Spurrier Cracks On Columbia Sports Media

On August 28, 2010, The State's leading sports writer, Ron Morris, wrote Garcia should be starter at QB.

Like many Gamecock fans, I usually avoid reading anything written by Morris. I just don't care for his writing. However, I do like to watch the raw footage of press conference, particularly when I am anxiously awaiting the start of the college football season on Thursday night. After watching the last Pre-Season Press Conference by The Head Ball Coach, Steve Spurrier, today, I decided to go back and read Morris' garbage article to see what he wrote to irritate Spurrier.

The Morris tripe piece is nothing if not surprising for its arrogance:

Garcia is the guy. He gives USC the best chance to win games, perhaps enough to capture the ever-elusive SEC East championship. Shaw should serve as a nice backup who can be worked into the rotation on a game-by-game basis.

USC fans only can hope that is the way Spurrier approaches this season. If not, by midseason, USC again will be saying, “Wait ’til next year.”

I am patting myself on the back for all the years I have avoided Morris.

Morris started off by asking Spurrier his favorite pre-season loaded question. Morris is like a wily Pharisee. He asks questions like setting snares for foolish birds.

"Steve what are the overall expectations from you for this team?"

Spurrier uses the opportunity of Morris' question to address his annoyance.

"From me? I was going to defer that question to you. You know more than I do, don't you?

By the way, I wanted to ask you, who do you want to play at right guard this game? Got any ideas?”

Addressing the other reporters, Spurrier says, “Ron knows more about who should play quarterback than I do, so I wanted to know if he knew about who should play right guard.”

Later in the thirty minute press conference, a reporter asks Spurrier if he intends to rotate quarterbacks Garcia and Shaw. Rotating quarterbacks is an issue that The State has used to criticize Spurrier. (See QBs are rotating to nowhere fast). Spurrier addressed The State's argument that frequently substituting quarterbacks is disruptive and counter-productive to a team.

But getting back to the two quarterbacks. I know that some of you here know a lot more about coaching quarterbacks than I do. You're not supposed to jerk 'em in and out of the game. It hurts their feelings, and all that. But of the eight conference championships that I've been fortunate enough to coach teams, four of those eight we used two quarterbacks.

You know, I sorta watch the quarterbacks. I know some of you don't think so, but I really watch those guys about all day, and the receivers, and the offensive line.

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Brett Favre Loves Gamecock Receivers

The South Carolina Weekly Release contained a fascinating tid bit of information about Southern Mississippi's most famous alum, Brett Favre. It seems that Favre, an NFL legend, loves the Gamecock receivers. The story and data supporting this statement is shown the graphic to the left.

Earlier we highlighted some of the USM defensive statistics that tend to argue for a USM upset next Thursday. This post, using the great Brett Favre as a segue, goes the other direction.

The USM fan base is revved up and expect the USM team to compete with the Gamecocks on Thursday night. According to the USM Athletic Department, it has sold its allotment of tickets and USM fans are now buying up the remaining tickets available to all fans at the USC ticket office. The game is not yet a sell out.

It is not surprising that the USM fans are seriously expecting an upset. They have a very nice team with a proven offensive scheme. In July, the Head Coach, Larry Fedora, even guaranteed USM fans a victory. A lot of the USM optimism comes from the hope its defense will be more stout in 2010 than in 2009. The USM defense is opportunistic and did perform at a significantly higher level at the end of the 2009 season.

However, the pass defense remains a significant question mark (see chart to the right), at least based upon statistical performance in 2009. The chart to the right indicates that USM ranked near the very bottom of FBS college football teams. Obviously USM fans expect a huge improvement and the USM coaching staff is indicating there will be a big upgrade in the defensive secondary.

USM fans may be grossly underestimating the talent level of Gamecock receivers. This is really an irony because their hero Favre knows first hand the greatness of the Gamecock pass receiver.

The USM fans cannot be blamed for this oversight. The starting Gamecock receivers have surprisingly not attracted a lot of national attention as being a top group. We have a hunch being overlooked is a motivating factor for Gamecock receivers this season. We have seen them in action and fully expect a brilliant demonstration of firepower to a skeptical national audience. The Gamecock receivers are hungry. When it is all said and done I bet Brett Favre, who has completed so many TD passes to Gamecock receivers during his illustrious career, is nodding his head and saying, "yup."

