From Clifford Thies:

The Michigan re-districting mostly benefits incumbent Republican Congressman Tim Wahlberg, who was elected in 2010 with 50 to 45, with 5 points going to third-party candidates (CD - 3). Wahlberg is a social conservative with a libertarian streak on taxes.

The legislature wanted #1 to force the loss of one seat unto the Democrats, and #2 shore up the most vulnerable Republicans, of which Wahlberg was first on the list and Benishek was second.

In 2010, freshman Republican Rep. Justin Amash won 60 to 38 percent, which was a pretty strong margin in an open race (CD - 4). However, he has lost some strong Republican areas and picked up some mixed areas.

There will be four potentially competitive Congressional races in Michigan in 2012: Wahlberg, Benishek, Amash and the district formed by the merging of two Democrat districts. With the state being a purple to feint blue state and a potentially exciting Senate race, all four of these Congressional races will be in play, at least initially.

Image - Current map

(By Phyllis Klosinski, Brown County resident) ATTENTION to all Indiana Conservancy District freeholders, there is an urgent need to protect your rights. (If you aren’t sure what a conservancy district is, please learn about it here.) The Indiana Ct. of Appeals issued Opinion No 07A01-1008-PL-429 on April 12, 2011.  This cause was filed to protect [...]

  Today marks the 40th anniversary of the beginning of  Prohibition II – the Drug War, and as to be expected  there are a number of articles (and a very nice video) out this week, most from sources you’re expect, and a couple you will be surprised to see. As I’m not one to reinvent [...]

The farm I was raised on wouldn’t bear a lot of resemblance to most of the farms today. The tractors weren’t nearly as big:   but then I suppose they weren’t nearly as expensive, either. We ate the eggs from our own chickens when they were still laying eggs, and then ate the chickens with [...]

Libertarian Women and Friends, Celebrate Summer at Rebecca’s Girls Only Pool Party ! Saturday, June 25th 11am to 5pm Bring side dish, salad or dessert to share, beverages & main dish provided. $20 suggested donation @LPIN.org (Guests free, the more the merrier, children, as long as they are girls, are welcome.) RSVP and Share on [...]

I attended a public hearing in Richmond tonight concerning the Wheel Tax the Wayne County Commissioners want to impose. It seems that since cars are getting better mileage and people are driving less, the county doesn’t have enough money to properly maintain the roads. I can understand how that might be a problem. Apparently the [...]

Pawlenty No on Pot

From Eric Dondero:

New info emerging on Tim Pawlenty's recent visit to the Cato Institute. Dave Weigel at Slate reports on the Q&A after his speech:

Unfortunately, the wearer of Vikings colors worked for the Marijuana Policy Project, who asked Pawlenty how he could be taken seriously on health care since he had opposed "my group" on medical pot.

"What was it?" asked Pawlenty? "Marijuana? Yeah. Well... I stood with law enforcement issue on this issue... we just have a respectful difference on this issue."

Pawlenty vetoed a medical marijuana bill in his last year in office.

Sigh... Romney backs Ethanol subsidies in Iowa

This one is not going to win over libertarians and other free marketeers for sure. Romney's already on thin ice with this wing of the GOP.

The Hill reports "Romney backs Ethanol subsidies":

Asked about his position on federal ethanol subsidies following a talk at the Greater Des Moines Partnership's Presidential Forum Speaker Series, Romney said that ethanol is an important part of the nation's energy supply.

“I support the subsidy of ethanol,” said Romney, according to ABC News. “I believe it’s an important part of our energy solution in this country

Ironically, just last week, Pawlenty scored some points with libertarians by coming out for the repeal of subsidies on an Iowa campaign swing.

He's a "Benedict Arnold" to his Race

From Eric Dondero:

Florida Senator Marco Rubio (a longtime favorite of this website), recently reiterrated his position against illegal immigration, and blanket amnesty on spanish radio. For that he has received vitriolic condemnation from leftist Hispanic leaders.

From Politico:

"To be against comprehensive immigration reform and a path to citizenship and against the DREAM Act defines you in the Latino immigrant community as a hard-liner and an enemy of the community,” said Frank Sharry, founder and executive director of America’s Voice, a pro-immigration advocacy group.

