PTT's Man of the Year

Ron Paul

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Boot Camp News from Emily

We received a December 20 letter from Emily the other day, and one today. She is hanging in there pretty well, but it sounds like she misses being home for Christmas. It has to be tough to go through Navy Boot Camp training during the Holidays.

One thing that will make it easier, is if she gets mail. Please send her letters at the following address:





SR Turnage, Emily R.
SHIP 10, DIV 074
3425 Sailor Drive
GREAT LAKES IL 60088-3525

Click on the link in the first paragraph above to read the December 20 letter. I have not had a chance to scan the other, but will try and post it later today.

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Attempted Wave Drawing with FB Grafitti

I attempted a wave drawing. I am working to improve. Maybe with time and practice, my efforts will be better in the future. Click on button to play.

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Free Competition in Currency Act

The Federal Reserve increased the money supply by more than 2 Trillion Dollars within the last 15 months. The massive increase in the money supply creates a substantial risk of hyper-inflation.

Hyper-inflation can strike suddenly and quickly reduce savings by destroying the value of the dollar. Most of the recently-created dollars remain in the banking system and have not been introduced into the economy as loans. Because the trillions remain on the sidelines the risk of hyper-inflation is suppressed . . . for the time being. However, when the stagnant American economy begins to rebound, the banks where all that newly-minted money is hanging out will start making loans again. Then, the risk of hyper-inflation will kick in.

People can partially hedge against the threat of hyper-inflation by buying gold. But a problem with that financial strategy is that the appreciation of the gold, or any other precious metal, will be subject to capital gains tax. It is also illegal to use gold as money. Thus, while gold is a way to reduce the risk, it still serves in a less than fully optimal capability because of the United States exclusive currency and tax policies.

The federal government, through its instrument the Federal Reserve, created the risk of hyper-inflation by massively increasing the money supply. The federal government ought to responsibly create a safety net for the American public against the risks associated with its policy. It can mitigate the danger by enacting a law allowing the use of gold or silver as money, and by eliminating the taxes on its appreciation.

Article I, Section 10, of the United States Constitution allows states to establish gold and silver as legal tender. “No State shall . . . make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts . . . .” However, the current federal law makes it a crime, punishable by imprisonment of up to five years, to use gold or silver coins as legal tender. See 18 U.S.C. Section 486.

A proposed freedom-enhancing law pending to correct this untenable situation is the Free Competition in Currency Act of 2009, a refreshingly simple one page law. That statute, if enacted into law, would repeal 18 U.S.C. § 486, the criminal ban against States permitting use of gold and silve coins as legal tender. The proposed law would also ban imposition of federal or state taxes on gold and silver coins.

Technorati Tags: Free, Competition, in, Currency, Act, of, 2009, hyper-inflation, money, supply, federal, reserve, tax, 18, usc, 486

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Alabama Fans Rap About Julio Jones

"His Momma Named Him That"

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Papajohns.com Bowl: Connecticut Big East Ties

I heard a friend complaining about the Gamecocks opponent, Connecticut, for the January 2, 2010, Papajohns.com Bowl in Birmingham. My friend's sad philosophy is your favorite team's bowl should be played against a high-profile team in a down year. He figures that winning over a “name” team, brings more prestige than beating a no-name.

Now, don't get me wrong. My friend understands Connecticut as a high-quality opponent. However, because the Huskies joined the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) only a few years ago (in 2002) their team has a lower profile than somebody like, for instance, Florida State. He knows Connecticut is an up-and-coming team. He knows they are physical and play with passion. But he figures most casual fans don't know the Huskies.

I quibble with my friend here because I think most people understand the Huskies are pretty good. First, they are from the northeast where most of the media is located. Secondly, and more importantly, they compete in the Big East Conference. The Big East is a BCS Conference with a growing reputation.

The Big East Conference may not be considered one of the nation's power conferences like the SEC. Nevertheless, its reputation for excellent football is growing steadily. In fact, last year, the Big East performed very well in bowl games winning 4 and losing only twice.

My post last January, Conference Bowl Performance, contained the following chart comparing each of the conferences:



Last year, the Big East out performed the pitiful Big 10, the woeful ACC, and the Big 12--three more high-profile conferences. Therefore, it appears Connecticut will be a nightmare for my friend. They are an excellent football team from a tough conference. The Gamecocks will have their hands full on January 2 . . . and my friend will stay nervous until the game is in the books.

Technorati Tags: Connecticut, Connecticut, Gamecocks, Big, East, Bowl, 2008
performance

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Sherry Peal Jackson: Political Prisoner in America

Sherry Peal Jackson is a former IRS Agent. She became a CPA in 1987. As a private CPA, she spoke on why income tax laws were unconstitutional. Her website is here, Sherry Peel Jackson Dot Com.

Jackson, a wife and mother, was convicted by a federal court in 2007 of "willful failure to file taxes." However, her primary crime was apparently disseminating argument the federal government lacks authority to require people to pay income tax. Thus, she was targeted by the IRS as part of its "Tax Defier Initiative" campaign.