Here is a prediction to take to the bank. USM better get a good pass rush on the Gamecock quarterbacks or their historically under-performing secondary is going to have its hands full.

One other tid bit in that Weekly Release. Only five receivers in Gamecock history have ever accumulated more than 100 yards receiving in openers. The top receiver in Gamecock opener history is Ira Hillary who racked up just 146 yards against the Citadel way back in the Black Magic Year, 1984.

If the O-line can hold off the ferocious USM rush, could 2010 be the year we see this record broken?

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Wade Hampton Overcomes Blue Ridge 56-55

The caravan of Wade Hampton High School football fans drove past the Jubilee Baptist Church on the way to visiting Blue Ridge. It was an omen of a good night ahead.

Wade Hampton General's football team went toe to toe with the Blue Ridge Tigers and came away with a victory on points, 56-55. It took the boys until overtime. But they got her done.

The game itself was a see-saw, nip-and-tuck, back and forth battle played under a waning gibbious moon, 89 percent full, gleaming Jupiter adorning her skirt. A light breeze tickled the stadium. What a glorious night for opening the football season.

Wade Hampton broke on top with an explosive first half, leading 35-21 at one point. However, Blue Ridge showed fight and scored a late touchdown, on a 20 yard pass play, with 17 seconds left, to make the half time score 35-28.

The second half was more defensive. The score was knotted at 35-35 with 10:01 left. That was when a Blue Ridge free safety intercepted quarterback Capers Williamson's pass. The Blue Ridge offense soon converted and the home team took a 42-35 lead. It was then things got a little crazy. Both teams scored touchdowns until Blue Ridge led 49-42 with only 1:29 left in the game.

Williamson led the Generals down the field in a hurry-up offense, mixing runs and passes. The big play was a 36 yard screen to Hakeem Flowers who went streaking down the Blue Ridge sideline. Another pass put the ball on the 4, first and goal. Head Coach Kent Haltiwanger called a Wing T sweep to Flowers, who scored the tying TD over the pylon with 29 seconds left in regulation.

The Generals lost the overtime coin toss and had to take the ball first. On second and goal from the ten, Haltiwanger called the same sweep with equal results: touchdown Flowers!

Blue Ridge scored a TD on the first play of their overtime possession, but instead of kicking the extra point like the Generals, BR opted to go for two. A swing pass was broken up by tight coverage of two Wade Hampton defenders and jubilation broke out on the Wade Hampton sidelines.

Technorati Tags: wade, hampton, generals, blue, ridge, tigers, 56-55, football,

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USM's Attacking Defense

Head Coach Larry Fedora's official Southern Mississippi (USM) bio says his football team will, “'attack' in all phases of the game.” Fedora Bio. This post looks at Fedora's attacking defense. Read about the attacking offense here.

The USM defense was maligned in 2009, yielding yardage and points. However, if you go behind the basic statistics for 2009 you see a lot of reasons why Fedora has so much defensive optimism. Earlier this fall, Fedora predicted, "We're going to be much better defensively. [Defense] is going to be the strength of this team. We've got guys with talent who have experience. We have young guys to back them up with a lot of talent. We have nine returning starters and everybody has played. They've played hundreds of snaps and they know what it feels like and they know the defense.” Clarion Ledger, Confident Fedora: 'I've got the pieces of the puzzle in place' (July 26, 2010)

It's not just Fedora. Touts at both Athlon and Phil Steele pick USM to win Conference USA. And, the USM players are even saying that its 2010 defense will live up to the old USM defensive nick name, “the nasty bunch.”

The USM defense returns 9 starters including the entire front seven. That front achieved an impressive 34 sacks (18th nationally). Junior defensive end Cordarro Law (number 49) and junior middle linebacker Korey Williams (number 42) led USM's defense with 7.5 sacks each. NCAA Southern Miss Defensive Statistics, Sacks. Williams is a standout middle linebacker named by touts to the preseason The Butkus Award Watch List.

