July 4th Tea Party canceled
by JASON PYE on JUNE 22, 2009
From the tipline:
The Atlanta Tea Party was forced to cancel it’s Independence Day celebration in Gwinnett, after losing it’s location due to the objection of Gwinnett Place Mall (a Simon company.) The Tea Party had been scheduled to take place in the parking lot of the old Macy’s building at Gwinnett Place since March.
“It is unfortunate the event had to be canceled,” said Julianne Thompson, event co-organizer. She continued, “The old Macy’s building is on private property, and not owned by Simon Malls, however the mall manager asked the property owner and I to come in the office on Thursday of this week, and told us Simon does not want political events on it’s property......http://www.peachpundit.com/2009/06/22/july-4th-tea-party-canceled/
HT to Peach Pundit!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Opinion: Pritchett's You Scare Me Letter
An Open Letter to President Obama
By Lou Pritchett
Dear President Obama:
You are the thirteenth President under whom I have lived and unlike any of the others, you truly scare me.
You scare me because after months of exposure, I know nothing about you.
You scare me because I do not know how you paid for your expensive Ivy League education and your upscale lifestyle and housing with no visible signs of support.
You scare me because you did not spend the formative years of youth growing up in America and culturally you are not an American.
You scare me because you have never run a company or met a payroll.
You scare me because you have never had military experience, thus don't understand it at its core.
You scare me because you lack humility and 'class', always blaming others.
You scare me because for over half your life you have aligned yourself with radical extremists who hate America and you refuse to publicly denounce these radicals who wish to see America fail.
You scare me because you are a cheerleader for the 'blame America' crowd and deliver this message abroad.
You scare me because you want to change America to a European style country where the government sector dominates instead of the private sector.
You scare me because you want to replace our health care system with a government controlled one.
You scare me because you prefer 'wind mills' to responsibly capitalizing on our own vast oil, coal and shale reserves.
You scare me because you want to kill the American capitalist goose that lays the golden egg which provides the highest standard of living in the world.
You scare me because you have begun to use 'extortion' tactics against certain banks and corporations.
You scare me because your own political party shrinks from challenging you on your wild and irresponsible spending proposals.
You scare me because you will not openly listen to or even consider opposing points of view from intelligent people.
You scare me because you falsely believe that you are both omnipotent and omniscient.
You scare me because the media gives you a free pass on everything you do.
You scare me because you demonize and want to silence the Limbaughs, Hannitys, O'Relllys and Becks who offer opposing, conservative points of view.
You scare me because you prefer controlling over governing.
Finally, you scare me because if you serve a second term I will probably not feel safe in writing a similar letter in 8 years.
Lou Pritchett
Note: Lou Pritchett is a former vice president of Procter & Gamble whose career at that company spanned 36 years before his retirement in 1989, and he is the author of the 1995 business book, Stop Paddling & Start Rocking the Boat.
Mr. Pritchett confirmed that he was indeed the author of the much-circulated "open letter." “I did write the 'you scare me' letter. I sent it to the NY Times but they never acknowledged or published it. However, it hit the internet and according to the ‘experts’ has had over 500,000 hits.
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By Lou Pritchett
Dear President Obama:
You are the thirteenth President under whom I have lived and unlike any of the others, you truly scare me.
You scare me because after months of exposure, I know nothing about you.
You scare me because I do not know how you paid for your expensive Ivy League education and your upscale lifestyle and housing with no visible signs of support.
You scare me because you did not spend the formative years of youth growing up in America and culturally you are not an American.
You scare me because you have never run a company or met a payroll.
You scare me because you have never had military experience, thus don't understand it at its core.
You scare me because you lack humility and 'class', always blaming others.
You scare me because for over half your life you have aligned yourself with radical extremists who hate America and you refuse to publicly denounce these radicals who wish to see America fail.
You scare me because you are a cheerleader for the 'blame America' crowd and deliver this message abroad.
You scare me because you want to change America to a European style country where the government sector dominates instead of the private sector.
You scare me because you want to replace our health care system with a government controlled one.
You scare me because you prefer 'wind mills' to responsibly capitalizing on our own vast oil, coal and shale reserves.
You scare me because you want to kill the American capitalist goose that lays the golden egg which provides the highest standard of living in the world.
You scare me because you have begun to use 'extortion' tactics against certain banks and corporations.
You scare me because your own political party shrinks from challenging you on your wild and irresponsible spending proposals.
You scare me because you will not openly listen to or even consider opposing points of view from intelligent people.
You scare me because you falsely believe that you are both omnipotent and omniscient.
You scare me because the media gives you a free pass on everything you do.
You scare me because you demonize and want to silence the Limbaughs, Hannitys, O'Relllys and Becks who offer opposing, conservative points of view.
