Ron Paul chances going going going

Speaking to the Taft Club organization, presidential candidate Ron Paul said a secretive monetary scheme is the Federal Reserve. Paul's speech was re-broadcast on C-Span Saturday. Paul further said it produces conterfeit money...

huh... he didn't explain, and he should have. He may have been preaching to the choir, those already convinced of his positions and opinions, but the rest of the voters need more clarification to swing to the Republican's presidential effort.

Later he's asked what would he do about the federal reserve. He said he would legalize the money... hmmm, why not be absolutely clear. Say you'd abolish the Federal Reserve and void the 16th amendment. He did later say he would eliminate the income tax. What would he replace it with?

He wasn't very clear again. He said something about we used to have tariffs... but he didn't clarify further or adequately.

now ron Paul says anybody who doesn't want to pay social security taxes, etc. ought to just get out...

What? Missed why Paul would think the government should be even collecting social security taxes? Again unclear.

Paul says we're basically attacking third world nations... they don't have any weapons... we're a bully... we're attacking nations before they get any weapons... preemptive war... endless and open... continuing on... he says it's war propaganda, we always have to have another war... that's where our problems come from.. we always have to be occupying a foreign Muslim country...

I had at one time been leaning heavily toward supporting Paul. Now I'm not so convinced.

At this appearance, speaking to those he knows are overall in agreement with him, he confirmed my growing belief that on the Iraq war he's saying what he knows a larger percentage of Americans are with increasing fervor being propagandized to believe...

Guess one has to continue reading his weekly columns to see who else he panders to

http://www.house.gov/paul/

Ron Paul doesn't place the blame squarely where it lies. With a Congress that abrogated its sworn duty to uphold the Consitution of the United States.

Don't get me wrong. To his credit, Ron Paul did not vote to give President Bush authority to use force in Iraq back in 2002. He also is the Congressman who session after session presents a bill to get the United States out of the United Nations.

I support those efforts.

Paul also correctly states that Congress declares war according to our United States Constitution. And with the war on Iraq that didn't happen.

But Paul ignores that it didn't happen because our members of Congress abrogated their DUTY. That's right, their duty. Minus Ron Paul's vote and a handful of others, Congress authorized President George W. Bush to use necessary force in Iraq.

Now these same law-breakers who thwarted the U.S. Constitution are crying they were lied to and that's why many don't support the war now...

No, that isn't acceptable. At least Paul has ethical ground on which to stand as he didn't vote for the use of force authorization.

First, the Bush Administration was no different than the Clinton Administration concerning the real and imminent potentiality of Saddam Hussein possessing weapons of mass destruction and Hussein's threats to use those weapons. Even the United Nations was unsure of the status of Hussein's stockpiles of such including mustard gas the UN said he used on his own people in the 1980s.

And yes, it's been documented that the United States when supporting Hussein at one point was responsible for providing some of those weapons of mass destruction. That's despicable.

But Congress, even newcomers to service there, has the power to stop it all.

Congress had in its domain of power, one of the few limited powers it possesses, to outright declare war on Iraq, or not. Congress had the power to call in experts as well as the state department to obtain independent information to make their decision to "declare war." They didn't.

Members of Congress had one directive from the Constitution of the United States -

Congress declares war.

Congress members did not do their duty as sworn to uphold the Constitution. Those members who authorized the use of force by the president, sidestepping their constitutional duty to declare war, are the ones who should be held accountable and should have been recalled or impeached by the people of the United States.

President Bush went to Congress under the so-called War Powers Act. Congress doesn't have to abide by unconsitutional acts. But members did.

After Congress allowed President Bush to use force they either then fully support the effort or do their next constitutional duty. Withhold money to fight the illegitimate war.

But they won't do that now, either.

They are the hypocrites. Either withhold the money or shut up.

Congress could also challenge en masse the War Powers Act and abolish it.

They won't.

While Ron Paul is a champion on many fronts, on this one, he simply fails.

He also didn't adequately explain what is "imminent" threat or danger or attack or sudden attack.

Do nuclear warheads have to be dropping on United States soil before Congress declares war?

When does a President have the authority to fight back without the consent of Congress - when there is an imminent threat of an attack to the United States.

And that's why President Bush did not have to go to Congress under the War Powers Act or any other act, to take action against Iraq, if the president believed from all available intelligence that Saddam Hussein posed an imminent threat.

That he did seek Congressional authorization tells us a lot.

That members of Congress acquiesced and voted for the president to use necessary force tells us a lot.

When Ross Perot ran for President back in the early 90s, I was fortunate enough to be in a postition to ask Perot just such a question at a press conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When would you go to war against another country?

When there's an imminent threat... when we're under attack, responded Perot.

The difference between then and now truly is the perceived "imminent" threat of attack since September 11, 2001.

And that is the primary reason we do need to have all of the information we can obtain about what happened the morning of September 11, 2001.

Why didn't President George W. Bush get up from his seat in the classroom when he was told by Andrew Card that a second plane had hit the World Trade Center, America is under attack?

America Under Attack: Job Ahead of Bush
Aired September 14, 2001 - 03:10

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0109/14/se.30.html

Why didn't Bush do his duty when told America is under attack and immediately get up politely from his seat, go into the adjacent room already set up with secure phone lines (according to Bill Sammon in Fighting Back) and call out the full military forces of the United States of America? Did Bush know planes had been hijacked before he entered the second grade classroom to listen to children read? How would Bush know that military planes of a foreign country were not "attacking" the United States? How would Bush know these were only suicide missions and not an in concert broad attack with a combination of hijacked planes and nuclear warheads coming in from wherever?

(See my This is Not a Conspiracy Theory for treatment of these issues)

Ron Paul should be screaming about President Bush being told America IS UNDER ATTACK the morning of September 11, 2001, and doing nothing for several minutes. (Again see This is not a Conspiracy Theory for documentation that Bush remained seated in the classroom for six minutes).

But even Ron Paul isn't asking President Bush anything about that morning. Why not?

He can be vocal about an illegitimate war all he wants. But if he doesn't go the distance and show that the basis of that war and all subsequent U.S. policy rests on what happened on September 11, 2001 which as of this date remains unexplained fully he is no more presidential material than any other of the candidates.

All of the other issues Paul is correct about do not matter if he isn't willing to directly ask the President of the United States to account for his inaction when there was an imminent threat on United States soil.

posted by Net the Truth Online with revisions

More

THIS IS NOT A CONSPIRACY THEORY: 6-MINUTE SLIVER SHOWS HISTORICAL TRUTH

http://dirtline.tripod.com/talkacrosstown/id3.html

october 10, 2002 AUTHORIZATION OF THE USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES AGAINST IRAQ


http://authforce.liberatedtext.org/021010/cr10oc02-69_01.html

Quotes from Ron Paul speech

http://www.digg.com/2008_us_elections/Quotes_From_Ron_Paul_s_Speech_Last_Night

Ron Paul forum

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=24058

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Danny Carlton Says:
October 9th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
Did Clinton get a declaration of war when he bombed Kosovo civilians?

