Please Call Your Senator Now to Urge a “No” Vote on Dangerous “Hate Crimes” Bill

From a Coral Ridge Ministries email blast;

The U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote any day on a federal “hate crimes” bill that will pave the way for persecuting Christians and threatening our freedoms of religion, speech, and association.My late father, Dr. D. James Kennedy, and Coral Ridge Ministries have warned for many years against this threat to our way of life and our children’s freedom to live out their faith.

The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act (S. 909) is the Senate version of a bill that passed the House in April. A cornerstone of the “gay” political agenda, it would raise “sexual orientation” to a legal status equivalent to that of real civil rights categories such as race or ethnicity, and it would introduce for the first time into federal law the radical concept of “gender identity.” Since “sexual orientation” is not clearly defined, it would afford special legal protections to pedophiles and other sexual deviants that ordinary Americans won’t get.

In addition, S. 909 would:

• Put pressure on police and prosecutors to devote more time and money to some victims’ cases and not others.
• Vastly expand the federal government’s power to intervene in criminal cases, whether local authorities want this or not.
• Create a taxpayer-funded slush fund for “education” programs that lump conservative Christians among “hate groups.”
• Have a chilling effect on free speech by making unpopular ideas a basis for harsher treatment in criminal proceedings.
• Add a layer of law that is utterly unnecessary. There is no evidence that “hate crime” victims receive less justice. Everyone deserves equal treatment under the law—no more, no less.

Widely known homosexual activist Andrew Sullivan recently said this:

The real reason for hate crimes is not the defense of human beings from crime. There are already laws against that-and Matthew Shepard’s murderers were successfully prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law in a state with no hate crimes at the time. The real reason for the invention of hate crimes was a hard-left critique of conventional liberal justice and the emergence of special interest groups which need boutique legislation to raise funds for their large staffs and luxurious buildings.

Please call or email your senators now to voice opposition to this dangerous bill. The Senate switchboard is (202) 224-3121 or (202) 225-3121. To identify your senators and reach them directly by phone or email, click here and then choose your state near the top.

Here are three key points to tell your senators:

This bill:

Is an Assault on Liberty of Conscience. In free countries, criminal acts are punished—not beliefs or views. The proposed hate crimes bill would result in two convictions—one for the criminal act, and another for the beliefs or thoughts behind it. This is a road to “thought crime” tyranny that is unfolding already in Europe and Canada.

Is not needed. Every state legal code already protects men and women, whatever their “actual or perceived … sexual orientation,” against criminal assault. There is no hate-crime “epidemic” in America. The FBI reports that so-called hate crimes, which are difficult to identify because only God can know the human heart, are a tiny fraction of all crimes.

Puts Pastors At Risk For Prosecution. Anyone, including pastors, can be accused of creating a “climate of hate” that leads to violence, merely for speaking biblical truth. Under Pennsylvania’s hate crimes law, 11 Christians were arrested and jailed in 2004 merely for preaching the gospel at a Philadelphia homosexual street festival. Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), a former judge, said that under this federal bill, clergymen and others could be charged with encouraging or inducing a “hate crime” if they preach against homosexuality.

Please call your senators now to respectfully request their position on this bill and to urge them to vote “No” on S. 909. Among other things, this bill is a giant step toward the criminalization of Christianity.

Sincerely in Christ,

P.S. Thank you for your friendship and support for Coral Ridge Ministries! To learn more about why hate crimes are dangerous, watch this six-minute Coral Ridge Hour video. For an in-depth look at the risks posed by hate crime laws, read Ten Truths About Hate Crime Laws.

Denmark delays freedom of speech conference to avoid offending Muslims — in case Geert Wilders shows up

Something stinks in Denmark. 

Hate Crimes Legislation

I believe this is worth a repeat, considering the Miss California hullabaloo;  h/t Coral Ridge Ministries;

Hate Crime Legislation Threatens Christian Free Speech

Federal legislation that directly threatens the freedom of Bible-believing Christians will be voted on tomorrow by the U.S. House Judiciary Committee. This is a threat about which Dr. Kennedy and Coral Ridge Ministries have warned for years. We are asking you to please call or email your representative now to voice opposition to the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Act of 2009 (H.R. 1913).

Don’t know the name of your House member? Here’s a quick, easy, way to find and write to your representative: Contact My Representative!

The proposed hate crimes legislation is so dangerous because it threatens our First Amendment right to free speech. Hate crimes laws have already been used in Britain, Sweden, Australia, and Canada, to assault the free speech rights of Christians. The law now before Congress will place pastors or anyone else who speaks out against homosexual conduct at risk of federal prosecution. Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), a former judge, said that under this bill, clergymen and others could be charged with encouraging or inducing a “hate crime” if they preach against homosexuality.

