HUGO CHAVEZ PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA

From the Washington Post, "Thugs in Copenhagen" by Stephn Stromberg:

Hugo Chavez , who paraphrased Marx in assigning blame for climate change: "A ghost is stalking the streets of Copenhagen...it's capitalism, capitalism is that ghost."

"The destructive model of capitalism is the eradication of life," Chavez also said. Tell that to the millions of Chinese that Mao killed in the fight against capitalism, or the millions more recently pulled out of poverty because of market-liberalizing reforms.

ROBERT MUGABE PREMIERE OF ZIMBABWE

Overland blog:

When these capitalist gods of carbon burp and belch their dangerous emissions, it's we, the lesser mortals of the developing sphere who gasp and sink and eventually die," announced President Robert Mugabe’s Copenhagen address, “Where are (the) sanctions for eco-offenders? When a country spits on the Kyoto Protocol by seeking to shrink from its diktats, or by simply refusing to accede to it, is it not violating the global rule of law”?

"Why is the guilty north not showing the same fundamentalist spirit it exhibits in our developing countries on human rights matters on this more menacing threat of climate change?" the African leader lamented.

From Eric Dondero:

A few races of interest to Libertarian Republicans, and a few more of general interest to the GOP community...

Libertarian-leaning Republican Congressman Pete Hoekstra is comfortably ahead of the pack to be Michigan's next Governor. From Rasmussen:

Rasmussen Michigan Gubernatorial Survey

Pete Hoekstra (R) 46%
John Cherry (D) 32%
Some Other Candidate 6%
Not Sure 16%

Two Polls out in Florida:

Zogby has Crist over Rubio 45 to 36.

Rasmussen has the race tied at 43 each.

But even more interesting, libertarian-leaning Rubio appears to be the stronger general election candidate handily beating the likely Democrat:

Marco Rubio 49%
Kendrick Meek 35%

Republicans may be poised to take over yet another State House. And it's a big one.

Quinnipiac 2010 Pennsylvania Governor Poll

Tom Corbett (R) 45%
Dan Onorato (D) 30%

No strong libertarians in this race, but still of interest. Meg Whittman is running away with the California GOP primary. According to PPI of California:

1. Meg Whitman 32%
2. Tom Campbell 12%
3. Steve Poizner 8%

In the general election she's a bit behind Jerry Brown, 43% to 37%, but is by far the strongest GOPer of the pack.

And how about this result certain to lift the spirits of any Republican, conservative, moderate or libertarian:

GOVERNOR – SOUTH DAKOTA (PPP)
Dennis Daugaard (R) 42%
Scott Heidepreim (D) 29%

If you're a 'D' in South Dakota, you really got to ask yourself, why even bother?

Big hat tips to our blogging buddies at GOP12, Race42012, and Hedgehog for compilining these polling results.

Nevada Senator Stands Up for Human Rights: Calls for International Condemnation of African Nation

"Obviously it's a law that's pretty outrageous... even if you disagree with the way people live, what Uganda is doing, I think most people would agree that's pretty outrageous..."

Comments from recent days...

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) (ranking member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee):

"I am deeply saddened and troubled that such blatantly ignorant and hate-filled legislation would see the light of day anywhere in today's world. It needs to be stopped in its tracks immediately."

U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK):

"Over the past two decades, political, religious, and community leaders in Uganda have united to promote a rare, winning strategy against HIV that addresses the unique and common risks of every segment of society. Sadly, some who oppose Uganda's common sense ABC strategy are using an absurd proposal to execute gays to undermine this coalition and winning strategy...

Officials in Uganda should come to their senses and take whatever steps are necessary to withdraw this proposal that will do nothing but harm a winning strategy that is saving lives."

U.S. Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA):

"Based on what I’ve been able to learn about the legislation and from the stand point that I’m a born again Christian, I can tell you that I don’t agree with this un-Christian and unjust proposal, and I hope the Ugandan officials dismiss it..."

Christian Pastor Rick Warren:

The potential law is unjust, extreme and un-Christian toward homosexuals...

ALL life, no matter how humble or broken, whether unborn or dying, is precious to God. My wife, Kay, and I have devoted our lives and our ministry to saving the lives of people, including homosexuals, who are HIV positive. It would be inconsistent to save some lives and wish death on others. We're not just pro-life. We are whole life."

