Don't Tread On Me

Permits,Permits and more permits

2005-01-29T16:17:00.000-08:00

Is it just me or do you have to get a permit for just about anything nowadays? From getting permits to carry a handgun for your own protection ot getting a permit to burn garbage or build an addition to your home or to park here or there, etc.
In my opinion a permit is basically the government's way of saying,"Well I guess we could trust you to burn garbage. I mean this is a very big task your doing and we've really entrusted a lot to you hear so don't screw it up."
Gee thanks mom.
CCW permits are another great example. I've had a CCW permit for 3 years now and have carried religously everywhere I'm allowed to (mostly w/my trusty Bersa Thunder .380) but recently it has expired and now after submitting all the paperwork(paying $105 and being fingerprinted as if I've committed some crime) it is going to be a few months before I get it renewed. Now all my personal safety is relied upon police officers who can't be everywhere at once and the County gun board who'll approve my renewal in a few months or so.
But the point is I have get permission from the government to do something and I think in very few cases this is the Gov't sticking its nose where it doesn't need to be. Can you imagine some township official telling James Madison as he was building some house on his property that he needs to get a permit to do that? Permission from the Township to move his deck out 4 inches? To get a zoning variance? Or tell George Washington he needs a driving permit to ride his horse somewhere? Or to carry a trusted sidearm?
I think a good rule of thumb is if the founding fathers would be incensed by it(a gov't action) then thats a good way of seeing if something is oppressive, unconstitutional and/or none of the gov't business.

Cultural Diversity

2005-01-18T04:00:00.000-08:00

I recently was privileged (read:paid to attend) a performance by some Pillsbury House organization out of Minneapolis. Called "Breaking Ice." It was a group of different ethnic people who put on skits about racism, homophobia and other social elite issues. 5 performers who get paid to act like a bunch of racist, homophobic, upper class white americans basically.
It ridiculous that the county I live in would pay for employees to attend this farce, bunk,,whatever. Adjectives fail to describe in the lowest terms how stupid this performance was. And to think that 9 yr old children were in attandance also courtesy of the local government propaganda youth camp (school).
It all started out with a local HR woman describing how on MLK day it'd be great if all of us as african-american, asian-americans, mexican-americans and gay and lesbian would appreciate each others diversity in our country, blah blah blah.
I knew it was going to be our typical, leftist performance.
Anyway, these 5 actors get on stage and one of them bangs on a drum to start out as the other 4 all dance like a bunch of monkeys. They then all seperately begin talking at the same time saying different things such as "hear me" "respect me" and yada yada. This then proceeds into different skits where derogatory terms are traded and also a skit where two of the males are gay lovers struggling to come out of the closet.
Well, in my opinion cultural diversity is a sham. Not all cultures are the same. Its subjective anyway but..Lets face it. The taliban culture is not on par with a ours. I don't want to live in an ancient Somalian culture dominated by Shia Islamic rules. I dont care to live like the snobby French(a stereotype for sure but mostly true!). Etc.
If you really want to practice cultural diversity. Do as Jesus says. Love your neighbor as yourself. Don't do as Buddha or Mohammed. Only Jesus loved like no other.

Cutting Bamboo

2005-01-04T08:12:00.000-08:00

Amidst reports that Al-Zarqawi has been captured in Iraq, one has to wonder. Will they do anything to stop the "terrorist attacks" in that country? I don't believe so.

As far as terrrorists are concerned they are much like drug dealers. You take one off the street and 2 more pop back. Like bamboo. The more you cut it the more it grows back worse than before.

Its just the same as if Osama Bin Ladin were captured or killed. It will not stop Al-Queda from plotting vs us. U.S Foreign policy must change and we should begin by getting out of Iraq.

Christmas V Kwanzaa, Hanukkah etc

2004-12-20T14:00:00.000-08:00

Maybe you don't feel this way but I am getting tired and beginning to loathe this whole idea of combining Christmas with Kwanzaa or Hanukkah. Especially on ESPN sportscenter where Stuart Scott will often say Merry Kwan-christmas-Kah or something like that.

