Radical Freedom of Choice Act

Who is Signing the Fight FOCA Petition?

The map below shows how many people are signing a Petition opposing the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA).

The radical federal legislation known as FOCA does two things.

First, it creates a “constitutional right” of abortion and prohibits “discrimination” that it further defines as “interference” with that right.

Second, it empowers individuals and groups like the ACLU, abortion providers, or abortion rights groups to sue individuals, groups, States and political subdivisions of States for monetary damages. Under current law, a “prevailing party” can recover attorneys' fees when they successfully win a civil rights case based on a violation of a constitutional right.

The actual cost and the threat of massive expenses arising under FOCA litigation will cause most States to withdraw from the field of regulating abortions. The litigation costs for enacting or continuing to enforce reasonable State abortion regulations will be astronomical. Thus, FOCA will eventually eliminate virtually any State or local law that tends to discourage abortion.

FOCA also could directly impact groups and individuals that lobby against the procedure, provide information about its dangers, or who protest it. FOCA makes such groups potential defendants.

A website for accumulating signatures on a Petition against FOCA is growing. Many more Americans need to sign the Petition to discourage passage of this terrible law. Click on to see the map and letter from the "Fight FOCA" site.

The key to this map is that the darker the state, the more people from that state’s population have signed the Fight FOCA petition. Way to go Utah! Maryland, you’ve got some work to do.

Encourage your friends and neighbors to sign the Fight FOCA petition. You can use the wording below to send an email to them.

Dear Friend,

I’m writing to let you know about a terrible piece of legislation called "The Freedom of Choice Act" (FOCA).

FOCA would establish the right to abortion as a fundamental right (like the right to free speech) and wipe away every restriction on abortion nationwide.

It will eradicate state and federal abortion laws that the majority of Americans support and prevent states from enacting similar protective measures in the future.

Please read the expert analysis by Americans United for Life (AUL) and sign the Fight FOCA petition at: http://www.FightFOCA.com

Thank you!

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Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009

What is HR 1207?

HR 1207, if enacted, would “reform the manner in which the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is audited by the Comptroller General of the United States.” The proposed law would also change the manner in which audits are reported.

Here is a link to sign the Petition to audit the Fed: Audit the Fed Link.

To understand the proposal one must understand the current Congressional authority over the Federal Reserve is surprisingly limited. The current law does require an “audit” but it also provides a list of issues that Congress cannot examine. Incredibly, the limitations are extremely broad and dangerous, including the following:

(1) transactions for or with a foreign central bank, government of a foreign country, or nonprivate international financing organization;

(2) deliberations, decisions, or actions on monetary policy matters, including discount window operations, reserves of member banks, securities credit, interest on deposits, and open market operations;

(3) transactions made under the direction of the Federal Open Market Committee; or

(4) a part of a discussion or communication among or between members of the Board of Governors and officers and employees of the Federal Reserve System related to clauses (1)–(3) of this subsection.

31 U.S.C. § 714.

The bill changes the existing law to require a full and straightforward audit of the Federal Reserve, which is an organization that controls the United States monetary and banking systems.

The Bill itself is very simple and straightforward. It removes the unconscionable limits. The text of the proposed law fits in a couple paragraphs. It is quoted below:

AUDIT REFORM AND TRANSPARENCY FOR THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM.

(a) In General- Subsection (b) of section 714 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking all after ‘shall audit an agency’ and inserting a period.

(b) Audit- Section 714 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(e) Audit and Report of the Federal Reserve System-

(1) IN GENERAL- The audit of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal reserve banks under subsection (b) shall be completed before the end of 2010.

(2) REPORT-

(A) REQUIRED- A report on the audit referred to in paragraph (1) shall be submitted by the Comptroller General to the Congress before the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date on which such audit is completed and made available to the Speaker of the House, the majority and minority leaders of the House of Representatives, the majority and minority leaders of the Senate, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the committee and each subcommittee of jurisdiction in the House of Representatives and the Senate, and any other Member of Congress who requests it.

(B) CONTENTS- The report under subparagraph (A) shall include a detailed description of the findings and conclusion of the Comptroller General with respect to the audit that is the subject of the report, together with such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Comptroller General may determine to be appropriate.

GovTrack.us, HR 1207.

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HR 1207 Update

Proposed Law Would Audit Federal Reserve

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Greenville County Republican Convention

Ron Paul Folks Gaining Power Within GOP?

On April 25, 2009, Representative Bob Inglis and Senator Lindsey Graham, both spoke at the Greenville County Republican Convention. Both of them took the opportunity to take shots at Tea Party activism and Ron Paul's grass roots organization, Campaign for Liberty.