To learn more, watch this six-minute Coral Ridge Hour video and then call your House member. With your help and that of thousands of others, we can defeat the hate crimes legislation under consideration in Congress.  A vote in the full House is expected later this spring.

Please make your voice heard now by calling or emailing your House representative. For contact information, go to Contact My Representative! Plus, you can add your name to our online petition against hate crimes legislation when you click here.

Sincerely in Christ,

P.S. For an in-depth look at the risks posed by hate crime laws, read Ten Truths About Hate Crime Laws, available online and also available in book form.

Glenn Beck at The Alamo Tea Party

Congress targets free speech!

email blast from Coral Ridge Ministries

This is urgent. Many members in the House of Representatives are conspiring to bring back a diabolical old rule that would effectively shut down Christian and conservative radio and may eventually affect what you view on TV.

And it’s cloaked in a noble-sounding name — the “Fairness” Doctrine — but really, it’s CENSORSHIP.

Give now to help Coral Ridge Ministries preserve the free speech right for Christian broadcast ministries!

Preserve FREE SPEECH for all!

Stop the Fairness Doctrine in its tracks and raise your voice for freedom of speech!

Add your name to our online Petition in Support of the Broadcaster Freedom Act right now.

How would “Fairness” work? Government bureaucrats would begin monitoring broadcasts all across America and insist that conservative programmers include liberal content.

In other words, the federal government will control what we say.

In fact, now that we have begun exposing the TRUTH about the so-called “Fairness” Doctrine, some enemies of free speech have taken to calling it by other names, violating our constitutional right to speak out freely as Christians. No matter what you call it, it’s a serious threat.

This is why we must be vigilant. The Fairness Doctrine by any other name —imposed by any other means — is nothing more than viewpoint censorship. The target? Conservative Christians.

We urgently need your help! Your immediate online donation will help us coordinate our efforts with the National Religious Broadcasters and other Christian ministries … and apply a bold and concerted effort on this crucial issue.

It is essential that Congress pass the “Broadcaster Freedom Act” to guarantee that anti-Christian censorship will not become the law of the land.

Your gift today will help us mount a nationwide media and petition campaign in support of this vital legislation and call on concerned Christians across the country to support this effort in giving and prayer — for the sake of reclaiming America for Christ!

And for your gift, we’ll thank you by sending you our new publication, Not Fair, Not Free: The Fairness Doctrine Campaign to Crush Free Speech. It will give you a clearer-than-ever perspective on the censorship situation we’re facing and what can be done.

I am grateful for your friendship and partnership. God bless you. And may God bless America!

Free Speech is NOT a Hate Crime/Sign Petition

h/t Coral Ridge Ministries;

Dangerous change is coming to America

The danger of the hour can’t be overstated. Supporters call it “hate crime” legislation, but it actually criminalizes any expression of opinion that’s not politically correct. And our new president has reportedly made this legislation a priority.

We need your help today to share the real danger of “hate crime” laws — to reveal how they actually diminish free speech and put your religious liberty at risk … all while advancing the homosexual agenda.

Sign the Petition in Opposition to Hate Crime Legislation and give a generous tax-deductible contribution in support of Coral Ridge Ministries’ campaign to STOP ANTI-CHRISTIAN “HATE CRIME” LAWS NOW and defend America’s moral heritage!

If you believe homosexuality is a sin and believe you should be able to say so without commie-czar Obama throwing you in jail, sign the petition here.

Just a note; before any pinko commie libs accuse me of anything, I have nothing against persons who happen to be gay. To use the old warn out phrase, “Love the sinner, hate the sin.”

Reagan Activists Must Stop Fairness Doctrine

Last week I shared with y’all an announcement to join the Reagan Action.  I hope you did.  If you did, then you already know what I am about to share with you.  If not, read the following.  From an email blast from ReaganAction.com;

 

