by Paul Jacob

Sharron Angle, who is running for U.S. Senate against Harry Reid, the majority leader seeking a fifth term, had a very good reason for entering politics. The powers that be wouldn’t leave her be.

In his column “Candidate Nobody Is Not to Be Underestimated,” George Will reports that the roots of the grandmother’s current campaign lie three decades in the past.

Her son was being forced to repeat kindergarten, so she decided to teach him herself. But although homeschooling was legal in Nevada, you couldn’t do it unless you lived at least 50 miles from a public school.

Angle and other parents trooped to the state legislature to demand change. One job-holder there, annoyed by this torrent of interest by mere citizens in legislative doings, said if he’d “known there would be 500 people here instead of 50 and it would take five hours instead of 30 minutes, I would have thrown it [the legislation] in my drawer, and it would never have seen the light of day.” Angle has been “politically incandescent” ever since.

I like this story for many reasons, in part because my wife and I have home-schooled our kids. One thing you have to teach the young is not to expect politicians to look out for your genuine best interests.

Another is that vigilance is the price of liberty.

A third is that if you want something done right, often you have to do it yourself.

Paul Jacob is a longtime libertarian political activist; a one-time Draft Resistor, fmr. National Director of the Libertarian Party, and fmr. President of US Term Limits.

ALASKA, TEXAS & NORTH DAKOTA

From Eric Dondero:

Congress just approved yet another extension for unemployment benefits. And Some have been on the government dole for over 2 years. Now new numbers have been released. And they show that if these displaced workers would simply move to a Republican State, their job-finding prospects would be improved dramatically.

The Top 3 States in the Nation for Job Growth for 2010 for the first two quarters of fiscal year 2010 are North Dakota, Alaska, and Texas; All 3 solidly Red States. Out of the Top 10, 8 out of 10 are Republican-run. The two exceptions are the glaring anamoly of the District of Columbia coming in at #5, and oddly enough New York.

From Reuters:

Here are the state-by-state rankings as of mid-2010:

1 North Dakota
2 Alaska
3 Texas
4 South Dakota
5 District of Columbia
6 Nebraska
7 Louisiana
8 New York
9 New Hampshire
10 Utah

Conversely, making up the bottom of the list a number of deeply Blue Democrat states like Michigan, California, Rhode Island, and Ohio. Though, two Republican states - Florida and Georgia - are also near the bottom of the list. One swing state - Nevada - is at the very bottom.

Photos - Gov. Sean Parnell of Alaska, Gov. Rick Perry of Texas, Gov. John Hoeven of North Dakota.

ADF Attorney Jordan Lorence will be our guest tonight 9:00-9:30 PM Eastern tonight. Tonight we will be discussing the case of Jennifer Keeton, a counseling student at Augusta State University, who is being threatened with expulsion because she expressed her christian convicitons about homosexuality. Her only alternative is to complete a "remediation program," in whcih she'll be asked to write papers and attend seminars on "diversity, GBLT issues," etc. She is even being censured for views she expresses outside the classroom. Suing on her behalf is the Alliance Defense fund, which is once again to be commended for standing up for the underdog and supporting the cause of liberty.

ABOUT Jordan Lorence: Jordan Lorence serves as senior counsel and senior vice-president of the Office of Strategic Initiatives for the Alliance Defense Fund at its Washington, D.C., Regional Service Center. He has litigated religious liberty, free speech, and marriage cases across the nation since 1984. Lorence earned a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1980. He is admitted to the bar in three states, the U.S. Supreme Court, and multiple federal courts. Host Andre Traversa, Co-host Jim Lagnese

Call in at 1-646-915-9887

Streaming page is here.

See her videos here:

http://www.telladf.org/UserDocs/video/KeetonVNR.mov

http://www.telladf.org/UserDocs/video/KeetonSOT6.mov

Tax was taking $25 million a year from dock workers and other support industries

Alaska Governor Sean Parnell has signed a bill which would lower taxes dramatically on tourists visiting the State. His Cruise Ship legislation reduced the passenger tax from $46 per person to $19.50.

"Through this legislative session it became very clear as I talked to small business owners around the state that what they needed was for state government to step out of the way and create more opportunity."