Her prosecution and conviction for misdemeanors charges were in large measure because of political speech.

Unfortunately, Jackson was sentenced to federal prison, and while incarcerated, she encountered serious health problems. The Federal Prison was not providing her proper medical treatment--treatment that could cost Sherry her life. That sounds like a serious miscarriage of justice! Certainly, the government's failure to provide obviously needed medical treatment is worthy of concern.

A copy of Sherry's letter about her plight in federal prison is quoted below. A Free Sherry Website on Wiki contains further information. Apparently, the federal government is finally taking action to address the health problems outlined in the letter. Publicizing her cause has been worthwhile.

I am Sherry Peel Jackson, your former CPA. I am writing you because I am concerned about my health and my life. Prior to becoming a political prisoner I was the picture of health.

In late June, 2009 I started experiencing a rapid heart beat on an irregular basis. Since this had happened infrequently in the past I did not think much of it. However, in Mid July it started happening on a regular basis and I became concerned. I went to the medical staff twice in Mid July only to be given a one-minute EKG test and powerful meds without proper diagnosis. I did not take them because I had not been seen by a specialist.

One week later, on July 21 at 12:45am I left the dorm in flip flops to go tell the officers that I was having a heart attack. The officers on duty called the ambulance and the ambulance checked my heart on their portable EKG machine. It was beating at 150 beats per minute. They took me to Leesberg (spelling) hospital where I remained until Friday, July 24th at 11:30pm. During the hospital stay it was determined that my heart was healthy but my thyroid was producing too much hormone, thus speeding up my heart.

This is called hyperthyroidism or Graves disease. I was given two medications by the hospital - Methimazole, which is an anti-thyroid agent used to reduce the amount of thyroid hormone produced by the body and Metoprolol, which is a beta blocker used to slow the heart. The hospital doctor told me that in four weeks (approximately August 21) the prison medical unit was to do blood tests to determine how the thyroid medication was affecting my body.

The blood test was taken in late August and I was told that I would be placed on the appointment schedule to come over and review the results. I was never called. I went over in early September and inquired of Dr. DeLeon as to how to get blood test results. He told me to put in a request to staff, so I did that on September 15th. It simply asked to see the results of the tests.

Sometime after September 23rd I received a response in writing, from Ms. Marich, that stated that I could either make a sick call (come over early in the morning wait in line and fill out forms) or come to Open House to see the results. Open house is held only on Thursdays from 3:00pm to 3:30pm. I went to Open House Thursday September 30th and was told by Ms. Marich that she could not find the results! I watched her look through and around several piles of folders in her office but at no time did she look on a computer for them. She told me to check back later.

On Wednesday October 28th I passed out around 4pm and was taken to medical and cleared. On Friday October 30th my lips started turning black as if I had been a lifelong smoker. By Sunday November 1st my lips were fully black.

My boss, the Chaplain, called medical and a male nurse was sent over from the medium security men's prison on this complex (there are two maximum security, one medium security and one low security men's prisons on this complex with the women's camp). He took my blood pressure and oxygen and said there was nothing else he could do. He told me to go to sick call Monday morning, which I did. I showed Mr. Coucho my lips and told him that something was wrong with my blood, I could tell. (I am leaving out gross details here). He said I would be put on the schedule.

However, the very next day, Tuesday morning, November 3rd, I found blood in my stool and rushed over to medical because I am smart enough to know that this is a major problem. I was chewed out for coming over to medical without a staff member telling me to come. I told Charlie, the female nurse and Mr. Coucho the PA that I was in the hospital in July, never got the blood work results and something was terribly wrong. I was 46 years old and I know my body! I finally convinced them that I was not playing and was not stupid, so they 'treated' me with a packet for a stool sample test.

Mr. Coucho looked on the computer for the blood test results from August and found them there! The blood test showed a problem with the thyroid way back then! He said I would be put on the schedule for new blood work later that week because these results were too old. He had a short conversation with Dr. DeLeon in Spanish and then said the thyroid count was off. This was November 3rd. I administered the stool tests and returned them to Nurse Charlie on Friday November 6th.

Today is November 26th, Thanksgiving. I have not received the results of the stool test. I have not been given any new blood test. My neck is swelling up like a blow fish and I am having trouble talking. I have been feeling very ill for the last two weeks.

Congressman, I don't want them to kill me in here. As you well know, I am being punished for exposing government fraud. However, millions of people don't file tax returns and I was just used as an example by the DOJ for their new program called the Tax Defiers Initiative.

I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful children. I have already spent 21 months in prison for a non crime, and I refuse to come out dead or maimed for life. I have not caused these people any problems. This is no threat but just for your information. I also wrote the warden today. Things can't go on this way as I languish in here for someone's political gain. God doesn't like ugly and He is the ultimate judge and vindicator.
Sherry Peel Jackson 59085-019

FCI COLEMAN MEDIUM
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
P.O. BOX 1032
COLEMAN, FL 33521

FCI Coleman Medium
On December 2nd, 2009 CptDave says:
phone number: 352-689-5000
fax: 352-330-0552

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Christmas: Simeon's Story

Last Sunday, our Bridgepointe Bible study group looked at the Christmas verses in Luke 2. Most of the chapter is very familiar, often cited by folks at Christmas. However, I was intrigued by a lesser known passage about an elderly priest named Simeon.

