The Augusta Water Cooler

Delegate Bell to not back anyone previous to Augusta Mass Meeting

2011-07-06T12:34:00.001-04:00

I has a great conversation with Delegate Bell this morning where he made it clear to me that he was not supporting any candidate for the Republican nomination for Augusta County Treasurer previous to the Augusta County Republican mass meeting. The Delegate told me that he only wore the Homes sticker in the Staunton 4th of July parade because he was unaware that I was seeking the nomination as well and further stated that his wearing of the sticker shouldn't be construed as support. The Delegate told me that support previous to the mass meeting would go against the sanctity and fairness that the mass meeting system represents. I told him that he was free to support whoever he wanted to, but wanted him to be aware that I was also seeking the nomination. Delegate Bell told me that he thought it was great that I had decided to run for the nomination and that he would hold any further support for whomever wins the mass meeting. I look forward to working with Delegate Bell in the future on many issues and applaud what he has done for the citizens of his district.

I ask that all those whom are sick and tired of business as usual in Verona to please come out on July 28th at the Augusta County Government Center in Verona to support Jason Bibeau for the Republican nomination for Augusta Treasurer.

Good Old Boys, Don't Tread On Me!

GOP Good Old Boys Don't Tread On Me

2011-07-05T22:48:00.018-04:00

I am running for the nomination as a Republican for the office of Augusta County Treasurer.

I find it interesting, however that the Party has slighted me. I paid a $250 filing fee to be a candidate in the upcoming Republican mass meeting. I thought by doing this, the local Republicans would have contacted me with the opportunity to place some of my signs on the GOP 4th of July parade float. I guess I was mistaken when I believed that my years of commitment and multiple leadership roles in the ACRC would afford me that courtesy. I was glad to be involved with my good friends at the Shenandoah Valley TEA Party Patriots float which drew tremendous applause at every turn.

The absence of my signs and the presence of my opponent's signs on the GOP float, along with Chairman Bill Shirley's obvious display of my opponent's lapel sticker, is making me question the integrity of the upcoming mass meeting. See photo (click photo to enlarge) photos taken of the July 4th, 2011 GOP parade float.

It has become apparent to me that the GOP establishment good old boys are undermining my candidacy so that they can cover up the facts of a flawed assessment. If I were to get in as treasurer, I would have access to documents that could produce the evidence of a flawed assessment that was rubber-stamped by my opponent, Treasurer Richard Homes.

I am resolved to continue my fight for the nomination of the GOP especially after paying $250 to participate in what I thought would be a fair election. I hope those who question the good old boy system as much as I will show up on Thursday, July 28, at 6:30 pm at the Government Center in Verona.
Please check out the happenings of the campaign at www.JasonBibeau.com

Good old boys, Don't Tread On Me.

Patriot Network AZ TV

2010-08-21T14:01:00.000-04:00

The good Professor has one of two facts wrong, but for the most part, he's hit the nail on the head with this 5 minute and twenty second video. If your interested in the AZ law this is a good little video.

Rep. Tom McClintock gets it right!!!

2010-05-21T18:08:00.000-04:00

Pro Choice View Spun Again!

2010-03-22T12:38:00.002-04:00

I grow very tired of anyone who is or supports pro-life being branded as pushing the talking points of groups like Focus On The Family and others for being unabashedly in support of those groups views, yet they are the good guys for supporting "choice". I have had it with these jackals who constantly spin, lie, cajole, and grossly misrepresent the facts. I'm unapologetically PRO LIFE, I don't spin it or use trendy phrases thought up by some Madison Ave marketing firm. I have pride and conviction in my point of view and don't hide behind spin. I challenge the "pro-choice" movement to have some integrity, decency, and honesty. Hey pro-choicers you claim that you support a "woman's rights in regard to reproductive freedom". After you remove the feel good speech and realize what that really means, what you have is direct support for abortion, infanticide, and murder. They claim that there not supporting abortion, just a "woman's right to choose". What, are your kidding me, that makes about as much sense as me saying that I don't support killing Iraqi militants but support sending Marines into Falluja with loaded M-4's and the safeties off. The pro-choice community like many liberal points of view exists on spin and trickery, because they know that the facts make them look very bad. Americans are more educated on many topics and survey after survey shows increasingly that Americans are not in favor or this barbaric act. I personally believe that if you truly understand what abortion is, how it works, and the far reaching emotional damage it wreaks you most likely wouldn't support it.

The point that I'm making is that if your a pro-choice advocate and have pride in your position which you certainly should if you advocate for it, then be honest, hold you head high and state with pride that a woman should be able to murder her unborn child. Doesn't sound so good once your honest about the position does it. Stop the lies and spin. If you agree that a woman has the choice, than your advocating at least some of the time that you find baby murder acceptable. If your OK with that reality, than your at least honest about your position and should simply state when advocating for abortion (under this premise we just agreed that your OK with it so stop using the term pro-choice) say pridefully I'm Pro-Baby Murder. If on the other hand, your sickened by this revelation, then educate yourself on the realities and engage others to see reality of this.

Pro-life, is the true pro-choice option. What I mean here is that the mother and father (hopefully) will make decisions together as to whether to raise the child together or consider other options such as adoption where many loving families wait for the opportunity to care for a child, know that's an actual choice.

He's Barack Obama

2010-03-11T13:17:00.001-05:00

Another jem from the creative folks over at a JibJab. The scary thing about this is that I think BO actually thinks he does have these powers.

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Window down and snow on the mountains

2010-03-11T12:41:00.002-05:00

Yesterday as I was driving East on I64 headed to work, I was taken by what was occurring. I was driving with the window down enjoying the slightly warm comfortable breeze while looking at the snow still covering much of the mountains in full view. This experience was somewhat surreal and it made me realize how much we don't enjoy the simple things in life such as the beautiful day and majestic scenery that God had blessed us with. While enjoying this, I was reminded of the some of the great photos & stories of the Valley and nature in general that have graced the screen over at a SWAC Girl. I guess what I'm trying to say is that with the crazy world we live in full of financial issues, wars, person issues, politics, and everything we must deal with daily, take the time to just relax and take in what God has provided. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how calming this is and how much better such a simple thing will make your day.

Remember this video when making a car buying decision

2010-02-05T14:04:00.002-05:00

It's videos like this that make you really think twice when making a buying decision. I try as much as possible to support companies who support my views and especially those who support our troops.

KenneChusetts No More

2010-01-19T21:28:00.006-05:00

AP now projecting that Republican Scott Brown has beat Democrat MS State AG Martha Coakley. Fox News is also reporting this with 82% of precincts reporting in and Brown up by 5 points. AG Coakley is expected to give a concession speech any moment. This victory for the Republican Party is exactly what the image to the left shows. 5 Points is no landslide in many places, however 5 points in a race where 30 days ago you'd have been happy to only loose by only 20 points. This is truly a referendum on the Obama Administration and the health care turd that this administration is trying to drive down our throats. For those of you who don't really understand or appreciate what has occurred here take the following number into consideration. In the state of Massachusetts, registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans by a margin of 3 1/2 to 1 with Independent voters typically voting for the Democrat. This means that all Republicans voted for Brown, most Independents, and between 1/4 and 1/2 of the Democrats.

Now the question that must be asked, will their be games on how soon Senator (elect) Brown is confirmed and what will occur for the health care plan?

News Flash for the Democrat machine: WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE, WE'VE HAD IT WITH YOUR GAMES AND CONTINUED LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO TELL YOU.

This really gave me perspective.

2010-01-03T13:36:00.004-05:00

This is part one of a two part series called Dust by Christian film maker Rob Bell.

This is part two.

I really like how Rob just lays this out in a way I've never heard before and as the title states, this really gave me perspective. If your interested in more of what Rob Bell has to say on this and other Christian topics you can find him here or, through Nooma who produces his videos, or you can also simply do a search on Rob Bell at YouTube.

A time when baseball players cared about more than their paychecks.

2009-12-31T19:07:00.001-05:00

I think this guy might like guns.

2009-12-29T11:35:00.001-05:00

USAF Tracks Santa

2009-12-24T11:11:00.003-05:00

As it has in many previous years the US Air Force's NORAD center is using it's considerable resources to track Santa's movements at the NORAD Santa Track site. Just recently, Santa was tracked over Australia and headed to New Zealand. The list has been checked twice, have you been naughty or nice? Make sure you put out the cookies and milk (real not soy, it's a rumor that Santa is lactose intolerant) some carrots for the reindeer is always a nice touch and very appreciated by the flying wonders. In past years the USAF was nice enough to have some F-22 Raptors on stand by should Big Red run into any problems and with terrorist as well as the USAF Elite Pararescue team should Santa need any search and rescue assets.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Rep Parker Griffith is seeing Red over Health Care

2009-12-24T10:51:00.002-05:00

Looking inward literally

2009-12-14T12:29:00.001-05:00

Watch till the end.

PC Police watch and learn!

2009-11-17T12:36:00.002-05:00

Kitt meets 5O

2009-09-05T17:27:00.002-04:00

Now this is just plain cool. I want one!!!

The event that should have been set up by those invited!

2009-08-21T15:43:00.004-04:00

Some of you my know a guy named David Karaffa. Some of you will know David The Nurse at AMC, some will know David The Republican, some will know David The Catholic, and some will know David from his work putting out his newsletter; The Beverly Conservative, but did you know about David The Event Planner? Yes folks it's true, David with his own Money, time, and other resources has put together a Health Care Town Hall Meeting scheduled for September, 6th 2009 from 6 - 8pm at the Riverheads High School in Greenville. David has invited both Senators Webb and Warner to attend. You may be asking yourself, I thought town hall meeting were called by our elected officials to inform the electorate about what is going on the respective districts. Well that would be a logical question and since they've both decided to avoid that people they work for, David has taken the liberty to do it for them including all of the logistics. All they need do is show up and inform us of there thoughts and how they plan to handle things like "Cap & Trade" and whatever version of Health Care reform ultimately makes it through the house.

I for one will be in attendance that evening whether the Senators show or not to hear the opinions for and against health care by my fellow Valley Citizens.

We all owe a big thanks to David for doing what the Senators should have done.

I feel great fear for the Republic as far too many "Statesmen" (term used loosely) continue to consider themselves above the common man and grow further and further away from those they should be continually honored to serve. I feel many of our founding fathers would be utterly disgusted at what these men and ladies have done with the gift they worked so hard to give us. Much like the Kingdom God has waiting for all those who have taken the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, the founding father only asked that we not forget what was necessary to bring this country forward. Far too many of our legislators as well as citizens have forgotten both of these truths all the while trying to get a better deal for themselves.

New Vehicle from Obama Motors

2009-06-02T01:18:00.002-04:00

I have special secret footage of the first product from the new Obama / GM Motors.

Oh, wait silly me, sorry about that I got this truly amazing piece of defense technology that is a blending of the Dillon Aero Mini Gun and a some of GMC's best suv's in a great mix of American muscle and firepower. This actual package is being used by some of our "contractors" over in the sandbox.

As far as the Obama Motors vehicle, I'll have to look for that video, but here is some information: it gets 60 mpg WOW, seats 4 comfortably (if your 5' and under 100lbs) NOT SO WOW, is available in any color you want (so long as that color comes from recycled road kill) NOT SO WOW, and weighs only 700 lbs (not including passengers, wheels, gas, and carbon footprint meter / fine dispenser) due to it's cutting edge design and egg crate construction OK WERE ALL SCREWED!

Poll Question Response

2009-06-01T00:30:00.002-04:00

In the most recent poll question "Will ousted former RPV Chair Frederick cause problems at the 2009 Convention?", the responses were a dead split between the three choices. One third of respondents believed that Jeff would show and cause a problem, one third believed that he would show and not cause a problem and the remaining one third believed that he would no show at all.

As always thanks for taking part in the blogespheres own little slice of democracy and stay tuned for the Augusta Water Coolers take on the events of RPV 09' which should be up once I get some sleep.

New Poll Question

2009-05-16T15:50:00.002-04:00

In the previous poll question about the Somali Pirates, you overwhelmingly stated that the US Navy should handle the problem with what ever force was necessary. I have put up a new poll question: "Will ousted former RPV Chair Frederick cause problems at the 2009 Convention?"

I hope all of you come by the Augusta Water Cooler and place your votes, this poll will be open longer than most, not closing until the 28th at 8pm.

Thanks for taking part in the Blogesheres own little version of democracy.

Mayor Bloomberg spins gun issues in VA

2009-04-16T11:26:00.008-04:00

Mayor Bloomberg of NY has had quite a history of trying to tell VA what to do in regard to firearms issues. For those of you who didn't know, the mayor sent people to VA several years ago to purchase firearms to show how easy it was. I have a problem with this. And any law abiding citizen on either side of the gun issue should as well, you see the mayors "buyers" either lied or intentionally misled those whom they made purchases from which essentially made them illegal purchases, but I digress. On the 14th, the mayor appeared in NOVA with some of the families of those slain in the horrific tragedy that occurred at VA Tech. I want to be clear that I'm in no way contradicting the seriousness of what occurred that tragic day, I simply want the fact to be clear. The mayor and those family's were there to essentially use the emotions of the that day to persuade people to pressure the legislature to end the "gun show loophole". Ok here are the facts:

1. The shooter at VA Tech didn't not use a gun show or even private sale to obtain his weapons, he went through the legal legitimate process of obtaining the weapons in question through a legal firearms dealer and only after all applicable forms and checks were completed.

2. This non sense about "gun show loopholes" is getting very tired, a private transaction involving the sale of a firearm could occur at a gun show which is logical due to like minded people who may want to buy or sell such items or it could occur in a home as a result of a newspaper sale ad or some other classified ad.

3. Legitimate dealers are not doing "look the other way" deals at gun shows as some like the Mayor would have you believe. When a licenced gun dealer sells a firearm or other BATFE controlled device at a gun show, they are required to follow the same laws and rules that they would if the transaction occurred in their respective business location. I would like to add to this fact that me wife and I personally witnessed a gun dealer doing his duty and following the law at a gun show that occurred at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds in which a buyer attempted to provide false and conflicting information relating to the purchase of a firearm. The dealer stalled the would be buyer while an associate contacted the Sheriff's Office and deputies soon there after arrested the person in question. I personally witnessed this occur.

