912 Patriots of Lower Bucks - Your Daily Updates ALL in ONE Place!
March 28, 2013
Quote:
"A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader."
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FBI Want's Full Spying Power to your Gmail Accounts..... 2013 Top Priority.........
Despite the pervasiveness of law enforcement surveillance of digital communication, the FBI still has a difficult time monitoring Gmail, Google Voice, and Dropbox in real time. But that may change soon, because the bureau says it has made gaining more powers to wiretap all forms of Internet conversation and cloud storage a "top priority" this year.
Last week, during a talk for the American Bar Association in Washington, D.C., FBI general counsel Andrew Weissmann discussed some of the pressing surveillance and national security issues facing the bureau. He gave a few updates on the FBI's efforts to address what it calls the "going dark" problem-how the rise in popularity of email and social networks has stifled its ability to monitor communications as they are being transmitted. It's no secret that under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, the feds can easily obtain archive copies of emails. When it comes to spying on emails or Gchat in real time, however, it's a different story.
Some agencies may have access already. Just before xmas I received an email that had been routed via the USMC/FBI servers in Quantico. No attempt was made to hide this, the ip addr had been added in the email header! it was: 158.245.178.208
What information is being collected on your kids through Common Core?
TheBlaze TV subscribers can watch past episodes covering Common Core and CSCOPE. The March 14th episode focused on Common Core and the March 7th episode focused on CSCOPE. Not a subscriber? Sign up HERE.
Glenn has spent a lot of time over the past few weeks exposing some of the education initiatives in states across the country that are indoctrinating kids into the radical progressive agenda. Today, Glenn discussed an issue tied into Common Core that many people aren't aware of: data mining.
"We cover many important stories and topics on this program, but I don't think any could be more important than what we are covering tonight: the progressive takeover of America's schools,"
OK....when they look at you like you have a tin foil hat on your head......take some of this information with you. It is 126 pages. I have not read through the entire document (YET) but what I have read is enough to blow off the top of your head. I have highlighted some stuff. KIPP (Charter Schools) has a CHARACTER REPORT CARD on Page 39. So for now start on page 39 and work your way through to page 45. Remember FERPA laws were changed last year and I am sure not one parent is aware that permission to share information about our children no longer requires parental consent. Obama just slipped all these new changes in and I don't believe any parents were ever asked their opinions about these changes. And where was our Republican Congress when this happened???
AGENDA 21 is: The complete control and inventory of every human activity. After your friends read some of this information ask them if they still believe A21 is not real. Chapter 36 of A21 document is devoted to education.
Our government forgets there are still people alive that can think and see through their garbage.
Print this document and get a highlighter...........then start visiting your neighbors, school boards, elected officials and start screaming. GET COMMON CORE AND THE GOVERNMENT out of our class rooms. I think it is time to start a MASS movement for Home Schooling. I know Home Schooling will not be spared. This should be a movement to bring education back to the local level and DESTROY the Federal Department of Education. If our kids are not in school it will create an uprising at all levels. We should not settle for shutting down Common Core because they will masquerade it....they are already doing this in VA. VA supposedly never signed on to Common Core but GUESS WHAT........they ARE implementing Common Core and disguising it from the citizens in VA....of course they aren't doing a good job of hiding it and people in VA are catching on. Our schools have been in the process of a government take over (in earnest) for more than 20 years. If we don't shut down the Department of Education it will never stop. We have to cause a citizen uprising!!
Here is the U.S. Department of Education - Office of Educational Technology document:
"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests"- Patrick Henry
To fix "THE SYSYEM" We must become "THE SYSTEM" - k. bracken "The change we seek has always required great struggle and great sacrifice." - Barack Hussein Obama "The man who speaks to you of sacrifice, speaks of slaves and masters. And intends to be the master." - Ayn Rand
In September of 2011, 60 million health records involving 10 million Americans were illegally confiscated by members of the IRS. The theft took place at an unidentified place of business in California.
Referring to itself as the John Doe Company in a lawsuit filed last week against the 15 IRS agents who took part, plaintiffs claim that "no search warrant authorized the seizure of these records; no subpoena authorized the seizure of these records; none of the 10,000,000 Americans were under any kind of known criminal or civil investigation and their medical records had no relevance whatsoever to the IRS search." (1)
One of the IRS agents who took part in the theft told John Doe Company officials that the government was searching for records involved in a "tax matter" pertaining to a former John Doe employee. Yet when informed that their search warrant did NOT allow for the confiscation-or even the ... Continue Reading:Obama using the IRS for blackmail as well as intimidation?
Retired Army Officer: DHS Must Surrender Their War Weapons to Dept. of Defense
On Saturday March 23, Terry M. Hestilow, a retired Army officer with nearly 30 years of service under his belt, posted this letter he sent to Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) this week. Hestilow wants DHS to hand over their war weapons to the Department of Defense.
The Honorable Senator John Cornyn, State of Texas United States Senate 517 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510
Re: Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and that agencies preparation for war against citizens of the United States of America
Dear Senator Cornyn,
It is with gravest concern that I write to you today concerning the recent appropriation of weapons by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that can only be understood as a bold threat of war by that agency, and the Obama administration, against the citizens of the United States of America. To date, DHS has been unwilling to provide to you, the elected representatives of the People, justification for recent purchases of almost 3,000 mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) armored personnel carriers, 1.6 billion rounds of ammunition (with associated weapons), and other weapons systems, when, in fact, the DHS has no war mission or war making authority within the limits of the United States of America.
Significant is the fact that at the same time the Obama administration is arming his DHS for war within the limits of the United States against the People of the United States in accordance with his 2008 campaign speech claiming,
"We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set. We've gotta (sic) have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well funded [as the United States military]"-Candidate Barack Obama, 2008.
The Obama administration is deliberately defunding, overextending, and hollowing the Department of Defense; the only legitimate agency of the U.S. government with a war mission. This act of the Obama administration stands as a glaring threat of war against our nation's citizens! This act of the Obama administration can only be understood as a tyrannical threat against the Constitution of the United States of America! If left unresolved, the peace loving citizens who have sworn to defend the United States Constitution "against all enemies, both foreign and domestic" are left no option except to prepare to defend themselves, and the U.S. Constitution, against this Administration's "coup" against the People and the foundations of liberty fought for and defended for the past 238 years. We have no choice if we honor our oaths.
The only proper response to this threat against the American people is for the representatives of the People, the members of the U.S. House and Senate, to demand in clear terms that the Administration cannot ignore, that the Department of Homeland Security immediately surrender their newly appropriated weapons of war to the Department of Defense (DoD). Further, since the DHS has assumed a position in the Administration to enforce the tyrannical acts of this president against the People of the United States against the limits of the United States Constitution, it remains for the United States Congress to exercise its limiting power in the balancing of powers established by our founding fathers, to disestablish and dissolve the DHS as soon as possible. One needs only to look to the rise of Adolf Hitler, and his associated DHS organizations, the SA and the SS, of 1932-1934, to see the outcome of allowing an agency of government this kind of control over the free citizens of a nation. The people of Germany could not have imagined, until it was too late, the danger of allowing a tyrant this kind of power. We must not be so naïve as to think it will not happen to us as well if we remain passive toward this power grab by the Marxist Obama administration!
Finally, for more than two centuries the nation has lived in peace at home because of the protections of our legitimate military and the many appropriate state and federal law enforcement agencies, supported by Constitutional courts. We stand today at a cross-road. Will we allow this present Administration to overthrow our United States Constitution and its legal processes to amend injustices, or, will we honor our obligations to defend the Constitution against a "domestic" enemy? Our Constitution lays out the proper methods of resolving our differences; and it does not include its overthrow by a rogue agency of a Marxist leadership at home. You, sir, are our constitutionally elected agent to defend our Constitution at home. We are counting upon you. We remain aware, however, of this present threat and will not expose ourselves as an easy prey to the authors of the destruction of our nation.
I know that this letter demands much of you. We elected you because we, the citizens of the State of Texas, believe that you are up to the task at hand and will, against all threats, honor your oath and office. We are also writing to your fellow members of the House and Senate to stand in integrity with the Constitution and against this present threat by the Obama administration and his DHS.
We refuse to surrender our Constitution or our nation!
Resolved,
Captain Terry M. Hestilow United States Army, Retired Fort Worth, Texas March 23, 2013
TWO IMPORTANT EVENTS:
1)The anti-gun/anti-second amendment group, Bucks Against Gun Violence, and other antigun groups will be holding a rally at the Doylestown County Courthouse on Saturday March 30th at Noon. There will be the parents of gun murdered Corey Kesselman speaking, who was Killed By being shot in the back by a SHOTGUN after a drug situation gone bad .
Please show up with signs like GUNS PROTECT WOMEN CHILDREN AND THE HELPLESS; CITIZENS USE GUNS 2MILLION TIMES A YEAR FOR PROTECTION.
Please no aggressive signs, just positive pro-gun signs and wear paraphernalia that distinguishes you from THEM, like NRA logos, Freedom is not Free or TEA PARTY stuff.
PLEASE SEE their FLYER
2) Commissioner Marseglia is trying to exclude any County retirement funds that invest in firearm manufacturing, but also in firearm sales. This is outrageous and stinks of a total firearms ban and a an attack of free enterprise. Stores like Cabelas and Dick's fall into that category.Challenge her at the next Commissioner meeting and ask her if this means that she advocates a total gun ban for hunters and sportsmen as well as protection. What does this have to do as she expounds"control unsafe gun use" See the below Intel story.
Commissioner's Meeting
April 3, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. Bucks County Courthouse Community Room 55 E. Court St., 1st Floor, Doylestown
Should Bucks County invest in guns?
By James McGinnis Staff writer | Posted: Thursday, March 21, 2013
It's no secret Bucks County spends millions of dollars each year to combat and prosecute gun crime.
What's harder to figure out - even for a county commissioner - is just how much the government invests in gun manufacturing and sales.
Commissioner Diane Marseglia said she's spent more than a month investigating the county's pension fund and a portfolio of investments, which includes some gun makers and distributors.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors urged all local and state governments to cut ties with 'irresponsible' gun companies in the wake of the Dec. 14 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, which left 20 children and six adults dead.
At Marseglia's request, investment adviser PFM Asset Management LLC said it contacted the six managers of portfolios held in the Bucks County Employees' Retirement Fund. The majority does not hold any such investments, PFM said.
However, a shortlist provided by the firm does include a military defense contractor, a firm selling guns to civilians and some sporting goods stores that sell firearms. Marseglia said she will call on her fellow commissioners to study the portfolios in greater detail.
"This is something that we can all do to try to control unsafe gun use because our lawmakers in Washington can't seem to do it," said Marseglia. "I think what we need here is a more exhaustive search."
Her fellow commissioners, Robert Loughery and Charley Martin, aren't as keen on the idea, though.
Announcing - Women On Target, Getting Comfortable With Firearms
Place: Wicen's Shooting Range, 3179 Mozart Road, Furlong, PA 18925
Date: April 26-27.
This is a 2-day class, 4 hours total. You may attend Day 1 classroom only, or you may attend both Day 1 classroom & Day 2 shooting event. You may NOT attend Day 2 shooting event without attending the Day 1 classroom portion. (Some students may choose not to attend the shooting portion, but we will encourage them to do so.)
