Reinke Faces Life

http://www.lewrockwell.com/dilorenzo/dilorenzo106.html

Adding Teddy to #7 ahead of the “also-rans”!

(7) Teddy (Crazy, “world’s policeman”, “master race”, “trust buster” of the unfavored business, “food safety crisis”, “conservation”, and worst reviving the income tax.

# – # – # – # – # 2011-Dec-14 @ 12:15

Dear Mr. Reinke:

Thank you for contacting me to express your views on whether Congress should enact a balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution. I appreciate hearing from you on this critical issue and having the opportunity to respond.

I share your frustration and recognize that deficit spending and our accumulated debt must be addressed in a way that will substantially reduce the gap between our commitments and our resources. This will require a balanced approach to spending cuts; reforming tax policies, such as closing corporate tax breaks that allow oil companies to avoid paying billions of dollars in taxes; and controlling health care costs.

I am committed to a balanced approach to reduce our nation’s deficits. In 2010, I voted to establish the Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Fiscal Action, similar to the Bowles-Simpson commission to review all aspects of the financial conditions of our government including tax policy and entitlement spending; I have supported budget enforcement measures like statutory PAYGO to control both spending and revenues; led the effort to cut $21 billion in unwarranted oil subsidies and supported saving almost $6 billion a year by cutting ethanol subsidies.

Recent proposals for balanced budget amendments would mandate that total federal expenditures may not exceed 18 percent of Gross Domestic Product, require a two-thirds vote to increase any revenues, and some proposals require a three-fifths roll call vote to increase the debt ceiling. These statutory requirements do not provide a balanced approach to reducing our deficits. These proposals would also include Social Security as part of the Federal budget for constitutional purposes and subject the program to caps on spending. This could lead to severe cuts in benefits and allows Social Security surpluses to be used to balance the budget.

I am extremely concerned about the impact that a balanced budget amendment would have on a weak economy or one in a recession. In an economic slowdown, federal revenues fall and spending for unemployment and other support programs increases. These benefits, known as automatic stabilizers, can soften a weak economy or prevent a recession turning into a depression. A strict balanced budget requirement could force either spending cuts or tax increases, which could make the slowdown worse and could, in turn, make the federal budget situation worse and force even more tax increases and/or spending cuts.

As your federal representative, I take very seriously my responsibility to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to enact sound fiscal policy that invests in our future and protects the economic security of our nation’s children.

Again, thank you for taking the time to express your thoughts on this important matter. Rest assured that I will keep your views in mind. I invite you to visit my website (http://menendez.senate.gov) to learn more about how I am standing up for New Jersey families in the United States Senate.

# – # – #

Of course, voting for “Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Fiscal Action”, when “Bowles-Simpson commission” delivered a workable solution, is a great way to claim credit for doing NOTHING but kicking the can down the road! That’s not representing me, or “standing up for New Jersey families”. imho!

# # # # #

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-admin-seals-records-murdered-border-patrol-agent-implicated-fast-and-furious_610783.html

Obama Admin Seals Records of Murdered Border Patrol Agent Implicated in Fast and Furious
11:45 AM, Nov 30, 2011 • By MARK HEMINGWAY

*** begin quote ***

And to think that Attorney General Eric Holder is getting testy about congressional calls for his resignation. After all, the Justice Department has nothing to hide, right?:

“The Obama Administration has abruptly sealed court records containing alarming details of how Mexican drug smugglers murdered a U.S. Border patrol agent with a gun connected to a failed federal experiment that allowed firearms to be smuggled into Mexico.”

*** end quote ***

This is “barbara streisand”!

We need free flow information.

Followed by an impeachment!

This makes Clinton look like a saint and his lies as small potatoes.