Parnell continued:

"This really gives Alaskans, thousands of Alaskans, hope that we have turned the corner now and we will no longer have the exodus of ships and capacity out of our state and that we will start to build the business back and get those Alaska jobs back for Alaskans."

According to AK3 one industry source estimated that the tax was "taking about $25 million a year away from docks and other work supporting the industry and addressing tourism impacts."

The tax was snuck into a proposition approved by voters, that was pushed by environmentalists and other liberal special interest groups in 2006. The result of the tax was almost immediately felt by Alaska workers along the southeast Coast.

Juneau lost a ship that was permenently berthed at the city's harbour. From JuneauEmpire.com, July 26:

Royal Caribbean this year has relocated the 2,100-berth Serenade of the Seas from Alaskan waters after a dispute with the state over the commercial passenger vessel tax, commonly known as the "head tax," established by voters in 2006.

Overall, Juneau is expecting 14 percent fewer cruise ship visitors this year.

The Legislature has reduced the head tax, beginning next year, and also rolled back associated environmental regulations in a effort to win ship visits in future years.

Cut State Workers; dramatically increase Private Sector Jobs

From Eric Dondero:

Bucking a national trend, particularly in Democrat states like New York, California and Illinois, North Dakota is moving to cut its property tax through initiative.

From the North Dakota Policy Council:

If property taxes were eliminated and the state government had to fund 100% of local government revenue that is generated by property taxes, North Dakota's private sector would create nearly 12,000 new jobs in the first year and more than 13,000 new jobs by 2015. Personal income would increase a staggering $877 million in the first year and by more than $1 billion by 2015. Private investment would increase nearly $700 million in the first year and by more than $1 billion by 2015. These are good things for North Dakota's economy.

Further a study commissioned by Council, by the Massachusetts-based Beacon Hill Institute, indicated that a cut in the state work force would dramatically increase private sector employment. Continuing:

In 2009, $693,184,750.09 were collected in special taxes and property taxes. According to the Beacon Hill Institute's study, the increase in disposable income for North Dakotans and increased business activity because of that income - along with new private investment - would generate $65.88 million in new state revenue.

Simple Math - if you cut the State Work force, you don't need Revenue increases to make up a Tax Cut shortfall

Predictably, liberals in the State are framing the proposed tax cut as a loss of revenue to State coffers.

North Dakota Tax Commissioner Cory Fong is suggesting that the State will have to make up for it, with increases in other revenue sources.

Rob Port of the conservative blog Say Anything, based in ND, shoots that argument down:

flying in the face of Fong’s suggestion that other taxes in the state would have to be drastically increased to make up for the property tax is a study just released by the Beacon Hill Institute showing that if the tax were to go away the state would really only have to make up about $29 million in tax revenues. And that’s a conservative estimate. The reality is probably quite a bit less.

the state could save $25 million annually that it spends now in assessing the property tax. That combined with reductions in the state’s work force and other cuts in wasteful spending put the study’d estimate at the amount of revenue that would need to be made up through other tax increases at only $29 million (worst case scenario).

Loss for Democrat-run states like New York, Illinois, and Ohio is a big gain for Texas

From Eric Dondero:

Governor Rick Perry attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Reyes-Amtex Automotive’s production facility, in San Antonio.

From the Office of the Governor (release):

Reyes–Amtex Automotive is part of a joint venture that is comprised of three companies with a combined 120 years of manufacturing experience. The three entities will combine their strengths to make trim components and carpet manufacturing for the next generation Toyota Tundra pick-up trucks using injection molding, blow molding and various assembly techniques.

While other States mainly in the Northeast, Mid-West and California, are losing jobs at a record pace, Texas continues to be among the leaders in job creation. Commented Perry:

“As Americans look for the best place to live, work and raise a family, more of them are heading to Texas all the time,” Gov. Perry said. “The root cause of our economic success is hardworking Texans, but pro-job policies, low taxes, predictable regulations and fair legal system have also helped Texas lead the nation in job creation.”

The Business world is taking notice. CNBC recently named Texas "America’s Top State for Business" for a second year in a row. CEO named Texas the "Best State to Do Business" for the sixth time in a row. Finally, Forbes named Texas Metro-areas like San Antonion, among "America’s Recovery Capitals."