Also, Ron Paul claimed we have never been under an imminent
attack in 220 years. Where was he on December 7th, 1941?
Where was he September 11th, 2001?

Kurt Obermeyer Says:
October 9th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
Rep. Paul may have misspoke when he said we were never under the threat of an imminent attack, however, he is absolutely correct in saying that we need to have a Congressional declaration of war to go to war. This is the real issue. This country has been in a nearly continuous state of war since the end of WWII. Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Gulf War I, Bosnia, Kosovo, contiued bombing of Iraq after Gulf War I, Afghanistan, and now Iraq again, the list is exhausting. Not a single one of these conflicts has had a Constitutionally directed declaration of war. By the way, the War Powers Act is unconstitutional. The Constitution says the Congress has to declare war. Article 1, section 8, if anybody cares anymore.

http://stoptheaclu.com/archives/2007/10/09/video-rudy-vs-ron-paul-on-911/

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THE PRESIDENT'S CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST TERRORISTS AND NATIONS SUPPORTING THEM

The President has broad constitutional power to take military action in response to the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. Congress has acknowledged this inherent executive power in both the War Powers Resolution and the Joint Resolution passed by Congress on September 14, 2001.

The President has constitutional power not only to retaliate against any person, organization, or State suspected of involvement in terrorist attacks on the United States, but also against foreign States suspected of harboring or supporting such organizations.

The President may deploy military force preemptively against terrorist organizations or the States that harbor or support them, whether or not they can be linked to the specific terrorist incidents of September 11.

September 25, 2001

MEMORANDUM OPINION FOR THE DEPUTY COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT

http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/warpowers925.htm

CATO Institute position on executive power

http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:Z8xxeesRfggJ:www.cato.org/pubs/handbook/hb108/hb108-11.pdf+power+president+imminent+sudden+attack&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=us

The Debate over war powers

http://digitalcommons.pace.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1319&context=lawfaculty

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Thursday, May 10, 2007
Ron Paul's Weekly column Dec.11, 2006
Who Makes Foreign Policy?
December 11, 2006

...The media, Congress, and the American public all seem to have accepted something that is patently untrue: namely, that foreign policy is the domain of the president and not Congress. This is absolutely not the case and directly contrary to what our founding fathers wanted.

The role of the president as Commander in Chief is to direct our armed forces in carrying out policies established by the American people through their representatives in Congress. He is not authorized to make those policies. He is an administrator, not a policy maker. Foreign policy, like all federal policy, must be made by Congress. To allow otherwise is to act in contravention of the Constitution.

Library of Congress scholar Louis Fisher, writing in The Oxford Companion to American Military History, summarizes presidential war power:

The president's authority was carefully constrained. The power to repel sudden attacks represented an emergency measure that allowed the president, when Congress was not in session, to take actions necessary to repel sudden attacks either against the mainland of the United States or against American troops abroad. It did not authorize the president to take the country into full-scale war or mount an offensive attack against another nation.

But it’s not simply the decision to wage war that is left to Congress. Consider also the words of James Madison:

Those who are to conduct a war cannot in the nature of things, be proper or safe judges, whether a war ought to be commenced, continued, or concluded. They are barred from the latter functions by a great principle in free government, analogous to that which separates the sword from the purse, or the power of executing from the power of enacting laws (italics added).

So Congress is charged not only with deciding when to go to war, but also how to conduct-- and bring to a conclusion-- properly declared wars. Of course the administration has some role to play in making treaties, and the State Department should pursue beneficial diplomacy. But the notion that presidents should establish our broader foreign policy is dangerous and wrong. No single individual should be entrusted with the awesome responsibility of deciding when to send our troops abroad, how to employ them once abroad, and when to bring them home. This is why the founders wanted Congress, the body most directly accountable to the public, to make critical decisions about war and peace.

It is shameful that Congress ceded so much of its proper authority over foreign policy to successive presidents during the 20th century, especially when it failed to declare war in Korea, Vietnam, Kosovo, and Iraq. It’s puzzling that Congress is so willing to give away one of its most important powers, when most members from both parties work incessantly to expand the role of Congress in domestic matters. By transferring its role in foreign policy to the President, Congress not only violates the Constitution, but also disenfranchises the American electorate.


Go directly to Ron Paul's site at http://www.house.gov/paul

http://fredanderson.blogspot.com/2007/05/ron-pauls-weekly-column-dec11-2006.html

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Source: Los Angeles Times, January 29, 2003

THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

Bush Calls Iraq Imminent Threat

"Trusting in Hussein's Restraint 'Is Not an Option,' President Says

By Maura Reynolds, Times Staff Writer

WASHINGTON -- A somber and steely President Bush, speaking to a skeptical world Tuesday in his State of the Union address, provided a forceful and detailed denunciation of Iraq, promising new evidence that Saddam Hussein's regime poses an imminent danger to the world and demanding the United Nations convene in just one week to consider the threat.

But the president made clear his decision whether to attack Iraq would not hinge on U.N. approval.

"All free nations have a stake in preventing sudden and catastrophic attack. We are asking them to join us, and many are doing so," the president said. "Yet the course of this nation does not depend on the decision of others."

Calls have mounted in recent weeks for the president to make a better case for going to war. In response, Bush argued that use of force is not only justified but necessary, and that the threat is not only real but imminent.

"If this threat is permitted to fully and suddenly emerge, all actions, all words, and all recriminations would come too late," Bush said. "Trusting in the sanity and restraint of Saddam Hussein is not a strategy, and it is not an option."

http://www.ph.ucla.edu/EPI/bioter/iraqimminent.html

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In Response to Richard E. Berg-Andersson's Commentary
Dealing with War Powers
Thursday, September 19, 2002 by Kenneth Stremsky

Mr. Berg-Andersson responds:

The main point of my Commentary of 13 September was that there is a "gray area" in between a sudden attack which the President appears to have the power to repel without necessarily or immediately consulting Congress (I would put the attacks of 11 September 2001 in this category) and that which requires a Declaration of War from Congress per Article I, section 8 of the US Constitution (I would put any military action re: the current threat level from the regime of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in this category). Assuming that a condition of Peace is "condition GREEN", the former condition (surprise attack on the United States) would be "condition RED" and the latter condition (dealing with an indirect, less than imminent, danger from abroad) would be "condition YELLOW"; liberally borrowing the color code of alert levels used by the U.S. Office of Homeland Security, I referred to the "gray area" (into which the Bush Administration- or so it appears- currently wishes a present Iraqi "threat" to be placed) as "condition ORANGE"-- in such a case, at bare minimum, a Congressional Resolution would be in order (and, so it appears as of this typing, it seems we are rather likely to get just that-- though only that!). To reiterate my own position: in the case of war with Iraq as contemplated at present, a Congressional Resolution is simply not good enough- since it is "YELLOW" and not "ORANGE" as I defined these in my Commentary; a Declaration of War would be much more advisable- as well as necessary under the terms of the Constitution of the United States itself...

