Sad: we lost a conservative voice

William F. Buckley passed away today. I am sad to see it, but he was in his 80's, after all. I wonder where all the conservative voices of the future will come from. I will forever be one of them, just not at the level of Buckley, perhaps. I hope he knew Jesus, since no matter his politics, in the end, it is his belief in Christ that will determine his eternal home.

I have a few of these

Sometimes a picture is indeed worth a thousand words.

John Adams on HBO

While going into the post office last night for the first time in nearly a week, I noticed a poster in the front window that intrigued me. An HBO miniseries on the life of John Adams, produced by Tom Hanks is coming to TV next month. This actually excites me, considering the teaching I have done on the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, and The U.S. Constitution. I have the book, "John Adams", by David McCullough, upon which the series is based. If you do not have it, GET HBO and watch. I just may get the DVD set when it comes out, if the series is good enough. At a minimum, I will DVR and record to VHS.

Parts of an interview with professional wrestler John Bradshaw Layfield

Wow, JBL calls it like it is regarding the state of politics and government in this nation. Here is a link to the full article. Below are excerpts that I love.

LIP: Well, what's your impression of what's going on, since you have taken a political stance in the past?

JBL: Yeah, absolutely. I think our politicians are the worst that they've ever been in the history of our country, and that has nothing to do with Democrats and Republicans. I mean, in the middle of two wars, and the middle of this economic sub-prime [mortgage] fallout, and the middle of a budget that's out of control, they have Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee on the stand debating he said/she said about this. That to me is just offensive. I cannot believe how inept and pathetic our politicians are across the board. There is no possible way for me to have a lower standard for these guys. Unfortunately, they keep exceeding that low standard. These guys are absolutely pathetic. To think that these guys would know anything about cellulosic ethanol or ocean power or anything to get us off of foreign oil. These guys are more interested-you had Sen. Arlen Specter a few weeks ago wanting to request Super Bowl tapes about Bill Belichick. Here we have two wars going on-real people, American kids, dying-and these idiots want to watch football tapes. So, I have no respect whatsoever for politicians. I think they're a pathetic group.

LIP: Well, gee, how do you really feel?

JBL: I can't stand it. I'm on Fox Business every night, so I have to deal with this every single night. And I look at this stupid economic stimulus plan, and these guys loading this thing up with pork, which is unbelievable. I mean, honestly, if these guys were in corporate America, they would be indicted and thrown in jail for theft.

LIP: When the state of Georgia talked about regulating pro wrestling, WWE resisted. Wouldn't it benefit the company to embrace the idea of regulation so that the questions people have about wrestling wouldn't have to be asked?

JBL: It depends on who's regulating it. You have, right now, Roger Clemens on the Hill with Brian McNamee. Who cares if Roger Clemens was taking some legal or even illegal drug at this point? That's a baseball issue. Baseball should have dealt with that in 1987 just like the NFL did. I'm totally against steroids, 100 percent, so I don't want to take that out of context when I said who cares about Clemens. But in the grand scheme of politics, you've got this idiot, Henry Waxman, interviewing these guys. And we have a budget deficit that is massive, we've got a dollar that is shrinking, that is killing us, we have 95-dollar [a barrel] oil. We have two wars, and nobody has a solution for them. And these are the guys who are going to regulate anything? These guys can't regulate themselves. If these guys had shown that they could do something efficient in this world and help America, then, yeah, let them regulate it. But these guys are inept, they're pathetic, and you really think politicians can do anything right? I don't hold that view. So no, I don't believe in government regulation because I think our government, the people that run it, are obviously inept, because they haven't solved any of their own problems. How in the world could they solve any of our problems, or anybody else's?

LIP: So when you think about this stuff is it good to be able to get back in the ring and get some of your aggravation out?

JBL: [Laughs] It's good to be on Fox Business and talk to these guys. I'm just frustrated. This is just my view of politics, and it's my view and my view alone. But we've had guys who haven't solved anything in politics, and they want to create this dog-and-pony show and go after Bill Belichick, or go after Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee, or go after regulation in sport because they want to distract from their record because their record is honestly that abysmal.

This is why I can not stand Code Pink

It has been a week since I last blogged. I know that I have not done much writing here lately. I have a lot of things that I want to say and comment upon, but I have been rather reticent. There is a season I am going through, and I have known others to experience the same thing in which they have a desire to simply remain silent except to a few trusted people close to them. Even then, I am not as verbose as normal. I want to do my talk show, I want to write commentary on numerous subjects, but the true desire has been stifled and I therefore have not written much.

