Terri

Terri has passed on and is now at peace. May God keep her and hold her, Amen

BlogBurst: Death to the ACLU

I fully intended to write a stirring piece on how the ACLU is promoting the culture of death. Frankly even with research I did on the subject, my post was in my opinion a piece of crap. Jay over at Stop the ACLU and the founder of the Stop the ACLU blogburst did such an incredible job with this topic that I wish to pay him tribute and repost his entire article here, with his permission of course.. Fantastic piece Jay, writing like this is sure to win over more then a few to our cause of ACLU reform. Folks enjoy this week’s installment of the Stop the ACLU blogburst. I still like Death to the ACLU but I will follow protocol this week. If you wish to join our efforts please visit Stop the ACLU and let Jay know that you are interested in joining the fight. You can also join us for a live chat on Friday night’s at 8pm Eastern at the website as well. Have a great Thursday everyone.

ACLU's Euthanasia

Disposable Humans

"The ACLU recognizes the right of a patient to euthanasia..."--ACLU Policy Guide of 1986. They have also went to the defense of many in assisted suicide cases, and other "right to die" cases See here. In 1988 the ACLU supported a proposal in Michigan that would allow a panel of physicians to determine whether a person is terminally ill and mentally competent to choose to have a physician-assisted death.

These were all voluntary cases involving terminally ill people, so what is the problem? The problem is a moral one, and another case for the slippery slope argument. It is based on the intentions of our founders.

The ACLU attempts to promote euthanasia and assisted suicide in the guise of "the right to privacy". Euthanasia and assisted suicide are not private acts. Instead, they involve one person participating directly in the death of another. This is a matter of public concern since it can lead to significant abuse, exploitation and degradation of care for some of the most vulnerable people among us.

Oregon, the Netherlands and Belgium are the only places in the world where laws specifically allow euthanasia or assisted suicide. Oregon permits assisted suicide. The Netherlands and Belgium allow both euthanasia and assisted suicide.

We can learn some important lessons of such concepts from history:

"In October of 1939 amid the turmoil of the outbreak of war Hitler ordered widespread "mercy killing" of the sick and disabled.

Code named "Aktion T 4," the Nazi euthanasia program to eliminate "life unworthy of life" at first focused on newborns and very young children. Midwives and doctors were required to register children up to age three who showed symptoms of mental retardation, physical deformity, or other symptoms included on a questionnaire from the Reich Health Ministry.

The Nazi euthanasia program quickly expanded to include older disabled children and adults. Hitler's decree of October, 1939, typed on his personal stationery and back dated to Sept. 1, enlarged "the authority of certain physicians to be designated by name in such manner that persons who, according to human judgment, are incurable can, upon a most careful diagnosis of their condition of sickness, be accorded a mercy death."Source

Could this happen in America? I fear we have opened a door that could very well push us in that direction.

Many of you will not like what I have got to say, but here it is; an individual has no right to take their own life. It is important to understand this. Allow me explain.

The opening refrain of the Declaration of Independence provides the necessity of an absolute standard upon which the rule of law must be based:

"When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident:

That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed;..." Declaration of Independence

First of all, and most importantly, notice who the founders believed endowed us our rights. Then notice that while the right of life was granted, their is no right to choose your death.

Thomas Jefferson said, "the chief purpose of government is to protect life. Abandon that, and you have abandoned all."

Abraham Lincoln was faced with the same issue when he questioned the institution of slavery. He said,"I should like to know if taking this old Declaration of Independence, which declares that all men are equal upon priciple, and making exceptions to it, where it will stop. If one man says it does not mean a Negro, why not another say it does not mean some other man?"

The individual is granted the gift of life by God. Who has the right to take it away? A legal guardian? A Court? In my opinion, the only one who has the right to take away life is the Creator who granted it. If you put that right into the hands of the individual, a panel of doctors, a legal guardian, or the judicial system, you have given up that right. God grants our rights, not the State. If the State granted rights it could take them away, and that is where the danger lies.

Euthanasia and assisted suicide are not about giving rights to the person who dies but, instead, they are about changing public policy so that doctors or others can directly end or be involved in ending another person’s life. Euthanasia and assisted suicide are not about the right to die. They are about the right to kill.

Life is not the gift of the State. To give consent to the State to be involved in the taking of human life is to grant a right to the State that does not belong to it, a license to kill. It allows the State to exercise a "right" over something that was not the State's to give in the first place. For human life belongs to God's realm, not the government's.

In order to protect any rights we must protect all rights, beginning with the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Our best hope for civil liberties protection is not the ACLU, but to return to the rule of law based on the inalienable right to life endowed to all men by their Creator. The rule of law intended by our founders.

The Liberal Hump Day Challenge

There are a great many very tough issues that face this country now and in the near future. In my humble opinion gun control is not one of them. Those who rally to cry for more gun control laws every time a tragic shooting occurs are very much little the fabled Chicken Little. Recently a very mentally ill young man murdered his grandfather (who was a tribal police officer), stole his firearms, and proceeded to go to his school where he killed another 8 people then took his own life to bring the death toll to ten. This very tragic event which happen in Red Lake, Minnesota was the worst school shooting in the United States since the incident at Columbine. I pray for those killed and those who lost family or friends but I condemn everyone who takes the slain and uses them as a stepping stone to advance their own agenda.

Let me propose a challenge to all those who wish and hope for tougher gun control laws. If gun control laws are the answer then please let me know what law would prevent what happen in Red Lake. The kid was mentally unbalanced and overpowered his grandfather to get the weapons he used to commit his crimes. What law would prevent a sick kid from murdering a family, who was a cop, and stealing his weapons to commit his heinous acts? Speak up you moon bats, your silence is deafening. Better yet, explain the recent church shooting in Wisconsin? How can we prevent a seemingly normal law-abiding citizen from snapping and killed those that he feels have wronged him? What law would have stopped that? Perhaps that when a citizen tries to exercise his or her 2^nd Amendment right we should do a psych profile. It is a tragedy when anyone is killed and especially so when a firearm is used. That is a simple fact.

