would see us nobody cared. It was just part of life. It’s the same where I live now.

OK, I’m getting back to the billboard. I got to thinking about the attitudes and understandings of those on the left and those on the right. People called the person that erected the billboard all kinds of names. This is understandable from the viewpoint of a progressive. They’ve been conditioned to yell, scream and complain to get things done. It is an acceptable and normal mode of behavior.

Out in the country, we’re a bit more laid back. We would rather ask politely and see if we can’t get a problem resolved. Treat each other with respect; because it’s the right thing to do. That and who wants to get into a fight. You call someone out here all kinds of names and you’re likely to get rocked back on your heels. You see, we believe that there are consequences to your actions. We may tolerate poor behavior for a long time because most of us would rather just live and let live. But make no mistake, when you finally cross the line there will be no hesitation.

This brings me back to the billboard; and guns. One of the rules that you learn growing up with guns is that you never, ever point a gun at something you are not willing to shoot. Taken a step further, never point a gun at someone unless you are willing to kill them. Being around guns teaches you deliberation in your acts, just like the threat of getting punched for shooting off your mouth.

I think that the left is badly misreading what that billboard signifies. They view it as a sign of cowardice. They think that because we aren’t screaming, that because the TEA Parties are without incident and because we don’t vandalize buildings we have no resolve. We are cowards that in the end will not stand up to their big government power grab.

They are mistaking deliberation for a lack of resolve and calling it cowardice. They don’t understand that if you keep yelling and screaming, calling us names and insulting our sense of patriotism, somebody will get punched.

But what they are really missing and what I am afraid the sign is signifying is an undercurrent of real unrest and dissatisfaction with the government. I am afraid that we are about to jump right over the punching part of the dance. We have tried everything that we can for redress of our grievances. We have petitioned and we have marched. We’ve made phone calls and we’ve written letters. Yet, I believe the Health Bill will pass. The Congress will act against the will of the American people and the President will sign the bill.

Maybe it won’t be Health Care. Maybe it’s Cap and Trade or EPA regulation or some other decree from on high. But some invisible line is about to be crossed; and when it is all Hell will break lose.

The left is so sure of the cowardice of the American people that they don’t see it coming. But come it will. Americans will take up their arms. It will be a deliberate and resolved act of revolution. The guns will not be taken up lightly but with full recognition of what the action means. There will be no turning back. All or nothing; “Give me liberty or give me death.”

The progressives are trying to box us in because they don’t believe we’ll stand up. This is a serious miscalculation that in the end stands a high probability of being the cause of the end of America. The talk I hear from people that I run into is that we have few options left. Most are armed and have given thought to the very real possibility of rising up. Militias are being formed. Everyone I talk to is of the opinion that if we are going to lose our freedom anyway we might as well go down with a fight.

That is what the billboard is saying. Because the media is mostly urban they won’t be able to read it. Because the progressives are arrogant and convinced of their own righteousness they won’t be bothered to look. But there it is. A clear, stark signal of what lies right around the corner.

Pray for guidance and protection. Look to your family’s safety. READ THE DAMNED SIGN!

BISHOP PROTECTS HIS FLOCK - AGAINST ANOTHER BISHOP

From The New Oxford Review:

"We suspect that this is another indication of a more hopeful future for the American episcopacy — at the very least it belongs in the did-I-read-that-correctly category: Recently, two bishops in two separate dioceses prevented brother bishops from making public appearances on Catholic property in their dioceses. Yes, you read that correctly. A lone bishop banning a brother bishop is a rarity in this day and age. Frankly, it just isn't done. For two of them to take such similar courses of action is inconceivable.

Thomas Gumbleton, retired auxiliary bishop of Detroit, was slated to speak in the Diocese of Marquette (in Michigan's Upper Peninsula) at a conference sponsored by Marquette Citizens for Peace and Justice. According to episcopal protocol, when one bishop comes into another bishop's diocese to preach, celebrate the sacraments, or otherwise make a public appearance, he is expected to notify the local diocesan bishop — in effect, requesting his permission. It is necessary for the visiting bishop to be in harmony, so to speak, with the local bishop. In a perfect world, one bishop would not be contradicting the local shepherd.

Bishop Gumbleton didn't bother to contact Mar­quette's Bishop Alexander K. Sample about his anticipated visit. In fact, Bishop Sample only learned of Gumbleton's plan to be the keynote speaker at the Peace and Justice conference when the event was advertised. According to Bishop Sample, when he discovered the plan he sent a private note to Bishop Gumbleton in Detroit, informing him that His Excellency is unwelcome in the Diocese of Marquette — no, not because Bishop Sample doesn't believe in peace and justice, but because of Bishop Gum­bleton's longtime status as a prince of episcopal heterodoxy. Consecrated a bishop at the absurdly young age of 39 by liberal icon John Francis Cardinal Dearden, Gum­bleton is well known for his advocacy of women's ordination to the priesthood and as a figurehead for the "gay rights" movement in the Catholic Church."