Day 1 Classroom (40 people maximum): Friday, April 26, 2013 from 7-9pm Day 2 Range: Saturday, April 27, 2013 Two sessions (20 people each maximum): First come first serve 9 am -11 am 1 pm - 3 pm
Cost: Each Day is $25.00. Total cost if you attend both Day 1 and Day 2 will be $50.00 per student. You must make payment in the form of check or cash.
On Day 1 students will take an after-hours range tour, learn firearm safety, reasons to own a firearm, and have the opportunity to handle and ask questions about various pistols, rifles and shotguns.
On Day 2 students will split into 3 small groups, and have the opportunity to shoot pistols, rifles and shotguns, with an NRA Certified Instructor coaching them through each safety step.
All firearms and ammunition will be supplied. Up to 50 rounds per student will be allocated.
This will be performed by Lori Wicen of Wicen's Range (not CGOBC):
Email will be checked each evening and respond accordingly. Please note how many ladies will be attending this course in your email. (Lori will answer and allocate spots according to the time stamp on the email from you.)
Lori will keep a chart of interest, and then highlight when their check is received.
Lori will let us know (via the the Facebook post) when she has 15 in either Saturday session so we know when one class is almost full.
Check must be at least $25.00 (per person) .. you may pay the entire $50 (per person) if you want to lock in both days. If you only pay $25 (per person) then your Saturday class will not be locked in and you risk not getting the time slot you desire.
Please make check payable to: Wicen's Shooting Range Mailed to: Wicen's Shooting Range 3179 Mozart Road Furlong, PA 18925 note in comment area or enclose a note: WOT April 26, and specify morning or afternoon Saturday session, put their telephone number on the check ***You must submit payment (cash or check only) no later than close of business Saturday April 13th or your spot will be released.
contact info: loriwicen@yahoo.com Telephone at the range: 215-598-3534 leave a message!
************************************************ There will be a raffle on day one where four lucky women will receive their $25 "DAY 1" payment refunded and on day two there will be a raffle where four lucky women (two in each session) will receive their "DAY 2" payment refunded. ************************************************ As an added bonus through the generosity of Tanner's Sport Center, Ray Tanner is offering 5% off a gun purchase to attendees of the course after completion of the full course.
***Please refer all questions pertaining to this course to Lori Wicen. loriwicen@yahoo.com 215-598-3534
Terri's Day 2013!
Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network announces the, "International Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Terri Schindler Schiavo, and All of Our Vulnerable Brothers and Sisters," (Terri's Day!), which is typically observed each year on March 31, the anniversary of Terri's death.Because Easter falls on March 31, this year Terri's Day Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, April 5, 2013. (Read below)
National Memorial Mass for Terri's Day!
This year's Terri's Day Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, April 5, 2013 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul located at 18th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
The mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Charles Chaput, Archbishop of the Diocese of Philadelphia, beginning at 5:00 p.m. All are invited to attend.
Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network's Award Gala with Governor Sarah Palin
Following the Memorial Mass, there will be the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network's Award Gala, currently scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception. This dinner gala will be held at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, located at 1201 Market Street in Philadelphia. The first "Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Award" will be presented.
*As you may know, Philadelphia parking is very limited in the city, particularly around the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul. The Marriott, however; has plenty of parking available. Please plan ahead.
Introduction to Terri's Day!
We invite individual believers to spend time on that day learning about Terri, and praying for all whose lives are threatened in the same way that Terri's was.
We invite Churches to hold memorial services and to educate their people on the dignity of every human life, despite any disability or disease with which that life may be afflicted.
We invite educational institutions to help dispel the myths and inaccuracies about Terri's life and death, and to contribute to our society's debate regarding the rights of the disabled by providing accurate, factual information and mature reflection on the ethical demands of caring for the weak and vulnerable.
We invite all people to use the resources on this website and to help us continue to draw good out of the sad and tragic way in which Terri was treated.
in support of ACTION of PA Cumberland County Chapter
Thursday, April 4, 2013
8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
The Bongiorno Conference Center 430 Union Hall Rd. Carlisle, PA
This presentation will provide Biblical worldview answers for such key questions as:
Is there hope for America?
What is God's role for pastors in our time?
How do we rebuild the walls?
Speakers and Program for the Morning Include:
8:30-9:00 a.m. - Welcome
9:00-9:35 a.m. - Hon. Sam Rohrer, President, PA Pastors' Network - presents the need for pastors to "Stand in the Gap"
9:35-9:55 a.m. - Pastor Gary Dull, Faith Baptist Church of Altoona and PPN Leadership Council Member presents the content for pastors to "Preach the Word"
10:00-10:40 - Pastor Jim Arcieri, Community Bible Fellowship Church and PPN Leadership Council Member presents the "Tools" for pastors to "Rebuilding the Walls"
It will be a vital addition to your ministry when you attend this very important luncheon. ABSOLUTELY FREE! Olive Tree Ministries and our event hosts invite you to join us for a Middle East Briefing with Pastor Victor Styrsky on April 4th and 5th. Victor a speaker your will love! His straight forward and passionate heart drew enthusiastic response last Fall when his powerful message about Israel reached audiences throughout Delaware and Pennsylvania region. Victor has just returned from Israel where he hosted over 50 pastors on life - changing tours and briefings. As the First State, Delaware need to be on God's radar in support fo Israel, the apple of His eye! Won't you become part of our initiative here in this area to bring together Pastors, Rabbis and congregational Leaders for Israel? NOW is the time! We will look forward to having you join us. Staff of Olive Tree Ministries.
Click above to register for either or both events Bring spouses and guests. You will be linking directly to the CUFI registration pages. Your guests are welcome but each individual person must register as indicated on the registration pages.
SAVE THE DATE: APRIL 16th CITIZENS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT
hosts PEG LUKSIK on Indoctrination in Education
Founder & Chairman Pennsylvania Parents Commission and National Parents Commission - to give parents a voice in education and public policy: State-wide leader in successful effort to stop implementation of Outcome Based Education
Founder, CEO, Chair Board of Trustees of Mom's House - service network assisting single parents and children in completing education to become employable
State Chairman, Constitutional Party of Pennsylvania 1995
T.V. host "The Learning Curve"
Co-author "Outcome Based Education: The States Assault on our Children's Values"
WHO CONTROLS THE CHILDREN??For a preview of this fantastic speaker, watch this dynamite YouTube video
Peg Luksik "Who Controls Our Children" How Public Schools Dumb Down Kids
Updated PA Leadership Conference Agenda Released
The conference which will be held April 19-20, 2013 at the Radisson Penn Harris Convention Center in Camp Hill (Harrisburg), PA.
Registration includes admission to all conference functions EXCEPT the pre-dinner reception. Registration DOES include the Friday evening dinner with speaker Steve Hayes of Fox News/The Weekly Standard (do not register separately for the dinner); the Saturday breakfast with John Gizzi and Saturday lunch with pollster/commentator Scott Rasmussen. It also includes all panels, workshops and speakers. The only function NOT included in the registration fee is the pre-dinner reception with Steve Hayes, which is priced separately.
Depart: Doylestown Library When: 8 AM Rally at the Capitol followed by lobbying visits 12noon Returning to Doylestown 8:30
Cost is Free To reserve your spot
Please Call Anastasia at 215-534-1851
April 23rd-Bus Trip-2nd Amendment Rally
Depart: Doylestown Library When: 7:30 a.m. Arrive: Harrisburg, PA Depart: 2:30 p.m. Cost: $50.00 due ASAP to reserve bus(es) Includes: Shirt, Drink
Please mail your check payable to CGOBC as follows:
CGOBC PO Box 745 Doylestown, PA 18901
Come join the Concerned Gun Owners of Bucks County (COGBC) on their bus trip to Harrisburg to promote H.B. 357. Plan on entering the capital to meet with your legislators and to support your 2nd Amendment Right!
FrackNation is a documentary on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and the natural gas boom in the US and abroad. FrackNation shows how unfounded opposition to fracking is damaging the lives of some of the poorest and hardest working people in America. FrackNation dispels myths and tells the story of the people directly affected by fracking bans.
FrackNation premiered January 22, 2013 on Mark Cuban's AXS TV. The New York Times called the film "meticulously researched...provocative." And Variety said it was a "briskly paced...mischievous pic."
The film was created and directed by the husband and wife team of Phelim McAleer and the always outrageous Ann McElhinney. Ann will be speaking on April 20th at the upcoming PA Leadership Conference. DVDs of the film will be available for purchase at the PA Coalition booth at PLC
Phelim will be touring Pennsylvania for a series of screenings across the Commonwealth. Listed below are venues and dates for screenings in April. Additional screenings are planned for May including one in the Pittsburgh area. If your grass roots group would like to schedule a screening, please contact Magdalena Segieda at magda@fracknation.com
We are so blessed that over the last four years thousands of churches in over 60 countries have stood in solidarity with Israel through CUFI Sunday. From the largest cities to the smallest towns, from mega churches in the American heartland to underground churches in China, Christians have come together to express their love and support for Israel.
We pray that your church will participate in the fifth annual CUFI Sunday on May 5, 2013. CUFI will provide you with all the materials you need to implement a successful CUFI Sunday, including videos, literature and Pastor John Hagee's personal sermon notes for your use.
Please click hereto participate in CUFI Sunday. As you'll see, you don't have to be a pastor to ensure that your church stands with Israel on CUFI Sunday.
The date we've chosen for CUFI Sunday -- May 5th -- is close to Israeli Independence Day. As the Jewish State celebrates her 65th birthday, there is no better present we can send than the news of thousands of churches standing in solidarity with her!
We look forward to uniting in action and prayer on behalf of Israel with you and your congregation on May 5, 2013.
May God Bless You and Those that You Love,
Pastor John Hagee National Chairman
David Brog Executive Director
Announcing the 2013 National Conference
& Legislative Briefing!
June 19 - 21 we will convene at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC for our fourth annual National Conference & Legislative Briefing.
And here's some really great news: This year's registration fee is only $229! Register by April 15th and you'll receive our "Early Bird" rate of just $189!
We also offer again this year special benefits for Patriot Eagle and Patriot sponsors.
We have some exciting new wrinkles planned for this year's event, and our list of confirmed speakers already includes:
Steven Emerson - Journalist, author, and the Executive Editor of the Investigative Project on Terrorism. A. M. Rosenthal, late-managing editor of The New York Times, described Emerson as "one of the nation's best national security correspondents."
John Guandolo - Former FBI agent and one of America's leading authorities on the Muslim Brotherhood and its inner workings in America. Guandolo spoke at our conference in 2011 and received rave reviews from conference attendees!
Ezra Levant - Canadian lawyer, author, newspaper columnist with Sun Media, and former publisher of the Western Standard. Hauled before a Canadian "human rights commission" because he published the Danish cartoons that satirized Muhammad, Levant's personal account of a politically correct government inquisition is something you won't want to miss!
The National Conference & Legislative Briefing will begin on Wed. evening, June 19th, and conclude on Friday, June 21st at noon, with additional optional training sessions Friday afternoon.
It will again feature our very popular Capitol Hill Awards Luncheon and our signature gala banquet-and of course, our Legislative Briefing, where Members of Congress will brief you on various issues and answer your questions.