http://www.thegreenpapers.com/Vox/?20020919-0

Ron Paul and “Islamofascism”

http://thecrossedpond.com/?cat=1

Search results

http://blog-admin.lewrockwell.com/mt-search.cgi?IncludeBlogs=5&search=%22ron%20paul%22

Republican Debate Transcript, South Carolina
Published May 15, 2007

http://www.cfr.org/publication/13338/

May Debate posting

http://www.scruffydan.com/blog/?p=760

Ron Paul (did he say we invited the attack on 9/11 because we are over there...?)

http://soundpolitics.com/archives/008623.html

search results Ron Paul executive orders

http://www.google.com/search?q=ron+paul+executive+orders&hl=en&sourceid=gd&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2006-40,GGLD:en

'Cracking the Code- The Fascinating Truth About Taxation In America'

has gone to its eighth printing, and this latest edition incorporates more clarifying revisions than any previous release!

http://www.losthorizons.com/Newsletter.htm

Nobel Peace Prize Politically Charged

In doubt the Nobel Peace Price committee's been politicized? Banish the doubt now that Al Gore has been a co-awardee with what say who?

UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

http://www.google.com/search?q=gore+peace+prize&hl=en&sourceid=gd&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2006-40,GGLD:en

Yep, their presentations have been challenged, but so what, right.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=GGLD%2CGGLD%3A2006-40%2CGGLD%3Aen&q=climate+change+hype&btnG=Search

Earl Tilford: U.S. can't afford a nuclear Iran

Earl Tilford was a guest on the Pittsburgh, PA (PCNC) Honsberger Live program (phone interview) with guest host, Chris Moore.

Asked specifically about the policy of the United States regarding Iran, Tilford said the U.S. can't afford a nuclear Iran...

Of course, liberal Moore, later, after Tilford is off the air, disagrees, so there is no opportunity for any further education on the reasoning behind Tilford's statement...

Related
Earl H. Tilford, Ph.D.
Working Group Coordinator, Middle East & Terrorism
Fellow, Middle East & Terrorism

http://www.visandvals.org/Earl%20H.%20Tilford,%20Ph.D..php

Search

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=GGLD%2CGGLD%3A2006-40%2CGGLD%3Aen&q=earl+tilford+nuclear+iran&btnG=Search

Airport body scanners: virtual strip search

Right the full body scanners operators won't look at Tom Selleck or Brad Pitt or any of the Desperate Housewives lookalikes x-rayed body parts. We believe you benevolent dictator, we believe, we believe...

Seriously, these people simply don't read fiction. (like Delphi Betrayal) Weapons have been broken into smaller parts and stored in items ok'd for air travel. Later, the weapons can be dismantled in the "john" or the "jane."

Just like pre-9/11, there is a lack of reading on the part of all...

TSA - More Body Scans
Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - FreeMarketNews.com
The Transportation Security Administration plans to expand its use of screening machines that look under passengers' clothing for hidden weapons. New York's Kennedy and Los Angeles International airports will get "backscatter" X-ray machines that the American Civil Liberties Union has called a "virtual strip search" for the vivid anatomical images they can create. Those airports and Phoenix Sky Harbor also will test a similar technology, using low-intensity millimeter waves, to scan passengers' bodies. The machines are capable of showing passengers' bodily parts, but TSA says that, due to privacy concerns, they will not. All of the machines will use software that will blur images of passengers, so screeners will see weapons but only fuzzy images of people's bodies...

http://www.freemarketnews.com/WorldNews.asp?nid=49984&fb=1

Guess this really wasn't implemented before September 11, 2001

Airport scanner shows body's naked outline
Last Updated: Friday, November 10, 2000 | 11:48 PM ET
CBC News

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/1999/12/30/xray991230.html

Ah. Yes, the x-ray scanners were available, implemented, being used, but a choice was given... and so the question arises... what happened on 9/11 with a few of the hijackers actually being stopped at the airport, but let go...

The Nation: Thanks, but I'll Have the Strip-Search; No Takers for the X-Ray Option
By ALAN FINDER
Published: January 24, 1999
IT seemed to officials of the United States Customs Service like a good idea, no doubt. When Customs inspectors became suspicious that someone was trying to smuggle drugs or other contraband into the country, they would offer a choice: a conventional strip-search or an X-ray.

For innocent travelers, an X-ray would be less degrading than a strip-search by a stranger in uniform. And for Customs inspectors, it would be easier to discover drugs, cash or other illicit goods hidden beneath travelers' clothing or even inside their bodies.

But, as sometimes happens with good ideas, the reality did not match the hope. The Customs Service began offering foreign visitors and returning Americans the X-ray option last October at two major airports, John F. Kennedy in New York City and Miami International in Florida. In the first three months of the experiment, nine people at Kennedy and eight in Miami were offered the choice of an X-ray. No one accepted.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9807E4DB1F30F937A15752C0A96F958260&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fSubjects%2fS%2fSearch%20and%20Seizure

(7:00 a.m.-7:45 a.m.) September 11, 2001: Computer Screening Program Selects Some Hijackers; Fails to Stop Them Sometime during this period, the hijackers pass through airport security checkpoints at the various airports. The FAA has a screening program in place called the Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System (CAPPS). CAPPS automatically targets passengers for additional screening based on suspicious behavior such as buying one-way tickets or paying with cash. If a passenger is selected, their bags are thoroughly screened for explosives, but their bodies are not searched. [Washington

http://www.cooperativeresearch.org/context.jsp?item=a700someselected#a700someselected

Shuck the ethanol and let solar shine
Jon Markman
Solar power and compressed natural gas offer more-efficient energy technologies than planting, fertilizing, harvesting and refining fields of corn into fuel. Investors, take note. Congress, listen up.

New research by a University of California petroleum engineering professor suggests that worldwide crude oil supplies will start to run so low over the next nine years that resource-blessed countries like Saudi Arabia will begin to hoard them for domestic use instead of exporting -- and states with large reservoirs of natural gas, like Montana, will seek ways to avoid sharing with less-advantaged neighbors like Oregon.

Attempts to forestall the political and economic damage by turning aggressively to agriculture for "renewable" transportation fuel in the form of ethanol will prove futile, according to professor Tad W. Patzek, as new calculations show that the entire surface of the Earth cannot create enough additional biomass to replace more than 10% of current fossil fuel use.

The process of sowing, fertilizing, reaping, distributing and refining corn and grasses for ethanol feedstock uses up nearly as much carbon energy as fuel farmers claim to save, and it generates so much soil degradation and toxic byproducts that widespread use will leave the Earth denuded and hostile to human life within decades, according to the professor's data.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Commentary/Experts/Markman/Jon_Markman.aspx?msn=1

PA Tax elimination plans: not real

Beware. Most of the property tax elimination plans making the rounds in Harrisburg aren't real. Reason: the PA Constitution contains a clause which disallows abolishing the property tax. In order for any property tax elimination plan to be adopted, the PA Constitution would first have to be altered by means of an amendment and the clause would have to be removed.

Notice in the following plan, property taxes are not totally eliminated! County and municipality property taxes would remain.

