Legislation requiring Birth Certificate for Ballot Access

From Eric Dondero:

Needless to say, we feel a little vindicated here at Libertarian Republican. The grand old New York Times (Politics) has just reported:

questions about President Obama’s nation of birth have morphed from the Internet fringe to the mainstream in state capitols around the country.

I never really considered LR to be a "fringe" site, but we'll take it. Of course, we share the "We were Birthers before Birtherism was cool" title with others such as: World Net Daily, Weasel Zippers, our friend JB Williams at Patriot News, and Free Republic.

Bobby Jindal vs. Mary Fallin?

The article quotes a Georgia Republican State Legislator basically throwing down the gauntlet, promising at least one state will pass a Birth Certificate requirement measure before the 2012 election.

So-called birther bills have foundered or fallen dormant in at least five states and are still being debated in more than a half-dozen others.

Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, a Republican, said he would sign a similar bill enthusiastically, should it reach his desk.

But now, Oklahoma, a deeply conservative state, could be the first to put its doubts into law, through a bill that would require all candidates to provide certified proof that they meet the legal requirements for office. A vote was expected next by week.

Senate Bill 91 passed last month with overwhelming and even bipartisan support. People in both parties say they are confident that the House will go along by its deadline next week (though the bill would need to return to the Senate for a procedural vote). After that, lawmakers said they assumed that Gov. Mary Fallin, a Republican, would sign it. A spokesman for Ms. Fallin said the governor would not comment until the bill was on her desk and she could review it.

Georgia "has a duty to step up"

Finally:

“If one state passes, and the Obama administration basically ignores the requirement and does not qualify for the ballot in that state, that would send a very strong signal that we have a situation in the United States where someone who is not eligible is occupying the White House,” said Mark Hatfield, a Republican state representative in Georgia whose ballot bill failed to get through. If Oklahoma does not go forward, and an override of Ms. Brewer’s veto in Arizona does not materialize, Mr. Hatfield said, “then other states, including Georgia, have a duty to step up.”

Rep. Hatfield was quoted recently by the New American:

that the birth certificate offered by President Obama, "isn't really sufficient to make any kind of determination."

Editor's note - This website was an early and enthusiastic supporter of Mary Fallin for OK Governor.

Congressman Allen West appearing on Fox News - Greta last night:

“I’m sick and tired of this Marxist demagogic rhetoric coming from the president of the United States of America.”

H/t Hoft

From Eric Dondero:

I know, I know. Some bad news to report this morning for us Atlas fans. The first week's numbers are in. And I'm sorry to report that we lost the top spot for movie gross receipts to the hit film 'Rio.'

Our friends at Tea Party Express (TeaPartyExpress.org) report:

In its debut weekend, Atlas Shrugged surprised everyone, grossing more in ticket sales per movie screen than any other movie save the hit family movie, "Rio."

And this week, Atlas Shrugged expands - from 299 screens last weekend to 423+ screens this weekend.

Note - You can find the closest movie theater showing the film near you - AtlasShruggedPart1.com

“The Republican Party has traditionally stood for limited government, I am not a ‘Big Government’ Republican. I am an independent-minded conservative"

From Eric Dondero:

Meet Paul Curtman. He's a two-term State Representative from the southwest suburbs (Cedar Hill) of St. Louis. He is a US Marine, and Veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom. He is a graduate of the Univ. of Missouri and a Martial Arts instructor.

Curtman describes himself as a strict Constitutionalist. He has attended numerous Tea Party rallies in the St. Louis area. He is a friend and colleague of super-Tea Party conservative and radio talk show host Dana Loesch (The Dana Show).

He was described as a "Liberty candidate" and backed by Ron Paul supporters at the Daily Paul.

He was an endorsed candidate of the Republican Liberty Caucus in 2010, and is listed on the RLC page of libertarian-leaning Republican elected officials for Missouri.

Yesterday, Rep. Curtman had his first major legislative victory, "Missouri House votes to ban Sharia law":

From STLToday:

A bill prohibiting state courts from using or recognizing Sharia law passed the Missouri House Wednesday on a 102-51 vote.

The legislation, which was sponsored by state Rep. Paul Curtman, R-Pacific, bans Missouri courts from utilizing foreign law or legal code in any ruling. Although it never specifically mentions the words “Sharia” or “Islam," Wednesday’s debate focused almost exclusively on Sharia law, which is the religious law of Islam.

A description of the legislation by Curtman from his website:

This bill would prevent our judges from using foreign law to render their decision if that law would deny our citizens fro their constitutionally protected liberties.