This is a spiritual thing, I believe, since it is something from within, and seems entheos in origin. There are so many topics in the news about which I have strong opinions. I have just kept most of them to myself lately.

Here is one that I do not want to let go by, though. I listened to the radio a bit ago about Berkeley, California (quelle surprise)and their city council voting to unwelcome the Marine recruiting efforts in their town and instead welcome Code Pink. I was emailed a link to this video of the efforts of Code Pink barricading the doors to a Marine Corps recruiting station, attempting to keep anyone from entering and apparently from allowing egress.

Police allowed an obvious violation of law to take place, not to mention the federal government allowing federal law to be flaunted by this. I am all for free speech, but this goes beyond speech. These leftist, communist cowards really did deserve police batons, rubber bullets, fire hoses, and jail time for their actions. I read and listened to accounts from people who were there about numerous violations of law and provocation of physicality by these commies.

These people act this way and wonder why the Gathering of Eagles and Rolling Thunder oppose them. Disgusting.











I actually caught this radio segment as it aired.





The actions of the Berkeley City Council is equally as disgusting.

Quite an accurate depiction

Click on the cartoon to see a bigger version that is easier to read.

Self explanatory

Why you should NEVER consider voting for John McCain

The ONLY conservative choice

He is the only conservative left in the race and was the ONLY one that ever WAS in the race.

Targetting Selma?

I have heard the rumor that Selma may get a Target store for a while. I finally see an article in the Smithfield Herald saying it could happen. I find it amusing that the article says that what Selma has going against it is that there is a Target in White Oak in Garner. I was in White Oak just last night. That is 20 miles away. It is odd that a new Target and PetSmart were built in White Oak, when there were already stores just a few miles up the same road on Hwy 70 in Garner, which are at Timber Drive and 70. Why, then, would it be so odd to put one a full 20 miles away? Personally, I would shop at a Target a lot more if there was one local to me. Wal-Mart adds stores, and built one in Clayton while we already have one in Smithfield. Another one is coming in Clayton, as well. Go figure.

Selma could get Target

By Jordan Cooke, Staff Reporter
Selma — A developer is trying to lure retailer Target to Selma.

Frank Wood, an attorney representing AdVenture Development LLC, said Wednesday that his client had talked with Target about anchoring Eastfield Commons, a proposed mixed-use development that could encompass more than 100 acres.

"My client has been in discussions with Target," Wood said. "But they [Target] have some issues because they have another store in the area at the White Oak shopping center [in Garner]. So right now, I couldn’t really say what the odds of them coming would be."

Wood said AdVenture had talked with roughly two-dozen companies so far about locating in Eastfield Commons.

Wood said the mixed-use development could be built near the Holiday Inn Express on the westbound side of U.S. 70. A news release issued late last year by a Raleigh public relations firm said Eastfield Commons would include 750,000 square feet of retail space, a medical and professional office park, an assisted-living facility, hotels, restaurants and housing. The news release said Eastfield Commons would be "the largest single project ever built in Selma.'

Wood said AdVenture is still in the process of buying land. So far, he said, his client has purchased about 50 acres. "And we've got at least an equal amount under contract, if not more," he added.

Kevin Dougherty of AdVenture said he was confident Selma would be ready for a project of Eastfield’s size. "We chose this site because it is an ideal location," he said in the news release. "With its central location, Eastfield Commons will draw people from as far away as 100 miles. We see this development as a core asset for Eastern North Carolina."

Wood said AdVenture might break ground on Eastfield Commons within the next two or three months. He said the project could take seven to 10 years to complete.

"If they can pull it off, this could be really great for Selma," Wood said.

Have some fun. Call this person.

Since I have just been accused of giving out a phone number by a simple minded jackass, I figure I might as well actually become guilty of doing so. Call him. Have fun. Tell him how much you love his myspace profile.

336-847-9021 cell
336-861-9123 home

Try the cell first just to be sure to get him and run up his cell bill. Better yet, text message him incessantly.

For the record, here is the accusation I found in my inbox just today.

From: the scumbag in question and you can try to talk to by calling those two numbers I just gave you
Date: Jan 31, 2008 11:26 AM

quit giving my phoe no. out ...for some one claming to so smart ... you are so stupid .. this is not a thret and there is no need to respond to me outher than to comply with my request..

I love how someone calling me stupid can not spell nor can figure out spell check.

Eye opening video capturing the fraud of ballot security in NH

The attitude of the public officials, the pathetic security measures, the pathetic security tape, and the whole process makes me wonder about voting security around the country. Sad.