So make your plans now to join us in our nation's capital for what promises to be our best National Conference & Legislative Briefing ever!
More details to come!
As Israelis celebrate their 65th Independence Day this year, we should all take time out to reflect on the miracle of Israel's independence. We must also ask ourselves the question, "What can I do to ensure that this miracle of Israel survives and thrives?"
We announced earlier this week that we'll be headed to New Orleans the first weekend in August for this year's RedState Gathering. As a member of our RedState family, we'd like to extend exclusive Early Bird registration and pricing to you (just use the promo code EARLYBIRD on the registration page).
The 2013 RedState Gathering will be held August 2-3 at the Westin Canal Place in New Orleans, LA. We'll have two full days of speakers and activities and you can expect a good mix of elected officials and potential candidates for the 2014 cycle (we'll keep you informed as additions are made).
The Gathering has always been a unique event, in that all speakers, even the most in-demand and influential, pay their own way and make their own travel arrangements. This helps keep our costs low, a savings we are happy to pass along to our conference attendees. Additionally, we strive to get you up close to the speakers, ask them to take your questions, and we take care of nearly all your meals during the conference. Bottom line: fewer frills, more thrills and access.
We are thrilled to once again be joined by Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, who will be hosting a reception for all attendees and appear at the Gathering podium as a keynote speaker. A huge hit in 2012, we're looking forward to Gov. Jindal playing an even larger role this year as he welcomes us to his home state.
Now, more than ever, true conservative activists must come together to exchange ideas and strategize for the future. That's what this year's Gathering is all about. We hope you'll join us.
P.S. Don't delay! You'll receive 20% off if you register today - just use the promo code EARLYBIRD. Click here.
Glenn: Help us get in millions of home
Why should you support the "Get TheBlaze" movement to get TheBlaze in millions of homes across the country? For starters, how about a network that will cancel out the damage Al-Jazeera will be doing in America as it replaces Current in your lineup? Check out Glenn's "why" in this exclusive letter HERE.
Ready to take action? Click here to contact your TV provider and urge them to add TheBlaze.
ATTENTION: Are you a Verizon FiOS Subscriber? They've created a new form for you to fill out to request TheBlaze! You can complete the form HERE. And don't forget to make your request public by posting on their Facebook page. Thank you for supporting us!
Sirius XM adds TheBlaze Radio News to Patriot channel
Sirius XM Radio announced today that TheBlaze, Glenn Beck's multi-platform news, information, and opinion network, will produce 24/7 hourly radio newscasts on SiriusXM Patriot, SiriusXM's conservative talk channel. DETAILS
If you're like most of TheBlaze TV community, you watched the first episode of For the Record when it premiered and immediately wanted to share the truth about how the NSA has turned America into a surveillance state. Now, due to popular demand, we have made this must-see episode available on DVD.
The restoration of journalism has begun. For The Record is an investigative news magazine with no political agenda and nothing to lose. Probing, fair, but unforgiving. Journalism the way it used to be.
Don't miss your chance to own the premiere episode of For The Record. Watch as For the Record investigates how the NSA turned America into a surveillance state. Hear from former NSA employees who left the agency after discovering the government was spying on her people. Plus, join us as we investigate a facility being built in Utah slated to become the largest information-gathering center in the country.
This chilling, one-hour episode, reminds us all that with every call, every email...the government is watching.
We can't rely on "honest" journalists to get this information to the public, so we are counting on YOU. Order your copy now.
TheBlaze | 1133 Avenue of the Americas | New York, NY 10036 | TheBlaze LLC | All Rights Reserved 2013
Hi All - I just spoke w/ Lisa Lnancollas@aol.com (717 437 1327) who lives in Lewistown, Pa and is majorly involved in fighting the smart meters............and it's more than just electric, it's water, furnaces/ac's and wells too
We need to share this information. I asked her if she'd speak to groups in our area and she said yes, but would like to include Mike Reese who's written several bills that we want to get out of committee and approved:
2.signs in our yards saying NO SMART METERS......put them around like election signs
3.Let our State Reps know how you feel ie Warren Kampf....tell him you're in favor of the bills against smart meters
4.Do neighbor alerts........call your neighbors if you see trucks coming into the area
5.Write letters to the editors....remember if they get several letters, they're more likely to put at least one in.....educate the public
6.Prepare handouts
7.Send certified letter to electric company and get return receipt of name of person who signed for it
Be aware:
Water Smart Meters.........(IF YOU LET THEM IN, you're giving permission.) YOU DO NOT HAVE TO LET THEM IN
Well Smart Meters......are coming and will limit the amount of water you use.
If you get someone knocking on your door asking if you want to save money on your heat/ac, do not say yes or they'll put a clip on your unit that will limit your usage of air conditioning. The fan will work, but your usage will be CONTROLLED.
IF you get a new wall mount (thermostat & it may be required w/ a new ac unit because of the wiring) for your AC DO NOT GET ONE WITH A GPS in it........there is a cheaper model that has no GPS........ask questions BEFORE you start or consider any changes!!!!!!!!
This week in voter ID news...
ARKANSAS
AR Governor Vetoes Voter ID Bill - Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe on Monday vetoed a bill proposing citizens show photo identification before casting a ballot, citing risks it could disenfranchise voters, the governor's office said.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
NH House Freezes Voter ID Law, Rejects Repeal - The New Hampshire House rejected a proposal Thursday to repeal the state's voter identification law, instead passing legislation that would prevent tighter regulations from taking effect until the attorney general's office completes an inquiry into the last election.
TENNESSEE
House to Hear New Version of Voter ID Bill - The measure was amended in a House committee last week to remove the use of student IDs. Less than a week before, the full Senate voted 21-8 to pass a bill to allow such IDs.
Secretary of State Prepares for Voter ID Bill Push - Members of the AFL-CIO, ACLU, League of Women Voters, AARP and others joined Tennant during the press conference. The entire event was spent discussing the potential harm of requiring photo identification be shown in order to vote.
The bill was vetoed by the governor. This bill requires a voter to show current, valid, government-issued, photographic proof of identity in order to vote a regular ballot. A voter ID card may be issued, without a fee or charge, to anyone who is of legal voting age and who does not have a valid Arkansas driver's license. When voting by mail, voters must verify their name and address by submitting a copy of a photo ID, utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document. Certain voters would be exempt from this requirement.
The bill was read a second time in the Assembly. This bill would provide that a voter registration application would not be deemed incomplete on the basis that a voter applicant failed to state his or her place of birth.
The bill was read a second time and amended. This bill would additionally require that a registrant provide proof of residency in order for a conditional voter registration to be deemed effective. Driver's license, student ID, tribal ID, or signed oaths from a fellow registered voter are considered sufficient proof of residency.
The bill was amended and read a second time. This bill would require county elections officials to cancel the voter registrations of voters who fail to respond to an address verification mailing sent between the date of the mailing and the two federal elections after the date of the mailing. Address verification mailings are sent in response to change-of-address data received from the United States Postal Service or consumer credit reportage agency.
The bill was re-referred to the Committee on Government Organization. This bill requires all state Web sites to include a link to electronic voter registration.
The bill is scheduled for a hearing by the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee on April 2. This bill would extend California's pre-registration policy to citizens at least 15 years of age. Currently, 17-year-old citizens can pre-register to vote and would be automatically eligible to vote upon turning 18.
The bill was signed by the governor. This bill requires the Dept. of Human Services' division of youth corrections to facilitate the voter registration and voting of individuals who are confined to a juvenile facility and who will be 18 years of age or older on the date of the next election.
The bill was heard by the Government Administration and Elections Committee. This bill would "maximize voter participation through early voting and other initiatives."
The bill was sent to the governor. This bill allows counties that offer absentee voting; have access to the statewide voter registration system; and count ballots at a central location to also conduct early voting. Under this bill, early voting would begin on or before the third Monday before the election and end at 5:00 p.m. on the Friday before the election.
The bill was re-referred to the Rules Committee. This bill requires voters to present government-issued photo ID to vote a regular ballot. The secretary of state would be required to issue a "Voter Identification Card" to each registered voter who does not have an acceptable form of photo ID for voting purposes. Voters who are indigent or who have a religious objection to being photographed may vote a provisional ballot and sign an affidavit that indicates one of the exemptions.
The bills were re-referred to the Rules Committee and Senate Assignments Committee, respectively. This bill requires the State Board of Elections to establish and maintain a system for online voter registration, which will allow applicants to register to vote and to change their existing registration.
The bills were re-referred to the House Rules Committee and Senate Assignments Committee, respectively. This bill requires all voters to show government-issued photo identification card to the election judge at their polling place (now, required only when voting early).
The bills were re-referred to Assignments Committee. This bill provides that the State Board of Elections assists the local election authorities in implementing a system in order to issue voter registration identification cards with a photograph of the voter. The bill provides that a person desiring to vote shall present a valid and current photograph identification to vote a regular ballot or else cast a provisional ballot. The State Board of Elections would establish an aggressive voter education program concerning the provisions in this Act.
The bill was re-referred to the Assignments committee. This bill permits grace period voting and early voting until the day before the primary or election (now, the 3rd day before the primary or election).
The bill is scheduled to be heard this week by the Joint Committee on Election Laws. This bill requires elections officers to ask each voter for their full name and address, as well as a government-issued ID.
The bill was first read in the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee. This bill would allow a person to register to vote or update an existing voter registration during the early voting period at an early voting center in the person's county of residence. The applicant must provide proof of residency when registering to vote. The voter would be issued a ballot if the election judge determines whether the applicant resides in the county.
The bills passed both houses. This bill establishes early voting in New Jersey, starting on the fifth Monday before Election Day and ending on the second calendar day before the election. Early voting would be available Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The bill was sent to the governor. This bill provides that the polling place entrances meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; provides "reasonable" polling places access to "journalists"; provides that disabled voters receive assistance in the marking of the ballot by two election officials of different political parties; proves that the ten-minute time limit to occupy a voting booth would not apply to disabled voters; provides that in-person absentee polling places remain open for voters who are still waiting in line at the time that the polling place closes.
The bill was sent to the governor. This bill amends provisions for a poll worker to provide a provisional ballot to a voter who may not live in the voting precinct but is a resident of the county. The provisional ballot may be used as a voter registration form in the voter's county of residence.
The bill was signed by the governor (Chapter 491). This bill codifies the State Board of Elections current practice to check the monthly list of felony convictions received from the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE) against the registered voters maintained on the voter registration system and notify the appropriate general registrar of any voter who is disqualified to vote due to a felony conviction.
The bill was signed by the governor (Chapter 435). This bill directs the State Board of Elections to conduct a pilot program with at least three other states by July 1, 2014, to determine the number of duplicate registrations and report in September 2014 to the Committees on Privileges and Elections on the number of duplicate registrations discovered and the steps taken by the Board to eliminate duplicate registrations.
The bill was signed by the governor (Chapter 520). This bill provides that a person who is qualified to register to vote may apply to register to vote by electronic means authorized by the State Board of Elections.
* Bill list sourced from Project Vote or Thomas.gov.
Important Announcement from SFL
Across America, state and local officials are writing bills and resolutions to protect citizen's from Agenda 21's policies. Because many people do not recognize Agenda 21 in action, property owners still remain at risk.
