JUST BREAKING FROM THE EURO MEDIA...

LR First in US to Report!

From Eric Dondero:

News coming out of the German media that a major attack from Muslim Terrorists has just been averted.

Sueddeutche.de is reporting (translation):

Early Friday morning Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA)in Dusseldorf and Bochum arrested three young men who had allegedly planned an attack with homemade bombs. They are attributed to the terrorist organization al-Qaida.

An attack had been imminent...

Dusseldorf is in western Germany, near the Netherlands border.

Sources are indicating that a very large amount of explosives have been seized. One of the suspects was carrying a knife when he was arrested.

The three Muslim Youth are said to be ethnically Moroccan. And the prime suspect:

reportedly trained in a terrorist camp in Pakistan's Waziristan.

Another source News-DE confirms that the three:

Moroccan terror suspects appear to have no German citizenship...

From Hamburger Abendblatt:

Interior Minister Ralf Jäger (SPD) warned: "The current arrests of Islamists show that the security authorities are vigilant and take the threat of Islamic terrorism in Germany is very serious.

Though, there is no motive released yet for the attempted bombings from police officials, Dusseldorf has a large Muslim community that frequently clashes with local Germans.

The city hosts the annual Carnival of Rolling Caricatures (photos above). In recent years, the city has come under great criticism from groups on the left for allowing parade floats of what are considered offensive depictions of Muhammed. The German Board of Muslims criticized the “presentation of religious leaders Islam"(Source: Petaflop.de)

UPDATE! This Story Linked by TheOtherMcCain, PJMedia, and Jawa Report.

Terrorist Group supported Sharia Law

From Eric Dondero:

A Somali man was sentenced yesterday by a federal judge to 10 years in prison for lying about his terrorist affiliations. He was arrested at the Texas-Mexico border in 2008.

Via AP, from McCall.com:

Ahmed Muhammed Dhakane, 25, prompted the Department of Homeland Security to issue an alert in May 2010 asking Houston-area authorities to be on the lookout for a suspected member of al-Shabaabp, an al-Qaida ally based in Somalia. That warning came when two new charges of lying on a U.S. asylum application were filed against Dhakane, who had been arrested on immigration charges in Brownsville, across the Rio Grande from Matamoros.

Dhakane was a member of a group that favors strict Sharia Law.

Al-Ittihad al-Islami, or the Islamic Union, wants to impose Islamic law in Somalia. Both are on the U.S. Treasury Department's list of global terrorist groups with links to al-Qaida, according to the indictment against Dhakane.

Lawyer for defendent asked Judge no references to 9/11

The ConservativeTreeHouse blog (cross-posted at PJ Media) reported on March 23:

A potentially explosive admission by federal prosecutors... in a San Antonio federal courtroom

In this court filing, prosecutors admit that Dhakane, who ran a human smuggling ring based in Brazil for the Somali Al-Shabaab terrorist group, transported “violent jihadists” into the country. He stated that “he believed they would fight against the U.S. if the jihad moved from overseas locations to the U.S. mainland.”

He admits that he knowingly believed he was smuggling violent jihadists into the United States... to commit terrorist acts in the United States, these jihadists would commit violent acts in and against the United States.

At an earlier trial date, Dhakane's lawyer Alredo Villareeal stated to the judge to keep 9/11 references out of the courtroom:

“I don’t want references to 9-11 (other than passing references to the date), any images of the towers coming down or mention of any future terrorist acts,” Rodriguez said. “We don’t need to sensationalize it any more than necessary”……

Actual photo of Dhakane. H/t Spencer.

From Cliff Thies:

Market-test of Atlas Shrugged: sold 1.9 M copies through 1964, 5 M through 1991. A bit less than 100,000 per year following that until 2009, when sales increased to 500,000 per, during which year it peaked at #4 on the best-seller list.

These are monster numbers for a book.

Now, let's consider Part 1: Opening week: $3 M. Well, how does that compare to the Academy Award-winning King's Speech? $4.5 M.

The King's Speech went on to enjoy critical acclaim, a nomination for Best Movie, and then won for Best Movie. So, a not dissimilar opening eventually turned into a huge number ($138 M).

Admittedly, without the buzz enjoyed by The King's Speech, such spectacular results could not be anticipated for Part 1. But, in terms of justifying going into production for Parts 2 and 3, the numbers for Part 1 were fine.

Just Breaking...

Sources other than the L.A. Times now indicate that there are already plans to move ahead with Parts 2 and 3.

