From Eric Dondero:

We are one of the very few, if not the only libertarian website that regularly covers international politics. Back in the 1980s (and early '90s), the International Society for Individual Liberty (ISIL), which Clifford and I were both members of, gave excellent coverage of libertarian global politics. But they had a couple of deaths of leaders of the group. And in the early 2000s they pretty much went defunct.

Any way, the job has fallen to us. And we revel in covering libertarian politics worldwide, particularly aligned political parties and groups.

That's why it was particularly pleasing to get the following comment the other day in our comments section of one of our posts, "Indignados of the World Unite!":

NELCAT said...

Thank you for taking interest in "Spain". I'm from the Catalan Countries, a territory which unfortunately still belongs to the Spanish State.

Anyway, I agree with you 100% so I'm grateful because it feels good when somebody out there cares for you.

The demands of the "indignados" are mainly to become even more socialistic and more centralized. Regardless of their frantic insistence on being "non-partisan" they are most certainly hardcore leftist Statists.

From Eric Dondero:

I've been monitoring it like a hawk. While many swear by Gallup, and others by Rasmussen. Some even Zogby. I prefer the Real Clear Politics running average, which totals up all the major polls including those mentioned, plus, NBC/WSJ, ABC, Bloomberg, Marist, AP, Time, and Pew.

For the first time since the killing of Osama bin Laden, President Obama is in negative territory at RCP.

Not by much. But yesterday he dipped to 47.3% approvals, versus 47.5% disapprovals.

I have a feeling it's all downhill from here.

From Eric Dondero:

An impassioned defense of Jews and the Israeli state, by a Christian man at the recent Pro-Free Speech rally in Dearborn, Michigan.

[American Islamist group CAIR] has ties to the Muslim Brotherhood... If you look at the Muslim Brotherhood, the founder, colaborated with Adoplh Hitler. And why is the Nazi Party, the new Nazi Party, now trying to form in Egypt?

Christians are being slaughtered right now in Egypt. Israel is the only one that seems to care.

Note - American-themed music plays dramatically in the background as the man speaks.

“I am delighted with this ruling. It is a victory, not only for me but for all the Dutch people. Today is a victory for freedom of speech. The Dutch are still allowed to speak critically about islam, and resistance against islamisation is not a crime. I have spoken, I speak and I shall continue to speak” -- Geert Wilders

From Eric Dondero & Clifford Thies:

From Reuters via J-Post, "Dutch court acquits Geert Wilders in hate speech case" June 22:

A Dutch court on Thursday acquitted populist politician Geert Wilders of charges of inciting hatred against Muslims, in a case that tested freedom of speech in the traditionally liberal country.

The court case has attracted attention, not just because of Geert Wilders' controversial comments about Islam -- which he compared to Nazism -- but also because of the increasing influence of his political party, which supports the minority Dutch government on economic and other issues.

Jewish libertarian and close friend of Wilders, Pamela Geller wrote at Biggovernment.com via her site Atlas Shrugs:

The judges in the Court of Amsterdam delivered their verdict Thursday morning in the heresy trial of Dutch Freedom Party politician Geert Wilders. Wilders has been found not guilty of all charges of inciting hatred against Muslims. The judge, Marcel van Oosten, and the other Dutch authorities ended up doing the right thing, no matter how cowardly and compromised they may have been. They must have known how history would view them if Wilders had been found guilty: as troglodytes who ushered in the return of the Dark Ages.

When do the Islamic supremacists go on trial for inciting hatred against non-Muslims?

From the Editors - Clifford Thies and I would like to extend our hearty congratulations to Geert Wilders for his enormous victory for free speech not only for the Netherlands but worldwide, as well.

by Clifford Thies

The National Coalition, a conservative party, has formed a six-party, Left-Right coalition, drawing on parties across the entire political spectrum, in order to free out the True Finns. The new government will have three parties of the right or center-right (the Swedish Peoples Party and the Christian Democrats, in addition to the National Coalition) and three parties of the left or center-left (the Social Democrats, Left Alliance and Greens), each bloc having about half the seats needed for a majority. In opposition will be Center Party and the True Finns.

It was originally thought that the National Coalition, which finished first in the election, would form a three-party coalition involving it, the Social Democrats and the True Finns. But, talks broke down. At that point, alternatives for the National Coalition included a Center-right government involving it, the Center Party and the True Finns; and, a Left-Right government involving something like the six-party that was put together.

In Finland, as in Ireland earlier this year, a shift to the right by the people has strangely resulted in an incremental shift to the left in the government.

