Monthly Archives: July 2010

Respect

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re·spect [ri-spekt] –noun

1. a particular, detail, or point (usually prec. by in ): to differ in some respect.

2. esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or ability: I have great respect for her judgment.

3. deference to a right, privilege, privileged position, or someone or something considered to have certain rights or privileges; proper acceptance or courtesy; acknowledgment: respect for a suspect’s right to counsel; to show respect for the flag; respect for the elderly.

4. the condition of being esteemed or honored: to be held in respect.

–verb (used with object)

5. to hold in esteem or honor: I cannot respect a cheat.

6. to show regard or consideration for: to respect someone’s rights.

7. to refrain from intruding upon or interfering with: to respect a person’s privacy.

There has been, and perhaps still remains to some extent, an unwritten contract between government and the people.  I almost wrote “governed” but that isn’t appropriate in the United States.  We are not governed as are those elsewhere.  Here government exists solely by the will of the people.  We are not governed because of that unwritten contract that says government is a partnership with the people.

The Preamble to the US Constitution begins with “We the people…” and gives legitimacy to the government created by that document. The contract is written in mutual respect.  It can only remain in effect while that mutual respect continues.

We have reached a point in the history of this country where that mutual respect has been damaged.  It is too soon to say whether the damage is irreparable.  The actions of the democrat lead Congress since they took control in 2006 has shown no respect to the people and has all too often ignored and acted against the interests of the people in order to affect an agenda that has been contrary to the wishes of the people.  The actions by democrats in the summer of 2009 and the creation of the Tea Party movement illustrate this divide and the loss of respect.  When democrats actively move to exclude a portion of the country from communicating their desires, when democrats denigerate their political opponents, the government does not show respect to those who they view as “the governed.”  That viewpoint is incorrect and perilous.

The democrat leadership, and unfortunately a number of republicans as well, has violated the contract.  When non-governmental agencies, such as SEIU, are used to intimidate members of the public, when racist groups such as the New Black Panther Party actively intimidate voters at the polls, and when the officers of the federal government refuse to act as required by law, that contract is further damaged. The actions by Att’y Gen’l Eric Holder in suing Arizona for daring to act to protect the national borders when the government refuses to do so, damages the contract.

With mutual respect there is trust.  The actions of the current government does not respect the people of this nation as shown above.  The people of this country, as illustrated by the actions of Virginia, Louisiana, Arizona, and probably Missouri after next Tuesday is proof that the people and the states are losing respect for the federal government.  With no respect, there is no trust and when trust is lost, recreating respect and trust is a long, difficult and dangerous road.

The contract must be re-formulated, perhaps this time in writing if this nation is to survive.  It may not do so in its current form.  Whether the “Great Experiment” as viewed by Alexi de Tocqueville continues is unknown. Another cogent quote from Walter Lippman says…

Walter Lippmann : In making the great experiment of governing people by consent rather than by coercion, it is not sufficient that the party in power should have a majority. It is just as necessary that the party in power should never outrage the minority.

We have already reached the point where the people are outraged.  We are close to the point where the majority of the people are enraged.  When that point is reached, the contract is broken, there is no trust and no respect by the people for government.
I pray we do not reach this point because the greatest danger is that the United States will no longer be united and with that, the Great Experiment ends.                   

So much to cover…

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There’s just so much going on it’s hard to pick a topic. Federal Judge Bolton blocked key portions of the Arizona Immigration bill and AZ has already submitted an appeal to the 9th Circuit. On the other side of the country, Charlie Rangel’s attempt to negotiate a settlement of his 13 ethics charges failed and it’s on to the trial. Maxine Waters is next going before the ethics panel.

GOP Rep Tom Price (R-GA) has submitted a resolution to the House that would block any Lame Duck sessions after the November elections. The purpose would be to block the “passing hugely unpopular legislation like a national energy tax, enormous deficit spending bills, and the kickback to Big Labor known as “Card Check.”“

Obama goes on the liberal talk show “The View” and calls African-Americans “a mongrel people” and then “blames the media for creating a “phony controversy” over racial remarks by a black Agriculture Department official that were posted on the Internet. His administration ousted the employee, but then apologized and offered to rehire her.”
In the meantime, Michelle and daughter Sasha plan on a “vacation” to Spain, missing Obama’s birthday in the process. Just what does that foretell? How many loving wives would take off on a vacation accompanied only a daughter and miss their husband’s birthday? There is nothing planned in Spain that couldn’t be postponed a week. Oh, they’ll be vacationing in Maine after they return. Just who will be there is yet open.