I get so tired of the left and some members of the right who continually spin, lie, and provide other misinformation about guns and firearms in general. Hey Anti Gun People, question for ya? If your point is so favored by the citizens then why do you continue to avoid truth and use emotion and avoid facts. And for the record I would have not problem with a mental illness database being added to those checked during a firearms purchase so long as it is genuine mental illness.

Although not mentioned in the Bloomberg speech, I want to mention this due to how ofter it comes up by the anti gun crowd. I frequently hear from anti gun and people ignorant of gun laws how easy it is to get a machine gun. First of all most of these people don't even know what a machine gun is, don't believe me look it up and then ask someone who thinks it's easy to get one. Second, in order for someone to own a "machine gun" or other BATFE Class III regulated device you must undergo VERY stringent background checks and be willing to surrender many Constitutional Rights to obtain and maintain the ability to have such devices and furthermore in the specific instance of a "machine gun" it had to have been manufactured previous to 1986. What you can and can't have and how to go about it is a book in and of itself. Want to the truth seek it out on the BATFE website or other credible sources.

I find it interesting that Mayor Bloomberg is spending so much time in VA when the city and state he should be concerned about is ridden with problems such as crime that isn't VA's fault, insanely high taxes from nearly every direction, and increasingly unfavorable environment for businesses and residents.

Augusta Axes Hardworking Grassroots Volunteers

2009-04-14T17:04:00.009-04:00

Recently many members of the Augusta County Republican Committee received a letter in the mail. Some of these letters were to send the "call" for upcoming ACRC Executive Committee meeting, however the majority of those receiving letters "56" got committee pink slips for missing 3 consecutive meetings. These letters were all received from the Secretary which is odd in and of itself as the committee maintains a Vice Chair of Communications to handle the majority of all communications, but she herself received one of these pinks along with the other two vice chairs and 3 Magisterial Chairs. The Secretary likely under the direction of the Chair (Bill Shirley) sent these letters stating the she had no choice and it was in the Bylaws. I find this interesting since she herself was serving in an appointed and non-elected position far longer than should have been the case, you see Chairman Shirley likes to appoint people to positions and then avoids an actual up or down by the committee, I know this because I was one of his appointments and had to fight for the up or down by the full committee. I believe that any appointment that is for a position normally voted on by the full committee should be confirmed as soon as possible. There are a few other issues with these letters such as our bylaws that the Secretary so quickly likes to bring up, such as an Officer has 30 day to address a grievance or cause for removal previous to any such removal and the bylaws state the removal may be caused by anyone not paying their dues by April 1st of a given year. I wonder if anyone whom the Secretary doesn't have a record of making a payment this April 1st?

I have in the past not favored airing our laundry in this manner, but I can no longer ignore a Chair who directly or indirectly uses technicalities, trumped up allegations, and or a musical chairs / use em when their convenient view of our bylaws. Chairman Shirley severly opposes any discussion that goes against his views and uses anything from non existent parliamentary procedure to calling for help from that part time Sheriff's Deputy who provides security at the Augusta County Government Center. Chairman Shirley also finds it acceptable to allow the frequently abusive BOS member David Beyler who has attempted to throw people out of meetings (he has the right to attend all meeting, but has ZERO authority to do anything else).

In one fell swoop this action has removed 56 hard working dedicated grass roots members whose hrs of effort will not be easily replaced in such a challenging election year.

I have to wonder if the Chair honestly wants to fix anything or is simply trying to exert some childish version of "I got cha"?

I am deeply disheartened by this.

God Bless The US Navy

2009-04-12T10:36:00.005-04:00

FOX News is now reporting that Cpt. Richatd Phillips of the Maersk Alabama has been successfully rescued from the dirt bag Godless pirates. It appears that Cpt. Philips once again tried to escape by jumping overboard and when he did, the valiant men and women of the US Navy seized the opportunity and rescued the brave captain. The silver lining of this beyond the obvious is that the Navy killed at least 3 of the dirt bags and wounded one who is know en route to NY for prosecution for piracy against a US flagged ship.

I don't know what President Obama's actions were in this act of Terrorism, but he would not comment and I for one find it indefensible that anything short of his order for the Navy to take our fellow American back by force immediately is beyond compare. I also take exception to the news media using terms like "the FBI is headed to the region to assist with negotiations". This gives other dirt bags cause to believe that we will entertain the concept of negotiation. The only negotiation that should occur in such circumstances is whether the dirt bag/s in question gets killed, wounded, jailed, or some combination there of, but money not just NO but HELL NO, WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE THE BULLET MR. DIRT BAG PIRATE?

Once again the US taking the lead, and the UN sits around wasting good parking spaces in downtown NY City.

Our thoughts and prayers have been and will continue to be with the families that have had to deal with this challenging time and the only injured being the dirt bags.

Poll Question Answer

2009-04-12T10:24:00.003-04:00

It is no surprise to me that 100% of the respondents to this previous poll question "Will the stimulus plan work or just put us deeper in debt?" answered that it would put us deeper in debt. Sorry for the long delay in postings and poll questions, a new question will be up within minutes and to the anonomous fan who wants more posts Thank you very much.

Candidate Obama vs. President Obama: Change We Can Believe In?

2009-04-12T10:09:00.002-04:00

If you've not seen this vid, you need to and thanks to David over at The Beverley Manor Conservative Newsletter (soon to be online).

Cuccinelli reaches out to grass roots.

2009-03-14T15:53:00.019-04:00

If you had asked me about a month ago who I was supporting for the VA Attorney General race, I would have said Ken Cuccinelli, but then the "Trigger Man" vote came up in the VA Senate and Sen. Cuccinelli was the lone Republican vote against changing this. The Senators vote gave me great concern on this very important issue and I couldn't for the life of me guess why he would take this type of stand when he normally comes across as such a conservative on issues. If your not familiar with the "Trigger Man" law, the basics are fairly straightforward, the law in it's current form states that only the person who pulled the trigger in a crime involving death by firearm can be sentenced to death regardless of how many co-conspirator that "trigger man" had in the crime. I thought maybe it was a Christian view and some Christians will not support war or capital punishment because they believe that the Bible teaches them that death is not a punishment for man to dole out. I also considered that there were components of the Bill that I was quite frankly ignorant of and didn't have all the facts.

I contacted the Cuccinelli For Attorney General campaign and inquired as to why the Senator voted the way he did and further stated as a previous supporter of his I was deeply concerned. The Senators campaign is the first and only campaign that I've ever given a financial contribution to, I've given my time to many but his was that first that reached into my "back pocket" for.

This morning at about 10:30, the wife and I were watching the Saturday Business Block on Fox News and the phone rings, caller ID showed a 703 area code which likely meant NOVA. We both looked at the phone and commented "I wonder which PAC wants money now?". I answered the phone and caller asked for Jason, I enthusiastically stated "speaking" and waited for the sales pitch. The caller said Hi Jason, it's Ken Cuccinelli and I understand that your concerned about my vote on "Trigger Man" and further stated that he had my email in front of him. Spend any amount of time in political activism and you get used to impersonal bordering on insulting "form letters" sent from some low level staffer who doesn't know you or care about your issue stating that "fill in name and or title" is deeply concerned and then misquote your concern. If you've had this experience yourself then you know exactly what I'm talking about, so I 'm sure you can understand my pleasant surprise when the Senator personally contacted me on this issue.

He mentioned some issues that I had brought to his attention at a public appearance some time ago and remembered what I do for a living. I don't know if he takes notes or just has that good a of a memory, but in either event that impressed me. We then started to discuss the "Trigger Man" vote and why he voted the way that he did. The Senator told me that there has been a lot of "misinformation and bad information" put out about his choice and freely discussed that with me. I asked him why he was the only Republican who opposed changing this law? He told me that was not true and further stated that Delegate Chris Saxman of Augusta also shared his view. I then asked him if he had religious issues with capital punishment? The Senator told me that he does believe, that in the appropriate circumstances he does support capital punishment and his voting record supports that view. I then asked him the golden question, which is why he voted the way he did? The Senator told me that to answer that question he would have to correct some additional misinformation. The Senator told me once again that he is not opposed to capital punishment under the appropriate circumstances and stated that they are 3 specific exceptions to "Trigger Man" that allow for persons other that the one who "pulled the trigger" to be given capital punishment sentences. The Senator told me that the three are as follows: Terrorism, Gangs / Criminal Enterprise, and Murder for hire. The Senator told me he feels that these exceptions to the law provide an adequate method to deal with these cases. The Senator then told me that to open it any further could in his opinion provide a situation where sentences may not be equatable to the crime committed and held great concern about that. The Senator once again stated to me that he was not opposed to the death penalty when appropriate, but felt with the exceptions listed, there was still a safe guard in place that he agreed with.

I believe that the Senator truly listened to my concerns and wanted to know how I felt on this issue. I don't know that I completely agree with him on this matter, however any politician especially one seeking state office who will take his of her time to personally contact a voter gets big points in my book. I don't believe that a perfect candidate exists for any elected office and got over the fairytale that one did quite some time ago. At this point I look at the candidates that are running and pick the one whose platform and voting record (if they have one) most closely mirrors my views on the issues.

Your city or county Mass Meeting may have already occurred or will occur soon and then you'll be eligible to be a Delegate to the 2009 Convention for the Republican Party of Virginia where we will choose our Republican candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General. Big Decisions will have to be made and then we work to turn VA red once more.

We must take our country back, one issue at a time if need be!

Some laughter in an otherwise crappy time.

2009-02-25T09:28:00.001-05:00

Ah the beauty of Texas.

Poll question response

2009-02-22T13:19:00.004-05:00

In the most recent poll question "Will you take part in inauguration day activities?" 75% of those who responded stated no they would not take part in the activities of that day. The remaining respondents stated that they were undecided and 0% of those who responded stated that they would take part in the inauguration activities of the day.

New poll question is up and read you to vote your opinion.

Thanks for taking part in the blogespheres own democracy.

The 2 Chairs chat about the "Porkulus Plan" on FOX

2009-02-10T20:40:00.003-05:00

The audio is a little off, but for the most part you can understand what is being said.

Bush Got It Half Right Today!

2009-01-19T19:02:00.006-05:00

Today as one of Presidents George W Bush's last acts, he commuted the prison sentences of former US Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean for the shooting of a illegal alien who in addition to his border crimes was also a drug runner and all around "SCUMBAG". What I meant by half right is that if President Bush wanted to do this right, he should have given them full pardons or better yet stopped the over zealous Assistant US Attorney that put them there. I'm not so mad about this that I can't see that there is true and clear evidence that they screwed up, but lets be realistic, they probably should have been suspended without pay or even outright termination of position, but 10 yrs in prison? Law Enforcement officers at the Federal, State, and Local levels, all have a few things in common such as they are rarely if ever paid what there worth, they often work longer hrs than scheduled, they are outgunned and some cases out equipped, and frequently work in environmental circumstances that most people would avoid at all costs, the latter especially true in the case of the Border Agents. In addition to the previously mentioned items, the stress and danger levels that these brave people face every day is beyond what most could ever understand. I guess the part that really irritates me about this whole mess is that Law Enforcement officers and EMS employees in general have to make spilt second judgement calls in horrific circumstances. Then to be second guessed by some federal prosecutor who took months at his pace to evaluate the information and whose closest experience to the kind of stress Border Patrol Agents deal with everyday was the paper cut he received while looking through US Code books on how to best screw the two agents.
The treatment of these two Agents was so bad that it created a bi-partisan effort to get them out of prison and was a campaign issue for CA Congressman Duncan Hunter who stated that if he won the Presidency, his first official act would be to give both Agents full pardons.

I'm not saying that these men or anyone else regardless of position is above the law, however the standard must be fair and in this case I don't believe that it was.

Poll question response

2009-01-17T17:17:00.001-05:00

The response to the most recent poll question was so poor, I'm not even going to state the results. I guess none of you liked the question, so I will try to come up with a better one.

Internet Web Tax Police

2009-01-14T16:37:00.009-05:00

I get my TV from Dish Network (no local channels), the only newspaper I read is Human events, and I listen to Sirus Satellite radio, so needless to say I don't get a lot of local news and for the most part, I'm fine with that as when I do read the local papers, I'm usually unimpressed. Yankee Philip recently told me about something he read in the News Leader paper about Internet tax for VA. He provided me the page with the story on it and yes folks there it was in black and white. The story states that all purchasers are required by law to pay tax on non-food purchases in VA and to report and pay at tax time for those purchases where tax was not collected at the time of the transaction which largely means Internet sales. Needless to say most people don't report these purchases to their accountants or report them on their annual tax returns.

If this is a new concept to you or you've wondered how this is determined, here it is in a nutshell. I'll use examples because I think it's easier to explain it that way. Ex. 1: you buy a cordless DeWalt drill at Home Depot one online and another via their web site, do you pay tax on these purchases? YES on both, because Home Depot has "brick & mortar" locations within VA. Ex 2: You purchase the same DeWalt drill from Amazon.com, do you pay taxes? Currently the answer is NO, (Amazon won't collect taxes, but technically your supposed to remit the sales tax on your state tax return) because Amazon.com does not have a "brick & mortar" location within VA (or any other state as far as I know excepting their corporate HQ). State Senator Emmett Hanger says he'll push in this years General Assembly session to level the playing field between online and traditional retail. This should come as no surprise to those of you who have followed Sen Hangers career and know that he is pro tax and has been for quite some time in fact it's the reason he had to fight for and nearly lost the Republican nomination for State Senate in his last race. Well Senator, here are a few questions that I would like answered on this issue:
1.) What part of the already bloated and over spent state infrastructure would be responsible for collecting this money? 2.) How would you force other states to handle this and get the money from them? 3.) What do you do about the 5 states that have no sales tax; Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon, are you going to somehow force them to create a tax bureau to do VA's bidding? 4.) How do you handle a purchase made on an Internet capable smart phone where the service provider is based in the VA, the physical purchase is made by a VA resident while on vacation in California from a company based in Michigan, and shipped to an address in Florida?