Reagan Activists Must Stop Fairness Doctrine From the Desk of Michael Reagan Dear Conservative Friend, As you know, I’ve just launched my new activist website for conservatives, ReaganAction.com We’re already making HUGE waves in political circles — grassroots conservatives are energized, and the “loony left” is already having fits about what they realize we can do! But you can be sure of one thing: The radical liberals will do everything in their power to SHUT US DOWN, along with every other conservative voice in America. And they’re already telling the world exactly how they’re going to do it: THE “FAIRNESS DOCTRINE” We MUST take action to STOP them NOW, before they are able to mobilize support for this insidious attempt to SILENCE CONSERVATIVES! SELECT HERE to send “Blast Faxes” to EVERY SINGLE REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR who will be sitting in the next Congress, DEMANDING that they REJECT the “Fairness Doctrine” in ANY form. The “Fairness Doctrine” — a federal regulation requiring broadcasters to present both sides of any “controversial” issue — was enforced by the Federal Communications Commission from 1949 to 1987. The FCC adopted it as a regulation, but it was never a law enacted by Congress. When the rule was in place, radio and TV stations could face hefty fines if their stations aired controversial statements on public affairs without providing “equal time” to opposing viewpoints. The result was self-censorship by broadcasters who avoided politics to escape any potential government retaliation. When this rule was dropped in 1987 under my father, Ronald Reagan, it led directly to the rise of conservative talk radio that enabled average citizens to have their voices heard across America. If it weren’t for the Reagan administration dropping the “Fairness Doctrine,” we would never have heard of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Michael Savage, Martha Zoller, Neal Boortz, Janet Folger, or the hundreds of other conservative talk radio hosts that dot the land and expose the lies and misdeeds of the Left. You might not have even heard of me! And THAT is why the Left wants to bring back the “Fairness Doctrine” — this time, as a LAW. Up until 1987, the Fairness Doctrine mandated that when a broadcast station presented one viewpoint on a “controversial” public issue, it also had to air the opposing viewpoint. Sounds “fair,” right? WRONG. The so-called “Fairness Doctrine” did nothing but stifle any real public debate on the airwaves. What station manager in his right mind would air a (profitable) conservative talk radio show for two or three hours every day, if it meant he had to also air liberal shows as well — shows that have consistently LOST money whenever they’ve been tried? Repealed by a vote of 4-0, it was concluded that the “Fairness Doctrine” had begun to inhibit political discourse, rather than enhance it. The Democrat Congress tried to reinstate the doctrine, but President Reagan vetoed their attempt. Again, in 1991, another attempt to revive the doctrine failed when George H. W. Bush threatened a veto. Now, with Barack Obama entering the White House, and Reid and Pelosi reigning over a stronger Democrat-controlled Congress, they’re going to try to SHUT US UP AGAIN — and this time, they might succeed… unless YOU AND I take action to stop them NOW, before they are able to mobilize support for this insidious attempt to SILENCE CONSERVATIVES! SELECT HERE to send “Blast Faxes” to EVERY SINGLE REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR who will be sitting in the next Congress, DEMANDING that they REJECT the “Fairness Doctrine” in ANY form. Nothing frightens those who peddle lies than the cold hard light of TRUTH. They react to exposure of their deceits the way vampires react to a having a crucifix held up in front of them. Ever since the birth of conservative talk radio and the Internet ended the liberals’ total monopoly over the news, the left has been simmering with rage — over the loss of their absolute control over what the Americans are allowed to see and hear, and their inability to do anything about it. Time and again, liberal attempts to sell the nation their shoddy goods have been frustrated when talk-radio hosts have taken to the airwaves and warned their millions of listeners that they were about to be taken to the cleaners. It was not until last year’s fatally flawed “immigration reform” AMNESTY bill — that seemed destined for passage — was derailed by an army of angry voters recruited by talk radio hosts and conservative Internet websites, that the left understood both the incredible power of the new media, and their utter helplessness in the face of it. Clearly something had do be done, they thought. And that’s when they came up with the idea to bring back the “Fairness Doctrine” — but this time, as a LAW. Really, what they’re trying to do shows just how desperate the liberals have become. Without the new media to keep an eye on them, their failure to accomplish their stated goals since winning control of the Congress would have been covered up by the subservient mainstream media. Those of us in talk radio and the Internet are the left’s worst nightmare — our monitoring of their activities had been shining the light of truth on their attempts to deceive the nation, so now they’re trying to do whatever it takes to kill us off. Like all Marxists, the liberals won’t stop trying to LIE their way into power. As a result, they won’t stop trying to destroy the new media — those of us who are more than willing to ACTIVATE the grassroots to help EXPOSE their lies. You can be certain that they’ll push HARD for a new “Fairness Doctrine” or some other way to silence the opposition. But you can be just as certain that we will NOT let them succeed! As grassroots conservatives, we MUST take action to stop them NOW, before they are able to mobilize support for this insidious attempt to SILENCE CONSERVATIVES! SELECT HERE to send “Blast Faxes” to EVERY SINGLE REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR who will be sitting in the next Congress, DEMANDING that they REJECT the “Fairness Doctrine” in ANY form. Together, WE CAN DEFEAT THE LEFT! Join in today! Also, if you can help our new initiative for conservative activism, please join me now in the NEW Reagan Revolution, to bring Conservatism BACK: Select Here for more information: www.ReaganAction.com With Hope in the Future, Michael Reagan Chairman ReaganAction.com P.S. My dad, President Reagan, killed the “Fairness Doctrine.” As a result, this rule change allowed Rush, Hannity, and me to have radio talk shows — that’s why the new proposal to bring it back is being called the “Hush Rush” bill. Now the liberals are dying to shut us up. Don’t be fooled into thinking that they aren’t serious about trying to reinstate this doctrine. Barack Obama’s transition team has already tapped former FCC Commissioner Henry Rivera, a longtime proponent of the “Fairness Doctrine,” to head the team looking for the person who will soon give Democrats a 3-to-2 advantage on the Federal Communications Commission. If the “Fairness Doctrine” is put into law, you can be sure of this: AM Radio will DIE. Such a law would be used just like it was used in the past — as a political weapon against radio station owners, program directors and managers. That’s the reason my father got rid of it. Let’s take action NOW! SELECT HERE to send “Blast Faxes” to EVERY SINGLE REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR who will be sitting in the next Congress, DEMANDING that they REJECT the “Fairness Doctrine” in ANY form. Thank you!Please make your check payable to: Policy Issues Institute 30011 Ivy Glenn, Ste. 223 Dept Code 1900 Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 ReaganAction.com is a project of the Policy Issues Institute, a public policy and issues advocacy organization that aggressively addresses the intensifying assaults that the American Republic continues to endure — at home, and abroad. Policy Issues Institute a 501(c)(4) not-for-profit, tax exempt organization. Donations are not tax deductible for Federal Income Tax purposes.

