Quote for the Day

"Never blame a legislative body for not doing something. When they do nothing, they don't hurt anybody. When they do something is when they become dangerous." -- Will Rogers

Criminal Brings Knife to Gun Fight

"A 29-year-old man is dead after an employee at a West Side bakery shot the man as he attempted to rob the business, police said Wednesday.

Robert Adame walked into the establishment at the 1300 block of Saltillo brandishing a knife, police said. A male worker shot Adame, who fled the scene and was found at the 1500 block of Saltillo. He was taken to University Hospital in critical condition, where he later died, police said.

Police said they are not planning to charge the employee." [link]

Chalk another one up for law abiding citizens using guns for protection and as a crime deterrent.

Quote for the Day

"Liberty cannot be caged into a charter or handed on ready-made to the next generation. Each generation must recreate liberty for its own times. Whether or not we establish freedom rests with ourselves." -- Florence Ellinwood Allen

On Liberty Pt. 3 (Personal Responsibility)

Personal responsibility is perhaps the cornerstone of true liberty. It is not always easy for a person to say that "I am responsible for myself and my actions at all times", but this is the reality of life, and the sooner this is understood the sooner all people can start living free. How can such a simple statement be so powerful? If I am responsible for myself (my safety, well being, health, economic standing, etc...), then I will also be on the lookout for things that could harm my self interest and take the necessary measures to fix them.

Selfishness! In a way yes, but in the broader scope of things it works out differently. How do "selfishness" and "self-interest" actually coincide with a better community for all? If each person in a community were to be personally responsible for themselves and their actions then they would not do anything to jeopardize their "self-interests". This would include not committing crimes against people or property. This would also mean if I wanted to make money from my investment in my home that I would want to be on good terms with my neighbors. (Human nature is strange, make a friend and more often than not there will be friendly competition on a subconscious level. "I can make my lawn look better than his", or "Her flower garden is beautiful, but I bet I can outdo her"). However make an enemy and oftentimes out of spite they will let themselves go to make you look bad.

The best thing about personal responsibility is being in full control of your own life. If I do not have to depend on anyone for necessities then I am beholden to no one. As soon as you turn to someone else to take care of your needs, you are no longer the one in control of your life. You have chosen to allow someone else to control you and you are along for the ride. Do not misunderstand this in certain respects, charity in many instances is to help, if the charity is freely given. Once charitable contributions are forced (taxes) then there is a sudden rift between those being forced to be charitable and those choosing to accept the charity (tax money).

In a community where people are responsible for themselves charity is freely given, because each person usually realizes that things can happen. Homes can burn, crops can whither and die, fatal accidents do happen, sudden illness strikes, etc... In times like this it is best to turn to friends and neighbors for help. However if you have been responsible and charitable yourself, you will not have to turn far because help will usually be there before you even have to ask.

Quote for the Day

"The tyranny of the legislatures is the most formidable dread at present, and will be for long years. That of the executive will come in it's turn, but it will be at a remote period." James Madison

On Liberty Pt. 2 (Entitlements)

Any more there are quite a few people that seem to think they deserve something for just being. Well in a since they are correct. They deserve to have their rights honored and the chance to work as hard as they want to achieve whatever they may. They also deserve the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

They do not however deserve a handout if they fall on hard times, they don't deserve a bailout because their 401K tanked, and they don't deserve "free" food because they don't make enough money.

Plenty of people would call this harsh and in a way it is, however it is not my job or yours to be forced to fend for those that either cannot or choose not to fend for themselves. To look at it another way. If not for the income tax, payroll tax, unemployment tax, social security tax, school tax, library tax, property tax, etc...a community could easily support those less fortunate via charity than is being done now via forced taxation.

Deep down a vast majority of human beings are very generous, we just don't always have the means to give what we would like. However if not for forced "entitlements" there is quite a bit of good that each and every one of us could share easily.

Keep watching for more short topics On Liberty.

Quote for the Day

"A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banners openly. But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself. For the traitor appears not a traitor; he speaks in accents familiar to his victims, and he wears their face and their garments, and he appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the hearts of all men. He rots the soul of a nation, he works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of a city, he infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist. A murderer is less to be feared." -- Marcus Tullius Cicero - 42 BC

On Liberty

Liberty, as myself and many others much wiser than myself have said, is not free, is not easy, and is not always comfortable. With true liberty comes great responsibility and the realization that you are ultimately responsible for you!

For some reason in this day and age this is not longer thought of as something to seek and acquire. No longer something that is held in high esteem and respect. But is rather looked on as being a rather radical, extremist view.

There are many factors that I feel are the cause of this and should allow me many posts in the future to discuss this issue. Today however I want to take a look at two types of people, those that love true liberty, and those that don't.