The purpose of government is to do one thing and one thing only: protect the rights of citizens and even then, the government can only do that if and only if they have the consent of the citizens. This is why our leadership is elected, it is why our legislature is elected; so the laws that we use to protect us are also representative of the people. I really do not understand how it is that anyone who takes an oath to the United States and Missouri Constitutions would ever vote against a bill that would ensure that our citizens are protected by our constitutions. This really baffles me.

Curtman has already been talked about for higher office, even US Senate. (See Reboot Congress).

From Eric Dondero:

In a syndicated column, Los Angeles-based libertarian radio talk show host Larry Elder writes that on the Obama birth certificate, there's some "legitimate head scratching":

Hawaii's new governor, incensed over this "demonization" of Obama, vowed to put the issue to rest by releasing the relevant documents. Oops. The governor learned that under Hawaii's privacy laws, no one could obtain the records without a "tangible interest." Who could release the records? Barack Obama. And he apparently refuses to waive his right of privacy. This kind of thing fuels speculation and suspicion.

Elder then goes on to suggest that Trump should also look at Obama's missing Harvard law school records, his other academic records which remain "top secret," his relationship with Rev. Jeramiah Wright and his anti-semitic and racist sermons.

Elder concludes:

No, the real story about Trump isn't Trump.

It's the pass given Obama by the media. Whether it's regarding Obama's birthplace, whether Obama personally heard Wright's racist and anti-Semitic sermons, or whether unrepentant terrorist Bill Ayers wrote Obama's first book, Obama manages to avoid careful examination from the adoring media.

Trump would not be relevant -- if the media had been.

In of all places - New Hampshire

From James Fryar:

There is news out that former New Mexico Governor, Gary Johnson has announced he is in the race for President for 2012. Johnson is probably the most libertarian candidate in the race.

From USA Today:

Former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson said today he is running for president in 2012.

Johnson, a Republican who was governor from 1995 to 2003, made his announcement on the steps of the State House in Concord, N.H. On Twitter a short while ago, his staff tweeted for him: “First time to say it. "I am running for president."

Johnson has libertarian views and is perhaps best known for his efforts to legalize marijuana and for cutting New Mexico's budget and taxes. He's been traveling to early presidential contest states such as Iowa and New Hampshire talking about the nation's debt and U.S. involvement in Afghanistan and Libya.

Announce for President; take a Ski trip

From the Manchester Union-Leader:

Johnson, 58, said during two terms as New Mexico governor, he eliminated the state’s budget deficit and cut the rate of state government growth in half while reducing the state workforce by more than 10 percent without laying off a single qualified state worker.

"I was called ‘Governor Veto,’ and accepted that nickname proudly," he said.

Johnson will spend three days in New Hampshire, including hiking and skiing Tuckerman's Ravine in the White Mountains on Saturday, April 23.

Jim is an Australian pro-defense Libertarian. His blog is Real World Libertarian. Photo - Johnson scaling Mt. Everest.

From Eric Dondero:

We reported here at LR back in early March on the flood of Tunisian and Algerian immigrants into extreme southern Europe, "Italy's southernmost Island flooded with North African Immigrants - Using Middle-Eastern/Northern Africa uprisings as excuse to Immigrate for Job opportunities"

Now this additional information just coming out of the Euro press...

ConervativesforAmerica blog provides this description:

To prevent the overloaded boats from Tunisia and Libya headed for Lampedusa from capsizing, young males on board have been throwing the women overboard, most of whom apparently drowned. This could partly explain the virtual absence of any women among the Tunisian masses invading Lampedusa every day now.

From the French news service Le Figaro (Google Translate):

All exclusively young men, rather poor and rarely speaking, tell the same story. As Tarek, 20, left there twenty days of Kairouan. "We were packed in 150 in a boat designed for 60, says the boy. During the trip to Lampedusa, twelve girls were thrown into the sea. Then I was transferred to Sicily, I escaped and took the train. But now I have no money, so tonight I'm going to the beach. Their sole obsession: cross the border [into France].

From Eric Dondero:

Members of the Republican Liberty Caucus who have been around a few years will remember Matt Salmom. He was on the RLC advisory board back in the 1990s. He was elected to Congress with the Contract with America class of '94. He was always welcoming of RLC members visiting Capitol Hill in the 1990s, to lobby on such issues as absolishing Selective Service, and reducing and eliminating federal programs. A staunch advocate of Term Limits he pledged to serve 3 terms and then not run for reelection. He lived up to his word.

Now with Jeff Flake stepping up for a Senate run, Salmon plans to run for his seat.