Mammoth defensive tackle Anthony Gray (number 95), who weighs 314 pounds, admits that the USM defensive line talks a lot of trash to opponents. Gray disclosed that defensive end Terrance Pope (number 90), “runs his mouth all day long." Gray bragged, “That's his game. You can't stop how he plays. He plays very hard and he deserves to talk as much trash as he wants to.” Patrick Magee's Clarion Ledger Blog (Aug. 25, 2010).

Even though USM's defense bent during 2009, it was still an opportunistic D. In 2009, the D ranked an impressive 10th nationally in turnover margin (+.77). It helped that the USM offense did not make many mistakes, but that defense also generated 12 interceptions and forced 15 fumbles (10th nationally). Coderro Law, the 2009 sack leader, recovered five of the fumbles.

To put the USM defensive statistics in context consider the chart below:

(Source: NCAA 2009 Football Statistics).

Some touts figure the USM defensive backfield may be vulnerable. However, USM thinks it will be solid. especially when Alabama transfer Alonzo Lawrence adjusts to the scheme. [Lawrence quit the USM football team in June 2010.] A vigorous pass rush that gives opposing quarterbacks little time to pass will help the defensive backfield.

Everyone knows that on July 15, 2010, Fedora, USM's Head Coach, promised fans his Golden Eagle football team would beat the South Carolina Gamecocks.

"'The first college football game of the 2010 season is us. So every college football fan in this entire country will be watching us - watching the Golden Eagles beating South Carolina,' he said to a rocking applause. 'And I've already told the guys when it happens, walk across the field and shake their hands like you expected it to happen.'"

Gamecocks First Football Opponent Shows USC No Respect (July 31, 2010).

Fedora probably believes that the strengths of his attacking USM defense will match up well with the weaknesses of the Gamecock offensive team. For example, the Gamecocks ranked 81st (-.31) in turnover margin compared to USM's ranking of 10th. Similarly, the 2009 USM defense ranked 18th in sacks made (35) while the Gamecock offense was ranked 105th in sacks allowed (37).

That data suggests an statistical advantage for USM in the important category of turnovers. The turnover margin directly correlates to winning and losing. Moreover, the ability of a team such as USM to execute an effective pass rush will enhance the probability of creating turnovers.

Gamecock fans must expect the USM defense to blitz the offense often and from all directions. A lot will depend on the Gamecock offensive line, which is as of yet an unproven commodity. If they can pick up the blitzing backers, that will give Gamecock quarterbacks time to find receivers and burn Fedora's over-aggressive defensive strategy.

The Gamecock quarterbacks and receivers must read the blitzes and try to take advantage of USM's high risk strategy. If they see it, they can audible or adjust routes into better plays and connect on screens and quick slants into holes created by blitzing linebackers and safeties.

On USM run blitzes, if the line can create a seam, the Gamecock backs could be running free into an exhausted secondary.

Fans that watch this game may see the Gamecock offense make a whole bunch of big offensive plays. When a big offensive play comes, then we will all know that Fedora's attacking defensive strategy has backfired again.

On behalf of all Gamecock fans, we certainly hope Fedora, the USM players, and her fans will leave Williams Brice before the end of the fourth quarter aware that their bold, pre-game dreams have all been shattered.

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Eight Days Until Kickoff--Justin King's Video

ESPN talent scouts discovered the USC graduate and artist who created this video about the upcoming football season. He is Justin King. Now he is going to work for the ESPN sports network.

Way to go Justin. It is cool how sometimes when you do something really excellent, it gets noticed.

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The Danger of the Ground Zero Mosque

The biggest issues with the Ground Zero Mosque controversy is the matter of media political correctness, and the government's attempted suppression of protesters' freedom of speech by threatening investigations and labeling protesters as Islamophobes.

The left spins the controversy as one of religious liberty. This is a false premise since the issue of religious liberty is not at stake. It is interesting that the left uses religious liberty to obfuscate the true issue of sensitivity to the victims of Jihadist terrorism.

Number one, the liberty in question here is one of property rights. The right of a group to use its private property as it sees fit.