There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel's consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple complex. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for Him what was customary under the law, Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said:

Now, Master,
You can dismiss Your slave in peace,
according to Your word.
For my eyes have seen Your salvation.
You have prepared [it]
in the presence of all peoples—
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and glory to Your people Israel.

His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about Him. Then Simeon blessed them and told His mother Mary: "Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed — and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

Luke 2:25-35 (emphasis added).

This passage about Simeon intrigued me for three reasons. First, he was attuned to God's direction. Second, his theology viewed the Messiah's salvation s all-encompassing. And third, because of his affinity for the Lord.

Attuned to God's Guidance

Throughout the scripture, it is plain that Simeon listened to God. The verses state that the Holy Spirit was with him. Some folks are surprised by this because of Acts 2:1-4, where the Holy Spirit, or “Comforter,” baptized believers. However, as is shown here, the Holy Spirit was also with Old Testament believers.

Simeon listened to the Holy Spirit and did not take guidance from him lightly. He believed the message from God that he would not die before seeing the Messiah. The context of the story suggests that Simeon was quite elderly when he met the baby Jesus in the Temple. Therefore, Simeon waited patiently for the event even in his old age.

When the Holy Spirit guided, Simeon followed. The sensitivity to the Spirt led Simeon directly to the Lord Jesus in the temple.

All-encompassing Savior

Back in the Old Testament days, many of the Hebrew religious leaders expected a political Messiah. They interpreted the prophecies of Messiah to mean that God's messager would reinstate a glorious Israel kingdom like there was in the days of King David.

However, God had in mind that his Messiah's Kingdom would be greater. It is not limited to earth. Indeed, at his trial before Pontius Pilot, when the Hebrew Religious leaders accused Jesus of insurrection against Ceaser, Pilot asked Jesus, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

Jesus repled to Pilot, “My kingdom is not of this world.” John 18:36.

God had in mind an all-encompassing Kingdom that was beyond the scope of the borders of Israel. The Old Testament scriptures point to an all-encompassing spiritual kingdom that includes all peoples. The Messiah came not just for the Hebrew people—although he came from the Hebrew people—but for all men and women. It is like the Angels proclaimed to the shepherds in the field:

I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people

Luke 2:10.

Indeed, since the time for Messiah to die for our sins had not yet come, it is clear that Messiah's power of salvation stretched not only forward in time to reach us, but backwards as well. He came to die for all people who have lived—even those who lived before him.

Simeon understood the scope of God's Messiah would not be limited.

Simeon's Affinity for Messiah

Probably the most intriguing aspect of Simeon is the humanity of his relationship with Jesus, the Messiah. Many commentators, including our Lifeway writer, Dale “Geno” Robinson, focus on the great prayer Simeon uttered when he saw the Lord. It really is a great prayer.

I noticed on the nonverbal part of the prayer. The scripture says “Simeon took Him [Jesus] up in his arms.” I imagine Simeon held the baby Jesus in full embrace and said the prayer with tears of joy and happiness in his eyes. Simeon understood he held the Lord's Messiah in his arms, the salvation of all humanity. His heart was bursting with love for God and for Jesus as he tightly held the baby in his arms.

Simeon's affinity to the Lord is the kind God hopes we might achieve. We would do well to strive for the kind of relationship Simeon had with the Lord Jesus Christ.

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John Stossel Rebuts Global Warming Alarmist Agenda

Here is an interesting clip. This must have been published before the emails by the global warming alarmists were leaked. Still, it is a pretty good recounting of the factual errors and exaggerations found in "An Inconvenient Truth."

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Emily Boot Camp News

On Saturday afternoon Emily made a couple short calls to South Carolina. She is surviving Navy Boot Camp. It sounds like she and the others are learning a lot about team work. Emily reported to Nathan that Boot Camp was tough, but pretty fun.

We received our first letter from Em last week! She gave me permission to publish the letters so everyone can read about her experience. Read her correspondence at the link in this paragraph.

In a related matter, Emily is scheduled to graduate from Boot Camp on January 29, 2010. Katrina and I have tickets from Charlotte to Chicago. We are staying at an Embassy Suites Hotel Chicago-North Shore/Deerfield. A Map of Area shows the location of the hotel. The Recruit Training Center is up a bit north in the city of Waukegan. Both are north of Chicago.

Emily requests letters via snail mail letters at the following address:

SR Turnage, Emily R.
SHIP 10, DIV 074
3425 Sailor Drive
GREAT LAKES IL 60088-3525

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Lindsey Graham Blasts Dem Health Bill

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham makes three strong points in the clip below.

First, he states that Senator Ben Nelson (D. Neb) was bribed to compromise on his previous position opposing using federal funds to pay for abortions.