The state legislators will never pass a bill that totally eliminates all local property taxes. they talk a good game, but none can or will deliver.

(Net the Truth Online)

Pa. tax plan shifts burden to consumers, wage earners
Thursday, September 27, 2007
By Tom Barnes, Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau
HARRISBURG -- A state senator from Eastern Pennsylvania has come up with a startling proposal on tax shifting, one that would virtually eliminate school property taxes in many districts by significantly raising the sales tax and personal income tax rates.

Under the plan of Sen. James J. Rhoades, R-Schuylkill, Pennsylvania would have the highest sales tax rate in the nation by far -- 9.19 percent in 55 counties and 10.19 in two of them, Allegheny and Philadelphia. The state sales tax is 6 percent now in most Pennsylvania counties, but it's 7 percent in the two largest counties.

Nationwide, California has a 7.25 percent sales tax and four states, New Jersey, Mississippi, Rhode Island and Tennessee, have a 7 percent rate.

Under the Rhoades plan, the personal income tax rate also would jump significantly, to 4.36 percent from the current 3.07 percent.

Mr. Rhoades, chairman of the Senate Education Committee, wants the proposal to go before voters in a referendum in November 2008.

Raising those two taxes would generate $9 billion in additional revenue, Mr. Rhoades told a news conference yesterday. That would permit the elimination of school property taxes for both homeowners and businesses in 305 school districts. In the other 196 districts, property taxes would be cut by an average of 96 percent, he said.

But he said none of these moves would happen without approval from Pennsylvania voters. He wants the Legislature to put the question of this major tax-shifting proposal on the statewide ballot in November 2008. But he said he wants to get the discussion started now.

The referendum results would be binding on the Legislature. If voters gave the go-ahead for the tax shift, the Legislature would have to enact it in 2009, he said. If it's defeated, the state's tax structure would stay as it is.



http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07270/820911-85.stm

IRS private debt collection program challenged

Yep, an income tax collection system that is unconstitutionaly anyway, and the private debt collectors do a better job than the IRS, and what do the Democrats want to eliminate? Not the unconstitutional income tax, but the private debt collectors. Yep, way to go...

House backs bill to end private tax collections
Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:35pm EDT

http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN1028746920071010?feedType=RSS&feedName=politicsNews&rpc=22&sp=true

Jewish Democrats want Coulter ban

Everyone is so touchy when it comes to religion... A few months ago, Bill O'Reilly on his radio program said something along the lines that atheists can't be good citizens, they have no morals, no base of belief in God, so how can they be decent people. Yeah, thanks Bill. Think atheists have called for an O'Reilly ban?

Sometimes, these pundits don't have a script. They say whatever pops into their head, and when it comes to religion - whatever that religion, they are correct, according to them.

What Ann Coulter said really isn't that unusual because it is exactly what has been said before. Books have been written about this belief which is widespread.

Nobody should care what Coulter says or does, or what O'Reilly says or does since they are not elected public officials passing laws which mandate all the rest of us to believe a certain way, or else...

That's what people need to understand. The government can't intrude on your beliefs, or your non-beliefs, end of story...

Jewish Democrats demand Coulter media boycott
Ann tells TV interviewer she wants everyone to convert to Christianity

WASHINGTON – A Jewish Democratic group is demanding the media stop interviewing bestselling author Ann Coulter because of her insistence in a TV appearance that she would like everyone to convert to Christianity.

The National Jewish Democratic Council called on "mainstream media outlets" to stop inviting Coulter as a guest commentator and pundit and strongly condemned her comments that in a perfect world all would be Christians.

"While Ann Coulter has freedom of speech, news outlets should exercise their freedom to use better judgment," said NJDC Executive Director Ira N. Forman. "Just as media outlets don't invite those who believe that Martians walk the earth to frequently comment on science stories, it's time they stop inviting Ann Coulter to comment on politics."

Not unlike other recent media controversies, this one began when Media Matters, a pro-Democrat media lobby headed by David Brock, noted Coulter's appearance on CNBC's "The Big Idea" with host Donny Deutsch. Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton recently claimed credit for helping to launch Media Matters.

In the Monday interview, Deutsch asked Coulter: "If you had your way ... and your dreams, which are genuine, came true ... what would this country look like?"

"It would look like New York City during the [2004] Republican National Convention.," Coulter said. "In fact, that's what I think heaven is going to look like."

In her recollection of the convention, she said: "People were happy. They're Christian. They're tolerant. They defend America."

"It would be better if we were all Christian?" Deutsch asked.

"Yes," she said.

Later, Deutsch returned to the subject, saying: "[Y]ou said we should throw Judaism away and we should all be Christians."

"Yes," she replied again.

When pressed by Deutsch regarding whether she wanted to be like "the head of Iran" and "wipe Israel off the Earth," Coulter stated: "No, we just want Jews to be perfected, as they say. ... That's what Christianity is. We believe the Old Testament, but ours is more like Federal Express. You have to obey laws."

After a commercial break, Deutsch said that "Ann said she wanted to explain her last comment," and asked her, "So you don't think that was offensive?"

Coulter responded: "No. I'm sorry. It is not intended to be. I don't think you should take it that way, but that is what Christians consider themselves: perfected Jews. We believe the Old Testament. As you know from the Old Testament, God was constantly getting fed up with humans for not being able to live up to all the laws. What Christians believe – this is just a statement of what the New Testament is – is that that's why Christ came and died for our sins. Christians believe the Old Testament. You don't believe our testament."

Coulter later said: "We consider ourselves perfected Christians. For me to say that for you to become a Christian is to become a perfected Christian is not offensive at all."

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=58089

Heartbreaking story Grand Canyon Danger

4-Year-Old Girl Dies After Falling Into Grand Canyon

A 4-year-old girl on a vacation trip to the Grand Canyon has died after falling off the canyon edge.

National Parks Service spokeswoman Maureen Oltrogge says the girl fell near Mather Point just before noon and her father immediately scrambled down the cliffs to reach her.

He started CPR, and a Parks Service ranger who rappelled down the canyon also began trying to resuscitate the little girl, to no avail.

Oltrogge says the child's death is a tragic reminder to everyone that extreme care needs to be taken at the canyon rim, especially with children.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,300629,00.html

Trade Union for all the Americas on the way

Former Mexican president Vicente Fox appeared on the O'Reilly Factor, too.

Don't miss the dynamite interview ... your government wouldn't stop it, the illegals coming in here... says O'Reilly... talks about narcotics, etc...

http://www.foxnews.com/video2/player06.html?100907/100907_oreilly_fox&OReilly_Factor&Vicente%20Fox%20enters%20No%20Spin%20Zone&acc&World&-1&News&450&&&new

More video and blog postings on the issue...

http://www.sphere.com/search?q=Vicente+Fox&tq=1&datedrop=1&lang=en

Meanwhile, at Lou Dobbs Tonight, Dobbs apparently received an invitation from Fox to debate him. Dobbs polled his viewers on whether or not he should take him up on the offer... Dobbs interviewed two NY state senators as well on the issue of drivers' licenses for illegal aliens...