"There’s a Benedict Arnold feeling,” said Jorge Mursuli, a Cuban immigrant and executive director of Miami-based Democracia, a Hispanic civic engagement group.

Critics also charged that Rubio was putting ambition over his allegiances to his race. Rubio is often mentioned as a possible VP candidate for the GOP in 2012.

From Eric Dondero:

Libertarians, particularly Libertarian Party members have been skeptical of GOP promises of cutting spending. But at least in Wisconsin, Republicans are sticking to their guns.

From Forbes "Walker's school cuts"":

Republican lawmakers on Friday largely supported Gov. Scott Walker's proposed cuts to public education...

schools still would have to shoulder a roughly $800 million cut in aid and reduce the total amount they get from aid and local property taxes by 5.5 percent.

Government-run schools advocates shot back:

advocates charge that Walker and Republicans are attempting to privatize education through the deep budget cuts...

"This is a day that the state Legislature walks away from its commitment to public education," said Sen. Bob Jauch, D-Poplar.

Walker also proposed a 30% cut in taxpayer subsidies to technical colleges.

Christians can pass out pamplets on public sidewalk at Muslim Fest

From Eric Dondero:

Background from LR article June 2009 "Dearborn bans Christian group from passing out literature at Arab Festival"":

On Thursday, a federal judge ruled that the group Arabic Christian Perspective can be prohibited from passing out literature on public sidewalks at an upcomming ethnic festival.

From the Detroit News:

A federal judge sided with the city of Dearborn on Thursday in a dispute with a Christian group over the distribution of religious literature during an upcoming Arab festival.

U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds denied a motion from the California-based ministry, Arabic Christian Perspective, for a temporary restraining order that would have prohibited the city from restricting the group from handing out literature, according to a release from the group's attorneys.

Now this from the Detroit News "Court throws out Dearborn leaflet ban, May 27, City violated man's free-speech rights at festival, ruling says":

A federal appeals court Thursday invalidated a leafleting ban in Dearborn, ruling the city violated a man's free-speech rights when he was blocked from trying to convert Muslims to Christianity.

The 2-1 decision by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sends the case back to federal court in Detroit, where the city and Police Chief Ronald Haddad could be held liable for damages.

George Saieg, a Christian Arab-American from California, sued Dearborn for being prevented in 2009 from handing out literature at the annual Arab International Festival on Warren Avenue. The festival will be held again June 17-19.

Photo credit - The Blog Prof

EGYPT

Dan Littauer, editor of Gay Middle East out of London, from CNN, May 27, "Will gays be 'sacrificial lambs' in Arab Spring?":

"Many gay activists are very scared that the reality of their oppression could get worse.

For example, in Egypt and Tunisia there was a lot of hope initially that there would be a more tolerant civil society. Now it seems that the impetus for change will be hijacked by conservative (sic) forces who will make the situation worse for gay people and other minorities."

TUNISIA

From Fox News, May 21 "Gays in Egypt, Tunisia worry about post-revolt era":

Throughout the Arab world, however, homosexual conduct remains taboo — it is punishable by floggings, long prison terms and in some cases execution...

"Our struggle goes on — it gets more and more difficult," Tunisian gays-rights and HIV-AIDS activist Hassen Hanini wrote to The Associated Press in an email. "The Tunisian gay community is still seeking its place in society in this new political environment..."

Hanini says... gay-rights activists... now worry that political developments may work against them.

"Tunisian gays, who are finding it increasingly difficult to be accepted... the Islamist parties who are trying to play the role of judge right now, and who view homosexuality and the gay community as a product of the former regime," he said. "They call it 'rot' that must be cleaned away."

From the Editor - Apologies to any reader offended by the photo. But sometimes it's necessary to show the true grotesque reality of Islamism.

Palin in 3rd with 13%

According to Reuters a new CNN poll has Rudy Giuliani ahead of the Republican pack, just "edging out" Romney 16% to 15%.

Rudy Giuliani came out on top of a new survey of the 2012 Republican presidential primary field, even though the former New York Mayor has not so far jumped into the race.

Also polling high were former Alaska governor Sarah Palin with 13 percent, Texas Congressman Ron Paul, with 12 percent, and pizza magnate Herman Cain at 10 percent. Palin also is not a declared candidate for 2012 so far.