Boehner, Cantor also log in Perfect 100s

From Eric Dondero:

The Club for Growth (pdf) is out with its new scorecard for the US House and Senate. On the Senate side, not surprisingly, Jim DeMint and Tom Coburn, once again are tops.

On the House side, two favorites of this website, California Congressman Tom McClintock and Arizona Cong. (and 2012 US Senate candidate) Jeff Flake scored perfect 100s.

The ratings were based on issues such as Repeal of Health Care reform act, Speech regulations, Home Renovation subsidies, New Food Regulations, Ending the Drilling Moratorium, Increase Debt Ceiling, Death Taxes and Global Warming.

Other prominent pefect 100 scorers included: Reps. John Boehner of Ohio, Eric Cantor of Virginia, Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, Mike Pence of Indiana, Stephen King of Iowa, Jeb Hensarling of Texas, Lamar Smith of Texas, Paul Broun of Georgia, and Joel Chafetz of Utah. Very close to 100 at 97 or 98, include: Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, Rep. Jack Kingston of Georgia, Rep. Ted Poe of Texas, and Rep. David Dreier of California.

Rohrabacher dissapoints... Ron Paul only at 90?

Couple interesting observations:

Dissapointedly, Reps. Dana Rohrabacher and Ed Royce, usually rock solid reliable Free Marketeers, each posted a lowly 86.

Virtually the entire Massachusetts delegation, 9 Congressmen, received perfect Zeros. The Connecticut delegation is just as bad with all 4 scoring Zero, or very close to Zero.

Two high scoring Democrats were Rep. David Boren of Oklahoma with 60 and Rep. Walt Minnick of Idaho, who was defeated for reeleciton in 2010 with 56. All other Democrats scored well behlow 50.

One great dissapointment on the 'D' side: Mike Ross of southwestern Arkansas, who has the reputation as a reasonable moderate, scored a lowly 36.

Rep. Mike Castle of Delaware, scored a low 40, giving those who supported Christine O'Donnell's insurgent primary challenge a bit of a reprieve.

Stunner! Nancy Pelosi scored a Perfect Zero.

Iowa is interesting: The 2 Republicans are at 90 and 100, and the 3 Democrats are at Zero or close to Zero.

Denny Rehberg, now a candidate for US Senate in Montana, posted a respectable 86.

Peter King was virtually the only decent scorer in the entire New York delegation with 89. All NY Dems, except Rep. Acuri, posted Zero or very close to Zero.

And a Texas-sized shocker...

Congressman Pete Olson who represents Ron Paul's old 22nd district of Clear Lake/South Houston scored a 97 while Ron Paul himself, who now represents the 14th further south of Houston, scored a less-than-stellar 90.

Editor's note - I live close to the district line of Ron Paul and Pete Olson.

From Eric Dondero:

The much respected WMUR TV in Manchester, just came out with a Granite State Poll showing Obama way down in approvals for the State.

Via RCP:

According to the poll, conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, only 44 percent of New Hampshire adults surveyed approve of the president's job performance while 52 percent disapprove. In WMUR/UNH's last poll released in February, 46 percent approved of the president's job performance.

This survey comes on the heels of several polls in other swing states showing increasing trouble for the president as he ramps up his re-election effort. Quinnipiac and Public Policy Polling (D) surveys in Pennsylvania showed the president's approval rating at 42 percent, and Suffolk University and Mason-Dixon polls in Florida showed his approval at 41 percent and 43 percent respectively.

Editor's comment - And as New Hampshire goes, so may go NH's sister state of Maine. See my related editorial this morning at Pundit Press on "The Undeniable Truth on Romney every Republican has to admit."

Tea Party Mom in America's Heartland

From Eric Dondero:

Last November, Amanda Grosserode won a stunning victory for the Kansas House in the KC-Kansas suburb of Lenexa. She soundly defeated long-time incumbent Democrat Rep. Gene Rardin. Grosserode was the local head of a Tea Party chapter.
From her website:

Beginning in February 2009, Amanda led the outcry mobilized in the tea party movement in Johnson County against big government, the escalating national debt, and the government encroaching involvement in the free market. She has advocated for fiscal responsibility in government, a return to free market principles in government relationship with the private sector, and lowering the tax burden on both individuals and corporations.

Grosserode was a school teacher for the Overland School Park District. And She taught 5th grade in the Shawnee Mission School District. Her and her husband Todd are members of the Legacy Christian Church. She is Pro-Life, Pro-2nd Amendment, and staunchly Pro-School Choice.