It is sad to see that people in Vermont have gotten so liberal

I have no problem with impeaching a President if he actually committed crimes worthy of impeachment. However, the calls for impeachment that I have heard over the past seven years have been purely politically motivated and coming from bitter liberals. Many want revenge for the impeachment of Bill Clinton, who actually deserved impeachment. I find it amusing the people in Brattleboro, Vermont want to arrest George W. Bush and Dick Cheney for federal crimes, which are not even their jurisdiction. What a bunch of whiny, bitter liberals. From the online article:

Brattleboro residents will vote at town meeting on whether President George Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney should be indicted and arrested for war crimes, perjury or obstruction of justice if they ever step foot in Vermont.

The Brattleboro Select Board voted 3-2 Friday to put the controversial item on the Town Meeting Day warning...

The article asked the town attorney to "draft indictments against President Bush and Vice President Cheney for crimes against our Constitution and publish said indictments for consideration by other authorities."

The article goes on to say the indictments would be the "law of the town of Brattleboro that the Brattleboro police ... arrest and detain George Bush and Richard Cheney in Brattleboro, if they are not duly impeached ..."

Hard to believe I agree with Kid Rock

Recently, I heard Kid Rock's song "Amen" from the "Rock N Roll Jesus" album on the radio. I was actually pretty surprised at the softer side of Kid Rock, and really liked the song and the sentiments contained therein. I can stomach some of his music from years past, but have not been a fan at all. I did not appreciate his lifestyle or values, the message he portrayed, or the role model he became.

However, just as he expressed in the song, I am no fan of organized religion or the "institutional church" or IC, as it is often referred to by home church groups. I often will attend an IC congregation, since I have friends there and enjoy the fellowship of the Saints. The song actually summed up a lot of how I feel about religion. It also summed up a lot of my feelings on race relations, charity, many in the ministry, and about personal responsibility.

Many people have left organized religion, not to run from the faith but to preserve their own. I am in that category. I have not read the book yet, but I did order a copy of Frank Viola's "Pagan Christianity". I have read several of Viola's writings online and in print form. If the interview I heard on The Drew Marshall Show is any indication, it should be a good read.

Here is the interview. It is worth the 38 minute listen. Or, download the audio for yourself. Right click that last link, and "save as" for the mp3 file.

Why does it make news every time someone uses the "N" word?

Some simple minded jackass makes racist comments and it makes news. Why? Why bother edifying, glorifying, or dignifying the act by giving it attention? Let it go away and there will be no incentive to gain media attention by doing it.

From the WTSB web site:

Racist Notes Found In Campbell Dorm
While Campbell University celebrated the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, several students found racial slurs on small yellow notes attached to their doors. Five notes were found in the Small Residential Hall saying "Happy Nigger Day." The incident allegedly occurred as the school was holding its second annual Martin Luther King Day of Service project. Campbell officials said several students reported finding the notes, but it was confined to one hall in the dormitory. None of the rooms where the notes were found were occupied by black students. "If the perpetrator is found to be a student, according to university policy, the punishment for such behavior may be up to and including expulsion," according to Jon Roberson, Campbell Vice President for Marketing. A video of the sticky notes was also posted on Facebook online. Students responded on the Internet posting with comments ranging from disbelief to anger about what had happened.

Big frickin' deal. So what? The obvious double standard is that there can be Black History Month but no White History Month, a Black Miss America but no White Miss America, and no NAAWP. There are just as many racist acts and comments (yeah, you cracker) the other way, but they don't get media attention nor the dismay.

They may be "grants", but still our tax dollars.

From the WTSB web site:

$850,000 Grant Will Help Rehabilitate Selma Homes, Streets
Selma town officials learned Thursday they were the recipients of a $850,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Selma was one of 18 communities across the state Governor Mike Easley said would share more than $13.7 million for community revitalization, infrastructure improvements and the construction of affordable housing. In Selma, Town Manager Stan Farmer said their funds would be used for rehabilitation of housing and paving on South Sharpe and South Webb Streets. Work in the area should be completed in no more than 30 months, Farmer said. Other grants went to the cities of Oxford, Lumberton, Tabor City, Lexington, Rockingham, Raeford, Washington, and Conover. CDBG funding is allocated to the state from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The N.C. Department of Commerce’s Division of Community Assistance administers the program for the state.