In a back room deal negotiated by Nelson in secret, Nelson received a provision in the proposed law that permanently exempts his State, Nebraska, from paying any money toward the States' budget busting obligations toward the federal Medicaid program. Graham states he believes the Nelson deal is unconstitutional and he intends to ask South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster to weigh-in on that issue.

Second, the abortion provision Nelson obtained is so weak that no pro-life group supports it. Graham says that Bart Stupak (D. Mich.), the House Democrat that forced stronger anti-abortion language in the correlated House Health Care Bill, said Nelson's compromise was "unacceptable."

Third, Graham attacked the sham budgeting used by Democrats to claim the Bill is "balanced". Graham stated the accounting amounted to Enron-styled gimmickry. He says the economic projections out of the Congressional Budget Office related to a "Class Act" law for long-term health insurance that is included in the potential law constitutes a Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme of the first order.

Graham, a Republican known for working across the aisle with Democrats, also attacked the process of enacting this potential law as the worst kind of Washington politics.

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Class: Eric Norwood Thanks the Fans

The Feeling is Mutual

In the video embedded below, Eric Norwood thanks the South Carolina fans for supporting the team during the 2009 season. He states in the video that the home field advantage in 2009 was the best in his four year career at South Carolina.

I think it is time to return the thanks.

I would like to thank Eric Norwood for his tremendous heart.

Norwood is a player who never quits on any play. He gives his all every time.

And, Norwood, from time to time, makes huge plays. From his linebacker or defensive end spot, he can change a game around from a loss to a win. That feat, even once during a career, is a rarity for a college linebacker/defensive lineman. Norwood has done several times in his.

Eric Norwood could have entered the professional draft last year. He likely would have gone in one of the first several rounds and made a bunch of money. Instead of going Pro, Norwood stayed at Carolina and played his senior season.

Before the season, in this July 24, 2009, Post, I wrote about Norwood's unselfish career at South Carolina. The post had a clip embedded from after the Gamecocks win over Kentucky during the 2008 season. Norwood, in the midst of a national interview by ESPN reporter Erin Andrews, turned to honor to the Carolina Alma Mata. He has his priorities straight.

In 2009, Norwood played great for his senior season. He set records such as the most sacks by any player in the history of South Carolina football. He recently received a standing ovation when he completed his course requirement and obtained a degree from Carolina.

Eric, the feeling toward you is mutual. I cannot wait to see you play your final game as a Gamecock down in Birmingham. Thank you for a great career.

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Global Warming Debate with Greenpeace Member

Lord Christopher Monckton has been in the news in recent months due to his scepticism of global warming.

In November 2006, he published in The Daily Telegraph a widely publicized article critical of the prevailing climate change opinions. After U.S. Senators Rockefeller and Snowe wrote a letter to the Chief Executive Officer of ExxonMobil asking him to stop funding scientists who reject global warming, Lord Monckton wrote a letter to the senators reminding them of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and calling on them to reverse their position or resign.

In February 2007, he published an analysis and summary of the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report on climate change.

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UConn Football Highlights 33-30 Win at Notre Dame

The Gamecocks will play against the University of Connecticut Huskies on January 2, 2010, in the Papajohns.com Bowl in Birmingham, Alabama. Here are some highlights of the Gamecocks worthy opponent. This clip was made from the Huskies November 21, 2009, win in double overtime at Notre Dame.

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Dangers of Inflation: Letting Be

Here is a short clip entered in the Fraser Institute Student Video Contest of 2009. "Letting Be", examines the question "What is the appropriate role of government in the economy?"

Presented in this video are two of the main competing economic theories of our time, one founded on the concept of government intervention, the other on the principle of economic freedom--Austrian economics.

A special focus is placed on illustrating how our lives are severely affected by the choice between the two.

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Read Every Page!

Read Every Page!

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2 de Mayo: Spanish War of Independence

We obtained, 2 de Mayo, a new board game published by Gryphon Games, for the holidays. My son and I have been playing it a bit. Here is a short review.

2 de Mayo is a two player game that simulates a Spanish civilian uprising against occupying French forces in Madrid, on May 2, 1808. The uprising led to the Spanish War of Independence.

The historical basis was during the time of Napoleon Bonepart. The Spanish Monarch, Carlos IV, the Bourbon King, had transferred governing powers to a man named Manuel Godoy. Godoy made a deal with Napoleon. Napolean promised Godoy a kingdom in Portugal if he would sign the Treaty of Fontainebleau. The Treaty required Spain to allow free passage of French troops to Portugal, an ally of England, the enemy of France. Based on the Treaty, Napolean's troops gained control of key stragegic points throughout the Iberian Peninsula. They were a powerful occupying force.

Eventually, tensions rose between the civil population and the French. The people began to realize that Napolean did not intend merely to pass through Spain, but to conquor her! In May 1808, France was moving to capture Madrid with an estimated population of 160,000 Spaniards. Elements of a French force fired into a group of unarmed Spaniards, and the city went into revolt.