Unbelievably, the aliens may not have to provide a "social security" number issued by the United States of America as citizens would have to provide in order to obtain the licenses. And, the licenses will look the same as those citizens obtain, thus making it potentially easier for illegal aliens to obtain a voter registration card and then be afforded a right to vote!

Read the entire Dobbs transcript

Dobbs: Mexican president's blatant hypocrisy

Don't miss World Net Daily Corsi's article on former Mexican president Vicente Fox revelation of a forthcoming Amero coinage and trade union for all the Americas!

O'Reilly The Immigration Insurrection

http://www.billoreilly.com/column;jsessionid=258455DD66FAD9E4C0003124DEEF1F5F?pid=21709

Vicente Fox enters No Spin Zone Video See Pt 1, Pt 2, Pt 3

http://www.foxnews.com/video2/player06.html?100907/100907_oreilly_fox&OReilly_Factor&Vicente%20Fox%20enters%20No%20Spin%20Zone&acc&World&-1&News&450&&&new

LOU DOBBS TONIGHT

Democrats Threaten Showdown Over Warrantless Wiretaps; Former Mexican President Speaks Out on Illegal Immigration

Aired October 9, 2007 - 18:00 ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


LOU DOBBS, CNN ANCHOR: Tonight, startling new insults and threats against the United States uttered by none other than former Mexican President Vicente Fox, Fox declaring that -- quote -- "xenophobics, racists, and the superior race," as he put it, "are deciding the future of the United States."
Oh, yeah? And President Fox has an offer for me. We will be discussing that tonight and we will have complete coverage of his outburst here...

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0710/09/ldt.01.html

Ex-Mexican prez: 'Amero' on the way
Vicente Fox confirms long-term deal worked out with President Bush
Posted: October 9, 2007
By Jerome R. Corsi
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com

Former Mexican President Vicente Fox confirmed the existence of a plan conceived with President Bush to create a new regional currency in the Americas, in an interview last night on CNN's "Larry King Live."

It possibly was the first time a leader of Mexico, Canada or the U.S. openly confirmed a plan for a regional currency. Fox explained the current regional trade agreement that encompasses the Western Hemisphere is intended to evolve into other previously hidden aspects of integration.

According to a transcript published by CNN, King, near the end of the broadcast, asked Fox a question e-mailed from a listener, a Ms. Gonzalez from Elizabeth, N.J.: "Mr. Fox, I would like to know how you feel about the possibility of having a Latin America united with one currency?"

Fox answered in the affirmative, indicating it was a long-term plan. He admitted he and President Bush had agreed to pursue the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas – a free-trade zone extending throughout the Western Hemisphere, suggesting part of the plan was to institute eventually a regional currency.

"Long term, very long term," he said. "What we proposed together, President Bush and myself, it's ALCA, which is a trade union for all the Americas..."

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=58052

CNN LARRY KING LIVE

Interview with Vicente Fox

Aired October 8, 2007 - 21:00 ET


KING: E-mail from Mrs. Gonzalez in Elizabeth, New Jersey. "Mr. Fox, I would like to know how you feel about the possibility of having a Latin America united with one currency?"

FOX: Long term, very long term. What we propose together, President Bush and myself, it's ALCA, which is a trade union for all of the Americas. And everything was running fluently until Hugo Chavez came. He decided to isolate himself. He decided to combat the idea and destroy the idea...

KING: It's going to be like the euro dollar, you mean?

FOX: Well, that would be long, long term. I think the processes to go, first step into is trading agreement. And then further on, a new vision, like we are trying to do with NAFTA.

KING: How is NAFTA doing?

FOX: Excellent. Mexico's seventh largest trading economy in the world. Mexico trades more products and services than all of Latin America together, including Brazil, Argentina and all of them. And Mexico buys -- and this people don't know -- Mexico buys from the United States more products and services than what Italy, France, Germany and Britain do together. So we account for hundreds of thousands of jobs in this economy in the U.S.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0710/08/lkl.01.html

CNN LARRY KING LIVE

Interview with Vicente Fox

Aired October 8, 2007 - 21:00 ET

KING: Do you know of CNN's Lou Dobbs?

Do, you know Lou Dobbs?

FOX: Yes. Yes, I know him. Yes.

KING: And you know he is kind of leading a fight against illegal immigration?

Do you take issue with him?

FOX: I'm (INAUDIBLE). I'd love to have a debate with him, because what I was going to say that Andy Grove, the president of Intel, coming from abroad and contributing to this nation's economy or my dear paisanos, which are all over the United States, working hard, being loyal to this nation, contributing to its productivity and contributing to the management of its economy.

It wasn't work, Larry. It just don't work...

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0710/08/lkl.01.html

JAG episode tackles war crimes trial

And more

Iraq's Saddam Hussein used weapons of mass destruction agasinst his own people, says Harm, during the trial...

No weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq, says prosecution witness...

Not yet, says Harm...

JAG episode features a war crimes trial against the United States for an attack on a hospital where it was suspected terrorists were hiding but innocent civilians killed and injured.

Who are you?

America has been a symbol of hope for the world, we accept our responsibility which all civilized nations should to fight against tyranny... take up arms against violent men who threaten security... we reserve the right to protect ourselves...


(Net the Truth Online)

episode
http://rrjmd4.home.att.net/jsNine.html

google search results
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=GGLD%2CGGLD%3A2006-40%2CGGLD%3Aen&q=jag+People+vs.+SecNav+february+2004&btnG=Search

Summary

http://www.rosepetaldesign.com/jagreview/pvsecnav.htm

http://www.rosepetaldesign.com/jagreview/


Summary

When civilians are killed in a bombing raid, an International Criminal Court charges the United States with war crimes and the SecNav is the one on trial representing the USA. The SecNav is defended by Harm, Mac & Bud who find they must also defend the United States decision for waging the war. At the end, the court finds the USA on the following charges:

Crimes against humanity - Not Guilty
War Crimes - Not Guilty
Intentionally targeting non-combatants - Not Guilty

Willful destruction of civilian property - Guilty.

The court orders the USA to provide reparations to the town of Tikifa in the amount of $20 million US dollars.

The prosecutor mentions to the SecNav that he doesn't agree with the verdicts, but pleased the SecNav won't have to go to prison. In response, the SecNav states that the two countries have been friends for too long and they both go off to get a drink together.