I usually don’t put much stock in the letters to the editor since my letters are reactionary and usually filled with ignorance and inaccuracies but this is a classic example of how successfully the left has indoctrinated the average American into thinking that gun control laws are the answer. Read on:

Once again, another community, this time Red Lake, Minn., suffers the loss of innocent lives because America is awash in handguns. Ten people dead, 15 wounded. It is a game of Russian roulette we play, everyone having to wonder if their loved ones will be the next to die. The litany of recent deaths is startling: In Dallas, four people were shot by a person wielding an assault weapon from a car; in Philadelphia, nine people died in unrelated gun incidents; in Chicago, a judge’s husband and mother-in-law were shot dead in their home; in Wisconsin, seven people were murdered by a gunman in a church service; in Houston, a 2-year-old was shot to death by a 4-year-old who found a handgun in his mother’s purse; in California, another Columbine was averted when two teens were arrested for planning a shooting spree at their high school; the GAO reported that 47 people on terrorist watch lists successfully purchased guns. And now, Red River. It is hard to keep up with all of the gun violence in the United States. This doesn’t have to happen. In countries where handguns are rare, this kind of horror doesn’t occur. We could begin to turn the tide if we enacted reasonable gun-control laws. Even then it would take a long time to see improvement because a gun lasts forever. A gun bought years ago is still around when a family member unexpectedly snaps. But don’t count on the situation to change soon. With the current leadership in Washington mostly in the pocket of the NRA and gun manufacturers, controls are not likely to be forthcoming. We could have safer lives, and numerous people could be spared unspeakable tragedy, if reason prevailed and we ended our sick obsession with guns. But thanks to the NRA, gun manufacturers and complacent lawmakers, we all will have to continue to wonder each day, is it going to be our community’s turn to mourn the senseless loss of life that made Columbine and Red River famous?

PHILLIP C. WRIGHT Fort Wayne

This letter appeared in the online edition of The Journal Gazette, a Fort Wayne, Indiana daily newspaper. Here is the link. Gee, where do I start? I am sure that Phillip Wright is a good honest, hard-working American; after all he lives in Indiana. The sad truth is that Mr. Wright is the sad by-product of many years of the MSM and their leftist gun-hating partners telling us that guns are back and that the only solution is more and more gun control laws. The sad truth is that folks like Mr. Wright are ignorant to the truth about the ineffectiveness of gun control laws. The best way to prevent shootings like the school shooting in Red Lake, the church in Wisconsin, the shooting in Houston is education of the public to the responsible handling of firearms and allowing those who wish to carry to do so after the proper training. The statement that other countries with tighter gun laws don’t suffer the same types of incidents is simple ignorance. In the period from August 1997 to February 2002, 32 students and 4 teachers were killed in school shootings in that great example of a civilized society, Europe. Here are a couple of examples, here and here. John R. Lott, Jr. does a great job of setting the case for the fact those countries with gun bans having the highest murder rates.

There is no gun law that will prevent a criminal from obtaining a firearm as long as people choose to break the existing laws and sell guns illegally. An honest legal gun owner given the choice between a suspect sale and turning the buyer away will err on the side of caution. It is a tremendous responsibly to sell firearms and there are already laws on the books that work to make sure that not every Tom, Dick and Harry can get a federal firearms license and open up shop on the corner of criminal street to sell to those who can not legally own firearms. That being said, the criminals out there are not worried about gun control laws because they know that ever restrictive gun laws keep guns from law-abiding citizens. In fact gun-related crime in this country has been declining for the past ten years according to this report. Recently the Center for Disease Control released a study that reviewed over 20 years of gun control laws and concluded that they have little to no effect on reducing firearms related crimes.

It is a tragedy when a firearm is used in any crime and especially so when a death results from that crime. The fact is that no law can prevent an incident like Red Lake, or the church shooting in Wisconsin. The left will wail and moan about the “need” for more gun control and this is my challenge to those who favor more gun control laws: What law or laws would you propose that will prevent another Red Lake style school shooting or another church shooting in Wisconsin? But wait, I have another scenario for you to consider: what law will prevent a person or persons from walking into a crowded mall and opening fire on the innocent citizens? I await your pearls of wisdom.

Kerry's Form 180: The Blogburst Edition

John Kerry has never released his military records, in spite of his bragging about being a “war hero", and claiming he would release them soon on the "Meet The Press" television show with Tim Russert and the "Imus in the Morning" show with Don Imus. So let’s encourage him to release his military records to “clear things up".

As a group of concerned citizens who want to hold our leaders accountable we’ve formed a blogburst group to drive the issue home. If you want to join the blogroll for Kerry’s 180, click here to email the group founder, Cao and include the url for your blog. The blogburst is every Tuesday, so don’t forget to blog about it. All you have to do is encourage people to send him his 180, Just ask in your email and Cao will send you the code for the blogroll.

Here's the link to the actual form that he needs to fill out, as you can see there is not really much to it. Hell, I bet even one of his staffers could fill it out for him and make it even easier for him. Folks the simple truth is that like many of the "soldiers" at Kerry's famed Winter Meetings, Kerry lied about his service and because he has made it a centerpiece of his public service his record or lack there of is a issue he must deal with. Join in as we start to send pens to John's office so he can fill out and sign the form. So quote a great American:

"Why don't you jump on the team and come on in for the big win? "

The Coming Blog Wars: A Possible Future

I posted this yesterday at Wide Awakes and feel it was important enough to re-post here today. This issue effects all in the BlogSphere, left and right, and if we don't speak our minds and let the politicians know how wrong this is, we will the outlaws mentioned below in what I hope will always be a piece of fiction. Please keep Terri and her family in your prayers as we enter her second week without food or water. Enjoy the post and have a great day.


The year is 2009 and it has been a long four years since the opening salvos of the Blog Wars. Late in 2005 the Federal Election Commission launched a crackdown on blogs with political leanings with the purpose of eradicating political free speech from the wide open spaces of the Internet. The persecution of those who blogged about their political opinions was subtle at first, cease and desist letters, fines, ISP’s being threatened if they provided bandwidth, IRS audits, public denunciations, and finally imprisonment. Over the course of late 2005 and into the spring of 2006 as the mid-term elections started to heat up, blogger after blogger was censured and harassed by the FEC on their new mandate. As those in the BlogSphere tried to fight back their number was thinned by members of FEC enforcement squad, who job it was to surf the BlogSphere looking for any unpaid and undocumented political speech.

The Mom and Pop blogs flourished as well as the pet, knitting, and photo blogs as long as then never strayed into the realm of political speech. In fact many non-political blogs turned their backs on many political blogs and quickly removed the outlawed from the ranks of their blogroll. The American public as a group sat by and accepted the persecution of political blogs as the price to be paid for “fair and clean” elections. Politician after politician trumpeted the new fairness of the prohibition against online political speak.

Shortly before the 2008 Presidential election, a growing underground of political bloggers formed a primitive network of undocumented chat rooms and early 90’s style bulletin boards. As the election cycle got into full swing, both candidates talked their way around the free speech issue. Former members of the left and right were forced to collaborate with the much hated ACLU in order to press the issue of returning to the days of expressing a political thought without fearing consequences from “big brother”. In the end the MSM was a full partner with the government in the elimination of political blogs. Many looked upon the MSM participation as payback for the humiliation that they suffered at the hands of the BlogSphere in 2004 and early 2005.