Property rights, however, are not a favored liberty of the left. Property rights are one of the most important liberties to people who believe in smaller less intrusive governments. The left clearly does not believe in the principle of a limited government. Moreover, they often justify taking of property for the common good, a very dangerous and tyrannical methodology. Thus, they spin the controversy as Islamo-phobia and religious liberty. These are false arguments and miss the point.

The right is not without blame in obscuring the issue and inflaming it. The right seeks to demonize all Islam as a threatening political system. The right has a point. Islam is indeed a religion that incorporates a political system into its core beliefs. The right asserts Islam's stated primary goal is to convert all nations, including the United States, into Sharia compliant states. Thus, the right encourages the belief that Islam is an intolerant religion in that it cannot coexist with other beliefs, and that its growth threatens the United States.

We need to be very careful with the right's position. We have no evidence to support the proposition that allowing people in the United States to practice Islam creates some kind of threat to our way of life. Without more evidence, you have to say the right's claim is an over-reaction. American Muslims, by and large, are not violent.

Representative Ron Paul scored a home run when he speculated that the people stirring up the controversy with this idea are the neo-cons who miss no opportunity to advocate for preventive wars.

We must be very careful when approaching the Ground Zero Mosque issue not to be sucked into the strong ideological rip tides of the right and left.

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Ground Zero Mosque (Take That AP!)

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Analysis of the USM Offense

Fedora Creates, "The World's Most Powerful Offense"

Head Coach Larry Fedora's University of Southern Mississippi (USM) football team will, “'attack' in all phases of the game.” Fedora Bio. USM was 7-6 in 2009. This post looks at Fedora's attacking offense.

Fedora, an offensive genius, has been rolling out his version of an attacking spread offense as an offensive coordinator at Middle Tennessee State, Florida and Oklahoma State. While at Oklahoma State, Fedora's offense was even promoted as the “World's Most Powerful Offense.” Dallas Morning News (Sept. 21, 2007).

The Fedora offensive philosophy is explained right in the Head Coach's Bio published on the USM Athletic Department's website.

Fedora, 47, came to Southern Miss after spending three seasons as the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State where the Cowboys were in the top 10 in rushing yards per game and in the top 20 in total offense per game in each over his final two seasons. During Fedora's three-year tenure at OSU, the Cowboys raised their rushing, passing and total offensive yards each year that he was there. In 2006, the Cowboys were one of just two teams - the other being Boise State - to average over 200 yards both rushing and passing.

The OSU offense averaged over 30 points per contest over his final two seasons as well. The Cowboys made the biggest improvement in the country in scoring following his second season of running the offense, jumping from 96th nationally in 2005 to seventh in 2006.”

Fedora Bio: History section.

The USM offense is a work of art. The USM coaches say the key to it is rhythm and tempo. USM will try to quicken the pace and wear out defensive opponents, inhibiting substitutions.

The 2009 USM attack was very effective against a Conference USA schedule. Statistically, the 2009 USM offense averaged 32.9 points per game (18th nationally). The USM offense averages 416.38 yards per game (31st nationally). By comparison, the Gamecock offense averaged 347.38 per game (82d). (Gamecock fans argue that stat is like comparing apples and oranges since the Gamecocks face mostly SEC defenses.)

Just 3 starters return from USM's 2009 offense. It must replace 4 of 5 starters on the offensive line. The projected USM line has some size and compares favorably in the size department to the Gamecocks offensive line starters.

Size does not always equate to talent, but it usually helps.

The most critical of the critically important of the line positions is left tackle, a position made famous by the Ole Miss movie, The Blind Side. USM will probably start Darius Barnes at left tackle. During the summer, Barnes switched over to offense from a backup position on the defensive line. USM coaches say they like Barnes aggressive mindset. However, they admit to worry Barnes aggressiveness might be a curse as well as a blessing if he tries to play left tackle like an out of control defensive lineman.

The USM offense has two very special skill position players. The Gamecock defense will have to specifically game plan for these two guys.

The first player is USM's DeAndre Brown (6'6", 231 lbs). With all due respect to Georgia's AJ Greene, Brown could be the best wide receiver in the nation. We've seen highlights of Brown and he is a sick talent.