Back in the USA, when Bud has to fly overseas to help defend the SecNav, Mike is asked to babysit little AJ who takes him to play video games. When he has to purchase additional tokens so AJ could play one more game, Mike is shocked to find that little AJ has disappeared, necessitating a search for him that has Bud flying back to the USA in the middle of the trial.

http://www.tv.com/jag/people-v.-secnav/episode/303820/summary.html

Mentioned is U.N. Resolution 1441 (Iraq ignored)

http://www.google.com/search?q=u%2En%2E+resolution+1441&hl=en&sourceid=gd&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2006-40,GGLD:en

Established in 2002 and located in The Hague, the ICC has jurisdiction over war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. It has been the subject of episodes of TV series such as "The West Wing" and "JAG," and was recently featured in the movie, "The Interpreter," starring Nicole Kidman. The ICC has been a controversial topic for the Bush administration, which opposes the court for fear that it could bring politically motivated prosecutions against U.S. officials. But last March the United States permitted the U.N. Security Council to refer the Darfur situation to the ICC for prosecution, thereby implicitly recognizing the court's legitimacy and usefulness to American foreign policy. The ICC is currently preparing cases for prosecution involving Darfur, Congo, and Uganda.

http://www.case.edu/news/2005/11-05/cox.htm

International Criminal Court in popular culture

http://www.answers.com/topic/international-criminal-court-in-popular-culture

Mainstream Media Ignores Hillary Clinton Past

As it has been said before here on this site, once elected, politicians beoome a protected class of people. The laws that apply harshly to the rest of us simply don't apply to "them." this occurs no matter the level of government, local, state, or federal where the elected are to serve the interests of the people, not their own self interests.

The media itself in turn protects the "favored." It happens time and time again.

The media had a hand in electing former President Bill Clinton when it didn't do its duty and report his well-known political appointments of women with whom he was involved at the time he was Governor of Arkansas. That info flew under the radar and to this day is ignored.

The same has happened with Hillary Clinton before becoming Senator - nobody has investigated her role in how it happened that the West Wing couple obtained FBI files on numerous persons...

http://www.google.com/search?q=bill+clinton+fbi+files+republicans&hl=en&sourceid=gd&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2006-40,GGLD:en&aq=t

Suppression of a "smoking gun" video which could implicate Hillary Clinton in potential illegal fundraising simply isn't surprising...

Judge confronted with Hillary 'smoking-gun' video
Clinton-appointee previously insisted in court senator not involved in alleged crimes
Posted: October 2, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern


By Art Moore
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com


A federal judge who stated in court Sen. Hillary Clinton had nothing to do with the planning and preparation for a scandal-plagued Hollywood fundraiser, received by hand-delivery yesterday a transcript of a videotape that allegedly captures the New York Democrat committing felonies related to the event.

The transcript, along with a letter demanding a hearing, was hand-delivered to Federal Judge A. Howard Matz by Douglas Cogan, a regular contributor to FreeRepublic.com who has followed the case closely and helped produce a documentary.

As WND reported, the tape – held by the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York from 2001 to 2007 – documents a July 2000 phone call that purportedly shows Clinton taking an active role in the production of the fundraiser.

Business mogul Peter Franklin Paul, who has filed a $17 million fraud lawsuit against Sen. Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, contends the senator's participation in soliciting performers and planning for the August 2000 Hollywood fundraiser would make his more than $1.2 million in contributions to the event a direct donation to her Senate campaign rather than to a joint fundraising committee. That would violate federal statutes that limit "hard money" contributions to a candidate to $2,000 per person. Knowingly accepting or soliciting $25,000 or more in a calendar year is a felony carrying a prison sentence of up to five years.

Matz, who was appointed by President Clinton, presided over the 2005 trial of Sen. Clinton's campaign finance director David Rosen who was acquitted of filing false financial reports of the fundraiser.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=57931

NAFTA Savvy Don't Want It in OK

NAFTA question draws 'I don't know'
Oklahoma lawmaker vows to halt Superhighway at state line
Posted: October 2, 2007
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com

The expressed intention of a state lawmaker in Oklahoma to halt any NAFTA Superhighway project at his state line has failed to draw a meaningful response from the White House.

Spokeswoman Dana Perino was asked by Les Kinsolving, WND's correspondent at the White House, about the comments from state Sen. Randy Brogdon, who told a meeting in Tulsa that "The NAFTA Superhighway stops here at the border with Oklahoma."

"And my question," said Kinsolving. "What will the federal government do to overcome pockets of resistance, such as this, to NAFTA transportation project[s]?"

"I don't even know where to begin," Perino said. "Obviously the president is a supporter of NAFTA."

Brogdon said he's recognized in recent years a "concerted effort to undermine the nation's sovereignty – not only the nation's, but the state's sovereignty, as well."

He described the superhighway projects as being "close to reality" and intended for "transporting goods and people from Mexico and China."

His remarks came at an event by Oklahomans for Sovereignty and Free Enterprise, Inc., whose members believe the Bush administration and businesses are conspiring to open the United States' borders and effectively merge the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

He noted specifically the North American Super Corridor Organization and the Security and Prosperity Partnership. The Oklahoma group says NASCO is planning a multimodal transportation system across North America that would be controlled by foreign interests and intended to smooth the transport of people and goods throughout the continent.

Specifically members are concerned by a project being developed already in Texas – the Trans-Texas Corridor – in partnership with the Spanish company Cintra. That project eventually would hit the Texas-Oklahoma border.

Brogdon also has criticized the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America -- an agreement with Canadian and Mexican leaders in which President Bush, Brogdon said, proves "he is more than willing to over-step his executive authority when it came to trade policy."

"Article 1 Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution says, 'Congress shall have the Power to Regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States,' not the president," Brogdon pointed out. "Yet President Bush has entered into an agreement with Mexico and Canada called SPP that seeks to eliminate our trade and security borders and he has failed to get the explicit approval of Congress."

The SPP website, in a section entitled "Myths vs. Facts," supports Brogdon's argument, openly admitting that SPP is neither a law nor a treaty.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=57929

John Murtha Ordered to Talk in Defamation Case

I don't agree with the idea that Murtha's comments would be protected no matter what he said since he made the comments as part of the debate on the war on Iraq.

He actually did not make the comments ONLY during formal debate while on the "floor" of the House of Representatives. He made similar comments while back in his home district! As well, he made the comments in press conferences outside the Capitol! Only the comments he would make during actual floor debate would be protected.

Now to determine whether the comments were defamation - that is what will be litigated. And they should be...

Net the Truth Online

Judge Orders Rep. John Murtha to Testify in Marine Sergeant Defamation Case

Friday, September 28, 2007

WASHINGTON — A federal judge refused Friday to dismiss a defamation case against Rep. John P. Murtha and ordered the Pennsylvania Democrat to give a sworn deposition in the case.

A Marine Corps sergeant accuses the 16-term congressman of falsely accusing him of "cold-blooded murder and war crimes" in connection with the deaths of Iraqi civilians.

The Justice Department wanted the case dismissed because Murtha was acting in his official role as a lawmaker. Assistant U.S. Attorney John F. Henault said the comments were made as part of the debate over the war in Iraq.

U.S. District Judge Rosemary M. Collyer said the congressman might be right, but said she won't know for sure unless Murtha explains himself. She did not set a date for Murtha's testimony but said she would also require him to turn over documents related to his comments.

Collyer said she was troubled by the idea the lawmakers are immune from lawsuits regardless of what they say to advance their political careers.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,298534,00.html

Murtha Must Testify in Defamation Case
September 28, 2007 - 5:52pm

By KIMBERLY HEFLING
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - A federal judge refused Friday to dismiss a defamation case against Rep. John P. Murtha and ordered the Pennsylvania Democrat to give a sworn deposition about his comments alleging "cold-blooded murder and war crimes" by unnamed soldiers in connection with Iraqi civilian deaths.