To help officials recognize Agenda 21's footprint, SFL created a document in a Q&A format that answers:
How do I know Agenda 21 exists in the U.S.?
What does Agenda 21 have to do with sustainable development?
What is wrong with the Brundtland Commission's definition of sustainable development?
How do I know the UN's sustainable development is the same one in our community?
I thought sustainable development is good, what makes you think it is so bad?
How can something like this happen in America?
How will I recognize Agenda 21?
The document has a lot more information for community members and officials, including a brief history of Agenda 21 and actions to take to have safe planning without top-down intervention.
Grants issued in conjunction with government 'sustainability initiatives' contain stipulations or implementation practices that are the primary doorway for Agenda 21/sustainable development to enter your community. These stipulations often require no growth boundaries, income integration through low-income housing demands, reduced vehicle usage, healthy cities, livability principles and other forms of social engineering.
Other grants issued by non-profit groups such as the Packard, Pew or Carnegie Foundations, frequently promote Agenda 21. Often this happens when HUD or some other federal agency funds the foundation with the money they in turn offer as a sustainability-related grant.
Non-governmental organizations:
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) including ICLEI, the Nature Conservancy, American Farmland Trust and the American Planning Association have close ties to HUD-EPA-DOT sustainability initiatives and promote Agenda 21 through their regional and community work, conservation easements and funding.
Federal agencies:
Federal agency Acts including the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act and Endangered Species Act have so expanded, that individual's rights are losing way to unfounded and often exaggerated endangerment findings. The solutions to their findings invariably require fines, taxes, property rights' infringements or the outright transfer of private lands to the government.
Preservation programs, National Parks, Historic Places and Byways, Heritage Sites and Legacy Forest programs have exceeded prudent land and species' protection and are now confiscating massive quantities of the U.S. land mass in alignment with Agenda 21 principles.
The planning process:
Planners' surveys - contain unfair questions that do not express all of resident's options
Consensus meetings - are conducted in ways that elicit responses that support the planner's goals rather than genuine community desires
Visioning sessions- may be over-conducted to the point that the vision belongs to the facilitator and only appears to be that of the community.
Stakeholder meetings - can produce misleading results when the stakeholders do not represent the average community member. Frequently the "stakeholders" have a financial or ideological interest in implementing the plan.
Zoning regulations - originating with the American Planning Association (and others,) contains language that establishes the legal framework to implement Agenda 21 in communities. HUD, other federal agencies and firms such as Siemens funded the development of the APA's Growing Smart Legislative Guidebook, 2nd ed. These supporters all have a stake in Agenda 21's implementation.
Conservation easements - often contain undiscussed clauses that severely restrict property owners' rights, reduce property values and favor the land trust for future contract changes.
Regionalism:
Regional councils replace much of the local officials' authority with unelected boardmembers.
As the regional council matures, local rule diminishes, leaving citizens with more distant and reduced representation.
Once a region is formed, the ability to oppose sustainable development is limited.
Generally, when the regional council accepts grant monies, all tethered communities are bound by the grant stipulations.
Regional planning often includes tax base sharing which promotes wealth transfer by forcing community members to pay for services in other locations.
Regional planning often includes "no growth boundaries" that force housing into urban and inner ring suburban areas. This reduces homebuyers' choices and artificially inflates the value of some properties, while reducing it for others.
Awareness about Agenda 21 is finally spreading throughout the country, due in no small part to your efforts. But knowing it is there isn't enough. Now we need to educate ourselves on how to combat it. That's where you come in.
American Policy Center has recently released a booklet that explains everything you need to know to start fighting back against sustainable programs both locally and nationally. The booklet is called Special Report: Agenda 21 and How to Stop It and is available in the APC store for only $5.95.
I wrote this 35 page booklet in order to give activists a succinct resource they can refer to if they suspect Agenda 21 or Sustainable Development is being implemented in their area. It includes my own research coupled with incredibly helpful graphics created by Carroll County, Maryland Commissioner Richard Rothschild.
In the booklet you will find answers to several roadblocks that grassroots anti-Agenda 21 activists often face, including a definition of property rights and "Resolution to Protect Citizens' Property Rights," which many concerned citizens are already using to tie the hands of power hungry politicians.
This booklet is a great resource for anyone interested in preserving their property rights. It includes all the information to put up a first line of defense and step by step instructions for how to proceed from there. If you face Agenda 21 or Sustainable development in your area or are simply concerned with the national fight this booklet is a must read.
P.S. - The American Policy Center store has recently updated our inventory to include everything you need to fight back against Agenda 21. The revamped catalogue includes the "Stop Agenda 21 Action Kit", which provides users with everything they need to know about Agenda 21 in their own living room, as well as ways to share it with other concerned activists and critical knowledge on how to fight back. The store also offers DVDs of past successful conferences and symposiums, books and articles that deal with the issues of sustainability and Agenda 21 and individually packaged manuals and workbooks to aid you in your activism. You don't need to look any farther than the American Policy Center Store for everything you need to combat Agenda 21 and Sustainable Development in your area.
It's time to opt out of the creepy federal data-mining racket.
By Michelle Malkin
Last week, I reported on the federal government's massive new student-tracking database, which was created as part of the nationalized Common Core standards scheme.
The bad news: GOP "leadership" continues to ignore or, worse, enable this Nanny State racket. (Hello, Jeb Bush.)
The good news: A grassroots revolt outside the Beltway bubble is swelling. Families are taking their children's academic and privacy matters out of the snoopercrats' grip and into their own hands. You can now download a Common Core opt-out form to submit to your school district, courtesy of the group Truth in American Education.
Parents caught off guard by the stealthy tracking racket are now mobilizing across the country. According to the
New York Daily News
, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, echoing parents across New York City, blasted the tracking database in a letter to government officials: "I don't want my kids' privacy bought and sold like this." This Wednesday, prompted by parental objections, Oklahoma state representatives unanimously passed House Bill 1989 - the Student Data Accessibility, Transparency and Accountability Act - to prohibit the release of confidential student data without the written consent of the student's parent or guardian.As I noted in last week's column, the national Common Core student database was funded with Obama stimulus money. Grants also came from the liberal Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (which largely underwrote and promoted the top-down Common Core curricular scheme). A division of the conservative Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. built the database infrastructure. A nonprofit startup, "inBloom, Inc.," evolved out of this strange-bedfellows partnership to operate the invasive database, which is compiling everything from health-care histories, income information, and religious affiliations to voting status, blood types, and homework completion.
And it gets worse. Research fellow Joy Pullmann at the Heartland Institute points to a February Department of Education report on its data-mining plans that contemplates the use of creepy student-monitoring techniques such as "functional magnetic resonance imaging" and "using cameras to judge facial expressions, an electronic seat that judges posture, a pressure-sensitive computer mouse and a biometric wrap on kids' wrists."
The DOE report exposes the big lie that Common Core is about raising academic standards. The report instead reveals Common Core's progressive designs to measure and track children's "competencies" in "recognizing bias in sources," "flexibility," "cultural awareness and competence," "appreciation for diversity," "empathy," "perspective taking, trust, [and] service orientation."
That's right. School districts and state governments are pimping out highly personal data on children's feelings, beliefs, "biases," and "flexibility" instead of doing their own jobs of imparting knowledge - and minding their own business. And yes, Republicans such as former Florida governor Jeb Bush continue to falsely defend the centralized Common Core regime as locally driven and non-coercive, while ignoring the database system's circumvention of federal student-privacy laws.
Why? Edu-tech nosybodies are using the Common Core assessment boondoggle as a Trojan horse to collect and crunch massive amounts of personal student data for their own social-justice or moneymaking ends. Reminder: Nine states have entered into contracts with inBloom: Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, and North Carolina. Countless other vendors are salivating at the business possibilities in exploiting public-school students.
Marxism in Education - The Infiltration of Our School Systems by the Common Core Standards
Details
Written by Terresa Monroe-Hamilton
Right Side News has been reporting on progressive education reformers and the Common Core Standards being implemented in our public schools across the nation. Here is an excellent article with videos detailing how the Obama Administration is requiring the public schools in your county through grants (bribes) to adopt Common Core Standards.
Bottom line: the Obama Administration is using your tax money to indoctrinate your children to a Marxist mindset. You can make a difference, as explained below the videos by downloading an OPT-OUT form and submitting that to your local school district.
Terresa Monroe-Hamilton, Noisy Room Blog
I caught Glenn Beck on The Blaze and his excellent showcasing of Obama's Common Core Standards that are now in 45 states, including my state of Idaho. Common Core is Marxism for children. It is state run propaganda and is meant to dumb down and control our little ones. It is evil and it has been a long time coming. Obama pushed it through slyly and quickly after coming into office, but I can tell you, this has been brewing since at least the 1990s.
A little background... When my children were in school in the 1990s, my husband and I requested to see the school curriculum for their school in Las Vegas, Nevada. We were refused and basically told we were too dumb to understand what the teachers were instructing our son and daughter in. The last straw came when they wanted to put my daughter in the second grade on Ritalin instead of disciplining her. I was pulled in front of four teachers and accused of not raising my daughter correctly, as well as basically being an abusive and stupid parent.
I promptly told these teachers that they could pound sand and pulled our children (our son was in third grade at the time) out of school that very same day. I left the Fortune 500 and home schooled both of them till high school and in retrospect, should have kept them out even then. My children could not do the simplest of math or read when we pulled them out. I tested them and started them all over again with the ABEKA home schooling system, which at the time, cost a great deal of money.
Forty-five states, the District of Columbia, four territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity have adopted the Common Core State Standards.
Has Communist Ideology Overtaken America? Education is crucial. Today I want to share two very interesting lists with you, and rather than adding an extensive amount of my commentary, I want to give you the chance to examine the facts for yourself. It is my opinion that many communist goals have already been accomplished. I also believe that advancement has been made in other areas. But, you owe it to yourself to do your own research. I believe not only in the freedom of speech, but also in the responsibility of free thought. So please don't take my word for it. Examine the facts for yourself.
Again, I want to share two lists with you. The first is a list that was entered into 1963 Congressional Record. The second is the 10 planks of The Communist Manifesto.
If you can't see this happening in America, and a ton of progress being made, then I offer two potential explanations:
You are one of the "useful idiots" of communist teaching.
I am one of the "village idiots" that your Mama probably warned you about.
Some of these points will be open for debate and some will not. In some cases it is blatantly obvious that they have achieved their goals. It is even rumored that our own President has deep communist ties. You might want to check that out as well but I will withhold my opinion at this point. Let's just lay it out and you can interpret it.
This list was originally printed in "The Naked Communist" by Cleon Skousen. It was entered into Congressional Record in 1963 as the 45 goals of "The Communist Takeover of America."
If I Were the Devil - (BEST VERSION) by PAUL HARVEY audio restored
America needs a history lesson
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Wednesday, March 27, 2013
To: Friends & Supporters
From: Gary L. Bauer
March For Marriage
As the Supreme Court was deliberating yesterday on the constitutionality of normal marriage, thousands of Americans made their voices heard in the March for Marriage. The crowd was estimated to be between 7,000 and 10,000 people. The gathering was noteworthy in part because of the large number of minorities who were there standing for faith, family and freedom.