The boardgame 2 de Mayo simulates the revolt. One player is the French occupying force, and the other the Spanish population of Madrid.

The game simulates the forces by red (Spain) and blue (France) colored blocks. Here in the image, the French (blue) surround a single remaining Spanish force. The French in this image are on the verge of achieving the victory condition in the game. They control all the means of egress and ingress to Madrid, and have destroyed virtually the entire Spanish revolting force. The French must achieve this position in ten turns or Spain wins. Here, it looks like France will win . . . unless the Spaniard has a card that will save him.

In the four games we have played, the Spanish have achieved three victories. Spain won twice by killing more than three or four French troops, and once by surviving. In the first two games, the mob caught isolated French troops and wiped them out. In the other, France could not consolidate its force sufficiently to control the mob.

The two sides have different rules on movement. Both sides draw randomly from two distinct card decks and write secret orders. The cards, by luck of the draw, provide certain random historical events that provide advantages and disadvantages to the sides. The cards simulate a certain fog of war and add a strategic element to the game.

2 de Mayo is a very simple enjoyable game. You can play a game in about 30 to 45 minutes. The short time it takes to play makes 2 de Mayo a winner.

In the games against my son, Nathan, I've played the Spanish three times and the French once. The first two games, I beat Nathan by killing more than three French troops, including one with a flower pot. However, in the last two games, Nathan beat me. Based on our games, I would say the French side is definitely the more challenging side to play.

Technorati Tags: 2, de, Mayo, board, game, gryphon, games

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Southern Avenger on War

Here is the Jack Hunter of Charleston (i.e., the Southern Avenger) on re-assessing the cost of war in Afghanistan.

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The Truth about Bank of America Exposed!

Here is a former employee, Jackie Ramos, telling it like it is about her employer, Bank of America (BoA). BoA fired Ramos when she refused to impose $15 convenience charges and $39 over-the-limit fees against the poor people BoA had suckered into credit card relationships with the bank. Ramos said she could not sleep at night implementing the evil policies of BoA.

Technorati Tags: Bank, of, America, Corporatism, Unfair, Credit, Card, Charges, evil, policies

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Emly Boot Camp News:

The only news is no news. We have not heard anything from Emily for another week. However, we are hoping to get a letter from Em soon. I heard that the Navy only allowed recruits an hour on Sundays to write letters. Thus, Em may have written to us on Sunday, yesterday. If so, we hope to get a letter within a few days!

Please write to Em at the address below:

SR Turnage, Emily R.
SHIP 10, DIV 074
3425 Sailor Drive
GREAT LAKES IL 60088-3525

In the meantime, here is a recent clip from the NavyForMoms.com to give us an idea of what she has in store over the next couple weeks.

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Gamecocks In Papajohns.com Bowl on Jan. 2

I've got my room in Birmingham, and four tickets for my dad and boys and I. Whooooooo.

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EPA Greenhouse Gas Regulation a Grave Threat to America

On December 7, 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), determined, “that greenhouse gases (GHGs) threaten the public health and welfare of the American people.” The EPA also found, “GHGs are the primary driver of climate change, which can lead to hotter, longer heat waves that threaten the health of the sick, poor or elderly.”

The EPA's ruling that carbon gases constitute a health threat is a finding of "endangerment." It was the last step needed before the EPA could issue economy-wrecking regulations under the Clean Air Act. These upcoming EPA regulations will seriously hinder competitiveness of United States manufacturers and other businesses. In fact, the mere, but very real, threat of new EPA regulations in the near future will stifle expansion of U.S. business and cost our economy jobs.

What gives a federal bureaucracy like the EPA such a broad power to enact laws?

According to a 2007 Supreme Court Case, decided by a 5-4 vote, Congress authorized the EPA to regulate carbon gases under the Clean Air Act.

In Massachusettes v. EPA, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that Section 202(a)(1) of the Environmental Protection Act allowed an unelected federal bureaucracy staffed by Obama radicals (i.e., the EPA) to regulate “carbon gases.” The Court determined, “If EPA makes a finding of endangerment, the Clean Air Act requires the agency to regulate emissions of the deleterious pollutant from new motor vehicles.”

The Court ruling was issued by the narrowest of margins. The opinion was written by John Paul Stevens (Ford). Four justices joined Stevens in issuing the ruling, Kennedy (Bush, G.H.W.), Souter (Bush, G.H.W.), Ginsburg (Clinton), and Breyer, JJ (Clinton). Four justices dissented, primarily on the ground that the people who brought the lawsuit, a bunch of environmentalists and the State of Massachusettes, did not have a sufficient legal injury (or "standing") to bring the case.

The Supreme Court majority based its ruling, in part, on conclusions by a United Nations organization, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The IPCC found that greenhouse gases were warming the earth's surface. The IPCC is a purported scientific organization. In 1990, the IPCC concluded that

emissions resulting from human activities are substantially increasing the atmospheric concentrations of … greenhouse gases [which] will enhance the greenhouse effect, resulting on average in an additional warming of the Earth’s surface.