Just possibly, Ron Paul's folks might be pushing their way into a bit of power within the Republican Party. This post looks at the remarks of Inglis and Graham, provides commentary on the passive-aggressive or defensive quality of both speeches. In conclusion, I make my plea for unity between delegates.

Greenville County is one of the most conservative County's in the United States. One of the speakers at the convention, Karen Floyd (if memory served), thanked the delegates for helping to make the State not merely a “red State, but a bright red state.” Yet, Republicans Inglis and Graham appeared worried about the direction of the Greenville County Convention when they appeared before its delegates.

Both politicians were well aware of the Greenville Tea Party reception given to their colleague, 3d District Representative Gresham Barrett. Barrett was booed during his entire five minute speech at that event. That video has become a national argument that the Tea Party movement is neither Republican nor Democrat, but conservative in nature.

Delegates at the Convention did not boo Inglis or Graham. However, the applause for both men was definitely less than enthusiastic.

Bob Inglis spoke first and wasted no time insinuating that the behavior of the Greenville's Tea Party protesters that booed his colleague, was distasteful. Inglis opened his remarks by stating: “It is all the rage to be negative.” He then made several comments about “anger” or “negative rage.” Inglis was obviously implicating we rabble rousing extremists.

Inglis argued that those who join in such negative activities, “deny their faith.” He partially quoted 1 Peter 3:15 for his view. “[A]lways be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.”

Inglis point was convoluted. Perhaps Inglis was suggesting that the Bible encourages positive behavior. He might be asserting that the Tea Party crowd's activity of booing and cat calling at Barrett was unholy.

Certainly, there is some truth behind that statement. On the other hand, somebody has to be the scapegoat so the people could get the point accross to thick-headed politicians . . . we are fed up.

My blunt interpretation of Inglis' remarks, however, is that rather than encouraging people to engage in more polite behavior, he really hopes to discourage mainstream party activists from joining conservative the Tea Party movement. In short, Inglis would like to see Tea Party movement become a historical flash in the pan rather than a full-blown conservative movement that would sweep away moderate Republicans.

Lindsey Graham also spoke. Graham was not directly critical of the Tea Party movement. He focused his remarks on the positives, like loyalty toward his friend, John McCain. He also noted conservatism will face a tough fight stopping the Democrats from implementing Obama's socialism He noted that there are now only 41 Republicans in the Senate.

Graham hit some sweet notes with Tea Party folks too. He said that Obama, “was spending our country into oblivion.” He noted that Obama's budget would triple the national debt. Graham also correctly pointed out that Obama's tax increase on folks that earn more than $250,000 would slow the economy because it was, in effect, a “tax on employers.”

Graham closed by arguing the Republican Party ought to be a moderate party. He implicitly endorsed the McCain strategy of Democrat-light Republicanism by arguing that, “we have to make the independent folks feel welcome.” Graham paused and declared, “I am not a libertarian.” He said, “I like Ron Paul but he is not the leader of our Party.”

Judging by his comments, Graham seemed well aware of the presence of folks from Ron Paul's grass roots organization. Many delegates, myself included, got involved as a delegate through Ron Paul's grass roots organization. It was the Daily Paul organization that encouraged folks to go out on a snowy winter night to become delegates, to show up at the Convention, and to vote our consciences.

I do not think it is any secret to moderates that the influx of new delegates into Greenville County Republican politics was in a large measure due to Ron Paul's grass roots organization. The network encouraged many folks to get out and become delegates. Many of Ron Paul's supporters did just that and we might make a definite impact on the process. For example, approximately forty folks are potential delegates to the State Convention.

It is quite interesting to see that Senator Graham considered the Ron Paul effort in Greenville to be enough of a threat that he specifically addressed the issue.

Now, the folks need to find a way to unite the Ron Paul freedom lovers with the Bob Jones Repubicans. I believe Ron Paul's politics match hand and glove with BJU ideas. We cannot let the moderates like Bob Inglis and Lindsey Graham drive a wedge between our forces by calling us "libertarians." He is trying to suggest that we all believe in legalized marijuana and free love. That is total bunk. Don't buy that crap. We believe in freedom, liberty, and the principles of our founding fathers . . . same as you. If the BJU folks and Ron Paul's organization would just unite, then the Greenville Repubican Party delegation to Columbia could become a real force for positive conservative change in the South Carolina Republican party. If we keep bickering amonst themselves when we get to Columbia, then we will be ignored.