This is just plain STUPID, once again were punishing the guy who built a better mouse trap and getting further and further away from capitalism and closer and closer to socialism. I don't see any effective way to bring this forward short of a brand new government bureaucracy or throwing money into and already failing one. The way I see it, either way this will cost Virginians more than it makes in the short term and probably the long as well since government will run it and there track record of running pretty much anything isn't real positive.

Valley Family Forum Challenge Answers

2009-01-14T16:14:00.006-05:00

OK, by now you've had enough time to either take the challenge or ignore it and think that I've lost my mind (entirely possible, but not yet). For those of you who took the challenge, you'll soon see how much you actually know about these issues and for those who didn't take the challenge you'll have you eyes opened. Enough jib jab, here are the answers:

1.) C- 50%
2.) D- 50%
3.) A- 10%
4.) B- Massachusetts
5.) C- 37%
6.) D- 90%
7.) D- 33%
8.) D- 5
9.) D- 70%
10.) D- 50,000,000
11.) B- 22%
12.) B- Abortion clinic health and safety standards, D- fetal pain relief for babies who are about to be aborted, and E- Right to Life Act
13.) D- 14,000,000,000
14.) B- 25%
15.) D- 30,000,000
16.) D- 25%
17.) D- 98%
18.) A- Valley Family Forum & C- The Family foundation
19.) B- Roy Moore (If you got this one wrong, then here is some free advise, watch something on tv other than American Idol)
20.) C- Gay and Straight Alliance

Ok, now you have the answers, so how did you do? I would consider myself to be reasonably aware of these issues and some are why I'm politically active, however I wasn't aware of the severity of some of these issues and was frightened at the scope of these problems. In the coming weeks I will have additional postings on these issues and how you can help to put an end to some of these atrocities that are tearing our country apart.

Still think gun control works?

2009-01-10T03:53:00.000-05:00

Valley Family Forum Challenge

2009-01-07T23:25:00.003-05:00

I just tonight attended the Capstone program at my church and wanted to pass some things on. I wouldn't consider myself to be an expert on family or marriage issues, after all I'm no Dr. Dobson, but I would consider myself aware of Christian Conservative issues. I was given the opportunity to take a test or quiz of sorts and thought some of my readers may also want to test their knowledge on these issues. Below are the twenty questions and the possible responses for each one. Good luck, and no Googling the answers.

1.) In 1960, America's divorce rate was under 10%. It is now the highest in the Western world. What percent of all American marriages now end in divorce?
A. 15%
B. 33%
C. 50 %
D. 75 %

2.) What percent of marriages are proceeded by cohabitation?
A. 15%
B. 25%
C. 40%
D. 50%

3.) What percentage of cohabitation couples are still together after 5 years?
A. 10%
B. 20%
C. 30%
D. 40%

4.) The Supreme Judicial Court of what state ordered the state legislature to pass a law to legalize same-sex marriages?
A. California
B. Massachusetts
C. Vermont
D. Oregon

5.) In 1915 fewer than 2% of live births were to single mothers. The rate rose to 4% in 1960, and by 1996 had risen to?
A. 25%
B. 30%
C. 45%
D. 51%

6.) In 15 of the largest U.S. cities, what what percent of babies born to teen mothers are born to unmarried parents?
A. 60%
B. 70%
C. 80%
D. 90%

7.) What percent of U.S. Children are raised in single-parent homes?
A. 10%
B. 20%
C. 33%
D. 66%

8.) The poverty rate of children raised in fatherless homes is how many times that of children who are raised in two-parent homes?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5

9.) What percent of America's teen murderers and long-term prisoners come from fatherless homes?
A. 40%
B. 50%
C. 60%
D. 70

10.) How many babies have been aborted in the US since the Supreme Court's decision on Roe v Wade in 1973?
A. 4,000
B. 850,000
C. 6,000,000
D. 50,000,000

11.) What percent of all pregnancies end in abortion?
A. 15%
B. 22%
C. 35%
D. 45%

12.) The Virginia General Assembly has not yet approved which three bills?
A. ban on partial birth abortions
B. abortion clinic health and safety standards
C. parental consent for abortions involving minor age girls
D. fetal pain relief for babies who are about to be aborted
E. Right to life act

13.) Pornography sales generate about how much every year (in billions of dollars)?
A. 1
B. 5
C. 9
D. 14

14.) Pornography contributes to what percentage of failed marriages?
A. 10%
B. 25%
C. 50%
D. 75%

15.) Sexually-oriented web sites comprise 60% of all web sites and attract how many Americans every day?
A. 1,000,000
B. 10,000,000
C. 20,000,000
D. 30,000,000

16.) Of those web sites, what percent involve children?
A. 10%
B. 15%
C. 20%
D. 25%

17.) According to one study, of the 12,000 cases of sexual assaults against minor age girls nationwide, what percentage had pornography associated with them?
A. 50%
B. 60%
C. 80%
D. 98%

18.) What two groups supported putting filters on library computers to help protect children from pornography?
A. Valley Family Forum
B. ACLU
C. The Family Foundation
D. American Library Association

19.) What former State Supreme Court Justice was fired for displaying the Ten Commandments in their court?
A. Judge Judy
B. Roy Moore
C. Jesse Jackson
D. Clarence Thomas

20.) GSA stands for?
A. Golfing Student Association
B. Golden Seniors Affiliation
C. Gay and Straight Alliance
D. Geographic Surveyors Administration

So how do you think you did? I will post the answers in a few days so you will know. I must admit I was not as knowledgeable about these topics as I thought I was.

Clinton Did it Why can't Bush

2008-12-16T06:43:00.006-05:00

Former President Bill Clinton saw fit to give a full unconditional pardon to Mark Rich who was a felon hiding in another county and avoiding capture / prosecution in America where he committed his crimes. One other interesting piece of information on this pardon was that Mrs. Rich donated large sums of money to the Clinton campaign. I'm asking that President Bush give the same consideration to these two Border Patrol Agents that "Slick Willy" gave to a slimy criminal with a rich wife.

The Cancer known as the UAW

2008-12-09T02:41:00.004-05:00

As someone who tries to be aware of history and use its lessons to improve the future, I can't say that unions have not had in many respects a positive impact on American industry. At the turn of the last century and for many years after, workers were often subjected to inhumane, dangerous, and ridiculously low paying jobs and had no protection of any kind. The AFL & CIO were pioneers in the labor movement and started to bring these injustices to light. At the time, there were few if any laws giving workers any rights and those that did exist were weekly enforced. When the government stepped up and started to create and adequately enforce labor laws, the unions did not slow down or reduce worker fees to the union. There is no example more fitting of this than the United Auto Workers union "UAW". When negotiations come up, the UAW puts out unreasonable requests for pay, benefits, and other perks knowing that the Big 3 will kowtow to their demands because of the economic disaster caused by strikes. The Big 3 have failed to address this cancer and now hundreds of thousands of people in or related to the auto industry will loose the only thing they know how to do unless the auto industry is allowed to feed at the teet of the taxpayer, a trend that has gotten entirely too popular in American industry.

America it is time to ask yourself this question: When did we become a country where if you build a better mousetrap you and and so does the guy who didn't build a better mouse trap? That my friends is called "Socialism" and is far removed from capitalism and quickly destabilizes healthy democracies.

Poll Question Answer

2008-12-02T09:41:00.002-05:00

Ok yet another poll question has come and gone. In the previous question: "Will Hillary get the nod for the Secretary of State posting in the Obama Administration?" 50% of the respondents thought that Sen. Clinton would not get the Secretary of State position, but would get a position of prominence. 25% of the respondents thought that Sen. Clinton would get the Sec. State nomination and 25% thought she would not.

New poll question to be added soon and thanks for taking part in the blogespheres own type of democracy.

I modified my template, what was I thinking?

2008-11-20T13:11:00.006-05:00

Shortly after I started to blog, I wanted a 3 column template and found that Blogger didn't offer one. I went and looked at some 3rd party providers and quickly determined that I didn't know as much about computers as I thought I did, HTML this, CSS that, oh lets not forget their buddy XML. If these sound like Sand Script with a Russian accent to you, good, that means I'm not alone.

I recently got brave due to some spare time (see: Devils hands / really bad idea) and decided that I was going to modify my template and get the 3 columns that I wanted. I saved my current template (not a useful as it would seem) so that I would have a fall back if I did something wrong (all but guaranteed). I then went deep into the "code" looking for several things that I expected to find (right after Elvis & Jimmy Hoffa) such as the code specific to the left column and the width adjustment for the center / posting column. I planed on finding the code for the narrow column on the left, duplicate this code and make the change for right as opposed to left justification. I made some changes, feeling confident that I found and changed the correct lines of code (flatulence putting you on the moon more likely) and clicked the appropriate boxes to accept the changes and save. Blogger asked me if I was sure I wanted to make these changes (mental note: questions like this are trying to prevent idiots like me from making bad choices). I confidently clicked the appropriate boxes and waited to see my awesome creation. If you've ever tried this yourself and it worked out, then your obviously smarter than I am (doesn't take much). If what occurred to you is anything like what happened to me, than you likely said things that you wouldn't say in the presence of small children, woman, or priests. As you can imagine, the outcome was somewhere between blater pain in traffic and forced viewing of Rosie O'Donnell (not sure which is worse).

No problem, I was smart, I saved my original work right? Well sort of, you see when you save a Blogger template, it only saves your actually work (posts) and a minimal amount of formatting. All the sidebar materials including links, widgets, list, and anything else except the blog archive went bye bye (insert visual of rake handle to the crotch). If your like me and you have a lot of sidebar add ons and other sidebar items then this becomes a large pain in posterior region.

I realized that I needed help or an asylum and I needed it soon or my by blog was toast (and not the nice cinnamon sugar kind from childhood). Thanks to Carl Kilo over at Spark it Up I got back on track with a Blogger friendly template that he found and sent to me. Once I got the new template loaded things were more or less back to normal, less spending the morning putting in all new widgets and links. I'm sure that I forgot some that were on my original blog.

There is some good new out of this, I finally got a 3 column template (good blogger, now I can have donut). If you too want your Blogger based blog to be a 3 column template, you may want to go here, this site has 3 column templates that are the same as the basic 2 column templates already offered by Blogger. This is very handy for most Blogger users, because it allows them keep the ease of use and familiar feel from a Blogger provided template but adds the use and options of a 3 column template. If you want to dig deeper and do other cool things to your blog you may want to go the Blogflak blog where they cover just about everything you could ever want to do to a blog (wish I found them before I dived into the chum water).

If you've previously voted on my current poll question, please vote again as this was one of them many things that went to the technology netherworld during this project.

Thanks to Carl Kilo, who's help was invaluable on this project.

Poll Question Answer

2008-11-18T17:15:00.003-05:00

In the most recent Poll Question: "Will President Elect Obama go left right away or take more of a centrist angle." Your comments were split right down the middle with 50% of those who responded indicating that President Elect Obama would go straight to the left and 50% of those who responded believed that President Elect Obama would take more of a centrist approach.

A new poll question will be up soon and as always, thank you for taking part in the blogespheres own format of democracy.

Short, Sweet, To the Point "Common Sense"

2008-11-17T19:36:00.002-05:00

Now you can hear The Augusta Water Cooler

2008-11-12T13:32:00.004-05:00

The Augusta Water Cooler is one of the newest stations on blogtalkradio a great Internet radio station provider. Scheduling, show listings, archives, and downloads for the radio version of the Augusta Water Cooler can be found on the profile page here. If your not available when the show airs and want to listen, don't fret, you can listen to the show from the blogtalkradio widget on this very blog, listen on the blogtalkradio website and yes even itunes. For those of you wanting to subscribe to itunes, simply got to the profile page and click the itunes icon at the top of the page.

Are you a commenter? Great glad to hear it because this is not some podcast that you can only listen too after the fact, it is in fact a live on the air show that can take callers. In future airings, I plan to expand the shows length, have have guests, and generally improve the fit and finish of the entire experience.

This will not be simply a dictated version of what is on this blog, the audio version will contain exclusive story lines and and additions to what is in print.

As always comments and suggestions are accepted and appreciated. I look forward to being able to have this medium to compliment this blog. There are distinctly different in how they come across. A print blog such as this one can be fine tuned and every post checked, rechecked, and then further edited previous to anyone seeing it. A live on the air show is just that, there is no edit button and your thoughts tend to be more free and well they just come across differently. If you've ever read a book written by a radio talk show host, you know exactly what I'm referring to.

I'd like to thank all the people who read this blog and gave me the inspiration to go further and take it to audible world.

Happy V Day and Happy B Day to the U.S.M.C.

2008-11-11T17:22:00.012-05:00

God bless the members of the Army, Air Force, Navy, and The Marine Corps not to mention the life savers and marine area law enforcers of the Coast Guard and of their Veterans on this Veterans day. Every day we are blessed at every thing we have thanks to the actions of the men and woman of these valiant services.

If you appreciate your Freedom Of Speech, don't thank a journalist, thank a Soldier!

If you appreciate your Freedom Of Religion, don't thank a priest, thank a Airman!

If you appreciate your Freedom Of Assembly, don't thank the speaker, thank a Sailor!

If you appreciate your privilage & responsibility to vote, don't thank the politicians, thank a Marine!

We owe nearly every freedom and priviladge that we enjoy as Americans to these courageous men and woman and no matter what we do, we'll never trully be able to adequately thank them. Which is good considering most will never ask us to.

We are also able to proudly say happy birthday to the US Marine Corps which marked it's 233rd year of serivce to the Republic on Nov 10th of this year. The members of the Corps have been called Leathernecks, Jarheads, and Devil Dogs and no military who has ever faced them was happy about it. I was told once that the "Devil Dogs" name came from Adolf Hitler who stated that those mem (refering to the USMC) fought like possesed dogs from Hell. The USMC is proud to wear these and some other titles I won't list on a family blog. They have some of the oldest and proudest traditions or all Armed Forces and among other tasks are known as "The President's Men". If anyone has good information on where the names "Leathernecks & Jarheads" came from, please comment or email me as I'd like to know.