However, in November 2009, a whistle-blower from inside the IPCC Climate Research Unit leaked email of the IPCC's so-called climate scientists. The leaked email suggests that the "scientists" fudged data and engaged in results oriented research. The scientists also suppressed dissenting opinions by "skeptics." The email strongly suggest the UN organization was motivated by a political (rather than scientific) global warming agenda.

Meanwhile, under the Bush Administration, the EPA declined to issue regulations of carbon believing it was not a pollutant within the meaning of the Clean Air Act. That EPA decision led environmental groups and the State of Massachusetts to sue the EPA alleging a vague injury. The Supreme Court stated as follows:

On September 8, 2003, EPA entered an order denying the rulemaking petition. 68 Fed. Reg. 52922. The agency gave two reasons for its decision: (1) that contrary to the opinions of its former general counsels, the Clean Air Act does not authorize EPA to issue mandatory regulations to address global climate change, see id., at 52925–52929; and (2) that even if the agency had the authority to set greenhouse gas emission standards, it would be unwise to do so at this time, id., at 52929–52931.

On April 2, 2007, the Supreme Court ruled against the Bush Administration led EPA. In reaching the decision, the Court relied heavily on a 2004 Affidavit by a climate scientist named Michael McCracken.

According to a 1994 MacCracken affidavit, which the Court stated was undisputed, “qualified scientific experts involved in climate change research have reached a 'strong consensus' that global warming threatens (among other things) a precipitate rise in sea levels by the end of the century . . . .”

However, a leaked 2009 email indicates McCracken has apparently revised his opinion due to new information. Like many, the cooling observed during the last century is a problem for the scientists that formerly believed man-made greenhouse gases caused the earth to warm. The earth's temperature has cooled over the last ten years despite a corresponding increase in global carbon emissions. That fact suggests other causes, such as sun spots, might have made the 1990s temperatures spike. Thus, McCracken's January 3, 2009, email suggests the UN's data models might be incorrect. Read this.

In any case, if the sulfate hypothesis is right, then your prediction of warming might end up being wrong. I think we have been too readily explaining the slow changes over past decade as a result of variability--that explanation is wearing thin. I would just suggest, as a backup to your prediction, that you also do some checking on the sulfate issue, just so you might have a quantified explanation in case the prediction is wrong. Otherwise, the Skeptics will be all over us--the world is really cooling, the models are no good, etc. And all this just as the US is about ready to get serious on the issue.

It is troubling that the EPA is still moving forward with potentially devastating Clean Air Act regulations based on fake science from the UN, and based on the authorization of a Supreme Court case decided, in part, on a no-longer-valid expert opinion.

Troubling, but not surprising.

We already know that the EPA seems to acting based on political motivation. The EPA previously suppressed an internal EPA scientist's report in the endangerment hearings. The suppressed report recited the increasing erosion of the former scientific consensus that man-made greenhouse gases were effecting global temperatures.

This year, the Pelosi-controlled, Democrat House, over the votes of every Republican, passed a massive Cap and Trade tax bill based on the perceived threat of greenhouse gases. The Senate has not yet acted on a greenhouse gas law, but it is considering bi-partisan legislation. The Senate action has stalled because of admissions that the House Cap and Trade tax law would cripple the economy, and even if enacted, would have no effect on the earth's climate.

Neither the eroding global warming science, nor the leaked email proving the UN organization fudged data, nor a century of cooling temperatures on earth seems to discourage the Obama Administration and the EPA from aggressively pursuing greenhouse gas tax laws. Both are using the threat of EPA regulation to spur the Senate to pass a new climate change tax law. According to a December 9, 2009 FOX News report, an unidentified Obama Administration official stated:

If you don't pass this legislation, then ... the EPA is going to have to regulate in this area," the official said. "And it is not going to be able to regulate on a market-based way, so it's going to have to regulate in a command-and-control way, which will probably generate even more uncertainty.

The irony of all this is that the EPA still intends to rely on a 5-4, 2007 Supreme Court case (Massachusetts v. EPA) that was itself based on the probably mistaken 1994 opinion of scientist Michael McCracken.

None of this will change unless the American public revolts and removes from office a great majority of the current inhabitants of Congress.

Technorati Tags: Michael, McCracken, EPA, Lisa, Jackson, Supreme, Court, Massachusettes, 2007, endagerment, IPCC, Climate, Research, Institute, Email, hoax, climate, change, economy, wrecking

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Christmas Lights to Sandstorm

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Kevin Tuma's Political Cartoon

Kevin Tuma's Political Cartoon Blog features President Obama and his polices. They seem pretty much indistinguishable from the Bush Doctrine.

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Southern Avenger: Obama Continues Bush Doctrine

The Bush Doctrine is an idea that the United States must send military forces into various and sundry nations to root out alleged terrorists. The Bush Doctrine stands on the principle that the USA will attack first to preemptively destroy an enemy based on a perceived possible attack.

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Emily Boot Camp News!