Now of course the preceding is a work of fiction or is it the future of political blogging on the internet. Already across the world bloggers are punished for their views, Iran is a great example. Recently the FEC threatened a crackdown on the BlogSphere regarding political speech or other methods of supporting either a political party or candidate. The FEC released a preliminary draft of rulemaking on Internet Communications yesterday and at first glance it would seem like they have backed off their plan for curtailing political speech across the BlogSphere. Upon closer examination the draft really changes nothing for bloggers and online pundits. It seems that the FEC seriously thinks it can control the output of bloggers in regards to politics. I can’t think of one politician that has come out against this and frankly that is very frightening. Here is a very good examination of the draft by the folks over at redstate.org, thanks to SuperHawk for the hat tip. Tech Central Station also has some good information on the coming battle against the MSM. He even points out that the Democratic Party and its radical liberal bloggers will be willing partners in the crackdown.

Where ever the threat comes from it is real and we need to take it seriously. I urge everyone to read up on the material out there on the Internet and follow-up with your Representations and Senators to make it known to our leaders that we will not sit and be idle and let our first amendment be stripped away. Thanks for listening to me rant and keep an eye out for this when surfing.

WTF Friday Rant Volume 1 Issue 17

Couple of quick notes before picking our way through the madness of WTF Friday. A good friend of mine is heading into the hospital for surgery; you may know him as the Drunken Samurai. If you feel the call, head over and wish him well.

Second, please continue to pray for Terry and her family regardless of what the outcome may be. I have to confess that I came late to the fight simply because I did not want to invest myself emotionally. Quite a few of my fellow writers over at The Wide Awakes have been at the forefront and after reading the passion they have brought to the fight for Terri I started to research both sides of the issue. The more I read the more I became angry about the whole situation. I can't believe that I live in a country where a judge (Greer) would ignore existing law and order the murder of a disabled citizen. Folks, regardless of the outcome this must be changed. The United States can not stand for State-sponsored murder. I am sorry I came late to the fight and wish I could have done more before today.

Now on to this week's edition of the WTF Friday Rant. Have a blessed Easter everyone.


Pakistan headed for armed rebellion? I would check very hard to see if OBL is behind this.
http://www.newkerala.com/news-daily/news/features

Bush to renew call for guest worker program after meeting with Mexican President Fox. HUH? Does Fox have some dirt on the President? The guest worker program is a completely f*cked idea. Meanwhile, Congress decides that border security is a problem worth looking at.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/nat
http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-03-23-voa88
http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20050324

Michael Moore has a new career, wants to be a 21st Century Robin Hood.
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/4307741/detail.h

Howard Dean tells his flock to "Love Thy Neighbor" just days after stating that "He hates Republicans and everything we stand for." I would like to quote one of my fellow Wide Awakes, "Dean is the gift that keeps on giving". Thanks for that wisdom Superhawk. And that is why Howard Dean wins this week's edition of The Pot calling the Kettle Black. Congrats Howie. The last link is a further illustration of Dean's tolerance of free speech and other people's opinions.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/wn_report/story/
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/1/30/10
http://www.tennessean.com/government/archives/05
http://www.vanderbilthustler.com/vnews/display.v/A
http://www.christiansfordean.info/commentary/Bosto

The Dem's boy Howard can't buy a break now a days. He is being called out by the hard-core anti-war crowd. Well that's his bed let him lay in it.
http://bellaciao.org/en/article.php3?id_article=5589

AWOL Soldier denied asylum in Canada, plans to ask France for help. If he really does not want to go to Iraq I am sure the army can find a radar station near the North Pole that needs guarding. After all he wanted to go north. I have a feeling that he going to prison in Kansas.
http://www.boston.com/dailynews/083/world/Cana

Here's a well-thought out column on the reality of Social Security.
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/alanreynolds/

T-Rex soft tissue found, Jurassic Park to break ground next year.
http://apnews.myway.com/image/20050324/T_RE
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2005/

Oil for Food Scandal blamed on Conservatives. Damn, I have been found out. Honey flush those oil vouchers down the toilet.
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/3/24/

Iraqi workers march against terrorists. Right on, freedom is on the move and the Iraqi people are stepping up.
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2005/

Ebola on the move in Africa again, terrorists to blame?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4372205.s

Report on UN Peacekeeper Sex Scandal admits fault and wrong doing but passes the responsibility for punishment to offender’s home countries. Apparently the buck does not stop with Kofi. I wish I could say that I didn't expect something like this but then I would be lying.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/25/politics/25n

Conservative blogs kick ass and now there is proof. Read it and weep Leftists.
http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20050323-010944-7156r

And now the most disturbing thing on the round up, Turkish folks love "Mein Kampf". Say what? I am at a loss for how truly f*cked up that is.
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2005/3/24/162626.shtml

Death To The ACLU Blogburst

Welcome to the first edition of the Stop the ACLU blogburst or as I like to call it Death to the ACLU.

If you wish to join the fight, stop by Stop the ACLU and let Jay know that you’re interested in joining. Check out the Stop the ACLU blogroll on the right sidebar for different takes on each Thursday's topic. This week's example of ACLU insanity is the ACLU's stance on the legalization of drugs. Stand tuned while I dismantle their legalization argument point by point and show how out of step they are with their original mission.

For reference here is the link to the ACLU’s “informational” paper of drug legalization, follow along like I know you can. The ACLU does not waste any time in spreading falsehoods in their document, here’s an interesting quote from the third paragraph: “In trying to enforce the drug laws, the government violates the fundamental rights of privacy and personal autonomy that are guaranteed by our Constitution.” That is a bold statement, in fact I like to think I know the Constitution pretty good, but I re-read it just to be sure. I can only guess that the ACLU is referring to the 4^th Amendment as far a right to privacy. Do you know what I found? The Constitution has no such guaranteed right to privacy or personal autonomy. Yup, the ACLU must have been smoking some pot when they read the Constitution, but that is nothing new for them. Back around Christmas in the heart of their “busy” season, they modified the text of the 1^st Amendment on their website and when it was pointed out; they quickly corrected it and made no mention of it. In their eyes the Constitution is a document to be molded and shaped by the times. I must strongly disagree.

Here’s a laugh, in the 2^nd section detailing drugs that were once legal they mention that “All of these drugs were also used recreationally, and cocaine, in particular, was a common incredient in wines and soda pop including the popular Coca Cola.” That is a true fact by I would have thought that the ACLU would know to check with Snopes.com being making yet another assine statement. Here is the actual truth about how much cocaine was actually in Coca Cola: “How much cocaine was in that "mere trace" is impossible to say, but we do know that by 1902 it was as little as 1/400 of a grain of cocaine per ounce of syrup. Coca-Cola didn't become completely cocaine-free until 1929, but there was scarcely any of the drug left in the drink by then: By Heath's calculation, the amount of ecgonine [an alkaloid in the coca leaf that could be synthesized to create cocaine] was infinitesimal: no more than one part in 50 million. In an entire year's supply of 25-odd million gallons of Coca-Cola syrup, Heath figured, there might be six-hundredths of an ounce of cocaine.” Man that is a lot of coke, 1/400 of a grain of coke per ounce of syrup which is further diluted when it was bottled or used at a soda fountain. Outstanding example, my hat’s off to you dopers over at the ACLU for that one.