Snakes in Ohio

Lately I keep getting email blasts from sources that I never signed up for.  Sometimes I just delete or spam the emails before even opening them up.  If the subject title looks like something relevant that I may be interested in  I will open the email.  Lately one of these sources that I am receiving email from is Americans for Limited Government. They seem pretty relevant in material that I would be interested in.  As someone who believes in free speech, this really touched a nerve.  It is an article regarding “Joe the Plumber” being investigated by Obama supporters.

While I was ADD-ing, I was in the middle of working on this post and checking email.  A correction to some of the things in the following story was made.  I refuse to delete the post I was working on, due to the fact that I really got gumped up following the story and I am not going to delete my thoughts.

Here is the correction to the following story;

Today, ALG News mistakenly reported that Helen Jones-Kelley, director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, was charged with improperly searching state records of Joe Wurzelbacher.  This is inaccurate.

Julie McConnell, a Toledo, OH police clerk was charged for mishandling Mr. Wurzelbacher’s records.

By William WarrenALG Editor’s Note: As ALG News was going to print today, news broke that Helen-Jones Kelley has been charged for “gross misconduct” for improperly targeting Joe the Plumber with an inquiry for political purposes.

As a long-time resident of Georgia, I’d say I know a thing or two about snakes—especially where to find them. For those unfamiliar with the practice, a good place to start would be under rocks, logs, fallen trees, and all sorts of rotting debris.

I’d also recommend looking anywhere in the Ohio state government. They seem to have a decided tendency to lurk there as well.

For example, we have Jennifer Brunner, the Ohio Democrat Secretary of State who willingly assisted ACORN and Barack Obama in allowing 200,000 unmatchable fraudulent voter registrations to remain uninvestigated. Curiously enough, 200,000 votes were roughly the margin of victory for Republican candidate George W. Bush in Ohio in 2000 and 2004. Apparently, taking careful headcounts and then adjusting the vote accordingly is how Ohio Democrats interpret the Good Book’s injunction to be “as wise as a serpent.”

And now Helen Jones-Kelly, director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, revealed earlier this week that she sanctioned a government-backed investigation to probe into the private records of Joe Wurzelbacher immediately following the October 15th presidential debate. This marks the fourth state computer check on Mr. Wurzelbacher since he became a major talking point in the presidential race. State and local investigators are now looking to see if these government probes—especially that of Mrs. Jones-Kelley—are illegal. And I would advise them to bring along their pinning hooks.

According to Mrs. Jones-Kelley, this latest intrusion was supposedly launched to see if Mr. Wurzelbacher was current on any ordered child-support payments. As she says:

“Our practice is when someone is thrust quickly into the public spotlight, we often take a look. Our practice is to basically look at what is coming our way.”

So Mrs. Jones-Kelley “often” takes a look into the personal records of anyone who “is thrust quickly into the public spotlight”? I’m not so sure that excuse makes the cut.

Apparently Mrs. Jones-Kelley forgot to mention the following tiny caveat: she always investigates anyone who comes “into the public spotlight”—who happens to be a political threat to her candidate, Barack Obama.

Wait a minute…her candidate? That can’t be. Besides, Mrs. Jones-Kelley says there were no political reasons behind her search.

The money would beg to differ. A quick, easy—and, conversely, entirely legal—look into Mrs. Jones-Kelley’s political donations tells the story of a woman so dedicated to Barack Obama’s success that this bureaucrat was willing to give his campaign the maximum allowed donation.