There was a fascinating moment when the vanguard of the march reached the Supreme Court. Homosexual, anti-traditional marriage protestors had gathered outside the court building. Of course, being the "tolerant" sort, they immediately began heckling the marchers. But the shrill voices demanding a radical redefinition of marriage quickly hushed as they saw more women, blacks and Hispanics among our ranks.
The marchers were overwhelmingly Christians. There were white women from North Carolina and Latinos from New York City. I was struck that these people have invested in different political parties for different reasons. Many minorities are Democrats because they believe in helping the poor. Many are Republicans because they believe in smaller government.
But they all believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman. Regrettably, they have never been able to unite in a political party that supports their values. As a result, values voters increasingly find their issues relegated to the back burner, with few champions in the political arena, and left to the whims of unelected judges. That this why so many have become cynical and disengaged from the political process.
I addressed the March for Marriage yesterday. I finished my remarks by telling the crowd, "I'm a Republican -- many of you I'm sure are Democrats -- I'm a Republican. Let me say to my party: If you bail out on this issue, I will leave the party and I will take as many people with me as I possibly can." It was not an idle threat. If the GOP came out in favor of bigger government and higher taxes, how long do you think liberterians would stay in the party? We can't allow the party to take us for granted either.
Learn From The NRA
After the CBS Evening News finished its lead segments promoting same-sex marriage, it reported the results of a new poll on Second Amendment rights. Immediately after the Sandy Hook shootings 57% of the public favored more restrictions on your constitutional rights to own a weapon. Yet after several weeks of browbeating by the media, statements by Barack Obama and millions of dollars of ads by Michael Bloomberg, support for gun restrictions has fallen ten points. More people now favor leaving gun laws as they are or support relaxing those laws.
I believe the reason for the shift is the effectiveness of the National Rifle Association. It is big enough, has plenty of resources and has avoided being tied to just one party. And in spite of terrible polling weeks ago, it refused to cower and has aggressively made its case for why more laws are a bad idea.
Against all the odds, one organization that believes in its mission has been able to turn the tide. Maybe Republican elites should go over to the NRA and get a lesson in winning rather than managing their losses.
What Will They Do?
It is always dangerous to try to predict how the Supreme Court will rule on a case based on the proceedings during oral arguments. Many liberals were terrified after the hearing on Obamacare, but the court ultimately upheld the law as a tax.
Yesterday's arguments on Proposition 8 left many on both sides of the issue feeling that the justices were hesitant to make a sweeping ruling that would invalidate traditional marriage laws across the country, in the same way that Roe legalized abortion virtually overnight.
Several justices questioned why they even took the case. A few questioned the impact on children. As Justice Alito noted:
"Traditional marriage has been around for thousands of years. Same-sex marriage is very new. There isn't a lot of data about its effect. And it may turn out to be a good thing. . . But you want us to step in and render a decision based on an assessment of the effects of this institution (same-sex marriage) which is newer than cell phones or the Internet? I mean we do not have the ability to see the future."
There is plenty of research supporting the traditional family -- not to mention history and common sense. And I am glad the justices did not buy into the lie that there is plenty of research supporting same-sex parenting. There isn't!
But the court doesn't exist to review academic journals. The purpose of the court is to decide if there is something in the Constitution that prohibits the people of California or any other state from defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
One of the great moments of the hearing occurred when Justice Scalia confronted Ted Olson, a top flight attorney who until taking this case had strong conservative credentials. Justice Scalia asked, "I'm curious, when did it become unconstitutional to exclude homosexual couples from marriage? 1791? 1868? When the Fourteenth Amendment was adopted?"
Olson could not answer the question and with good reason. While the left-wing media have spun this entire debate as nothing more than bigots being against same-sex marriage, the fact is it was never legal anywhere until a few years ago. The "right" of same-sex marriage is being invented out of thin air.
Wednesday Chronicle
A Healthier Alternative to ObamaCare
March 27, 2013
The Foundation
"In the first place, it is to be remembered, that the general government is not to be charged with the whole power of making and administering laws: its jurisdiction is limited to certain enumerated objects, which concern all the members of the republic, but which are not to be attained by the separate provisions of any." --James Madison
Editorial Exegesis
"[T]he Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is no more popular now than when it was passed, as Americans have come to realize that it will neither protect patients nor provide for affordable care. While full repeal of the law is not within the realm of short-term political reality ... repeal should nonetheless remain the end goal, either one piece at a time for now or root and branch. The price tag for Obamacare has gone from shocking to preposterous. In March 2010, the Congressional Budget Office estimated the ten-year cost of the law at $898 billion; by February 2013, that number had climbed to $1.6 trillion, and it is likely that further revisions will be in the upward direction. ... As mind-boggling as its price tag is, expense is not the main reason to repeal Obamacare. What is not sufficiently understood is that Obamacare does not reform or regulate health insurance: It effectively abolishes health insurance. ... In short, the system created by this ill-advised law would prevent the emergence of normally functioning markets in medical services and health insurance. Instead, it establishes a top-down system of price controls and subsidies that will discourage healthy people from buying insurance in the first place, reward those who exploit the system's defects, and discourage doctors and other health-care providers from extending their care to those who most need it. ... Republicans made a critical error during the debate over Obamacare when they left the impression that they approved of the U.S. health-care system. In truth, that system was deeply defective before Obamacare was passed.... With a functioning market in place, offering assistance through tax benefits or direct subsidies becomes a much simpler set of challenges, as does enacting targeted, narrow regulation to curb the abusive practices toward which the health-insurance industry is occasionally inclined. ... Republicans can and should begin taking it apart and building something better on the ruins." --National Review
1.Christians Side With Mammon. Mammon Sided with Barabbas.
1,980 years ago tomorrow, the world put God on trial. When offered a choice, the world surrendered up God to be tortured, crucified, and killed and asked that Pontius Pilate free the criminal Barabbas instead.
There is no compromise between Christ and the world. Young evangelicals, complacent in the United States and unharassed, would do wise to remember this.
Tim Keller, a noted preacher in my denomination (Presbyterian Church in America), made news yesterday when he talked about evangelicals coming to terms with gay marriage. In particular he said that "you can believe homosexuality is a sin and still believe that same-sex marriage should be legal." . . . please click here for the rest of the post →
2.It's A Taxation Issue, Not A Marriage Issue
This is a taxation issue, not a marriage issue. Just as I feel that those on the right who believe that "marriage equality" is small government are incorrect, I also feel that those who invite government into marriage to "protect" marriage are committing the same big government fallacy. You should be taxed less regardless of whether you're married, in a civil union, or just taxed less, period.
Say what you will about the fabled "low-information voters," but we should probably be more concerned about the low-information State that rules them.I'm actually something of an apologist for low-information voters, because an extensive study of politics should not be necessary to live a successful American life.But conversely, a huge government cannot function effectively without amassing a great deal of information about its citizens.A powerful State cannot also be a low-information State.. . . please click here for the rest of the post →
4.Colorado Tax Dollars Go Up In Smoke With Weed Oversight Waste
Colorado's Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division (MMED) failed to pass a state audit it faced earlier this month, as the auditor's report revealed wasteful spending on purchases including furniture, electronics, and vehicles. Beyond the frivolous spending, the audit also highlighted nineteen consecutive months where MMED's expenses far exceeded its revenues despite a large influx of public tax revenue allocated to the Division.
A total of 89 pages of findings against the MMED were reviewed by the Legislative Audit Committee this morning, and included multiple $1,000 office chairs, 50 BlackBerry cell phones, and 33 government vehicles for the Division's 37 full time employees. The March 12 report from State Auditor Dianne Ray's office found that MMED's careless spending has prevented medicinal marijuana from being properly regulated in the state, concluding, "Overall, we found that the Division has not managed its resources effectively to meet its objectives." . . . please click here for the rest of the post →
Gay Marriage and Legal Surrealism Mark W. Hendrickson There is something slightly absurd about a small panel of jurists sitting in judgment on thousands of years of history, experience, and (for those who believe) divine revelation. More
Candidate Promises Statue of Free Cheese in Norman, OK Oleg Atbashian Paid for out of the generous public funding of the Norman Arts Council who are currently spending taxpayers' money anyway, but on much less meaningful projects. More
The Supreme Court and Faux-marriage Fallacies Selwyn Duke The Supreme Court is behaving as a reluctant agent of social engineering and not an ardent guardian of constitutional integrity in its approach to the last two days of oral argument on marriage. More
Pray for Green Britain this Easter March 28, 2013 Just two days of imported gas supplies, wind turbines becalmed, snow falling and four reliable coal-fired power stations being prematurely closed in case they cause global warming. More
Austin's Great White Defendant gets sentenced March 27, 2013 There were three fatal hit-and-runs in Austin, Texas in the last few days, and at least two of the drivers were young and drunken Hispanic men (who were drunken illegal immigrants). But guess what everybody is talking about? More
Trouble is Brewing in America March 27, 2013 Ordinary American citizens may need guns and ammunition to defend themselves and their families in the not-so-distant future. More
Dallas CAIR leader proclaims: "We are above the law of the land"
Every so often, the real agenda driving Muslim Brotherhood organizations like Hamas-connected CAIR, ISNA, MPAC, etc., slips out.
It's an agenda very, very different from the carefully scripted platitudes leaders of these organizations foist upon the unaware, the naïve, and the willfully blind.
See the WorldNetDaily story below (highlights added).
WND EXCLUSIVE
'We are above the law of the land'
Muslim leader's stunning claim at Texas rally for Islam
byJohn Griffing
Muslims living in America should not be bound by U.S. law, according to a leader of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, who delivered the controversial message to a crowd at a Muslim rally in Austin, Texas.
"If we are practicing Muslims, we are above the law of the land," said Mustafa Carroll, executive director of the Dallas-Fort Worth CAIR branch.
The rally in Austin was part of a nationwide effort to hold "Muslim Capitol Day" events.
According to the event website, Muslims from around Texas went to the capitol to "promote civic and political activism throughout the wider Muslim community."
The organizers said one major issue discussed "was the recent House and Senate bill proposals involving the implementation of 'anti-Shariah' legislation, where the First Amendment rights and freedoms of Muslims would ultimately be hindered."
Critics argue Shariah prohibits other faiths from free exercise of religion when enforced, giving freedom only to Muslims.
The Congressional Budget Office is now projecting that the U.S. economy will never achieve full employment during the eight years Barack Obama serves as president.
The lowlight of Obama's Middle East trip is his strong-arming of Netanyahu into a humiliating apology to Turkey's Islamic-supremacist government over Israel's defense in 2010 of its blockade of Hamas-controlled Gaza.
Served as an Aide to both Pres. George H. W. Bush and Pres. George W. Bush as the Director of Financial Management and Planning and Deputy Director of Special Advance Operations.
For rogue regimes to threaten America and its allies is nothing new. But I have the distinct sense these days that the threats are both prolific and becoming more boldly specific.