From Eric Dondero:

Sarah Palin has endorsed a string of libertarian Republicans for congress, senate and governor's races this year, including most prominently Nikki Haley for South Carolina Gov., Tim Scott for Congress in SC, Tom Emmer for Minnesota Gov. and Rand Paul for US Senate in Kentucky. Now add Ayn Randian, Pro-Military Vietnam War Veteran and staunch gun rights advocate Bob McConnell in Colorado.

From Sarah Palin's Facebook, July 19:

Bob McConnell is considered a grassroots underdog candidate running a dynamic, prudent campaign to represent Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District. Bob sometimes describes himself as a “recovering lawyer,” but that’s just one of his professions. Impressively, he’s a retired Colonel and Airborne Ranger. He’s a husband and the proud father of three and grandfather of seven, and he’s a true American patriot who wants to serve his fellow Coloradans for all the right reasons. Bob knows that in times like these ordinary citizens must be bold and take a stand to return our country back to our Constitutional roots of limited and fiscally responsible government. A decorated combat veteran, Bob is supported by the honorable Combat Veterans for Congress, and was unique in being able to tell a rally crowd at the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum that he’s parachuted out of three of the aircraft in that museum! He’s also an avid outdoorsman who climbed Mt. Everest and lived off the grid as a mountain guide for a number of years.

Please join many other concerned Americans in moving the country onto the right path by supporting Bob McConnell. Visit his website at http://www.mcconnellforcongress.com and follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

McConnell is in a tight race with moderate-conservative Scott Tipton. The District stretches from southeast Colorado - Pueblo to the Western Slope and Grand Junction.

A Radical for Capitalism, and Gun Rights

Ayn Randian Republican for the US Congress - Colorado CD 3

Obama Birth Certificate now the big issue

From Eric Dondero:

The Colorado Republican Senate Primary is just two weeks away. Battling for the nomination are fmr. Lt. Governor Jane Norton and Well County Prosecutor Ken Buck. From the beginning Buck has been regarded as the Tea Party favorite. But Norton has sharply challenged that notion.

Now a new controversy has erupted over Obama's Birth Certificate. Buck, off mic made a disparaging remark about so-called "Birthers."

At an event Buck said:

"Will you tell those dumbasses at the tea party to stop asking questions about birth certificates while I’m on the camera?"

A Buck campaign spokesman has since apologized for the candidate and stated that Buck was simply tired from a long day's campaigning and was "venting."

But Norton is not letting it pass. Her spokesman remarked (via AP, Politics News):

“Ken Buck is two steps short of fraud. He’s a self-proclaimed tea partier who trashes tea partiers when he thinks no one is looking,” Norton spokeswoman Cinamon Watson said.

Just last week Norton praised former Congressman and now Constitution Party candidate for Governor Tom Tancredo for saying Obama posed a worst threat to the U.S. than the "Soviet Union... or Al Qaeda."

Polls have shown a virtual dead heat, with Buck slightly ahead.

(By Mark Rutherford, National LP Vice Chairman. Originally posted on LP.org.)

Hagerstown, Indiana is a hotbed of elected Libertarian activity.
It is a community of 1800 people, the community center of a significantly populated rural area and has Libertarians elected to partisan office.
It is the home of Rex Bell, Wayne County Libertarian Chair, and the [...]

Should Americans have the right to build a Church or Synagogue at Mecca?

by Wayne Allyn Root

As one of America's leading Libertarian thinkers, perhaps I'm always expected to give the "Libertarian answer" to every issue. But sometimes one has to speak not as a Libertarian, Republican or Democrat, but rather as an American- preferably a common sense American. The issue of allowing a mosque to be built in the shadow of the 9/11 terrorist tragedy is one of those times.

The answer is simple for a common sense American- I support religious freedom, as all Americans should. But this is not a case of religious freedom. Yes, Muslims can build their mosque virtually anywhere in America- despite 9/11...despite the Times Square bomber...despite plots by Islamic extremists to blow up the New York subway system...despite everything happening in Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan. That's what makes our country great. We do in fact support religious freedom. You can build a mosque virtually anywhere in America.