You scare me because you prefer controlling over governing.
Finally, you scare me because if you serve a second term I will probably not feel safe in writing a similar letter in 8 years.
Lou Pritchett
Note: Lou Pritchett is a former vice president of Procter & Gamble whose career at that company spanned 36 years before his retirement in 1989, and he is the author of the 1995 business book, Stop Paddling & Start Rocking the Boat.
Mr. Pritchett confirmed that he was indeed the author of the much-circulated "open letter." “I did write the 'you scare me' letter. I sent it to the NY Times but they never acknowledged or published it. However, it hit the internet and according to the ‘experts’ has had over 500,000 hits.
-----
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Sunday, June 7, 2009
Emergency Filing: Chrysler Creditors Take Obama to Supreme Court
Emergency Filing: Chrysler Creditors Take Obama to Supreme Court
by: Bill Dupray
This is nothing short of Americans asking the Judiciary Branch to step in and exercise its check and balance powers to stop an out-of-control Executive Branch. Our Republic is held together by such power, and in this instance, the Supreme Court is the last bulwark against an authoritarian president nationalizing a private company and extinguishing Constitutionally protected contract and property rights to reach his goal of giving the company to his political allies.
From WSJ.
A group of Indiana pension funds opposed to Chrysler LLC's sale to Fiat SpA filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court to stay the sale while they continue their attempts to block it. . . .http://patriotroom.com/article/emergency-filing-chrysler-creditors-take-obama-to-supreme-court
by: Bill Dupray
This is nothing short of Americans asking the Judiciary Branch to step in and exercise its check and balance powers to stop an out-of-control Executive Branch. Our Republic is held together by such power, and in this instance, the Supreme Court is the last bulwark against an authoritarian president nationalizing a private company and extinguishing Constitutionally protected contract and property rights to reach his goal of giving the company to his political allies.
From WSJ.
A group of Indiana pension funds opposed to Chrysler LLC's sale to Fiat SpA filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court to stay the sale while they continue their attempts to block it. . . .http://patriotroom.com/article/emergency-filing-chrysler-creditors-take-obama-to-supreme-court
Monday, June 1, 2009
Opinion: The 'Unseen' Deserve Empathy, Too
While announcing Sonia Sotomayor as his nominee to the Supreme Court, President Barack Obama praised her as a judge who combined a mastery of the law with "a common touch, a sense of compassion, and an understanding of how the world works and how ordinary people live." This is in keeping with his earlier statement that he wanted to appoint a justice who possessed the "quality of empathy, of understanding and identifying with people's hopes and struggles."
Without casting aspersions on Judge Sotomayor, we may ask whether these are really the characteristics we want in a judge.
Clearly, a good judge must have "an understanding of how the world works and how ordinary people live." Judicial decision-making involves the application of abstract rules to concrete facts; it is impossible to render a proper judicial decision without understanding its practical effect on both the litigants and the wider community.
But what about compassion and empathy? Compassion is defined as a feeling of deep sympathy for those stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering; empathy is the ability to share in another's emotions, thoughts and feelings. Hence, a compassionate judge would tend to base his or her decisions on sympathy for the unfortunate; an empathetic judge on how the people directly affected by the decision would think and feel. What could be wrong with that?
Frederic Bastiat answered that question in his famous 1850 essay, "What is Seen and What is Not Seen." There the economist and member of the French parliament pointed out that law "produces not only one effect, but a series of effects. Of these effects, the first alone is immediate; it appears simultaneously with its cause; it is seen. The other effects emerge only subsequently; they are not seen; we are fortunate if we foresee them." Bastiat further noted that "[t]here is only one difference between a bad economist and a good one: The bad economist confines himself to the visible effect; the good economist takes into account both the effect that can be seen and those effects that must be foreseen."
This observation is just as true for judges as it is for economists. As important as compassion and empathy are, one can have these feelings only for people that exist and that one knows about -- that is, for those who are "seen."
One can have compassion for workers who lose their jobs when a plant closes. They can be seen. One cannot have compassion for unknown persons in other industries who do not receive job offers when a compassionate government subsidizes an unprofitable plant. The potential employees not hired are unseen.
One can empathize with innocent children born with birth defects. Such children and the adversity they face can be seen. One cannot empathize with as-yet-unborn children in rural communities who may not have access to pediatricians if a judicial decision based on compassion raises the cost of medical malpractice insurance. These children are unseen.
One can feel for unfortunate homeowners about to lose their homes through foreclosure. One cannot feel for unknown individuals who may not be able to afford a home in the future if the compassionate and empathetic protection of current homeowners increases the cost of a mortgage.