Does anyone even know what Kwanzaa is? Or a follower of it?

Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by a convicted felon. Click here for a quick history.
www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/811641/posts

So this is a politically correct holiday that is given legitimacy by the mainstream media so all can respect it and its followers.

Bah. I say bring in Festivus from the SEINFELD sitcom. George Constanza's dad creates this eccentric holdiay with its strange rituals such as 'the airing of grievances' or the FESTIVUS pole and 'the feats of strength!'

"Cool Cities Initiative"-Stupid Idea

2004-12-08T14:02:00.000-08:00

Ok, who was the brainchild that came up with this idea? You may have heard of it. Its called The Cool Cities Initiative. A city is designated I presume by the Department of Labor and Economic Growth ( I never knew such a department existed??) and given, yes given $100K. What is this money used for? Why to make the 1 of 20 cities cool and vibrant for young people. I am serious. and to assist entrepeneuers and artists. Well if you really want to help those trying to start a new business how about cutting their taxes. Roll back all these inane regulations and call off the DEQ/DNR bloodhounds.
www.record-eagle.com/2004/jun/03cool.htm
So let me get his straight. In a time of budget crunching and approaching deficits in Michigan's budget they find a way to allocate a "cool" 2 million to cities. What a crock! I can't think of a more egegious waste of money. Actually I can...

-Allocate $$ for Pakistani Goat herdsmen to come to Michigan to show farmers how to raise
goats
-Give Lions fans w/season tickets a refund
-More money for Kwanzaa awareness (I don't think enough people celebrate this holiday)
-If Kwanzaa gets $ so should Festivus!
-Clean up the Muskegon county jail-it looks so filthy
-How come 3 mile road in Grand Rapids is so screwy-trying to get to Alpine ave Motel 6 there
was a nightmare-fix it!
-Help Chuck E Cheese expand to all of Northern Michigan-Now there's a Cool idea
-Expand the 0.10 cent deposit to a quarter per return

See, with a little effort one can find other ridiculous ways to waste taxpayer money!

Confessions of a Madden Addict

2004-11-24T16:37:00.000-08:00

Ok, Ok I have to admit it. I am a Madden 2005 PC addict. Freakchild, whatever.
I play the role of General Manager in 2 online PC leegues (www.jshl.net/jsfl and www.v-f-l.com).
I control the Bucs in one league and jaguars in the second. Absolute fun. Wow. If your a player of the computer game Madden then playing vs the computer gets so old and after awhile begins to get easier to dominate the game. You could play online EASO but their are alot of "cheese" players online. They cheat, run the same plays all the time, run glitch blitzes..etc.
I got my madden start back in 1993. My step-dad bought my 2 brothers and I a Super nintendo w/madden 93 the game w/it. It didn't take long for us to be playing that game constantly.
I still remember in high school keeping track of every games stats (especially the RBs) and projecting out season stats, writing little news articles to myself and goofy stuff like that.
Just a sidenote, my favorite HBs on 93 were Christian Okoye of the Chiefs, Marion Butts of the Chargers, Barry Sanders of the Lions. Okoye was an abosolute beast when it came to running. The Chiefs also had Barry Word on the team at FB and what a backfield that was.
My brother Zach was my biggest competition. He was and still is a fan of the Green Bay Packers. My favorite team(still) was Tampa Bay and we'd always have epic battles on that game.
My dad could not stand us kids playing "that damn video games." He claimed the usual assortment of scare tactics. "You keep playing that it'll wreck your eyes!" "You'll fry your brain." Of course, we countered w/the standard arguments of how it IMPROVES your hand-eye coordination. LOL.
Good times... to be a teenager on summer break and play madden to 4am in the morning. Or having a few friends over and everyone is controlling a player on one team. Taking that team to the playoffs only to have the darn thing cheat on you and make you turn the ball over.
Anyways, after a decade of madden playing here are my suggestions to winning vs others. Of course, I am assuming that you must practice, practice and practice some more.

