by Clifford F. Thies

The top religious council of Saudi Arabia has recently issued a ruling on terrorism that is said to break new ground on the matter of financing terrorism, condeming it as well as terrorism itself. This may be true. Mostly, the ruling reflects traditional Islamic teaching on just war. Most importantly, that it says terrorist acts against civilian populations are wrong, and that care must be taken to minimize loss of innocent blood or property damage even in the conduct of a just war.

From Washington Post, David Ignatius, via RCP "Saudi Muslim Religious Council Condemns Terrorism" June 13:

Terrorism has damaged the Islamic world far more than the West, and too many Muslims have been cowed and silent. But a powerful and so far largely unreported denunciation of terrorism emerged last month from Saudi Arabia's top religious leadership, known as the "Council of Senior Ulema."

The Saudi fatwa is a tough condemnation of terror, and of the underground network that finances it. It has impressed senior U.S. military commanders and intelligence officers, who were initially surprised when it came out. One sent me a translation of the fatwa, and Saudi officials provided some helpful background.

"There is no gray area here," said a senior Saudi official. "Once it has come out like this, from the most senior religious body in the kingdom, it's hard for a lesser religious authority to justify violence."

The ruling reflects and will strengthen the shift of popular opinion among the Muslims of the world, as reflected by public opinion polls, on matters such as suicide bombing. It also reflects the shifting geopolitics of the region, with the emergence of an increasingly belligerent Iran, its nuclear ambiions, and its support of radical Muslims intent on destabilizing the governments of the region.
The radicals have their own, twisted version of Islam, based on certain texts of the Koran, while ignoring others, according to a weird method of resolving apparent contradictions. In contrast, the most respected scholars employ a wholistic approach to interpretation, appreciate the role of allegory in Semitic expression, and consider knowledge obtained through reason as well as through revelation.

Dr. Thies is a professor of economics at Shenandoah Univ. in Virginia

DALLAS - The Republican Party of Texas today released its latest video, "Soy Tejano Republicano(a) (“I Am A Texas Republican”), to audiences statewide on YouTube. This first-of-its-kind video in both English and Spanish and features Texas Republicans espousing conservative values and ideas directly to Texans for whom Spanish is their primary language.

“We created this video to establish bonds and express our common ideals with Texans whose language might be Spanish, and whose hearts and minds align with Republican principles,” said Republican Party of Texas Chairman Steve Munisteri. “Hispanic Texans tend to be conservative and believe in the same things that Republicans believe in – strong families, free enterprise and less government. Those shared values are what this video is all about.”

See the video at our sister site WorldwideLiberty

NEW FROM REASON TV

"Obama should think about kicking his own ass" -- Nick Gillespie

MOVEMENT NEWS

Stewart Flood, longtime Libertarian Party of South Carolina committee member and Southeast Region representative for the Libertarian National Committee expressed qualified support for the candidacy of Republican Governor candidate Nikki Haley.

From IPR, "State Senator blames Libertarian Party for controversy over racial slur" June 15:

We supported many of Governor Sanford’s initiatives. He came to libertarian events when invited.

If Ms Haley continues to represent libertarian values and, if elected, acts as a libertarian governor would, then we will certainly do everything we can to support her.

Flood describes himself as a former "Goldwater Republican," turned Libertarian Party member.

The Libertarian Party of Oregon held its state convention over the weekend. Party members debated by-laws, and the platform. But also at issue were cross-endorsements of Republican candidates. Washington County LP Chair Richard Burke (photo) who attended the recent LP national convention in St. Louis as a Wayne Root delegate, was the main backer of the endorsement strategy.

From OregonLive.com

The latest dispute involves the state's new fusion voting law, which allows candidates to list the nominations of up to three parties next to their name on the ballot.

The Washington County Libertarian Party cross-nominated two Republican state House candidates, Shawn Lindsay and Katie Eyre Brewer.

Both Lindsay and Brewer are strong fiscal conservatives.

From Lindsay (campaign website):

With the state facing a $2 billion dollar budget deficit next year, government must tighten its belt just like families are being forced to do. State spending has increased nearly 40% over the past six years.

From Brewer (campaign website):

Government spending is out of control. The massive debt and unfunded liabilities being passed on to our children and grandchildren will severely limit their future opportunities. Elected leaders must stand up to the special interests controlling decisions in Salem.