Brown was injured for part of 2009. He is reportedly healthy. Brown may be somewhat of a head case. He was arrested during the summer for resisting arrest disorderly conduct and subjected to Fedora discipline as punishment. He also, at one point, was demoted by Fedora to second team in the fall camp.

The other special offensive player is USM's quarterback Austin Davis. Davis is coming back from a severe 2009 leg injury. Before his injury, Davis completed 108 of 156 passes for 1165 yds. He threw 10 touchdowns with just two interceptions. Davis missed the spring practices due to his leg, but resumed practicing on June 1.

Davis' specialty is charismatic and confident leadership. A quarterback with leadership skills is an awesome weapon.

Watch for the Gamecock defense to double cover Brown. They will probably assign a cornerback underneath and a safety over the top. Double coverage should take away Davis' primary target, but it could open up holes elsewhere in the Gamecock defense, particularly if Ellis Johnson opts to order blitzing to pressure Davis.

Davis is another matter. A prime goal for the Gamecock defense is this; make Davis take a physical pounding whenever he tries to pass. The Gamecocks need to put a lot of pressure on Davis. Most probably, Johnson will try to sack Davis without calling too many blitzes. And hopefully, the Gamecock's talented defensive line will get that job done. A harried Davis will find it more difficult to locate an open target amongst seven and eight zone defenders.

With a leader like Davis, it is unlikely you can dim the fire in his eye. But with a constant physical pounding, the defense might create a mistake and reduce the brightness to a teary glimmer.

Technorati Tags: southern, mississippi, football, larry, fedora, offense, austin, davis, deandre, brown

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South Carolina Ranked 9th in Profit

I don't care how you slice it, that is a strong position. No. Let's really put this in perspective. The Gamecock football program was more profitable than Ohio State.

Cherry on top. Clemson profits lag far behind.

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Swamp Rabbit Trail Detour at East Bramlett Road

The 13.5 Swamp Rabbit Trail is a greenway that cuts a path from north to south through Greenville County. The trail is on an old, unused railroad bed. A map of the entire trail is shown to the above left.

Unfortunately, CSX Railroad, which owns a right of way that the trail crosses, has raised safety concerns to a railroad crossing at East Bramlett Road. The trail has been closed at that point to through traffic until the safety concerns can be resolved.

A temporary detour around the blocked portion of the trail and over the track is the best way around this obstacle.

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Do Not Speak the Words, "Ground Zero Mosque"

Shades of George Orwell!

The famous book 1984 described a totalitarian society in which the thoughts of the people were controlled by a language called, "Newspeak." Is America's main stream media practicing a form of Orwell's Newspeak?

“We should continue to avoid the phrase "ground zero mosque" or "mosque at ground zero" on all platforms. (We’ve very rarely used this wording, except in slugs, though we sometimes see other news sources using the term.) The site of the proposed Islamic center and mosque is not at ground zero, but two blocks away in a busy commercial area. We should continue to say it’s “near” ground zero, or two blocks away.”

AP Advisory (August 19, 2010) As is seen in the picture shown in the post below, the term Ground Zero Mosque seems pretty accurate to me.

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On Further Consideration, Fedora Backs Off Victory Guarantee

On July 15, 2010, Larry Fedora, the Head Coach of University of Southern Mississippi (USM), promised his Golden Eagle football team would beat the South Carolina Gamecocks.

"'The first college football game of the 2010 season is us. So every college football fan in this entire country will be watching us - watching the Golden Eagles beating South Carolina,' he said to a rocking applause. 'And I've already told the guys when it happens, walk across the field and shake their hands like you expected it to happen.'"

Gamecocks First Football Opponent Shows USC No Respect (July 31, 2010).

Two weeks from the game, Fedora revised and extended his remarks about beating the Gamecocks.

He equivocated. He clarified. He explained.

Fedora now asserts he never promised USM would defeat the Gamecocks on September 2. He says only that his team will "expect" to win just like they would for every other football game.

Our guys are excited about the opportunity to go out and compete against South Carolina. We understand South Carolinas probably got one of the best teams they've had in years. We understand what Coach Spurrier and his staff are capable of doing. We're going to go out there, and yes, our players are going to step out on that field expecting to win just like they do every game. Have I promised any of those things? No. But they're going to go out there and expect to win. That's the way they're going to approach the game.