-You must be able to run the ball. Nothing is more demoralizing and satisfying than to stuff the ball down an opponets throat.

-You must play sound, fundamental defense. Stop the running game of your opponet. Do not call crazy, all out blitzes. You play it conseravtive and stop the big plays.

-Play predominantly zone coverages unless you have 2 stud CBs. Most people struggle to read zone coverages and you'll get more INTs this way. The only drawback is if you can't rush the passer w/4 down lineman than it could be a long day.

-Don't get caught 1 on 1 downfield. Always have deep help.

Good luck.

Arlen Specter (Thank you Mr. Bush)

2004-11-16T06:12:00.001-08:00

Well it is starting to look more and more like Arlen Specter (R) Penn. will be the next Senate Judiciary Chairman. He is basically the gate keeper for any federal judge appointments for the next few years. You may recall that Pres. Bush lobbied hard on Arlen's behalf this last election cycle. What do I have vs Mr. Jowels himself? Have you seen the Jowels on this guy? He looks like a Greyhound..
Anyway, http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=41378 this article is pretty clear on his intentions. Why would a "conservative Christian" Pres. Bush support a baby slaying enabler Senator like this anyway?
It only goes to show that the GOP leadership will put power over principle to maintain their own power in DC.
More of the same..

Republican Revolution

2004-11-05T15:52:00.000-08:00

Now that the GOP has once again held onto power in Washington, it will be interesting to see if "conservative" ideology will be followed. I'm thinking NOT!
I believe there will be more of the same outrageous spending increases on education, foreign aid and other domestic programs.
Hopefully the tax cuts will continue which is one small positive and a Supreme Court Justice that is pro-life can be inserted in but we'll have to see.
Conservatives should recall that just because their is a GOP president in power a pro-life Supreme Court justice is not a lock. Remember David Souter? Nominated by Bush the elder.. Justices Jennedy and O'Connor are widely regarded as being in support of the savage slaughter of innocent children. And they were appointed by Reagan.
Will there be a rollback of the 20K + gun laws by the Bush administration? Will there be a rollback of business regulation?
Abolishing of several useless, unconstitutional federal cabinet positions (Dept Education, Energy, Homeland Sec. DEA, ..etc)?
Doubt it.

JC Penny Rip Off Artists!

2004-10-22T18:37:00.000-07:00

I once vowed I would never set foot in a JC Penny's ever again. Deceptive sales tactics and poor service seem to be a fundamental element of that darn store. But now more ammunition has been given courtesy of a collection agency that claims my Wife never paid a $22 purchase back in Febuary that has grown into a $105 debt.
My wife is adamant that the bill was paid but have you ever tried tracking down a purchase when an account has been turned over to a collections agency?
The most frustrating aspect is you can never talk to a person who knows what to do or give relevant info. No one has an answer. No one can tell you anything about the bill, they all refer you to another phone number where the buck keeps getting passed!
JC Penny never sent a bill since Febuary, never told us that we had to pay or it would be turned over and has the nerve to charge exorbitant fees and late charges to the account. This isn't over yet, I think I'll tell everyone I know what a junk store that it is! My own personal boycott (again)! Weee.

Everything is not what it appears..

2004-10-20T14:11:00.000-07:00

I won't be voting for President Bush this election for several reasons.
Of course I would rather play in an open septic tank than vote for John Kerry.
I basically break down my argument for voting vs Bush as this:
Bush Administration Positives:
-Tax cut and increasing Child tax credit
-Allowing the Assault Weapons Ban to expire (although I feel this wasn't his doing so much as Tom Delay or the GOP House leadership)
-Umm..did I mention tax cuts?
-Cut funding for abortion on demand (can't remember where UN/WHO or something)
Thats about it. I really cannot think of any more.

