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When the founding fathers laid down the foundation of our systems of government, they began with the phrase 'We, the People..'. For the first time in all of mankind's history, a nation was being defined by the people. State sovereignty came not to some man claiming 'Devine Right', but from the people. We, a free people, were chartering a government and defining for it certain tasks, and reserving for the people, all those rights not given over to the government.. In the first ten amendments to that document, the founding fathers specified a number of protections from the government that the people would enjoy. For two hundred years, these protections have served us well. Until now.
The United States Attorney General, in conjunction with the President of the United States, has decided that those who commit acts of war against American Civilians are entitled to civil trials.
Consider the problems this precipitates. If by virtue of the United States Constitution, a combatant has the right to remain silent, how does the military interrogate him? At trial, a defendant has the right to all the evidence that is arrayed against him. In order to get a 'conviction', must we now expose to the world our intelligence gathering methods? Considering all the legal technicalities that can be exploited by skilled attorneys, what is the probability that some cases will get thrown out? What do you do with a bomber you can no longer incarcerate?
The irony is that the founding fathers put together the Bill of Rights to protect us from the government. It has worked well for over 200 years. Too bad they didn't figure out a way to protect us from morons.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Something more important than Freedom
A year after selecting the most ill prepared man in history to sit in the Oval Office, America is sometimes still in awe of it's president, and often amazed by his decisions and actions.
This week, most of us will celebrate, or recognize in some way, the fall of the Berlin Wall. At the height of the Cold War, when the wall was new, John Kennedy went to Berlin. John F. Kennedy stood before that wall and proclaimed to the Soviets and to the world that he too, was a Berliner, that all free men were Berliners. America would stand by and in the hostage city because the only think keeping Soviet Tanks out of West Berlin was an American promise.
Ronald Reagan went to the wall and spoke. He said 'Mr. Gorbechove, Tear down this wall..and two years later, it fell. It fell as the Soviet Union began it's death spiral. The enslaved people of Eastern Europe began to shake of the shackels of Soviet domination and communism. Country after country kicked out it's Soviet masters. Soon, the Soviet Union itself splintered as it's conquered republics secceeded and chose independance over mother Russia.
This week, Germany remembers. Russia remembers. The world remembers. Everyone remembers, except one.
In Washington, a confused and overwhelmed man ponders his many problems and issues. Without the basis to understand the importance of this anniversary, he fails to recognize the it. He was busy. He was working on something more important. For the first time in history, an American President found something more important than freedom.
He was working on health care reform.
Welcome to the new America.
This week, most of us will celebrate, or recognize in some way, the fall of the Berlin Wall. At the height of the Cold War, when the wall was new, John Kennedy went to Berlin. John F. Kennedy stood before that wall and proclaimed to the Soviets and to the world that he too, was a Berliner, that all free men were Berliners. America would stand by and in the hostage city because the only think keeping Soviet Tanks out of West Berlin was an American promise.
Ronald Reagan went to the wall and spoke. He said 'Mr. Gorbechove, Tear down this wall..and two years later, it fell. It fell as the Soviet Union began it's death spiral. The enslaved people of Eastern Europe began to shake of the shackels of Soviet domination and communism. Country after country kicked out it's Soviet masters. Soon, the Soviet Union itself splintered as it's conquered republics secceeded and chose independance over mother Russia.
This week, Germany remembers. Russia remembers. The world remembers. Everyone remembers, except one.
In Washington, a confused and overwhelmed man ponders his many problems and issues. Without the basis to understand the importance of this anniversary, he fails to recognize the it. He was busy. He was working on something more important. For the first time in history, an American President found something more important than freedom.
He was working on health care reform.
Welcome to the new America.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This
As Congress struggles with Health Care Reform, no one yet knows much about what it's final form will be, but we do know the promises that the President and Congressional leaders are making. They say they are going to lower the cost of health care, but raise the standard of care. They say they are going to expand health care coverage without creating shortages, but they don't say anything about where the new doctors and nurses will come from.
In trying to lower health care costs, clearly not much can be done to lower the cost of treating a cold. Take two asprine, take fluids, and get plenty of rest. Not much fat in there.
No, the cost savings will come from denying expensive treatments to people. No matter how that decison is made, that is where the dollar savings will come from. The argument that the insurance companies exersize that power now is riddiculious because were that the case, this argument would be moot. Clearly the insurance companies are paying for a lot of expensive treatment that is saving and improving a lot of people's lives. This is the only place significant costs savings will come from because this is where the big money is.