Perhaps Michelle is taking off because they didn’t get invited to Chelsea Clinton’s wedding. Surely that is a snub. Obama’s Secretary of State’s daughter is getting married and Michelle and the POTUS aren’t invited. That’s a slap in the face and it’s not subtle either.

The post-Heller and McDonald lawsuits continue. The Second Amendment Foundation is suing the state of Maryland over their “may issue” policies.

All in all, it has been an eventful week. I could do without another like it.

Outing the "Journalists" on the JournOlist.

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Ever since Tucker Carlson blew the whistle on the Left’s conspiracy to slat, control the news and to block unfavorable news about Obama and the democrats, the “mainstream” media has kept mostly silent. Carlson’s blog, The Daily Caller, has a number of articles about JournOlist, here and here.

Now that the conspiracy has been blown, other liberal journalist who weren’t members are distancing themselves at far as they can. You’ll note there is little disagreement with some of the issues and stances proposed by the members of JournOlist, only that they were caught.

Despicable. The whole lot of them. It reminds me when I caught a friend who had stolen from me. When I asked, they apologized and wept. When they had calmed down, I realized they’d said nothing until they were caught. If I’d said nothing, neither would have they.

I heartily applaud Tucker Carlson. He is doing and performing the duties that the Founding Fathers institutionalized in the 1st Amendment, contrary to the members of JournOlist to sought to subvert that Institution.

It all comes to this. Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? The media has abdicated their rights and responsibilities. It is now the responsibility of bloggers to take up that task. Tucker Carlson is only one of many who has done so.

UPDATE: This is another list called the “Townhouse ListServ”, an invitation only list run by Matt Stoller, “a progressive blogger-turned-senior policy advisor for Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL).“

Townhouse provides the online equivalent of a political backroom for Democratic Party-aligned advocates, consultants and lobbyists. On this closed listserv selected liberals — including bloggers Glenn Greenwald, Markos Moulitsas and Atrios; film maker Robert Greenwald; leaders of liberal think tanks such as Robert Borosage of Campaign for America’s Future; Wes Boyd, Tom Matzzie and other leaders of MoveOn; and other Democratic campaign and PR consultants — can confidentially discuss and debate their issues, strategies and tactics. — SourceWatch.

And Clinton and the Obamabots scream about the “vast right-wing conspiracy.

I strongly suggest you go here and read the entire column. JournOlist isn’t the only group of liberals who conspire to control the information fed to the public. The Townhouse Listserv has now been exposed.
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Outing the "Journalists" on the JournOlist.

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Ever since Tucker Carlson blew the whistle on the Left’s conspiracy to slat, control the news and to block unfavorable news about Obama and the democrats, the “mainstream” media has kept mostly silent. Carlson’s blog, The Daily Caller, has a number of articles about JournOlist, here and here.

Now that the conspiracy has been blown, other liberal journalist who weren’t members are distancing themselves at far as they can. You’ll note there is little disagreement with some of the issues and stances proposed by the members of JournOlist, only that they were caught.

Despicable. The whole lot of them. It reminds me when I caught a friend who had stolen from me. When I asked, they apologized and wept. When they had calmed down, I realized they’d said nothing until they were caught. If I’d said nothing, neither would have they.

I heartily applaud Tucker Carlson. He is doing and performing the duties that the Founding Fathers institutionalized in the 1st Amendment, contrary to the members of JournOlist to sought to subvert that Institution.

It all comes to this. Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? The media has abdicated their rights and responsibilities. It is now the responsibility of bloggers to take up that task. Tucker Carlson is only one of many who has done so.

UPDATE: This is another list called the “Townhouse ListServ”, an invitation only list run by Matt Stoller, “a progressive blogger-turned-senior policy advisor for Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL).“

Townhouse provides the online equivalent of a political backroom for Democratic Party-aligned advocates, consultants and lobbyists. On this closed listserv selected liberals — including bloggers Glenn Greenwald, Markos Moulitsas and Atrios; film maker Robert Greenwald; leaders of liberal think tanks such as Robert Borosage of Campaign for America’s Future; Wes Boyd, Tom Matzzie and other leaders of MoveOn; and other Democratic campaign and PR consultants — can confidentially discuss and debate their issues, strategies and tactics. — SourceWatch.

And Clinton and the Obamabots scream about the “vast right-wing conspiracy.

I strongly suggest you go here and read the entire column. JournOlist isn’t the only group of liberals who conspire to control the information fed to the public. The Townhouse Listserv has now been exposed.