Well on to the negatives:
-Has enormously expanded the scope of Government through No Child left behind Act, Medicare drug prescription coverage, creating more inept expensive departments such as Homeland Security (BTW if we have a Dept of Homeland Security what is the Defense department defending?)
-Has done nothing to bring troops home from expensive engagements overseas
not including Iraq
-Has continued the costly, inept and liberty restricting War on Drugs
-Allowed the prosecution of Martha Stewart and Bobby Fischer to go on
http://www.lewrockwell.com/rothbard/ir/Ch58.html
-Has done nothing, absolutely nothing to roll back Gov't spending or power
-Has done nothing to protect our borders (remember the Guest owrker program he proposed)
-Has engaged in an illegal, unconstitutional War on Iraq where we were not threatened. This war has done nothing but destroy/kill and maim innocent civilians and not to mention our own soldiers. For what? To liberate a dictator?
To enforce UN sanctions?
-Passed the USA PATRIOT Act
-Passed Mccain-Feingold Campaign finance reform Act
-Curious statements such as these:http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=35787

Presidential-VP debates

2004-10-05T18:02:00.000-07:00

How do we make the Presidential debates more fun to watch?
I have a few ideas because lets face it, these debates can be a real bore and shnoozers to watch. Unless your some poly-sci student who lives for these elections every four years. (I just wanted to say Poly-sci, poly-sci..)

Ok, first all lets have some of these fringe party canidates added to the mix. Throw in the Commy party, the Green party and Libertarians. Why limit ourselves to some more excitement? Why should the Republicans and Democrats have a monopoly on boring viewers with their policy suggestions?! Isn't it hilarious to watch these shows like Hannity and Colmes and Hardball where you have four or five politicians screaming at each other and throwing mud?!

Lets have electrical collars or belts worn by the canidates so when they make a personal attack or go over their time limit they get Zapped! Of course VP Cheney already has his AED on hand already..(clear! thump!)

Perhaps the canidates could open with a 2 minute comedy routine. Picture John "Lurch" Kerry opening with, "Did you hear the one about the Democrat and Republican who walked into a bar.."

I am all for having the common man on the street asking questions in a townhall setting. You know the guy I am talking about. The clown who no one pays any attention to, who asks such dumb, questions that no one else would ask. "Mr. President, we attacked Iraq for their Oil, why,uh have gas companies raised the price of gas in my town?" "Why did you cut taxes for the rich..?"

Spice things up a bit and this dreary, draining election year will go by much faster.

Slaughter in Sudan

2004-09-30T16:27:00.000-07:00

http://ajws.org/index.cfm?section_id=15
Recent events in Sudan reveal what happens to a populace when they are:
1-Unarmed
2-Their incompetent government fails to protect its own citizens
3-Armed bandits roam about raping,pillaging and slaughtering

Reading in Newsweek I learned many of the disgusting details of whats taking place there. Darfur, Sudan is one of the most devasted, poorest regions of Africa where armed Muslim bandits go about destroying.
Similar to what happended in Rwanda a decade ago, the goons with weapons easily go about unfettered. One solution may be to arm the civilian populace with small arms and at least give them a fighting chance. I don't know if sending U.S troops would be the answr but how could we not support these innocents in some way.
Does anyone really think that the UN or U.S threatining economic sanctions is the answer? What a joke!

How to win the War on Terror: Part I

2004-09-15T15:17:00.000-07:00

After much thinking and reading on this subjuct I thought I may offer my own opinions on how to win the war on terror.
First, I think its important to look at one fact. Why are the terrorists targeting us? Why not Canada? Switzerland?
How come these countries are left out? What is it that they are doing politically and such that causes them to be safe from terrorism?
Many a fan of Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity would parrot the line so often repeated (especially by Sean Hannity) "Well, don't you realize they HATE us because of our freedom?" Really?
Are not the Swiss free? Canadians? Maybe they hate us because we are so well off material wise? But the same answer is still applies.
Switzerland, Denmark and all such countries are doing fine economically..As I have hear Harry Browne say its not as if some Al-Queda fanatic is just sitting around and all of a sudden he stands and tells all, "..you know I just hate how the Americans are so free. We ought to do something about that. Lets attack them cause of their freedom!"
Better come up with a better reason than that..