From IntellectualConservativeArizona:

EAST VALLEY – Former Congressman Matt Salmon announced his bid today to return to Congress to represent the same area he served nearly a decade ago. Salmon was first elected to the United States Congress in 1994 and served until 2000, honoring his term limit pledge. A proud fiscal conservative, Salmon was rated in the top five among all 535 members of the House and Senate by Citizen’s Against Government Waste for all six years he was in office.

"I want to return to Congress because I believe that, now more than ever, the East Valley needs experienced leadership who will represent our interests in Washington," said Salmon, "Over the past few years, we have watched as our taxpayer dollars have grown government and bailed out Wall Street."

Salmon was named a "Watchdog of the Treasury" all six years he was in office. He also earned the "Taxpayer Hero Award" from the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste.

"We must reform our entitlement state, revamp our tax code to conform to today’s economy and live within our means," said Salmon.

Release (excerpt)...

April 20, 2011

WASHINGTON - Following the Obama administration Justice Department's April 15 shutdown of three online poker sites and indictment of their executives, Libertarian Party Chair Mark Hinkle said, "The Obama administration has just trampled on the rights of millions of Americans."

Hinkle continued, "This is also a scary reminder of President Obama's vision of a government with the power to shut down websites it doesn't like, before a trial has even started.

"Even worse, shutting down this peaceful, honest commerce further weakens our economy.

"We Libertarians believe that adults have the right to gamble with their own money. Government has no business interfering. The Obama administration should drop these charges and restore the websites. Congress should repeal the laws that prohibit gambling, whatever the format."

http://www.lp.org

Absolutely Must See!!

From Eric Dondero:

Somehow the leftist freedom-hating folks at TPM seem to think this is a total slam on Rand. But libertarians no doubt will find it downright inspiring.

Paul Ryan makes an appearance, as do Rand and Ron Paul. John Stossel sums up Rand's beliefs. Clarence Thomas is even quoted praising Rand. A Fox News reporter says of Young Gun Republican congressman they're "inspired by Ronald Reagan, Milton Friedman and Ayn Rand."

A clip of Rand is included, the interview from the 1960s of her appearance with CBS's Mike Wallace. Pay close attention to the look of disgust on her face, at Wallace.

RAND: I feel that it's terrible. That you see destruction all around you. And that you are moving towards disaster, until and unless, all those welfare state conceptions have been reversed and rejected.

WALLACE: You are out to destroy almost every edifice in the contemporary American way of life... our modified government regulated capitalism, our rule by majority will... is that accurate?

Rand: Ahh, Yes.

by Clifford F. Thies

The latest polls from north of the border put the upcoming election very close. What is consistent across the polls is that the Conservatives are in the upper 30s, we'll say 38, close to the magic 40 percent mark that, traditionally, converts into a majority in the parliament. There is a possibility that the Conservatives will increase their popular vote and seats in parliament while not not by enough to gain a majority. If the Conservatives fall short of a majority, it looks possible that the other three parties will devise some kind of agreement to wrest control of the government from the Conservatives. As to how this would happen, and how long the agreement would last, would be anybody's guess.

What is inconsistent in the polls is the position of the New Democrats. In terms of the popular vote, the range of their showings is from a tied with the Liberals for second to a distant third. But, as for seats, they seem to be picking up strength where they're going to lose. So, no real pick-up of seats is projected.

On the other hand, the surge of strength for the New Democrats means, in Quebec, that the Bloc Quebecois looks to retain about the same number of seats they currently have in spite of projections of their lowest popular vote in years. This would be because of of the split of the federalist vote across three strong parties instead of merely two.

The Liberals are getting set to declare victory in spite of projections showing them as losing the popular vote to the Conservative in every regions of the country except Quebec, and in Quebec possibly finishing fourth behind the Bloc and the New Democrats as well as the Tories. Talk about backing into a victory. What Chutzpah!

But, wait, there's more.

The Liberals have decided that they only thing for the other two parties that really dislike the Conservatives to do is to agree to support a Liberal minority government. So, instead of Canada being ruled by a party that obtained nearly 40 percent of the popular vote and fell just short of a majority in parliament, it would be ruled by a party that obtained nearly 30 percent of the popular vote and fell far short of a majority.

Thus, if the Conservatives fall short of a majority by, let's say, more than 2 seats, it's possible Canada will wind up with a even more tenuous minority government than it has had the past several years and will soon be back at the polls.

We identify each other by our faces; we're "not forced to carry government i.d. cards"

Excerpt from Licia Corbella, columnist, Calgary Herald, "More evidence why the West should ban the burka" April 19:

Women who do not wear head scarves are being threatened with violence and even death by Islamic extremists ...,” [an] April 18 story in the [UK] Daily Mail.