The addiction of technology

2008-11-11T15:58:00.004-05:00

At the end of last week I noticed that my laptop was running hot (lap burning hot) and then realized from the widget meter on the desktop that the processor was running at 100%. I shut down all programs to try and fix the problem, to no avail. I did a restart and had the same issues and as a result was not even able to run a system utilities program to check for a virus. I brought my laptop (life with buttons in a small box) to a local computer repair shop. They called me within hrs to tell me that they believed that the fan, temp sensor, and probably the motherboard were all bad and further diagnostics / replacement & repair would cost more than that computer was worth.

I was in UTTER TERROR at that thought that I may loose my computer. I was a Boy Scout most of my youth and in the Army for 8 years. I've been trained to exist and persevere in most conditions that can be found on Earth, yet at the thought of loosing my precious laptop and everything in it, I nearly acted as if I'd been told the world was about to end. The computer place called me back the next day. They told me that business was slow and that they had time to play with it a bit, since it was believed to be a lost cause anyway. They told me that they found the only problem was the fan and it could be replaced for a reasonable dollar amount. The clouds lifted and I smiled the smile of a happy man, my baby was coming home.

What I realized from this experience was that I am way too chained to my technology. Between blogging, email, banking, investing, gaming, "Googleing", and any other purpose I can think of not to mention my iPhone and all that it does. I have an addiction and the scary part is that even though I can acknowledge that (first step in most addict programs or so I'm told), I can't imagine and can't say that I would want to give any of it up.

Does technology make us more efficient and capable or doomed to a future of reliance on gadgetry and the possibility of something made famous in a certain "Governator" movie we all remember?

Poll Question Answer

2008-11-11T15:50:00.003-05:00

In the previous poll question "Can Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin pull out a victory?" 68% believed the McCain Palin ticker could pull it out, 21% believed that could not pull out a victory, and 10% believed that the race would go to a legal fight.

New Question will go up soon, and thanks for taking part in the Blogesphere's own form of democracy.

Barack's Friends

2008-11-02T20:32:00.002-05:00

Truth is a funny things in that it's frequently ignored by the mainstream media.

Sam Rasoul deceives NRA voters with Fishersville campaign sign!

2008-11-02T15:36:00.006-05:00

In a previous post I showed you this photo of a Sam Rasoul for Congress sign in Waynesboro. This sign is complete with "NRA Grade A" stickers on both sides at the top and pointed out how this information was deceptive and flat out inaccurate. Well now a similar sign also with "NRA Grade A" stickers has appeared in Fishersville just outside Waynesboro along Rt. 250 next to other Democrat candidate signs. I've had it reported to me that the same sign, once again with these "NRA Grade A" stickers is located in Staunton. I've not seen the sign that is reported to be in Staunton, but have photographed the one in Waynesboro can assure you from my own eyes that this photo, show in this post is an exact duplicate of the sign displayed bordering some farm property on the East side of Rt. 250 in Fishersville. For information on what the NRA candidate ratings mean as well as what candidate got what rating you can read my earlier post here or directly from the NRA here. You'll quickly learn in either case the Sam Rasoul didn't recieve the quoted "A" rating and in fact the only NRA "A" recipient for this race is incumbant Congressman Bob Goodlatte.

I would agree that one sign could be a mistake and not of the knowledge of the Sam Rasoul campaign, but with two comfirmed signs and another reported all in high traffic areas I have to reasonalby assume that the Rasoul campaign is aware and OK with this. If this allegation and assumption is correct than it leaves some questions. Sam Rasoul, why are you intentionally lieing and misleading voters who are interested in what the NRA thinks? Mr. Rasoul if you genuinly aren't aware of these signs and didn't authorize them, then who is runing your campaign and why would you want liers runing you campaign?

Mr. Rasoul you've got some explaining to do for Valley voters who see these signs every day.

ACORNS Top 10 Voter Registration Abuses

2008-11-01T15:34:00.006-04:00

Mickey Mouse registered to vote by ACORN in FL.
Tony Romo and the entire starting lineup of the Dallas Cowboys registered to vote by ACORN in Nevada (despite none being residents of that state).
In Milwaukee, Wis., a woman complained that a voter registration was submitted for her husband, who had been dead for 10 years.
In Ohio, a Dominos Pizza worker claimed he was hounded by the ACORN activists to register even though he already had. He estimated he registered to vote another "10 to 15" times after ACORN activists relentlessly pursued him.
In Connecticut, ACORN submitted a voter registration card for a 7-year-old girl, whose age was listed at 27.
The Kink County, Washington, Canvassing Board revoked 1,762 allegedly fraudulent voter registrations submitted by ACORN employees.
In Missouri, one ACORN registrant named Monica Rays showed up on no fewer than eight forms, all bearing the same signature.
A teenager in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, said he was offered smokes and money to fill out voter registration cards. The elections board has 73 cards with his name on them.
In Milwaukee, Wis., ACORN improperly used felons as registration workers.
ACORN has registered over 1.3 million voters this year.

Considering what a colossal joke this organization has become, I don't blame Sen. Obamas from trying to hide the FACT that he was closely associated with this group before, during, and after law school. In addition to the criminal and ethical issues that ACRORN seems to be constantly part of they may also have ties to the worlds oldest profession; read the full story here which was posted on the Leslie Carbone blog.

At this point anyone with a half a brain would put more faith in a voter registration orgnization run by Tony Soprano than ACORN.

Still Undecided, Take the Obama Test

2008-10-31T12:42:00.003-04:00

If your still undecided on the presidential campaign there is a 5 minutes test you can take that may help you make up your mind as whether or not your values and political views line up with those of Sen. Obama. The test can be found here and if the link does not work the url is www.barackobamatest.com. I took the test before this posting to see what it was all about and upon completing the test found that I disagreed with Sen. Obama on 92% of the issues covered in the provided questionnaire. Once you complete the questionnaire it provides you with the percentage that you aggree or disagree with Sen. Obama as well as the collective responses of the people who have taken the test thus far. If your worried that this is some email address harvesting tool (so many similar things are,) you needn't worry, I was never asked to provide any information before or after the questionnaire was completed.

What Terrorist Leaders Think of Sen. Obama

2008-10-31T12:20:00.003-04:00

Ok, this is clearly satire, but Sen. Obamas own words aren't too far removed.

ACORNS Pathetic Diversion Attempt

2008-10-30T11:58:00.005-04:00

This video is now airing on the web and many TV channels. The ad shows a black man in various stages of his life and attempts to state that Sen. McCain and the Republican Party are trying to prevent voters like this man from going to the polls.

This is beyond compare, disingenuous, and quite frankly pathetic. ACORN has a terrible reputation and is frequently the target of voter fraud inquiries. For this group to use the likeness of this black man in a ridiculous attempt to take the attention off their utterly embarrassing and in some cases criminal activities is shameless and revolting. Facts are clear and there is not one single shred of credible information that puts the McCain Campaign involved with disenfranchising any voter group unless your referring to voters like; Mickey Mouse, dead people, or my favorite people who don't provide id in an attempt to vote more than once. If those are the people that we "Republicans" are disenfranchising that yes were guilty as charged.

I'm amazed and sickened that ACORN would sink to the level of using this type of ad in a putrid attempt to guilt people into thinking they're a great organization and subliminally tell voters that if you vote for Sen. McCain then your probably a racist.

I'm glad the FBI is looking into this sham of an organization in many states and I hope that those responsible are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

I would hope that this particular ACORN would be eaten by a chipmunk but wouldn't want to poison a cute little innocent creature with that groups BS.

2nd Amendment Poll Question Answer

2008-10-30T11:26:00.005-04:00

In the most recent poll question here at The Augusta Water Cooler "Is the 2nd Amendment a big enough issue to effect voters this November?" The overwhelming response was that "Yes." Well apparently the blog world feels this is a big issue and it should be as many people (including yours truly) believe that the 2nd Amendment is the one that secures all others. Remember this on Nov 4th, regardless of what Sen. Webb wants us to believe about Sen. Obamas voting and actions record on your gun rights.

Many facts on this issue can be found here. Thanks for voting in this poll a new one will be up soon.

Democrat Halloween House

2008-10-30T10:37:00.002-04:00

Aw whats the matter Libs, Truth Hurt?

Was that lobster gold plated? RETRACTION

2008-10-29T12:00:00.003-04:00

Some readers to this blog have pointed out that the original sourcing of this post has come into question and in appears that the New York Post newspaper (1st to break the story) has printed a retraction piece that can be read here. The Post is now saying that it's new information places Mrs. Obama in Indiana giving a speech at the time of the alleged "afternoon snack" which makes it virtually impossible for her to have placed the order in question unless her husband signed her name. It is possible that Mr. Obama signed his wife's name to the receipt, however there does not seem to be any specific reason to believe this occurred beyond the fact the Mr. Obama was in fact at the hotel in question during the allegded event.

I like many bloggers get story ideas from a variety of sources and always make an effort to try and validate a story before posting it. This story was covered by numerous print and TV sources previous to my posting and was believed to be a credible story at the time that I posted it.

I apologize to the Obama family for the original post. I may not agree with the Obama Campaign on most issues, but I will not intentionally post things that are found to not be true and if I do I will promptly print a retraction. I like to think that blogging is about the sharing of ideas and opinions from regular people as opposed to professional journalists trying to sell a paper and as such people will think were too hard or too soft or just plain suck. I'm OK with any and all critiques of my work as I'm the one who put it in the public spotlight and should to a degree be held accountable for it's content. I will never use this blog or any other I may be part of as a "drive by smear machine", however when I feel a story is credible especially one the main stream media won't talk about I will not hesitate to run with it if I feel it needs to be out there.

I would like to thank readers like "Doug" who keep me honest and thanks for reading and thinking.

The Augusta Water Cooler is clearly conservative, but if it is not also clearly honest than it's reduced to being clearly crap.

The August Water Cooler on BNN/VA

2008-10-28T17:10:00.004-04:00

I'm proud to say that The Augusta Water Cooler can know be found on Blog Net News under the Virginia tab and has available on Righty Blogs also under the Virginia tab for a while now. While on these great blog sites check out some of the other great blogs while hanging out at The Augusta Water Cooler.

Thanks to all my readers and commentors for keeping me honest and for keeping me blogging even at times when I didn't think anyone cared.

Was that lobster gold plated?

2008-10-28T13:23:00.010-04:00

You've heard about the now famous snack that the Obama's had while staying at the ultra luxurious Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City. I wanted you to actually see the signed room service receipt just in case you've forgotten about it or didn't believe it existed.

I am willing to bet that the Obama's distributive wealth way of viewing your money and our economy was not on their mind that day, unless they were utilizing the common liberal philosophy of do as I say not as I do.

I understand the concept of the occasional splurge night out and like to take my beautiful wife out to dinner somewhere nicer than normal once or twice a year. When we do this we don't worry about the prices and order what we want. In the 8 years I've been fortunate enough to be her husband I honestly doubt all those dinners added up wouldn't reach the Obama afternoon snack tab, and they didn't even have dessert and coffee, we did.

Sen. Obama you claim to be a man of the people and based on what is pictured above, I seriously doubt that.

Sen. Obama, I'll give you some advise, if your going to use your considerable wealth and power to splurge, do it right. Get on the plane, go to Maine, get the motorcade to Old Orchard Beach and get some of the best seafood you'll ever eat at Kens. Get the Secret Service guys a clam cake, they'll love you for it. The food will be fresher and taste better, but don't count on silk napkins or Bollinger because Kens ain't got it. All they have is great fresh seafood and great everyday people (the kind you claim to be.)

$447.39 for a snack, get real and get a clue.

Michelle Obama echoes Baracks true views

2008-10-28T12:36:00.009-04:00

"The truth is, in order to get things like Universal Health Care and a revamped Education System, then someone is going to have to give up a piece of the pie so that someone else can have more."

Michelle Obama

This woman and her husband aren't even trying to hide how much they think that they can distribute your money smarter than you can. The part that should really make you mad as a taxpayer is that not only do they think you aren't smart enough to manage your money, but don't think you deserve the money. That's right America, Sen. Obama thinks that if you've worked hard and found success especially if your a business owner than you owe some of that success to your neighbors who have not been as successful. Sounds kind of like Robin Hood doesn't it. Well NO ACTUALLY IT'S NOTHING LIKE ROBIN HOOD AND HERE IS WHY. The age old story of Robin Hood, he and his Merry Men stole from the royals and other tyrannical rich and gave to those who had not hope no matter what they did. Robins arch nemesis was of course the Sheriff of Nottingham, who represented all that was wrong with the ruling class of the time. I ask you, are you the Sheriff, do you have wealth beyond compare, do you have money, power, and influence simply because you were born? I doubt it, because most Americans are hard working people who bust their butts everyday to get ahead and provide for their families. Some Americans put nearly everything they have to start a business and hopefully employ other people as a result of that hard work. Sen. Obama wants take that success and give it to others who either don't have or don't deserve it. Sen. Obama says that his tax plan will only cost people and business's that are worth / make $250,000.00 per year. That's sound like a lot of money right? My wife and I were recently speaking to a couple we know that own and run a local pet store. This is not some franchise with national add support and big volume purchase benefits, it's just a small business. A small business that make over $250,000.00 (gross) per year and they are very concerned about Sen. Obamas plan stating it will hurt them financially. I asked him if there revenue was above average? They laughed, stating if your a retail business small or otherwise and not making at least $250,000.00 per year, your not staying afloat. They told us that after everything gets paid they only make about $60,000.00 per year between the both of them. They laughed again and said, "yeah were real rich."

"From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs."

Karl Marx

Sam Rasoul deceives NRA voters with Waynesboro campaign sign!