From Eric Dondero:

British Member of Parliament, distinguished Tory, and columnist for the London Telegraph Daniel Hannan has a column:

I admit it: I was wrong to have supported Barack Obama

Hannan outlines a laundry list of complaints with the Obama administration; his mismanaging of the BP oil spill, his love of the E.U. over British sovereignty, his support for disarmament, the fact that he's grown the U.S. Government by 30% since he's been in office.

But none of that was cause enough for him to retract his prior support. It's a foreign policy matter that has tipped the scales.

All these things are minor irritants compared to the way the Obama administration is backing Peronist Argentina’s claim to the Falkland Islands – or, as Obama’s people call them, “the Malvinas”. British troops were the only sizeable contingent to support the US in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have fought alongside America in most of the conflicts of the past hundred years. Yet, when the chips are down, Obama lines up with Hugo Chávez and Daniel Ortega against us.

Not that we should feel singled out. The Obama administration has scorned America’s other established friends. It has betrayed Poland and the Czech Republic, whose Atlanticist governments had agreed to accept the American missile defence system at immense political cost, only to find the project cancelled. It has alienated Israel and India. It has even managed to fall out with Canada over its “Buy American” rules and its decision to drill in disputed Arctic waters. Never has there been a worse time to be a US ally.

Pamela Geller at Atlas Shrugs:

Joel Pollak, the Republican nominee for US Congress in the 9th district of Illinois. He is challenging J(jihad) Street supporter Rep. Jan Schakowsky in the most corrupt city in the union - Chicago, a sewer of corruption. Obamaland: Chicago Is a "Dark Pool Of Political Corruption"

Contribute to Pollak. Support Pollak. Get out the vote for Pollak. Eradicate the crooks and scoundrels who have infiltrated and destroyed our system from within.

PollackforCongress.com

From Eric Dondero:

Meet Renee Ellmers. She is the Republican nominee to challenge the now infamous Democrat Rep. Bob Etheridge in North Carolina. Etheridge has become an instant YouTube sensation, having smacked and forcibly held a college kid asking him questions on a Washington DC street.

Ellmers is a Surgical Intensive Care Nurse. Her husband is a general surgeon. She was inspired to run after having attended an Etheridge town hall meeting and hearing the Congressman defend ObamaCare.

From an Ellmers press release:

“I do not share President Obama’s vision for America, and I do not believe we can borrow and spend our way to prosperity. Bob Etheridge has voted with Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi 97% of the time. He’s voted for Wall Street bailouts, higher debt ceilings, and he and Barack Obama have spent billions on government ‘Stimulus Plans’ to create jobs – but we’ve lost 3 million jobs,” said Renee Ellmers.

“I’m a mother, wife and nurse and I never dreamed I’d be running for Congress, but it’s time to put a stop to the Obama rubber stamp Congress and Washington politics as usual.”

Libertarian-Conservative blogger Moe Lane at RedState was able to interview her briefly today. Her remarks on the events of the day:

"My husband sent me the video and send Renee you really need to see this. I was shocked. I was speechless... I feel for those college students. They were obviously there doing what Americans have a right to do, which is question their Congressman. His response was unbelievable. As a mom I'm concerned about those kids. He really seemed to come unglued... He was really ugly. To actually put his hands on the boy, that was over the top."

Reneeforcongress.com

43% to 36% over Democrat

Paul LePage, Mayor of Waterville, somewhat unexpectedly won the GOP nomination for Governor last week. A solid Tea Partier with strong libertarian ties, LePage is now comfortably ahead in the polls.

From Rasmussen:

Republican Paul LePage is the top vote getter in the race for governor of Maine following the winnowing down of the crowded contest in Tuesday’s primaries.

The first Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of the race finds LePage earning the support of 43% of Likely Voters in the state, while Democrat Libby Mitchell picks up 36% of the vote. Democrat-turned-independent Eliot Cutler trails with seven percent (7%). Fourteen percent (14%) are undecided.

LePage was enthusiastically endorsed by the Republican Liberty Caucus prior to the primary. Some Maine Republican political sites have even labeled him a "libertarian Republican."

From Eric Dondero:

In a surprise announcement, Alan Dershowitz, a self-described "Democrat," publicly endorsed Republican congressional candidate Joel Pollak for Congress. Dershowitz first broke the news in an interview with syndicated radio talk show host Michael Medved on Monday. At issue - Israel.