In their section about the failure of the War on Drugs this particular line stood out for me as they talked about who actually benefits from anti-drug laws; “Those laws also support artificially high prices and assure that commercial disputes among drug dealers and their customers will be settled not in courts of law, but with automatic weapons in the streets.” So they want Tyrone from the Crips and Bubba from the Bloods to go to court if they have dispute over drug territory. Yeah that’s just what we need, the court system dealing with more bullshit lawsuits that waste even more taxpayer money and time. I can see the long-hairs over there at the ACLU writing that and then asking his barely conscious buddy to pass the “brownies”.

Consider this next statement by the ACLU, “Drug prohibition is a public health menace”. Hmmm, interesting idea, but I am not buying it. In fact I think that drug addiction is sad and the addicts who want to clean up and make a life certainly deserve our help but in the grand scheme of things I look at drug addiction as “culling the herd”. The truly sad part is that most drug addicts have children and they are the real victims. They are the innocents that the ACLU never mentions when talking about the effects of anti-drug laws. But you know what, if drugs were legal there would still be addicts having kids and then dumping them on society. One other point they make is about the spread disease through dirty needles. Hang on a second; I thought all the programs of passing out clean needles were supposed to address the disease issue. I guess that is another thing the leftists were wrong about. One of the most insane claims by the ACLU in their pursuit of drug legalization is their claim that without legalization how can the addicts count on a clean and steady supply of dope? I guess I missed the part of the Constitution that outlines the government’s duties in regulating drugs.

The ACLU states that drug prohibition is a destructive force in the inner city communities of this country. You know I am sorry that lazy, listless, unmotivated people who deal drugs reside in “inner city” areas more often then not but the people in those communities need to take some responsibility. If they don’t want the drug dealers in their neighborhood then they will find a way to get rid of them with or without the help of the police. It has happen in many cities around the country and will continue to happen as people step up and work for a safer community. The truth is that as a country we have a long way to go in presenting opportunities to minorities, but today’s minorities have far greater opportunities then at any other time in the history of this country. If you don’t want to deal or use drugs then you don’t have to, the thought that minorities in the “inner city” are forced to turn to a life of crime and drugs is a complete myth.

“Drugs are here to stay, let’s reduce their harm.” You have got to be freaking kidding. So they figure if we can’t change the problem they we should just throw our hands up and give up, that’s a great position to take. I guess since I can’t change how nutty the left is that I should just give up fighting for my ideals, yeah keep dreaming it ain’t going to happen.

Their last point in the “informational” paper is how they think that ending prohibition on drugs would not necessarily increase drug abuse. This point had several points that I find just absolutely insane. Ever heard this definition of insanity? Insanity is doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results every time. That’s the ACLU for you. I especially liked their data from the Netherlands on marijuana usage after that country decriminalized pot. For those not wise in the ways of pot here is the difference between legalization and decriminalization: “Marijuana is decriminalized (not legalized) in The Netherlands. It has been decriminalized for nearly 20 years. The Dutch government, in doing this, was making a distinction between soft and hard drugs, in terms of health problems, addictiveness, and controllability. The Dutch government doesn't believe that soft drug users will inevitably turn to hard drugs (such as cocaine) unless those soft drug users are constantly exposed to a criminal scene where soft and hard drugs have the same level of availability. So they decriminalized marijuana and allowed its sale and purchase in "coffee shops." In coffee shops, anyone over 18 years can buy small amounts of marijuana for personal use. Import and export of marijuana are illegal, as are sales in large quantities. Coffee shops are not allowed to sell alcohol, or hard drugs. They are also not allowed to advertise, and must not allow their customers to cause a public nuisance. I've been told that the great majority of nuisance complaints are in border towns or tourist areas, where foreigners cause problems. Small-scale growers and coffee-shop owners are quick to point to the inconsistency in the system, whereby the purchase, sale, and possession of small amounts of marijuana are decriminalized, as is its use, but wherein it is illegal (and prosecutable) to either import, export, or grow marijuana in any significant quantity. Now I am sure while not named specifically in the “information” paper, the ACLU if asked would suggest a system much like the Dutch have since every time this debate comes up the potheads point to the success of the Netherlands. The interesting part is that the ACLU quotes usage statistics from 20 years ago, surely some one in their office could have picked up the phone and called the Dutch for newer information. Hell, I could just googled it but what’s the point? Pot legalization is just giving addicts a free gateway to harder drugs.

Let me close with the ACLU’s core statement against drug prohibition: “The ACLU believes that unless they do harm to others, people should not be punished even if they do harm to themselves.” That is a fantastic display of the ACLU’s policy of complete lack of personal responsibility. People should not be punished even if they do harm to themselves? How about if Joe Crackhead overdoses in his living room when he supposed to be watching the kids and they set fire to the house? Of course in a twist of cruel fate, Joe would survive and the kids would all die. Now when the cops find that Joe was high when the kids died, the ACLU will ride to his rescue. After reading their position paper on this topic I honestly believe that if you’re a card carrying member of the ACLU, then that is the first signs of mental illness.

The sad part is that even with its communist beginnings the ACLU once upon a time actually did some good. I have said it before and I will say it again, the ACLU is the greatest example of a good intention gone horribly wrong. They now threaten the very foundation of this country and must be stopped. Join us next week for another example of the insanity of the ACLU. Have a great Thursday everyone and remember to pray for Terri and her family.

France Rides The Fence On EU Consitution

It appears that one of the co-founders of the European Union is getting cold feet on the way to the alter. France is facing a growing tide against ratifying the EU Constitution during a scheduled vote on May 29^th. It seems that French President Jacques Chirac has nothing to alleviate fears that the European Union would take precedent over French sovereignty.

Perhaps that fact that the French economy is nearly stagnant and unemployment has shot up to over 10% has French citizens more concerned with the future of their own country rather the future of the EU. If the constitution is not passed by all 25 member nations of the EU then it will not take effect and it have to be re-authored. The embarrassment will be two-fold for the French if the treaty does not pass since the principal author was former French president Valery Giscard d’Estaing.

Seems that the French government is a little out of step with the wishes of the French people on this topic. In fact they recently voted to abolish the insanity of the 35 hour work week after it failed to produce an increase in the creation of jobs. It has been speculated that the French people who love only working 35 hours a week, may just vote down approval of the EU constitution as revenge upon Chirac and his crew for repealing most of the original 35 hour work week. That is the beauty of a representative government; in theory the government is always accountable to the people.