2008-10-25T21:03:00.011-04:00

This Sam Rasoul Campaign sign is located about 50 feet South of the intersection of Rosser Ave & Northgate in Waynesboro, VA. When my wife and I saw this sign, we at first thought we were seeing things or have lost our minds, so we turned around to get a better look and we found that we were not seeing things or gone crazy and this sign did in fact advertise the the Mr. Rasoul has an "A" rating from the NRA. This sign has a two yellow stickers in the upper right and left sides of the campaign sign that state NRA Grade A. The stickers say "NRA Grade A." I thought this was odd because I'm a life member of the NRA and only recall one candidate for the U.S. House 6th District of VA race getting an "A" rating from the NRA. For clarification the rating of "A" is defined by the NRA print publication and web site as: Solidly pro-gun candidate. An “A” incumbent who has supported NRA positions on key votes. May also describe a non-incumbent “A” candidate (one not represented with an *) who has previously held other office and cast consistent pro-gun votes, or an “A” candidate who hasn’t held office but has expressed strong support for NRA positions on Second Amendment issues. It should be noted that a “non-incumbent” candidate may have been awarded the “A” rating due solely to their responses on the NRA-PVF candidate survey. The one candidate that did recieve the "A" rating was incumbent Congressman Bob Goodlatte. I wanted to make sure that my memory was correct. I checked my copy of the November 08' American Rifleman magazine which contained the NRA candidate ratings for the 08' elections. My memory was correct and Congressman Goodlatte was the only candidate for this race with an "A" rating. I checked http://www.nrapvf.org/ to ensure that the print copy I received had the most up to date information. The site confirmed that Congressman Goodlatte was in fact the only candidate to have been given an "A" rating from the NRA for this race.

Lets address the rating that the Democrat challenger Mr. Sam Rasoul was given. Mr. Rasoul received the rating of "AQ" which is defined by the NRA's print publication and web site as: A pro-gun candidate whose rating is based solely on the candidate’s responses to the 2008 NRA-PVF Candidate Questionnaire and who does not have a voting record on Second Amendment issues. While the description for "AQ" is basically pro-gun it is not by any means an "A" rating and as a result is misleading and deceptive to voters who may who may make opinions based on a candidates rating from the NRA. The NRA's information clearly states that there is a way for a candidate who has not yet served in elected office to get an "A" rating, however Mr. Rasoul has not been "A” candidate who hasn’t held office but has expressed strong support for NRA positions on Second Amendment issues." Based on the rating of "AQ" that Mr. Rasoul did in fact receive, it can be assumed that he answered the questionnaire with pro-gun answers.

I checked Mr. Rasoul's website and was unable to locate a specific reference to the NRA rating. If this concerns you please contact the Rasoul for Congress campaign and ask them why a their sign in Waynesboro indicates an A rating from the NRA when in fact Mr. Rasouls rating is "AQ" which means something else entirely.

Mr. Rasoul, I have no reason to believe your responses in the NRA Candidate Questionaire were anything buy honest. Mr. Rasoul, you know that the NRA didn't give you an "A" rating, myself and the thousands of other Valley voters (many NRA members) knonw you didn't get an "A" rating so why would you advertise anything else?

Mr. Rasoul, be honest with voters and don't claim an endorsement that you don't in fact have.

Never allow a deceptive or questionable campaign to go unchallenged.

No Medication For This Illness

2008-10-23T12:55:00.003-04:00

THERE IS NO PILL FOR STUPID!

"Larry Tillett"

Wrong Again Sen. Obama

2008-10-22T17:13:00.003-04:00

This is just shameful!

Click the photo to the left for all the details on this pathetic plan which once again shows how much we can not trust Sen. Obama to be our next President.

Enough is enough America, we need to stand and with one strong solid voice and clearly state that we as a nation will not go quietly into the night, we will not surrender to the forces of evil and we will never stop in the tireless fight to obtain and maintain truth, justice, order and the fruits of freedom that is the gift of every American Citizen.

AMERICA THINK CAREFULLY AND JUSTLY, VOTE ON NOVEMBER 4TH FOR LEADERSHIP, HONOR., AND COURAGE AND REMEMBER ONLY ONE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE HAS PROVEN THAT HE WILL FIGHT AND SUFFER FOR YOUR RIGHTS.

Just to be clear

2008-10-22T13:52:00.005-04:00

Just to be clear, I want state a few things. I am a conservative and active in grassroots Republican issues. At this time, I'm the only person who can post to this blog although I occasionally due re-post or reference other people entries. When doing so I always give the credit to the original blogger (if known) and usually give a link. I'm not bound to my party of choice and will call them out when I feel it's applicable. No political organization, company (beyond Google who owns Blogger), or other entity has any edit right or post authority and as thus I post what I choose and only what I choose. I will not post things that I believe contain inappropriate language, nudity, or graphic violence nor will I EVER be pressured by any group to post or not post items that may be damaging to someone if I feel that posting or not posting is appropriate; once again my decision. I may provide a link or tell you how to access a posting, video, or other content that I believe my readers may be interested in that contains some of the previous content, but they go at there at their own choosing and the Augusta Water Cooler will in no way take responsibility for you being offended if after having been warned of content you seek the information anyway.

This blog is predominately political in nature, but from time to time, I will post things that are not political in nature and are simply things I find interesting.

I look forward to the future of the Augusta Water Cooler and will always be open to any suggestion you have for this blog or topics that you would like to see covered. For more information on this blogs author please read my full profile.

Poll Question

2008-10-22T13:46:00.002-04:00

I know the previous poll question stayed up way too long, and its location was inconvenient to use. I've now placed the poll question at the top left of the page and hope this causes more people to vote. I promise to put new question up more frequently and would love to hear the kind of questions my readers would like to see answered as well as any other suggestions on the poll or other aspects of this blog.

Thanks for taking part in the blogespheres own version of democracy.

Wealth Spread

2008-10-22T13:20:00.005-04:00

This was sent to me by a friend and appears to have originally been posted at The Peoples Cube. This is funny and accurate all at the same time.

No thanks Sen. Obama, I prefer real butter, at least I know whats in real butter. Real Change I don't want this kind of change I would prefer Real Leadership, Sen, McCain and Gov. Palen have proven they can provide Real Leadership. Sen. Obama, all you have proven is that you can lie, misled, and right a view books while trashing the 2nd Amendment when not simply voting "present".

A different kind of Gun Control

2008-10-22T12:30:00.003-04:00

I was recently sent a video on gun control that I found rather amusing. Regardless of where your stand on gun control I would recommend that you watch this video. I have posted the video on You Tube. I've not put the video directly on this blog because in contains some (1 use) of adult language so I will provide the link and you can choose to view knowing this. The video can be watched here.

Some comedic gems

2008-10-22T12:00:00.005-04:00

Here are some great political satire cartoons from the Ryskind Sketchbook. I love the satire found at this site and post it's work frequently, satire is a great way to get serious issues out in a manner less dry than traditional news.

Here are some great politcal satire cartoons from the Ryskind Sketchbook. I love the satire found at this site and post it's work frequently, satire is a great way to get serious issues out there in a manner less dry than traditional news.

You Need To See This #2

2008-10-22T11:41:00.002-04:00

Voters, the information referenced in this video is crucial and should be carefully considered before voting this November. This video was originally posted over at Yankee Philip and can be watched here if the player below doesn't function.

Wake Up America. I will not say that Sen. McCain is the greatest guy alive or any other such comments and will state that of the Republicans who ran for the ticket, Sen. McCain was not my first choice. When you look at seemingly never ending events where we know that Sen. Obama has either outright lied to us or intentionally misled us, it becomes obvious that Sen. McCain is the clear choice for President.

You Need To See This!

2008-10-22T11:18:00.003-04:00

This was originally posted over at Yankee Philip and should be watched by anyone who thinks that Sen. Obama is the Messiah. The truly interesting thing about this video is that it was from MSNBC on the Chris Mathews show, both the network and anchor have shown themselves to clearly be in the tank for the Obama campaign.

Facts on Sen. Obamas 2nd Amendment history

2008-10-21T17:31:00.007-04:00

Sen. Obama says that he is a direct supporter of the 2nd Amendment and right of firearm ownership by American citizens. Some of you out there may question the good Senator on that. Some of you may say "But Sen. Obama, your record doesn't support that." Some of you might question how a politician who was rated that most liberal Senator in Senate by a non-partisan group could claim that your for gun rights which are clearly not a liberal strong point.

I found some quotes from Sen. Obama that may give a better idea of what he thinks. In full disclosure, I did get these quotes from a source that is clearly opposed to an Obama Presidency, however this does not change the fact that he said these very things and are a matter of record.

"I think it's a scandal that this president [Bush] did not authorize a renewal of the assault weapons ban."
Illinois Senate Debate #3, Barack Obama vs. Alan Keyes, 10/21/04

"I am consistently on record and will continue to be on record as opposing concealed carry."
Chicago Tribune, 4/27/04

"There is in individual right to bear arms. But it is subject to commonsense regulation."
Journal Sentinel Online, 2/15/08

"I believe in keeping guns out of our inner cities, and that our leaders must say so in the face of the gun manufacturers' lobby."
The Audacity of Hope, by Barack Obama, 2006

"I think we have two conflicting traditions in this country" [gun ownership and restrictions on guns.]
Politico, 2/11/08

"I think that local jurisdictions have the capability to institute their own gun laws."
Baltimore Sun.com 2/15/08

Senator Obama can say whatever he wants, but his statements in the past are clear as to how he feels about your gun rights. Some of you especially those who are Sen. Obama supporters will likely say "Yeah he may have said that, but lots of people say a lot of things, what are his actions?" I glad you asked that questions and I have a few answers.

HANDGUN BAN:
Obama endorsed a ban on all handguns;
Independent Voters of Illinois / independent Precinct Organization general candidate questionnaire, 9/9/96 & Politico 3/31/08

AMMUNITION TAX:
Obama support
ed increasing taxes on firearms and ammunition by 500 percent.
Chicago Defender, 12/13/99

LIMITS ON GUN PURCHASES:
Obama voted to limit gun purchases to one per month.
Illinois Senate H.B. 2579, Vote 34, 5/16/03

SELF-DEFENSE:
Obama voted to allow the prosecution of people who use a firearm for self-defense in their own homes.
Illinois Senate, S.B. 2165, vote 20, 3/25/04

CLINTON GUN BAN:
Obama wants to reimpose the failed and discredited Clinton gun ban.
Illinois Senate Debate #3: Barack Obama vs. Alan Keyes, 10/21/04

AMMUNITION BAN:
Obama voted to ban almost almost all rifle ammunition's commonly used for hunting and sport shooting.
United States Senate, S 397, Vote 217, 7/29/05

GUN REGISTRATION:
Obama supports gun owner licensing and gun registration.
"Fact check: No News In Obama's Consistent Record." Obama campaign website, 12/11/07

So now we know what Sen. Obama has said as well as laws he has either supported or directly voted for. We know what Sen. Obama wants to do with our gun rights even after the Heller decision in the Supreme Court. The Justices rightly determined that the District of Columbia did in fact deprive Mr. Heller of his Constitutional rights in regards to the 2nd Amendment and further clarified it as an individual right which anti gun people frequently argue against.

Since it's clear based on the sourced facts listed here that Sen. Obama does not in fact support your gun rights, I have to wonder what else the good Senator has lied to us about.

This election is one of the most important elections to occur in many years, some would say the most important ever. No matter what happens this will be a history making Presidential election. The next President will have immense challenges some known and many unknown, but one thing we do know is that the next President will appoint at least one and possibly two US Supreme Court Justices. Think about the impact that could have on your rights and not just gun rights if Sen. Obama gets elected and appoints Judges with his gun rights view points. With House Speak Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Reid there is no one to put those appointees through any legitimate vetting process.

Remember your rights when voting as it is your responsibility as a voter to ensure that the elected leaders of this nation get there only after the most careful of consideration.

WWRS

2008-10-19T11:56:00.008-04:00

"What Would Reagan Say?"

A questions that many conservative and a few enlightened libs often ask. A good friend recently sent me these quotes / possible answers.

"Here's my strategy on the Cold War:
We win, they lose."
- Ronald Reagan

"The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help."
- Ronald Reagan

"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant: It's just that they know so much that isn't so."
- Ronald Reagan

"Of the four wars in my lifetime none came about because the U.S. was too strong."
- Ronald Reagan

"I have wondered at times about what the Ten Commandment's would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress."
- Ronald Reagan

"The taxpayer: That's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service examination."
- Ronald Reagan

"Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other."
- Ronald Reagan

"If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."
- Ronald Reagan

"The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a government program."
- Ronald Reagan

"I've laid down the law, though, to everyone from now on about anything that happens: no matter what time it is, wake me, even if it's in the middle of a Cabinet meeting."
- Ronald Reagan

"It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first."
- Ronald Reagan

"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it."
- Ronald Reagan

"Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book."
- Ronald Reagan

"No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.
- Ronald Reagan

Libs, don't be upset, your Messiah recently said "We need to spread the wealth" and thats a great quote right? Becauase all Americans believe that if they are hard working and succesful part of their money should go to those aren't and weren't, oh wait that's Socialism.

A few pearls of wisdom from one of Americas most inspirational leaders.

I've Had It With The Double Standard

2008-10-02T20:40:00.004-04:00

Tonight we find out if Governor Palin has what it takes vs. Sen. Biden in the much awaited VP debate. We expect that when candidates have a debate that no one goes in with advantages such as knowing the questions in advance or having a moderator that is biased to one of the candidates or their respective point of view. These seem like reasonable things, right? Well apparently that's not the case tonight. The debate tonight is to be moderated by PBS regular Gwen Ifill. Ms. Ifill has not been totally honest with the debate commission which is suppose to vet these moderators to ensure that these moderators have no "dog in the hunt." It was learned just yesterday that Ms. Ifill does in fact have a "dog in the hunt" one with dollar signs infact. Ms. Ifill is writing a book that will be released on inauguration day. The book titled "The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama" clearly shows who Ms. Ifill favors. When conservatives ask for an explanation, they were harshly criticized for questioning Ms. Ifill's objectiveness.

If someone in the process of writing a pro McCain book were tapped for debate moderation, we'd see a very different media, one that would go on an absolute rampage. The double standards that we continually see is so disturbing that it's ridiculous. There are so many members of the media that constantly show cowardice, hypocrisy, and seemingly never ending series of disingenuous statements and actions. This is why many print media outlets are loosing readers every print cycle. Americans have spoken and they have had enough, which is why Fox News dominated in 9 of the 10 categories for news according to recent viewer stats.