If it is true that the health plan will introduce 45 million new people into the 'system', then even a moron can see that we will need to add health care providers or we will have shortages. Who will the new 'providers' be? Well, it's damn sure most won't be doctors, and many won't even be speak good English. And, if you think you spend a lot of time in the waiting room now, get ready. You haven't seen anything yet.
Consider the implications of this. Because you'll be treated more often by 'para' professionals, we will see a lot more botched diagnoses. A good diagnostician is produced by years of study, and years of experience. The coming wave of 'para' professional has yet to finish High School. "Last week, I couldn't spell 'diagnostician' and this week I are one."
Finally, because the incentive is being taken out of medicine, the treatments we now have will be as good as it gets. Well, that's not entirely true. Research into favoured diseases will continue with federal money. AIDS research will continue, but work on ALS may wellgrind to a halt. Work on acnea treatments will continue, but work on new Altzhimers will likely be greatly diminished.
Sadly, for all the promises from all the politicians, the reality is that even with all our present health care problems, it just doesn't get any better than this. When they tell you otherwise, they are lying.
In trying to lower health care costs, clearly not much can be done to lower the cost of treating a cold. Take two asprine, take fluids, and get plenty of rest. Not much fat in there.
No, the cost savings will come from denying expensive treatments to people. No matter how that decison is made, that is where the dollar savings will come from. The argument that the insurance companies exersize that power now is riddiculious because were that the case, this argument would be moot. Clearly the insurance companies are paying for a lot of expensive treatment that is saving and improving a lot of people's lives. This is the only place significant costs savings will come from because this is where the big money is.
If it is true that the health plan will introduce 45 million new people into the 'system', then even a moron can see that we will need to add health care providers or we will have shortages. Who will the new 'providers' be? Well, it's damn sure most won't be doctors, and many won't even be speak good English. And, if you think you spend a lot of time in the waiting room now, get ready. You haven't seen anything yet.
Consider the implications of this. Because you'll be treated more often by 'para' professionals, we will see a lot more botched diagnoses. A good diagnostician is produced by years of study, and years of experience. The coming wave of 'para' professional has yet to finish High School. "Last week, I couldn't spell 'diagnostician' and this week I are one."
Finally, because the incentive is being taken out of medicine, the treatments we now have will be as good as it gets. Well, that's not entirely true. Research into favoured diseases will continue with federal money. AIDS research will continue, but work on ALS may wellgrind to a halt. Work on acnea treatments will continue, but work on new Altzhimers will likely be greatly diminished.
Sadly, for all the promises from all the politicians, the reality is that even with all our present health care problems, it just doesn't get any better than this. When they tell you otherwise, they are lying.
Friday, October 16, 2009
When in the course of human events....
Is it just me, or is anyone else concerned about the increasingly domineering role that government plays in our lives?
In just the last week, a 6 year old cub scout was suspended from school for bringing an eating utensil to school, and an Eagle Scout with aspirations of attending West Point was suspended for 20 days because the survival pack he kept locked in his car contained a pocket knife with a two inch blade. Mindless but enpowered bureaucrats blindly enforcing draconian regulations designed to keep our kids safe. Who protects our kids from the bureaucrats?
Last year, a kid we know pants another kid at school. To most, a school yard prank that deserved at least detention, and at most suspension. The Vice-Principal handling the matter was required by ' school board policy' to contact the school's Police Liason officer because the act constituted an 'assault' and resulted in 'indecent exposure'. Both the kids involved were 12 years old. The vice principal was following a regulation that could have resulted in a 12 year old boy being branded for life as a 'sex offender' because he pants another kid at school. Under that criteria, most of my friends from Jr.High were chronic sex offenders. Who protects our kids from the School Board?
Following nearly every incident involving a gun that makes the news, the immedate reaction among legislators (federal, state and local) is to loudly demand stricter gun control laws. Are these people oblivious to the fact that the criminals are already ignoring the umpteen zillion gun control laws that already exist? Do these morons think that the thugs will read the new law, and suddenly decide that this one new law is the straw that broke the camels back, and that they will now abandon their criminal ways? Nope. You and I will be the ones who obay the law, whose effect is to disarm those who would be victims. The irony is that the thugs, when caught, often get leniency due to a life of deprivation and hardship, and having grown up in a bad neighborhood. Watch what happens when you or I, people who have jobs, pay taxes and participate in the community, violate a gun law that we didn't even know existed. Who protects us from our government?
