Get on board the Herman Cain Train...
From Eric Dondero:
The new campaign video by the Herman Cain campaign.
Please feel free to use this post as an open thread to discuss the Iowa debate on Fox News.
"Extremism in the defense of Liberty... Romney might be our guy"
From Eric Dondero:
Ranald "Ran" Hay (Si Vis Pacem) is an Ohio libertarian Republican and frequent contributor and commenter for this website. Yesterday's Romney railing on two leftist hecklers at a campaign event has seemed to won him over.
He wrote:
This is good. Fire in the belly. Great to see this from him.
If these clowns were Democrat plants, the stratagem backfired – royally. They gave Romney a chance to shine… and blaze away he did.
I’ve wanted to see that Mitt really means what he says about limiting government; that his evolution from statist RINO towards conservatism has some conviction.
I’ve also wanted to see that Mitt has real passion and drive – that he can adopt the alpha male role and mean it. Too, that under pressure Romney can stay on-target. Short as the confrontation was, he came off looking much more convincing than the beta “moderate” of four years ago.
America’s enemies – external and internal – want us to elect a maleable weakling. A suit.
We offered-up two flavors of the same weak brew last go ’round. Time for some strong, principled Tea, people. Extremism in the defense of Liberty is a virtue. Romney might just yet be our guy.
The video has made its way to a number of right sites since yesterday. But take a look, if you hadn't seen it yet. Well worth the 3 minute investment. It really gets cooking at the 1:50 minute mark.
GOPer Barbour leaving office on an up note; Brown still faces job losses
From CBS Sacramento "Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour ‘Chasing Jobs’ In Calif." July 19:
Barbour told The Associated Press in a phone interview Tuesday from California that he had already visited executives from KiOR, which is building refineries in Mississippi to convert timber products to a crude oil substitute.
The governor said he’s also meeting with executives from Stion, which will manufacture solar panels in Hattiesburg; Soladigm, which announced last year that it will make energy-efficient insulated glass in Olive Branch; and Chevron, which has extensive investments on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Chevron, based in San Ramon, Calif., announced in January that it would invest $1.4 billion to expand its Pascagoula, Miss., refinery to make premium-based oil.
Calif ranks "Dead last" in job growth
From the San Diego Reader, July 27:
More bad news on the state economy: The Business Journals’ On Numbers is reporting that California ranks dead last in the number of jobs created over the last five years.
The state had 14,068,600 non-farm jobs reported as of June 2011, down 1,009,400 from June 2006. There were fewer net jobs in three of the last five years.
Boomtowns Gulfport-Biloxi
From Businessweek (via the AP) "Mississippi job picture improves a bit in June" July 27:
Mississippi's employment picture improved slightly in June... All of the growth is in the private sector. Over the past 12 months, Mississippi has dropped 9,200 government jobs, while adding 7,500 in the private sector... the biggest gainers have been professional-business services with 3,500 jobs, leisure-hospitality with 3,000 jobs and trade, transportation and utilities with 2,200 jobs. The sector of private education and health services has added 1,200 jobs...
Photo credit - The Reid Report
DEVELOPING...
From JewishJournal.com, "London riots spread to Jewish community":
Rioting in London spread to the Jewish community.
Stores in the Jewish communities of Stamford Hill and Golders Green were urged to close and secure merchandise Monday night... some Jewish-owned stores have been ransacked, according to the newspaper.
Channel 7 Arutz Sheva, Israel National News, "London Riots Threaten Jews in Stamford Hill":
The third day of London rioting threatens members of the large Jewish community in Stamford Hill. They have been advised not to walk alone and to be careful when going to synagogue on Tisha B’Av Tuesday.
One London resident told Arutz Sheva Tuesday afternoon that Jewish businessmen and professionals are not able to travel to nearby offices, where many of their premises have been looted.
Editor's note - Emphasis added. Photo credit - BBC, Synagogue Stattfordshire
Self-government over "dependence on the federal nanny-state"
From his bio at SenatorMcDaniel.com:
Chris is a life-long resident of Mississippi and Jones County. He was born in Laurel and was raised in Ellisville.
Chris is married to Jill Tullos McDaniel of the Sharon Community, Jill is a professional educator
A former Miss Mississippi USA, Jill proudly represented the State of Mississippi in the Miss USA Pageant.
After law school, Chris entered a two - year federal judicial clerkship as a law clerk for the Honorable Charles W. Pickering, Sr., United States District Court Judge, Southern District of Mississippi.
