Archive for August 2009
The “War for Peace” Loving Democrats
Not too long ago, Republicans were fervently trying to convince Americans that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were necessary to preserve the safety of our country. Their arguments, however, began carrying less and less weight as Americans finally began expressing their dissatisfaction in ever-increasing numbers. In the former anti-neoconservative America, it seemed Republicans were wondering how to justify two useless and illegal wars. Little did they know the best argument they could create to drum up support for their crimes against humanity was a peace-preaching, closet pro-war democrat named Barack Obama. With a democrat now in the White House, the former anti-war liberals have shown their true colors and gone silent. After all, Obama was for peace, right?
Those under this “peace candidate” assumption had little clue as to Obama’s history on Iraq, not to mention his horrible record on civil liberties. After all, Obama voted to instate warterboarding supporter Michael Chertoff as Secretary of Homeland Security, voted for bills providing billions of dollars in nuclear weapons producing activities, and voted for the Defense Authorization Act’s increase of funds to prolong the wars in 2005. He even voted to commend the armed services that murdered innocent women and children in an attack that supposedly killed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a man who had already been reported killed three times previously. Obama also voted against the Kerry Amendment in 2006, which would have withdrawn the troops from Iraq, and voted for a bill giving Bush another $120 billion to prolong the war in 2007. He also voted for the Patriot Act twice, the FISA legislation, and now supports the State’s Secrets privilege of the Bush Administration, giving him a civil liberties record the crows could feed off of for years.
The Djarum Experiment
I bought a pack of Djarum Black cigarettes this week, never having been a fan of cigarettes. They are what I like to call an ‘endangered species’. Their unnatural predator? The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (H. R. 1256). Signed into law, this bill bans flavored cigarettes, with the exception of menthol flavors. Individuals that enjoy these products are being told that it isn’t their choice any more. The drafters of the legislation contend that these cigarettes must be banned to help protect children from tobacco. I never saw kids smoking these cigarettes growing up. I don’t see anyone at all smoking these cigarettes. Given a smaller user-base, is it reasonable to argue that these cigarettes in particular are exposed more to children? Why must we endure yet another useless prohibition? Perhaps if I try to understand the following of these goods, I’ll have, in my mind, started an even hotter “brush fire of freedom.”
Don’t Hate the Player, Hate the Game
President Obama nominated Ben Bernanke for a second term as Chairman of the Federal Reserve. This wasn’t an unexpected reappointment. As much as I love to gloat when Dr. Paul challenges him in Congress, I have to admit, he performed well in his role. Now, granted, his role is one that shouldn’t even exist, and I abhor it completely. He did, however, meet the expectations of the Keynesian world.
Had Bernanke not been appointed, we probably would’ve seen the rise of a Timmy Geithner, or similar would-be autocrat. I take a step back, and reassure myself that this is a battle of ideas, and not of personalities. Ben Bernanke is merely a cog in a larger machine, convinced of his own righteousness and the Fed’s ability to manage our money supply through perpetual debasement. Alan Greenspan, however, was once a proponent of a gold standard, and routinely called for the dismantling of the Fed. If any Fed chairman is to be demonized, be it one that let slip the ideas of sound money when the machine came calling. Bernanke is a true believer.
Happy reappointment, Mr. Bernanke—I hope you enjoy early retirement when your machine grinds to a halt.
Our Silence is Betraying Humanity
More than half a year after Bush left office, our country still finds itself involved with two wars. Barack Obama flew into the White House with a message of change. So far he has kept Bush’s policies of bailing out failed companies with taxpayer money, continues to support State’s Secrets, has called for the creation of internment style prison systems, supports the denial of habeas corpus to prisoners in Bagram airbase, and has escalated Bush’s side-war in Afghanistan.
I am failing to see the change that Obama promised us. Turns out I’m not alone. There might be a few of us who remember Cindy Sheehan. She was the woman who courageously protested against the War in Iraq outside of Bush’s Texas ranch. Well unlike most people of today, she understands that there still is a war going on in the Middle East even though Obama has taken office. She is now protesting Obama’s wars in the Middle East, actually calling his policies “worse” than Bush’s. Not surprisingly, the Left who once supported her and her negativity toward Bush, are not so happy with her anti-Obama rhetoric. Go here to read her words on how quickly the Left has ‘left’ her side (pun intended).
I have been called a “racist” from the so-called left. In these people’s opinion, I was totally justified in protesting Bush, but I am a racist for protesting the same policies under Obama…There are many people in this country who oppose Obama because they’re racist, but I am not one of them. I oppose Obama’s policies because they are wrong…
Obama Resurrecting Real ID
It was only a matter of time before Obama tried to resurrect the Real ID. Although no state complies with the current Real ID system, and 23 have passed legislation refusing compliance, Obama, once again, doesn’t care what the states want.
He and Congress have hatched up another bill called PASS ID. This bill will allow the government to require ID in compliance with UN biometric format standards. This is obviously another attempt to shred the Constitution. Please go here to sign Campaign for Liberty’s petition to stop this abhorrent peace of legislation.