Is this great, or what? It is so good to see a Bishop stand up publicly and protect his flock. I know this happens all the time in decisions large and small but we seldom see it. A Bishop publicly standing for the truth encourages others to do the same. It helps to see real leadership.

Good work, Bishop Sample and thanks. We really do appreciate it.

ADULTS ACTING LIKE CHILDREN

Based on this childish reaction to a perceived slight I would say Father Ward was justified in calling this group a kindergarten. Their true colors are showing. I imagine Father listens to no end of whining from these people over the slightest little things.

Oh, and by the way, this is where political correctness and progressive policies lead. Father Ward is on trial; for speaking his mind.

"The priest in charge of chaplains at St. Boniface General Hospital says he meant no harm when he called the spiritual care department "a kindergarten."

"It was a light-hearted comment and no attempt at being derogatory," said Father Gerry Ward on Monday, the first day of his cross-examination at a labour arbitration hearing.

He is accused of harassment, verbal abuse and bullying by three of his employees — a Catholic nun, a priest and a non-denominational minister.

Ward told the lawyer representing the three members of the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals that he called his 20-chaplain department a kindergarten but meant no harm. He said he'd ask his assistant, "How are all the kids doing?"

"Is calling people working in your department a kindergarten condescending?" Jake Giesbrecht, the union lawyer asked.

"It was never meant that way," Ward responded.

He acknowledged that he never asked people how they felt about being referred to as the kindergarten."

Canada.com

HYPERINFLATIONARY DEPRESSION LIKELY ACCORDING TO JOHN WILLIAMS

Read the entire article that this links to. I think it is important that people understand what is coming. It is coming with mathematical certainty. There are only two ways out for America; default and collapse or hyperinflate and collapse. This is the plain and simple truth. We can never pay the debt and shortly will not be able to service the interest. The Medicare and Social Security systems are about to be completely overwhelmed as the Baby Boomers retire. There are not enough people working to carry this load. Washington and Wall Street are doing whatever they can to suck every last bit of wealth out of the system before the turn off the lights and close the door. The middle/working class has already seen jobs disappear forever and the middle class/white collar employees are next.

Pray for guidance and prepare as prudently and quickly as you can. This process will accelerate quickly and supplies will become scarce rapidly. We are crossing into uncharted waters. This will be similar to what happened in Argentina with the extra added fun of taking the rest of the world down with us. Nothing like this has ever happened before.

EU ICONOGRAPHY - SIGNPOSTS TO THE FUTURE?

"The Lisbon Treaty, which came into full effect on December 1st, basically ended the national sovereignty for most European nations. Most of the important decisions for the citizens of Europe will now be made by a small group of European elitists - many of them totally unelected. But for the global elite, the consolidation of the EU is just one step towards a larger goal. You see, the ultimate desire of these elitists is to merge regional alliances such as the EU into a world government. In fact, in symbols used on official European coins, posters and artwork, the elite have sent us a message telling us exactly what they are planning to do to all of humanity - if anyone out there is willing to listen."

Signs of the Last Days

FOOD PRICES ABOUT TO SKYROCKET

Here's an investment tip for you; food. Don't buy stocks or worry about investing in the commodities market, just buy food. Look for sales of food with long shelf life and buy it. Put it in the basement.

You've got to eat. And in the end, this is what is going to cause food to hyper inflate compared to the rest of the economy.

Most things you can put off buying. But not food. They've got you on this one. The great thing though is that this is an area that you can control. Plant a garden and buy food now while it's still relatively inexpensive. Get a deep freeze and get your meat from local producers. It's better for you and cheaper. Learn to preserve your food.

Do it now, while you have time. I am convinced that the easy, year 'round availability of cheap food that we have grown so accustomed to is going to become a thing of the past.

"Falling production in commodities from rice to milk is bad news for just about everyone except investors.

Rice may surge 63 percent to $1,038 a metric ton from $638 on Philippine imports and a shortage in India, a Bloomberg survey of importers, exporters and analysts showed. The U.S. government says nonfat dry milk may jump 39 percent next year, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. forecasts a 25 percent gain for sugar. Global food costs jumped 7 percent in November, the most since February 2008, four months before reaching a record, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization."

Bloomberg

HAVE WE EVER HAD TRULY FREE SPEECH IN AMERICA?

CONTENT WARNING - GRAPHIC IMAGES!

Had Enough? from PuppetGov on Vimeo.

So, what do you think? Outside of the obvious political bias, are most of these accusations true, in spirit if not in detail? Speaking just for myself, I think we've got a different team on the field but the rules are still the same. If a person says the wrong thing in the wrong way they are going to have problems.