Well it's time for the debate, lets see what happens.

Obama's Pork Barrel

2008-09-28T15:24:00.003-04:00

Senator Obama would like us to believe that he is opposed to budget earmarks. Funny thing is that he has asked for $321,766,475.00 in those very budget earmarks he claims to oppose. "Yeah, but those are over a long period of time Mr. Blogger" you might say, however that would not be true and the that number is for just 2008. Sen Obama has requested 108 earmarks for this year alone with an average cost of $2,979,319.21.

Now Senator, if your going to say that your against something, you probably shouldn't ask for that very thing in dollar amounts totalling over 320 million in the same year, because somebody might take notice.

Some say that Sen Obama doesn't spend any time as a Senator now that he is running for President, well that's not true. He was clearly in his office long enough to request that the taxpayers fund over 320 million in earmarks.

Letting Congress watch your money makes as much sense as letting your dog watch your dinner.

NEA

2008-09-25T02:26:00.009-04:00

This information is a little dated at this point, but since the mainstream media didn't feel it was important enough to tell you, I thought I would.

The NEA: National Education Association had it's annual meeting and convention of it's members this past July 08'. They even had the bulk of the event over the 4th of July which would seem very patriotic. If your like most people, you probably think that the NEA is an organization whose primary purpose to improve education, teachers, and the schools the work within. Well that isn't entirely accurate. Now before I go any further, I will state in full disclosure that I am not now nor have I even been a member of this organization.

I can't say all of what they spent their convention time on while assembled, but I can cover a few issues that they did cover. Lets remember that this is essentially a defacto teachers union.
While doing some research for this blog entry I located the NEA website and looked for a mission statement or something of that nature. I was able to located a page titled "About NEA" which include "Vision, Mission, and Values." I read this one page document to see if I simply didn't understand what the NEA was. This document pretty much spells out and organization whose primary focus is to enrich children through education.

Lets discuss what was covered at the 08' Annual Meeting. The following are some issues that I can't find a rational link to education unless that education involves indoctrination to a specific viewpoint.

Statehood for Washington DC.
And this matters to a teachers group why and enriches our children how?

Single payer health care plan.
National health care (otherwise known as bankrupting America in a yr or less.)

Gun Control
Hey teachers, I got a news flash for ya the 2nd Amendment of the US Constitution is against that, oh yeah I forgot, you only teach the parts or history you like.

Ratification of the "International Criminal Court Treaty."
WHAT, I can't begin to see how this is even remotely and issue for a teachers group to look into.

I can't speak for everyone obviously, but hearing these issues doesn't make me think of an educational organization. These issues are more commonly found in political action committees and other politically oriented organizations.

The following are issues that can more logically be linked to an educational organization:

They are deeply concerned about having to compete with non public schools.
Ok, I guess I can see the point of view on this one, they don't want to held accountable for there failings, who does.

Tax support for non-public schools.
I will say that I agree with them on this one, private schools are for the most part businesses or church supported and should not receive tax based funding unless it's in the form of some type of voucher for school choice.

Opposition to English as the national language.
I've covered this issue on this blog in the past, so I'll be brief. If I have to explain it, you wouldn't understand.

Home schooling by state certified teachers whom only use a state approved curriculum.
I've learned a lot more about this issue since moving to the Valley. I've had the opportunity to meet several home school parents and there student children. After having met these people and seeing that they are passionate and deeply caring parents with well adjusted and highly intelligent children. This issue is a power trip issue and nothing esle. The NEA and it's members would likely say that the homeschoolers aren't comprehensive or the parents aren't qualified to teach, or the children won't get socialized, or any number of other baseless issues.

They are deeply opposed to home school students having access to public school extra curricular activities and sports.
I can't find a single logical argument for this view. It's not financial because the families choosing home schooling still pay taxes into the school district that would provide the activities. Are they afraid that that home school kids might talk about things with the public school kids such as the founders intent, politics, or the "he who must not be named" of education: Christianity.

Here are some other issues that the NEA thought should be discussed at their meeting:
"Right to Reproduce"
This is nothing more than code phrase for nearly unconditional abortion on demand. They also favor children getting a broad cross section of services covering everything from birth control to mental health services most if not all without the consent of or knowledge of the child's parents.

"Comparable Worth"
I'm gonna give them the benefit of the doubt on this one and assume that what they mean by this is that two teachers of equal training, tenure, and other relevant qualifications are paid the same irregardless of there sex or other demographic.

Censorship of all masculine words and terms such as "Husband and Father" from educational materials.
I tried to thing of something objective to say on this and failed, so here is my thought on that one: It's time to take your medication and schedule another appointment with your therapist, oh and untill you get over this, don't go near students because you have serious issues that need to be dealt with by a professional.

Teaching "diversity" as early as pre-school.
If this was along the lines of all men are created equal than I would be fine with that, but its not. What they mean when they say Diversity is Adam & Steve or Susan & Sarah. At the age of pre-school there are so many things that teachers can and should be teaching that I wonder how they have time to discuss two dads or two moms.

To put "Domestic Partnerships, Civil Unions, and Marriage all on equal footing.
How many states have to have votes on this issue to find that the over whelming percentage of those who vote saying that marriage is between a man and a woman?

I've known for years that this organization is bent on pushing a set a views on our children that many parents don't agree with but often aren't aware of. This group advocates some of the most deeply liberal issues imaginable. I believe the NEA doesn't even think you as a parent are capable of raising your children without their help and guidance. Find what organizations if any are pulling the strings at your local public schools and be aware of the curriculum that teachers are using where your children go and hold those teachers accountable. If they teach things that are objectionable or questionable to you, then contact the school administrators and make your concerns known, after all these are public employees and work for society over all. Think I may be overboard on some of my issue? Consider this, the Ministry of Education in Germany has made home schooling so taboo that if your caught home schooling your children, you may go to jail and or have your children removed from your home. You might think that sort of thing can't happen here, well don't be to sure.

I'm not saying that all teachers are this way, in fact I believe that large majority of them are very well intentioned and believe that working closely with parents is the best way to turn children into successful and productive members of society.

Be very cautious of the motivations of any organization that believes it can do a better job of raising your children than you can.

A few Gems

2008-09-25T01:50:00.017-04:00

So which is it Ms. Speaker? I would be scary if there weren't some truth to this.

I love this guy!

Ohh Creepy!
Truth hurts doesn't it?

These men are an embarrassment to legitimate Christian outreach.

Ah how again does that work Dr. O?

Exactly how may religions do you have?

Hey dems, forget something?

Great adaption to the old Pioneer Stereo ad.

This great satire is the work of and can be found at the

Ryskind Sketchbook.

The great thing about satire is that it often makes you think in ways that you may not have other wise and gives a much needed comedic angle in an otherswise crazy world.

Sorry

2008-09-25T01:21:00.003-04:00

I would like to say that I'm sorry to the people who care enough and honor me with their time to read my musings. I've not posted anything in several weeks for a couple of reasons. I can't speak for all bloggers, but sometimes I don't have anything to say. Sometimes I have plenty to say, but don't feel that I can word it without seeming like I'm on some moronic rant. There are times when I just don't feel like it. There are times when I'm confused by things and clearly don't understand them enough to comment. There are times when I'm focusing on health, (not so great as of late) my wife, (who doesn't get the time she deserves more often than not) my career, politics, and occasionally me. I do believe the slump is over, I've got a few things on my mind.

To Important To Not Know!

2008-08-27T00:40:00.003-04:00

This was originally posted over at YankeePhilip and I'm posting it here also because this information is too important to not be seen by as many Americans as possible.

This should be shocking to any American as a man who wants to be the Commander in Chief actually signed a pact (of sorts) with an offshoot of the Communist party.

2008-08-22T13:36:00.005-04:00

On the Second Amendment,Don’t Believe Obama!

This post was pulled in its entirety from an email, I recieved from a conservative friend in ME.

The presidential primary season is finally over, and it is now time for gun owners to take a careful look at just where apparent nominee Barack Obama stands on issues related to the Second Amendment. During the primaries, Obama tried to hide behind vague statements of support for “sportsmen” or unfounded claims of general support for the right to keep and bear arms. But his real record, based on votes taken, political associations, and long standing positions, shows that Barack Obama is a serious threat to Second Amendment liberties. Don’t listen to his campaign rhetoric! Look instead to what he has said and done during his entire political career.

FACT: Barack Obama voted against the confirmation of 2 of the 5 Justices that affirmed an individual right to keep and bear arms.

FACT: Barack Obama voted to allow reckless lawsuits designed to bankrupt the firearms industry.1

FACT: Barack Obama wants to re-impose the failed and discredited Clinton Gun Ban.15

FACT: Barack Obama voted to ban almost all rifle ammunition commonly used for hunting and sport shooting.3

FACT: Barack Obama has endorsed a 500% increase in the federal excise tax on firearms and ammunition.9

FACT: Barack Obama has endorsed a complete ban on handgun ownership.2

FACT: Barack Obama supports local gun bans in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and other cities.4

FACT: Barack Obama voted to uphold local gun bans and the criminal prosecution of people who use firearms in self-defense.5

FACT: Barack Obama supports gun owner licensing and gun registration.6

FACT: Barack Obama refused to sign a friend-of-the-court Brief in support of individual Second Amendment rights in the Heller case.

FACT: Barack Obama opposes Right to Carry laws.7

FACT: Barack Obama was a member of the Board of Directors of the Joyce Foundation, the leading source of funds for anti-gun organizations and “research.”8

FACT: Barack Obama supported a proposal to ban gun stores within 5 miles of a school or park, which would eliminate almost every gun store in America.9

FACT: Barack Obama voted not to notify gun owners when the state of Illinois did records searches on them.10

FACT: Barack Obama voted against a measure to lower the Firearms Owners Identification card age minimum from 21 to 18, a measure designed to assist young people in the military.11

FACT: Barack Obama favors a ban on standard capacity magazines.12

FACT: Barack Obama supports mandatory micro-stamping.13

FACT: Barack Obama supports mandatory waiting periods.2

FACT: Barack Obama supports repeal of the Tiahrt Amendment, which prohibits information on gun traces collected by the BATFE from being used in reckless lawsuits against firearm dealers and manufacturers.14

FACT: Barack Obama supports one-gun-a-month handgun purchase restrictions.16

FACT: Barack Obama supports a ban on inexpensive handguns.9

FACT: Barack Obama supports a ban on the resale of police issued firearms, even if the money is going to police departments for replacement equipment.9

FACT: Barack Obama supports mandatory firearm training requirements for all gun owners and a ban on gun ownership for persons under the age of 21.9

1. United States Senate, S. 397, vote number 219, July 2, 2005. (http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00219)

2. Independent Voters of Illinois/Independent Precinct Organization general candidate questionnaire, Sept. 9, 1996. The responses on this survey were described in “Obama had greater role on liberal survey,” Politico, March 31, 20087. (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0308/9269.html)

3. United States Senate, S. 397, vote number 217, Kennedy amendment July 2, 2005. (http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00217)

4. David Wright, Ursula Fahy and Sunlen Miller, "Obama: 'Common Sense Regulation' On Gun Owners' Rights," ABC News' "Political Radar" Blog, http://blogs.abcnews.com/, 2/15/08. (http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/02/obama-common-se.html)

5. Illinois Senate, March 25, 2004 SB 2165, vote 20.

6. In the Illinois Senate, Obama sponsored SB-1136, which would have amended Illinois licensing laws by increasing the requirements for the Illinois Firearm Owners Identification card. When asked about registration during the Nevada Democratic debate on January 17, 2008, Obama did not oppose it, but simply stated, “I don’t think that we can get that done.” (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/15/us/politics/15demdebate-transcript.html?pagewanted=all)

7. “Candidates' gun control positions may figure in Pa. vote,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Wednesday, April 2, 2008, and "Keyes, Obama Are Far Apart On Guns," Chicago Tribune,

9/15/04. (http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_560181.html)

8. 1998 Joyce Foundation Annual Report, p. 7.

9. “Obama and Gun Control,” The Volokh Conspiracy, taken from the Chicago Defender, Dec. 13, 1999. (http://www.volokh.com/posts/1203389334.shtml)

10. Illinois Senate, May 5, 2002, SB 1936 Con., vote 26.

11. Illinois Senate, March 25, 2003, SB 2163, vote 18.

12. “Clinton, Edwards, Obama on gun control,” Radio Iowa, Sunday, April 22, 2007. (http://learfield.typepad.com/radioiowa/2007/04/clinton_edwards.html)

13. Chicago Tribune blogs, “Barack Obama: NIU Shootings call for action,” February 15, 2008, (http://blogs.trb.com/news/politics/blog/2008/02/barack_obama_comments_on_shoot.html)
14. Barack Obama campaign website: “As president, Barack Obama would repeal the Tiahrt Amendment . . .” (http://www.barackobama.com/issues/urbanpolicy/#crime-and-law-enforcement.)

15. Illinois Senate Debate #3: Barack Obama vs. Alan Keyes (http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Barack_Obama_Gun_Control.htm and http://www.ontheissues.org/IL_2004_Senate_3rd.htm) Oct 21, 2004.

16. Illinois Senate, May 16, 2003, HB 2579, vote 34.

Some Gems for Ya

2008-08-22T04:42:00.008-04:00

For Some reason a strong desire to call her an air head comes to mind.

It would be funnier if it wasn't true.

Where is the Draino when you really need it?

Dr. O Teaches us about Violence

2008-08-22T04:28:00.002-04:00

Sorry Dems, but when the shoe fits, wear it.
This cartoon is from the "Ryskind Sketchbook" and his work can be found in Human Events and other conservative news sources.

What yr of med school is this covered?

New Poll Question

2008-08-22T02:52:00.003-04:00

A new poll question had been added. "Who will Senator McCain Choose as a running mate?" Think you have the answer? Then scroll down to the poll question at the bottom and pick your choice. If your choice is not listed, please indicate in a comment who you'd like see as a choice.

I know who I'm pulling for, how about you?