Photo h/t LondonPatriots.org

From Eric Dondero:

Libertarian anti-Islamist radio talk show host Fred Grandy is getting major web news buzz for breaking a story on Delta Airlines new partnership with Saudi Arabia Airlines. Seems Saudi Air is dictating to Delta that passengers flying on their airlines must meet certain requirements.

The restrictions could include clothing requirements for women and banning passengers from "carrying and reading religious literature of their choice."
"This includes, but is not limited to, both Christian and Jewish sacred texts, such as the Old Testament and the New Testament, as well as any objects that reflect their religion, such as a cross necklace," Lovitky said.

Catherine Grandy, the former congressman's wife commented on air:

"It looks like Delta will be the first Shariah-compliant airline in the United States."

See a copy of a letter by Kathy Johnson, Coordinator for Delta Customer Care at USADotCom.blogspot, where Ms. Johnson concedes that Delta will comply with the policy set forth by Saudi Arabian Airlines.

Editor's comment - Of course, businesses should have the right to discriminate, including Delta. And airline passengers in the US who support American values and culture have the right to be discriminatory in their purchasing habits when flying. Bottom line: If you're Pro-America, don't fly Delta.

From Eric Dondero:

19-year-old Riham Osman was hired by the Temp Agency Aerotek to serve as a gate teller for Air France. During her initial training session, a supervisor told her she'd have to conform to the company's uniform policy and take off her hijab. She refused, and ran to CAIR to file a complaint.

From NBCWashington:

Refusing to take it off, Osman left the airport in tears. Soon after, she contacted the Council on American-Islamic Relations for help. Noting the ongoing controversy in France about the legality of wearing a hijab, CAIR filed a complaint and sent a letter to Air France saying in part, “It is clear that a discriminatory dress code implemented in France would not supersede American laws protecting the religious rights of employees. Air France must follow American law and grant reasonable religious accommodations for its employees.”

Aerotek pushed for her to be re-hired. But Air France has not buckled.

Now predictably:

Osman hopes travelers will boycott Air France until she gets an apology.

Editor's comment - Perhaps those of us who support free enterprise and the rights of businesses to hire employees as they see fit, should boycott Aerotek? What's next? Hijab-wearing Muslim woman demanding the right to work at Hooters?

by Clifford F. Thies

Good news from Connecticut, one of the few remaining all-Blue States: after 77 tax increases, the state government is still facing a fiscal crisis. The mess described as a budget containing the 77 tax increases assumed $1.6 billion in concessions from the state's union workers. But, the union workers rejected the concession package.

The union worker deal mainly involved: (1) suspension of pay increases previously bargained, (2) raising the retirement age for sate workers by three years, (3) requiring state workers to contribute to their retirement health benefit plans, (4) raising deductibles and co-pays in the state's health benefits plans, and (5) a no layoff pledge by the state. The deal was negotiated with union leaders and required a large majority of bargaining units for approval.

Rejection of the deal appears to put the state government with no option by to start sending out layoff notices, perhaps 10 percent of its work force. It is said that state workers with up to ten years seniority will be laid off; and, that the state's unemployment rate will increase by 0.3 points, to 9.4 percent. Also, don't think even think about what will happen to state services in Connecticut. At least in Somalia, where there is anarchy, you don't have to pay any taxes.

Reference CT Mirror story

From Eric Dondero:

Republican Liberty Caucus National Chairman Dave Nalle has a long report on redistricting nationwide and how it affects libertarian Republican candidates at RLC.org. Specifically Dave alerts - "Michigan Redistricting Puts Standout Freshman Congressman Justin Amash at Risk":

In his short term in office Amash has won even more support from his constituents by making himself unusually accessible, sponsoring innovative legislation including a new constitutional amendment to balance the budget, and even posting explanations of every vote he makes to his Facebook page. Amash has been singled out as one of the best new congressmen by conservative groups and even received praise from the libertarian press. He’s also angered Democrats in his district who have launched several recall petitions against him, another sign he is doing what his radical supporters want. He is in many ways the model of the kind of new political leader which the reawakened base of the political right wants to see in Washington.

Yet Amash’s popularity and success are apparently of little interest to party leaders in Michigan. When the state’s House Redistricting Committee met this week the redistricting map which they were given for approval by the state Senate would make it very difficult for Amash to win reelection while protecting and strengthening the districts of other more establishment-friendly legislators like Thaddeus McCotter, Bill Huizinga, Fred Upton and Dave Camp. It even helps solidify the districts of some Democrat incumbents like John Dingell.

But there may be a bit of a silver-lining. The proposed new district for Amash is far less Republican, however:

The reasoning behind this may be that the libertarian-leaning Amash has the ability to win more independent and crossover votes than an establishment Republican...

Submitted by Dan Sheill, former Michigan RLC Chairman, now living in Texas.

Beltway Sniper John Muhammed Redux?