However, there are also the rights and sensibilities of others to consider in a free society.

Does "religious freedom" mean hate groups should build statues to Hitler in front of Jewish temples in America? Should Americans raise money to build Jewish temples and Christian churches at Mecca? Should Japan build a statue to the bravery of their pilots at Pearl Harbor? Should the U.S. build a statue to the bravery of our pilots at the site of Hiroshima? Aren't those examples all about "freedom of expression," "religious freedom" and property rights? Perhaps, but is it too much to ask for a little consideration and respect toward others?

This proposed building of a mosque on hallowed ground is an ATROSITY towards America. To build a celebration of Islam within steps of 9/11 does nothing to increase religious freedom...it inspires hatred, divides our cultures, and increases the odds of violence and hate crimes. Common sense suggests this mosque, being built in this specific location, is NOT being built as a sign of friendship between Muslims and Americans...but rather as a sign of the lack of respect...a belief in our weakness...and an attempt to embarrass and belittle us. The financial district of Manhattan is not a residential area with a large number of Muslim residents for the mosque to serve. Therefore common sense suggests that the only possible reason to build it there (rather than in Brooklyn or Queens where there are large Muslim populations) is to show Muslim contempt for Americans by building a monument to Islam in the shadow of the site of their greatest triumph over America.

Privately funded or backed by Foreign Governments?

It is an offense to build a mosque in that location- an offense to all Americans (including Muslim Americans), all Christians and Jews, all relatives of 3000 dead heroes at the World Trade Center.

Yes, private individuals and organizations have the right to build houses of worship with their own funds. But one has to wonder where the money is coming from to build a 15-story building on some of the most expensive real estate in the country. We Americans believe in the separation of Church and State. If it turns out that this project is sponsored by a foreign government -- either directly or through a state-sponsored organization that engages in terrorism -- than the idea of this being an issue of religious freedom is a sham and an argument can be made that our Constitution would actually prohibit this mosque from being built.

However, if this is privately funded by parties with no ties to a foreign government, I have to believe that we have enough people in this country who are offended by the prospect of a mosque at Ground Zero, that the money can be raised to buy this land at a fair price from the owners. I know I'd be the first to contribute to a foundation to keep this sacred land from ever being desecrated by a symbol of the very groups that attacked America on 9/11.

We can also put public pressure on the property owners to sell to this new patriotic foundation funded by Americans. We can organize massive protests, filling the streets surrounding this property with patriotic Americans concerned that the hallowed ground of 9/11never be used as a political tool to taunt or embarrass the United States, or as a place to preach intolerance towards Americans. I, for one, am ready to fly 3000 miles to New York to join the protest.

These are the only rational answers for common sense patriotic Americans who still believe in a free society. In situations like this, none of us can afford to be Libertarians, Republicans, Democrats, or politicians of any stripe. We are all proud Americans.

Editor's Note - Wayne Root was the 2008 Libertarian Vice-Presidential candidate. He is currently an At-Large Member of the Libertarian National Committee, and Chair of the Libertarian Committee for Congressional candidates.

by Eric Dondero

The Independent Political Report (IPR) is reporting this morning that the Alaska Libertarian Party and the Alaska Independence Party have agreed to form a "new bipartisan coalition."

at least in the battle for four seats in the Alaska Legislature, including that of Speaker of the House. The Alaskan Independence Party (AIP) and the Alaska Libertarian Party (ALP) have both agreed to endorse and support each others candidates for the Alaska Legislature this year.

There are three Alaska Libertarian Party candidates, Robert Clift in HD21 in Anchorage, Harley Brown in HD25 in Spenard/Jewell Lake and Scott Kohlhaas in HD20 in Mountainvie (photo - right), Russian Jack and Northeast Anchorage. There is one Alaskan Independence Party candidate, Ray Southwell, RN of Nikiski, who is challenging Alaska Speaker of the House, Milke Chenault in House District 34. Southwell said, “Isn’t it time that like minded people from all political persuasions band together in defense of our liberties by electing those who will hold our government accountable?”