Nevertheless, Mrs. Jones-Kelley tries to bury her shameless and politically motivated intrusion under the paper-thin guise of her standard routine. Talk about shedding one’s skin.

If, indeed, she does “always do that” like she claims, I wonder if Mrs. Jones-Kelley ever used government powers to investigate the personal records of Sarah Jessica Parker, Phil Donahue, Tom Cruise, Carmen Electra, Lebron James, Ted Turner, Ken Griffey Jr., Coach Jim Tressel, or the rock-n-roll boys of O.A.R. They, after all, were certainly thrust “into the public spotlight” in Ohio. So, just how much child support do they pay?

You know, I went to Ohio once. It was many years ago whilst at an Ultimate Frisbee tournament in Oberlin during my one and only year on the Wake Forest University club team. As the team’s star freshman “squaller” and nationally unrenowned handler of the disc, I believe I may have been thrust “quickly into the public spotlight” after scoring a goal or two. Perhaps Mrs. Jones-Kelley investigated me, also?

And, if so, I wonder if she found anything interesting. Although I’m pretty sure I don’t have a tax lien or unpaid child support, I suppose Mrs. Jones-Kelly would promptly let me—as well as the national media and entire electorate—know. After all, this is a woman who takes her beady-eyed snooping very seriously.

All absurdity aside, the politically motivated invasion into the personal life of an honest Ohioan who had the audacity to ask a politician a question isn’t simply unsettling—it’s utterly terrifying. Although the weathered cliché of “Big Brother” and Orwellianism may be frequently tossed about in conversation and political dialogue, it is almost always rooted in some degree of truth.

In this situation, however, “Big Brother” is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
For Ohioans, Mrs. Jones-Kelley is the very face of Big Brother.

Perhaps there is some other “Joe the Electrician,” or “Joe the cook,” or “Joe the Waiter” in Ohio who might subsequently have asked Obama a tough question, but refrained out of fear of being investigated. Knowing the stakes—and knowing you might be subsequently burned at one—wouldn’t you abstain from questioning Barack Obama if there happened to be some kind of blemish on your record? Or, if you simply didn’t like the idea of Ohio’s enforcers slithering over in your direction.

So as Big Brother looks on, and more and more snakes emerge from the rot of Democrat politics, the situation in Ohio—from Joe the Plumber to Jennifer Brunner to Helen Jones-Kelley—should serve as a warning to us all.

It’s only a matter of time before the rest of the nation finds itself fighting the same Big Government constriction—just like Joe the Plumber.

William Warren is a contributing editor of ALG News Bureau.

http://alg31blog.timberlakepublishing.com/default.asp?Display=690

I’ve said it before, and I will say it again, this pretty freakin scary when the average American cannot ask a politician a question, due to fear of being investigated for every little nit-picky thing.  I am going to tell y’all the truth, this seems to be the most scariest election cycle of my entire life.  Never before have I seen people being silenced for exercising their free speech.  Hanging images of VP candidates from homes and being called Halloween displays, people beating themselves up and carving a letter B into their cheek only to blame it on supporters of a presidential candidate, spray painting “F#$% McCain” on garage doors of McCain supporters, skinheads plotting to kill Obama.  There is much more that I could mention, but I don’t have time.  I tell you what, just a little while ago, I was in the verge of tears over this whole election.

Ask a Politician a Question…Get a Proctology Exam

So I’m just watching TV. “Joe the Plumber” is being interviewed by Neil Cavuto. In case you have been living in a cave, “Joe the Plumber” was just a guy playing football with his kid in the backyard one day in Ohio. Regular Middle America kinda dad. Well then the one day that changed his life. Barack Obama was walking his neighborhood. Joe heard about this. Joe wanted to meet him and ask questions. Since then every libby blogger and the MSM has been trying to “dig up the dirt.”

Back to why he was on Neil Cavuto. Someone has been using gubmint computers to find his private information. During the interview Joe said that since the one meeting with Barack it is like getting a proctology exam.

This Joe guy seems way smarter than some of our elected officials. Don’t believe me. Check out his interview on “Huckabee.”

The issue here is not what Joe has or has not done. What the issue here is that every American who is concerned with any issue, has every right to ask a candidate a question. Every American has every right to expect a candidate to explain his positions. Every American has every right to learn how a candidate came to stand a certain way on certain issue.

Isn’t that what free speech is all about? The MSM is spending more time talking about this average mid-westerner, who has no personal connection to John McCain or any other Republican candidate, than they do with Bill Ayers or Reverend Wright. Is the MSM and the liberals trying to scare us freedom loving Americans who are just simply curious? Are they sending us a message; “disagree with someone, ask a question and everything you have done in your adult life will be exposed”?

Mental Constipation/My Voice WILL be Heard!