She is also friends with libertarian/conservative columnist/blogger Michelle Malkin.

In the Legislature, Grosserode, the Tea Partyer that she is, has let her libertarian streak shine on two key issues: Casino Gambling and Adult Entertainment.

The House recently rejected a measure directing the State Attorney General to sue a proposed casino development south of Wichita. Grosserode was one 29 Republicans to vote No on the measure. (Source: Washington Examiner)

Additionally, the House last week considered a measure greatly restricting Adult Entertainment businesses through zoning and regulations on operating hours. Grosserode was one of a handful of Republicans to voice her opposition to the Bill.

Grosserode now home schools her two boys. She told a crowd of Tea Partyers during her campaign in 2010: "I'm just a mom."

I’m here to say: “You need to get involved.”

Figure out what it is you’re passionate about. Who it is that you’re passionate about. What candidate it is. What issue it is. Become a volunteer. Donate money. Go walk door to door. Educate your neighbors. Educate your friends and family.

(Video of her remarks)

From Eric Dondero:

Former Libertarian Party State Chairman, and 2010 LP candidate for Governor Andrew Gray won a stunning upset victory for Topeka City Council in March, beating a 3-term incumbent. Topeka is the State Capitol and Kansas's second largest city. His swearing in ceremony was on April 11.

From WIBW.com, "New 2011 Topeka Council Sworn In" April 12:

Mayor Bill Bunten followed his weekly proclamations, by giving the microphone to Jeff Preisner and Deborah Swank, who received certificiates thanking them for their years on the council. Then came the swearing-in of District 2's John Alcala with his family alongside him.

And former Libertarian Candidate for Governor, Andrew Gray raised his hand to assume the job once held by Jeff Preisner, to represent Southwest Topeka in District 8.

The new council navigated its way through a long list of votes on new appointments. Once John Alcala tallied a 6-3 vote to become the new Deputy Mayor, Gray and Everhart were selected to serve on JEDO, the Joint Economic Development Board.

The newer members had a similar theme in their comments before adjournment of the one hour, 40-minute session. Andrew Gray and Chad Manspeaker thanked their constituents for the well wishes they received after their wins on April 5th.

Gray is now the highest serving Libertarian Party member in public office in Kansas. The other two include: Frederick Campbell, Anderson County Attorney, and Larry Manes, Allen County Community College Board. (LPKS.org)

Gray joins a growing list of Libertarian City Councilman in mid-sized, and even large cities across the US. Libertarians hold office most notably: Indiannapolis, Springfield, MO, San Gabriel, CA, Mountain View, CA, Caldwell, ID, Pahrump, NV, Glendale, CO, Winter Haven, FL, Bloomington, IL, Cedar Falls, IA, Seabrook, NH and New York City (dual-party Libertarian/Republican Dan Halloran of Queens).

Religious Right not acting very Fiscally Conservative as 2,500 Kansans could lose their Jobs

From Eric Dondero:

The Kansas House has been furiously debating new legislation to severely restrict gentleman's clubs in the State. A split has developed between the libertarian wing, and social conservatives.

From The Capitol Journal "Bold Strip Club Bill bumped to Senate":

A majority of House members cast aside calls for moderation Thursday by adopting for the second time a bill imposing broad regulations of the Kansas adult entertainment industry resisted by Senate leadership.

House Republicans with a libertarian streak sought to amend the bill to appease Senate critics and improve chances of sending a slice of reform to Gov. Sam Brownback. However, passionate speeches by supporters of the full regulatory package pointing to side effects of adult bookstores and topless clubs prompted rejection of the bid for middle ground.

The three leading social conservatives: Reps. Owen Donohoe, R-Shawnee (photo - right), Rep. Forrest Knox, R-Altoona and Joe Patton, R-Topeka (photo - left). The two libertarian-leaning legislators who fought for "moderation" in the legislation: Rep. Amanda Grossrode and Rep. Willie Prescott, R-Osage City.

If passed, the Bill would limit adult-oriented businesses from locating 1,000 feet near a school, church, or library.

Additionally:

Existing clubs would no longer be able to offer nude performances. Entertainers wouldn’t be permitted to touch customers because all dancers would remain 6 feet from clients and perform on an elevated stage. Each of these specialty businesses would close from midnight to 6 a.m., while normal bars could still stay open until 2 a.m.

The libertarian wing tried to moderate provisions which would make the Bill more likely for Senate passage. Some even brought up the issue of jobs.