From the Evanston Review (Illinois):

Harvard Law School professor Alan Dershowitz is throwing his support behind the Republican challenger to U.S. Rep. Janice Schakowsky in the November election.

Joel Pollak of Skokie, a 2009 graduate of Harvard Law School, is making Schakowsky's positions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and support for the moderate J Street organization a campaign issue.

Dershowitz, whose stands on Israel often draw national media attention, will appear with Pollak at a fund-raising luncheon Wednesday at Wildfire Restaurant, 159 W. Erie St., Chicago.

Pollak studied under Dershowitz at Harvard and worked with him as a research assistant for several years.

Note - Pollak became a YouTube sensation back in 2009 for having challenged Cong. Barney Frank. At a forum he asked “How much responsibility, if any, do you have for the financial crisis?”

Interestingly he was born and raised in South Africa, and has a multi-ethnic backgroud.

Pollack is an active member and leader of the Chicago Tea Party.

PollackforCongress.com

1st Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment met with jeers and chants of "murderers" by Muslim protesters

From the UK Daily Mail, June 15:

violence flared after 200 soldiers from 1st Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment - who lost five men in a recent tour of Afghanistan and had been granted freedom of the borough - marched past thousands of well-wishers.

MAC supporters shouted slogans such as 'murderers, murderers' and 'British troops go to hell', while the mainly white crowd opposite, some of whom are believed to have been BNP supporters, threw frozen pork sausages and chanted 'scum' and 'Allah, Allah, who the f*** is Allah?'

By The Right Guy

Are we that Freaking surprised? As the Fabian socialist constituencies (read that eco-terrorists and other far left leaning misanthropes) that propelled Obama to the white house are giving him a pass on the oil spill, the general public is growing ever frustrated with his incompetent and ersatz performance as president.

Here is a guy that never has had profit/loss responsibilities of running a business, and has not had any executive experience at all. The average manager of McDonalds has more executive experience than he had before being elected president of the United States. It's been on the job training since January 20th, 2009.

On top of this, his career has largely been a vehicle to create a mythical narrative for his ascendancy to where he is now. He's never taken any chances, and it's always been about him. Now that he's in a position where he can't pass the buck, where he can't blame anyone else, where he can't control the press or all the political operatives involved, we find out not only is the king naked, but he has a small pee pee and doesn't know what to do with it. he does ask a lot of advice from very respected people though.

We are almost 2 months into this oil well spewing millions of gallons of light crude into the gulf, and now we have the coast guard giving an ultimatum to BP: You better stop that leak. It's incredulous. For all the abuse George Bush took for Katrina and being labelled an idiot, he never earned it. Truth be told, Governor Landrieu told Bush she had to think about it for 24 hrs as to whether to accept his help or not, but he was down there in days, not months. And yet, we have the state run media playing along as best it can with rear facing excretory orifices like Matt Lauer asking when is he going to kick ass. Matt Lauer couldn't find his membrum virile with a map, GPS, Katie Couric pointing at it and Willard Scott giving directions. Obama is worse. I don't think anyone could make up a story as ludicrous as the scenario that has unravelled in the last 2 months, let alone the last two years.

So, in an ode to Stymie, that charming con man-boy from the little rascals, I hear by award Obama with the Stymie Mountebank Straw Man Magician Award for Total Incompetence for 2010. He conned most of us into electing him, and he'll try to con us into forgetting how bad he really is. The problem for him is, he can't run or hide from the truth now, and even with a if not obeisant press, a sympathetic one. The problem is, who is the Reagan of 2012? To be honest, that person hasn't shown up yet. What do you think? Are you surprised by his incompetence? If you think I am indulging in some schadenfreude, you are right. It's just that I love saying I told you so.

Thank you for reading this blog.

From Eric Dondero:

Sarah Palin was a guest along with Congressman Ron Paul of Texas, on Judge Andrew Napolitano's Freedom Watch show on Saturday (see video and links post below). The pairing was dubbed the "Tea Party Summit."

In a stunning statement that may shock some of her most hardened critics, Governor Sarah Palin yesterday on Fox News' Freedom Watch show hosted by Judge Andrew Napolitano said the following:

NAPOLITANO: Governor Palin switching gears. Is it any business of the federal government if someone were to use a recreational drug in the privacy of their own home? In such a time or manner not to harm another individual.