In general, one can feel compassion for and empathize with individual plaintiffs in a lawsuit who are facing hardship. They are visible. One cannot feel compassion for or empathize with impersonal corporate defendants, who, should they incur liability, will pass the costs on to consumers, reduce their output, or cut employment. Those who must pay more for products, or are unable to obtain needed goods or services, or cannot find a job are invisible.
The law consists of abstract rules because we know that, as human beings, judges are unable to foresee all of the long-term consequences of their decisions and may be unduly influenced by the immediate, visible effects of these decisions. The rules of law are designed in part to strike the proper balance between the interests of those who are seen and those who are not seen. The purpose of the rules is to enable judges to resist the emotionally engaging temptation to relieve the plight of those they can see and empathize with, even when doing so would be unfair to those they cannot see.
Calling on judges to be compassionate or empathetic is in effect to ask them to undo this balance and favor the seen over the unseen. Paraphrasing Bastiat, if the difference between the bad judge and the good judge is that the bad judge focuses on the visible effects of his or her decisions while the good judge takes into account both the effects that can be seen and those that are unseen, then the compassionate, empathetic judge is very likely to be a bad judge. For this reason, let us hope that Judge Sotomayor proves to be a disappointment to her sponsor.
By John Hasnas
John Hasnas is a visiting professor at Duke University School of Law.
-----
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Without casting aspersions on Judge Sotomayor, we may ask whether these are really the characteristics we want in a judge.
Clearly, a good judge must have "an understanding of how the world works and how ordinary people live." Judicial decision-making involves the application of abstract rules to concrete facts; it is impossible to render a proper judicial decision without understanding its practical effect on both the litigants and the wider community.
But what about compassion and empathy? Compassion is defined as a feeling of deep sympathy for those stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering; empathy is the ability to share in another's emotions, thoughts and feelings. Hence, a compassionate judge would tend to base his or her decisions on sympathy for the unfortunate; an empathetic judge on how the people directly affected by the decision would think and feel. What could be wrong with that?
Frederic Bastiat answered that question in his famous 1850 essay, "What is Seen and What is Not Seen." There the economist and member of the French parliament pointed out that law "produces not only one effect, but a series of effects. Of these effects, the first alone is immediate; it appears simultaneously with its cause; it is seen. The other effects emerge only subsequently; they are not seen; we are fortunate if we foresee them." Bastiat further noted that "[t]here is only one difference between a bad economist and a good one: The bad economist confines himself to the visible effect; the good economist takes into account both the effect that can be seen and those effects that must be foreseen."
This observation is just as true for judges as it is for economists. As important as compassion and empathy are, one can have these feelings only for people that exist and that one knows about -- that is, for those who are "seen."
One can have compassion for workers who lose their jobs when a plant closes. They can be seen. One cannot have compassion for unknown persons in other industries who do not receive job offers when a compassionate government subsidizes an unprofitable plant. The potential employees not hired are unseen.
One can empathize with innocent children born with birth defects. Such children and the adversity they face can be seen. One cannot empathize with as-yet-unborn children in rural communities who may not have access to pediatricians if a judicial decision based on compassion raises the cost of medical malpractice insurance. These children are unseen.
One can feel for unfortunate homeowners about to lose their homes through foreclosure. One cannot feel for unknown individuals who may not be able to afford a home in the future if the compassionate and empathetic protection of current homeowners increases the cost of a mortgage.
In general, one can feel compassion for and empathize with individual plaintiffs in a lawsuit who are facing hardship. They are visible. One cannot feel compassion for or empathize with impersonal corporate defendants, who, should they incur liability, will pass the costs on to consumers, reduce their output, or cut employment. Those who must pay more for products, or are unable to obtain needed goods or services, or cannot find a job are invisible.
The law consists of abstract rules because we know that, as human beings, judges are unable to foresee all of the long-term consequences of their decisions and may be unduly influenced by the immediate, visible effects of these decisions. The rules of law are designed in part to strike the proper balance between the interests of those who are seen and those who are not seen. The purpose of the rules is to enable judges to resist the emotionally engaging temptation to relieve the plight of those they can see and empathize with, even when doing so would be unfair to those they cannot see.
Calling on judges to be compassionate or empathetic is in effect to ask them to undo this balance and favor the seen over the unseen. Paraphrasing Bastiat, if the difference between the bad judge and the good judge is that the bad judge focuses on the visible effects of his or her decisions while the good judge takes into account both the effects that can be seen and those that are unseen, then the compassionate, empathetic judge is very likely to be a bad judge. For this reason, let us hope that Judge Sotomayor proves to be a disappointment to her sponsor.
By John Hasnas
John Hasnas is a visiting professor at Duke University School of Law.
-----
www.Politicalpotluck.com
Political News You Can Use
Thursday, May 21, 2009
It's A Tax!
Hello Intelligent Thinker.