For those that love liberty they want to be left alone, they believe in pursuing whatever interest, job, hobby, path, etc... life takes them on. More often than not they are very self reliant, ingenious about devising ways to get the most out of what is available to them, and can make a dollar go a very long way. They are also usually very kind hearted and true humanitarians, give back to their community and do charitable work quite frequently. (This is just a general observation I have noticed from those that I know and have contact with).

In opposition to them are those that want someone else to have a majority control in their lives. It is never their fault that they maxed out their credit cards, overspend on their budget, didn't get that job promotion, or didn't get hired for that better job. They look at life bitterly, as though just because they are born in America they deserve something automatically. They usually seek to impose a system that tries to make everyone "equal" by taking from those that do well to make sure those that don't have something, regardless of why those that don't are that way (they don't care if it is due to lack of motivation, laziness, etc...). (Once again a general observation).

That will wrap up my brief discussion on liberty today. Look for more in the future.

Quote for the Day (With Short Commentary)

For those that haven't been keeping tabs Obama has appointed many more Czars than mother Russia ever thought about. These are appointed, go through no Congressional investigation, and who knows what powers they truly have. Do a google search on Obama and his Czars and see what you come up with.

"A bureaucrat is the most despicable of men, though he is needed as vultures are needed, but one hardly admires vultures whom bureaucrats so strangely resemble. I have yet to meet a bureaucrat who was not petty, dull, almost witless, crafty or stupid, an oppressor or a thief, a holder of little authority in which he delights, as a boy delights in possessing a vicious dog. Who can trust such creatures?" -- Cicero

Quote for the Day

"To take from one, because it is thought his own industry and that of his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare to others, who, or whose fathers, have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, the guarantee to everyone the free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it." -- Thomas Jefferson

Lies and Rhetoric but No True Freedom

"President Barack Obama says no country should try to impose a system of government on another nation...Obama also says he believes governments must reflect the will of their people. And, he says he believes all people want to be able to speak their minds and have a say in how they are governed. He says he believes people want to have confidence in law and justice, as well as a transparent government and the freedom to live as they choose." [link]

How about an administration trying to impose a system of government that 50+million of its citizens voted to reject? A government reflecting the will of the people? Please Mr. Obama lie to us again. How many people in America are against your taxpayer money spending spree, yet the floodgates seem to be open with no sign of anyone shutting off the flow.

Americans, at least a large number, do prefer to have the freedom to live as they choose. This means being able to live as they see fit without government intervention, so long as they do not violate the rights of others. Keep your rhetoric and false promises. Start doing what you say not saying one thing and then doing the other. Quit spending OUR hard earned money, stop taxing us to support your programs, get your hands out of and off of private business. Do these and show that you truly believe in transparent government and freedom!

Educator or Racial Profiler

"...It [the form] asks teachers to break down behavioral problems with students based on their race. Moore-Hamilton is black. The student body of the school, PS 96, is more than 60 percent Hispanic.

Some parents claim the principal has also taken pictures of students when she feels they're misbehaving and threatens to send the pictures to Schools Chancellor Joel Klein or Mayor Bloomberg.

Parents held an emergency meeting at PS 96 with Department of Education officials Tuesday afternoon to discuss the matter. The DOE issued a statement saying in part, "The survey was inappropriate." [link]

Public education, isn't it wonderful that government has control over this institution. I grew up under the impression that teachers and educators were supposed to do just that, teach and educate! Live and learn, and you will see that educating and teaching are at about the bottom of their list.

Quote for the Day

"The Second Amendment's language and historical and philosophical background demonstrated that it was designed to guarantee individuals the possession of certain kinds of arms for three purposes: (1) crime prevention or what we would today describe as self-defense; (2) national defense; and (3) preservation of individual liberty..." -- Don Kates

Texas House Passes States Rights Bill

"The Texas House has approved a controversial states' rights resolution championed by Republican Gov. Rick Perry.

Supporters say the resolution is a reminder to Congress in response to federal expansion.

The 99-36 vote Saturday supports informing Congress that Texas claims states' rights under the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Last-minute adjustments sought to clarify that it's not a call for secession or repeal of federal laws protecting constitutional rights." [link]

There are plenty of other states out there other than this. Check around on some of my links or do a search. I just wonder how much of this is actual posturing and if these bills become laws how much or how often they will actually be enforced. If they are thoroughly followed and enforced it would definitely be a very good thing.

Knock Me Over With a Feather

"On Tuesday, 05-26-09, Massachusetts State Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) filed a Resolution before the House of Representatives to protect the Founding Fathers’ intent and the Constitutional protections of the 10th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which states:

“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” [link]

Of course this being Massachusetts and all I really doubt that this will go very far. Being as how they seem to love as much government intervention into their lives as they can get. But still, I cannot fault anyone for wanting the federal government to stick solely to the role that it was intended.