Here is my commentary. First, perhaps we would have more ability to do things locally if the federal and state governments did not siphon off so much money into Washington, DC. Second, even though these are "grants", they are still coming from tax dollars. Furthermore, the purpose of the grants are to be for "rehabilitation of housing" and the construction of "affordable housing". The term affordable is subjective. The idea of my tax dollars being taken from me, a man who works a full time, skilled labor job, on the threat of force if I do not comply voluntarily to dole out my hard earned money, and having those dollars inefficiently laundered through the world's largest bureaucracy only to be filtered down to another bureaucracy, then to another, then to private citizens for them to pay minimal money for housing or to renovate their existing homes is just plain repugnant. It is insulting. It is unfair. It is a disincentive to succeed. It is anti-Biblical. It is communistic and evil.

The article from WTSB listed a few other towns that also got grants. Multiply this times hundreds or thousands of towns across the country and you can see how our tax dollars are being wasted on programs that are not even supposed to exist. Take this program and multiply it by the countless such programs that some communistic or ignorant fools have pushed through Congress, and some well meaning but selfish President who wants to get re-elected and play politics with our tax money have passed, and the amount of money is mind boggling.

I just got this in an email today. It puts things into perspective. Government waste like this costs us billions of dollars every year.

This is too true to be very funny.

The next time you hear a politician use the word 'billion' in a casual manner, think about whether you want the politicians spending YOUR tax money. A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its releases.

A. A billion seconds ago it was 1959.

B. A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.

C. A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the rate our government is spending it.

While this thought is still fresh in our brain, let's take a look at New Orleans. It's amazing what you can learn with some simple division...

Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu (D), is presently asking the
Congress for $250 BILLION to rebuild New Orleans.

Interesting number. What does it mean?

A. Well, if you are one of 484,674 residents of New Orleans (every man, woman, child), you each get $516,528.

B. Or, if you have one of the 188,251 homes in New Orleans, your home gets $1,329,787 for repairs.

C. Or, if you are a family of four, your family gets $2,066,012.

Washington , D.C .. HELLO!!! ... Are all your calculators broken??

Tax his land,
Tax his wage,
Tax his bed in which he lays.
Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes is the rule.
Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.
Tax his ties,
Tax his shirts,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he tries to think.
Tax his booze,
Tax his beers,
If he cries,
Tax his tears.
Tax his bills,
Tax his gas,
Tax his notes,
Tax his cash.
Tax him good and let him know
That after taxes, he has no dough.
If he hollers,
Tax him more,
Tax him until he's good and sore.
Tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in which he lays.
Put these words upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me to my doom!'
And when he's gone,
We won't relax,
We'll still be after the inheritance TAX!!

We have:
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Perm it Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax)
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Tax
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service charge taxes
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax (Truckers)
Sales Taxes
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Tax
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids. What happened? Can you spell "politicians!" And I still have to 'press 1' for English.

How about this one, from the same day's news, the same source:

Pine Level Fire Department Receives $38,000 From FEMA
The US Department of Homeland Security announced Friday that the Pine Level Fire Department will receive $38,000 for operations and safety. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), administered through FEMA, funds local fire departments and emergency medical service organizations. The Dunn and Henderson Fire Departments were awarded $261,250 each for vehicle acquisition.

Like I said, multiply the dollar figures found here times thousands of towns across the nation. Can you see where we as a nation are over taxing, wasting, then over spending?

I just had this conversation with someone today via email. We were discussing this picture. My female friend said:

My point is that was 1955 & this is 2008. A lot of things have changed since then, like women don’t do things like that now.

I said:

In 1955, most women did stay at home and take care of the kids and do the house work. Unfortunately, our tax burden increased substantially necessitating a dual income family. Also, the women's liberation movement only hurt the family structure. The 1960's forward really hurt with the hedonism, atheistic, and hyper libertine agendas. That led to a decline in the family unit, an emphasis on self reliance instead of family reliance, a rise in births out of wedlock, single parent families, divorce, and the need for women to work outside the home.

I value women highly, contrary to the accusations of my critics. I value them so highly, in fact, that I desire for them to do exactly what they were created and given the instinct to do. That is their high calling in the Kingdom. And nothing is more sexy or lovely to see than a woman doing exactly what she was created to do.

What? No Planning Board meeting? Aw, shucks!

I got a letter from the town of Selma today telling me that because of a lack of agenda for this month's Planning Board, there will be no monthly meeting. I was sort of hoping that we would have some more farm land to have rezoned into heavy industrial use so that we can have some more fun in our little town. The last month's meeting was worth sitting through just for the subsequent entertainment value alone.

If The Herald wants me to read their print edition, this is the only way it will happen

From The Herald's web site:

The Herald, Johnston County’s oldest and largest community newspaper, is expanding its distribution to reach more homes in the county.