When in the course of human events.....
In just the last week, a 6 year old cub scout was suspended from school for bringing an eating utensil to school, and an Eagle Scout with aspirations of attending West Point was suspended for 20 days because the survival pack he kept locked in his car contained a pocket knife with a two inch blade. Mindless but enpowered bureaucrats blindly enforcing draconian regulations designed to keep our kids safe. Who protects our kids from the bureaucrats?
Last year, a kid we know pants another kid at school. To most, a school yard prank that deserved at least detention, and at most suspension. The Vice-Principal handling the matter was required by ' school board policy' to contact the school's Police Liason officer because the act constituted an 'assault' and resulted in 'indecent exposure'. Both the kids involved were 12 years old. The vice principal was following a regulation that could have resulted in a 12 year old boy being branded for life as a 'sex offender' because he pants another kid at school. Under that criteria, most of my friends from Jr.High were chronic sex offenders. Who protects our kids from the School Board?
Following nearly every incident involving a gun that makes the news, the immedate reaction among legislators (federal, state and local) is to loudly demand stricter gun control laws. Are these people oblivious to the fact that the criminals are already ignoring the umpteen zillion gun control laws that already exist? Do these morons think that the thugs will read the new law, and suddenly decide that this one new law is the straw that broke the camels back, and that they will now abandon their criminal ways? Nope. You and I will be the ones who obay the law, whose effect is to disarm those who would be victims. The irony is that the thugs, when caught, often get leniency due to a life of deprivation and hardship, and having grown up in a bad neighborhood. Watch what happens when you or I, people who have jobs, pay taxes and participate in the community, violate a gun law that we didn't even know existed. Who protects us from our government?
When in the course of human events.....
Saturday, September 26, 2009
A Time of Change
Little over a year ago, my family visited Gettysburg. We walked to grounds, stood among the ghosts, and told the story of that awful war to my son. Prior to that day, he knew that there had been an American Civil War, but he really didn't know why. He understood that President Lincoln had freed the slaves, that good had triumphed, and the world became a better place.
We stood on top of Little Round Top and peered downing into the Valley of Death, and talked about history. We talked about how it must have felt to be a soldier ordered to advance through that tiny valley. My son climbed on the bolders where sharpshooters once hid, and his far away look told me he was thinking about what had taken place on this ground. We walked across some of the ground where the 131st Mississippi suffered 100% casualties during Pickett's Charge, and I told him that was the entire student body of The University of Mississippi.
If you ask most people about the causes of the Civil War, they will tell you it was fought to end slavery in this country. It is true that the war did result in the end of that terrible institution. Sadly, that is generally recognized as 'The' cause of the war. It is simply not true, but a case of the victor writing the history that they 'prefere' over the history that 'was'.
No one in their right mind can defend the practice or institution of slavery. If that was what the war was about, who can say the Union was wrong?
But if the war was about Slavery, why did South Carolina fire on the Union Navy approaching Fort Sumter? Did they fear that the Union Navy was about to free all the Slaves held in the Union fort?
No, the shooting didn't start because of a threat to slavery. It started because South Carolina refuesed to pay unjust taxes and rejected northern political domination. The Confederate Battle flags that flew as hundreds of thousands of young men struggled to their deaths stood not for the enslavement of man, but for his freedom. The cannons that pummeled Fort Sumter drove out those who would blockaid the harbor for the collection of the Merril Tarrifs. The first shots of the war were fired in the same spirit as the battle at Bunker Hill...in defiance of collection of taxes.
There was a time when you could tell this story, and help people understand why so many men fought and died so valiantly for so long. There was a time when it was important that we as a people remembered what it took to create our great country, when we as a people understood the sacrifices that were made by our forbearers and appreciated the legacy of wealth, prosperity and freedom that they left to us.
But, times have changed.
Today, we don't value history. We don't understand freedom. The federal government is about to redistribute our wealth, to tax us over greenhouse gasses, and force a federal health insurance program on us. Every where you look, the government is taking money you and I have sacraficed and worked to earn, and is giving it to someone else to support programs that we are absolutely opposed to. Where once we stood for democracy and freedom, today our government is finding common ground with dictators and petty despots. The cult of personality surrounding the presidency diminishes the office, and insults the individual sovoriegnity of the American People. It certainly has been a time of change.
Which way to Charlston Harbor? Imagine the courage it took to say "Hell no!" and to touch off that first cannon.
Our cannons are the ballot box.
Remember in November.