Missouri’s Prop C on next week’s Primary Ballot

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Flag of the State of Missouri

There are three states in contention over State’s Rights issues with the federal government. Virginia is suing over Obamacare’s mandate that each individual buy government insurance. Louisiana has sued over the Gulf Oil drilling moratorium. Louisiana has won their suit against the Moratorium twice and the FedGov continues to ignore Judicial orders. Arizona has passed their copy of federal immigration laws and has been sued by the FedGov.

Now Missouri joins the fray. There is a proposition on the Primary ballot next week, Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010, known as “Prop C.” That proposition says..

Shall the Missouri Statutes be amended to:

Deny the government authority to penalize citizens for refusing to purchase private health insurance or infringe upon the right to offer or accept direct payment for lawful healthcare services?

Modify laws regarding the liquidation of certain domestic insurance companies?

It is estimated this proposal will have no immediate costs or savings to state or local governmental entities. However, because of the uncertain interaction of the proposal with implementation of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, future costs to state governmental entities are unknown. (Source: SolidPrincipals Blog)

The latest poll that I’ve seen, as of a few days ago, says that 60% of Missourians favor the poll. A local radio show has started a mantra, “Yes on C, screw DC!”

There is some opposition from the expected groups. The St. Louis Today website calls those voting “Yes”, free-loaders. In my opinion, those who vote “No”, are parasites feeding off the rest of us. Compare the language and tone from StLouisToday to that of the St. Louis Tea Party. What a difference in attitude between that of the statists to that from the Tea Parties.

By the end of next Tuesday, I’ll be proud that Missouri has joined the ranks with Virginia, Louisiana and Arizona.

Ben Bova says…

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I’ve been a Science Fiction fan since I was in grade school. I don’t remember what was the first SF story I read. It was most likely one of the Heinlein juveniles.

Ben Bova is a SF writer and past editor of Analog Magazine. He has earned his writing credentials. What I didn’t know until recently is that he’s also a strong Second Amendment advocate and he wrote a column for the Naples, FL Daily News.

Here’s a portion of that column. I invite you to go here and read the entire article.

From the Naples Daily News, July 24, 2010.

Ben Bova: It’s about the Bill of Rights and bearing arms

…
I saw how easy it is to throw away those rights when I took part in a think-tank experiment several years ago.
The proposition before us was that we were given a brand-new, fully functional space habitat capable of housing 10,000 people. Our task was to draw up a set of laws that those people would have to live under.
The men and women participating in this thought experiment were well-educated American citizens. I assumed that they would use the U.S. Constitution as a starting point in constructing the habitat’s government. I was naive.
I was stunned by how quickly the Bill of Rights disappeared from the participants’ discussion. Their attitude was that the inhabitants of the colony had better obey the laws and do the jobs they were assigned to do. If they didn’t — toss ’em out into space.
They coined a new phrase: “airlock justice.” Freedom of speech, due process of law, all the rights that we take for granted were tossed out the airlock in favor of iron-handed control of the population.

That’s what could happen if we didn’t have the protections of the Bill of Rights. That’s why the Supreme Court’s decision was right.

Bova also recounts a panel discussion consisting of him, British SF writer John Brunner and others. It’s a hoot!

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Ben Bova says…

Posted on by

I’ve been a Science Fiction fan since I was in grade school. I don’t remember what was the first SF story I read. It was most likely one of the Heinlein juveniles.

Ben Bova is a SF writer and past editor of Analog Magazine. He has earned his writing credentials. What I didn’t know until recently is that he’s also a strong Second Amendment advocate and he wrote a column for the Naples, FL Daily News.

Here’s a portion of that column. I invite you to go here and read the entire article.

From the Naples Daily News, July 24, 2010.

Ben Bova: It’s about the Bill of Rights and bearing arms

…
I saw how easy it is to throw away those rights when I took part in a think-tank experiment several years ago.
The proposition before us was that we were given a brand-new, fully functional space habitat capable of housing 10,000 people. Our task was to draw up a set of laws that those people would have to live under.
The men and women participating in this thought experiment were well-educated American citizens. I assumed that they would use the U.S. Constitution as a starting point in constructing the habitat’s government. I was naive.
I was stunned by how quickly the Bill of Rights disappeared from the participants’ discussion. Their attitude was that the inhabitants of the colony had better obey the laws and do the jobs they were assigned to do. If they didn’t — toss ’em out into space.
They coined a new phrase: “airlock justice.” Freedom of speech, due process of law, all the rights that we take for granted were tossed out the airlock in favor of iron-handed control of the population.

That’s what could happen if we didn’t have the protections of the Bill of Rights. That’s why the Supreme Court’s decision was right.

Bova also recounts a panel discussion consisting of him, British SF writer John Brunner and others. It’s a hoot!