The "cap-and-trade" legislation (HR2454) that is being pushed through congress by Chairman Henry Waxman (CA- D) is just another tax on the American people. Even President Obama has admitted that it is going to be an additional cost on every household and business in this country. It will cost the average American family anywhere from $700 to $3,000 a year depending on whose analysis you believe. I believe the $3000 estimate determined by a study conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
It's a tax! "Cap-and-trade" is just another tax and a huge expansion of government bureaucracy. Bill: (HR2454) American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009
Summary of Bill: Cap and Tax Overview
Democrats have this legislation on a fast track hoping that the American people will not notice.
Please contact your Representative and both Senators with the following message:
Please vote NO on the upcoming 'cap-and-trade' legislation. We do not need another tax on the people of this country nor another government bureaucracy. Please respond immediately! Congress has this bill on a fast track.
Herman Cain - Head Coach
Intelligent Thinkers Movement
TAKE ACTION!
Issues and Actions
Contact Your Elected Officials
Herman has given us permission to share his writings... brilliant man, great spokesperson and just a good guy.
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The "cap-and-trade" legislation (HR2454) that is being pushed through congress by Chairman Henry Waxman (CA- D) is just another tax on the American people. Even President Obama has admitted that it is going to be an additional cost on every household and business in this country. It will cost the average American family anywhere from $700 to $3,000 a year depending on whose analysis you believe. I believe the $3000 estimate determined by a study conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
It's a tax! "Cap-and-trade" is just another tax and a huge expansion of government bureaucracy. Bill: (HR2454) American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009
Summary of Bill: Cap and Tax Overview
Democrats have this legislation on a fast track hoping that the American people will not notice.
Please contact your Representative and both Senators with the following message:
Please vote NO on the upcoming 'cap-and-trade' legislation. We do not need another tax on the people of this country nor another government bureaucracy. Please respond immediately! Congress has this bill on a fast track.
Herman Cain - Head Coach
Intelligent Thinkers Movement
TAKE ACTION!
Issues and Actions
Contact Your Elected Officials
Herman has given us permission to share his writings... brilliant man, great spokesperson and just a good guy.
---
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Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
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Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Chambliss Opposes Sebelius Nomination
U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., today made the following statement regarding Kathleen Sebelius’ nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services.
“By recently vetoing a bill on late-term abortion, Gov. Sebelius ignored the will of Kansans. By not paying the taxes she owed until just before her confirmation hearing, she ignored the laws of the United States.
“I also believe it is inappropriate to place someone with her record of disregard for human life into a national health leadership role. For those reasons, I oppose Gov. Sebelius’ nomination.”
“By recently vetoing a bill on late-term abortion, Gov. Sebelius ignored the will of Kansans. By not paying the taxes she owed until just before her confirmation hearing, she ignored the laws of the United States.
“I also believe it is inappropriate to place someone with her record of disregard for human life into a national health leadership role. For those reasons, I oppose Gov. Sebelius’ nomination.”
Sebelius Nomination: Not the End of the Fight But the Beginning
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement after the U.S. Senate approved Gov. Kathleen Sebelius's nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services by a vote, 65 to 31.
"We urged senators to vote no on a nominee who has abandoned women and children in her state and aligned herself with notorious late-term abortionist George Tiller. Despite how liberals portray her, Kathleen Sebelius is not your garden variety 'pro-choicer.' Her record, including support for gruesome third-trimester abortions, veers well left of even Senators Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Pat Leahy (D-Vt.), and former Majority Leader Tom Daschle.
"Considering the country's revulsion for late-term abortions, it should be toxic for anyone to associate with a man like George Tiller. It is even more reprehensible that our President would elevate such a person to a leadership post at the largest government agency.
"Some Republicans have apparently been swayed by the argument that as bad as this appointment is, President Obama would simply come back with someone equally objectionable if her confirmation was denied. Certainly he has done so with other sensitive appointments, like his choices for Ambassador to the Vatican- several of whom have been rejected because of their extreme abortion views-with no end in sight.
"Our supporters contacted the U.S. Senate by the tens of thousands. However, her confirmation does not bring this fight to an end. The public outcry against this nomination has been strong and growing and it will continue to build. We will work to ensure that health care 'reform' is not infected with Sebelius's pro-abortion views. The American people will not accept public funding of abortion as 'health care' or the crushing of conscience rights, which will drive medical personnel from their fields."
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"We urged senators to vote no on a nominee who has abandoned women and children in her state and aligned herself with notorious late-term abortionist George Tiller. Despite how liberals portray her, Kathleen Sebelius is not your garden variety 'pro-choicer.' Her record, including support for gruesome third-trimester abortions, veers well left of even Senators Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Pat Leahy (D-Vt.), and former Majority Leader Tom Daschle.