Although IPR describes this as a "new" coalition, this has been done before. The Alaska Independence Party in many ways emerged out of the Libertarian Party of Alaska in the 1980s. The LPA got immersed in a huge scandal over a raffle for a sea plane which ran awray of state election laws. For years after, Libertarian candidate ran on the "Independence" ticket. The Party itself is said to have been formed by former members and fellow travelers of the Libertarian Party.

As is well known, Todd Palin was a dues-paying member of the AIP for years. Sarah Palin herself was often an attendee at AIP events, and even produced a video for an AIP convention welcoming attendees as Governor. Of course, Sarah Palin's political mentor was former Alaska Governor Wally Hickel, twice elected on the AIP ticket.

Added to the connections, Rob Clift listed above as helping for forge the coalition between AIP and the LPA, is the very individual who invited Sarah Palin to be a guest speaker at two Libertarian Party of Alaska local supper club meetings held in Anchorage in 2005/06.

In that election year, the leadership of the LPA, including then State LP Chair Jason Dowell publicly endorsed Palin, and worked as volunteers for her campaign. Sarah Palin's opponent for Governor on the ballot Billy Toien, good naturedly endorsed her too the last 3 days of the election.

Briefly in the 2008 Presidential campaign, the Palins were slammed by the liberal media for their attachment to the AIP. Though, suspiciously, their connections to the Libertarian Party of Alaska were largely ignored.

Now the connections may be resurfacing, in an effort to connect Palin and the Tea Party to extremist of "fringe" movements. Progressive Nation and Huffington Post are reporting "The Alaskan Independence Party, The Tea Party Before There Was A Tea Party":

If you like the Tea Party, you gotta love the Alaskan Independence Party, so why has it been shunned even by Alaska politicians?

Onetime Gov. Sarah Palin sort of started this when she was running for vice president back in 2008...

Todd Palin, the husband of ex-Gov. Sarah, was for years a registered AIP party member, and now he’s helping out with the campaign of Tea Partier Miller.

Note - Joe Miller was a guest on "Libertarian Politics Live" (LPL) two weeks ago, the radio show for this blog hosted by Andre Traversa and Jim "Right Guy" Lagnese.

Sarah Palin endorsed Miller (photo) over incumbent Republican Lisa Murkowski on her Facebook page last month.

Sarah Palin's ties to the Libertarian Party of Alaska do not fit the agendas of either the third party advocate folks at IPR, nor the liberal media types at HuffPo and Progressive Nation, which prefer to paint her as a "religious conservative," rather than a Libertarian. So, interestingly enough, her and her husband's ties to AIP are played up, but her ties to the LP are ignored.

Disclosure - I am a longtime friend of Scott Kolhaas, and worked closely with Rob Clift in 2005/06 in Anchorage on a local initiative. I also served as a volunteer in Sarah Palin's campaign for Governor the last few weeks of the election.

LR FOLLOW-UP

From Eric Dondero:

We've been following the very Hot! Colorado Senate primary race between Jane Norton and Michael Bennet these past few weeks. Now comes word that either candidate would handily defeat both incumbent Democrat Michael Bennet or his challenger Andrew Romanoff.

From Hedgehog:

US SENATE – COLORADO (Rasmussen)

Jane Norton (R) 48%
Michael Bennet (D) 39%

Ken Buck (R) 48%
Michael Bennet (D-inc) 42%

Jane Norton (R) 44%
Andrew Romanoff (D) 40%

Ken Buck (R) 48%
Andrew Romanoff (D) 42

Editor's Note - we here at LR support both Buck and Norton. The RLC has not made an endorsement in this race.

Refuses to "go along with tax increases and expansion of power"

From Eric Dondero:

Bob Ziegelbauer, a State Representative from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, has decided to leave the Democrat Party and run for reelection as an Independent.

From the Wisconsin political blog Maritime Sentry:

Bob Ziegelbauer will be running as an independent this fall for state assembly, leaving the Democrat Party. I think anyone who follows politics in Wisconsin saw this coming the moment the Democrats in their arrogance stripped him of his chairmanship in 2009...

This virtually assures that the assembly will be back in Republican hands after November.

Republican on ballot against Ziegelbauer put up by Democrats?