Coach Fedora's full remarks are recorded on the video clip at USM beat writer Patrick Magee's blog, In need of your football fix? (Aug. 15, 2010). Thank you, Coach Fedora, for your moderated prediction about the game.

On thing Coach Fedora said in the above-linked video clip is very true. We are all itching for some college football.  

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Location of Ground Zero Mosque

Location of Ground Zero Mosque: This photo needs to go viral NOW!

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Ground Zero Mosque: Know Your Islamic History

The effort to build a giant Mosque within a stone's throw of Ground Zero is a thinly veiled effort by Islamic leaders to create a "victory mosque." The original name, Cordoba House, suggests exactly the malicious intent.

The original name of the huge New York Mosque Cordoba House suggests Islamic claims to Great Mosque of Cordoba in Spain. The project has now changed its name, perhaps to obscure the connection to Cordoba, Spain.

I get to Cordoba, Spain in a few paragraphs. First, some background on some examples of Islam's victory mosque building program.

As suggested, historically Muslim nations that achieve military victories over Christian or Jewish states erect mosques on top of the defeated people's sacred places.

The most glaring example is the al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.  It was built on top of the Temple Mount, the site of Solomon and Herod's Temple. The ancient Hebrew Temple is buried beneath the al Aqsa Mosque. Islamic Caliphate dynasties attempted three times to build a Mosque on top of the site of the Hebrew Temple, destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. However, earthquakes destroyed three previous efforts. In 1031 Muslim's finally constructed the al Aqsa Mosque, the Dome of the Rock.

Another example of a victory mosque took place in Istanbul, St. Sophia’s Basilica. In 1453, Sultan Mehmed II's Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople. The Sultan ordered St. Sophia's Basilica converted into a mosque. The mosque has now been converted to a museum.

In circa 718 AD, the Visigothic Kingdom Spain was conquered by Muslim invaders from northern Africa. The City of Cordoba was the site of a Cathedral, the Christian Visigothic church of St. Vincent. In 783 the Muslim leader, Abd ar-Rahman I, converted the Christian Cathedral into an Islamic Mosque, the Great Mosque of Cordoba. However, in 1236, King Ferdinand III of Castile recaptured the territory and reclaimed the building as a Cathedral, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption.

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FAIL: Keynesian Economics

An interesting graph accompanies a piece in the Washington Post today, Alan S. Blinder, Princeton University, and Mark Zandi, Moody's Analytics, The Washington Post (August 11, 2010).

The graph shows the billions used as "stimulus" for the economy since 2008. The tax rate cuts associated with the box to the right (Economic Stimulus Act of 2008) will expire on January 1, 2011.  Tax rates will then return to the rates of the late 1990s. That means on January 1 there will be a subtraction from "stimulus." A lot of people think that will cost jobs . . . and it will.  However, that is not a big deal to Keynesian economists because they believe in government spending as the lever to lift an economy.

What fascinates me about the graph is the enormous amount of money that Congress has bet on the Keynesian economic model.  The Keynesians in government are scratching their heads. They cannot figure out why it is not working.  It is impossible for them to consider the possibility that their model is broken.

John Maynard Keynes was a British economist who published macro economic theories in circa 1930s.  Keynes theories were greatly favored by government politicians. Keynes speculated that government spending would create a multiplier effect on an economy. For every dollar spent by government, Keynes postulated, the economy would benefit two or three times over. Thus, government spending is good from a macro economic sense.

Politicians love Keynes. His theories were lauded in academic institutions world wide. Despite a lack of any data that shows his theories were at all true, Keynesian Economics is still touted as the only valid mechanism to impact an economy. This is especially true of those in government, and those that will benefit or favor an expansive federal governement, such as most academics.  The Obama Administration economic advisors, for example, are all hard core Keynesians.

Economists who favor an alternative supply side economic model have a similar macro economic theory. Each dollar of tax cuts puts money into the population which creates a multiplier effect. Supply side economists argue that people will spend money more efficiently than government (certainly true), and thus has a greater macro economic impact. Thus, the supply side advocates argue for tax cuts.