"Considering the country's revulsion for late-term abortions, it should be toxic for anyone to associate with a man like George Tiller. It is even more reprehensible that our President would elevate such a person to a leadership post at the largest government agency.
"Some Republicans have apparently been swayed by the argument that as bad as this appointment is, President Obama would simply come back with someone equally objectionable if her confirmation was denied. Certainly he has done so with other sensitive appointments, like his choices for Ambassador to the Vatican- several of whom have been rejected because of their extreme abortion views-with no end in sight.
"Our supporters contacted the U.S. Senate by the tens of thousands. However, her confirmation does not bring this fight to an end. The public outcry against this nomination has been strong and growing and it will continue to build. We will work to ensure that health care 'reform' is not infected with Sebelius's pro-abortion views. The American people will not accept public funding of abortion as 'health care' or the crushing of conscience rights, which will drive medical personnel from their fields."
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Friday, April 24, 2009
Cap and Trade, Trade and Vote, Americans Still Pay the Price
Trading favors for votes? Say it ain't so. Oh, wait, I forget. This is business as usual in Washington.
Another interesting story on cap and trade and the behind the scenes scramble to protect some states and not others has been published. It doesn't seem fair that some states would have to shoulder more of the national energy tax than others. Actually, the cap and trade really doesn't make any sense at all for future economic growth. In fact, the proposed new energy tax that Americans won't be able to deduct will dearly cost us all.
To get votes, Waxman offers cap-and-trade breaks
By: SUSAN FERRECHIO
n exchange for votes to pass a controversial global warming package, Democratic leaders are offering some lawmakers generous emission “allowances” to protect their districts from the economic pain of pollution restrictions......http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/To-get-votes-Waxman-offers-cap-and-trade-breaks_04_24-43592342.html
Another interesting story on cap and trade and the behind the scenes scramble to protect some states and not others has been published. It doesn't seem fair that some states would have to shoulder more of the national energy tax than others. Actually, the cap and trade really doesn't make any sense at all for future economic growth. In fact, the proposed new energy tax that Americans won't be able to deduct will dearly cost us all.
To get votes, Waxman offers cap-and-trade breaks
By: SUSAN FERRECHIO
n exchange for votes to pass a controversial global warming package, Democratic leaders are offering some lawmakers generous emission “allowances” to protect their districts from the economic pain of pollution restrictions......http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/To-get-votes-Waxman-offers-cap-and-trade-breaks_04_24-43592342.html
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Georgia Libertarian Receives Sam Adams Alliance “Tea Party Award”
The Libertarian Party of Georgia is happy to announce that LPGa’s Communications Director James Bell, 49, has won the “Tea Party Award” presented in Chicago on April 18 at the Sam Adams Alliance 2nd Annual Sammies Awards (www.samadamsalliance.org).
Bell, who is celebrating his 20th year as a citizen activist, was recognized for his efforts in helping to defeat two Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) referenda in Douglas County, Georgia. Bell’s work with the Douglas County Taxpayers Coalition (DCTC) saved taxpayers more than $200 million.
“I am proud to be recognized for my efforts in leading a fight against higher taxation,” Bell proclaimed. “My efforts have been made possible with the support of many others who have selflessly stepped forward to offer their time and talents to a worthy cause.”
The Tea Party Award recognizes organizers of grassroots events that make a strong political point, initiate a public discussion, or earns media attention on an important state or local issue. Something like the Boston Tea Party: $5,000 cash prize!
The Sam Adams Alliance honored and presented a total of $40,000 in cash prizes to the winners at a red carpet ceremony the evening of April 18, 2009 at the Marriott Renaissance North Shore in Northbrook, Illinois. Winners were flown to Chicago from all over the country, so they could receive their recognition in an appropriate manner.
“The Sam Adams Alliance believes the winners should receive their awards from distinguished individuals whose own work merits presenting such high honors,” said Paul Miller, Communications Director of the Sam Adams Alliance. “We are proud to have so many champions of individual liberty and economic freedom presenting Golden Sammies to the winners.”
Guest presenters included best-selling author Michelle Malkin, Stephen Moore and John Fund of the Wall Street Journal, and Mary Katharine Ham. Fox News contributor Jonathan Hoenig presented Bell with his Tea Party Award.
Learn more about the Douglas County Taxpayers Coalition (DCTC) by visiting their website at www.DouglasTaxes.com
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Bell, who is celebrating his 20th year as a citizen activist, was recognized for his efforts in helping to defeat two Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) referenda in Douglas County, Georgia. Bell’s work with the Douglas County Taxpayers Coalition (DCTC) saved taxpayers more than $200 million.
“I am proud to be recognized for my efforts in leading a fight against higher taxation,” Bell proclaimed. “My efforts have been made possible with the support of many others who have selflessly stepped forward to offer their time and talents to a worthy cause.”