Rep. Willie Prescott, R-Osage City, offered an amendment that would have deleted nearly all provisions of the bill touted by Knox.

It would have retained the 1,000-foot distance requirement for new adult businesses, but this more modest approach didn't have sufficient support to advance in the Republican-led House.

A proposed amendment that would have allowed strip clubs in Junction City to remain open until 2 a.m. also went down to defeat.

From LJWorld.com:

Some critics of the bill said the measure would shut down such businesses and put at least 2,500 Kansans out of work.

The clubs are particularly popular on the Kansas-side of the metro-Kansas City area.

As passed, the measure seems doomed for passage by the upper chamber.

Note - Prescott (photo), a farmer, is House Majority Whip. Grossrode, a freshman, was elected in 2010 as a Tea Party Republican.

Editor's comment - Honestly, stuff like this doesn't help relations between social conservatives and libertarian Republicans going into the 2012 election season, when the Party should be united against the Democrats.

TSA harrasses and assaults regular American citizens, but ignores the Real Enemy

Former Miss USA Susie Castillo:

As an American I'm really, really upset that I have to go through this. And I do feel violated.

She touched my vagina... 4 times...

Drug smugglers put drugs up their rectums. What happens when a terrorist puts a bomb up their rectum? Are we going to get rectal exams?

H/t Weasel Z...

by Clifford F. Thies

The L.A. Times - not really Ayn Rand's BFF - is out with a item on Atlas Shrugged ... John Aglialoro hurt by the bad reviews and disappointed with the box office, so he's going Galt, dropping out, not going to follow up with Parts 2 and 3, instead he's going to produce some routine drivel of a movie concerned with the Las Vegas poker scene.

Again, according to the L.A. Times, Aglialoro says that, although the movie has not yet recovered its cost (which it tabs at $20 million, up from the $10 million number that was being bandied about just one week ago), it will eventually break-even because of DVDs and the sale of ancillaries.

Not without Parts 2 and 3!

This wasn't an interview. It was a set-up. Who's going to so much as go to Part 1 once the word gets out that Parts 2 and 3 aren't going to be made in the foreseeable, no less buy the movie or a coffee mug?

Besides, the actual production cost of a movie is often very different from the numbers that are quoted. Big budget movies make enormous amounts of money for as many production services as the studio thinks it can get away with. Actual production costs are often much lower than what is quoted. In terms of hard dollars, I'd venture to say that the two sequels, if made together, might cost $5 or 6 million, which would mean that they're sure to make money given the box office figures already attained. Production of the sequels may even be bankable.

Plus, this project has enduring quality, meaning that it could be re-broadcast for decades by a cable channel looking to fill a schedule; and, people who have not yet been born will be buying the DVD or whatever is the media on which movies are made in the future.

Of course the critics panned the movie. What else did expect them to do? Have a come to Jesus moment? Their intellectual forebearers denigrated the book, and its been a best seller for now more than fifty years.

If there is any truth in this L.A. Times story, I am sorry that John Aglialoro didn't read my hard-nosed calculations based on the first week's box office. I didn't go all crazy about this movie being a blockbuster. I was conservative and yet confident that the box office would justify production of the sequels.

As for translating the first week's numbers into a successful run, this involved manipulating expectations, setting the bar low enough so that you can be sure to clear it, not getting sucked into unrealistic possibilities that make even modest successes seem like failures. In Hollywood as in politics, there's a lot of facade. Maybe even more so.

Anybody can churn out brainless movies like "Rio" that parents feel they have to bring their children to see, or teenage horror movies like Friday the 13th Part 87. Real cinema is art and - while real money is involved - what it expresses is a choice.

Dr. Thies is a professor of economics at Shenandoah Univ. in Virginia, a Hayekian/Milton Friedman devotee and a self-described "Christian Randist."

Media Advisory: Libertarian Party of Indiana to Hold Annual Convention April 30, 2011 LAPORTE, IN – Indiana Libertarians will gather this Saturday for their annual nominating convention in LaPorte, IN. In lieu of a taxpayer-funded primary, Indiana’s third-largest party nominates candidates conventions. On April 30th, members of the party will select candidates for local races, [...]

Every year we recognize the hard work and passion of those involved in growing the party. Awards are presented at the Libertarian Party of Indiana convention each year. With the exception of one award all winners are granted their award by a vote of the LPIN membership at the convention. View previous winners. ?Dr. Barbara [...]