I personally find much humor in the predicament that Chirac is in now. He has been consistently wrong on many issues since 2001 and facing a crisis that very well could kill his political party. So sad, too bad. I have no sympathy for the French government since I consider them a modern version of the Vichy French from World War II, but I do have at least a little concern for the average French citizen. At least the French that live outside of Paris. I have always said that if a terrorist set off a nuke in Paris the greatest loss would be the art and historical architecture not the hoards of Anti-American swine.

And as if to prove a point on cue, here’s another report of the tolerance of the French people. The number of racist incidents and outright hate crime rose tragically last year, in fact the numbers almost doubled. Boy I am glad that Kerry and his “French” coalition did not win and set us on a course to be more like Europe or at least like France. The most telling part of the article is this quote; “It seems that the extreme right targets the Jewish community less than the Arab-Muslim population”. And that is supposed to be better then burning down Synagogues and beating up old rabbis? Any form of racism is simply unacceptable in any country. And on that note, I exit stage left until tomorrow.

Quick note: Tomorrow is the first edition of the Stop the ACLU blogburst or as I like to call it the Death to the ACLU blogburst. This group of bloggers will endeavor to point out the insanity of the ACLU and how they are in fact an enemy of the United States having strayed from their original charter. If you wish to join the fight, stop by Stop the ACLU and let Jay know that you’re interested in joining the fight. By the way, the ACLU released this statement in support of the state-sanctioned murder of Terri Schiavo. Just another example of their extremist agenda. Have a great Wednesday everyone.

Illegal Immigration And Threat Of Al-Qaeda

In the next few years we will have an enormous task to face in regards to securing the borders of this nation. Like most things in life the problem will get worse before it gets better. The fact that leaders in Washington D.C., Mexico City, and Ottawa continue to dance around the issue of illegal immigration frankly scares the hell out of me. The Canadians are almost as bad as Mexico but at least they don’t print a manual on how to illegally immigrate to the United States. Canada just lets anyone in their country thus paving the way for them to attempt to cross into the United States, anyone remember this?

I would ask when people in power will realize that illegal immigration and the threat of terrorist go hand-in-hand but I am afraid the answer would be not in my lifetime. Now it is a known fact that the majority of illegal immigration comes from Mexico across our very porous southern border. Mexico receives quite a bit of foreign aid from the United States in addition to the 15 billion that immigrations send back to Mexico, so when are we going to cut their foreign aid as a penalty to them having such poor security on their side of the border. This article is just another example of the underground economy that human trafficking represents in Mexico.

Quite a few people that live along the border are so fed up with the inaction from Washington and concerned about the threat of terrorism that they are taking matters in their own hands. One American who has seen enough and decided he would try to do something about it is Jim Gilchrist, a retired accountant from California. Jim and his group dubbed “The Minutemen” plan to patrol the Arizona / Mexico border for the entire month of April. Their mission is to disperse themselves across the border at known crossing points and protect the country by their very presence. If any illegals are bold enough to actually cross while under observation then the illegals location will be immediately radioed or phoned in to the border patrol. Reports range from 750 to 900 Americans committed to patrol the border for at least a part of the month of April. The Mexican government must be worried about the number of illegals that will be caught by the border patrol with the help of The Minutemen. A number of Mexican groups from Senators down to gang leaders are protesting the idea, each in their own way. The Mexican government as well as our government will be quite embarrassed if the numbers of illegals caught are large in number.

The fact remains that even with the efforts of average citizens stepping up to help defend this country we still remain at risk of terrorists slipping across our borders and committing attacks at will. Our enemies know of our weakness at the borders and work everyday to find a way to exploit it. Last summer there were many reports of Al-Qaeda trying to setup operations in Latin America. If we can’t count on the Mexican government to stop regular Mexicans from crossing the border then how can use trust their corrupt government with sensitive information regarding terrorist much less stop anyone from walked across the border with Nuclear, Biological, or Chemical weapons? I ran across this website during my research and it is a good source of how far terrorists have come in establishing a base of operations in Central America.

I realize that I post quite a bit about illegal immigration and many around the country never will see the effects of it that I see on a daily basis. Believe me when I say that illegal immigration and our inability to secure our borders is simply the great threat that this nation faces and I will continue to draw attention to it until the government takes the threat seriously. I would rather keep the fight at the border then in downtown Phoenix or Dallas, or Los Angeles or Albuquerque. Get the idea yet?

Cross-posted at Wide Awakes

Kerry's Form 180: The Blogburst Edition

John Kerry has never released his military records, in spite of his bragging about being a “war hero", and claiming he would release them soon on the "Meet The Press" television show with Tim Russert and the "Imus in the Morning" show with Don Imus. So let’s encourage him to release his military records to “clear things up".

As a group of concerned citizens who want to hold our leaders accountable we’ve formed a blogburst group to drive the issue home. If you want to join the blogroll for Kerry’s 180, click here to email the group founder, Cao and include the url for your blog. The blogburst is every Tuesday, so don’t forget to blog about it. All you have to do is encourage people to send him his 180, Just ask in your email and Cao will send you the code for the blogroll.

Here's the link to the actual form that he needs to fill out, as you can see there is not really much to it. Hell, I bet even one of his staffers could fill it out for him and make it even easier for him. Folks the simple truth is that like many of the "soldiers" at Kerry's famed Winter Meetings, Kerry lied about his service and because he has made it a centerpiece of his public service his record or lack there of is a issue he must deal with. So quote a great American:

"Why don't you jump on the team and come on in for the big win? "

The Terry Schiavo Case And Why We Should Care

Regardless of how you think you feel on an issue at first glance your true opinion is only formed once you dig a little deeper and pick through the bits of information to get to the core of an issue. I have not posted on the Terry Schiavo case prior to today because I did not feel like I had spent any real time looking at it from both sides. Over the last 72 hours I have been infatuated with this story as many around the world have. I spent the better part of Friday reading all material on the subject that I could get my hands on and I am hesitate to say what the truth is.

I don’t claim to be an “expert” on this issue nor am I a lawyer, but I do know right from wrong. In my opinion at the heart of this issue is the fact that Judge Greer has ignored existing Florida law time and time again with his “illegal” rulings. Florida law requires that if a person confronted with the horrible situation that Terri is in and does not wish to be kept alive then those wishes must be documented in writing and witnessed. Her “wonderful” husband has never produced any documents of that sort and only starting talking about Terri’s “wish to die” after he received a large malpractice settlement for Terri’s original misdiagnosis. I mention the settlement to establish a timeline only because I don’t believe that Michael’s motives are money.