We heard from Em! It wasn't a full letter. Just a short note included as part of a form letter from the Navy Recruit Training Command.

The text of her message is as follows:

Doing fine, boot's not too bad. You'll be getting letters from me soon. Please give my address to Marie so she can get that out. Cannot wait to get letters. ; - ) Three meals a day rocks. The RDC's are funny even when they're [BLEEP]. I miss y'all and G'ville but this isn't horrible. ; - ): PS: PLEASE label the letters correctly. 'SR Turnage, Emily R. and tell Marie that too. Thank you.

Here is the address!

SR Turnage, Emily R.
SHIP 10, DIV 074
3425 Sailor Drive
GREAT LAKES IL 60088-3525

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Navy Prosecutes Hero Seals

In a story eerily reminiscent to the federal prosecution a few years ago of Border Guards, Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, who shot a fleeing Mexican drug dealer, the U.S. Navy is prosecuting three members of a Navy Seal Team who captured a murdering terrorist in Iraq. In a perversion of justice, Ramos and Compean received ten year sentences and served several years in federal prison.

Now, the Navy is prosecuting three Navy Seals who allegedly roughed up the terrorist who masterminded the murder of four American civilians. Like Ramos and Compean the Seals are accused of lying to federal authorities. Here, the investigators were looking into alleged maltreatment of a prisoner.

The Genesis of the story arose on March 31, 2004. Then, four Blackwater security men in Iraq were captured by terrorists in Fallujah, Iraq. The captured Americans were killed. Their bodies were burned and dragged through the streets. Terrorists hung the bodies from a bridge on the Euphrates River. Images of that atrocity were captured and published by the Associated Press shown to the above right.

In September 2009, a U.S. Navy Seal team captured one of the terrorists, Ahmed Hashim Abed, who was allegedly the terrorist leader that participated in the Blackwater murders. However, Abed turned the tables. He alleged that a Seal, Second Class Matthew McCabe, punched him in the face and stomach. The terrorist apparently sustained a bloody lip in either the arrest or while captured.

The most "serious" charges are lying to the Naval Investigative Service. Three Seals on the team are charged with lying. (See Redacted Seal Charge Sheets). Two are charged with failure to protect the terrorist while one (SO2 McCabe) punched him. (See image below).



Here is a YouTube video circulating about the political-correctness motivated government prosecution.

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Senator DeMint Opposes Bernanke Re-Nomination

Ben Bernanke, a South Carolinian, is up for re-nomination as Chairman of the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve has drastically expanded the money supply since 2008. Much of the expanded money remains in banks because the Federal Reserve is paying interest to the banks not to loan money.

It is policies such as that, as well as the Feds bubble making, that has Senators on both sides of the political spectrum opposed to unfettered Federal Reserve power. Click on to read DeMint's scathing press release about the Fed, and to watch a video of his questioning of Bernanke in the December 3, 2009, hearing.

December 3, 2009 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina), chairman of the Senate Steering Committee, announced this morning that he will oppose the nomination of Ben Bernanke to serve a second term as the chairman of the Federal Reserve Board. Senator DeMint made the announcement after Bernanke's confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking Committee, and pledged to object to floor consideration of the nomination until the Senate votes on S. 604, the Federal Reserve Sunshine Act of 2009.

"Ben Bernanke is an intelligent and well-intended public servant, but the fact is the Fed has failed the American people during his tenure as chairman of the Federal Reserve Board and I cannot support his nomination for a second term,” said Senator DeMint. “Americans want a new Fed chairman who is willing to provide transparency into the Fed's actions, who is willing to accept responsibility for the Fed's mistakes, and who is willing to support true monetary reform that guarantees the soundness of our money.

"Mr. Bernanke has been one of the chief proponents of the Fed's easy money policy that created the current financial crisis. He ignored asset bubbles, dismissed concerns about the weakness of the dollar, and helped encourage the credit mania that led to the financial panic. Even worse, Mr. Bernanke has refused to accept any responsibility for his role in these actions prior to financial crisis.

On July 6, 2009, Senator DeMint attempted to get a vote on S. 604, which would remove restrictions on auditing the Fed’s discount window operations, funding facilities, open market operations and agreements with foreign central banks and governments. The vote was blocked but Senator pledged to keep fighting to force the Senate to vote on the measure.

"I will also object to floor consideration of Mr. Bernanke’s nomination until the Senate votes up-or-down on the Federal Reserve Sunshine Act. This bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, has over thirty cosponsors and would allow the Government Accountability Office to conduct a full audit of the Federal Reserve. Americans deserve to know how their money is being managed so these mistakes never happen again.

"Under Mr. Bernanke's leadership, the Fed has lent several trillion dollars to failing financial institutions that should have been held accountable by market forces. The total amount of these bailouts exceeds the entire annual budget of the United States. Yet the public has not been given adequate information about these bailouts. In fact, Mr. Bernanke has the led the fight against bipartisan legislation in the House and the Senate to require a full audit of the Fed so Americans know what has taken place and what mistakes have been made.