# # # # #

http://www.mrc.org/bozellcolumns/columns/2011/20111201101710.aspx

Let’s Kill Cain’s Campaign
Liberal reporters feel Herman Cain is no Bill Clinton. So there’s no reason to delay adultery charges. They rushed on the air with the claims, followed by sneering political death notices.
By: L. Brent Bozell
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 10:34 PM EST

*** begin quote ***

Ginger White’s charges sound a lot like Gennifer Flowers in 1992 saying she has a 12-year affair with Bill Clinton. So many in the press pounce on Flowers as unequivocal evidence of the media’s sense of balance.

*** end quote ***

Like there was any doubt that there was a difference between Bill Clinton’s treatment and that of Herman Cain.

# # # # #

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052792/

The FBI Story (1959)

*** begin quote ***

The story of the FBI unfolds through the eyes of one of its agents. During his career he investigates gangsters, swindlers, the klu klux klan, Nazi agents and cold war spies.

*** end quote ***

I don’t why, maybe it was fate, but I was clicking around at found this “entertaining” piece of propaganda and watched a few minutes of it.

Again.

I remember seeing it it on the big screen decades ago. And, like most of the rubes I was sucked into it.

Now with many decades of life experience (translate that into the normal amount life meaning decades of heartache and sorrow), i see it for what it is.

A lie.

A bald face (whatever that is) lie.

Specifically, one scene nagged at me. Probably not quoted any where, but here goes from memory …

*** begin quote ***

(After their young only-son announces that he’s enlisted in the Marines at the start of WW2)

Lucy Ann Hardesty: “Chip, why? Why, Chip?”

John Michael “Chip” Hardesty: “Because when my son came to me and said he wanted to defend his country, I couldn’t think of why not.”

*** end quote ***

Very powerful stuff.

I’d now call that “stuff” for what it really is “barbara streisand” or a synonym for excrement!

We now know that the film was greatly influenced by J. Edgar and the Washington establishment.

But more importantly, we now know that at the very least FDR was, at least, culpable in picking a fight with Japan and, at worst, directly responsible for provoking a war to get the USA out of the Great Depression.

We, also, know now that the FBI — what the Dead Old White Guys would have called a “private militia” — was an un-Constitutional entitty that engage in all sorts of criminal activity.

But back to the pro-war rah rah, that I couldn’t see at the time, but is so clear as day now.

Now if the son, Mike “Buzz”Hardesty, was going down to the coastline to defend America from the ravages of the invading — <insert favorite ethnic slur> (I’ll disparage the Irish!) — invading Mic hoarde coming ashore to rape his mom and sisters, that might make some sense.

But we know he’s going “over there”, whether “there” is some Pacific Island or Viet Nam or “the sand box” or
the rock box”, he’s not going to the coast.

So here we have classic pro-war propaganda. All wrapped up in the flag. That this stupid young kid (me) watch on a Saturday afternoon and was deluded into not seeing it for what it was.

Propaganda.

As skillfully done as the Nazi or Communist propaganda that we learned about in school at the time.

There are none so blind as those who can not see.

I’ve unmasked my own stupidity in my magnus opus, “CHURCH 10●19●62”, some of the character “Sam” is found in my real life.

“He told us about the life expectancy of the combat patrols in movies. Yet, he doesn’t examine the propaganda value of the movies in shaping his belief system. He can’t, as a visual, cut out the messages and analyze them.” — character “John” speaking about character “Sam” in CHURCH 10●19●62 Volume 1 Page 236

How stupid was I for not seeing this war propaganda? And, how stupid for not seeing the pro-Big Gooferment propaganda as well.

Argh!

Someone should really offer subtitles with disclaimers; least a young impressionable mind get sucked in.

I remember my Mom consulting the Legion of Decency movie ratings in the Catholic News before I was allowed to go to the movies. “Morally Objectionable in Part for ALL” was the kiss of death. Since I was allowed to go see this, it obviously passed muster.

I’d have been better off watching a porn flick. Or at least one of those “naturalist” movies that advocated nudism.

Argh! What a rube I was. How stupid could one kid be? Very! Argh squared!

