Is The Internet Going to Remain Free?

"Imagine For A Moment" - An Outlook on Foreign Policy

Joey Andrews, a cohort of mine and contributor to the Historic Struggle, brought this video to my attention. I have watched it several times and I find it truly fascinating. I am a non-interventionist when it comes to foreign policy and that seems to be what this video promotes. The rhetoric of this video is all too familiar though. I heard the same speech given before by congressman Ron Paul at an earlier date here.  But what I find even more interesting is the tone of this video. It reminds me of the same war-hawk messaging that drug American into the Iraq War but that is merely my take. I am looking for your interpretations of the video overall. What emotions it brings to light, what interpretations you draw both from its message and its presentation. This is basic interpretation and analysis. Enjoy.

Trouble Under the Gold Dome?

            Is there trouble brewing under the gold dome?  It appears the Atlanta-Journal Constitution has been asking this very question for some time now. In a recent article published Sunday, August 28^th, 2011 entitled, “Probe sought Deal data,” the AJC is examining the issue of Governor Nathan Deal’s campaign ethics. The remark is whether or not he violated ethic codes during his run for governor. This is not Governor Deal’s first run in with charges of ethics violations as he was recently investigated by The Office of Congressional Ethics for allegedly using his position of power to protect astate program that increased his company profit.  Deal and his representatives, have been adamant of his innocence in both and all accounts referring to the allegations as political ‘witch hunts’ brought on by opposing or competing political parties. Answers for the irregularities in Governor Deal’s campaign and personal finances have been consistently deflected. 

            It is not a secret but more of a widely held idea that I have always been critical of Nathan Deal and his policies both in and out of congress. I have yet to change my mind in his recent tenure of Governor. In past posts on this blog, I might have even taken a cheap jab or two at his existence as a viable political candidate. I admit, this adds an element of biasedness that takes away from my objective opinion. Not to be completely undone in my efforts however, I will stick completely to the issue at hand. Governor Deal has remained silent and defensive on the allegations of Congressional Ethics violations, and is repeating the same pattern at the state level. This being a representative government, one would think that he would be answerable to the people. The AJC article points to its ideology, and in articles from the past, adhering to a seemingly biased anti-Deal opinion. The only problem with disregarding the AJC as a biased liberal mouth piece is the fact that what they are reporting is actually taking place. Deal was being investigated for campaign ethics violations. Recently, as the article points out, the two ethics officials that were investigating Deal had either their pay cut, or their job cut. The commission’s executive secretary believes the jobs were cut due to the two officials pushing the Nathan Deal issue.  The boss of the two officials claims they are merely victims of budget cuts.  However, since their lay-off/pay decrease, the investigation has been toned down dramatically. The two officials were working on subpoena’s that were not followed up on after their job loss. Instead, the Ethics Commission is now requesting that Deal’s lawyer voluntarily produce campaign records. It appears to the common viewer, that perhaps foul play took place. However, due to most American’s willingness to believe in every conspiracy theory and absurd embellishment, the jury will have to remain out on Deal’s issue of ethics violations. 

            Governor Nathan Deal has not been in office a year and is already coming under the same scrutiny that he saw as a Congressman. It is usually centered around the issue of fiscal policy on his own behalf. Not pointing the finger, or attempting to slander Deal in any way, it is more apparent that there are some dealings that are ‘closed door.’ To be more definitive, there are certain aspects of Deal’s tenure that are vague and indefinite. Perhaps if the Governor would exhibit more transparency with his administration, less “witch hunts” would occur.

Where is Sarah Palin Going?

Let me begin by saying that I have long been absent from my post as author and maintainer of this blog. I have been infinitely busy and the only recent posts I have made have been a daily account of my adventures in England. Now that I have some time on my hands, and with the elections season currently gearing up, I can take the time to write about some topics that I just find fascinating. And what better way to get back into the swing of things, than to talk about the Republican “superstar” Sarah Palin.

Recently I have been amazed at the increasing amount of media attention that has come about due to a family vacation. For those that are unaware, Sarah Palin has loaded up in a flamboyant bus to travel around America, and stop at historical spots along the way. This has been dubbed the “One Nation Tour.” If Uncle Sam were to defecate, this rolling turd would have come out the other end. Sarah has dressed the bus up in the Patriotic fashion. A little Constitution here, Declaration there, a little pledge of allegiance, and “drill baby drill,” over the gas cap for good measure. Again and again the same message is applied, to restore America, restore freedom.