A Marine Corps sergeant is suing the 18-term congressman for making the charge, which the soldier claims is false. Murtha, who opposes the Iraq war, made the comment during a May, 2006 Capitol Hill news conference in which he predicted that a Pentagon war crimes investigation will show Marines killed dozens of innocent Iraqi civilians in Haditha in 2005.

Murtha's office declined to comment on the ruling. A Vietnam veteran and retired Marine Reserves colonel, Murtha has said his intention was to draw attention to the pressure put on troops in Iraq and efforts to cover-up the incident.

The Justice Department wanted the case dismissed because Murtha was acting in his official role as a lawmaker. Assistant U.S. Attorney John F. Henault said the comments were made as part of the debate over the war in Iraq.

U.S. District Judge Rosemary M. Collyer said the congressman might be right, but said she won't know for sure unless Murtha explains himself. She did not set a date for Murtha's testimony but said she would also require him to turn over documents related to his comments.

"You're writing a very wide road for members of Congress to go to their home districts and say anything they choose about private persons and be able to do so without any liability. Are you sure you want to do that?" Collyer said, adding later, "How far can a congressman go and still be protected?"

Collyer said she was troubled by the idea the lawmakers are immune from lawsuits regardless of what they say to advance their political careers.

Mark S. Zaid, the attorney for the plaintiff, Marine Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich, said he wanted Murtha's deposition and limited documents from the congressman, including calendars and documents related to which reporters he spoke to.

Zaid said Murtha was not acting within his congressional duties and was instead trying to embarrass then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, with whom Zaid said Murtha had a personal dispute.

Collyer, who was appointed to the bench by President Bush, said the case wasn't about whether to recall troops from Iraq and she didn't "particularly care" about Murtha's views on the war. She said the law cares only about what Murtha intended when he made the comments.

Charges have been dismissed against four of the eight Marines who were initially charged with murder or failure to investigate the deaths in Haditha. A battalion commander has been recommended for a court-martial; a final decision is pending.

The investigating officer overseeing the Haditha case is expected to recommend soon whether Wuterich should stand trial. Wuterich, 27, of Meriden, Conn., is accused of unpremeditated murder in 17 of the killings.

___

Associated Press writer Matt Apuzzo contributed to this report.


(Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
By KIMBERLY HEFLING
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - A federal judge refused Friday to dismiss a defamation case against Rep. John P. Murtha and ordered the Pennsylvania Democrat to give a sworn deposition about his comments alleging "cold-blooded murder and war crimes" by unnamed soldiers in connection with Iraqi civilian deaths.

A Marine Corps sergeant is suing the 18-term congressman for making the charge, which the soldier claims is false. Murtha, who opposes the Iraq war, made the comment during a May, 2006 Capitol Hill news conference in which he predicted that a Pentagon war crimes investigation will show Marines killed dozens of innocent Iraqi civilians in Haditha in 2005.

Murtha's office declined to comment on the ruling. A Vietnam veteran and retired Marine Reserves colonel, Murtha has said his intention was to draw attention to the pressure put on troops in Iraq and efforts to cover-up the incident.

The Justice Department wanted the case dismissed because Murtha was acting in his official role as a lawmaker. Assistant U.S. Attorney John F. Henault said the comments were made as part of the debate over the war in Iraq.

U.S. District Judge Rosemary M. Collyer said the congressman might be right, but said she won't know for sure unless Murtha explains himself. She did not set a date for Murtha's testimony but said she would also require him to turn over documents related to his comments.

"You're writing a very wide road for members of Congress to go to their home districts and say anything they choose about private persons and be able to do so without any liability. Are you sure you want to do that?" Collyer said, adding later, "How far can a congressman go and still be protected?"

Collyer said she was troubled by the idea the lawmakers are immune from lawsuits regardless of what they say to advance their political careers.

Mark S. Zaid, the attorney for the plaintiff, Marine Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich, said he wanted Murtha's deposition and limited documents from the congressman, including calendars and documents related to which reporters he spoke to.

Zaid said Murtha was not acting within his congressional duties and was instead trying to embarrass then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, with whom Zaid said Murtha had a personal dispute.

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=116&sid=1258119

September 28, 2007
Read More: Iraq

Federal judge orders Murtha to testify in Haditha defamation case
A federal judge has ordered Rep. Jack Murtha (D-Pa.) to testify in a defamation case related to the deaths of Iraqi civilians in the town of Haditha in 2005, according to the Associated Press.

Murtha, a former Marine. accused Marines of "cold-blooded murder and war crimes'' during the Haditha incident. Frank Wuterich, a Marine sergeant involved in the incident, has sued Murtha for libel and invasion of privacy over his comments.

According to AP, U.S. District Judge Rosemary M. Collyer wants Murtha to explain why he made this statement and any documents he has related to the incident.

From the AP: 'You're writing a very wide road for members of Congress to go to their home districts and say anything they choose about private persons and be able to do so without any liability. Are you sure you want to do that?'' Collyer said, adding later, ''How far can a congressman go and still be protected?"

Frankly, I don't understand this ruling at all, and I wouldn't be surprised if it is appealed by the Justice Dept. and/or House general counsel's office on behalf of Murtha. Murtha, who can say some inappropriate things once in a while, was clearly acting in his capacity as a lawmaker when he made the comments and is thus protected by the Speech or Debate Clause from any type of prosecution for official acts.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0907/Federal_judge_order_Murtha_to_testify_in_Haditha_defamation_case.html

History Channel discussion

http://boards.historychannel.com/thread.jspa?threadID=800030490

Bloggers are leeches vs bloggers are last hope for free press

A local editor, (Herald-Standard editorial page editor) Paul Sunyak, said a few weeks ago on a local radio talk show: bloggers are "leeches..." they are biased, don't want to find or seek the truth, and are not journalists...

Say what? Why the "attack" so generalized? Threatened job-security, perhaps?

If you know local politics from as recent as a mere decade's worth, you're scratching your head at (Herald-Standard editorial page editor) Paul's commentary on the impending Republican Party chosen replacement candidate for Joe Hardy, who dropped out of the running for re-election as one of three county commissioners to be chosen in the Fall. Where'd all this come from - not one true issue-oriented "slight" and he doesn't even mention that Sean Cavanagh - former county commissioner - changed political party affiliation initially from Republican (back when he smartly saw the Ross Perot movement was overtaking America) to Democrat to so-called Independent and upon his yes, astonishing re-election to a commissioner's spot at the time, immediately upon taking office switched back to Democrat, (at the time he teamed with a Republican who also turned Independent) (both somehow made grave errors on candidate financial forms back in 1999's Primary when they'd sought office previously and knew all the ins-and-outs)(this time around, he teamed with fellow Democrat Vince Zapotosky who was publicly supported by Cavanagh nemesis and Democrat Party chairman, Fred Lebder)(Cavanagh once likened Lebder's leadership style to that of an ayatollah)(yup, it gets murkier)...

at any rate, Cavanagh far outdistanced any other candidate in recent history in the area hopping from one party to another...