His philosophy:
The federal government is not our ultimate protector and cannot be all things to all people; liberty is the result of individuals learning to rule themselves. Since the powers of taxing and spending are the means by which the government expands, the debate over fiscal restraint is not simply one of dollars and cents; it is a debate over the role of government in our lives. Central to the debate is the question of whether we have become so obsessed with immediate gratification, comfort and ease that we would trade our hard-earned liberty for dependence on the federal nanny state. The answer to that question will control our nation’s destiny and financial security for generations
Jon Stewart interviews an expert on the broken ratings agency system. The Daily Show – John CoffeeGet More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook
Santelli unloads a fresh barrage of reality into CNBC, the Network of sObama’s Court Financial Analysts, with daily analysis from an endless string of Keynesian Fed-o-phile bobbleheads. As they discuss S&P’s downgrade of America’s credit rating from AAA to AA+.. Notice at the end, when everyone starts cheering Santelli, the segment gets cut off. Sort [...]
(Josh Featherstone is the 7th District Representative for the LPIN State Central Committee. Blog originally posted here.) On June 27th, At-Large City-County Councillor Angel Rivera introduced what became Proposal #188. According to the digest of the proposed ordinance, it “amends portions of the code pertaining to the permitting, licensing, and organization of activities related to special events licensed [...]
The federal government’s debt may soon be downgraded by major credit rating agencies. What would that mean?
Originally posted at Atlas Liberty. By Evan McMahon. The news headlines last week were unlike any we’ve seen before: “S.& P. Downgrades U.S. Debt Rating for the First Time”. The Democrats and Republicans who have been at the helm for the past 40 years have wrecked the U.S. economy, as evidenced by last week’s S&P [...]
Inspired by Black American Patriot Crispus Attucks
Eric Dondero:
They're multi-ethnic, but share a common goal: Promoting liberty and limited government.
They held their first protest outside an NAACP event in downtown Los Angeles in late July. The organizer (up top), is Jessee Lee Peterson, often pitted against Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton representing a conservative point of view on cable news networks.
Some passers-by jeered them (you can see in the video), and called them "sell-out Negroes."
A similar group has been active in Houston for almost a year - Crispus Attucks Tea Party (website) headed by former ACORN whitle-blower Anita Moncrief.
Photo - Crispus Attucks, the very first American ever killed in a military action, Boston Massacre, 1775.
Abolish Edu Dept.; Privatize Postal Service; Sell-off Amtrak; Completely eliminate Dept. of Energy; sharply reduce spending for EPA, HUD
From Eric Dondero:
The Nebraska GOP Senate primary is rich with libertarian-leaning candidates. Last week we highlighted State AG Jon Bruning. He spoke to a Libertarian Party sponsored event near Lincoln. He made a very libertarian statement comparing welfare moochers to racoons, who wanted to get food the easy way, instead of working for it. But Bruning may have met his match in Pat Flynn who wants to abolish the alphabet soup of federal agencies.
TheIndependent.com (Central Nebraska):
Flynn said he would cut spending by federal agencies by completely eliminating the Department of Energy and Department of Education, while sharply reducing spending in agencies such as the EPA and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
He sharply criticized the lack of new U.S. oil refineries since the Department of Energy's creation... work done by the U.S. Department of Education should more properly be done "where it belongs," by parents...
Flynn said he would privatize the U.S. Postal Service, Amtrak and the government printing office, while also cutting U.S. spending for the United Nations by 50 percent.
The "rebels fighting against Ghadaffi are Islamo-Fascists"
But lest anyone mistake him for an isolationist Ron Paulist, Flynn takes a decidedly pro-defense libertarian/anti-Islamist stance on foreign policy. Continuing:
He said he favors an immediate withdrawal from the fighting in Libya. While he said he is no fan of Moammar Gaddafi, Flynn described the rebels fighting against Gaddafi as "Islamo-fascists." He said, "You can't pick a side in this issue."
Flynn said he favors a more gradual withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan to prevent those countries from descending into chaos.
He's hardline on Immigration too. His campaign website lists his support for English as America's official language, Workplace compliance for citizenship status, No amnesty, and assimilation to Americanism before immigrants can gain citizenship.
Flynn is a native rural Nebraskan. He's now a Youth Pastor. But interestingly he comes straight out and lays it all on the line in his campaign bio:
Pat’s life was not always exemplary. He had encounters with the law regarding alcohol and marijuana; thankfully the law won regarding these situations.
But he brought his Anti-Sexual Liberty values with him
by Eric Dondero
This one is rather unique. Rob McKenna is by all accounts the run-away favorite to be the next Governor of Washington State. He's a moderate-to-conservative Republican. Even the Democrats are conceding that he's the favorite. The State is plagued by "Christine Gregoire" fatigue. The fiery Democrat has been Governor since 2002.
But McKenna has just pulled a primary opponent. He's two-time loser for State House Shahram Hadian. But don't let the name fool you. Hadian coverted to Christianity.