Palin seems to be playing a game of cat and mouse with the media. She does not post a schedule of stops even give forewarning as to where they will go next. Now according to Palin, and her supporters on facebook, this is because she doesn’t care about the “Lame Stream Media,” or LSM, and that if they were doing their job, they would be able to find her anyways. This is on top of her insistence that this is not a campaign; this is merely family vacation because she wants her kids to see America. Now I think this is something we can all get behind. I would love to have the money to see America. I am limited by funds to what I can see but hey, maybe one day. I will say though, I have been to Washington D.C., Mt. Vernon, and Monticello. D.C. and Mt. Vernon seemed to also be in Sarah’s list of stops. I find it interesting though, if this is a simply family vacation, why the wardrobe of a candidate. I don’t remember my mom wearing a dress coat and skirt to Mt. Vernon, or a campaign outfit to see the liberty bell. For someone that is on vacation, and not telling the LSM where she is going, Gov. Palin is definitely trying to attract attention and the media always seems to show up for her photo op. Examples can be seen here. MSNBC Report. Although Palin says the media is in a storm about knowing where she is, CNN had no posts on their website about the tour, that clip above was found on MSNBC after some searching. Fox News is giving her the only real coverage, which is expected since she is a contributor. However, only Gretta is giving her positive media attention, Nothing Gets By Gretta, while Bill O’Reilly basically said on his show that he didn’t care and that she can’t win anyways, The O'Reilly Factor. She can call this a family vacation all she wants, but everyone with an IQ above a snail, knows this is a build-up. Sarah isn’t riding to see America; she is taking America for a ride.

If you watch the clip “Nothing gets by Gretta,” you might notice that things seem to get by Gretta. As they are going on about the tour, and how long it is going to be, Palin comments on how the trip may not last long with the gas prices reaching “$5 dollars a gallon,” and that “it hurts a rig like this,” to which she also comments about the energy crisis in America. These comments were made in critical manners against the Obama administration. I am not pro-Obama but the comments she made were just ignorant. She is motivated Americans and complaining about gas prices and energy, BY ROLLING AROUND IN A GIANT, AMERICAN FLAG COVERED, WINNEBAGO! Of course, this isn’t the first silly remarks seen on this trip. According to her site about the bus tour, when they visited Mt. Vernon, Palin’s daughter Piper had a special experience. I quote directly from Palin’s bus tour page, "Greetings from the Road in Maryland,"

“When Piper laid the wreath at George Washington's tomb this afternoon, I wished that every American school student could be here to see and feel the spirit of our nation's first father. Even Piper was able to grasp the significance of being in the presence of our first President - who had such diverse interests - when she told me later "how hard he must have worked to keep that farm going!"”

George Washington must have worked pretty hard. I do consider him to be one of the finest leaders the country has ever had personally. That does not however, null certain things that happened in history that Palin seems to have missed. I have also been to Mt. Vernon and I remember some interesting structures in the back yard of Washington’s home. It seems ol’ George had plenty of help on that farm. Washington might not have ever been able to run the country and his farm if it wasn’t for all the voluntary service he received from Africans.

But there goes Sarah on her “One Nation Tour.” Palin swears this is not a campaign. She’s brought her father along, because he is a teacher and she wants to show that education is needed, and we need to educate ourselves. Oddly enough, I find that the idea or notion of Sarah Palin educating people as kind of scary. We can all remember when she didn’t know what the job description of the Vice President is. She answered it wrongly on several occasions even though it is printed in the Constitution…..that is attached to her bus. Also Palin is 47, she has wealth. Why is this the first time she is “discovering America?” And why is it so close to Campaign season when she decides to do this? Bill O’Reilly seems to think that like Michele Bachman, this illusion of running or not running by being so public and mysterious is a great way to raise money. This could be the case. I think he brings up a good point. Sarah’s Political Action Committee is constantly taking donations. Now you read that right, she is taking donations, to fund her vacation. But this publicity will only cause those donations to rise. With a facebook following of 3 million people, minus the trolls and fake profiles that are all loving support of everything that is Palin, that is still an incredible number of contributors that can bankroll her vacation/campaign. The only thing we can do is pray that Sarah visits the Pearl Harbor memorials, and attempts to drive the bus there.

A Compromise that just doesn't make any sense.