Nothing unusual there, except that these threats are being made to non-Muslim women in ... wait for it ... Great Britain.

The Daily Mail story states: “[A non-Muslim] woman who works in a pharmacy in east London was told to dress more modestly and wear a veil or the shop would be boycotted.

“When she went to the media to talk about the abuse she suffered, a man later entered the pharmacy and told her: ‘If you keep doing these things, we are going to kill you.’ ”

This story, and others like it, should put to rest the nonsensical arguments of people who say that the niqab and the burka are simply just another choice of clothing... Wherever the niqab becomes common, it eventually becomes mandatory and women are never given a choice of what to wear again.

That’s the problem and that’s, in part, what France is attempting to stop with its ban on face coverings in public...

If Islamo-fascists have their way or become the majority they will impose their oppressive dress code on all women, regardless of their individual beliefs.

In Canada, we identify one another by our faces. We are not forced to carry government-issued identification, like in all Islamo-fascist states. Therein lies the biggest difference of all.

"Every woman in the West who wears a Burka... is a supporter of Islamic Fascism"

From the Calgary Herald, "Islamic fascists have West in their gunsights" April 19:

Tarek Fatah, renowned author and founder of the secular group Muslim Canadian Congress, says he hopes Stephen Harper wins a majority and follows the lead of French President Nicolas Sarkozy and bans the burka.

“The burka and the niqab is the political uniform of the regiments of the Muslim Brotherhood, which is a fascist, supremacist organization,” explained Fatah...

“You can’t wear a swastika today and not be a Nazi, and the niqab is the swastika of the Muslim Brotherhood,” added Fatah on Tuesday.

“Every woman who wears a burka by choice in the West is a supporter of Islamic fascism, believes in jihad and desires the implementation of sharia law and the destruction of western civilization. There is not one of these women who will say that they are against sharia and they’re against jihad,” he said. “So, we’re dealing with a dress code of a fascist organization that has in its gunsights, the West.”

Fatah's books at McClelland.com

Western coalition arming Rebels under the "Banner of Islam"

From Eric Dondero:

From Karen De Young, reporter with the Washington Post (via Denver Post) "Western nations step up aid for Libyan rebels" April 19:

The United States and its allies have entered a new stage of involvement in Libya, sending assistance and advisers directly to opposition military forces, which have been unable to break Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's stranglehold over much of the country despite help from NATO airstrikes.

President Barack Obama authorized sending $25 million worth of nonlethal equipment, including body armor, tents, uniforms and vehicles.

Cities already being governed under strict Sharia Law

Now this...

translated from the French Media source, Le Figaro "Al-Qaida confirme sa présence aux côtés des rebelles en Libye" (Al Qaeda's presence confirmed in Libya by rebels" April 19:

The media officer in the North African branch of al-Qaeda gave an interesting interview with the Saudi newspaper Al-Hayyat published in London.

Abi Saleh Mohammad said that the terrorist organization has offices in Benghazi, Al Bayda, Al Marj, and especially Dernah Shihata.

"We are especially present at Dernah where Sheikh Abdul Hakim is our Emir and where he trained - along with other brothers - an Islamic council to govern the city under Sharia, Islamic law, said Mohammad Abi Saleh...

The head of al-Qaida also confirms that the terrorist organization has recently acquired weapons, "to protect our soldiers and to defend the banner of Islam."

Editor's note - My translation; fluent French speaker.

Campaign to "rid the country of Christianity"

Islamists yelled "Allahu-Ahkbar" as they shot him dead

From CDN, (via Clearlyhis.com):

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 20 (CDN) — Two Muslim extremists in Somalia on Monday (April 18) murdered a member of a secret Christian community in Lower Shabele region as part of a campaign to rid the country of Christianity, sources said.

An area source told Compass two al Shabaab militants shot 21-year-old Hassan Adawe Adan in Shalambod town after entering his house at 7:30 p.m.

“Two al Shabaab members dragged him out of his house, and after 10 minutes they fired several shots on him,” said an area source who requested anonymity. “He then died immediately.”

The militants then shouted “Allahu Akbar [God is greater]” before fleeing, he said.

Photo of another incident of Sharia Law in Somalia via Bartamaha.

I’m a partisan Libertarian, as you know. Although I frequently state my ‘glass half empty’ case, fact is, whenever a major change takes place affecting an executive or legislative branches of government, there are things I can be hopeful of, depending on the offices affected, and the party of those taking power. When Obama was [...]

Red Eye Greg-alogue on Fox

From Eric Dondero:

The Gregger opines for Michigan Congressman and amateur metal guitarist Thaddeus McCotter to join in for the GOP presidential nomination; it would add a little principled humbleness to the race.