Judge Greer has his own agenda in this sad affair one can only guess what it might be. He has constantly ruled in contrary to existing Florida law and allowed the testimony of Terri’s husband to stand as the only proof of Terri’s “wishes”. We would not be debating this case ten years later if the Judge had followed the letter of the law and not allowed his emotions and opinions to cloud his judgment. Judge Greer stands as yet another example of activist judges taking the law into their own hands and legislating from the bench. This judge in this pursuit of whatever his agenda is has cost the taxpayers millions of dollars and untold amounts of emotional pain on both sides of the issue.

The fact is that now that the case will be heard before a federal judge, perhaps the case will be given its due attention and the letter of the law will be followed. The judge scheduled to hear the new appeal by Terri’s parents is a Clinton appointee so I am prepared for any result. Hopefully a middle ground will be found for all parties and they can move on regardless of the outcome. I pray for all involved including Michael, simply because I can not imagine going through the same circumstance. I have including some links below for those who wish to learn more on the case.

http://liberalsforterri.blogspot.com/

http://www.blogsforterri.com/

http://hyscience.typepad.com/hyscience/

http://abstractappeal.com/schiavo/

http://www.terrisfight.net/

This case is important to all in my humble opinion since at its heart the case must decide when we stop being a human being and start being something other. At what point does that human spark leave us and all remains is a shell or husk? For the record given everything I have read and seen on Terri, I believe she does still exist as a human being and should not be summarily put to death by her husband who is looking to "move on". Enjoy the links and have a great day everyone.

WTF Friday Rant Volume 1 Issue 16

It's that time again so as you recover from your St. Patty's hangover, enjoy the following links submitted for your review. Have a great weekend everyone.

House Republican issues subpoena for Terri to testify thus giving her federal protection against any threat to her life. Sorry Mikey, go home to your girlfriend and your illegitimate kids and try another day.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=592526

This week's entry in the "Pot calling the Kettle Black" category, El Presidente Vicenta Fox. Vicente Fox try’s to have a pair and issues warning to US to watch "extremists". Hey Vicente, FU it's our country so butt out. By the way how's the continued oppression of the Mexican people going?
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A4

LA Country Health system broke from providing health care for non-paying illegals. So let me say this for all of those on the short bus, come to America illegally and get free health care but if you are a United States citizen, screw you because you have to pay or go bankrupt. Yup, that seems very fair. Only in America.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C1

Illegals won't get a free pass back to the border in Arizona any longer, Police can arrest them now. Unfortunately the law does not go far enough and like many illegal immigration laws has no teeth or funding.
http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=307591

Syria was behind former PM assassination says British newspaper, no shit Sherlock.
http://middle-east.news.designerz.com/british-ne

Russia and China team up to stage "fake" invasion of Taiwan. Wow their armies must really suck if they have to combine forces to conquer a small island; Russia says nyet in the second link.
http://www.drudgereport.com/flash3rc.htm
http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&ms

Barbara Boxer loves a little KKK in her man.
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/3/1

Congress opens its dog and pony show on Baseball, closes the same day due to lack of interest and colossal waste of taxpayer money.
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2005

New 250 dollar shoe helps adjust your running style. So if I sit on the couch and watch TV will it tell me I am lazy and fat.
http://www.thedailyjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art

Lucas calls "Revenge of the Sith" a version of "Titanic" in space, a real tear-jerker. You know that's exactly what the fans wanted.
http://channels.netscape.com/ns/news/story.jsp?i

Paula runs from accident scene, doesn’t want to be anyone's girl any more I guess.
http://channels.netscape.com/ns/news/story.jsp?i

Professional fakes women's medical study data, just a ploy to get chicks.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/

Europe risks being overrun by immigrates if they don't start having babies. Wow, sex to save the continent. Europe's got nothing on Elaine and Jerry.
http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/story.jsp?st

If you can't own a gun in South Africa then buy a crossbow, spear, sword, knife, or pepper spray. Home Defense, 11th Century style.
http://reuters.excite.com/article/20050317/2005-

Sex doll sets off bomb scare in Berlin post office, enough said.
http://reuters.excite.com/article/20050316/2005-

And last but certainly not least:
Women's group prepares a retirement plan for hookers.
http://reuters.excite.com/article/20050317/2005-

Mexican Solution To A Shitty Economy: Move To The USA

Before I kick off on one of my favorite topics, illegal immigration, I would like to wish everyone a great St. Patrick's Day. Now on with the show.

There is not much in this world that shocks me but one thing that does on a regular basis is complete honesty by a politician. Often I find future topics through the wonderful invention of Google news alerts; this story comes courtesy of one of those alerts.

I literally almost fell out of my chair when reading this story about the sad state of the Mexican economy. The mayor of Mexico City is quoted as saying the following: “In agreeing with Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, on the need to change Mexico’s economic model before there is a civil conflict, López Obrador said that the only explanation for people in Mexico not having protested in light of more than 20 years of economic stagnation is because escape valves, such as immigration, have been found.”

So basically, the reason the Mexican people have not pressured their government for reform and policies that would improve their economy, is because they can go north to the United States and find a better paying job. Gee, I am no economist but that is f*cked up.

The U.S. economy and businesses are nowhere near innocent in this sordid tale. Our businesses, big and small, hunger for cheap, no questions asked, labor. While we continue to quench our thirst for cheap labor and send un-told amounts of foreign aid south to Mexico there is no incentive to change the current system of wide-spread corruption.

The other component to this equation is the fact that immigrates, legal and illegal alike, send billions and billions of dollars south to their families to Mexico. I have absolutely no problem with people providing for their families, regardless of their immigration status, but with all that money flowing south it acts as a double hit to our economy. Not only is that money not spent here in the U.S. but often immigrates, legal and illegal, place an enormous strain on a health care system, education, police, fire, and social services that can not deal with the influx. Some would say that we should just increase funding for those departments but more often then not, those who are here from Mexico do not pay taxes in to the system and we end up throwing money at the problem without any counterbalance from tax revenue.

Now I can hear people asking themselves why should I care about this? Or I live in, name a Midwest or Northeastern state; we don’t have an illegal immigration problem. Hello, open your freaking eyes!!!! The fact that we have an illegal immigration problem is just a symptom of the larger issue of not being able to control our borders. I don’t want to go off on a tangent but let me cite two examples from history. The Roman Empire finally collapsed in part to Rome’s inability to control their vast borders. The Great Wall of China was built at an enormous human cost to prevent the consistent invasion of China from the west. Remember this quote, “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it”. Something like that, it’s late and I can’t find the exact quote on the net.

The fact of the matter is that illegal immigration is everyone’s problem. The effects of migration on the Mexican economy are twofold. On one hand the pressure is removed with regard to zero economic growth since those who would draw from public aid go north, and the other effect being that those who are in the U.S. send about US$17 billion to Mexico annually.