Poll Question Response

2008-08-22T02:36:00.002-04:00

In the previous poll question "Should congress remove the ban on off shore oil drilling?" 100% of respondents answered yes. Well I guess it's clear on that issue, it's a shame this issue isn't as simple for Speaker Pelosi.

A new poll question will be added soon, so please come on by and leave your vote.

Edwards Dips Into Kennedy Playbook!

2008-08-22T01:35:00.005-04:00

What more can be said about the former NC Senator and VP / Presidential candidate John Edwards who Rush Limbaugh once called "the Breck Girl". Well we know that he is a lying cheating degenerate who cheated on his wife and lied to all of American about this issue and god only knows what else.

Well did you know that he is taking a play right out of the Kennedy play book? Yes indeed, the former senator is using one that goes all the way back to the Mary Joe Kopechne case. Senator Teddy Kennedy cried to the roof tops that he wanted an autopsy showing cause of death to clear his name. Well that would be admirable if it weren't for the fact that the family had Mary Joe promptly buried and as a result Teddy knew that he could talk all he wanted to about the autopsy and if would never happen. How does this tie to the former senator you might ask? Well you see, like most Clintons, I mean people caught in lies, you've got to have a strategy to spin off suspicion. John Edwards finally admitted to the extra marital affair with Ms. Rielle Hunter whom he hired for video work during his campaign. Mr. Edwards tried to avoid the secondary questions about who the father was of Ms. Hunters baby was. This, you see is where he pulled a Kennedy. Mr. Edwards said to anyone who would listen, "I want a paternity test to clear my name." Sound familiar? It should. Mr. Edward knew the answer to this question before it was asked. You see the law is pretty clear on this matter. The mother must consent to a paternity test in order for one to occur. Ms. Hunter has absolutely refused to allow any paternity test to occur, which Johnny knew long before he ever asked the question. As long as Ms. Hunter refuses to allow a paternity test to occur, Mr. Edwards can keep asking for this test knowing full well he has nothing to worry about because she is not going to throw him off the Chappaquiddick Bridge in a locked car. Her insistence to not allow a paternity test leads me to believe that some back door deal (no pun intented, seriously) has been reached and I doubt the Ms. Hunter will have any financial problems for quite some time or Mr. Edwards is really good at things other than lying, combing his hair, and single handily raising malpractice insurance for OB GYN's all over America.

Oh and hear is the icing on the cake. The video's that Ms. Hunter made for Mr. Edwards during his bid for the Democrat primary win never seem to have been used and it's questionable how Ms. Hunters services (pun very much indented) were paid for and whether or not campaign funds were used? If Mr. Edwards used campaign funds in an inappropriate manner, then he has much bigger problems than a kid with Ms. Hunter, such as a possible federal indictment.

There are two real victims in this story. the first is Mrs. Elizabeth Edwards who while lying in a hospital bed with cancer, had a husband betraying her trust with another woman. The second is the baby in this story, who may never know who dad is, and will whose mother is a tramp.

Even By Trial Lawyer Standards, Edwards a Real Sleazbag

Quote by Ann Coulter

We owe them everything

2008-08-21T22:51:00.006-04:00

This inspired many emotions while watching it.

If the video doesn't play properly you can also watch it here.

We truly owe it all to the brave men and women shown here as well as those before and after. We are positively blessed to have so many Americans proud and eager to wear the uniform and go forth in tremendous danger and adversity to serve this county whenever and wherever needed.

Thanks to the courageousness of patriots like these two men, we don't question our right to discuss things in open forums such as this blog.

My Blood Pressure is going up part 2

2008-08-12T09:54:00.008-04:00

OK, I initially wasn't going to make this a "Part 2", but it just fit too much not to. Some anti-energy folks from the group MoveOn.org went to DC to protest energy and actually stated that they wanted gas prices north of $10.00 per gallon and even stated that demand going above supply is good. American For Prosperity sent some of their own people there along with cameras to capture this activity. I was amazed to see the video taken by AFP of these activities. This was originally posted by SWAC Girl and can be watched on her blog here.

There was one person in the MoveOn.org group who said that congress should reconvene and went as far as to say that there should be an "up of down" vote on this issue. I'm sure immediately following the on camera interview, he was told to leave for the crime of free thought and inadequate consumption of the "Kool Aid".

A better plan for my family

2008-08-09T15:56:00.007-04:00

Would you like to save money or spend none at all on your taxes, DMV costs, medical expenses, and college tuition, just to name a few? Well you can have all of these things by simply becoming an illegal alien. OK not really. There is no way to get these things for free (legally at least), but Mr. Donald Ruppert of Burlington, IA actually sent the following letter to Senator Tom Harkin about this very issue.

"The Honorable Tom Harkin
731 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC , 20510
Phone (202) 224 3254

Dear Senator Harkin,

As a native Iowan and excellent customer of the Internal Revenue Service, I am writing to ask for your assistance. I have contacted the Department of Homeland Security in an effort to determine the process for becoming an illegal alien and they referred me to you. My primary reason for wishing to change my status from U.S.Citizen to illegal alien stems from the bill which was recently passed by the Senate and for which you voted. If my understanding of this bill's provisions is accurate, as an illegal alien who has been in the United States for five years, all I need to do to become a citizen is to pay a $2,000 fine and income taxes for three of the last five years. I know a good deal when I see one and I anxious to get the process started before everyone figures it out.Simply put, those of us who have been here legally have had to pay taxes every year so I'm excited about the prospect of avoiding two years of taxes in return for paying a $2,000 fine. Is there anyway that I can apply to be illegal retroactively? This would yield an excellent result for me and my family because we paid heavy taxes in 2004 and 2005. Additionally, as an illegal alien I could begin using the local emergency room as my primary health care provider. Once I have stopped paying premiums for medical insurance, my accountant figures I could save almost $10,000 a year.Another benefit in gaining illegal status would be that my daughter would receive preferential treatment relative to her law school applications, as well as "in-state" tuition rates for many colleges throughout the United States for my son.Lastly, I understand that illegal status would relieve me of the burden of renewing my driver's license and making those burdensome car insurance premiums. This is very important to me given that I still have college age children driving my car. If you would provide me with an outline of the process to become illegal (retroactively if possible) and copies of the necessary forms, I would be most appreciative. Thank you for you r assistance.

Your Loyal Constituent,
Donald Ruppert
Burlington, IA

Get your Forms (NOW)!!
Call your Internal Revenue Service 1-800-289-1040"

Now this is funny stuff, but does make you think about the realities of illegal immigration and what it actually cost those of us who pay our taxes, DMV expenses, medical bills, and everything else that many legal Americans pay everyday.

Thought Provoking Isn't It.

Big Freshman Class for 09'

2008-08-08T11:43:00.005-04:00

There will be a rather large freshman class in both the House and Senate scheduled to be sworn in January of 2009. 44 People will be leaving or have already left Congress and Senate due to death, retirement, resignment, and in some cases criminal investigations. Some of these known absences have already been filled by special elections, but those filling them will still be considered "freshmen" in 111th Congress which convenes in January. These numbers affect Republican held positions more than Democratic positions and include such political power players as former Speaker of the House Rep. Dennis Hastert and former Presidential candidate Rep. Duncan Hunter one resignation, the other as a result of retirement. Both sides will aggressively go after each and everyone of these positions. The Democrats currently hold majorities in both the House and Senate, but neither is by large numbers and they would like nothing better than to put some depth in the bench so to speak. The Democrats are clearly taking this election season seriously and have opened an unprecedented 6 regional offices here in the 6th Congressional District to support their candidate Mr. Sam Rasoul in his bid to unseat Republican Rep. Bob Goodlatte who has run un-challenged for many years. The following list shows the 44 in seats mentioned:

House of Representatives:
Alabama: Rep. Bud Cramer (D). Retiring
Alabama: Rep. Terry Everett (R). Retiring
Arizona: Rep. Rick Renzi (R). Retiring and under federal indictment.
Arizona: Rep. John Shadegg (R). NOT Retiring: Convinced by colleagues to reverse earlier decision to not seek re-election
California: Rep. John Doolittle (R). Retiring
California: Rep. Duncan Hunter (R). Retiring
California: Rep. Tom Lantos (D). Died. Rep. Jackie Speier (D) sworn in after winning special election
California: Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald (D). Died. Laura Richardson (D) seated after August 2007 special election
Colorado: Rep. Tom Tancredo (R). Retiring
Colorado: Rep. Mark Udall (D). Vacating seat to run for Senate
Florida: Rep. Dave Weldon (R). Retiring
Georgia: Rep. Charlie Norwood (R). Died. Paul Broun (R) seated in July 2007 special election
Illinois: Rep. Dennis Hastert (R). Resigned. Bill Foster (D) sworn in after winning March special election
Illinois: Rep. Ray Lahood (R). Retiring
Illinois: Rep. Jerry Weller (R). Retiring
Indiana: Julia Carson (D). Died. Carson's grandson, Andre Carson (D), seated in special election
Louisiana: Rep. Richard Baker (R). Resigning. Don Cazayoux (D), wins May special election
Louisiana: Rep. Bobby Jindal (R). Elected Governor. Steve Scalise (R) wins May special election
Louisiana: Rep. Jim McCrery (R). Retiring
Maine: Rep. Tom Allen (D). Vacating seat to run for Senate
Maryland: Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R). Defeated in Republican primary
UPDATED JUNE 19:
Maryland: Rep. Al Wynn (D). Defeated in February Democratic primary by Donna Edwards. Wynn retired before end of term, allowing Edwards to compete in June special election, which she won. Edwards sworn in
Massachusetts: Rep. Martin Meehan (D). Resigned. Niki Tsongas (D) seated in October 2007 special election
Minnesota: Rep. Jim Ramstad (R). Retiring
Mississippi: Rep. Chip Pickering (R). Retiring
Mississippi: Rep. Roger Wicker (R). Appointed to Senate.Travis Childers (D) seated after May 2008 special election
Missouri: Rep. Kenny Hulshof (R). Vacating seat to run for governor
New Jersey: Rep. Mike Ferguson (R). Retiring
New Jersey: Rep. Jim Saxton (R). Retiring
New Mexico: Rep. Steve Pearce (R). Vacating seat to run for Senate
New Mexico: Rep. Tom Udall (D). Vacating seat to run for Senate
New Mexico: Rep. Heather Wilson (R). Vacating seat to run for Senate
New York: Rep. Vito Fossella (R). Retiring
New York: Rep. Mike McNulty (D). Retiring
New York: Rep. Thomas Reynolds (R). Retiring
New York: Rep. Jim Walsh (R). Retiring
Ohio: Rep. Paul Gillmor (R). Died. Robert Latta (R) seated in December 2007 special election
Ohio: Rep. David Hobson (R). Retiring
Ohio: Rep. Deborah Pryce (R). Retiring
Ohio: Rep. Ralph Regula (R). Retiring
Oregon: Rep. Darlene Hooley (D). Retiring.
Pennsylvania: Rep. John Peterson (R). Retiring
Virginia: Rep. Jo Ann Davis (R). Died. Robert Wittman (R) seated after December 2007 special election
Virginia: Rep. Tom Davis (R). Retiring
Wyoming: Rep. Barbara Cubin (R). Retiring
In the Senate ...
Those who have left, leaving, or have died, by state:
Colorado: Sen. Wayne Allard (R). Retiring
Idaho: Sen. Larry Craig (R). Retiring
Mississippi: Sen. Trent Lott (R) Retired. Rep. Roger Wicker (R) seated by gubernatorial appointment
Nebraska: Sen. Chuck Hagel (R). Retiring
New Mexico: Sen. Pete Domenici (R). Retiring
Virginia: Sen. John Warner (R). Retiring
Wyoming: Sen. Craig Thomas (R). Died. John Barrasso (R) seated by gubernatorial appointment

This list shows that there many important political races going on all throughout America as well as the races many of us follow and are involved in right in VA.

If you believe in the conservative movement, if you believe in Ronald Reagan's vision, if your concerned with our energy crisis, and if your very nervous about Americas future in the hands or people like Sen. Obama, Majority Leader Reid, and Speaker Pelosi than you must stand and be heard.

Seek out your local Republican Committee and tell them that you want to help support candidates the take Americas future serious and have solutions not platitudes.

My Blood Pressure is going up part 1

2008-08-07T14:48:00.008-04:00

I've ruminating on this post for several days because I really try to avoid charactor assination and high BP enducing rants, however I feel if a rant is how this gets said, than so be it.

I don't know where to start but I'm highly irritated with the Speaker of the House Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, so lets start there. This congressperson (godforbid I use a gender specific term and offend her) has MISARABLY FAILED the people she is swown to serve. Speaker Pelosi spends nearly all of her time blaming both President Bush and the Respublicans of both congress and senate (I didn't know Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid needed help with that) for everything from global warming to the price of gas and everything inbetween (I would not be surpriced to see her blame them for a run in her hose). News Flash Speaker, you've had some of the lowest approval ratings of any speaker since they started recording such things and at one point only 11% percent of Americans approved of your Congressional leadership. In case you forgot, this is the same Speaker who actually listed changing the names of post offices as a priority for Congress. I could list the utterly questionable things she has done all day long, such as telling the Admiral of the Pacific Fleet Command to move all Navy vessels from the harbor area around San Franciso because of the "visual plight" they create, but don't want carpal tunnel that bad. Lets focus on things everyone knows about like closing congress when key issues had not been dealt with like GAS PRICES. She ordered the lights turned off, microphones turned off, and even C-Span cameras shut off. Why would she do this you might ask, when such important issues are still on the table? She did this because she knows that her completly indefenceable position on oil drilling and getting us away from foriegn oil would likely be the begining of the end for the Pelosi dynasty. Speaker Pelosi knows that if domestic oil exploration and drilling were to get an actual "Up or Down" vote in congress she could no longer hide behind smoke and mirrors. The Speaker has flat out told members of congress that this vote will never happen. She knows that if it does, there are enough Republicans and isle crossing Democrats to pass which then puts those against it on a formal roll call. The Speaker won't do this in such a contentious political season because she knows that Americans who are tired of paying $4.50 per gallon (yes even Prius drivers pay this) for gas will hold members of congress responsible who vote against this.