The Tea Party Award recognizes organizers of grassroots events that make a strong political point, initiate a public discussion, or earns media attention on an important state or local issue. Something like the Boston Tea Party: $5,000 cash prize!
The Sam Adams Alliance honored and presented a total of $40,000 in cash prizes to the winners at a red carpet ceremony the evening of April 18, 2009 at the Marriott Renaissance North Shore in Northbrook, Illinois. Winners were flown to Chicago from all over the country, so they could receive their recognition in an appropriate manner.
“The Sam Adams Alliance believes the winners should receive their awards from distinguished individuals whose own work merits presenting such high honors,” said Paul Miller, Communications Director of the Sam Adams Alliance. “We are proud to have so many champions of individual liberty and economic freedom presenting Golden Sammies to the winners.”
Guest presenters included best-selling author Michelle Malkin, Stephen Moore and John Fund of the Wall Street Journal, and Mary Katharine Ham. Fox News contributor Jonathan Hoenig presented Bell with his Tea Party Award.
Learn more about the Douglas County Taxpayers Coalition (DCTC) by visiting their website at www.DouglasTaxes.com
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Monday, April 20, 2009
Just Released - An Independent Call by Katherine J. Morrison
An Independent Call, is the amusing story of a New Hampshire Independent and McCain supporter in the 2008 election. Along with a lighter take on the presidential election, An Independent Call gives an insightful look at the political parties, and the media during this two-year long process.
An Independent Call is a fun and original take on the presidential election through the eyes of a New Hampshire Independent and McCain volunteer. It recounts the journey of a skeptical observer as she was converted into a die-hard McCain supporter. From meeting candidates from both sides of the aisle, to becoming a blogger for McCain, to being chewed out on campaign phone calls, to receiving press credentials for the Republican National Convention, this account relates the experience of being a participant at the lowest level politics from an outsider's perspective.. An Independent Call is a mix of good humor and political opinion from the middle.
An Independent Call is published by Broad Side of the Barn Publishing, and is available for purchase on their website – BroadSideoftheBarn.com . The author Katherine Morrison is a New Hampshire resident and blogger. She is the creator/author of PurplePeopleVote.com, and has a background in web development.
Rockingham NH County Commissioner, Maureen Barrows, recommends An Independent Call stating that it is…
"A must read for anyone interested in the day to day life of a volunteer in a political campaign...attention to detail is brilliant."
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An Independent Call is a fun and original take on the presidential election through the eyes of a New Hampshire Independent and McCain volunteer. It recounts the journey of a skeptical observer as she was converted into a die-hard McCain supporter. From meeting candidates from both sides of the aisle, to becoming a blogger for McCain, to being chewed out on campaign phone calls, to receiving press credentials for the Republican National Convention, this account relates the experience of being a participant at the lowest level politics from an outsider's perspective.. An Independent Call is a mix of good humor and political opinion from the middle.
An Independent Call is published by Broad Side of the Barn Publishing, and is available for purchase on their website – BroadSideoftheBarn.com . The author Katherine Morrison is a New Hampshire resident and blogger. She is the creator/author of PurplePeopleVote.com, and has a background in web development.
Rockingham NH County Commissioner, Maureen Barrows, recommends An Independent Call stating that it is…
"A must read for anyone interested in the day to day life of a volunteer in a political campaign...attention to detail is brilliant."
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Thursday, April 16, 2009
Open Letter to President Obama on Assisting Young Men of Color Make a Better Life
/PRNewswire / -- The following is a letter written by Dr. Henrie M. Treadwell, director of Morehouse School of Medicine's Community Voices:
I applaud your recent creation of the White House Council on Women and Girls to help ensure we are treated equally in public policies, by employers and in every other aspect of American society. I must also urge, however, that you place a similar emphasis on men and boys, particularly young men of color, who face some of the steepest hurdles in American society.
The reasons cited in forming the new council are just -- throughout our nation's history women have often been treated as second-class citizens when it comes to earning a livelihood, climbing the corporate ladder and even exercising the delayed right to vote. Let us not forget that the Equal Rights Amendment was first drafted in 1923 -- and has yet to be ratified.
To be sure, the new council will focus attention on continuing the progress that has been made through the decades as women have crashed through the glass ceiling.
But I would argue that young men of color face even more daunting circumstances. Young men of color face challenges ranging from a justice system that disproportionately incarcerates them to media and entertainment industries quick to portray them as worthless, violent and criminal. Even before the recession, our young men of color faced a bleak job market where discrimination, globalization and structural change made it difficult for them to find good jobs and succeed in life. With the nation's economy in a tailspin, the unemployment of young men of color has been spiraling out of control.