All other announced and potential candidates scored less than 10 percent support in a poll of 473 likely Republican voters conducted May 24-26.

"fiscal conservative/tough on crime"

Continuing:

Giuliani projects himself as a tough-on-crime fiscal conservative, and is remembered as the "mayor of 9/11" for his response to the September 11, 2001, attacks on New York city

"Libertarian desciples of Ayn Rand" have hijacked the GOP

The New York Post opened a Forum, "Why the GOP lost in Western NY"" May 27. The first uptop response:

The upset victory of Democrat Kathy Hochul may be a harbinger of what is to come in 2012 ("A Portentous Election," Editorial, May 26).

Americans are beginning to realize that the GOP has been hijacked by religious zealots and the libertarian disciples of Ayn Rand.

The GOP's reactionary agenda on social issues and its open hostility to public education, Medicare and Social Security, coupled with its obsession with tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations, will most likely ensure its demise in next year's elections.

Americans want government to be reformed, not dismantled.

D. Middlebrooks, Brooklyn

Editor's comment - Since we now completely control things is it now time to abolish the Libertarian Party?

THE ULTIMATE MOOCHER WATCH... EVAH!

From Eric Dondero:

North Carolina Republican State Rep. Stephen LaRoque had a "testy" email exchange with a constituent. Kathryn Treadway of Goldsboro lost her health industry job last year. She's been looking for work ever since. She's been recieving generous unemployment compensation. (Her salary was $22 an hour.)

The GOP-controlled Legislature recently reached an impasse with Democrat Gov. Bev Purdue over jobs legislation. This led to the halting of Treadway, and other North Carolinian's extended hand-outs.

Treadway told LaRoque she's been looking all over for work, putting in applications, but nothing has popped up. LaRoque shot back that he had a whole lot of yard work that needed to be done, and he'd hire her for $8 an hour starting immediately.

To her credit, Treadway took him up on the offer, showing up with a shovel and hoe the next day promptly at 9:00 am in front of his house. But things didn't go quite as planned.

From InfiniStreams.com:

“It was just too much. I’m not used to doing manual labor, and the crap he wanted me to do was something two men would do,” she said after leaving. “I'm used to making $22 an hour. I’m not gonna sit there for $8 and hour and come home having a stroke.”

LaRoque was stunned and displeased with her quitting the job after only one hour. Still, he was polite. Continuing:

“I was having her doing some bending over. She said it was bothering her back,” LaRoque said. “She stayed for about an hour and left. … I gave her eight dollars and thanked her.”

The Representative still needs yard work done, and is looking for someone who is willing to take the job. He's encouraging anyone in the local area who actually does want to work to contact him at his legislative office website.

Note - Goldsboro is located in east-central NC.

It is indeed Nanny-ism

On the newly-enacted total Smoking Ban at public parks in Bay Terrace, New York.

Bay Terrace City Enforcement official Phil Konigsberg from YourNabe.com:

“Some say this is an extension of the nanny state,” he said. “The definition of a nanny is a person who looks after children. This law is about protecting children and the most vulnerable among us.”

Note - Bay Terrace is located on Long Island at the northeastern tip of Queens.

Worldwide Libertarian Hero is back after attack

From Eric Dondero:

"Vivacious" Bollywood Actress Veena Malik is recovering from a car crash last week. The outspoken critic of Islam won worldwide praise two months ago for her dressing down of a Muslim cleric on India-wide TV. Her car was rammed she alleges, by revenge-seeking Muslims, on the highway to Lahore.

Now this latest report from the International Herald-Tribune:

Veena Malik, whose car was hit by a speeding vehicle en route from Islamabad to Lahore on May 16, has recovered from her injuries and is set to make an appearance on television in the next couple of days.

Malik, who has been discharged from the hospital and is living in her Lahore residence these days, told The Express Tribune: “I have a slight pain in my arm, but I have recovered now although doctors have advised rest. I will make my appearance through television in the next few days”.

See video at LR, March 20 "Pakistani Actress slams Muslim cleric on India TV"

From Josh Painter:

Todd and Sarah may ride with the Rolling Thunder vets.