Ziegelbauer has had a more conservative record. He was quoted by htrnews:

“I have always been a staunchly independent voice, working hard to do the right thing to represent the people of this community, but now the party machinery has made it clear that they want another ‘yes man,’ someone who will blindly go along with every tax increase or expansion of their power without the backbone to stand up for the people. That won’t work for me”

Ironically, despite his switch, Ziegelbauer still faces a Republican challenger in the Fall. However, there is some controversy. The local Republican Party is accusing Ziegelbauer's opponent Andrew Wisniewski of being a Democrat plant, and does not support his candidacy. (Source: Fox11)

(H/t Ballot Access News & IPR)

From Eric Dondero:

The Left is constantly accusing the Tea Parties of having a "racist" bent. Some real live racist frauds have even shown up to a couple Tea Party rallies, holding racist signs. They were quickly denounced and ejected by the real Tea Party members. Some suspected that they were Democrat plants.

Now, fake Tea Partying is coming from a different direction. At least one Moderate Republican has been caught associating himself with the movement.

A certified Republican In Name Only (RINO), in Missouri used Tea Party symbolism in campaign literature. The guy has never shown up once to a Tea Party event, or has had anything to do with any state or local chapter.

State State Scott Rupp is being challenged for reelection in the GOP primary by Christian bookstore owner and State Rep. Cynthia Davis for State Senate (St. Charles County west of St. Louis). Davis is a hard-line religious conservative and home school advocate. Though, she has an economic libertarian streak. Last year she won national media attention for opposing school lunch programs. From HHPOA.org:

Last year Davis was scolded by liberal television commentator Keith Olbermann and others when she said “hunger can be a positivemotivator” in opposing taxpayer-funded food programs for poorchildren.

The well-known Missouri blog Bob McCarty Writes has picked these two plums from his voting record:

In May 2009, Rupp supported a House-Senate conference committee measure (H.B. 11) that critics say would have added 35,000 able-bodied people to the Show-Me State’s Medicaid rolls had it not been defeated.

In October 2009, Rupp went so far as to scold a state education official for not acting quickly enough to secure millions in strings-attached federal funding for the state via President Barack Obama’s “Race to the Top” education initiative.

According to McNarty, a local Tea Party leader Chuck McNab had this to say (via BigGovernment.com):

As we see it, his flyer attempts to create an illusion. For instance, we have never seen him show up to meet people or to help out at a Saturday rally of K & N Patriots, the largest and primary “tea party” group that has met every Saturday for over a year in his District. Cynthia Davis, his opponent, has shown up to help out, hold a sign and converse with participants at the corner of K & N almost every Saturday, sometimes for the entire duration of the rally.

Prevention of Crime, Public Safety and a simple case of Common Courtesy

From Eric Dondero:

A Kettering Member of Parliament, Conservative Philip Hollobone, is refusing to hold constituent meetings with Muslim women dressed in a Hijab or Burqa. Though, he will continue to meet their concerns through the mail. The MP says he does not feel comfortable holding face-to-face meetings with a woman whose face is entirely covered. He believes it is a great hinderance to communications. He is also sponsoring a bill to ban face-covering clothing on the grounds that it presents a threat to public safety and for just plain-old common courtesy. Said Hollobone:

I just take what I regard as a common sense view. If you want to engage in normal, daily, interactive dialogue with your fellow human beings, you can only really do this properly by seeing each other’s face.
Seventy-five per cent of the usual communication between two human beings is done with personal experience. God gave us faces to be expressive. It is not just the words we utter but whether we are smiling, sad, angry or frustrated. You don’t get any of that if your face is covered.

Meanwhile, a fellow Tory is opposing Hollobone. From the BBC:

Immigration minister Damian Green has said banning the full Islamic veil in public would be "at odds with the UK's tolerant society".

The Libertarian case for Burqa Ban

Some prominent UK Libertarians are coming to Hollobone's defense.

Claire Khaw, an Ayn Randian and self-described "libertarian secularist" (source: benwoodhams.wordpress.com) of Voice of Reason blog blasts Damian Green:

Damian Green is a cowardly piece of shit, but then he is a Tory MP and we can expect no better from the likes of him... I am a Libertarian and want a ban on the grounds that it brings Islam into hatred, ridicule and contempt...