Supply side economics is less favored by politicians because they give up control of the spending and put that into the hands of the people. Unlike their Keynesian counterparts, supply side bureaucrats don't get to pick the economic winners and losers. But the supply side theory is still popular in democracies. It is good for getting politicians votes. People love tax cuts and will vote out pols who jack up their taxes.

Both economic theories, however, are Keynesian in nature and are flawed when deficit government spending is employed to implement them.

The problem with deficit spending is that when government borrows money to pay for tax cuts or for stimulus (i.e., big spending programs) spending, the capital used is lost to private investors. Government increases the demand for capital by competing with private borrowers, causing the cost of capital to increase along with increased demand for it.

On the other hand, if government just decides to print money, then the printing press creates a devalued dollar and inflation.

The people are not served by inflation because it reduces spending power and destroys savings. Inflation is akin to a hidden tax increase. You have to pay for stimulus one way or another. There is no free lunch in macro economics.

Controlling federal spending and decreasing its overbearing regulation of the private sector is the only way to dig our way out of this mess.

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Thank You, God!

As recently as July 11, 2010, the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico looked extremely bleak. Some were projecting catastrophic consequences of the worst magnitude. At the low point, we reminded folks God could deliver us. See Pray for a Miracle in the Gulf.

Now, it appears from media reports that the spewing oil under the sea has stopped and the well is capped. Moreover, the oil that escaped is apparently disbursed more thoroughly than we could reasonably expect. Do not forget to thank God for this situation.

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Obama Administration Preparing to Use Existing Executive Powers to Grant Amnesty

Last week a leaked memorandum from high-ranking policy makers at the Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) emerged. In Administrative Alternatives to Comprehensive Immigration Reform, these policy-makers discussed measures to create a massive amnesty program using Executive Branch powers alone. The Memorandum suggests the Executive Branch already possesses the discretion to grant amnesty to illegal aliens even without Congressional action to amend the current law.

The memorandum suggests four separate legal exceptions to bypass restrictions against amnesty in current law. The four exceptions have been considered quite narrow, but the Obama Administration memorandum argues in favor of making them extremely broad. The Executive Branch policy changes would create a road map for millions of illegal aliens to remain in the United States. The plan was exposed on a Republican political Blog.

USCIS MEMO: “NON-LEGISLATIVE VERSION OF ‘AMENSTY’” OPTION FOR THE ADMINISTRATION


MEMO TO U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES DIRECTOR: “This memorandum offers administrative relief options to promote family unity, foster economic growth, achieve significant process improvements and reduce the threat of removal for certain individuals present in the United States without authorization. It includes recommendations regarding implementation timeframes and required resources.” (Denise A. Vanison et al, Memorandum For Director Alejandro N. Mayorkas, “RE: Administrative Alternatives To Comprehensive Immigration Reform,” U.S. Citizenship And Immigration Services, P.1)

• “Summary: In The Absence Of Comprehensive Immigration Reform, USCIS Can Extend Benefits And/Or Protections To Many Individuals And Groups By Issuing New Guidance And Regulations…” (Denise A. Vanison et al, Memorandum For Director Alejandro N. Mayorkas, “RE: Administrative Alternatives To Comprehensive Immigration Reform,” U.S. Citizenship And Immigration Services, P.1)

• “To Promote Family Unity, USCIS Could Reinterpret Two 1990 General Counsel Opinions Regarding The Ability Of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Applicants Who Entered The United States (U.S.) Without Inspection To Adjust Or Change Status. This Would Enable Thousands Of Individuals In TPS Status To Become Lawful Permanent Residents.” (Denise A. Vanison et al, Memorandum For Director Alejandro N. Mayorkas, “RE: Administrative Alternatives To Comprehensive Immigration Reform,” U.S. Citizenship And Immigration Services, P.1)

• “…USCIS Could Grant Deferred Action. This Would Permit Individuals For Whom Relief May Become Available In The Future To Live And Work In The U.S. Without Fear Of Removal.” (Denise A. Vanison et al, Memorandum For Director Alejandro N. Mayorkas, “RE: Administrative Alternatives To Comprehensive Immigration Reform,” U.S. Citizenship And Immigration Services, P.2)