Since the Speaker shut the doors and turned off the lights she has been intervied several times and has refused to give an honest or straight forward answer to her actions. Oh, but wait, I'm wrong, she has answered this question: WE HAVE A PLANET TO SAVE which she repeats till she is red in the face. Some information on this can be seen here:

As the Speaker has stated and shown in reported interviews she cares more for her and her cronies political survival than she does for the people she is sworn to serve. She goes as far as to admit that Americans don't support her point or view and that it will make them vulnerable in elections.

It drives me nuts that people can't see what these democrats are doing our country and the embarassments we deal with through there leadership (lack there of). If your as ticked off as I am, go here and sign the petition at http://www.callcongressback.com/ to force Speaker Pelosi and the other Democrats back to Congress to do their Jobs.

Drill Here Drill Now Save Money!

Now thats a grill

2008-08-03T18:02:00.002-04:00

This Speaks For Itself

2008-08-03T17:59:00.002-04:00

Hail To The Queen

2008-08-02T21:05:00.008-04:00

Kudos to Lynn Mithchell over at ***SWAC Girl*** for recently being listed at Blog Net News as the most influential conservative blogger in VA. At the time of this blog post, she was 3rd overall in VA, which is quite a feat in and of itself. This is quite an accomplishment when you consider the number of conservative bloggers in VA who frequently (some multiple times per day) post their comments and opinions on a number of important issues.

For those of you who know Lynn, you know that she is deeply passionate about the grassroots conservative movement, family issues, 2nd Amendment rights, and home schooling just to name a few. When Lynn starts on a passion / project she puts more time, interest, and quite frankly soul into it than most people ever will on any project in their lives. Lynn deeply believes in the candidates and causes she supports and the candidates all take her seriously and ALL want her support.

Well I guess this proves that the alternative media (including bloggers) have considerable influence and readership. This might upset certain newspaper editors (who will remain nameless for fear of a lawsuit.) One comment on the aforementioned editor: GROW UP!

The Republican Party and specifically the Shenandoah Valley area are very lucky to have Lynn in our midst.

Long Live The Queen

Priceless

2008-08-02T11:06:00.002-04:00

Priceless was the only thing I could think of when this was sent to me from a friend.

"If you ever testify in court, you might wish you could have been as sharp as this policeman. He was being cross-examined by a defense attorney during a felony trial. The lawyer was trying to undermine the policeman's credibility...
Q: "Officer -- did you see my client fleeing the scene?"
A: "No sir. But I subsequently observed a person matching the description of the offender, running several blocks away."
Q: "Officer -- who provided this description?"
A: "The officer who responded to the scene."
Q: "A fellow officer provided the descri ption of this so-called offender. Do you trust your fellow officers?"
A: "Yes, sir. With my life."
Q: "With your life? Let me ask you this then officer. Do you have a room where you change your clothes in preparation for your daily duties?"
A: "Yes sir, we do!"
Q: "And do you have a locker in the room?"
A: "Yes sir, I do."
Q: "And do you have a lock on your locker?"
A: "Yes sir."
Q: "Now why is it, officer, if you trust your fellow officers with your life, you find it necessary to lock your locker in a room you share with these same officers?"
A: "You see, sir -- we share the building with the court complex, and sometimes lawyers have been known to walk through that room." The courtroom EXPLODED with laughter, and a prompt recess was called."

Don't you love honest Cops.

Funny Stuff

2008-08-01T15:38:00.002-04:00

I simply couldn't resist passing this on to all of you. I laughed so hard, I nearly split a rib.

"A woman from Los Angeles, who was a tree hugger and an anti-hunter, purchased a piece of timberland, near Grants Pass, OR. There was a large tree on one of the highest points in the tract. She wanted a good view of the natural splendor of her land so she started to climb the big tree. As she neared the top she encountered a spotted owl that attacked her. In her haste to escape, the woman slid down the tree to the ground and got many splinters in her crotch. In considerable pain, she hurried to the nearest doctor. She told him she was an environmentalist and an anti-hunter and how she came to get all the splinters. The doctor listened to her story with great patience and then told her to go into the examining room and he would see if he could help her. She sat and waited three hours be fore the doctor reappeared. The angry woman demanded, 'What took you so long?' The doctor replied, 'Well, I had to get permits from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management before I could remove old-growth timber from a recreational area. I'm sorry, but they turned me down."

As Larry The Cable Guy often says "that's funny, I don't care who you are".

What we've gotten with "Change"

2008-07-30T01:55:00.003-04:00

I would love to take credit for this sentiment, but I can't, it came to me from a brilliant & witty lady with a vibrant spirit and kind heart who I gladly call a friend.

"A few weeks ago I read a joke ...
It said all the politicians running for president are promising change to the American people. We send them billions and billions of tax dollars and they send us the change. Funny? Not really; there is too much truth in it to be funny. That got me to thinking ... they all promise change. How about; if they run on a promise of restoration rather than change. A restoration that would take us back in time to a place where things ran better, smoother and life was more enjoyable. Change? That, in truth, is what they have been giving us all along.
We used to have a strong dollar ... politicians changed that.
Life used to be sacred ... politicians changed that.
Marriage used to be sacred ... politicians are changing that.
We used to be respected around the world ... politicians changed that.
We used to have a strong manufacturing economy ... politicians changed that.
We used to have lower tax structures ... politicians changed that.
We used to enjoy more freedoms ... politicians changed that.
We used to be a large exporter of American made goods ..... politicians changed that.
We used to be an openly Christian nation ... politicians changed that.
We used to teach patriotism in schools ... politicians changed that.
We used to educate children in schools ... politicians changed that.
We used to enjoy freedom of speech ... politicians changed that.
WE used to have affordable food and gas prices... politicians changed that, too.
One could go on and on with this list. What hasn' t been changed, politicians are promising to change that as well if you will elect them. When, oh when, is America going to sit back with open eyes and look at what we once were and where we have come and say, enough is enough? The trouble is, America 's youthful voters today don't know of the great America that existed forty and fifty years ago. They see the world as if it has always existed, as it is now. When will we wake up? Tomorrow may be too late. When will America Politicians realize they are what is wrong with America ?"

(Some formatting was changed from the original document as it was incompatible with this format.)

I could not have put this into better words myself. It is absolutely critical that we all get involved in the political process so ensure that these "changes" are not the legacy of country.

No Fluff Just Facts!

2008-07-28T00:07:00.002-04:00

In the presidential race of 2004 Sen Kerry was often called a "flip flopper" because he was caught numerous time changing his position on key issues and acting as though no change had occurred. Well know we have Sen Obama who wants to be the next CIC. Sen Obama is not a flip flopper, because to be a flip flopper implies that you change positions on issues. Sen Obama has opposing positions at seemingly the same time. This video show documented proof of this behavior with dates and actual spoken footage:

Time after time, incident after incident, and position after position the Senator simply can't seem to stick to a point of view on anything of substance.

The inconsistencies of this man are troubling!

Disturbing to say the least.

2008-07-25T20:56:00.009-04:00

He ventured forth to bring light to the world
The anointed one's pilgrimage to the Holy Land is a miracle in action - and a blessing to all his faithful followers

No I've not lost my mind, but perhaps Mr. Gerard Baker has. The above article title and subsequent article was actually posted by this man in the July 25th 2008 NY Times Online edition. This was brought to our attention and first linked by SWAC Girl and the entire loopy article can be found here or you can get to it from SWAC Girls blog.

I don't agree with Sen. Barack Obama's supporters most of the time, but referring to any politician (regardless of party) as the "anointed one" is bordering on clinical insanity and blasphemous to people who believe in the biblical "anointed one". Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the libs the ones that are always telling us to be more tolerant of religion?

Know thine enemy (especially the ones off their meds)

Election Humor

2008-07-24T10:53:00.004-04:00

The creative folks over at JibJab.com are at it again with another funny election skit. JibJab first got mainstream recognition during a the last presidential election with a same style skit containing President Bush and Sen. Kerry during that election.

JibJab - Time for Some Campaignin'

Funny stuff and as you can see, they did not hold back and no one got a free pass.

Take a breath, smell a flower, and laugh when you can, a lesson that we can all learn.

New Poll Question

2008-07-23T05:40:00.002-04:00

There is a new poll question about off shore oil drilling listed at the bottom of the page, please scroll down and make your vote known.

Thanks for taking part of the blog worlds own little version of democracy in action.

Poll question Answer

2008-07-23T05:28:00.003-04:00

In my most recent poll question "What did Sen. Obama mean with his "Your kids should learn Spanish" comment." the response was tied. There were equal votes for "He meant what he said", "His statement was taken out of context", and "This statement is clear proof of his lack of experience to run for such an office." The only response that did not recieve even a single vote was "It doesn't matter and shouldn't recieve the attention that it has."

I guess that this poll really shows how many different opinions exist on this matter. Look for a new poll question soon.

I guess this matter really did get people thinking in several directions

Meeting Sen. Ken Cuccinelli

2008-07-23T02:15:00.009-04:00

Last Tuesday at the Shoneys in Staunton, I was one of the many people who came to take advantage of the "meet & greet" with Sen. Cuccinelli who is seeking the Republican nomination to run for Attorney General in 2009.
Sen. Cuccinelli was quite active at the 2008 RPV Convention, however I was so busy working on the Frederick for Chairman campaign, I had little time to speak with any of the other office candidates. I was rather excited to have this opportunity to meet the Senator as I wanted to hear what he had to say on a variety of issues. I expected to hear a polished and prepared speech. What I heard was a man of seemingly endless character and wit talk to us like a group of valued friends at a backyard cookout.

If you've ever heard a Republican candidate do a "stump speech" you'll likely hear the "check box" bullet points such as pro life, pro-gun, national security / border security, and fiscal responsibility as well as any others they want to throw in. The problem is that they are usually only passionate about one or two of those and say the rest because the assume that a conservative audience won't take them serious if they don't mention them. Many candidates are frequently reluctant to spend any serious time on hot button issues like firearms, abortion, and home schooling. The truly interesting thing about Sen. Cuccinelli is that the previously mentioned 3 issues are some very big issues for the Senator. He mentioned 2nd Amendment issues on several occasions, specifically mentioning the recent Heller decision in the Supreme Court. Sen. Cuccinelli spoke of the 2nd as one of the keys to our system of government and even commented on it being what secures in some respects the other 9 amendments in the Bill of Rights. Sen. Cuccinelli is so passionate about 2nd amendment issues that he even hosted a Heller Decision Celebration Party at the famous Fuddruckers restaurant in Richmond last Saturday.

Abortion is one of the most polarizing issues of our time and many politicians avoid it whenever they can. Sen. Cuccinelli spoke of having a clear track record on this issue and has no problems saying to anyone that will listen that abortion is murder any way you look at it. The Senator even gave the example that if you remove the egg of certain turtles from their nest site (which usually causes the death of the turtle) you can go to jail, but you can get an abortion and you will not go to jail or get into any trouble for that matter. He also referenced parental rights on juveniles going through such procedures.

It seems these days, lots of people have a preconceived idea of what type of people are home school people. Some think that they are religious fanaticals, some others think they are survivalists, and some think they are so bent on a given issue that they fear outside contact. Well I know several home school families, some right here in the Valley and I've found none of these characteristics present in the parents or the children. I've seen some of the most well adjusted, well behaved, curious, intelligent, respectful, and capable kids you'll find anywhere as well as some of the most loving, engaged, and concerned parents behind them. These parents made the decision to take the time to ensure that their children would be able to compete once in college and the world in general. You might ask, where is he going with this? Well in the three taboos of politics that I mentioned, not only is Sen. Cuccinelli willing to discuss this hot issue, he is part of it. Sen. Cuccenelli is a home school dad and assisted in the education of his five daughters and one son with his wife Teiro. Sen. Cuccinelli is very aware of what home schooling means to the families of VA who are tired of the failings that some schools systems seem to be ridden with. Sen. Cuccinelli understands that home schooling is not for everyone and is a firm supporter that schools must be held accountable for their results.

Sen. Cuccinelli is among other things very concerned about the the mental health system in VA and how we work, treat, interact, and deal with the mentally handicapped members of our society. The Senator has put immeasurable time both as a State Senator and as an attorney on mental health issues. He is considered the Senate expert on these matters and is respected in a bi-partisan manner on such issues.

The Senator spoke for nearly 90 minutes on these and other issues and then sat and continued to speak with many of us while we enjoyed the great Shoneys buffet and other menu items.

I've provided a sampling of endorsements that the Senator has gotten at this time.

I'm very impressed with what I've seen from this candidate for Attorney General of the Commonwealth of VA. I will be very interested to see what else this candidate has to say and do. The Augusta Water Cooler is not formally endorsing Senator Cuccinelli for AG at this time, but I'm certainly saying this man is worth a look. If you'd like get more information on the Senators race for AG or to subscribe to the Cuccinelli Compass his web site can be reached here.

Take every opportunity to meet, question, and hold to their promises the people who shape our world.

Rep. Goodlatte Gets it!

2008-07-23T01:36:00.006-04:00

Congressman Bob Goodlatte truly gets it! The congressman recently created a website that can be accessed here that deal specifically with this matter. It seems that while republicans from President Bush down to local Delegate Saxman, energy Independence is something that MUST BE DEALT WITH KNOW. Congressman Goodlatte knows that the hard working people of VA need relief from these rising gas prices now, not when the auto industry figures out how to make hybrid and other "green/er" technologies viable. The Congressman knows that modern oil exploration and drilling are considerably safer to the environment than many who oppose want to admit. Recent studies have shown that the Earth itself releases more oil into our oceans and environment than drilling does by a significant margin.

I'm proud to say that the Augusta Water Cooler is formally endorsing Rep. Goodlatte to continue to serve the Commonwealth in the US Congress. This is not a republican thing, it's a common sense thing. We as Americans must not support people for any elected position that will allow us to fall behind in the procurement of energy through viable sources, especially when those sources are in our back yard.

Rep. Goodlatte has been a tireless leader for the citizens of VA in the US Congress. Help the Congressman by going to his new website and sign the petition for congress to follow President Bush's leadership to end the ban on off shore drilling.