PALIN: Well, if we're talking about pot, I'm not for the legalization of pot cause I think that that would just encourage our young people that it's okay to use it, and I'm not an advocate for that. However, I think we need to prioritize our law enforcement efforts, and if somebody is going to smoke a joint in their own house and not do anybody else harm, then perhaps there are other things that our cops should be looking at, engage in, and perhaps clean up some of the other problems of society that are appropriate for law enforcement...

Note - In her 2006 campaign for Governor, during the Republican primary, Palin foes criticized her as a "closet libertarian," suggesting that she supported marijuana legalization. She had once made a similar comment to the one above in a magazine interview which garnered the slam. She is also a past marijuana user herself.

In 2008, immediately after her pick as Republican VP nominee, the Marijuana Policy Project sent out a press release praising her stance on marijuana. The release was pulled soon after, when the media template switched to Palin as a "religious conservative." (Source: Boston radio talk show host Howie Carr read the release in full on air minutes after her nomination was announced.)

By The Right Guy

I have been back and forth about Palin in he past year and nine months. She's attractive, funny, sometimes witty, schticky for sure, and by all accounts has gone beyond her 15 minutes.

I had really started to come around to her in the last couple months, and then she went and did it. She endorse Terry Branstad, the Iowa version of FDR in that he's already served four terms as governor.

It's not like I hate Terry, but he's not the best candidate, just the one with the deepest pockets and largest donor list. I also imagine, considering he's of retirement age, he must have been bored to death at Des Moines University to want to run for governor, as it pays a lot more and he also must have a good case of narcissism.  Iowa doesn't need that right now. We also don't need a RINO, who appoints judges that pass law, that has a history of growing government and taxes, and is basically a middle of road mush type of RINO republican.

The sad thing is that Palin endorsed him. Jeez sarah, I hope the blue chip or money you got was worth it, and if it wasn't that, you've lost your mind (In talking with Andre Traversa on our last radio show, he asserted that since Branstad endorsed Huckabee and this was the payback. Could be. Ed.). With that said, I've also come to the conclusion that Palin is about Palin. It's schtick, it's kitsch, and it's about staying on stage long enough to get to 2012. It's all about Sarah. She's nearly as narcissistic as Obama. Haven't we had enough of that? I'd really like to know what she was thinking with this, but I don't expect the phone call to come explaining it. What I can say is that come Tuesday, this republican will not vote for Branstad, but someone else and come the fall, if Branstad is the "Party's nominee, don't expect me to fall in line like sheeple, which Charlie Gruschow expects me and other republican and tea party members to do. Sorry charlie, sorry sarah, but back room big party politics is not what I am about, and if you might have learned anything about the tea party thing, it's that we don't want the same old, same old. Branstad is moribund and desiccated in that category. Endorsing him leaves us wondering what the heck were you thinking, which is, you are a political hack like any other. Zie mir gezunt and don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. You don't get it.

Thank you for reading this blog.

'Palin’s big hero is Ronald Reagan. In US Republican folklore Thatcher and Reagan brought down the Soviet Union between them. That’s why Maggie is so important.’

Will Lady Thatcher christen Palin as the worldwide leader of the Conservative movement?

From the UK Daily Telegraph, "Sarah Palin lines up UK trip – and a visit to Lady Thatcher" June 13:

Controversial US politician Sarah Palin could soon be on her way to Britain to boost her hopes of challenging Barack Obama in the 2012 US presidential election.

Her representatives approached Margaret Thatcher to ask for a meeting as part of a bid to enhance her claim to be the ‘heir to Ronald Reagan’ and prepare to challenge Mr Obama.

And Lady Thatcher has agreed to see Mrs Palin, who stood as the Republican vice-presidential candidate in 2008. A spokesman said: ‘We had an informal approach asking if Lady Thatcher would meet Mrs Palin if she comes to Britain and we said yes.’

The Telegraph then goes on to speculate what this could mean for newly elected Prime Minister David Cameron and his Conservative Party.

It could also cause difficulties within the coalition Government. While many Right-wing Tory MPs admire Mrs Palin, many Liberal Democrat MPs regard her as dangerous and irresponsible.

One source said: ‘A meeting with Margaret Thatcher would be an enormous publicity coup for Sarah Palin. Thatcher is by far the biggest political name in US politics, much bigger than Blair.

(H/t Jim Hoft)

From Eric Dondero & Cliff Thies:

They mostly agree over goals of Tea Party; mild debate between the two giants of differing wings of the libertarian movement.