Starting March 5, The Herald will switch from paid to free home delivery and will increase its distribution from nearly 14,000 to about 47,000 copies. At the same time, the newspaper will end its twice-weekly printing cycle and will begin publishing once a week on Wednesday.

With these changes, The Herald — and its advertisers — will reach about 75 percent of all single-family homes in the county.

The Herald still owes the ex-wife and I about $125 for delivering their rag back in 2001 (we stopped delivering after just one month since we were getting hosed financially and the psycho ex would not pay attention sufficiently to her route. When she quit, the Herald refused to pay the rest of the money owed to us) so I refuse to pay for a subscription. That is just plain bad business. They refused to pay $125 that they legitimately owed and in turn lost many times more than that in subscription fees. Stupid.

An About Face After Being Saved by a Gun Owner

Forgive me, for I have sinned.
An About Face After Being Saved by a Gun Owner

a letter to the editor mailed to www.keepandbeararms.com

I am one of those people who you loathe. One of those invisible people who come into your living room without asking your permission. One of those people who follow you while you shop, and make it harder for you to make legal purchases. One of those people who try and tell you how to raise your children, as if you don't know how. One of those who gives ratings to stations that promote our demise as a free nation. I am your enemy. Or at least I was.

I followed it all, all of the propaganda, all of the hoopla. Believed it too. Believed that leaving my house was more dangerous than being in a war. At any given moment one of you evil gun owners would open fire on me. I saw the NRA stickers, the Gun owners of America stickers on the cars that passed, and I thought you were all fools. I did everything in my power financially to try and help more laws pass that would prevent you from owning guns. I wholeheartedly believed that only the Police, and Military should have guns. Every time I heard of a gang shooting, or other criminal act committed with a gun, I honestly believed that if we could curtail the legal sale of guns, we could make a difference.

Boy was I wrong.

I have children, three actually, and to me the only thing more important than raising them properly, was seeing that they aren't hurt in anyway. I wanted to ban guns, save my children, save all children. No child should have to be part of any kind of death, especially the kind that involves being shot. I gave money to all of the anti gun organizations I could think of, went to the "Million" Mom March, even looked at Rosie when she spoke, and actually admire her. Brought the kids as well, and even yelled some not so nice things to those other marchers. I'm sure some of you know who I refer to.

I was on my way back from the march, on my way back to Connecticut, when I stopped off of the highway at a rest stop by one of those McDonalds they have off I-95. By this time I had dropped off two of my kids with their father, and only had my little one with me. I went into the restroom with her, and on my way out noticed two men hanging out by my car. There were only two other cars in the lot at the time that were anywhere near my vehicle. I immediately felt threatened by their demeanor, but continued on to my car. The smaller of the two approached me with a knife as I was about to open the door to put my child in her car seat. He yelled at me to get in the back of the car, they were taking me for a little ride. I obviously told them to just take my keys, they could have the car, but they insisted I get in the back. I then heard a man yelling something I don't quite recall, and saw him running towards me with a gun in his hand. The two men vanished into their car, and sped away. I stood there frozen in time, and by the time the gentleman with the gun got to me I just broke down and cried.

To make a long story short, you were all right, and I'm sorry. This man with a gun saved me, and I just keep thinking if I had gotten my wish and guns were banned, there is no telling where I'd be, and what would've happened to my daughter. The only regret I have is not getting the man's phone number who saved my life. I thanked him over and over again, and told him that he saved me, but he calmly said to me something I'd never forget. He said "That's what people like me are here for Ms., and I'm happy to have been able to help."

"That's what people like me are here for," those words keep on running through my head everyday. Maybe this gentleman by some chance is part of your group, and will read my message. If he does I would just like to say something to him, and to everyone else reading this note.

Thank you for saving my life, and to the rest of you thank you for fighting for this man's right to protect me and my child. Tell him for me that I will no longer be part of the group who invades his home, and tries to tell him how to store his guns. Tell him I will never be part of any group who tries to make it impossible for him to buy his tool he used to save me. And tell him I will never again tell him how to raise his children properly, because obviously I was oblivious to the fact that responsible people such as him know how to raise their children better than I do. I did rectify that situation the other day; I bought a shotgun for home protection, and am in the process of getting my concealed permit. Next time I will be ready to defend myself, or others for that matter. Some of my friends think I'm crazy, but they try their best to understand. I just tell them that as soon as their child's life is put in jeopardy by some criminal with a weapon that they will understand, but until then don't tell me how to live my life. I've lost some friends, but surprisingly most of them understand. If not for this man I could very easily have been killed or raped, and my child could've been taken from me, so once more I need to say thanks for saving me, and with all sincerity to the rest of you, forgive me, for I have sinned.