So I am back to blogging.  It had been so long and so much has gone on in the political sphere that it is almost overwhelming to talk about anything after being gone so long.  I guess I just need to let loose.  Part of why I did go to Happy Camp is that there was so much on my mind that I didn’t even know what to talk about first.  So I didn’t talk about anything.  I had given up on supporting any candidate. 

I was down about Bob Barr, wondering if he can really make it.  I thought it was useless to show any support, so I might as well just sit out the election.  And just see what fool will get elected.  But here is the problem with that.  If I truly want to see a candidate with the gall to turn this country in the right direction, who can be fiscally conservative, get elected I need to do something.  Sitting around saying “I wish, I wish…” will not get Bob Barr elected.  I can not afford to contribute to his campaign financially, but I can afford to contribute to his campaign through speaking out about him.  I can use this blog that I have been neglecting.  I can tell my friends and neighbors. 

There are other people who feel that it may be useless to speak out.  So they don’t.  They let the same old same old happen.  The people who actaully vote are too partisan.  They vote for the (R) or (D) beside someone’s name, not the ideals.  Those who don’t vote for whatever reasons, are the ones with the common sense.  But they are just too jaded to vote.  So they let idiots decide for them, by voting for no good scoundrel.  These are the people who deep in their hearts are Libertarian or Libertarian leaning Conservatives.  But unfortunately, they sit on their bar stools complaining.   If you want to have better elected officials elected, then elect better officials. 

I do believe that complaining needs to be done.  But don’t stop there.  Do something.  One must realize that there are problems.  Then they need to complain.  Now, you must try to find the solution.  Even if the solution may seem crazy and others tell you you are crazy and you have looked at all angles and realize that the crazy solution is the correct solution, then do something.  State your case.  Tell others why you think this is the best solution.  You may just win others to your cause.  This isn’t just political advice, this works in all situations in which there is a problem.

While I have realized that I need to get back to blogging, I just didn’t know where to begin.  I have decided that I am not going to sit around trying to figure out what the rules on coming back to blogging from a long hiatus are.  I have been mentally constipated for too long.  I just need to speak in how I feel.  The words that have been bottled up inside me finally came out when I commented on a blog post at BobBarr.com, in regards to the post “Appellate Court removes Bob Barr from Louisiana ballot.” 

Here is part of my comment. 

“…My dunderhead boyfriend says my vote for Barr would be a vote for Obama. WHATEVER! I believe Bob Barr can and will win! Regardless of the outcome, my vote will be my voice.

The only people voting anymore are those loyal to one of the two parties in the “Donkeyphant Political Division” no matter what or are ticked off Conservative Republicans voting for Barr. If only those 40% ticked off Americans, who don’t vote, who are sick of same old same old would learn about Barr they would go vote and vote for Bob Barr.

Sorry for the rant. I am an American and I am ticked off. I am sick of staying silent.”

This is what has been bottledup inside of me for so long.  Let me eleborate a bit on what I just said.  Many people out there who have been considering voting for Bob Barr have been hearing the same old rhetoric, “A vote for Barr is a vote for Obama.”  Yeah, the Libertarians have good ideas, but they will never get off the ground.”  The Republicans and Democrats have been established for too long.”  Fill in with whatever comments you have been hearing.

Maybe the Libertarians won’t win in this election.  Maybe they will.  Rome wasn’t built overnight.  Your vote should be your voice.  If you are only voting (D)  or (R) because you think you have to vote for the lesser of two evils and you are afraid if you vote for a third party the other guy will get elected, or maybe you just aren’t voting because you don’t like either the (D) or (R), well then your voice was not heard.  In fact, you don’t even have a voice when you vote like a robot that has been programmed by one party or the other.

That’s it…for now…

Bob Barr: Gun ownership a freedom under Bill of Rights

I found this article about Bob Barr’s visit to The College of New Jersey, via Bob Barr’s website blog.  In his blog is highlighted the fact that he talks about the second amendment and gun ownership.  But I clicked on the link and found so much more to the original article.  Not that he doesn’t make great points about the second amendment, just saying there are additional things that stood out for me also.

Former Georgia Congressman Bob Barr spoke at the College the importance of the Bill of Rights to the freedom of American citizens.

Barr, who is currently seeking the Libertarian nomination for president, was brought by the College Republicans.

I think that is awesome that there are some college Republicans who are will to give Bob Barr a chance and not follow the party line, lock, stock and barrel.  Folks, I have been out of college for quite a while now.  But in my observations of college Republicans, it seems as though they are sheeple to the adults in the party.  Following along with however the adults tell them.

“Any organization that believes in free debate ought to be commended and participated in by everyone,” Barr said. “The point is not if you agree or disagree with the topic or the speaker but if you are interested in hearing a free debate of the issues.”

Love that!