# # # # #

http://www.kansas.com/2011/11/24/2114760/disparaging-tweet-about-gov-sam.html

Disparaging tweet about Gov. Sam Brownback lands Kansas teen in principal’s office
By Suzanne Perez Tobias The Wichita Eagle
Published Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011, at 6:06 p.m.
Updated Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011, at 7:22 a.m.

*** begin quote ***

A Kansas teenager is in trouble after mocking Gov. Sam Brownback during a mock legislative assembly for high school students.

Emma Sullivan, a senior at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village, was in Topeka on Monday as part of Kansas Youth in Government, a program for students interested in politics and government.

During the session, in which Brownback addressed the group, Sullivan posted on her personal Twitter page:

“Just made mean comments at gov brownback and told him he sucked, in person #heblowsalot”

*** and ***

Sullivan said the principal ordered her to write letters of apology to Brownback, the school’s Youth in Government sponsor, the district’s social studies coordinator and others.

Karl Krawitz, the school principal, did not return calls or e-mails Wednesday.

*** and ***

“We monitor social media so we can see what Kansans are thinking and saying about the governor and his policies,” Jones-Sontag said.

“We just felt it was appropriate for the organizers to be aware … because of what was said in the tweet.”

Sullivan, 18, said she posted the comment because she doesn’t agree with Brownback’s policies, particularly recent cuts in state aid to schools. She is a registered Democrat.

*** and ***

“In general,” she wrote, “students on school-sponsored field trips, in which they are representing the school, would be expected to conduct themselves in accordance with school district policies, including use of electronic devices. Students may express their personal beliefs, views, and opinions, as long as they do so appropriately and in accordance with school policies.”

Sullivan’s older sister, Olivia, a sophomore majoring in political science at Wichita State University, said she thinks the controversy amounts to Brownback “censoring the opinion of a student.”

*** end quote ***

Reach Suzanne Perez Tobias at 316-268-6567 or stobias@wichitaeagle.com.

# – # – # – # – #

Gooferment Skrules have to “protect” the politicians and bureaucrats. Heaven forbid that a “student” say something snarky about a politician.

Certainly seems like a First Amendment issue here.

And, apologize to bureaucrats.

I’d have written “I’m sorry you shmucks don’t understand the First Amendment. Get a lawyer to explain it in little words to you.”

Argh!

(Note: this is another good argument why the Gooferment shouldn’t be involved in “education”. I’d call it propagandizing future voters. And, for the “student”, why use proper names? Good lesson in everything on the net is public.)

# – # – # – # – #

HAD A DIALOG ON FACEBOOK

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/The-Vote/2011/1123/Did-Ron-Paul-win-GOP-s-national-security-debate

Did Ron Paul win GOP’s national security debate?
Media-types seem to think Ron Paul more than held his own, which is no small feat, considering many of his ideas on national security are well outside the Republican mainstream.
By Peter Grier, Staff writer / November 23, 2011

*** begin quote ***

Which is where Congressman Paul comes in. It was him against the Republican world last night. His positions are often very different from those of his GOP opponents, and he defended them with his typical well-honed points. You’re reminded once again that he’s been at this for decades. Even longer than Mitt Romney.

*** and ***

He said foreign aid is “worthless,” for instance. Really? Not even the other GOP candidates went that far. US cash is paying for much of Africa’s fight against HIV/AIDS, for instance. Is that not money well spent?

<<< NO! It’s not up to the politicians and bureaucrats to give the taxpayers’ money to foreign politicians and bureaucrats to supposedly spend on this or that. If individual taxpayers want to give their money to such a charity, that’s all well and different. Want to make a wager how much more effective that will be? >>>

*** and ***

“I think the Patriot Act is unpatriotic, because it undermines our liberty,” said Paul in the opening moments of the debate.

The longtime libertarian was just getting warmed up.