If any Bob Jones folks are reading this and don't believe you can find accord with a Ron Paul Repubican, then ask you investigate the policies he advocates before buying into that argument.

Finally, the Lord Jesus Christ is the hope and foundation. We should put all our trust in Him.

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Greenville County GOP Executive Committeeman Election

Insurgent Dan Herren Wins

It took three different votes by the determined Greenville County GOP delegation, but Dan Herren was finally elected over incumbent, moderate Republican insider Doug Wavle 276 to 204.

Herren campaigned for the job on the principle he would work, "to get true conservative Republicans elected to office."

Wresting power away from Wavle wasn't easy. Wavle and his old guard Republican allies used every procedural and parlimentary trick in the book to keep Wavle as Executive Committeeman.

Wavle's three opponents all criticized Wavle during the debate period. They alleged he supported Lindsey Graham and his compromised moderate policies. Wavle also received criticism for opposing a lawsuit the County filed to force change the Republican primary rules. (The election law now permits Democrat voters to vote in, and influence Republican primary elections.)

In his remarks before the vote, Wavle claimed, “The Republican Party platform is what we believe.” Wavle labeled the other candidates, “Libertarians.” This allegation is now becoming a familiar refrain of Republican Party moderates worried about Tea Party activism. Wavle also accused the other candidates of
disseminating a “slanderous letter attacking Doug Wavle.”

Wavle and party insiders executed a well-planned attempt to sway the election and maintain Wavle in the Greenville County Executive Committeeman position. The effort began when Delegate Samuel Harms attempted to explain why he was seconding the nomination of Chris Lawton, one of Wavle's opponents. Wavle's friends made several parlimentary objections to Harm's remarks critical of Wavle, making many Delegates uncomfortable.

Next, while delegates were still squirming, the Chair, speaking quickly in formal language, requested “unanimous consent” to elect the Executive Committeeman by “plurality” vote. The Chair, J. Todd Kincannon, is the Parliamentarian for the South Carolina GOP.

The Chair's use of "unanamous consent" to effect a change of an important County voting rule was improper under Article III, Roberts Rules of Order. Unanimous consent is only supposed to be used to expedite “routine business and on questions of little importance.”

The change of the County's “majority” voting rule to a “plurality” would have greatly favored Wavle since he had three conservative challengers in the election.

Fortunately, quick thinking by Greenville County Delegate Steven Brown saved the day. Brown alertly called a “point of order,” and demanded a vote on the Chair's improper motion.

When the Chair orchestrated a debate about the attempt to change the voting rule, friends of Wavle argued majority voting would take "too long." The logic of that reasoning was defeated by an argument that the Executive Committeeman, the County's voice in State party politics, ought to be elected by a majority of the Greenville delegates. County delegates then overwhelmingly voted down the Chair's attempt to improperly change the voting rules in Wavle's favor.

The ballots were collected for the first vote. As expected, Wavle won against the three more conservative challengers who split the conservative vote. However, Wavle won that first ballot by only a plurality--not a majority--forcing another ballot.

The vote totals for the first ballot were 217 for Wavle against 161 for his next closest competitor, Herren. (The other two candidates split the remainding 156 votes on the first ballot.)

In the two following ballots, Herren won twice as, one by one, the other challengers withdrew and his talley increased. On the third vote, Herren achieved a 276 to 204 majority over Wavle and the victory.

Technorati Tags: Greenville, County, Republican, Convention, Executive, Committeeman, Doug, Wavle, Dan, Herren

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Mike Morgan

The Exciting Voice of the Gamecocks Retires

It is pretty unclear what brought about Morgan's sudden "retirement." Nobody seems to be talking.


In any case, below is the text of his letter from the Stalking Darren Horn site. Mike Morgan will be sorely missed. He is a great announcer.

To the Gamecock Nation:

I am writing to pass along my greatest thanks and appreciation for your support and devotion over the years. You have made this an extremely enjoyable experience for me, one which I won’t soon forget. I feel like I’ve gone as far as I can with my current position as the Voice of basketball and baseball for the University of South Carolina. Consequently, it is time for me to pursue other facets of my career at this point in time.

Sincere thanks to the people who I have shared so many great memories with: Tommy Moody, Casey Manning, the late Tom Price, and many others behind the scenes including Carroll Senn. I could not ask for better on-air partners or better people.

I want to thank so many people at the University level—too many to list in one letter. A special thanks to the coaches. People like Ray Tanner don’t grow on trees, I’ve been fortunate to work with a class act like him for 10 years.