The issues discussed that evening were primarily the current status of the Second Amendment, the right to bear arms, and the Fourth Amendment, the right of citizens “to be secure in their persons … and effects,” according to the Bill of the Rights.

“The Bill of Rights is probably the most magnificent piece of writing set down by the hands of man,” Barr said. “It has withstood the test of time … It’s very viable and respected, though not by the current administration.”

He continued, “If we do not continue to have, or rediscover, an educated citizenry … this document will be rendered meaningless. (The Bill of Rights) requires an educated citizenry, which is something we do not have nowadays.

He is so right.  Our citizenry does need to be educated.  But our citezenry is more concerned with what is going on with some skanky celebrity or looking up the latest LOL Cat.  I’s donts wants cheezeburger, I want liberty.  Hey, maybe someone can dress up a cat like Uncle Sam and use that phrase in a LOL Cat pic.

“I am of the group of people who have a presumption that the men who wrote these words had a purpose,” he said.

The Second Amendment, according to Barr, is essentially about the right of the people.

As an advocate of the Bill of Rights, it is important to get people to think of the Second Amendment as a reflection of fundamental freedom, according to Barr.

“If we allow ourselves to be drawn into arguing just about guns and ammunition, it’s very easy to lose that argument,” he said.

“If they misuse it, it’s their responsibility,” Barr said, referring to legal gun owners who do not properly and safely handle their guns. “Don’t make it harder for the rest of us.”

When questioned if it would be wise to allow professors to elect to arm themselves on college campuses, Barr replied that “it is nonsense to go on a campus and give up the right to bear arms.”

People have been saved by having firearms, Barr said, and since the Second Amendment is no more and no less important than the others, it should not get more stringent controls added to it. [more here]

 

 

Fitna Movie has been Released (Update)

A few days ago I posted about the protest in the Netherlands, regarding the Geert Wilders’ yet unreased film.  Miss Beth posted on Grizzly Groundswell that the FITNA film has been released.  You can read her post here.  She has linked to many sites that have more details about Geert Wilders, his film and the Fatwas (threats).

This is not a film for the lighthearted.  Yet it is a film that all Freedom loving Americans, and those the world over, must watch.  I have watched it and there are things that will shock you.  No wonder why Muslims were protesting it.  There is no way they can prove the film is a lie.

Watch it at United American Committee, here or at http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=7d9_1206624103.

UPDATE Biker Mailman at The Mailman’s bag has posted that Network Solutions has done some rethinking and now you can also watch the video at http://www.themoviefitna.com/?p=52#comments.

If you are going to link on any of the links to the movie, whick I hope you do, The last link provided is the one you should go to.

National Party in Czech Republic offers to release anti-Islamic film

On Sunday I posted about Geert Wilders’ film about Islam.  In the article I posted about people protesting this film, in Amsterdam, Holland.  Radio Praha Online reports that the National Party in the Czech Republic is offering to show the fifteen minute film, in which the content has yet to be known, on their website.  They are also offering him protection.

National Party offers to release anti-Islamic film

The ultra-right National Party has offered to place a controversial anti-Islamic film on its website. The film by the Dutch ultra-right MP Geert Wilders describes the Koran as a fascist book that teaches intolerance and provokes violence. Several thousand people protested against it in the streets of Amsterdam over the weekend. Dutch TV channels have refused to broadcast it and the Dutch authorities fear that it could stir up violent protests in the Moslem world. A spokesman for the Czech ultra-right National Party said the 15-minute film should be broadcast all over Europe as a response to Islamic terrorism. The party has also offered its author Geert Wilders protection and asylum at an unspecified place in the Czech Republic. [source]

I am glad that there are some Europeans who are willing to stand up for what is right.

Dutch protest against Islam critic’s Koran film

Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders is set to release a film depicting the Muslim book, Koran, as fascist.  It is being protested by Muslims as hate speech.

Officials fear movie could spark violence in Muslim countries

AMSTERDAM – Thousands of demonstrators crowded Amsterdam’s central square Saturday, braving wind and sleet to show their opposition to anti-immigration lawmaker Geert Wilders.

The protest, called “Netherlands Shows Its Colors,” is primarily a reaction in advance to the short film Wilders said he will release later this month criticizing the Koran as a “fascist” book.

 While the exact contents of his 15-minute movie, due to be released by March 31, remain  unknown, Wilders has said it will underscore his view that Islam’s holy book is fascist.

Dutch officials fear the movie could spark violent protests in Muslim countries, similar to those two years ago after the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in a Danish newspaper.

I totally understand fear, that Dutch officials have.  But I hope fear does not push them to kow tow.  Hopefully the fear will make them strong and stand up for what is right.

“The government could really do something. That’s in the interest of the country — stop him, just stop him,” said Hassan Iaeti, who traveled hours from the far south of the country to attend.