The election of Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pope of the Roman Catholic Church, has far-reaching implications for the Vatican's standstill with China over the appointment of bishops, experts say.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same." ~ Ronald Reagan
While Barack Obama and Joe Biden barnstorm the country attempting to gin up emotionally-driven indignation against our 2nd Amendment rights, federal agencies under their control are working behind the scenes to put the hurt on firearms' manufacturers and law-abiding citizens who dare to exercise their rights. David Keene, President of the NRA, writes today in the Washington Times:
One major national firearms retailer, for example, has been under fire for more than two years from the Obama administration's Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. It seems the company won't hire convicted felons, which the commission claims amounts to illegal racial discrimination. The federal government these days argues that policies that have what government lawyers call a "disparate impact" on racial minorities amount to impermissible discrimination - even when the policies themselves were not put in place for discriminatory reasons. Thus, the government argues that a higher percentage of minorities within the felony population than in the population at large means that any policy that discriminates against felons as a class is discriminatory because its impact falls disparately on minorities.
Company officials pointed out to commission investigators threatening to charge the company with discrimination that they couldn't hire felons even if they wanted to, because federal law prohibits federal firearms licensees from hiring felons. The investigator's response was, according to a company official I talked to: "That's your problem, not ours."
He also describes the persecution of gun collector Kristopher Gasior.
Watchdog group Judicial Watch has filed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests of President Barack Obama's administration for expense details on first daughters Sasha's and Malia's spring break vacation, the organization's president Tom Fitton told Breitbart News.
"The Obamas' unnecessary personal luxury travel is an abuse of office in this age of sequester, unemployment, and out-of-control government debt," Fitton said, giving his reason for the investigation. "Taxpayers are right to wonder why the Obamas repeatedly take personal trips with seemingly little regard for the resulting drain on precious tax dollars."
The Paycheck Fairness Act seeks to strengthen and extend the provisions contained in the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the first law that declared it illegal for women to be paid less than men for performing the same job. Some form of this legislation has been around for 15 years, and it will likely linger on the Hill for much longer.
The forthcoming election in 2015 promises to be a watershed event. The re-election of a majority Conservative government, with its emphasis on free enterprise, resource development, expanded markets, greater national homogeneity and fiscal viability, is indispensable to the health and resilience of the nation, so that Canada, unlike many other Western democracies, might remain a country still reasonably good to live in.
Throngs of protesters gathered on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court, while the U.S. justices heard oral arguments Tuesday in a challenge to California's Proposition 8 - the ballot initiative passed in 2008 that prohibits same-sex marriage. "I believe that everyone has the right to make their husband as miserable as I do," read one poster held by a woman.
If you have been following the Internet crackdown underway in Russia, you will not be surprised to learn that Vladimir Putin's Kremlin has recruited many websites - which are either terrified of his wrath or interested in currying his favor - to help crush and eradicate criticism of his government online. However, you may be surprised to learn that one of those websites is Twitter.
A claque of liberals and media bigwigs are calling RNC Chairman Reince Priebus's 97-page political opus an Autopsy, which the dictionary defines as the dissection of a body after death. Some people are hoping the Republican Party is dead, but the grassroots are raring to rise up and fight.
Attached here is a 13-minute video taken at a protest in Brooklyn, NY, on Sunday featuring a lot of communists, a lot of angry cop-haters, a New Black Panther, and a heck of a lot of crazy all filmed by what appears to be an Occupy sympathizer. We're betting that you will want to see the moments of craziness that our editors have selectedHERE.
A new report by the Society of Actuaries could turn into a big headache for the Obama administration at a time when many parts of the country remain skeptical about the Affordable Care Act. According to the group's very conservative analysis, an overwhelming majority of states will see double-digit increases in their individual health insurance markets. See the report that has the AP speculating that this is not good news for the administration HERE.
Last Friday, NJ's Chris Christie sent a letter to his Attorney General, Jeffrey Chiesa strongly suggesting that the AG open an investigation into the actions taken by police and social services agencies after an anonymous complaint was called into NJ's Division of Child Protection. The complaint was triggered by the posting of a photo of an 11-yr-old boy holding a gun. See the letter and get the latest update on NJ's ongoing efforts to inspect the firearms owned by the boy's parentsHERE.
In the past, we have brought you our list of 10 surprising celebrities who are alleged (and confirmed) Republicans and 10 Hollywood entertainers who are Christians. Check out another list of fascinating famous faces: 10 actors and singers who are pro-lifeHERE.
Heritage Elementary School in Madison, Alabama is taking the word �Easter� out of Easter. What does that mean? Well, the school will still tolerate someone dressed as a giant bunny, but it will no longer be called the �Easter bunny.� Similarly, �Easter eggs� are just �eggs,� and it might be better just to use �different shapes.� See the school's principal try to explain it to the local newsHERE.
Not long after pediatric surgeon Dr. Ben Carson became an overnight star among conservatives for his epic speech at the National Prayer Breakfast, the left began attacking him. MSNBC's Toure basically called Dr. Carson a "token black friend" for the GOP. On Fox News Tuesday, Carson hit back. Watch the doctor's responseHERE.
Fists were flying and gun shots were ringing out on Sunday afternoon in Newport, North Carolina, as a physical altercation broke out during an intense road-rage clash. The violent incident left police searching for two of the individuals involved � later identified as Bradley and Christy Turner � who fled the scene after video showed them pulling a gun. Get the rest of this wild story and see the videoHERE.
If you visited your Facebook newsfeed Tuesday, you might have noticed a lot of profile picture updating going on. Some Facebook users were replacing their avatar pictures with the image of a red square with a pink equal sign in it. If you are wondering what it's all about, we have the answerHERE.
Have you ever seen a two-year-old pick a lock with fingernail clippers to get a prized stuffed animal? Joann Moser's son has these skills and on Sunday, she uploaded a video to YouTube. See this very cute and soon-to-be viral videoHERE.
There aren�t many people who do their jobs while being recorded for all posterity. In that regard, reporters deserve a little bit of credit. Their on-the-job mistakes and uncontrollable laughing sessions undeniably make for good television, which is why TheBlaze regularly features the funniest bloopers in any given time period. Enjoy the best news bloopers from the month of MarchHERE.
America, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus Calls GOP Base 'Old Testament Heretics' Posted On America's Conservative News
Reince Priebus raised eyebrows when he smeared grassroots Republicans as "Old Testament heretics" and admonished rank-and-file Republicans, as Cheryl K. Chumley in The Washington Times put it, to "get in the 21st century with same-sex-marriage."
Don't Accept Religious Arguments Against Homosexual Marriage? How About Some Good Old-Fashioned Logic?
Can Gay Marriage Be "Just"? By Clark S. Judge HumanEvents.com
Neither side has addressed what seems to me the basic question when dealing with any law. Is it just? And I do not see how this new law of marriage can possibly be just, initially to homosexual couples, later to heterosexual ones or, more likely, both.
School Bans the Word 'Easter' By Todd Starnes TownHall.com
Boys and girls at an Alabama elementary school will still get to hunt for eggs--but they can't call them 'Easter Eggs' because the principal banished the word for the sake of religious diversity.
Jennifer Roback Morse of the Ruth Institute says that if the Supreme Court allows gay marriage, young people in the future will demand to know "what were you thinking!?!" Related posts: The Right's Response To SCOTUS Gay Marriage Outcome Should Be... In today's Washington Post, Ralph Reed states: Look, if the... 'Marriage Equality' Spells 'Marriage [...]
Allen West Won't Help Expose Obama's Ineligibility
Mar 27, 2013 01:41 pm STEADFAST and LOYAL? We think not.Dear readers, I have been asked many times about our encounter with Lt. Col. Allen West at CPAC. I have been asked if he really declined to help Lt. Zullo and I move this criminal investigation forward. Yes, that is true. That was his response, and of course, he was [...]
John King admits his network's programming is boring... Related posts: First Network, Then Cable, Now There's 'Social TV' TV has for decades aimed to deliver water-cooler moments, from... Doctors Vs Guns - Statistics Dont Lie Now let's get really controversial. Which is more dangerous -...
Mar 27, 2013 01:34 pm In September of 2011, 60 million health records involving 10 million Americans were illegally confiscated by members of the IRS. The theft took place at an unidentified place of business in California. Referring to itself as the John Doe Company in a lawsuit filed last week against the 15 IRS agents who took part, plaintiffs [...]
Video: Is Bachmann Ethics Investigation A Muslim Brotherhood Plot?
Mar 27, 2013 01:29 pm
Glenn Beck says that Rep. Michele Bachmann is under an ethics investigation for allegedly misusing campaign funds, and it is proof that the US has been infiltrated by the Muslim Brotherhood. Related posts: Thank Obama For Muslim Brotherhood Win In Egypt During the "Arab Spring," when huge crowds surged into Tahrir... Is The Muslim Brotherhood [...]
Mar 27, 2013 01:25 pm I am writing from a very fearful Spain. The looming Banking crisis in Cypress has nearly everyone in Spain concerned. When the story first broke nearly ten days ago, the Spanish Stock Market dropped, and the price of interest on Spanish Bonds doubled in one day. The Troika (as they are being called), the IMF, [...]
Video: Obama Used Social Security Number Assigned To Dead Woman
Mar 27, 2013 01:19 pm
Orly Taitz explains... Related posts: Judge Rules On Obama's Social Security Number Announcing it's "not her lucky day," a federal judge in... Will Jan. 26th Be "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia" For Obama And His 27 Social Security Numbers? Two days ago Georgia Judge Michael Malihi denied Barack Obama's...
Mar 27, 2013 01:15 pm In a profile piece written by veteran journalist Rebecca Dana in The New Republic, MSNBC President Phil Griffin said he believes that the liberal network can beat Fox News by 2014. Dana writes that even though Griffin and new CNN president Jeff Zucker are close personal friends, Griffin plans to "kick his ass," and that beating [...]
Video: Fox And Friends Rips Obama Over Gun Control
Mar 27, 2013 01:06 pm
On today's show, Fox And Friends took on President Obama for what the hosts saw to be a double standard. While the president has said he doesn't want to enforce the federal law in states that have legalized marijuana, he seems to be singing a different tune when it comes to guns. Related posts: "Fox [...]
Social Conservatives Need To Change Their Strategy
Mar 27, 2013 01:04 pm To people on the right, let's face it. The issue of gay marriage is not going to go away. The left has been pushing this issue since Reagan's day, and they are not going to let up. Liberals who constitute the vast majority of leadership positions in academic institutions, Hollywood, and the mainstream media are [...]
Specifically, he attacks Ben Affleck, who directed the award-winning Jimmy Carter tribute/movie titled "Argo." Related posts: Michael Savage: They're Not Liberals! They're Bolsheviks! Michael Savage has some harsh words for liberals...... Continue to... Michael Savage: Dictator Obama Will Put Us Through Hell Savage comments on illegal immigration and Obamacare.... Continue to Post...
Mar 27, 2013 12:47 pm In light of the well publicized hostility expressed by the radically depraved activists who run Starbucks, allow me to share my brief ode to Starbucks fittingly titled "Bankrupt Starbucks!!! Your politics truly make us sick Watch helplessly as this boycott sticks Burnt coffee grossly overpriced Your profits to be put on ice [...]
Video: Dr. Benjamin Carson On MSNBC's Racist Attacks
Mar 27, 2013 12:44 pm
The good doctor sounds off on Hannity... Related posts: Dr. Benjamin Carson: God's Surprise To Obama! God will surprise Pharaoh every time. I'm willing to bet... Mia Love Reacts To Racist Attacks After RNC Appearance Mia Love, who has been described as a rising star...