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-december-7-2010/supercuts?xrs=share_copy

I invite you all to watch the above video that gives satire on one of our Government's recent blunders. For those that haven't been following along let me summarize what has happened. As I mention in my blog, 2010 Midterm and Governor Elections, the Republicans in this "lame duck" congress are blocking any Democratic initiative. This is mainly partisan politics at its best trying to prove something to somebody. On the table are the Bush tax cuts. They are due to expire. These tax cuts it allowed to expire are predicted to lessen our current financial debt by about 600 billion. The problem with this, is that Republicans believe in Trickle Down Economics. Basically, they believe that by giving tax breaks to corporations that the extra monetary value trickles down into the work force. The problem with that is, can you expect the rich to give more wealth to their workers if they have it. Then there is also the matter that some Republicans are the Corporations on personal lobbyists in Congress, and apparently the Supreme Court with their recent rulings. That ruling being to allow corporations to back candidates in elections. So while the Democrats want to allow the tax cuts to expire, the Republicans are holding out attempting to block all legislation until they get what they want.

Democrats however do want to extend the cuts for families making up to $250,000.00 per year. Now to be fair, Republicans are insisting that the government lower taxes and stop spending. This is agreeable is some circumstances. The government is engaging in out of control spending. The problem is that the Republicans are listing other sources, such as welfare, unemployment benefits and related items, as the reasons for uncontrolled spending. They overlook their own doing, such as an Unconstitutional war in Iraq, and a long drug out process in Afghanistan as our spending problems. Not to mention our occupancy is numerous other countries. Democrats on the other hand want to slash these tax cuts, except for the families mentioned above, and increase Unemployment benefits. A move considerable given our current unemployment rate.

And so there is a stalemate in Congress.

Republicans wanting the tax cuts extended and Democrats wanting benefits increased. Let me break down what both sides want. Republicans want, lower taxes and less Government spending. Democrats want higher taxes on the rich, to spend on benefits for the unemployed. A compromise was reached. Congress decided to extend the Bush Tax Cuts for everyone for 2 years, and to extend unemployment benefits for 13 months. Did you catch that? Extending the tax cuts for 2 years, extend unemployment benefits for 13 months. What happened? The entire argument for the Republicans was less taxes less Government spending, the Democrats, tax the rich, help the poor and what did we get? After the hold outs and deliberation we have gotten less taxes, and more spending. Not even less taxes, but mainly what our taxes are now. And unemployment benefits increased for 13 months.

SO lets think about this. If the tax cuts were allowed to expire and it was predicted that our national debt would DECREASE by about $600 Billion. What do you think our economy will do with the tax cuts lengthened and spending increased? Maybe congress should quit thinking about what their Political Party wants, and start giving their constituents what they need. I swear if I am ever voted in for political office the first thing I would do if elected would be to renounce my political party. Go "rogue". Tell everyone I am now in the Libertarian Party and invite others to do the same. In our Government we have out of control spending while the continuance of lower taxes. You can't have both. Either you increase taxes in certain areas to account for the spending or you decrease your spending. America is spending like a teenage girl with her first credit card. It's up to us, as "Parents", to discipline our "teenagers". Vote in a real revolution, vote both parties out. Vote in some Libertarians, some Green parties, vote in anyone you want besides the status quo and allow debate to begin.

2010 Midterm and Governor Elections

I guess the best way to begin this post is to describe my political ideology. I label myself as a Recovering Republican. Recovering as in a recovering alcoholic that only socially drinks now. I have maintained numerous standards or stances of the Republican Party such as fiscal conservatism and constitutional conservatism. However I do feel that Republican party has abandoned the latter and is recently trying to recover the former due the Tea Party movement. However to explain this to some of my readers I have abandoned Social Conservatism. Through his many "faults" as President, or "faults" that have yet to be studied rather, one thing for certain that President Carter was exact on was his views on the morality of our country and the role that government was supposed to play there. Because he was a born again Christian and refused to assert laws to limit a person's liberties based on a religion they may or may not follow, it cost him the election with Neo-Conservatives or the Christian right. Now I refuse to change parties simply on a few ideologies. I do not agree with big government, socialism, or gun control, things of that nature which is why I align myself more with the Libertarian faction of the political spectrum. The good thing about being close to the middle is the ability to look at the extremities. To attempt to take the good from things and leave the bad behind. That's what this blog is all about.