We stood on top of Little Round Top and peered downing into the Valley of Death, and talked about history. We talked about how it must have felt to be a soldier ordered to advance through that tiny valley. My son climbed on the bolders where sharpshooters once hid, and his far away look told me he was thinking about what had taken place on this ground. We walked across some of the ground where the 131st Mississippi suffered 100% casualties during Pickett's Charge, and I told him that was the entire student body of The University of Mississippi.
If you ask most people about the causes of the Civil War, they will tell you it was fought to end slavery in this country. It is true that the war did result in the end of that terrible institution. Sadly, that is generally recognized as 'The' cause of the war. It is simply not true, but a case of the victor writing the history that they 'prefere' over the history that 'was'.
No one in their right mind can defend the practice or institution of slavery. If that was what the war was about, who can say the Union was wrong?
But if the war was about Slavery, why did South Carolina fire on the Union Navy approaching Fort Sumter? Did they fear that the Union Navy was about to free all the Slaves held in the Union fort?
No, the shooting didn't start because of a threat to slavery. It started because South Carolina refuesed to pay unjust taxes and rejected northern political domination. The Confederate Battle flags that flew as hundreds of thousands of young men struggled to their deaths stood not for the enslavement of man, but for his freedom. The cannons that pummeled Fort Sumter drove out those who would blockaid the harbor for the collection of the Merril Tarrifs. The first shots of the war were fired in the same spirit as the battle at Bunker Hill...in defiance of collection of taxes.
There was a time when you could tell this story, and help people understand why so many men fought and died so valiantly for so long. There was a time when it was important that we as a people remembered what it took to create our great country, when we as a people understood the sacrifices that were made by our forbearers and appreciated the legacy of wealth, prosperity and freedom that they left to us.
But, times have changed.
Today, we don't value history. We don't understand freedom. The federal government is about to redistribute our wealth, to tax us over greenhouse gasses, and force a federal health insurance program on us. Every where you look, the government is taking money you and I have sacraficed and worked to earn, and is giving it to someone else to support programs that we are absolutely opposed to. Where once we stood for democracy and freedom, today our government is finding common ground with dictators and petty despots. The cult of personality surrounding the presidency diminishes the office, and insults the individual sovoriegnity of the American People. It certainly has been a time of change.
Which way to Charlston Harbor? Imagine the courage it took to say "Hell no!" and to touch off that first cannon.
Our cannons are the ballot box.
Remember in November.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
You Might Be a Racist if.....
You might be a racists if.....
.....you are opposed to unilateral nuclear disarmament. I believe that the United States ought to have clear and unmistakable nuclear deterance.
.....you do not believe that we should halt construction of the ballistic missile shield in Eastern Europe.
.....you do not believe that our health care issues can be solved by a massive federal program, but rather by common sense tort reform and other similar measures.
.....you believe that anything that allies us with Danial Ortega, Hugo Chavez, and Fidel Castro is probably a mistake.
.....you do not believe that taxing me will stop global warming.
.....you do not believe that the president has any business discussing politics with school children.
....you do not believe that pulling of Afganistan is right. If the terrorists win, we lose.
.....you are opposed to unilateral nuclear disarmament. I believe that the United States ought to have clear and unmistakable nuclear deterance.
.....you do not believe that we should halt construction of the ballistic missile shield in Eastern Europe.
.....you do not believe that our health care issues can be solved by a massive federal program, but rather by common sense tort reform and other similar measures.
.....you believe that anything that allies us with Danial Ortega, Hugo Chavez, and Fidel Castro is probably a mistake.
.....you do not believe that taxing me will stop global warming.
.....you do not believe that the president has any business discussing politics with school children.
....you do not believe that pulling of Afganistan is right. If the terrorists win, we lose.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Just a Thought
It's Political Campaign time.
Just a thought.....
A Vote for your Democrat Representative to Congress is a Vote for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
He have brought home the bacon for 30 years, but Nancy is going to fix health care for you and me.
He may be your children's Godfather, but Nancy is ramming Cap and Trade down our throats.
He may be your best friend, but remember, a government big enough to solve all your problems is a government big enough to take all you have.
Just a thought.....
A Vote for your Democrat Representative to Congress is a Vote for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
He have brought home the bacon for 30 years, but Nancy is going to fix health care for you and me.
He may be your children's Godfather, but Nancy is ramming Cap and Trade down our throats.
He may be your best friend, but remember, a government big enough to solve all your problems is a government big enough to take all you have.
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