Are you smurfin' me again? Liberal pablum in the local paper? Just shoot me.

I just read the opinion page of today's The Selma News, for which I write a weekly column. I was amazed at the letters to the editor this week. Though I like and respect Ray Jacklitsch, I am bewildered at his suggestion that the public and media are "lynching" Mayor Hester for his comment about a lynching. He is correct that there is little uproar about other issues in town, however, wrong is wrong and jumping on a situation such as this one is not the wrong thing to do. When you have a bombastic man attempting to steamroll over others and neo-fascist like run a town, then it is merely the law of sowing and reaping.

Ray's comment that baffles me, however, is that if the Jernigan building was spruced up and made prettier that the abhorrent behavior that was witnessed earlier this month at a town council meeting would improve. That is just plain absurd. Bad behavior is not brought on by an ugly room. It is brought on by an ugly heart.

I also read with interest the letter from Dr. Walt Caison. He and I do not see "eye to eye" on a good many things. For instance, his use of the term "democracy" in his letter. We do not live in, have never lived in, nor will we ever have a democracy in this country. We are a REPUBLIC. There is a HUGE difference. Another big difference in opinion is the reference to the use of the word lynching as part of "America's racist heritage." Sorry, but the word does NOT have racist connotations, the term was NOT used in reference to someone of another race, and lynchings were not always racially motivated in this country. So PLEASE STOP perpetuating the lie and racial guilt. That makes no sense. An educated man should have sufficient reasoning capability to see this simple point and concede it.

What I do agree with Dr. Caison about is the asinine complaining by Chucky Hester regarding the fact that there was a large crowd at the meeting for the public hearing. I agree that the approach by Hester is arrogant, laced with intimidation (just not from the lynching commentary), and suppression. Hester was obviously either afraid of or angered by the crowd of people who attended the meeting. Participation in the governmental process and just plain exhibiting citizenship should never be something for an honest man and good elected representative to fear or over which to take umbrage.

A rebate is for those who paid in the first place

Rebate
Pronunciation: \ˈrē-ˌbāt\
Function: noun
Date: 1656
Definition: a return of a part of a payment

To rebate something to someone who did not pay in the first place is not, by definition, a rebate. I am all for cutting taxes. However, a tax rebate is for those who pay taxes. Those who do not pay taxes should NOT get a "rebate". It becomes a hand out and a form of welfare or entitlement at the expense of all others who do pay taxes.

Here is the full article. And the relevant quote:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Republican Leader John Boehner scheduled a news conference for 1:30 p.m. EST to announce the $150 billion package, hammered out in a week of intense negotiations with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.

"We are pleased that the negotiators have been able to reach an agreement on an economic growth package," White House press secretary Dana Perino said Thursday afternoon. She said Bush would make a statement about the deal later in the day.

Congressional aides, speaking on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been announced, said they hope the checks could go out as early as June.

Individuals who pay income taxes would get up to $600, working couples $1,200 and those couples with children an additional $300 per child under the agreement. Workers who make at least $3,000 but don't pay taxes would get $300 rebates.

The rebate part of the plan would cost about $100 billion, aides said. The package also includes close to $50 billion in business tax cuts.

It is my understanding that the "rebate" for those who do not pay taxes was a concession made by Republicans in order to get the tax rebate/tax cut. Though I am all for the tax cut and find it appropriate, the idea of yet another entitlement is repugnant.

Holy Crap! Troy agrees with the ACLU on something!

It is hard to argue with the sentiment expressed by the ACLU. With all the corruption we have seen in NC government and the fact that government is supposed to be open to the public, I am in full agreement with the ACLU on this one. No, Hell has not frozen over. Every once in a great while, the ACLU gets something right. It is a rarity, but common sense is common sense.

From The N&O:

The Rev. William Barber II is calling for legislative committees to be televised.

The head of the state's NAACP said Wednesday that too much of his group's agenda died last year in committee meetings that were not readily available to the public.

"We need to know what's happening in the committee meetings," he said. "If they can do it for the federal government on C-SPAN, we ought to be doing it in North Carolina.

"Bottom line: Open up this government."

The call comes two weeks after Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Graham called for webcams to broadcast the legislature online.

North Carolina provides live audio for sessions in both chambers, press conferences and all meetings in the Appropriations and Finance Committee rooms, but no video footage is available.

Barber said he would also like to see streaming audio of all of the committees.

"Christians" against Christianity

Hey, let's toss out everything we are supposed to believe according to scripture and make up our own moral code based upon what feels good and what we "think" Jesus would do. Never mind that the Bible is adamant about the topic of homosexuality. Why not let secular sources dictate our faith? Yeah, that's the ticket.