Most of all, I can’t begin to thank all the listeners that have turned into friends over the years. In a matter of speaking, so many of you have let me into your home and treated me like family. I have memories that will last a lifetime.

Also, a special thanks to Bob Fulton. I couldn’t ask for a better mentor in this business. You have taught me so much, and have been a proponent of mine since the early days. It was an honor to follow in your hallowed footsteps for ten years.

I can’t speak to everyone first hand, but if any of you care to reach me please feel free to email at mikemorgan2001@aol.com. In time, I will respond to each and every one of you. For those who have already called, emailed, and written kind words I am very appreciative and overwhelmed by your kindness. Let me say that again, I am overwhelmed by your kindness. I can’t imagine an announcer receiving more touching words that I have in the last 24 hours alone. It truly makes it harder and harder to walk away from a job that I love so much. We’ll see what the future has in store.

Thanks for being along for a journey full of great memories.

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Cartoon By Michael Ramirez

Political Cartoons of Michael Ramirez

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CNN Censors Video Showing Biased Reporter

Censorship

A few days ago, I posted about an incredible video by a small news organization called The Founding Bloggers. The Founding Bloggers video went viral. Thousands of people were viewing the evidence of CNN reporting bias.

Not that MSM bias is news. Everyone knows about CNN's bias. However, it just wasn't as blatant and obvious as the Founding Bloggers incredible video demonstrates.

That's when CNN's legal team exerted its muscle. It intimidated YouTube and pursuaded the service to yank the Founding Bloggers video. Irony. A news organization using its wealth and power to censor news.

Below is the letter to CNN from the Founding Bloggers site:

Dear CNN,

We at Founding Bloggers are somewhat bemused by your recent conduct. We are also incredulous, irritated, and amused – in short, our reaction is complicated. We note, with some bemusement, that your main competitors have all aired the controversial Susan Roesgen segment with abandon, and that, moreover, dozens of other YouTube stations continue, to this very moment, to air this same segment without any evidence of your having objected in any way. We regret, with some incredulity, your self-serving, if not entirely convenient, interpretation of the First Amendment. We suspect, with some irritation, that your inconsistent application of copyright theory is informed by two factors:

1) that you are aware that your main competitors, i.e., MSNBC and FOX, have teams of salaried attorneys to vigorously defend their right to fair use, a case for which might very easily be made, and that, by way of contrast, you are also aware that Founding Bloggers has comparatively meager resources at its disposal and is ill-equipped to mount such a vigorous defense;

2) that you were substantially alarmed by the frequency at which our video was being viewed – internationally.

In short, we suspect that you are harassing us because our product was popular, because we are small, and because you can. We conclude, with some amusement, that your conduct tends to lend validity to the least flattering stereotypes associated with your organization. We live in the era of the internet – it is not so easy to silence people these days, as you will discover. In the final analysis, you will have become the butt of your own joke.

Should you prefer to avoid this fate, we will, of course, welcome the return of our production to its rightful spot – and the 3000+ viewer generated comment-opinions, both in support and in opposition, regarding it. Alternatively, should you prefer to continue on your current course of intimidation and censorship, we will endeavor to counter your actions.

In short, withdraw your fraudulent DMCA claim against our production, and instruct You Tube to restore the clip.

Most Sincerely,
Your Founding Bloggers
www.foundingbloggers.com

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Greenville Tea Party

Bailout, Chicken Little Republican Gresham Barrett Booed Off Stage

On April 17, 2009, about 4,000 citizens of Greenville, South Carolina met for a tax and deficit protest about the increasingly overbearing federal government.

Do you want some evidence the tea party movement is not associated with the Repubican party as many in the MSM contend? Consider Gresham Barrett.

One of the early speakers at the event was Republican politician Gresham Barrett. Barrett, a current Congressman, is now the leading Republican candidate aiming for a run at the office of Governor for South Carolina. His hair was perfect. He looked trim and athletic in his tie and dapper powder blue shirt. When Barrett climbed up on the stage and stood before the crowd to speak, he looked the picture of a rising-star, Republican politician.

However, the crowd remembered what Barrett did when his fellow Republicans George Bush and former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, pushed him. Barrett caved.

Over the objections of many constituants, he reversed his initial opposition to the crap sandwich and voted to pass a $700 Billion TARP bailout of Wall Street. The Obama Administration now delights in citing by way of example Bush's crap sandwich as justification for even more egregious acts of generational theft since Obama's election.

Gresham Barrett's bailout vote, a compromise of his allegedly conservative principles, is what the crowd remembered about him.