Mar 27, 2013 12:32 pm As the GOP struggles with "rebranding" and how they can turn around the 2012 defeat and win the future, the answer is simple. It has nothing to do with any particular group or moving farther left - those are the same ideas that have failed the Republicans for years. Instead of pandering to individual groups, [...]
Video: Carney "Not Sure" Of The Sequester's Impact On WH Staff
Mar 27, 2013 12:23 pm
I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for Carney to get back to this reporter... Related posts: WH's Carney Refuses To Name The Capital Of Israel Twice What's the problem, Mr. Carney? Why can't you answer a... Jay Carney: Obama's Mouthpiece! What a piece of work Mr. Carney is!!... Continue to...
Mar 27, 2013 12:14 pm The 2012 NDAA allows any person, including American citizens, to be indefinitely detained without charge or trial, sent to a foreign country to be held, and even executed. Not a single law has eradicated more of our Constitution protections since the Civil War. Now, Arizona has a chance to defeat it. Arizona has the chance [...]
Video: "Which Parent Do I Not Need-My Mom Or My Dad?"
Mar 27, 2013 12:09 pm
The Minnesota legislature can't answer this 11-year-old's question: Related posts: A Good Parent Beats Any Law Any Day It's official. President Obama wants to reinstate the so-called "assault... Liberal Loons Removed From Paul Ryan Event At least our side doesn't act like five-year olds. But...
Disturbing Realities Across America: Living At The Margins
Mar 27, 2013 12:04 pm If you watched NBC's anchor Lester Holt on Saturday evening's news, he reported that Portland State University in Portland, Oregon, features a "food pantry" for students who cannot afford to feed themselves while attending college. Further into the report, Holt announced that 50 colleges across the United States feature "food pantries" that give donated food [...]
Video: Amnesty Summit - Illegals Not Subject To US Law
Mar 27, 2013 11:54 am
Nita Gonzales, a panelist at a national summit on amnesty, declares that America is the homeland (of Hispanic illegal aliens) and, for that reason, immigration laws are not valid unless they decide them. Related posts: Amnesty Summit - Mexicans Are Owners Of The Southwest (Aztlan) The Organizer of the National Amnesty Summit, Armando Navarro, asserts... [...]
Mar 27, 2013 11:47 am You don't mess with Texas. At least, that's precisely what State Rep. Lyle Larson is saying with HB 149. HB 149 is designed to counter the indefinite detention provisions, sections 1021 and 1022, of the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act. These sections authorize the indefinite military detention, without charge or trial, of anyone who commits a [...]
Video: Marriage Goes To The Supreme Court: Day One
Mar 27, 2013 11:19 am
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on March 26 in Hollingsworth v. Perry, a constitutional challenge to California's definition of marriage as the union of a man and woman. Heritage's Ryan T. Anderson offers his analysis. Related posts: Dem Senator Threatens Supreme Court Two months ago, Barack Obama decided he could intimidate the... 'Marriage Equality' [...]
Mar 27, 2013 11:09 am COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.- Hunters across the country are boycotting Colorado because of recent legislation meant to curtail gun violence. Michael Bane, a producer for The Outdoor Channel, announced he will no longer film his four shows in Colorado, and hunters are joining the protests. Hunting outfitters say people began cancelling trips after the legislation passed, [...]
If you ask me, he gets what he deserved!! Related posts: DHS To Purchase Another 750 Million Rounds Of Ammo This is yet another reason why we need to just... Congressman: DHS Won't Talk About $1.6 Billion Bullet Purchase At CPAC, Luke Rudkowski of WeAreChange.org interviewed Congressman Timothy Huelscamp...
Mar 27, 2013 10:58 am STOCKTON, California - Just like Chicago and Detroit, the city of Stockton, California is run by Democrats. And, just like Detroit's immediate future, the city of Stockton has declared bankruptcy. The city's lawyers and the lawyers for its creditors began a lengthy court battle over the bankruptcy and whether it has to pay its creditors back. A crucial [...]
Mar 27, 2013 10:50 am LOS ANGELES - David Petraeus was greeted with applause and a standing ovation as he gave his first public speech after his resignation as head of the CIA following the disclosure of an extramarital affair. He spoke to an audience with many veterans at the University of Southern California's annual ROTC dinner on Tuesday night. [...]
Revenge Of The Laffer Curve...Again And Again And Again
Mar 27, 2013 10:48 am If I live to be 100 years old, I suspect I'll still be futilely trying to educate politicians that there's not a simplistic linear relationship between tax rates and tax revenue. You can't double tax rates, for instance, and expect to double tax revenue. Simply stated, there's another variable - called taxable income - that [...]
The NBA's KGB Billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov: Next President Of Russia?
Mar 27, 2013 10:44 am Mikhail Prokorov (shown) may not yet be a household name in America, but he is quickly becoming one. The 47-year-old Russian billionaire playboy received a big boost in that direction with a March 25 adulatory cover story provided courtesy of Forbes magazine. The most flamboyant and best-known of Russia's super-rich oligarchs, Prokhorov has already established [...]
Mar 27, 2013 10:35 am Even after three years, the nation remains divided on Obamacare. The people who already had health insurance-as well as those who have lost their insurance since Obamacare became law-still seem to hate it. The people who didn't have insurance before, and don't yet have insurance now, seem to love it because they think it means [...]
Having listened on C-SPAN to the oral argument in the DOMA case, I believe the Supreme Court will hold DOMA unconstitutional if it reaches the merits. Presumably, the Court's four liberal Justices would reach that conclusion. And Justice Kennedy seems ready to join them.
Kennedy's questioning of Paul Clement, who was defending DOMA on behalf of the House leadership, demonstrated considerable concern that DOMA constitutes an unwarranted intrusion by the federal government into the domain of states - in other words, that it raises a serious federalism problem. Under DOMA, members of same-sex marriages recognized by states are denied benefits available under federal law to heterosexual couples in the same states.
In a sense, then, the federal government can be seen as overriding some state definitions of marriage, and marriage traditionally is the concern of the states. As Ed Whelan argues, however, the fact that DOMA defines marriage and spouse for purposes of provisions of federal law does not mean that it regulates marriage and intrudes on state authority over marriage.
Perhaps the most telling Kennedy moment occurred at the beginning of the United States' argument, presented by Solicitor General Verrilli. Chief Justice Roberts immediately extracted from Verrilli a denial that DOMA presents a federalism problem.
Kennedy promptly gave Verrilli - whom the Supreme Court has "bailed out" before - the opportunity to back away from his concession on federalism, which Verrilli did to some extent. After that, Kennedy had no questions for Verrilli or for Roberta Kaplan who represents the party who lost benefits because of DOMA.
We all know that oral argument can be an unreliable guide to figuring out how a case will be decided. And it's certainly possible that, given the complicated standing and jurisdictional issues in this case, the Court won't reach the merits.
If it does reach the merits, though, the odds heavily favor a decision striking down DOMA, it seems to me.
Oh what the heck; the memes, cartoons, and guffaws are piling up so fast this week that I can't wait until the weekend for a visual highlight reel. So here goes.
So, perhaps this is the solution to Boeing's 787 Dreamliner woes:
In this next installment from Herbert Meyer's YAF lecture on William Casey and the Cold War, he explains the importance of going on offense against the Soviet Union. Along the way, he drops some very big hints about the circumstances behind the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II in May of 1981. (About 9 minutes long.)
Coming later: a hilarious account of how Bill Casey described the misery of being a Politburo member in the 1980s.
The incomparable Iowahawk offers his solution to the gay marriage controversy over at Breitbart.com. Get the government out of the marriage business entirely, and devolve it all to a matter of contract. This would essentially "privatize" marriage in ways that gays might not like. Let Iowahawk explain the nub of it:
The solution? Maybe it's time for government to get out of the whole marriage business altogether. Or at least to treat it as a standard civil contract between adults conferring certain privileges (wills, powers of attorney, co-ownership) and obligations (say hello to alimony and the marriage tax penalty, Bert and Ernie). Don't want to call it "marriage"? Fine, call it a civil union, domestic partnership, blancmange, whatever, leave it open to any pair of consenting adults. Leave the holy sacrament business to churches, and if First Lutheran or Immaculate Conception or Temple Beth-El don't want to bestow the title of "married" on a same sex couple, that ought to be their own business. You get married at a church, you get blancmanged at the county courthouse.
Of course, in such a legal framework the next thing the secular left will demand is that all churches and synagogues (but probably not mosques, I'll bet) be legally required to bless all gay marriages, just as Obamacare mandates that faith-based institutions provide contraceptive coverage and, ultimately, abortion on demand.
Aside from that controversy, I can see an upside to the privatization of marriage and churches deciding that they'll take a more active role in supervising those unions to which they contemplate bestowing the church's official blessing of "marriage." Many churches do require pre-marital counseling as a condition of the service, but maybe they'd take it more seriously if they're on the hook for "heightened scrutiny" of real marriage, rather than chiefly being the ceremonial component of a civil process.
Today, the Supreme Court hears oral argument in U.S. v. Windsor. The case presents the question of whether the Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is constitutional. The U.S. government argues that DOMA, enacted by Congress with broad support and signed into law by President Clinton, is unconstitutional.
The case also presents issues of jurisdiction and standing. Specifically, the Court is called to decide whether the Obama administration's unwillingness to defend DOMA deprives it of jurisdiction, and whether the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group of the U.S. House of Representatives has standing to defend DOMA.
Similarly, the Prop 8 case argued yesterday presented a challenge to the standing of those defending the decision of California's voters to define marriage as between a man and woman. Apparently, when it comes to same-sex marriage, left-wing politicians not only want to override the democratic process, they would like to bypass Supreme Court review as well. I doubt that same-sex marriage is not alone in this regard.
Ed Whelan provides a useful preview of today's argument. Ed concludes:
If yesterday's argument in the Prop 8 case is a reliable indicator, there ought to be at least five justices who are very skeptical of the attack on DOMA. If, however, any of those five justices seems receptive to the badly confused federalism argument against DOMA, the state of play might be very different.
Look who jumps into 'stomp on Jesus' war
The national outrage over a teacher's assignment to literally stomp on the name of Jesus is getting even more passionate this holy week.
Look who's suddenly entering the heated battle ...
There's lots going on at NRO today. Among the must-sees you . . . must see:
Plenty of Lies NRO columnist Michael Tanner looks at the ObamaCare law on its lamentable third anniversary . . . of broken promises: "A torrent of recent studies and reports has provided new evidence - as if we needed more confirmation - that nearly everything we were told about this law was untrue." You need to read this piece, and then please share it.
Quayle Was Right With all the talk of marriage in the air, Jonah Goldberg's new column reminds us that the former Vice President was right when he claimed "children who are raised by married, responsible parents do better than those who aren't." Social science has vindicated him. It's a short and very worthwhile read.
Air Heads Our Andrew Stiles has an excellent report on how the Obama administration is trying to make air travel an even more excruciating experience, all to score political points over sequestration. This long line brought to you by the Ministry of Hope and Change! Read and Weep!
Bill Gates' Million-Dollar Condom I leave it to others to make a play of "micro" and "soft," but its founder and his (errr) well-endowed foundation's "global health" program is bankrolling a "Next Generation Condom" project. Patrick Brennan reports on the new meaning of a public charity. You won't want to miss this.