“So if you advocate a police state, you can have safety and security, and you might prevent a crime, but the crime then will be against the American people and against our freedoms,”

<<< Warrantless searches, wiretaps, the TSA, the BATF, and on and on. It’s pervasive in the District of Corruption! >>>

*** and ***

“let Israel take care of itself.” That meant, apparently, don’t meddle with Israel if it wants to bomb Iran, but don’t give it any money to do the deed, either.

<<< And, MYOB. We should be pulling all the girls and boys home immediately. >>>

*** and ***

“They’re not cutting anything out of anything,” replied Paul. “All this talk is just talk.”

<<< He’s right all this “gutting and cutting” is really talking about the rate of growth; not the amount of spending. Only in DC is a smaller increase a “cut”. Argh! >>>

*** end quote ***

If you’re for a real peace, then Ron Paul is the authentic “peace” candidate.

# – # – # – # – #

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/ge-filed-57000-page-tax-return-paid-no-taxes-14-billion-profits_609137.html

GE Filed 57,000-Page Tax Return, Paid No Taxes on $14 Billion in Profits
1:11 PM, NOV 17, 2011 • BY JOHN MCCORMACK

*** begin quote ***

Ryan used the data point to underscore the irrationality of the corporate income tax code. He also contrasted GE with UPS to make the point that the corporate income tax code doesn’t make sense. “UPS paid a 34 percent effective tax rate,” while its biggest foreign competitor, DHL, paid a 24 percent tax rate, Ryan said.

*** end quote ***

Corporations don’t “pay” taxes.

ONLY real people pay taxes.

The correct corporate tax rate is ZERO.

And, what is a “corporation” any way? Just a bunch of stockholders, typically mutual funds. Retirees and pensioners.

How stupid are “We, The Sheeple”?

Argh!

p.s., “What at first was plunder assumed the softer name of revenue.” ~Thomas Paine

# – # – # – # – # 2011-Nov-18 @ 10:37

http://youtu.be/Ms92g-Gxeho

Ron Paul stands up to uber liberal Bob Schieffer as the questions are slanted and the bias is obvious.

Like Ron or not, you have to admit that he knows his stuff and challenges the “things that everyone knows”.

I especially liked how Ron didn’t let Bob slander him with the “you say it’s america’s fault” riff.

# – # – # – # – # 2011-Nov-20 @ 21:52

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/senate-rules-committee-blocks-tea-party-debt-commission-from-presenting-budget-proposal/

POLITICS
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BLOCKS TEA PARTY DEBT COMMISSION FROM PRESENTING BUDGET PROPOSAL
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:09pm by Madeleine Morgenstern

*** begin quote ***

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) addressed Tea Party activists who came to hear the debt commission’s findings after the informal hearing was shuttered at the Capitol Thursday. (Image source: YouTube)

The Senate Rules Committee reportedly blocked the Tea Party Debt Commission from unveiling its budget proposal at the Capitol Thursday, with staff members removing microphones and locking doors to the room where the group was set to present its findings.

*** end quote ***

I guess we’ll all just have to read what they wanted to say. They can’t suppress the truth.

http://blogs.freedomworks.org/files/TeaPartyBudget.pdf

# # # # #

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=47438

David Axelrod’s Pattern of Sexual Misbehavior
by Ann Coulter
11/09/2011

*** begin quote ***

Meanwhile, as extensively detailed in my book Guilty: Liberal ‘Victims’ and Their Assault on America, the only reason Obama became a U.S. senator — allowing him to run for president — is that David Axelrod pulled sealed divorce records out of a hat, first, against Obama’s Democratic primary opponent, and then against Obama’s Republican opponent.

*** end quote ***

Axelrod’s fingerprints are all over the Cain attack.

# # # # #

http://lewrockwell.com/shaffer/shaffer244.html

It Was a Strange Saturday
by Butler Shaffer

*** begin quote ***

Hours later, and on another channel, I watched Ron Paul engage in a one-man debate with seven life-sized sock puppets. The seven are auditioning to play the lead in a modernly-defined tragedy: to be the President of the United States. They recite their lines with nary a break in content or meter – except for Rick Perry, who was unable to remember his – hoping that the show’s producers will find their responses suitable to the boobeoisie who fill audience seats. It is just like taking a show on the road to New Haven or Baltimore before letting it open on Broadway! Ron, on the other hand – when allowed to speak at all – addresses not the show’s owners, but those outside the theater.