• “Rather Than Making Deferred Action Widely Available To Hundreds Of Thousands And As A Non-Legislative Version Of ‘Amnesty’, USCIS Could Tailor The Use Of This Discretionary Option For Particular Groups Such As Individuals Who Would Be Eligible For Relief Under The DREAM Act (an estimated 50,000), or under section 249 of the Act (Registry), who have resided in the U.S. since 1996 (or as of a different date designed to move forward the Registry provision now limited to entries before January 1, 1972).” (Denise A. Vanison et al, Memorandum For Director Alejandro N. Mayorkas, “RE: Administrative Alternatives To Comprehensive Immigration Reform,” U.S. Citizenship And Immigration Services, P. 11)

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SENATE REPUBLICAN COMMUNICATIONS CENTER

Obama Administration Memo Cites Non-Legislative Amnesty As Possible Option On Illegal Immigration (July 30, 2010) Senator Jim Inhofe discusses the Administration's amnesty plan below.

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USM Bomb Squad Plan to Blow Up Gamecocks

The Gamecocks opening day football opponent, the Southern Miss Golden Eagles (USM), is brimming with confidence. The receiving corp is known as the "Bomb Squad" and the defense as the "Nasty Boys."

The USM Head Coach, Larry Fedora, has already guaranteed a USM victory. "[E]very college football fan in this entire country will be watching us - watching the Golden Eagles beating South Carolina." Gamecocks First Football Opponent Shows USC No Respect (July 31, 2010).

One of the incoming USM receivers (see picture) declared yesterday that the USM offense has so many weapons no defense can slow it down.

"Newcomer Kelvin Bolden best reflected the optimism on the offensive side of the ball. The transfer receiver from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College was flush with confidence when asked how dynamic his talented, yet inexperienced, group of receivers could be this season.

"Can't nobody mess with us, that's what I say," Bolden said. "We've just got too many weapons. When I signed with Southern Miss, they asked me the same question. I said, 'They might as well get ready to call us the bomb squad.'"

Familiar faces fuel optimism, Patrick Magee, Hattiesburg American (August 4, 2010)

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Feds raid Amish dairy and threaten action over raw milk sales

In Wickard v. Filburn, 317 U.S. 111 (1942), the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a federal wheat regulation as constitutionally authorized under the Constitution's interstate commerce clause. The government was prosecuting a wheat farmer because he grew more wheat than allowed under the federal reg. The farmer never sold the wheat to anyone. He just fed it to his own livestock.

In challenging the arrest and fine, the farmer argued the regulation was unconstitutional. The farmer asserted federal government agency lacked the authority to come into his farm and arrest the farmer for growing food on his own land and feeding it to his own cattle.

The Filburn Court, stacked with Franklin D. Roosevelt judges, reasoned that despite the fact the farmer's wheat never entered commerce of any kind, the government nevertheless potentially could have an effect upon interstate commerce. The Court ruled that Farmer Filburn, if he had not grown too much of his own wheat to fed his cattle, would have bought wheat.

The Filburn Court overturned forty years of Supreme Court precedent established under by Lochner v. New York, 198 U.S. 45 (1905). Filburn used the "economic effects" theory to expand the meaning of "interstate commerce."

Now, it is difficult to figure out an area of American life that is outside the scope of federal interstate commerce authority . . . at least as defined by the Filburn Court.

An example of the reach of the federal legislative power was demonstrated this past week in Pennsylvania. There, state troopers raided an Amish farm and confiscated the inventory of an alleged illegal dairy that produced raw milk and shipped it to buyers in New York. A Food and Drug Agency regulation, the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (2007 Revision)21 C.F.R. § 1240.61, bars production and sale of raw milk. The Nanny State strikes again.

See Feds raid Amish dairy and threaten action over raw milk sales andNY Daily News.

Technorati Tags: raw, milk, federal, regulation, commerce, clause, federalism, liberty, freedom, amish, farmer

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Why The Arizona Immigration Law May Be Unconstitutional

The video below explains why it is Constitutional for the federal government to control the immigration law.

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