P.S.: Is a son or daughter, a grandchild, a niece or nephew in college? Let them know about our new program - NR is giving a full-year subscription to the magazine's digital edition to any college student, absolutely free, no strings attached, and the sign-up is simple.
Who has been the most consequential conservative of the past four decades?
We could say Ronald Reagan, the indomitable optimist who won two landslide presidential victories, ended the Cold War without firing a shot, and restored Americans' faith in themselves and the future.
Or William F. Buckley, Jr., the renaissance author-editor-commentator who launched a thousand quips and made conservatism intellectually acceptable.
Or Barry Goldwater, the incorrigible presidential candidate who lost 44 states but won the future by raising the core issues, from taxes to entitlements to national defense, that have dominated American politics since World War II.
But where did Reagan get the policy prescriptions for his successful presidency? Who built the movement that cheered Buckley and made him a national celebrity? And who transformed Goldwater's "far-out" suggestions, like a voluntary option for Social Security, into mainstream proposals?
These conservative giants turned to The Heritage Foundation and Ed Feulner to guide them on the rocky road to liberty.
President Reagan described Feulner-Heritage's president for the past 36 years-as an "intellectual, administrator, politician, diplomat, but most of all, dreamer and darer." Feulner understood, Reagan said, that "the best way to ride the tide of history is to make a few waves of [your] own."
When Feulner was enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business, he invited Senator Barry Goldwater to speak. Feulner got a lesson in early-days political correctness when outraged liberal students threw eggs at the conservative candidate who dared to suggest we ought to seek victory over communism.
Feulner came to Washington in 1965 to work for Representative Mel Laird (R-WI) and then Representative Phil Crane (R-IL), and he soon saw that Congress lacked something: a conservative think tank that placed principle above party and would provide Members of Congress and their aides with timely, reliable, and concise information before-not after-an issue was debated.
It was a simple but brilliant idea that transformed the culture of Washington think tanks, which had contented themselves with producing pedantic studies that no one read but librarians. Heritage would use the "briefcase test"-producing policy analyses that a congressional staffer or Member could toss in a briefcase and read on the way to a meeting.
When he became president of Heritage in 1977, Feulner vowed that it would become a permanent Washington institution. Why? Because, as he always says, "In Washington, there are no permanent defeats, and there are no permanent victories." The price of liberty is vigilance.
Heritage is that permanent institution today. It is committed to developing and promoting conservative ideas regardless of who is in the White House or who controls Congress.
At the same time, Feulner kept deepening and widening the conservative movement through the annual Resource Bank meeting (attended by more than 200 non-profit CEOs last year); the State Policy Network of more than 50 state think tanks; the Philadelphia Society, the nation's leading organization of conservative intellectuals; Townhall, the largest conservative website, with several hundred columnists and commentators; and hundreds of thousands of Heritage members.
Ed Feulner never stops looking for ways to inform the people, rouse the people, and inspire the people. "If we do that," he says, paraphrasing Reagan, "the people will remind Washington and its elected officials that we are not a government with a people. We are a people with a government."
Feulner steps down as Heritage president next week. When people ask what difference he has made, recall what was said of the master English architect Christopher Wren: "If you seek his memorial, look about you."
Historian Lee Edwards, Heritage's Distinguished Fellow in Conservative Thought, has written Leading the Way, a new biography of Ed Feulner and his leadership of The Heritage Foundation. Check out the book here.
The Cyprus bailout fiasco continues, elevating the four-year-old eurozone debt crisis to a new level of volatility and uncertainty. At the core of the debacle lies the tiny island's outsized banking sector, which is more than eight times the size of the economy. But the third-smallest European Union (EU) member has another notably bulky and troubling sector: the public sector, which has ballooned and still continues to grow.
Congress is currently fighting over the future of U.S. farm programs. In 2011, taxpayers subsidized farmers to the tune of $10.4 billion in government payments. Imagine if the government had a way to increase payments to farmers while reducing taxpayer subsidies to zero. Such a policy exists.
As union membership has fallen, union organizers have become increasingly aggressive. They have now turned to organizing recipients of government benefits - an unwelcome shock for many needy families.
Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is the nation's most broadly supported public policy organization. Heritage created the Center for Legal and Judicial Studies in 2001 to educate government officials, the media and the public about the Constitution, legal principles and how they affect public policy.
News from The Hill:
Supreme Court seems open to killing Defense of Marriage Act By Sam Baker
The Supreme Court indicated Wednesday that it is open to striking down the federal law defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
The court heard arguments Wednesday in a challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the 1996 law that prohibits same-sex couples from collecting certain federal benefits, even if they live in a state that recognizes same-sex marriage.
Justice Anthony Kennedy, the court's swing vote, seemed to agree with the argument that DOMA interferes with states' traditional right to define marriage.
"The question is whether the federal government, under our federalism scheme, has the authority to regulate marriage," Kennedy said.
The court's liberal justices also appeared hostile to DOMA.
Ashley Judd won't run for Senate By Alexandra Jaffe
Actress Ashley Judd is not running for Senate in Kentucky, she announced on her Twitter feed Wednesday afternoon.
"After serious and thorough contemplation, I realize that my responsibilities & energy at this time need to be focused on my family. Regretfully, I am currently unable to consider a campaign for the Senate," she tweeted.
Judd had been making preparations for a run, meeting with Washington and Kentucky Democrats in the months prior to discuss a potential challenge to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).
If Same-sex Marriage Is a 'Right,' There Are No Rights By Terence P. Jeffrey If they are to succeed in their cause, those who now claim that same-sex marriage is a "right" must eradicate from American law and society the true - and only sustainable - rationale for any right at all.
Skipping an Abortionist's 'House of Horrors' By L. Brent Bozell III The liberal media know an abortion outrage when they hear it. Sadly, they only seem to hear them from the mouths of Republican candidates. Can't they find a single abortion outrage inside an abortion clinic? It's unbelievable that Dr. Gosnell's trial for his hideous actions inside his Philadelphia abortion clinic haven't drawn one network news story.
Reminder: How Mexico Treats 'Undesirable' Foreigners By Michelle Malkin But while the Mexican government lobbies for more "humane" treatment of illegal border-crossers from their country into ours, Mexico remains notoriously restrictionist toward "undesirable" foreigners who break their laws or threaten their security.
Our Talking Points Society By Rich Galen We no longer want to hear, see, or read both sides of a discussion. We only want to be exposed to the people with whom we already agree.
Glenn talks about America's education indoctrination problem on The O'Reilly Factor
Glenn spoke to Bill O'Reilly last night about the progressive takeover of America's schools. Bill was rightly outraged at the recent story of a college student who was punished for not stomping on a picture of Jesus. Glenn said the bigger issue is with our K-12 schools. How are progressives hijacking the education system? WATCH
Stories so important even A.D.D. riddled Glenn Beck says it's time to focus on it
It's a well-known fact around the Mercury offices that Glenn has pretty intense ADD. "Let's do a fiction book!...Let's do an outdoor stage show with fireworks and special effects!...Time to start a network!...Green energy!...Let's cancel that fiction book and do a book on gun control...3D Printers!...Bigger 3D Printers!"...Seriously, it's a real problem. So when Glenn, who notoriously has trouble focusing on anything for more than five minutes, says there are stories and issues that he needs to stop and focus on, it's time to listen up. After all, he often sees the big picture better than anyone in the mainstream media would like to admit. Find out what has Glenn's (mostly) undivided attention HERE.
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Ted Cruz: What about violent crime?
Rising star Ted Cruz spoke with Glenn on radio today about the ongoing attempt by the left to restrict the Second Amendment rights of Americans. Instead of creating a national registry and universal background checks, what does Ted Cruz think politicians should be focusing their attention on? Check out the conversation from radio today.
Inside Baseball: Pat & Stu give you a glimpse of what the morning meetings with Glenn are like. WATCH
Nike sends wrong message with new Tiger Woods ad
Tiger Woods recently reclaimed the #1 spot in the world golf rankings with his win on Monday during the PGA Tour. This morning on radio, Glenn called out Nike for running an ad shortly after the win that said, "Winning Takes Care of Everything." Glenn explains why this is exactly the message America doesn't need.
The best cheeseburger story you may ever read
Any story about a cheeseburger is inherently awesome because it makes you think of cheeseburgers...and cheeseburgers are fantastic. But this cheeseburger story is the best cheeseburger story of all time. It all started when a young girl with autism ordered a burger at Chili's and it was served "broken". What happened next is guaranteed to make you shed a tear. If it doesn't, call 9-1-1 because you are most likely dead. MORE
The Glenn Beck Program has instituted strict regulations for 2013 in the wake of the re-election of America's sitting president. So disgusted by the results, Glenn demanded 'That Guy' never be mentioned by name on air. Any violation is met with an instant $20 fine (which goes to charity). Glenn reached a milestone today - see history HERE.
Tonight's primetime lineup on TheBlaze TV
5pm ET -The Glenn Beck Program: What is "data mining" and how is it connected to both the stimulus and education? Find out tonight.
6pm ET -Real News: Why are Obama and the Dems pivoting from the sequestration to immigration reform?
7pm ET - Wilkow!: Learn why the left is going after Dr. Ben Carson so agressively.
With freedom comes maximum responsibility. Unfortunately, lately millions of Americans just seem to want all of the freedoms but none of the responsibility. For every action there's a reaction -- the problem is that we have been unwilling to deal with the "reaction" part. Is it possible to reverse course?
Get Glenn's 3-hour radio program every day on demand for FREE! Listen to Glenn's radio show whenever, wherever you want -- available on iTunes, Stitcher and SoundCloud.
Get the eighth episode of Glenn's e-book thriller series WRATH & RIGHTEOUSNESS
Great news! The eighth episode in the WRATH & RIGHTEOUSNESS e-book series has been released! Wrath & Righteousness examines the eternal battle between Light and Darkness while asking one of the fundamental questions of our existence: what is mankind's relationship to the spiritual world? Download the previous episodes HERE and get eighth episode in the 10-part series HERE. Have a question or comment about the series? Visit our newly updated FAQ page.
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OK....when they look at you like you have a tin foil hat on your head......take some of this information with you. It is 126 pages. I have not read through the entire document (YET) but what I have read is enough to blow off the top of your head. I have highlighted some stuff. KIPP (Charter Schools) has a CHARACTER REPORT CARD on Page 39. So for now start on page 39 and work your way through to page 45. Remember 
Following the Memorial Mass, there will be the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network's Award Gala, currently scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception. This dinner gala will be held at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, located at 1201 Market Street in Philadelphia. The first "Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Award" will be presented.
Glenn: Help us get in millions of home
American Policy Center has recently released a booklet that explains everything you need to know to start fighting back against sustainable programs both locally and nationally. The booklet is called Special Report: Agenda 21 and How to Stop It and is available in the APC store for only $5.95.
Has Communist Ideology Overtaken America? Education is crucial. Today I want to share two very interesting lists with you, and rather than adding an extensive amount of my commentary, I want to give you the chance to examine the facts for yourself. It is my opinion that many communist goals have already been accomplished. I also believe that advancement has been made in other areas. But, you owe it to yourself to do your own research. I believe not only in the freedom of speech, but also in the responsibility of free thought. So please don't take my word for it. Examine the facts for yourself.
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Glenn talks about America's education indoctrination problem on 