*** end quote ***

I think you may have hit on an excellent idea.

Ron Paul SHOULD debate sock puppets with distribution on You Tube and Facebook. I think it could be a “real page turner”.

I’d take a clip of his opponent from a debate or a speech, and then have Ron give his response. He’d have the benefit of no time limit and he could carefully tighten his response. Shorter would be better.

imho

# # # # #

http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/98826.html

# – # – # – # – # 2011-Nov-17 @ 11:49

I’m a techie but not an AV type. I’d be happy to help.

I’d suggest that quick like a bunny, there needs to be eight quick hitters.

(1) Michele Bachmann — On why “pro-life” isn’t a Federal issue.

(2) Herman Cain — Obviously debate the FED

(3) Newt Gingrich — Global warming and the couch with Nancy

(4) Jon Huntsman —China and the need for trade without “Fair Trade” treaties. And, not to threaten them.

(5) Gary Johnson — The “(pseudo) War on (some) Drugs” and exactly how to do it. I think Ron would say let a regulated marketplace whereas GJ would say wide-open.

(6) Rick Perry — About Gardisol and drug regulation, why should the FDA exist. And a swipe at him being a democrat.

(7) Mitt Romney — Romneycare and Obamacare! With a swipe at Northeaster liberal Rockefeller Republican.

(8) Rick Santorum — Marriage, from gay marriage to bestiality and pedophilia to hetro, is not the business of the State. The DOM act is just bad legislation.

I can probably get my niece-in-law to make the sock puppets.

:-)

# – # – # – # – # 2011-Nov-17 @ 11:52

http://www.freep.com/article/20111111/BUSINESS06/111110345/Stryker-cut-5-workforce

Stryker to cut 5% of workforce
Nov. 11, 2011
FREE PRESS NEWS SERVICES
Michigan Business

*** begin quote ***

Stryker, the Kalamazoo-based maker of artificial hips and knees, will cut 5% of its global workforce by the end of next year to reduce costs in the face of new fees on device makers required by the U.S. health care law.

*** end quote ***

And, I’ll bet it’s not just the new fee that’s scaring them into layoffs.

I’ll guess that with Obamacare, employees will get new “rights” and become more expensive.

Add to that, they probably figure Medicare will be paying for fewer artificial anythings as well as paying less.

Seems prudent to me.

# # # # #

http://lewrockwell.com/buchanan/buchanan196.html

The Equality Racket
by Patrick J. Buchanan

*** begin quote ***

What action? The rich must pay “their fair share.” Though the top 1 percent pay 40 percent of federal income taxes and the bottom 50 percent have, in some years, paid nothing, the rich must be made to pay more.

That’s an appealing argument to many, but one that would have horrified our founding fathers. For from the beginning, America was never about equality, except of God-given and constitutional rights.

Our revolution was about liberty; it was about freedom.

*** end quote ***

Too many folks idle in the boats and too few rowers.

Too many entitlements; too much welfare; too much crony corporatism; too much “incest”.

Too, too much of all the bad stuff that comes with Gooferment.

And it all comes down to the root causes:

(1) Yielding to the gang called Gooferment the illusion that it’s allowed to initiate force against peaceful people.

(2) Permitting that gang to redefine “money” from gold to paper. That results in unchecked taxation (i.e., inflation).

(3) Allowing them to create the Prussian model Gooferment Skrules to brainwash and dumb down posterity.

# # # # #

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armistice_Day

Armistice Day (also known as Remembrance Day) is on 11 November and commemorates the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War I, which took effect at eleven o’clock in the morning—the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” of 1918.

# – # – #

“60 million people who died in the war.”