Historically, this goes all the way back to the very first days of our Republic. The Alien and Sedition Act of 1798 resulted in the arrest of Benjamin Franklin's grandson Benjamin Franklin Bache, charged with libeling President Adams. During The Civil War President Lincoln suspended Habeas corpus (an option offered him in the Constitution). The Sedition Act of 1918 resulted in the imprisonment of Eugene V. Debs, 5 time Socialist Party Of America Presidential candidate, for making a speech against American involvement in WWI, along with hundreds of others.

If this is the case, have we ever had truly free speech in America? Has anything really changed? The Republic has survived these abuses, won't it survive today's?

Or is something different this time?

IS MISSOURI LEADING THE WAY TO WAR - AGAIN?

"A new billboard off of Interstate 70 in Missouri provides a short “citizens guide to REVOLUTION of a corrupt government” and issues a call to “PREPARE FOR WAR.”

This billboard replaces one that warned that the socialist “Obama-Nation” is “coming for you.” It’s unclear who the owner of the billboard is, but the first one was the work of a “Missouri businessman.”

While it’s unclear who owns it, the Lafayette County Republican Central Committee seems to endorse it."

EU Times
(H/T Gateway Pundit)

For those that are unfamiliar with my beloved state of Missouri I'll like to give you a bit of history. It all begins in another state, or at least a place that was soon to acquire statehood. Its name, Kansas.

Bleeding Kansas!

In 1854 Congress passed the Kansas-Nebraska act creating the territories of both Kansas and Nebraska. In the process this act nullified the Missouri Compromise and opened territories North of the 36th parallel (approx.) to slavery. Popular Sovereignty was written into the proposal in an attempt to satisfy both sides of the slavery issue. In reality, it began a war along the Kansas-Missouri border that in seven years would become the American Civil War.

The war fought in this area was nothing like the comparatively civilized warfare in the East. It was a war of retribution. Scores were settled. Families and towns, even entire regions were destroyed. Missouri was the site of the third highest number of battles during the war. It was fighting at its most personal level. Men hung in front of their children and wives raped in front of their husbands. Executions and mutilated bodies were the norm. Both sides fought under the black flag. The single greatest atrocity of the war occurred here at Centralia.

After executing 23 unarmed Union soldiers at the train depot, Bloody Bill Anderson lured a detachment of soldiers under the command of Major A.V.E. Johnson four miles from town. In a matter of minutes 123 soldiers along with their commander lay dead. Participants reported that after the battle and the complete destruction of the Union forces the mutilation of the corpses was so complete that not a head was attached to the body it started with.

I write this to try and put this billboard in context. Lafayette County is the heart of guerrilla country. Less than an hours drive East of Kansas City this area of the state saw some of the worst fighting. To see this sign here is to see a very clear signal of what is ahead. I know that this may sound like crazy talk but I know my state and the people that live in it, especially the rural areas. We are but a few generations removed from Anderson, Dave Poole, Archie Clement and the James boys. In attitude we are not far removed at all.

This billboard stands as clear and irrefutable proof that we are returning to those years that led up to the war. The nation is simmering, nearing a boil. Our political leaders and so many others are blind to this. But the signs are all around us, if you are willing to open your eyes.

MCCASKILL SAYS SHE MAY NOT BACK HEALTH BILL - WHATEVER

In the end, McCaskill will do as she is told. She will find some acceptable way to spin the enormous cost of this bill and claim that it will save us soooo much money. This seems to be her modus operandi since becoming a Senator. Follow the party line and be a good little soldier.

"U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., says she'll vote against a Senate healthcare reform measure if it raises costs or adds to the deficit.

Speaking on "Fox News Sunday," McCaskill said she "absolutely" would vote against a version of the bill crafted by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid if the Congressional Budget Office, which is now studying it, determines it wouldn't rein in costs or be "deficit neutral."

St. Louis Globe Democrat

LAUBER TO AKIN - JOIN WITH ME AND SIGN THIS PLEDGE

The movement in Missouri to reassert state sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment is gaining steam. Will this become an issue in the election of 2010? I'm beginning to believe that it just might.

"Liz Lauber joined Missouri state legislators and the other non-incumbent federal candidates from Missouri last month and signed the The Missouri Sovereignty Project Pledge to support enforcement of the 10th Amendment whereby the federal government should abide by the powers granted to them in the Constitution.

Today, she issued the following statement calling upon her opponent, Todd Akin, to sign the pledge and to express her support of The Health Care Freedom Act, legislation that would prevent enforcement of federal health care mandates that are being proposed in Washington. This legislation is modeled after the Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act, which nullifies an individual mandate to purchase federally approved health insurance.

“I am pleased to support the Missouri Sovereignty Project Pledge, because it sends a signal to the federal government that is crucial for them to understand: The federal government has a limited set of enumerated powers, and if they over-reach those powers granted to them by our Constitution, the people of Missouri will not tolerate it. I call upon my opponent, incumbent Todd Akin, to join with me and sign this pledge."

Liz Lauber