Quote for the Day

"Nothing astonishes men so much as common sense and plain dealing." – Ralph Waldo Emerson

I Can Do What I Want, Who Cares About "We The People"

"Roll Call is reporting that during the typical Friday afternoon document dump — a practice used to hide actions that might prove somewhat embarrassing to the White House — the administration quietly announced that some of the former restrictions on lobbying ballyhooed about during the late campaign have been lifted." [link]

Once again the "so called Messiah" breaks a campaign promise. Who would have thought that this man was capable of lying to the American people?

Only If I Say So!

"First President in US History to Have Voted to Filibuster a Supreme Court Nominee Now Hopes for Clean Process!

In January 2006, then-Sen. Obama joined 24 colleagues in a futile effort led by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., to filibuster the Supreme Court nomination of now-Justice Samuel Alito." [link]

So in other words this is only good if it fulfills my own personal agenda! I don't give a ___ what America needs. I am so glad this dried up piece of dog doo is now our president, aren't you?

Quote for the Day

"Arguing that the words of the Constitution have no fixed meaning is tantamount to arguing that we have no Constitution; a Constitution serves no purpose if the branches of government it is supposed to limit can define their own powers." --W. James Antle III

I Wonder Why?

"According to the U.S. Marshals Service, the number of threats against federal judges and prosecutors has mushroomed from 500 in 2003 to 1,278 in 2008. It is on track to go even higher this year." [link]

I wonder if it has anything to do with completely stupid, anti-freedom, anti-liberty, and anti-Constitution decisions that they seem to routinely make? Does anyone else out there have any ideas on why? I mean I have only been writing for a few months and I have found these dumb decisions or statements to be rather revealing about what our judges think. These threats wouldn't have to do with ideologies that go against the grain of America would it?

Goodbye Several Amendments in the Bill of Rights!

"A California federal judge ruled Thursday that mandatory DNA collection for all individuals facing federal felony charges is constitutional, dealing a setback to civil liberties advocates.

U.S. District Court Judge Gregory G. Hollows upheld the DNA Fingerprint Act, a 2006 law which allows federal law enforcement officials to collect DNA from individuals "arrested, facing charges, or convicted" of federal offenses. " [link]

Is it any surprise that this ruling came from a judge in the "land of the left"? I can deal with the part about convicted felons having their DNA on file. What I cannot stomach is just having DNA on file for those only arrested or facing charges.

Has anyone ever heard of due process, innocent until proven guilty, self incrimination? Judges that rule like this...well lets just say more oak trees need to be planted.

Tragedy in NЄw ЎoЯК

"A plainclothes policeman who drew his gun while chasing someone he had found rummaging through his car was shot and killed by a fellow officer who was driving by and saw the pursuit, the police commissioner said." [link]

This is truly a tragedy that an officer died in the line of duty. However it goes to show that even trained officers can make "blunders" with firearms. Did the officer that fired even attempt to identify himself, did he even have to. The article makes mention that the officer that was killed was black and the one that shot him was white. Did this play a role? If the police go around shooting each other then what chance does an unarmed citizen have?

Quote for the Day

The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities. -- Ayn Rand

"Smart" Gun Failure

From today's Gun Rights Examiner, Mr. C0drea looks at a possible failure of the so called "smart" gun.

College Demands Student Cease 1st Amendment Rights!

"A student who wants to form a gun-rights group at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) has been threatened with disciplinary action for her efforts...administrators banned her informational pamphlets, ordered her to destroy all copies of them, and told her that further "academic misconduct" would not be tolerated."

So now exercising a perfectly legal right is considered misconduct. Handing out information on a college campus to those that voluntarily take said pamphlets is considered "academic misconduct". I always considered "academic misconduct" plagiarizing, cheating, breaking into professors offices to steal tests, etc...

"In April, CCAC student Christine Brashier created pamphlets to distribute to her classmates encouraging them to join her in forming a chapter of the national Students for Concealed Carry on Campus (SCCC) organization at CCAC.

Brashier reports that she was also interrogated about why she was distributing the pamphlets, whether she owned a licensed firearm and had ever brought it to campus (she has not), whether she carries a concealed firearm off campus, and whether she disagrees with the existing college policy banning concealed weapons on campus." [link]

Rather reminiscent of Joseph Goebbels censorship in Nazi Germany isn't it? To think that our institutions of higher learning would chastise a student for doing on their own and learning first hand about organizations and how to run one is unthinkable, on the other hand I wonder how they would handle someone handing out ACORN pamphlets?