From his campaign bio (photo - right):
Hadian, founder of the TIL (Truth In Love) Project, believes that political correctness has handcuffed our ability to address the critical issues that our country is confronting. A Christian pastor and former Muslim, Hadian has been traveling around the nation speaking on the threat of Shari’ah Law in America.
Born in Iran, Shahram and his family left in 1978 with a sense of urgency. Only a few weeks later, the government of the Shah of Iran was overthrown and an oppressive Islamic regime took over. Leaving with nothing but their suitcases, his family moved to America to seek freedom. After spending his childhood in Canada, Shahram moved back to the U.S., waiting over eight years to legally get his green card, and then another six years waiting to become a proud U.S. Citizen.
Shahram experienced a transformational life change over 12 years ago when he committed his life to Christ. When he became a Christian, he immediately faced persecution and disapproval from his family and culture and, according to Islam became an apostate.
Led effort to ban Bikini-clad Baristas at drive-up Cafes
His background is laudable. Hadian rants against attacks on political free speech. However, he's not at all afraid to support government intervention in other personal freedom areas.
Haidan's one claim to fame. He led a successful effort in Snohomish County, to ban bikini-clad baristas at the all-popular Washington State tradition of drive-up coffee bars. Haidan called the baristas "stripping for tips" even though there was no nudity involved, just the same as you'd see at the beach. He promoted himself in his campaign as the "barista watchdog."
Jalopnik.com (photo credit), a WA State blog explained in 2009 "Killjoy Tattles On Drive-Through Bikini Coffee Shop Customers":
The shops in question are in Snohomish County, Washington, just on the north side of Seattle, and serve coffee while providing eye-candy with bikini-wearing lady baristas. The stalker concerned citizen doesn't like this, thinks its crude and disgusting and offensive and probably hates puppies and the American flag too. Accordingly, he's set about surveilling these establishments, which have been spreading due to popularity and competition, and reporting on his cute little website any instances of a company owned vehicle pulling up for a fresh cup of joe, then advocating a wholesale boycott of those companies. We're pretty certain the term "asshat" isn't derogatory enough.
And we here at Libertarian Republican humbly agree. Hey Hadian, being an American also means you support American cultural values. Not necessarily gentleman's club, and porno shops. But even many American Christians are cool with women showing a little skin at the beach, beauty pageants, and risque cafes that serve mostly truckers and other working stiffs. And besides, the Islamists whom you separate yourself from, hate it. More than enough reason to be pro-bikinis for baristas.
"America's Jobs Governor"
He's Conservative to the core... As Governor he signed 6 Balanced Budgets and an historic Tax Cut...
More info RickPerry.org
A "key test" for GOP nomination
by Clifford F. Thies
Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachman edged Texas Congressman Ron Paul in the Iowa Straw Poll, 4,823 to 4,671. Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty finished a distant third, with 2,293. Following these three were (in order): Rick Santorum, Herman Cain, Rick Perry (in a write-in effort) and Mitt Romney.
Clearly, Bachman and Paul were the big winners in the straw poll. Mustering nearly 5,000 people to the poll is an indicator of hard core support, Bachmann with mainly the social conservatives and Paul with a great many libertarian conservatives. But, it is not clear whether the showing will translate for either candidate into broader appeal.
From VOA "Bachmann Wins Key Iowa Test Vote, as Perry Announces Candidacy":
Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann won a key test vote Saturday in the U.S. state of Iowa... She is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and favorite of conservative Tea Party activists seeking lower taxes and a smaller U.S. government.
Nearly 17,000 people took part in the voting in the city of Ames, Iowa.
Finishing third, Pawlenty is in political no man's land. This may be a good enough showing to remain in the race until the Iowa Caucus. Finishing sixth when he was one of only five names on the ballot, does not exactly bode well for Romney. Perry was pretty savvy to hold back his announcement until after this straw poll was conducted.
Sidenotes; In her platform presentation at the straw poll, Bachmann said she was pro-life and will make sure you get to keep the fruit of your labor. Was she merely repeating herself?
Former Governor Gary Johnson didn't even make the cut for Thursday's televised debate. Bummer!!
UPDATE! Breaking news this morning... Reported by Fox News and various media. Tim Pawlenty has decided to drop out of the race.
by Eric Dondero
Michele Bachmann came out on top with 4,823 votes. Ron Paul placed second. Rounded out by Tim Pawlenty in third, Rick Santorum in fourth and Herman Cain fifth. Rick Perry who just announced his candidacy yesterday, soundly beat Mitt Romney, as a write-in.