Here in Arizona the voter recently passed Proposition 200, it states that proof of U.S. citizenship is required to vote in all elections and to receive public benefits. It was challenged in court and upheld thankfully as a valid law. Now you might ask what public aid is defined as, glad you asked. Public aid is defined as benefits that include public assistance such as food stamps, cash assistance, and housing assistance, basically anything that Arizona taxpayers pay for with the important exception of Police, Fire, Health Care and Education since those are in part funded by federal money given to Arizona. The full law is listed here if you care to read it and the “English” translation.

The hope is that this new law will serve as a deterrent to those who come north in order to collect welfare and send money south to Mexico. I don’t really believe it will work, since the state agency charged with the verification of citizenship prior to the payment of public aid is ripe with corruption and the sad fact that obtaining false documents is much too easy.

My hope for the President is that he abandons this “guest worker” program and puts forth a real plan to reform immigration and secure our borders. And for the rest of the country that has been blind or ignorant to the immigration problem, here’s your wake-up call. Next time you’re out and about on your daily routine, look around and you will be surprised by number of immigrants doing jobs that “no American wants”. The fact that we have people on public aid that contribute nothing is enough to dispute that lie, but I will save that for a slow news day. Sorry for going long but I have a vested interest in this issue since I live a mere 3 hours from the U.S./Mexican border.

Cross-posted at The Wide Awakes

John Kerry Jumps on the Bandwagon to Mute Blogger's Free Speech

Just ran across this over at The Blog Herald. John Kerry is throwing his hat in with Apple, the FEC and others that wish to restrict the free speech of bloggers everywhere. Here is the text of his speech over at The Weekly Standard. Perhaps we should let John know how much we value his opinion on free speech by dropping him a line, here's the link.

It is amazing to me that Kerry and the FEC want to mute the voice of the Blogsphere so let us resolve to not let it happen. This is an issue that crosses party lines and we can not afford to ignore. The Electronic Frontier Foundation has been on the forefront in defending the online right of all. Check out their site for more information. I urge everyone to contact your representation in Congress and urge them to not let our free speech online be limited in anyway shape or form. I am thinking of starting a blogburst that would include concerned bloggers from both side of the political aisle, let me know in the comments if you interested and please include your URL and email. Thanks and keep on keeping on.

Random Thoughts On A Wednesday

Folk, I have to apologize for my lack of commitment in writing for the last few weeks. I have been a little distracted since I found out that my company is closing our office and moving it to Dallas. I have been debating between staying in Arizona and having to find a new job or taking their very generous relocation package and moving the family to Texas. Well the debate is coming to a head and I need to make a decision by Monday. I think that once I decide it will be easier to return to writing with some passion because right now it kind of feels like a chore. I just wanted to let my regular visitor know where my head was and that regardless of where I live, I am going to continue to write and call it how I see it. Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate each and every one of you. Thanks.

So here are some random thoughts for this Wednesday:

Started to watch the Incredibles last night, I fell asleep 60 minutes in, fantastic movie from what I saw and the plot of conformity and rewarding mediocrity really struck a chord with me. I can’t wait to see the rest of the movie tonight.

The fourth season of Seinfeld is coming out on DVD on May 18^th. Frankly the best season in the whole bunch if you ask me. So many classic episodes in this one season but as I tell my wife, every episode is a classic.

Senator Harry Reid has been watching too many Dirty Harry movies and thinks that by shutting down the Senate and telling the Republicans to make his day he somehow is helping the country. Earth to Harry, your nothing more then an obstructionist who is fighting a losing battle. The filibuster of judicial nominees was something old Tommy Daschle cooked up and look what it did for him, he was thrown out on his ass. The standard for judicial nominees for years in the Senate was a straight up or down vote and that is the way it should be.

Tivo has signed a deal with Comcast to provide their DVR software to Comcast. This is really just a grab by Tivo for some ad revenue. I have 2 DVR boxes with Cox and can record about 60 hours on each. It costs me an extra 10 bucks a month and I have no advertising embedded in my DVR menu. Tivo costs at least 12 bucks a month and every time you open the DVR menu to find a show you had recorded you are bombarded by embedded advertising. I think this is a bad deal for Comcast who really just wanted the Tivo name to lend credibility to its own DVR offering. Glad I am not a Comcast customer.

I really miss Hockey. I am huge sports fan and my sports world revolved around football and hockey season with NASCAR to get me through the summer. I have not really been a basketball fan since the early 90’s and baseball has completely turned me off with its labor disputes, steroid use, and huge egos for guys who are playing a kid’s game. Unfortunately it seems that this is a need step for Hockey and I will return as a fan when they resume play. See for me it always seemed that Hockey was a purer sport. The players are good people who appreciated the fans and the money they were making. I have been lucky to be have grown up in Detroit and be a Red Wings fan all my life and met a few players. They really are good people that you could hang out with and that is the most frustrating part since they are all acting like a bunch of spoiled babies when it comes to getting a new labor agreement done. I hope they get a deal done before training camp is supposed to start or they may have to work a lot harder to get this fan to return.

Enough about Mikey Jackson already. I am so sick of him. His music has not been good for ten years and he simply is a freak. Just convict or acquit him and be done with it. If he’s guilty then he will become some guy name Bubba’s bitch and that will be the end of him and if he’s innocent then he will make another shitty record. The examination of every little detail is completely unwarranted. There are far more issue out there that could use some of Mikey’s airtime, like the missing little girl in Florida, the fact that yesterday the Iraqi National Assembly met for the first time, Social security reform, the Flat tax initiative, and many others. I don’t discount or lightly put aside the trauma that the boy who Jackson molested has experienced but the media is out of control. I have heard very little coverage about what can be done to prevent molestation and how we as parents can teach our children to be more aware. Those are the things the media should be focusing on and not what kind of freaking pajamas that Mikey was wearing to court.

Have a great Wednesday everyone.

Kerry's Form 180: The Blogburst Edition

John Kerry has never released his military records, in spite of his bragging about being a “war hero", and claiming he would release them soon on the "Meet The Press" television show with Tim Russert and the "Imus in the Morning" show with Don Imus. So let’s encourage him to release his military records to “clear things up".

As a group of concerned citizens who want to hold our leaders accountable we’ve formed a blogburst group to drive the issue home. If you want to join the blogroll for Kerry’s 180, click here to email the group founder, Cao and include the url for your blog. The blogburst is every Tuesday, so don’t forget to blog about it. All you have to do is encourage people to send him his 180, Just ask in your email and Cao will send you the code for the blogroll.