From The N&O:

Delegates to the annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina adopted a resolution asking the national body to support the full inclusion of gays and lesbians and to encourage development of liturgies to bless same-sex unions.

The resolution passed by a majority vote of the more than 700 delegates to the convention, which met in Greensboro on Friday and Saturday.

I really detest the "nicer than Jesus" mentality prevalent in most liberal theological circles. It is hypocritical, theologically ignorant, and mostly just plain secular humanism. I have no problems with hypocrisy as long as the perpetrator is up front about the hypocrisy and admits it. However, to be so and act as the holy standard bearer is abhorrent. I have my faults, even a few areas in which I am not really much of a standard bearer, but at least I recognize it and admit it. In other areas, I know I have it right.

Play paintball with the Presidential candidates, 2008

OK, not ALL candidates are in this game. You can only move left and right and need to continue laterally to enter a new stage. I found that out the hard way. Remember to duck and pick up more ammo as you go.

Ch-ch-ch-changes. Worth watching.

Happy James Earl Ray Day.

I am not a fan of MLK Day at all. I believe that King did nothing worth having a national holiday in his honor. His memory and legacy has been hijacked by the likes of Jesse Jackson and the message perverted. I have read his famous speeches and heard the audio that is available online.

I have a problem with the Rev. Johnson's assertion in the article that we should be celebrating King's death anniversary instead of that of his birth. It was not his death that accomplished his activities, it was his life. Why continue to make him a martyr? Why not celebrate a man's life instead of death?

I am tired of people worshiping King as it is. To celebrate King's death turns MLK Day into James Earl Ray Day. I agree wholeheartedly with the quote in the article, "We remember him with parades and galas and banquets, things that are really irrelevant and silly regarding Dr. King's legacy," he said. "If we really want to honor Dr. King, we should do something about people who live under bridges. That would be a great tribute." Very true.

I both agree and disagree with this quote. "We've allowed white America to escape the guilt of his assassination and we've allowed black America to drift back into a coma." White America deserves no guilt for the assassination of King. ONE man pulled the trigger, not all Americans. As King said, he has a dream that one day his children will be judged by the content of their character rather than by the color of their skin. Why not afford the same respect in the other direction? If you want respect, give that same respect. Did Black America drift back into a coma? Perhaps. Instead of working to gain the respect of their fellow man, many leaders (who are self appointed, it seems) in the Black community do not work to foster respect but rather hatred and further stereotypes and hatred. That is sad.

Would King have supported BET, the Black Miss America pageant, and other segregational events and organizations; or would he support Blacks, Whites, Asians, and Hispanics competing and interacting on equal footing? Anyway, here is the article:

M.L. King ally says U.S. holiday an insult
DALLAS, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- A Dallas minister who marched with civil rights leader the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., said Monday's birthday observance holiday is an insult to his legacy.

The Rev. Peter Johnson, 62, director of the Texas operations for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, told The Dallas Morning News the holiday should be on April 4, the anniversary of the date King was assassinated.

"We have ignored the essence of his life and the horror of his death," said Johnson. "We've allowed white America to escape the guilt of his assassination and we've allowed black America to drift back into a coma."

Johnson said King is considered a martyr by many but said, if he were alive, he would be considered an agitator by many people, the newspaper said.

"We remember him with parades and galas and banquets, things that are really irrelevant and silly regarding Dr. King's legacy," he said. "If we really want to honor Dr. King, we should do something about people who live under bridges. That would be a great tribute."

The invasion of Slime Dog

One of my pet peeves in life is when people leave an animal out to suffer the elements alone. It is one thing for squirrels, deer, wildlife, and the such to be free to roam. However, to chain a dog outside to a post with only about 12 feet to roam and afforded no shelter from the cold, rain, snow, etc. is just cruel.

I am friends with someone whose father and step-mother were taking care of the dog of the step-mother's son. Apparently he could no longer keep the dog, so he dumped off the dog at his mother's place. I have no idea how long that poor dog was chained outside with no attention, no love, no shelter, no dog house, and no way of keeping his food dry.

The couple was away for a vacation this past week. I went to hang out with my friend who was house sitting so we could watch the large screen HDTV. I stopped to pay attention to the dog, who was all lovey dovey with me. He was literally starving for attention. It was a cold, rainy day. His coat was wet, he had no shelter, and his food was wet. I went out and bought some dog food, dog chews, and a dog house. I brought them out for the dog to help keep the dog from suffering so much.