First why have I written this blog. Well ever since my wrestling team was phased out in college I had large unprecedented amounts of time on my hands. So I replaced what would have been grueling wrestling practices, to grueling training of the brain. I began debates, read articles, basically caught up on studies to become more than an average student. In doing so I joined a circle of friends, that would often have political, historical, religious, etc. discussions that would be so intense it would almost end in raw hatred of each other. We would level out and continue our discussions. This circle of people included different types of political ideologies from Republicans, Blue Dog Democrats, Libertarians, Socialists, and Progressives. It created interesting conversation. I usually would keep up with these debates on Facebook notes so this is a continuance of that transfered over to Blogger. So this time around when I was asked my thoughts on the mid-term elections, I simply replied to wait for my post. This is that post.

I would like to start with a quote. "Nobody ever went broke voting on the stupidity of the American voter". I believe such rings true in our recent election. Not that I am for or against one part or another. I believe our votes should lie in the best candidate possible, candidates for freedom that are bound to protect our Constitutional rights are usually who I spring for, but in this instance we have seen this not. In Georgia specifically, the vote was cast, the count in, and the citizens have elected a crook, Nathan Deal, as Governor. I cannot vouch or contemplate as to why this is as to say that this is blow back from the presidential election. I also believe that tying into that matter that this is one of the few elections in history where the core motivation of the American voter was propagated by a media outlet a.k.a. Fox News.

We have heard it before, "the President is a Muslim, a socialist, a communist, racist, not an American citizen" but the question is why? Why are these thoughts so forefront on a President of the United States and why were these accusations given before his elections and even before his first 100 days in office? For those of you wondering at this point, I did not vote for Obama. I wrote in my vote. Back to the point. Why weren't these accusations so prevalent on George Bush as he inserted us into an Unconstitutional War or signed the Patriot Act into law? Well first I am going to play the race card. I am going to play this because I hear it so often. I cannot explain nor am I exaggerating when I say that I have heard people call the President a "nigger" on numerous occasions. Is this evidence of a blow back? I think in essence it is. Counties across the states have voted Republican whether or not the candidate was any good or not. In some cases the Democrat running was a superb politician and more of a Dixiecrat but because he carried the same party as the "BLACK" Democrat he was voted against. Case in point, Georgia. Roy Barnes, although a former Governor voted out of office over certain issues was up for Governor again this elections. he lost to Nathan Deal. The Republicans under Perdue have effectively run Georgia into the ground the past 8 years and sank education to an all time low. However, the GOP effectively propagated Barnes as being of the same party as Obama, the Socialists, with his Socialist medical coverage. (even though the plan that made it's way through is exactly the same concept as Mitt Romney's) Tennessee was not a safe haven either as the majority of the state legislature went Republican in the 2008 elections for no apparent reason. The Democrats in that state are about as liberal as I am Martian. I believe this is blow back. All behind the driving force of the Tea Party.

Although I love the idea of a Tea Party, a new party, something different, I know its origins. This was originally the brain child of Ron Paul's Revolution. But it went astray, the original members got out of dodge and the movement was hijacked. Propagated by Fox news and the likes of Beck the party began advocating change. This change wasn't for good of anything besides of being anti-Obama. Republicans now afraid to lost their jobs, equally became anti-Obama. Republicans are vying for their party and not for the good of the country. If it's Democrat, they will block it. Seems less like a Representative and more like the toddler that didn't get the right Christmas present.

This movement has been hijacked by different levels of the GOP and given a face. Sarah Palin, and Glenn Beck. One journalism major that couldn't hold her seat as Governor and comedian with no higher education. These two advocated candidates that had formal training in witchcraft, professional candidates, and crooks all in the name of Fiscal Conservatism. This was the face of blow back. With Sarah Palin's folksy talks to the constituents and Glenn Beck's retarded (yes Sarah Palin, retarded) version of history, these Tea Party members advocated their change that would "better serve America".

Rolling into the elections, as Fox News predicted historic proportions, we saw the Democrats maintain Senate control, though lose some seats, and lose the House. Hardly a revolution, even though it didn't stop them from promoting one. Our Republican Congressmen are blocking any legislation, merely on the principal that it is Obama's and not theirs. Propagated this idea of Socialism and spreading absolute FEAR among Americans causing voter hysteria to get what they want. There is no reason of this under than party loyalties.

As the American voter is spurred on by Fear and Racism with each new election we reflect. We vote in people to represent us in America. This isn't a parliamentary system where people vote in what's best for the country. Although ideal, that is not what's taken place. Our politicians are voting for what's best for them and their party. In America, our representatives are supposed to support in the best favor of the constituents that voted them in. Not for their parties. With media outlets such as Fox News' Idiotic Personal (Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, O'Reily, Sarah Palin, and gang) propagating this fear, I do not see how America can get back on track and proper.