Consider this sampling of data:
-- High school graduation rates for males of color -- African Americans
(42.8 percent), Native American/Alaska Natives (47 percent) and
Hispanics (48 percent) -- are far lower than for whites (70.8
percent).
-- Minority youths are disproportionately in the juvenile justice system:
African Americans (1,004 per 100,000), American Indians (632 per
100,000) and Latinos (485 per 100,000) compared with whites (212 per
100,000).
-- More than 29 percent of African-American boys who are 15-years-old
today are likely to go to prison at some point in their lives,
compared with 4.4 percent of white boys the same age.
-- The mortality rate from homicide for African-American boys ages 15-17
is 34.4 per 100,000, compared with 2.4 per 100,000 for non-Hispanic
white boys.
Let's face the reality. It can be a gritty and dangerous world on the streets of urban America, on the impoverished Native American reservations and in the camps of migrant workers. In many cases, government and much of our society turn their back to these conditions and ignore their existence--rather than seek to allocate resources and develop policies to redress the conditions that threaten the survival of young men of color.
An array of public policies enforced by the schools, police and courts has helped put young men of color at such a disadvantage. These policies range from mandatory-minimum sentences to zero tolerance of behavioral offenses in schools to minimum wages that do not afford a young adult an opportunity to support himself, let alone a family. These public policies have often been popular with the public, but collectively have built many of the barriers to young men of color leading productive lives.
Moreover, the media and entertainment industries have also contributed greatly to raising these hurdles.
Clearly, a disproportionate number of young men of color have dropped out of school, been arrested and been left jobless. Still, there are countless others who go to college, succeed in their jobs, are good fathers and make outstanding accomplishments in their lives. Unfortunately, however, very little information is shared about their achievements or successes. Rarely are young men of color projected or viewed as positive role models.
While there has been a growing angst over the misdeeds of some, there has been little attention paid to what public policies or social determinants have contributed to the plight of young men of color.
Certainly, some of the responsibility lies with the child or teenager who made wrong decisions, as well as with family members who failed to help youngsters overcome critical obstacles and to guide them to a more productive course. But we cannot underestimate the powerful negative impact of the stereotypical portrayals, the glorification of criminal and violent behavior in movies and television, and the lack of good news stories about young men of color on the airwaves.
Mr. President, what you can do is create a council that looks into how public policies can be amended and how portrayals of this demographic can be changed. As others have stated, the women and girls that you want to help prosper need male counterparts to build strong families.
You can take a huge step by creating a council that helps men, particularly young men of color, be successful in American society. Right now, they often face insurmountable challenges.
Men need your help, too.
Sincerely,
Dr. Henrie M. Treadwell
Director of Community Voices of Morehouse School of Medicine
I applaud your recent creation of the White House Council on Women and Girls to help ensure we are treated equally in public policies, by employers and in every other aspect of American society. I must also urge, however, that you place a similar emphasis on men and boys, particularly young men of color, who face some of the steepest hurdles in American society.
The reasons cited in forming the new council are just -- throughout our nation's history women have often been treated as second-class citizens when it comes to earning a livelihood, climbing the corporate ladder and even exercising the delayed right to vote. Let us not forget that the Equal Rights Amendment was first drafted in 1923 -- and has yet to be ratified.
To be sure, the new council will focus attention on continuing the progress that has been made through the decades as women have crashed through the glass ceiling.
But I would argue that young men of color face even more daunting circumstances. Young men of color face challenges ranging from a justice system that disproportionately incarcerates them to media and entertainment industries quick to portray them as worthless, violent and criminal. Even before the recession, our young men of color faced a bleak job market where discrimination, globalization and structural change made it difficult for them to find good jobs and succeed in life. With the nation's economy in a tailspin, the unemployment of young men of color has been spiraling out of control.
Consider this sampling of data:
-- High school graduation rates for males of color -- African Americans
(42.8 percent), Native American/Alaska Natives (47 percent) and
Hispanics (48 percent) -- are far lower than for whites (70.8
percent).
-- Minority youths are disproportionately in the juvenile justice system:
African Americans (1,004 per 100,000), American Indians (632 per
100,000) and Latinos (485 per 100,000) compared with whites (212 per
100,000).
-- More than 29 percent of African-American boys who are 15-years-old
today are likely to go to prison at some point in their lives,
compared with 4.4 percent of white boys the same age.
-- The mortality rate from homicide for African-American boys ages 15-17
is 34.4 per 100,000, compared with 2.4 per 100,000 for non-Hispanic
white boys.
Let's face the reality. It can be a gritty and dangerous world on the streets of urban America, on the impoverished Native American reservations and in the camps of migrant workers. In many cases, government and much of our society turn their back to these conditions and ignore their existence--rather than seek to allocate resources and develop policies to redress the conditions that threaten the survival of young men of color.