A hearty congratulations to Congresswoman Bachmann, and to all the placers. (My own preferred candidates - Bachmann, Cain and Perry - did rather well)
But looking past the gala and media frenzy on the winning candidates, a bigger winner was the Republican Party on the whole.
Politico reported late yesterday:
On a mild summer day, 16,892 Iowans cast ballots on the campus here at Iowa State University. That was an increase of nearly 3,000 votes from the 2007 straw poll and an indication of the enthusiasm Iowa Republicans have going into next year’s election.
With my limited math skills, that's roughly a 30% increase in GOP participation.
Extrapolate that nationwide. Such an increase in GOP voter strength could certainly lead to Republican victories in swing states like Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Colorado.
All the candidates should be congratulated for generating enthusiasm not only for their campaigns, but for the whole process within the Republican Party, as well.
Image h/t our friends at PJ Media.
They couldn't positively identify her because of her Burqa
From Eric Dondero:
Meet Carnita Matthews of Sydney, Australia. (Yes, that's her in the photo on the right under the black burqa, photo credit - DailyTelegraph.com.au)
She was facing 6 months in jail for verbally assaulting a police officer in Sydney and for a traffic violation.
In the video you can see her berating the officer calling him a "racist." She later claimed that the officer attacked her. But she was unaware the whole time film was rolling in a video camera in the officer's car, which showed him to be calm and reasonable.
Israel National News "To Veil or not to Veil" July 28, gives a further description:
The "traffic offense case" involved Carnita Matthews, who was booked last June for a minor traffic violation. She filed a false complaint against the police officer, claiming he attempted to force the niqab veil off her face. Unknown to her, the incident was filmed and the police footage showed the officer standing politely by while being berated by the livid Matthews, who reluctantly revealed her face.
Matthews' conviction and prison term were overturned. She was not punished for her false deposition because the judge was not convinced that the veiled woman who signed it was actually Matthews.
Watch the video for further background, including the attorney for Matthews arguing that she could not be convicted as she could not be positively identified because of the burqa.
Note also, she was driving - vision impaired by her wardrobe - at night time!
Frontline recently put out a documentary on California’s growing medical marijuana industry. This has caused many pointed discussions and threats by the Federal Government towards California for ignoring their wishes. Could a spirit of nullification be growing? Watch the full episode. See more FRONTLINE.
by Clifford F. Thies
Evening of Downgradin'
(apologies to Barry MacGuire)
Yeah, my blood's so mad feels like coagulatin'
I'm sitting here just contemplatin'
I can't twist the truth, we’re a bankrupt nation
Our economy suffers from too much regulation
And entrepreneurs fear being served with litigation
Because of quantitative easing, we’re gonna get inflation
The gubmit is crazy with all its legislation
And you tell me
Over and over and over again, my friend
Ah, you don't believe
We're on the eve
of downgradin’.
It's official. The government of the USSA has been downgraded. No longer AAA, it's now AA+. Who knows what's next. The S&P cited rising debt, political risk and negative outlook, in announcing the downgrade.
On the same day, President Barack Whom? Obama called for more deficit spending including extending unemployment benefits once again. Oh, and he said it's a good thing that the unemployment rate fell from 9.2 to 9.1 percent this past month, being incapable of understanding that the drop was because another 200,000 Americans stopped looking for a job because they don't think they find one.
In the meanwhile, over in Italy, Prime Minister Berlusconi has restored a degree of calm to the European markets by calling for a balanced budget by 2013. The USSA, according to the Great One, will instead continue with trillion dollar deficits for as far into the future as they project the budget.
Editor's note - Dr. Thies is a distinguished professor of economics at Shenandoah Univ. in Virginia, (with an occasional "whacky college professor" streak.)
BREAKING NEWS!!!
From Eric Dondero:
Michele Bachmann speaking at an event in West Des Moines called for the resignation of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, in reaction to news that Standard & Poors had downgraded the U.S. credit rating.
"President Obama has destroyed the credit rating of the United States," said Bachmann, campaigning for president ahead of next week's Ames Straw Poll.
"I call on the President to seek the immediate resignation of Treasury Secretary timothy Geithner."
Michele Bachmann, is the leading candidate in Iowa, which will hold the first contest in the Republican presidential primary campaign.
REPORTING FROM THE SCENE: Libertarian Republican's contributing editor Robert Stacy McCain of TheOtherMcCain.com.
Please note, Stacy will have a full report up at his site within the hour, and later on, a video of the event, including the comments of Bachmann above.
Photo credit - Minnesota Public Radio MPR News and theOneStopThoughtShop.com
CORRECTION! LR SECOND TO POST - I was just informed that Bryan Preston at The Tatler over at Pajama's Media beat us to the punch on this story by mere minutes. See Bryan's piece. He has further details. At PJ Media.