Blue Star parents Todd and Sarah Palin may be riding with tens of thousands of Rolling Thunder veterans Sunday.

From WaPo:

The former Alaska governor, who is the subject of a lot of overheated speculation about whether she will run for president in 2012, has accepted an invitation to participate in the annual Rolling Thunder memorial ride this Sunday, an official says.

“As far as I know, she is trying to rent a motorcycle, so she can ride with her husband,” said Nancy Regg, a spokeswoman for Rolling Thunder.

Gregg says the tentative plan is for Palin to join up with the ride at the Pentagon at 7 a.m. The ride kicks off at noon, and hundreds of bikers will snake through D.C. to the event’s main stage, which will be between the Reflecting Pool and the Korean War Veterans Memorial on the Mall. The program is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m.

UPDATE! She's Confirmed!

From ABC News:

For the riders of Rolling Thunder, the news that Sarah Palin will participate in their national rally on Sunday came as a surprise. A welcome surprise

I certainly welcome any positive publicity surrounding our cause, anything to bring attention to POWs and MIAs,” said Jeffrey Stewart, who leads a Rolling Thunder chapter in New Hampshire.

I’d love to see [President] Obama walk out and say, ‘Thank you,’” he said. “I’d love to see [Vice President Joe] Biden come out and say, ‘Thank you.’ Anyone who wants to be president, I'd love for them to come and acknowledge us.”

Photo credit - JanetCharletonsHollywood.com

Democrats solution to Strauss-Khan? An Anti-Rape Tax

From Eric Dondero:

We reported here at LR last week, that Democrat Assmb. Rory Lancman from Brooklyn (photo below) introduced the "Strauss-Kahn Chamber Maid Protection Act""; a bill to require that New York hotels install a (red?) Panic Button in all rooms to help ensure mostly female cleaning ladies will not be molested.

Now the Hotel & Lodging Association has chimed in. From Joseph McInerney, Assoc. CEO:

“an overreach and overreaction. When you look at the number of people who stay in hotels every night and the number of people working in rooms, these incidents are really few and far between... it’s a step too far to require hotels to spend money on incidents that don’t happen that often.”

The Washington Times editorializes - "Strauss-Kahn prompts panic" - against such legislation as ""ridiculous," and raises a scary, but knowing New York, possible result of such legislation:

It’s one thing if hotels elect to provide staff with devices or training to promote safety, as many do. If the government begins to mandate it, however, don’t be surprised when anti-rape fees pop up on New York hotel bills.

Editor's comment - And we'll all be able to thank the idiot IMF Chief from France.

UNBELIEVABLE!

Canadian PM only leader to oppose Israel's return to '67 Borders

From Eric Dondero:

We reported on Monday, that Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper was increasingly being viewed as the new World leader for Freedom.

Now this from the Globe and Mail:

Alone among G8 leaders, the Canadian Prime Minister refuses to embrace the U.S. President’s plan to begin peace negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis on the basis of a return to Israel’s de facto borders as they existed before its 1967 war with neighbouring Arab countries – a precondition, accepted by Arabs and by many previous Israeli leaders and Canadian governments, that would be necessary to get Palestinians back to the table.

Mr. Harper made his opposition to that position clear through a spokesperson shortly after Mr. Obama’s Middle East speech last week in a pre-G8 briefing, making him the lone leader in the G8 not to back the U.S. preconditions.

Note - Although, Harper himself has not embraced the "libertarian" label, he has been called a libertarian or libertarian-leaning by some Canadian media.

From Eric Dondero:

Republicans have majorities in both the Minnesota House and Senate. A bill to require photo i.d. voting passed through both chambers easily. According to SurveyUSA 76% of Minnesotans support voter i.d. Yet Democrat Governor Mark Dayton just vetoed the bill.

From KSAX.com:

The bill would have required Minnesotans to show a photo ID in order to cast a vote.

The governor also cited $23 million in costs that would have been incurred by local election officials. Despite the governor's veto, it's likely that photo ID's will be required eventually. Republicans who control the House and Senate say they'll pass a bill that would put the issue on the 2012 ballot.

Dayton himself won election by a razor thin margin of 1%. Many Minnesota Republicans suspected fraud, and illegal voters in urban centers such as Minneapolis and St. Paul involved in his election.