The dog was not smart enough to use the dog house. He still stayed out in the wet cold. I spent an entire hour playing with the dog one day last week. He was very affectionate. He kept jumping on me, putting his muddy paws all over my clean pants and jacket. He got me a bit slimy, so I called him "Slime Dog".

I had no idea what the dog's name was. My friend did not either, but just that the dog was there and from whom it came. With snow in the forecast for this past weekend and temperatures in the teens, I dognapped Slime Dog and took him home.

I got Slimy a harness, leash, ball, and collar. He has been staying in my fenced in back yard a little bit when it is not too cold outside. I keep him inside mostly and take him for walks during the day. Right now his is laying at my feet, as he loves to do. Last night he laid next to my bed, which really irritated my cats.

The cats have been in hiding, not even coming out to eat their food. Slimy has chased them a bit in the house. Daisy has gotten along fine with Slime Dog so far. They have sniffed over each other, but have not growled at one another. The only snapping was when I gave each a doggie treat and slimy's treat rolled on the floor in front of Daisy. Slimy snapped at Daisy to keep her away from his treat. Other than that, they have done OK. Daisy just stays away and in hiding quite a bit. Then again, she does that a lot anyway.

One good thing is that two days ago, Daisy let me pick her up and hold her. I held her, petted her, and was even able to groom her with her comb. I spent quite a while grooming her fur, which she has not let me do in almost six months. Perhaps having Slime Dog around will be a good thing for Daisy. She has looked to me from safety and encouragement. When she lets me, I try to talk to her, make sure she is fed, and give her some affection.

One thing I know for sure is that Slime Dog is showing a great deal of loyalty. He loves to play, loves to walk, and be in the middle of whatever is going on.

I did manage to find out what Slime Dog's real name is. The friend's parents came back from vacation late Saturday night. My friend asked what his name is and we were told "Blackey". Slime Dog does not respond to my calling him Blackey for some reason. I don't know if he was never called his name much. He does respond to me when I call him Dog Slime", Slime Dog, Slime, or Slimy. My friend has an amusing Southern accent and called him "Slihhm Dowwg". I know that Slime Dog is not a great name for a dog, but it has stuck so far and he responds to it.

I still have no idea how old Slime is or if he has had any shots. I am going to end up taking him to the vet for a check up and all shots soon. He is still about the size of a large puppy or perhaps a medium sized dog.

He travels well so far. He got up on the bed this morning with a little help and loved snuggling up. He loves to grab socks and underwear and run off with them. He also likes to chew on slippers, so I have to be careful about leaving them out for him to chew on.

Slimy has been safe from the cold rain and snow, temperatures in the teens, has had a warm home, a lot of love, and is fed regularly. Hopefully Daisy, Slime Dog, and the cats will all learn to get along well.

I am torn on the subject of FCC regulation on this

Supposedly, the marketplace decides things such as content provided on TV and radio. I have watched the radio market descend over the years, into a conglomerate, corporate formatting paradigm. Cookie cutter formats, voice tracking, little local content, and bland, bland, content. Deregulation has been good for some things, not so for others. I have heard both sides of the argument on deregulation of the telephone and airline industries. I have also heard the same about the broadcasting industry. Relaxed ownership rules have really killed creativity and local flavor in radio.

At the same time, my ideology leans towards freedom to do what you want with what you own. I realize that the government does not believe that any broadcaster owns the public airwaves. If you doubt this, try building your own radio station and see what happens.

Anyway, I lament the days of local radio and radio stations serving the public good. I read a story linked from a radio message board about the FCC dealing with ownership rules in radio. I do not think that corporate radio bosses care about quality or local flavor; only about the bottom line of dollars and cents. That mentality does not lend itself to quality radio programming, unique flavor, and certainly not public service in broadcasting. Few stations do this today. I miss the days of truly local radio that serves the public.

Anyway, here is the article on the FCC's proposed ruling. There is not much detail on the actual considerations, but the general topic is there.

Feedback from a blog reader

I got this feedback in an email this afternoon from a blog reader in response to my last post. Enjoy.

I don't have a dog in the fight over in Selma and the comments from the Mayor....

...but please don't associate the Herald with the fine town of Smithfield. Remember, they dropped the name "Smithfield" years ago when they decided it was in their best interest to be a "County" paper. Thus now just The Herald.

I haven't seen today's edition, but I would suggest anyone to look at any recent edition and count the "true articles" about anything that is "Smithfield" related. You will find plenty about Clayton ... well, at least that was the case in Tuesday's paper.

Keep up the noise Troy! Some of us are listening!