An array of public policies enforced by the schools, police and courts has helped put young men of color at such a disadvantage. These policies range from mandatory-minimum sentences to zero tolerance of behavioral offenses in schools to minimum wages that do not afford a young adult an opportunity to support himself, let alone a family. These public policies have often been popular with the public, but collectively have built many of the barriers to young men of color leading productive lives.
Moreover, the media and entertainment industries have also contributed greatly to raising these hurdles.
Clearly, a disproportionate number of young men of color have dropped out of school, been arrested and been left jobless. Still, there are countless others who go to college, succeed in their jobs, are good fathers and make outstanding accomplishments in their lives. Unfortunately, however, very little information is shared about their achievements or successes. Rarely are young men of color projected or viewed as positive role models.
While there has been a growing angst over the misdeeds of some, there has been little attention paid to what public policies or social determinants have contributed to the plight of young men of color.
Certainly, some of the responsibility lies with the child or teenager who made wrong decisions, as well as with family members who failed to help youngsters overcome critical obstacles and to guide them to a more productive course. But we cannot underestimate the powerful negative impact of the stereotypical portrayals, the glorification of criminal and violent behavior in movies and television, and the lack of good news stories about young men of color on the airwaves.
Mr. President, what you can do is create a council that looks into how public policies can be amended and how portrayals of this demographic can be changed. As others have stated, the women and girls that you want to help prosper need male counterparts to build strong families.
You can take a huge step by creating a council that helps men, particularly young men of color, be successful in American society. Right now, they often face insurmountable challenges.
Men need your help, too.
Sincerely,
Dr. Henrie M. Treadwell
Director of Community Voices of Morehouse School of Medicine
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
US Moves on Iran Nuclear Trade; Biden Warns Israel Not to Strike Iran
Hat Tip to @Flap on Twitter for sharing an article from China Confidential. We've added a few others of related interest:
US moves on Iran nuclear trade
By Joanna Chung in New York and Daniel Dombey in Washington
Published: April 7 2009 19:17 Last updated: April 7 2009 19:17
New York prosecutors joined with the Obama administration on Tuesday to shut down a China-based network that allegedly supplied Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes with the unwitting aid of some of Wall Street’s biggest banks.
The action is likely to prove a test of the administration’s relationship with Beijing, which to date has been unenthusiastic about sanctions on Tehran. The move came as US Vice-President Joe Biden warned Israel not to strike Iran and as Washington sought to win time for possible negotiations with the Islamic Republic by slowing down Tehran’s progress towards nuclear weapons capability.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/bd57f0ca-239f-11de-996a-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1
Biden told Israel to accept nuclear Iran
Israeli experts warn that it is only the real threat of force that stands a ... tensions on who(Israel/US) is going to strike Iran grows also. ...
Biden warns Israel off any attack on Iran
Vice President Joe Biden tells CNN that the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be 'ill advised' to try to strike Iranian nuclear facilities. Vice President Joe Biden issued a high-level admonishment to Israel's new government Tuesday that it would be "ill advised" to launch a military strike against Iran.
Biden warns Israel not to attack Iran
WASHINGTON Amid growing concern that Israel might attack Iran, Vice President Joe Biden warned Tuesday that Israel's new government would be "ill advised" to launch such a strike. Biden also said in a CNN interview that he does not believe Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would take such a step.
US moves on Iran nuclear trade
By Joanna Chung in New York and Daniel Dombey in Washington
Published: April 7 2009 19:17 Last updated: April 7 2009 19:17
New York prosecutors joined with the Obama administration on Tuesday to shut down a China-based network that allegedly supplied Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes with the unwitting aid of some of Wall Street’s biggest banks.
The action is likely to prove a test of the administration’s relationship with Beijing, which to date has been unenthusiastic about sanctions on Tehran. The move came as US Vice-President Joe Biden warned Israel not to strike Iran and as Washington sought to win time for possible negotiations with the Islamic Republic by slowing down Tehran’s progress towards nuclear weapons capability.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/bd57f0ca-239f-11de-996a-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1
Biden told Israel to accept nuclear Iran
Israeli experts warn that it is only the real threat of force that stands a ... tensions on who(Israel/US) is going to strike Iran grows also. ...
Biden warns Israel off any attack on Iran
Vice President Joe Biden tells CNN that the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be 'ill advised' to try to strike Iranian nuclear facilities. Vice President Joe Biden issued a high-level admonishment to Israel's new government Tuesday that it would be "ill advised" to launch a military strike against Iran.
Biden warns Israel not to attack Iran
WASHINGTON Amid growing concern that Israel might attack Iran, Vice President Joe Biden warned Tuesday that Israel's new government would be "ill advised" to launch such a strike. Biden also said in a CNN interview that he does not believe Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would take such a step.
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