"Finally, the freedom to make moral choices and our right to free expression are gifts endowed by God. Uganda is a democratic country with remarkable and wise people, and in a democracy everyone has a right to speak up. For these reasons, I urge you, the pastors of Uganda, to speak out against the proposed law."

Editor's Note - See our sister site Worldwide Liberty for a full explanation of the proposed Uganda legislation and other related info. Also, LR hopes to have an edition of "Libertarian Politics Live" tonight at 8 pm to discuss the controversy with top guests. Stay tuned...

GOProud Urges President Obama to Publicly Take a Stand against Proposed Uganda Law

Jimmy LaSalvia, Executive Director - "If the President wants to start earning the Nobel Peace Prize he is accepting, he can start by speaking out against this outrageous Ugandan law."

Press Release, Dec. 10

(Washington, D.C.) - While the President is in Norway accepting a Nobel Peace Prize, Ugandan political leaders are considering a bill that criminalizes gays and lesbians. "If the President wants to start earning the Nobel Peace Prize he is accepting, he can start by speaking out against this outrageous Ugandan law," said Jimmy LaSalvia, Executive Director of GOProud - the only national organization for gay conservatives and their allies. "President Obama's lack of leadership on international human rights issues is appalling," continued LaSalvia. "From his refusal to confront the radically anti-gay regime in Iran to his refusal to speak out against this proposed Ugandan law - this President's silence speaks volumes about his priorities."

Ugandan political leaders have been debating legislation that would impose criminal penalties on gays and lesbians living in Uganda. Certain proposed versions of the bill have even called for the death penalty or life imprisonment for being gay.

While President Obama has been silent, leading Republicans have spoken out forcefully against the proposed Ugandan legislation.

"It is time for this administration to stand up for human rights across the globe. Not another day should pass without President Obama making it clear that he unconditionally opposes this Ugandan law," concluded LaSalvia.

Note - GOPProud.org is less than 2 years old. They split off from Log Cabin Clubs viewing them as too moderate. They will be official Co-Sponsors in Feb. 2010 of C-PAC in DC.

Uganda, Rwanda starting to feel Heavy Hand of Muslim Fundamentalism

From Eric Dondero:

Islam is on the rise across Sub-Saharan Africa, including Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Nigeria. And estimated 9.5 million Muslims now live in Uganda, for example. That is approximately 12.1% of the population (2004 figures). The Muslim dominated Luo Tribe headed by Raila Odinga now has a power sharing arrangement for the first time with the formerly Christian-dominated government of Kenya. Nigeria is suffering from a bloody civil war in its northern region with Muslim Separatists supported by Jihadist groups in Sudan, and Niger.

With the increase in fundamentalist Islam in the region comes an increasing push to institute laws consistent with Sharia. Among these include radical Anti-Homosexuality laws.

Homosexuality is already outlawed in 38 out of 53 African nations, all in Muslim or Muslim-dominated countries. Now Muslim groups are pushing for the sexual identity to be outlawed in countries previously immuned to Islamic domination.

From the Population Institute website:

Nigeria has a similar bill waiting to reach its statute books and already allows the death penalty for homosexuality in northern states, as does Sudan. Burundi criminalised homosexuality in April this year, joining 37 other African nations where gay sex is already illegal. Egypt and Mali are creeping towards criminalization, using morality laws against same-sex couples.

Rwanda, which suffered from one of the worst genocides in human history in the early 1990s, is the first of these countries to consider completely outlawing Homosexuality.

From Queerty:

On December 16, 2009, the lower house of the Rwandan Parliament will hold its final debate on a draft revision of the penal code that will, for the first time, make homosexuality a crime in Rwanda.

Neighboring Uganda has followed suit.

CNN reported on December 9 that the Ugandan Parliament is debating severe restrictions on Homosexuals. The "Anti-Homosexuality Bill" includes these provisions:

• Gays and lesbians convicted of having gay sex would be sentenced, at minimum, to life in prison

• People who test positive for HIV may be executed

• Homosexuals who have sex with a minor, or engage in homosexual sex more than once, may also receive the death penalty

According to CNN:

A leading Muslim cleric, Sheikh Ramathan Shaban Mubajje, has called for gays to be rounded up and banished to an island until they die.