Many boos could be heard as Barrett began to speak. But when Barrett claimed at the outset of his remarks, that he was a "true conservative," "I have devoted my life to the conservative cause," the folks in the crowd really let him have it. The remainder of his speech was drowned out by boos and shouts.

This crowd was not Republican or Democrat. They were mad at any politician who participated in acts of generational theft. Chicken little Republicans were as unwelcome at Greenville's tea party as Obama himself.

And, Greenville's tea party may just have turned Gresham Barrett's dream of becoming Governor into a nightmare.

The crowd was kinder to the other tea party speakers. The video below shows some of the sights and sounds of the protest.

The video below captures the boos and catcalls aimed at Gresham Barrett. They seemed a lot louder in person.




Technorati Tags: tea, party, greenville, south, carolina, gresham, barrett, april, 17, boo, bailout, chicken, little, republican, movement

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$8 Billion Rail Plan

Route Planned Through Greenville

On February 13, 2009, Congress and the President enacted the massive American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Included in the huge spending bill was a plan too create a high speed passenger rail line. The government is investing $8 Billion into the project. Here is a map of the current plan.

Note that the plan calls for the line to go through Greenville and Columbia. You have to wonder what the cost of riding the train will be when it is finally finished. However, if the cost is reasonable, it could be a good way to get to football games around the SEC.

The proposed Obama budget now being debated includes an additional $1 Billion a year for the next five years to help pay for the cost of developing the line.

More information about the rail plan is available at the DOT Fact Sheet.

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Teaparty Protests

CNN Exposed as Biased

CNN sent reporter Susan Roesgen to cover the Chicago tea party. She attempted to selectively interview people to portray the protesters in the worse possible light. However, the people were watching her and called her on the unbaised and unfair reporting of a movement. The teaparty movement could be very serious for all current politicians. People are pretty fed up with the media and the big government machine that does not listen to the people.

Here is the video. It is truly amazing to watch this drama unfold.

CNN is on a campaign to use frivolous copyright threats against YouTube to keep the Founding Bloggers of publishing their great newsworthy video of CNN bias, which is news. News clips are allowed as an exception to the copyright laws. It is called the "fair use" exception. Founding Bloggers report on media bias is legitimate and fair use. Here is a copy of the video CNN does not want you to see.

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Pisgah Wilderness Backpacking Trip

Short Hike Across Black Balsom on the Art Loeb Trail

Yay! The Computer Direct Outlet finished repairing my busted USB Port . . . at no charge. Thanks CD!

To celebrate, I am posting a video I made of the backpacking trip to Pisgah with my teenage boys. You cannot tell, but we were really freezing, particularly in the morning. The temperatures on the mountain got into the upper 20s in the night and the wind was moaning all night long. Here is the video.

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Credit Card Leglislation

New Environment May Bring Positive Change for Consumers

The American News Project site on YouTube published a new story on credit card lobbying and legislation in Congress. Most people in America are probably unaware of how many laws favoring credit card companies that the Congress has passed over the past twenty years. One of the three consumer advocates, who were present among an army of banking and credit card lobbiests, said the recent votes in the Committee on Finance and Banking were the first votes in favor of consumers since he had been attending the hearings. Here is the video and story.

"Hidden penalties, sudden interest rate hikes, deceptive language those are just some of the abusive practices of credit card companies that Congress is trying to stop. Consumer advocates applauded last weeks committee votes on two historic bills to reign in the industry. But before a final bill reaches Obamas desk, there could be months more haggling one last chance for card company lobbyists to delay or kill the reforms."

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Tea Party Protest Song

On April 15, Americans will be gathering to protest the big government spending and tax ripoffs, and to unite for liberty. Google "tea party" and you can find links to protests in your town or city.

Protesters are going to smeared by the left wing media as fringe nutjobs. However, something tells me that the MSM and leftist smear campaigns against the protesters is going to fall flat this time. Here is a video made for the event.

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Publishing Inconsistency

PC USB Port Wrecked

The PTT machine is down with a ripped out USB Port. Somebody tried to plug a firewire connection into it, and the two units did not play well together. The machine is scheduled to back and up and running on or about April 10, 2009.

PTT has several interesting posts in mind when the PC returns. First, I have an update on the Wii Fit, complete with graphs of my weight loss in the month of March.

Second, Nathan, Jackson, and PTT went backpacking in Pisgah last Friday/Saturday. The temperatures dropped into the 20s at night and our water froze. (So did Jackson's wet socks, which were hanging in a tree.) I hope to post pictures of our trip, and possibly a short video about our mindset on Saturday morning on the mountain.

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