FF to 20 second mark. A lot of "Hmmns" can be heard from fellow set members.

Why can't he just be more like our boy Mitch?

From Eric Dondero:

An amazingly revealing editorial on libertarian Republican hero Senator Rand Paul, coming out of the ultra-liberal establishment Lexington Herald-Leader (Kentucky.com), by Tom Eblen,
"Rand Paul, a Senate show horse, not a workhorse" April 24:

The Kentucky Republican's election last November came amid a perfect storm of voter discontent with the political establishment. Otherwise, Paul never could have defeated an accomplished secretary of state in the primary and an accomplished attorney general in the general election.

Paul has become one of the most high-profile members of the Tea Party movement in the freshman class of Congress. He owes much of his celebrity status to his father, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, who has been a gadfly presidential candidate for both the Libertarian and Republican parties.

His appeal may also have something to do with his first name, which reminds people of the late novelist Ayn Rand, whose fairy tales of libertarian utopia still enthrall some conservatives.

If young buck Paul doesn't tame himself, KY voters ought to just "put him out to pasture"

Then [writer] Eblex expresses that Paul's Paul Ryan like budget cutting plan, is too radical and would cause an economic disaster if implemented:

The most significant thing Paul has done so far as a senator is to propose a budget-balancing plan that has no chance of ever happening. It would slash $4 trillion in spending by basically doing away with much of the federal government.

Like a somewhat less-radical plan by Rep. Paul Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican, it is based on the same tax-cutting, anti-regulation philosophies that caused the economic crisis and ballooned the federal deficit in the first place. Both schemes would be good for corporations and wealthy people and bad for everyone else.

He goes on to wish oh so dreamily, that the young Paul would just be more of a compromiser like McConnell:

If Paul has any desire to become an influential member of Congress — and not just a show horse — he should take some lessons from the Senate's Republican leader and his fellow Kentuckian, Mitch McConnell.

Even those who don't agree with McConnell's politics or admire his values acknowledge that he is a master politician. He can aggressively push his agenda but still find ways to achieve beneficial compromise. McConnell knows how to work with opponents and get things done.

Finally, he snarks:

The media will eventually find another show horse to ride, especially if the public continues growing weary of the zealots of the Tea Party movement. Unless Paul can find ways to serve his constituents and actually accomplish something in the Senate over the next six years, I suspect Kentucky voters will be quick to put him out to pasture.

Photo h/t equineartists.com

From Eric Dondero:

Well, fellow libertarian Republicans, not everyone out there loves us. In fact, some people think we're downright disgusting.

From HuffPo, Miami Herald, "Rick Scott To EPA: Water Guidelines Aren't Necessary In Florida" 04-23:

The day after the Florida House passed a bill to ban implementation of water quality standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Administration, Gov. Rick Scott on Friday asked the agency to rescind a January 2009 determination that the federal rules are necessary for Florida.

And a featured comment by a HuffPo-er in regards to the Scott article:

“Ewwwwww...­.a republican­/libertari­an........­.....”

You can see a photo of the "nice" retired couple known as "SPacific" making the comment at this link.

Editor's comment - One supposes that all those gentle island breezes and a few too many sips of pineapple and rum may have frozen a few of their brain cells.

by Clifford F. Thies

Elliot Spitzer, the disgraced former Governor of New York State and currently the director of ethics for CNN, was broadcasting some kind of investigation into the background of Donald Trump, a sort of, maybe candidate for President.

The Donald didn't care too much for this investigation as, just to cite one little reason, he has a bunch of current and potentially future ex-wives who have a pecuniary interest in his net worth. Then, there's the banks, limited partners and venture capitalists pursuing foreclosure on various properties of his.

So, the Donald called up Spitzer right on the air to take issue with the idea with that the American people might have a right to know about his finances. Spitzer replied, and I quote,

"The issue here, and I also agree as a private entity and a private company you do not have the obligation to make the disclosures that a public company does.

"And therefore there's a certain lack of knowledge that all of us bring to this conversation ... "

A certain lack of knoweldge???

What about the mystery man himself? You know, the guy whom we don't have a right to know in what country he was born, or what's recorded on his birth certificate, his coursework and grades when he was a student, why it took him so long to graduate, the reason he was given scholarships to Ivy League universities, who wrote his book, how he got a loan for millions of dollars to buy his mansion, his relationship tp Jeremiah Wright, Louis Farrakhan, Bill Ayres, Rod Blagojevich, Tony Rezko, etc., etc.

Oh, wait, we already know everything we need to know about that person.

He's a Democrat.