He said he believed Wilders is abusing the right of freedom of speech, which he said has limits.

“You can criticize Muslims themselves, but not their religion and not our prophet — that’s our belief.”

Why is it that Mr. Ieati has the right to speak freely, yet Mr. Wilders does not?  The Dutch government has no business in stopping him, and I hope they don’t.  Mr. Wilders is not abusing his freedom of speech, just because it is not the same belief as others. 

Why can’t Mr. Wilders criticize the Muslim religion?  The religion is the driving force behind the Muslims. 

In November 2004, a Muslim radical killed Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh for perceived insults to Islam. Wilders, under constant police protection, said it is his duty to speak out against what he sees as a threat to Dutch culture posed by Islam.

A Dutch court will hear a complaint lodged by Muslim groups seeking to bar Wilders from releasing the film and punish him for earlier anti-Islam remarks under hate crime laws.

The case filed by the Dutch Islamic Federation will be heard March 28, but there is no legal barrier preventing Wilders from releasing his film before then.

Wilders has said he will release his movie on the Internet after television stations refused to air it and plans for a press screening were canceled due to high security costs. [more here]

I just don’t get this.  How is any of this a hate crime or hate speech?  Christians in the US deal with anti-Christianity all the time.  We deal with mocking.  You don’t see Christians going out and demanding that the government make the mockers stop.  You don’t see Christians threaten those who speak bad about or mock Christianity.  You don’t see Christians killing those who speak ill of the religion.  My theory is that the truth will always prevail.  The way I see it, if there is nothing to hide, there is no reason to even protest the film.  I think there is something to hide and that’s why they are protesting.  They are scared of what could be in the film.

Violence in Tibet touches on raw nerve in Prague

Yesterday, I posted about the Czech protests outside of the Chinese Embassy in Prague. Radio Praha Online has more of the details. There are pics from a Tibetan protest in Katmandu and yesterday’s protest in Prague. Former Czech president, Václav Havel, is a supporter of freedom for Tibet.

Here is the full article;

[17-03-2008 15:14 UTC] By Daniela Lazarová

Listen 16kb/s ~ 32kb/s

The violent suppression of freedom protests in Lhasa by the Chinese military over the weekend sparked a show of international solidarity with Tibet, with street protests in many world cities and governments appealing for restraint. In the Czech Republic, a country which overthrew communist rule less than two decades ago, the violence in Tibet has touched on a raw nerve.

Nepalese police officers snatch a Tibetan flag from a Tibetan protester demonstrating in front of the UN office in Katmandu, Nepal, photo: CTK

The violent suppression of freedom protests in Tibet has split the Czech political scene down the middle. The three parties in the centre-right governing coalition condemned the use of force and called on China to respect human rights in Tibet. Meanwhile, the two parties on the political left – the Social Democrats and Communists – advised non-interference, stressing the need to recognize China’s sovereignty over Tibet. A debate on Czech public television between representatives of the Green party and the Communist party on the subject soon spiraled out of control, with Communist leader Vojtěch Filip slamming the leader of the Green Party Martin Bursík for having recently put up the Tibetan flag in a window of the Czech Parliament building in a show of solidarity.

The demonstration outside the Chinese Embassy in Prague, photo: CTK

While the leftist parties are insisting that the riots in Tibet are China’s internal problem, the Czech ruling coalition has joined world leaders in condemning the violence and appealing for restraint. The Czech Foreign Ministry issued a strongly worded statement, reminding Beijing that the world was watching developments in Tibet closely.

“The ministry believes that the use of force would only worsen the situation. Therefore we are calling for maximum restraint. We are convinced that the solution to the problem should involve free access to information – therefore we are urging China to immediately free the flow of information from Tibet and to grant independent media access to the region. The government of the Czech Republic as well as the Czech public traditionally place great emphasis on the protection of human rights and cultural and religious heritage world-wide. These are universal values that cannot be violated –neither in Prague nor in Lhasa and especially not in the year of the Olympic Games in Beijing.”

Václav Havel, photo: CTK

On Sunday night 500 people gathered outside the Chinese Embassy in Prague calling for freedom in Tibet and holding up banners reading “Stop the Violence” and “Don’t Make Tibet Red”. Among them were former Czech dissidents, including ex-president Václav Havel, civic associations, students, people from the arts world and members of the Green Party, which has made the strongest show of support for Tibet. The doors of the Chinese embassy remained closed and the demonstrators eventually threw a protest petition over the fence and dispersed, leaving candles burning outside on the pavement. Another rally in support of Tibet has been called for Wednesday evening, once again outside the Chinese embassy in Prague. [source]

I am not sure where current Czech President Václav Klaus stands on this issue, but I will trz to find info on that.