On libertarians: "How can government effectively provide services...?" That's the fundamental question.

On foreign policy - Palin: "As Ronald Reagan said Peace through Strength."

Also, "I do agree with Congressman Paul, we shouldn't be engaging in empire building around the world..." (Part II)

Part II

Part III (includes surprise appearance by Kentucky US Senate candidate Rand Paul)

Breaking Video...

Coming only days after a Tea Party activist was punched and his wife assaulted at a rally in North Carolina by a Democrat supporter of Obama. Now a young conservative is struck by a NC Congressman.

(Submitted by Michael W. Dean, Libertarian Punk)

Not alienating religious conservatives key to success

The Spiritual Libertarian which covers libertarian news from a Christian perspective editorialized on Rand Paul's recent win, "Rand Paul and Libertarian Success":

Rand Paul's winning the Republican nomination for Senator from Kentucky with 59% of Republican primary voters, and now leading in the general election polls, gives the libertarian movement new hope. But much more importantly, it gives libertarians a template for success.

The crucial mistake Rand Paul did not make, which most libertarian candidates consistently make to sabotage themselves, is demonize the Republican Party and alienate all the many thousands of voters who have historically voted for Republican candidates. In this respect, Rand Paul was smarter than most libertarians.

Here is the principle: libertarians cannot win elections, or even broadly influence people via the election process, if they are seen as anti- all Republicans. Voters who have historically supported Republicans will tune out and dismiss libertarians who voice blanket condemnations of the party which in the past has felt like home to them.

More information at ChristianLibertarians.com

"This is not the Republican Party, this is the Libertarian Party"

From Eric Dondero:

The State Republican Party took the unusual step of officially denouncing State Senator Jake Knotts for his comments against probably GOP Governor nominee Nikki Haley. Knotts, who supported a rival candidate for the nomination, called her a "raghead" on a local South Carolina radio show Pub Politics.

Now Knotts is responding by accusing Haley, and current Governor Mark Sanford of being sexually tolerant "Libertarians" who've taken over the GOP.

From The State:

Lexington County Republicans voted to rebuke state Sen. Jake Knotts and ask him to resign his office after he used a racial slur last week against state Rep. Nikki Haley.

Both lawmakers are from Lexington County and the dispute was a feud between old guard Knotts and Haley, who represents the rising conservative wing of the party. Knotts referred to Haley, whose parents are Indian immigrants, as a “raghead” on an Internet political talk show.

Knotts said Thursday night he would not resign, and said the resolution was pushed by supporters of Haley and Gov. Mark Sanford, Knotts’ longtime adversary.

South Carolina State Senator Jake Knotts (R-Lexington) answers a question during a news conference at the Statehouse Friday, June 26, 2009. Knotts confirmed that SLED has agreed to open an investigation into governor Mark Sanford's actions.

“This is not a Republican Party, this is a libertarian party,” Knotts said, noting the group did not censure Sanford last year after he admitted an extramarital affair. “This is nothing but politics. I’m not resigning. I could care less.”

UPDATE!

In a video just breaking Sen. Knotts now says that the Libertarian Party has infiltrated the SC GOP. "This is nothing more than politics coming from the Libertarian Party." See the video of a sweaty Knotts being interviewed at the Eisenhower Republican blog Ikekonic

From Eric Dondero:

The Iowa Republican Party recently nominated former longtime Governor Terry Branstad, a thoroughly uninspiring choice. As a result, the Libertarian Party may now be poised to pick off a more substantial margin from the anti-tax, anti-incumbent Right.

From LP press release via IowaPolitics.com:

Eric Cooper, the Libertarian Candidate for Governor of Iowa, said today that Terry Branstad’s win in the Republican primary is great news for the Libertarian Party. Cooper is attempting to get 2% in the Iowa Governor’s race in order to get major party status in Iowa for the Libertarian Party.

“There is a strong anti-incumbent sentiment in America at present, and with Terry Branstad’s win in the Republican primary, it means that we will essentially be running against two incumbents in the general election,” says Cooper.

Cooper, 44, (the Libertarian candidate for Governor) is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Iowa State University, and is currently the Vice Chairman of the Libertarian Party of Iowa.

Cooper is running a Tea Party style campaign. His platform includes repealing the minumum wage, overturning bans on smoking, repealing cigarette taxes, and allowing fireworks sales. Coopersmallergovernment.com