From Eric Dondero:

Back in 2003, the Beltway Sniper John Muhammed shot 20 people in southern Maryland, northern Virginia, and earlier in Arizona. The shootings held the country's attention for a few weeks. The media was captivated by the story. But they soon lost interest when it was found out that the Sniper was a Muslim male motivated by Islam, and not a southern white possibly motivated by racism, as they had strongly anticipated.

Now this from the AP via Army Times "Officials: Marine linked to military shootings":

WASHINGTON — A Marine reservist who was detained during a security scare near the Pentagon last week has been linked to the shootings last year at the Marine Corps museum in Quantico and several D.C.-area military recruitment stations, officials said Wednesday.

Ballistics evidence appears to link Yonathan Melaku, 22, of Alexandria, Va., to the shootings, one official said. The two officials spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.

Melaku is being held on unrelated larceny charges. He has not been charged in last week’s incident or the building shootings.

Media except Fox, ignores Muslim affiliation

Scott Starnes of Politically Incorrect blog points out - "Muslim Marine Reservist Detained Near Pentagon…Linked to DC Militay Building Shootings":

Hey Democrats. This is the reason we need to investigate and profile those who follow that ever-so peaceful religion called Islam. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX)unavailable for comment.

And columnist Mollie at GetReligion.org notes the blatant media bias - "So is he a Muslim or not?":

I live not far from the Pentagon, I followed the changing reports throughout the day and the week that followed. Yonathan Melaku, an immigrant from Ethiopia, was the man taken into custody.

There are quite a few Ethiopian immigrants in this area...

I did a search of CNN, ABC, the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, NBC, CBS and FOX News sites for “Yonathan Melaku Muslim.” Only Fox showed any hits.

Like the Muhammed case, the media suddenly seems un-interested in this latest Beltway Sniper story.

Hillary Clinton pledged not "to abandon" Afghan women

Report from WomensViewsonNews.org "Afghan women fear for the future after US troops pulled out":

As President Barack Obama announces the withdrawal of US troops tonight, Afghan women are demanding a place at the table to make sure that their rights are not negotiated away in peace talks.

The announcement comes after departing US Defence Secretary Robert Gates confirmed that peace talks are taking place with members of the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Despite Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s pledge to Afghan women last May that “we will not abandon you, we will stand with you always,” there are concerns that Afghan women could pay the price for peace with loss of the freedoms they have gained.

Further:

Maryam Hashimi, a 49-year-old office worker who had witnessed women being beaten for “crimes” that included allowing a glimpse of their ankle under their covering told King that she feared things would return to the way they were before the Taliban were ousted in 2001.

“They don’t change — if the Taliban had power, things would be just as they were before, when we could not work, or leave our houses, or even imagine a place like this, where we can walk freely.”

Photo credit - AllVoices.com

"Let's not just say we want youth in the party. Let's put experienced youth in leadership."

From Eric Dondero:

The Republican Party of El Paso County, Colorado (Colorado Springs), elected Sarah Marie Anderson as Party Secretary last February. And she's a libertarian Republican.

From the Colorado Springs Independent, cover story, "Anarchy in the GOP" June 23:

She spent her formative years reading a series of books that explain the free-market theory to teens. She will gleefully argue the superiority of the market-based Austrian School economic model of F.A. Hayek and Ludwig von Mises over the Keynesian mixed-economy version. On her Facebook page, she describes her political views as "a beautiful blend of Anarcho-Capitalism and Minarchism."

Another thing: Anderson is a born campaigner. Home-schooled, with college on hold, she says she's worked on more than 60 campaigns over the past seven years. She started at age 9, after pleading with her mother, by volunteering at county headquarters while Bill Owens was running for governor. Six years later, she went door-to-door for Douglas Bruce, then a party hero who wanted a seat on the county commission. From 2004 to 2007, she worked at the state Capitol for legislators including Sen. Kent Lambert of Colorado Springs.

She beat the "wife of a party stalwart" for the position. Further:

Feisty, ambitious, intelligent and pretty, Anderson's exactly the kind of person that the aging GOP is eager to draw into the fold. Except that, as she happily offers, "My beliefs aren't popular with the majority of the powerholders of the Republican Party."

Leftist accuses Texas Governor of hyper Individualism

Excerpted from The Hill, Pundit's Blog, by Brent Budowsky, "Rick Perry and Ayn Rand versus Democrats and Jesus"

While Rick Perry savages aid to education and sells short the young people of Texas, has talked of Texas seceding from the union in his imitation of the segregationists of the 1850s, champions policies that will export more jobs to China and causes gargantuan budget deficits that would make George W. Bush proud, let’s talk some Bible.