Chechnyan Cowards

2004-09-09T21:33:00.000-07:00

The tragedy in Beslan was quite shocking to the conscience. Approximately 30 muslim seperatist extremists were responsible for hundreds of death in a school in Chechnya.
What gutless cowards. Its one thing where your willing to die for your faith or freedom,,blah blah. Sure, lots of these islamo-fascists want to go out in a blaze of glory but to involve the slaying of innocent children is heinous.
Why involve children at all? It is not as if they have any say in the gov't policy in Russia of oppression towards the Chechnyans who want to separate.
Surely they have gained little or no support towards their own goals.
If anything the Putin administration will only come dwon harder on them.
An interesting sidenote, think of how easily this could happen in the U.S.
Where our schools are "gun free zones." A few fanatical terrorists willing to sacrifice themselves and willing to break gun control laws can inflict similar damage.
All of this talk is only adds fuel to the arguments in support of homeschooling and less restrictive gun laws et al gun free zones.

John Kerry- AKA Lurch

2004-09-02T19:01:00.000-07:00

Does anyone besides me notice that John Kerry looks like "Lurch?"
There is a striking resemblance. Which brings me to another point.
This election is reminding me of the '96 election where Bob Dole was running vs Bill Clinton.
Dole did not stand a chance. Gosh, HE was the best they could come up with?
Dole had the charisma of a bag of stones. Only the true party faithful voted for him. Back in '96 I considered myself a republican and supported Pat Buchanon.
But in the general election I voted Perot. I am sure I was not alone.
But Kerry is somewhat similar.

-They both are heroic war veterans (supposedly)
-They both have no charisma
-Both were veteran senators
-I am not gay but..neither is very..uh,,you know..gonna be on the cover of GQ anytime soon
-Both seem very bitter as if being in the senate for decades just entitles you to being the president one day

2004 Presidency
Lurch V Shrub

Anytown,USA

2004-08-28T15:44:00.000-07:00

Anytown,USA. You've heard it before. Maybe you live in one of these quaint little towns. Nice, rustic main street with the little mom and pop stores. Everybody knows everybody else.
Then one day it happens.
The BIG box stores start moving in! Oh no! The mom and pop stores can't possibly compete with these behemoths that would make any Robber baron Rockefellar proud. The town's wise men scoff at how its community will be beholden to low wage jobs with no health insurance.
Think of the traffic problems that will come in. The urban Sprawl that we all fear is upon us.

Think about how the common folk of the community will be forced to buy retail at low prices instead of paying high prices to the mom and pop stores. Think of all the jobs that are created for people to work at these big box stores. With all the extra traffic comes people from other communities to buy from your community.

To all the people who live in Anytown,USA who don't like this new tide of events this needs to be said. Your living in the past! This isn't 1950 anymore.

John Kerry and swift boats

2004-08-25T16:51:00.000-07:00

Ok Ok, enough about the darn swift boats. I am no fan of Kerry and will not be voting for Pres. Bush. I will be voting for the Libertarian canidate Michael Badnarik (http://www.badnarik.org).
But really, this swift boat issue is quite overblown. I mean, that was 30+ years ago! Who cares! Did he do this? Did Kerry do that..?
I find that it is interesting that while on one hand veterans are something of sacred cows in our society the media is having difficulty criticizing them. The media must attack these veterans and their ads about Kerry's dishonorable service but they must not offend or come down to harshly on the veterans.
Teachers and Vets. Two classes of people that are virtually immune from public criticism.
But I digress..
So it appears Kerry was not all that he is cracked up to be by his campaign and the media..Well give him credit. He was at least in Vietnam.
Does anyone doubt that W's connections got him to where he was in the Air National Guard?

Greetings

2004-08-25T16:47:00.000-07:00

Hello from Michigan.
This will be my random, insignificant yet mildly entertaining thoughts on current events that for some reason others may want to read. Why? Because its on the web!
I welcome all comments and will attempt to address them all.
Even the put downs, slams and insults.
Lock and load!