"Mr. Bernanke's failures extend beyond what critics like me of an overly powerful Fed have cited. He's even failed his own standards. During his first confirmation hearing before the Senate in 2005, Mr. Bernanke outlined what he believed were the responsibilities of the Fed. On virtually every one, whether is was containing systemic risk, promoting the soundness of our banking system, or conducting monetary policy in a way that maximized employment, Mr. Bernanke has failed. We've seen systemic risk in our financial system like never before, the soundness of our banking system has been shaken to its core, and unemployment is now over ten percent," said Senator DeMint.

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Spurrier's Letter to the Students

On December 2, 2009, The Daily Gamecock, the Carolina student newspaper, published a letter from Head Football Coach Steve Spurrier to the students. The letter, quoted entirely below, thanks the students for enthusiastically supporting the Gamecocks during the 2009 season.

Spurrier is not lying about the fan support in 2009. The students, and 2009 Gamecock fans in general, were louder and more wild than any time I can remember. Great job fans.

The play of the young 2009 Gamecocks was obviously the primary factor in the enthusiasm. However, a song called

sandstorm mp3
Mp3 download | Music download

played a role in getting everyone amped up. By the end of the season, the stadium soundman was playing this song over and over.

Letter from USC Coach Steve Spurrier
By Steve Spurrier
South Carolina Football Head Coach

Published: Wednesday, December 2, 2009

To The Carolina Student Body,

I want to personally thank you for the super support that you gave our football team this ‘09 season. Shepard Smith, a news anchor with Fox News and an Ole Miss alumnus, said that Williams-Brice was the loudest SEC stadium that he had ever been to after our victory back in October. This past Saturday, you and all of our other great fans made it very difficult for Clemson to hear their signals and try to communicate throughout the entire game.

We won six of seven at home this year, with our only loss to No. 1 Florida, and it was 17-14 in the fourth quarter. We definitely have a big-time home field advantage here at Carolina. This is “Our House!”

Our coaching staff and our players believe there is no better place to play college football than right here in front of our Carolina student body.

Thanks again and Go Gamecocks!

Sincerely,
Steve Spurrier
South Carolina Head Football Coach

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Wonderful World

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Global Warming Hoax

President Obama is attending the Global Warming Summit in Copenhagen. President Obama is expected to ignore the evidence that the UN's global warming alarmists fudged data.

Senator James M. Inhofe (R. OK), ranking member of the Senate on Environmental and Public Works, sent a letter, to EPW Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D CA) requesting hearings. The Hearings would be on the subject of the recent disclosure of emails between some of the UN's most preeminent climatologists—emails that reveal apparent attempts to manipulate data, vilify scientists with opposing viewpoints, and circumvent information disclosure laws.

“The emails reveal possible deceitful manipulation of important data and research used by the US Global Change Research Program and the IPCC,” Inhofe wrote. “For instance, one scientist wrote of a ‘trick’ he employed to ‘hide the decline’ in global temperature trends, as well as discussed attempts to ‘redefine what the peer-review literature is’ to prevent papers raising questions about anthropogenic global warming from appearing in IPCC reports.”

This controversy “could have far-reaching policy implications,” Inhofe continued, “affecting everything from (to name a few) cap-and-trade legislation, state and regional climate change programs,” and “the Environmental Protection Agency’s ‘Proposed Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for Greenhouse Gases Under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act’…” These policies “will have enormous economic impacts, not least the EPA’s proposed endangerment finding, which, when finalized, will lead to a torrent of new federal regulations that will destroy thousands of jobs and make electricity and gasoline more expensive for consumers and small businesses.”

It makes sense that our elected leaders would inquire into the validity of the science before wrecking the American economy with cap and trade taxes.

It also makes sense that the EPA would immediately stop their plan to issue regulations on carbon emissions. The latter course one the Obama Adminstration has promised if Congress does not enact onerous laws.

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Ron Paul Reacts to Bernanke's Op Ed

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Emily: Boot Camp News

Tuesday, December 1, 2009, will mark the beginning of Emily's second week in boot camp. Since her extremely-short, midnight telephone call last Tuesday, we have heard zippo from our Em.

At this point in her training, she will have likely just undergone a Commissioning ceremony with the other recruits who arrived with her. The group will be organized into a Division and assigned a to a "Ship" (building) at RTC Great Lakes.

The best address I have is still as follows:

SR Emily R. Turnage
SHIP ___ DIV ___
GREAT LAKES IL 60088

I do not know if that address will work for Em's mail, but it is the best I can do until Emily writes us a letter. Last week, I sent her some stamps so hopefully she will write us soon with more information.

The Navy Dot Com Boot Camp site describes the second week as follows:

This is a confidence-building week. As such, you’ll be going through the confidence course — a course designed to simulate shipboard situations that you could encounter in an emergency. Be sharp because your life and the lives of your fellow shipmates depend on it. If you haven’t already caught on, teamwork in the Navy and especially in Boot Camp is a driving force.

Here is a somewhat newer video than was posted last week about her early Navy Boot Camp experience.

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