Mister Wilson, who ran for President on a “peace platform”, when the country was very isolationist, almost immediately took us to war. The Lusitania, the causus beli, we know know, was carrying munitions in violation of the accepted standards of neutrality.

60 million!

And, it set us on the path to the American Empire.

The entrance of America into Europe’s War balance the sides. The Armistice was the toot cause of WW2 which killed another generation of American men.

And, we’ve never been able to get off that path. Ten years in AfPak? Policeman to Africa. We’re broke.

I won’t get into politics on the graves of Americans, who were duped into dying for the Empire.

I’ll just pray for them and the next generation who will fight in someone else’s war.

# # # # #

http://www.dickmorris.com/blog/who-lost-the-arab-world-dick-morris-tv-lunch-alert/

Who Lost the Arab World? The Arab Spring is turning into a nightmare — a combination of Shariah extremism, anti-Semitism, anti-Americanism, and pro-terrorism. It’s a foreign policy fiasco.

# – # – #

Answer: BHO44!

But a good riff, …

“Anti-semetic, anti-Israeli, pro-Iranian, pro-terrorist, anti-women, anti-American, Shariah law (extremism)”.

Pretty much sums up why we should have and should in the future … MYOB!

# # # # #

http://ncc-1776.org/tle2011/tle643-20111106-01.html

*** begin quote ***

The Market has spoken

About a month ago Bank of America announced it was going to charge a five dollar monthly fee for using a debit card issued by them to make purchases. This led to an uproar. People closed their accounts with BofA and moved their money to credit unions and bank which did not charge this fee. Other people decided not to open accounts with BofA. Bank of America lost money.

Bank of America decided to not charge people for using their credit card. Congress passed no law. No one was sued. No injunctions were issued. No executive orders were given, no bureaucrats regulated. Free people simply applied the pressure of the market place and BofA changed its policy in response to their customers’ needs.

The Market spoke and the government was not involved. Free market capitalism worked perfectly.

And the government wasn’t involved.

A.X. Perez

# – # – #

And, don’t forget that the Gooferment created the problem in the FIRST place.

Gooferment is the root of ALL evil.

# # # # #

http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2011/11/04/cards-snubbed-by-obama-no-traditional-white-house-call-following-game-7-win/

Cards Snubbed By Obama? No Traditional White House Call Following Game 7 Win
Charlie Brennan, Brett Blume
November 4, 2011 11:11 AM

*** begin quote ***

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) – Was President Barack Obama too busy watching the “Operation Repo” marathon or something else last Friday night?

When KMOX host Charlie Brennan asked now-retired St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa how the traditional call of congratulations from the White House went, La Russa suddenly realized that…it never happened.

*** end quote ***

Is this White House tone deaf or what?

# – # – # – # – # 2011-Nov-04 @ 21:03

http://triptbishop.blogspot.com/2011/10/ten-reasons-why-catholics-should-elect.html

10 Reasons Why

*** begin quote ***

3. Ron Paul is not Catholic. Yep. You heard me right–Catholics should elect Ron Paul especially because he is not Catholic and thereby illustrates the truths inherent to the Catholic worldview since Saints Paul and Augustine: namely, that God is the source of all Truth. God will and can use rejected cornerstones. What matters about Dr. Paul is that he will uphold the Constitution. Just as I want my Bishop to be magisterially faithful, so I want my President to be beholden to the Constitution.

*** end quote ***

Love it. And, it’s right on point.

# # # # #

http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/random-thoughts-on-obamas-new-mortgage-plan/

Random Thoughts on Obama’s New Mortgage Plan
Posted by Mark A. Calabria

*** begin quote ***

In case you missed it, President Obama gave a big speech out in Las Vegas about both his “jobs” plan and a new plan to help underwater borrowers re-finance their mortgage. First, let’s recognize that it is not really “his” plan. The proposal is being issued by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), an independent regulator that the President is supposed to have no control over. Frankly, I find it troubling for a president to be so involved with an independent agency. If a president was out giving speeches when the Federal Reserve changed interest rates, we would all call that bizarre. It is no different here. As someone involved in drafting the law that created FHFA, I can say Congress considered, and rejected, the option of having this agency accountable to the president.