Also, Sheikh Nsereko Mutumba, the public relations officer of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council has been quoted as saying:

We believe that Allah created us to multiply and worship him. How will a gay do that? Muslims are aware that homosexuality is a sin and I am sure that the churches also teach that this vice is a sin and unacceptable in any society.

The International Community has been slow to react. Political sensitivities with its native Muslim population have kept the United Kingdom from denouncing the Ugandan legislation. In the US the Obama administration, through Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is now just beginning to issue mild and carefully worded criticisms.

Ironically, it has been Christians who have been the strongest and quickest in their reactions against the anti-homosexual proposals. A coalition of Christian leaders in the US strongly condemned the actions of the Ugandan Government and issued the following statement:

"Regardless of the diverse theological views of our religious traditions regarding the morality of homosexuality, in our churches, communities and families, we seek to embrace our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters as God's children, worthy of respect and love," the statement read.

Photos: Sheikh Ramathan Shaban Mubajje - top, Gay African Man in market-place.

NEW VIDEO FROM CATO'S DAN MITCHELL

Bush Big Spending leads to even Bigger Spending Under Obama... Now, "an orgy of new government spending"

Solution: Cut the Spending

Exerting Sovereignty for the Lone Star State

Texas Governor Rick Perry, joined his friend former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, in denouncing the Obama administration's participation in the Global Warming Summit in Copenhagen.

From The Hill, Dec. 16:

Perry speaks up. Last week he wrote a letter to the EPA asking it to withdraw its finding that greenhouse gases threaten Americans, alleging the findings are based on manipulated data. Sarah Palin opposed points of the Copenhagen agreements as well, with an editorial in The Washington Post.

In a strongly worded three page letter to EPA Director Lisa Jackson, Perry asked that the EPA completely retract its recent finding that carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels is a public threat. Perry stated that the science was not conclusive.

From the Houston Chronicle, Dec. 9:

"Using uncertain and highly questionable science to institute volumes of onerous new regulations on employers who have never before been subject to EPA regulation is unprecedented and shows a real disregard for the preservation of American jobs, as well as families and businesses struggling to make ends meet."

At a press conference in LaPorte (near Houston), surrounded by political and industrial leaders, Perry further stressed the importance of jobs to the Texas economy. The Chronicle noted:

The oil and chemical plants employ nearly 270,000 people and pay billions of dollars in state and local taxes.

The state's energy industry supplies 20 percent of the nation's oil production, one-third of its natural gas production, a quarter of its refining capacity and about 60 percent of its chemical manufacturing.

Perry has been garnering a great deal of attention as of late for his increasingly controversial remarks. Some have suggested that the Governor is going all out for Sovereignty. At a recent dinner of the Collins County Republican Party Perry remarked (Lewisville Leader):

"The Cap and Trade bill will be a disaster to the Southern states and Texas in particular," he said.

He continued: "There is a lack of courage in Washington, D.C.... If we are Republicans, then we are going to act like Republicans."

Greater Autonomy for the Lone State State

Texas may take one giant leap towards full sovereignty if some Tea Party Patriots get their way. An effort by the Texas Tea Party affiliates to lobby for a special session of the legislature is spreading like a wildfire across the State. Tea Party leaders based in Houston are calling on Governor Rick Perry to call such a session to block regulations and taxes coming from Washington, specifically on Health Care reform, and Cap & Trade.

From North Houston Tea Party Patriots website:

Texas must act NOW to block these onerous laws BEFORE they take effect.

Ideally we want to have a resolution of Nullification in place BEFORE any legislation is passed – along with an injunction against the collection of associated taxes. For example, if health care passes this year, the IRS will begin collecting taxes to pay for it in January 2010. The sooner we act, the less the damage.

What is NULLIFICATION & WHY is it Important?

When the federal government enacts laws that are beyond the scope of its constitutionally enumerated powers, it takes away our freedoms as states and as individuals, and imposes on us the economic and social consequences. With unconstitutional legislation such as health care “reform” and “cap & trade”, the federal government is attempting to tell Texans what we can and can’t do and charge us for the privilege! Fortunately, the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects us from this very thing and allows a state to “nullify”, or make null and void, any law that the STATE determines is unconstitutional.

Nullification explained in full, plus historical context at North Texas Tea Party Patriots, NotInTexas.org