Here's the link to the actual form that he needs to fill out, as you can see there is not really much to it. Hell, I bet even one of his staffers could fill it out for him and make it even easier for him. Folks the simple truth is that like many of the "soldiers" at Kerry's famed Winter Meetings, Kerry lied about his service and because he has made it a centerpiece of his public service his record or lack there of is a issue he must deal with. So quote a great American:

"Why don't you jump on the team and come on in for the big win? "

No Post Today

Sorry folks there will be no post today, I am stuck doing a big project at work. I will be back tomorrow with something a bit meaty for you all to read.

The Dream and Immigration Revisited

Often when one takes a position that is unpopular, they are accused of being insensitive, or intolerant. Martin Luther King had a dream and I too share his vision of the future. My stance on illegal immigration is well-known to regular readers of my site. Of late I have been accused of outright racism in regards to my position on illegal immigration. Let me lay out some background for you. My wife is Hispanic so my children are 50% Hispanic. I live in Arizona which has become ground zero for illegal immigration. Let that sink in a second for those riding the short bus.

Dr. King spoke of a dream that his children would be judged on the quality of their character and not the color of their skin. I share this dream with that great man. If nothing is done to combat the rampant illegal immigration that plagues this portion of the country, it is conceivable that due to a backlash against illegal immigration, my children will face the same racism that honest, law-abiding, legal immigrates do now.

There are many people of all races and colors that come to this country in the hope of creating a better life. They follow the rules and in many cases, can wait up to years to immigrate to this country. These are the people who we can count on to become productive, law-abiding citizens. Now many will argue that the people who immigrate illegally fit the same category, I beg to differ. Regardless of the reasons for illegal immigration, it is still breaking the law and should not be tolerated. That may seem like a hard line but consider this.

A great deal of illegal immigration is not due to honest people looking to provide for their family, it is due to drug smuggling, human smuggling, and all other sorts of illegal activity. Another fact to think upon is that with the flood of illegal immigration provides excellent cover for terrorists to enter this country undetected. The security of this great country goes hand-in-hand with our immigration polices and until the connection is made by the powers that be in Washington, we are still at great risk for attacks on our soil.

Ronald Reagan spoke of a great shinning city on the hill, and for most who aspire to come to America that is the dream. They come to create a better life for their family and be judged by their character, these are the people that should be rewarded with legal immigration. There is little doubt on both sides of the aisle that immigration needs to be reformed.

This reform needs to take in to account the fact that many of the illegal immigrates have been here for many years and have established roots. Here are a few suggestions from yours truly.

1) Streamline the paperwork to come here legally, reduce the incentive to illegally immigrate. Reward those that follow the rules.
2) Educate potential immigrates on the advantages of legal immigration and ultimately citizenship.
3) Work with local law enforcement to enforce the laws on the books and stop the “catch and release” policy currently in place.
4) Increase federal funding to support new and recent immigrates; don’t leave the burden to the states alone.
5) Educate the American people on the truths of immigration, thus reducing the stigma associated with it. Remember we all came from another country at some point.
6) Pass stiffer penalties for Americans who participate in the business of human smuggling.

Our government needs to respond now before the situation gets out of control. I don’t want my children judged by their darker skin nor the hundreds of thousands of legal immigrates and it be assumed that they are just another illegal. Yes, maybe it’s not so bad now and I don’t have anything to worry about, but if nothing is done to stem the tide, there will be a backlash. People on both sides need to take a step back and recognize that a majority of these illegal immigrates mean us no ill will; they are just breaking the law in pursuit of the American dream.

The real crime in all of this is the look-the-other-way attitude of both the US and Mexican government as well as businesses in this country. Now before you accuse me of going “left”, think about this. The sole purpose of the US government is to secure this nation. By failing to do this, by allowing businesses to skirt immigration laws, and by lack of action encouraging the Mexican to tell its citizens, “go north”, the government is putting us all at risk. I am firmly in the camp of the less government the better, but I think in this case, government control of our borders is a much better option then roving bands of armed citizens riding the border.

Hispanics are now the largest minority in this country; are we taking a step back in civil rights by telling them that their not welcome here in America? If no immigration reform is pursued, I am afraid they will not make it to the “shinning city on the hill” to live out Dr. King’s dream.

Cross-posted at The Wide Awakes

WTF Friday Rant Volume 1 Issue 15

Jacko might do the big wacko says friends, who the hell cares?
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,149992,00.html

American households wealthier then ever, Thank God I live in America.
http://www.reuters.com/printerFriendlyPopup.jhtml?ty

Israel says no to jobs for Palestinians, smart anti-terrorism strategy
http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/05/front24

Those crazy Iranians do some nutty things.
http://middle-east.news.designerz.com/iranian-passenge
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICL

Changing of the guard, All Your Blogs Belong To Us
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/3/10/7080

This week's entry in the Pot called the Kettle black, Senator Clinton.
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/3/10/1039

Note to illegals, if you sue in America and win, please pay your taxes before your deported and don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. Note to Lawyers who sue on behalf of illegals, you’re wrong, illegals do not have the same rights as citizens and oh by the way, may you suffer many painful IRS audits.
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/3/8/164351

Terrorists using Mexico and Canada to enter US says FBI, No shit, here's you’re freaking sign Mr. Mueller.
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2005/3/8/21

All I can say is it's about Damn time.
http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-14
http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_pa

Another DMV lets us down, be on the look out for terrorists with Nevada driver's licenses.
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2005/3/9/10

Pakistan finally comes clean, Khan gave Iran Nuclear help. Let me make a suggestion, send a Seal team to get this guy and put him on trial here.
http://reuters.myway.com/article/20050310/2005-03-10

OBL gives up and retires to cave in western Pakistan, hands the reins over to Zarqawi. Too bad Zarqawi will caught very soon.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE

Ikea hates women, their instructions say so.
http://money.cnn.com/2005/03/10/news/international/ik

Glad to see that airports are not immune from hiring illegals and putting us all at risk.
http://www.wfmynews2.com/news/local_state/local_articl

Sudanese surprised to learn that the US tested nukes there, whoops, it's a typo.
http://reuters.excite.com/article/20050310/2005-03-10T

As Bryan Adams (sorry) once sang "I would do anything for love" or as the Proclaimers once said, "I would walk 500 miles." Or I as I would say, "Dumbass!"
http://reuters.excite.com/article/20050309/2005-03-09T

Feminism backfires, women seek a return to the 1950's domestic goddess
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/story.jsp?st

Man offers a million dollars to save Terri, that would be some well spent money.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE

Church leaders slam Bush budget. Maybe I am the only who thinks like this but maybe they should stick to preaching God's will. I don't recall Jesus talking about budgetary restraint, but hey I may have been sick at Sunday School that day.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE

And last but not least, the last song you may ever hear.
http://reuters.excite.com/article/20050310/2005-03-10T

Have a great weekend everyone and look for a dual post Saturday, here and over at The Wide Awakes.