*** end quote ***

Argh!

Regulators that don’t really regulate. “Independents” that aren’t.

Let’s just drop the farce.

Argh!

# # # # #

http://www.irishcentral.com/news/New-drink-driving-laws-could-close-half-of-Irelands-pubs-132844583.html

New drink driving laws could close half of Ireland’s pubs
Greater public safety means less indulgence
By ANTOINETTE KELLY, IrishCentral.com Staff Writer
Published Saturday, October 29, 2011, 7:23 AM
Updated Saturday, October 29, 2011, 7:32 AM

*** begin quote ***

A new drinking and driving law could lead to the closure of up to half the pubs in Ireland.

Irish publicans have reacted with scorn to new drink and driving legislation that reduced the blood alcohol limit to 50mg per 100mls of blood.

The new law has come into force this week, and it’s already being called a deadly blow to the pubs of rural Ireland. In fact, some publicans warn, the new restrictions could lead to the closure of up to half the pubs in the country.

Kerry County Council member and publican Bobby O’Connell told the Irish Examiner that vintners are convinced that up to 50 percent of all Irish pubs will be forced to shut down within the next five years. 


“Rural pubs are being decimated,” said O’Connell. “The recession and the off-licence trade have done irreparable damage to the pub trade and now we have this.”



*** end quote ***

How can the politicians just steal these businesses?

If a society decides to virtually outlaw drinking, then it has the obligation to pay for these businesses.

As a little L libertarian, I think this is all wrong.

I believe that what was originally considered to be bad was fatalities or injuries from accidents as a result of drunk driving. Somehow it’s morphed into driving after having had a beer.

If that was true, my entire generation should be dead.

I think we need a better standard. (1) There has to be a injury or accident. (2) After conviction, there has to be a substantial penalty — financial and jail time — plus restitution. (3) Second offenses, multiple offense, should be impossible due to the jail terms.

Only then will society be protected from irresponsible people.

# # # # #

http://bigpeace.com/nmachiavelli/2011/10/27/report-obama-administration-traded-
f-16s-in-order-to-gain-release-of-israeli-american-held-in-egypt/

Report: Obama Administration Traded F-16s In Order To Gain Release Of Israeli-American Held In Egypt
Posted by Niccolo Machiavelli Oct 27th 2011 at 10:55 am in Africa, Espionage, Featured Story, Intelligence, Middle East, Military Technology, News, Obama, Terrorism, Weapons | Comments (42)

*** begin quote ***

If true, this makes Iran-contra look like a bake sale in comparison. From Ynet:

The Palestinian Maan news agency reported Thursday that the United States has agreed to sell Egypt several F-16 fighter jets in order to facilitate the release of Israeli-American Ilan Grapel. Israel had opposed similar sales in the past.

*** end quote ***

I wonder if the Israeli pilots will be facing these soon.

Wonder if US pilots will as well?

Argh!

# # # # #

http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/97324.html

October 22, 2011
Congressional Welfare Statists
Posted by Laurence Vance on October 22, 2011 11:08 AM

*** begin quote ***

The Senate recently voted, 84-15, to approve an amendment to an agriculture bill that would discontinue certain farm subsidies for people who have more than $1 million a year in adjusted gross income. The current limit is $1.2 million. Better, of course, to cut all the farm subsidies.

*** and ***

Why didn’t Republicans get rid of farm subsidies when the controlled the Congress under Clinton for six years? Why didn’t Republicans get rid of farm subsidies when they controlled the Congress for over four years under Bush the Republican? Why aren’t Republicans trying to get rid of all farm subsidies now? And you thought only Democrats were welfare statists.

*** end quote ***

Why are we subsidizing rich people? Could there be campaign contributions or plain old graft involved?

Stupidity!

# # # # #