It is for the prevention of crime and the protection of the reputation of Islam that feminine neurosis should not be indulged in this way.

Respect the Host Country's Culture - "When in Rome..."

And this from Roger Helmer of (the UK) CentreRight July 29, "Why France and Philip Hollobrone are right on the Burqa ban":

As an instinctive libertarian, I must admit that my first thought was to oppose any ban on the burka. We want the government off our backs, not telling us what to wear.

But the libertarian argument works both ways. There certainly are Muslim women who choose voluntarily to wear the burka, perhaps as an expression of identity, or of faith, or perhaps out of a misplaced sense of modesty. On the other hand there is good evidence that many Muslim women wear the burka involuntarily, because of cultural, or religious, or peer pressure, or indeed because they are forced to do so by their husbands or other male relatives. So a burka ban would be an imposition on the first group, but would liberate the second.

Hollobone is not a hater of Islam. In fact, he supports Muslim modesty, but he also recognizes that immigrants should respect the values of a host country. From the FreeThinker:

When in Rome, do as the Romans do … They say that when women come to this country, they ought to adapt to our way of life. The Muslim population is growing across western Europe, as is Islamic fundamentalism. It is important to stress I am a respecter of Islam as one of the world’s great religions. I also respect the right of Muslim women to protect their modesty.

The ultimate Trojan Horse

Leftists and Left-Libertarians who support the construction of the Grand Mosque at Ground Zero argue "tolerance." Yet, history has shown over and over that Muslims use these Mosques as staging areas for conquering un-suspecting and tolerant local populations.

Greg Knott’s novel slogan ‘No Bull’ is an acronym, signifying the six pillars of his platform in his bid to unseat incumbent Baron Hill in the US House in District 9.
In this diverse district, which is home to left-of-center Bloomington, and a large right-of-center rural area, Knott plans to outflank both of his opponents by [...]

From Eric Dondero:

Three hateful ultra-liberals are now extremely vulnerable according to Democrat strategist Stuart Rothenberg. He blogs:

Right now, Democrats look poised to lose five to eight seats, and any net loss short of that would have to be regarded with relief by Democratic strategists.

Moving from the Lean Democrat category to "Toss-up":

Toss-Up/Tilt Democrat ( 0 R, 3 D)
Boxer (D-CA) *
Feingold (D-WI) *
Murray (D-WA) *

With help from Independent and 2008 McCain supporter Sen. Joe Lieberman, a sweep of 8 seats by the Republicans could hand the GOP a Senate majority.

Recent polls within the last two weeks have shown Boxer falling behind Carly Fiorna by 3 points, Murray behind her two likely GOP challengers by 3 points each, and even Feingold a 3 points behind Republican Ron Johnson. (All within the margin of error.)

(H/t Jim Antle, AS)

Every American should be a Wealthy Capitalist

Conservative bloggers met over the weekend in Las Vegas for the RightOnline conference. The two top speakers were Reps. Mike Pence and Michele Bachmann.

A liberal blog, AlterNet snarkily describes Bachmann's role:

LAS VEGAS, NEV. — In two major speeches and in the scuttlebutt of break-out sessions, Tea Party movement activists yesterday witnessed a subtle melding of their ideology with the sensibilities of the religious right and the cold capitalism of libertarian she-ro Ayn Rand.

Over dinner, the RightOnline conference — which is sponsored by Americans for Prosperity — heard from Michele Bachmann...

Resplendently evoking the Gadsden flag — otherwise known as the “Don’t Tread on Me Flag” — in a yellow-and-black ensemble, Bachmann served up the usual dish about the deficit, and how the rescue of the auto industry amounted to some form of “gangster government.” (You can find my live Tweets of Bachmann’s speech here – hashtag #ro10 .)

But Bachmann also defined the Tea Party coalition this way: disaffected Democrats, conservative Republicans, libertarians and “Constitution Party types.”

The social safety net came in for more than its usual share of contempt: Bachmann actually called for ending Social Security and Medicare — which she defined as “welfare” — for all but “the truly needy and the truly disabled.” And then she went all Ayn Rand on her audience. “It is possible for every American to be able to retire a millionaire. It’s entirely possible to do that…if you put away money, and there are alternatives that we can offer.”