Jesus taught we should sell our possessions and give the proceeds to the poor, not fight for tax cuts for the rich and call it the politics of values. Jesus taught we should honor and love the children, not cut programs that help poor kids and cut schools that teach all kids and call it the politics of faith.

No, the politics of the Rick Perry right are not the politics of Jesus, but the politics of Ayn Rand, a proud atheist who believed John F. Kennedy was a fascist. Do Rand's Republican disciples agree with, or disagree with, her fervent atheism?

Photo credit - RoycraftReport.com

by Clifford F. Thies

The race has the feel of not being real.

The President's net approval rating is negative and he loses to Generic Republican. His fundamentals are very bad. The Misery Index looks Cateresque. Three wars. Who knew we had 100,000 troops in Afghanistan? Or 700 casualties per year? These numbers will not be lost to the American people when it comes time to focus on the election. Obama has owned the economy since 2010 and he will own the wars in 2012.

Looking at the GOP field:

Romney continues to be the front-runner; but, he's like a default setting. His total experience in government is 1 term? And, what did he actually accomplish?

Pawlenty? Talk about a weak jaw.

Can anybody else who is in the race even be conisdered to be a serious candidate?

Among the non-serious candidates, Herman Cain's role is to splinter the Tea Party vote so as to deny the nomination to Michele Bachmann; Ron Paul's role is to splinter the Libertarian vote so as to deny the nomination to Gary Johnson; newcomer Jon Huntsman's role is to splinter the Mormon vote so as to deny the nomination to Romney; and, Rick Santorum's role is to put himself out there long enough so he denies the nomination to himself.

Newt Gingrich, like Fred thompson before him, is using the Presidential contest to impress his young wife, so at least he's accomplishing something.

Waiting on the sidelines is Sarah Palin, now joined by Rudy Giuliani and Rick Perry, each one imagining him or herself to be the savior of the party, when we all know that General David Petraeus will be the savior.

"I drink Tequila. This is California"

From Eric Dondero:

California Congressman Dana Rohrabacher quoted in Politico this morning, on his Cali-esque congressional office decor:

“Americans identify themselves with different parts of American culture,” said Rohrabacher. “Some people think of themselves as cowboys. Some think of themselves as policemen or sportsmen or something like that. … I’m a surfer. And I identify with the surf culture. I grew up with it and feel at home at the beach. I don’t drink bourbon; I drink tequila. This is California. So, yeah, it’s different.”

Rep. Rohrabacher, a longtime Advisory Board member of the Republican Liberty Caucus, going back to the mid-1990s, represents a portion of Orange County, Huntington Beach up to Long Beach, including Catalina Island.

Photos from his congressional office.

"Perceived strength of Rep. Flake..."

From Eric Dondero:

It now appears that Gabrielle Giffords, due to her tragic injuries, will not be running for US Senate as a Democrat after all. Dems had hoped that the Tucson area congresswoman would recover enough to give the Republicans a strong challenge.

Now this from Goggle News via AP:

Privately, some Democrats are pessimistic that her recovery will progress to the point she will run for the Senate. They view a run for her congressional seat as a more likely alternative.

Some Democrats said the lack of an alternative at this stage is a worrisome sign that Democrats won't field a strong challenger against the GOP nominee, most likely to be Republican Rep. Jeff Flake. Incumbent Republican Jon Kyl is retiring after three terms in the Senate.

"We're stumbling around with names nobody knows," said Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz. "We're left with second tiers, and that's too bad, because I don't think Flake should have a free ride and he's beatable."

"I think it's the perceived strength of Representative Flake. It's also very difficult to raise money in this economic environment," [fmr. AZ Democrat Chair] Pederson said.

Grijalva has ruled out a run.

Photo from Flake's congressional office of his solo trip two years ago to a deserted island in the Pacific.

From Eric Dondero:

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, on coming Defense cutbacks, and potential loss of America's superpower status due to a "dramatic transformation," in military spending under Obama. Quoted by J-Post:

“To tell you the truth, that’s one of the many reasons it’s time for me to retire, because frankly I can’t imagine being part of a nation, part of a government . . . that’s being forced to dramatically scale back our engagement with the rest of the world.”

Editor's comment - Gates returning to his Republican roots, perhaps? Looking at the latest poll numbers and seeing a coming Republican win in 2012. Highly unusual for a Cabinet official to take such a jab at his own administration.

H/t Weasel Z...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 13, 2011 Contact: Oscar Gibson Phone : 574-264-6741   Moore gains another challenger ELKHART – Elkhart Mayor Dick Moore will have 2 opponents on the November ballot instead of just one. Local businessman Oscar Gibson was nominated at the Elkhart County Libertarian Party’s convention held in late April.  He will join [...]