Particularly skewed was the jab at the current incumbent County Controller Mark Roberts challenge to the candidacy of Sean Lally...

clip

Mark Roberts. Anticipating being picked by the Republicans, Roberts barges into the meeting and challenges the candidacy of Sean P. Lally in an attempt to eliminate his only competition, even though Lally isn't even being considered. Offended by Roberts' actions, the GOP hierarchy votes to pick Lally, even though they don't even know him. Lally goes on to win a commissioners' spot just by being on the ballot and not being Roberts. Roberts and his father mount an endless series of challenges before the county election board, even though it didn't oversee the process.

http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18817297&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=611083&rfi=6

both Mark Roberts and Sean P. Lally sought the Democrat selection for county controller in the Primary election last May... Roberts challenged the nomination petitions of Lally and sought his disqualification (in a court procedure) from the nomination based on "errors, irregularities..." Roberts contends were in the nomination petitions... that effort failed to have enough names on the Lally petitions eliminated to have Lally's name removed from the May ballot... Lally won the Democratic nomination and faces a Republican challenger (Raymond Eicher) in the Fall... meanwhile, Roberts contends the local Election board should take a look at several areas...

See Fayette controller won't give up fight

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/election/s_525285.html

Sunyak's comment pertaining to the election board just isn't truth.

The Election Board doesn't have to oversee the entire process of a candidate's nomination petitions in order to assume its duty as a board to "investigate" potential voting irregularities brought before it.

In fact, according to Greene County's website, the Election Board duties include "distributes and receives nomination petitions"...

Roberts has attempted to bring to the attention of the Election Board "potential" voting irregularities... and actually, any citizen has this same power, and more importantly, any sitting county commissioner has this power (when not seeking re-election - to cite potential voter fraud and/or voting irregularities (especially pertaining to voter registration).

Finding evidence of any such potential irregularities, the Election Board has the duty to forward its findings to the local District Attorney for further "criminal" investigation, and potential criminal prosecution.

But yes there is a but, to Sunyak's editorial. I found the piece did enjoyably play on the fact that in local politics, there are truly few Republicans who are really Republicans to choose from as the county has historically faced a 4 to 1 Democrat to Republican Party voter registration rate and most Republicans who enter politics were former Democrats...

Interesting, yup. All the truth, nup... see we can do that in the blogsphere, create new words... step on political toes... play no favorites...


See

Fayette Slugfest?

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_123674.html

Election bureau gives tips for seeking public office

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_119311.html

Petition Problems Highlighted

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/election/s_499600.html

Fay-West Discussion board

http://www.fay-west.com/towns/

Candidates 2003

http://www.post-gazette.com/election/20030513vgfayette0513xp9.asp

Who's gonna' get Joe Hardy's spot?
By:Paul Sunyak
09/14/2007
Now that Fayette County Commissioner Joseph A.Hardy III has announced he will not seek re-election, the focus is on the county's Republican Party, which will select a replacement for Hardy on the fall ballot.

Hardy's withdrawal leaves the local GOP high command with several interesting choices, but I have some as well. Here they are:

John "Sonny" Mikita. After serving as a school board member as a Democrat, then running for state representative as a Republican, then running for county commissioner as a Democrat, Mikita switches back to the GOP for a second time, pronounces "I feel like a Republican this month," and starts to debate himself on the issues.

Sean M. Cavanagh. Immediately after being picked by the Republicans as Hardy's replacement, Cavanagh, ignoring everyone's advice, again forms a team with Democrat nominee Vincent A. Zapotosky. When the votes are counted, Zapotosky gets 500 more Republican votes than Cavanagh, and is elected commissioner as a Democrat and a Republican, which no one can explain. "This time, I'm really moving out of state," says Cavanagh.

John "Toots" Croftcheck. Once perennial candidate Croftcheck gets the GOP nod, he says, "Nobody put me in this race. I'm in this race to win." Reminded that the Republican hierarchy did, in fact, put him in the race, Croftcheck says, "That's what I've been saying."

Timothy S. Mahoney. After powering through his open records legislation in his first eight months in office, an unprecedented achievement for a freshman state legislator, Mahoney decides, "I need a new challenge" and takes the Republicans up on their offer. After winning in a landslide on election night, Mahoney immediately drives down Route 119 and rips down the sign at the entrance of Joseph A. Hardy Connellsville Airport. "Don't worry. I've got a state grant coming for a new one," says Mahoney.

Larry Roberts. Retired state legislator Roberts, who served as a Democrat, answers critics of his selection by saying, "I've always thought like a Republican on some issues." Roberts then chides the media for never reporting that fact, saying that he offered the Herald-Standard that piece of information "along with my phone bills," but the press turned down his generous offer.

Vincent A. Vicites. A lifelong Democrat, Vicites claims he's stupefied as to how the GOP picked him. Vicites says that while he's been focused on "running a clean campaign, but defending my record when I have to," and while he never actively sought the Republican slot, he can't control what other people do and welcomes the GOP support. "I just want to move Fayette County forward, as a Democrat or a Republican, whatever the case may be," says Vicites. Mark Roberts. Anticipating being picked by the Republicans, Roberts barges into the meeting and challenges the candidacy of Sean P. Lally in an attempt to eliminate his only competition, even though Lally isn't even being considered. Offended by Roberts' actions, the GOP hierarchy votes to pick Lally, even though they don't even know him. Lally goes on to win a commissioners' spot just by being on the ballot and not being Roberts. Roberts and his father mount an endless series of challenges before the county election board, even though it didn't oversee the process. Joseph A. Hardy III. The Republicans make the ultimate surprise pick, selecting Hardy to replace himself on the ballot after he has a change of heart...

http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18817297&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=611083&rfi=6

As for the following, our last hope for a free press - agreed - the Internet, bloggers, podcasters, press on...

Published on Friday, September 28, 2007 by CommonDreams.org
The Internet: Our Last Hope for a Free Press
by Mark Klempner
I consider the Internet to be one of the world’s great wonders. And also America’s last hope for a free press.

When I was growing up in the 1970s, there were many people with a lot of things to say, but they generally had no platform. That’s why we needed figures like Bob Dylan to be “the voice of a generation.”

The present generation has YouTube, whose motto-irresistible to young people-is “Broadcast Yourself.” So now, for example, a pert 18-year-old known as “AngryLittleGirl” can challenge her peers regarding their lack of critical thinking, especially when it comes to religion, by uploading a video op-ed. As of this moment, her piece has been viewed by more than two million people.

YouTube is but one manifestation of a rapidly expanding “social media” that performs the vital function of promoting honest discussion and analysis at a time when spin, trivia, and advertising dominate the mass market profit-driven mainstream media –or MSM as it is often called on the net. Social media also encompasses web-based interactive communication tools such as blogs, message boards, forums, pod casts, online communities, and wikis.

I have seen bloggers expose mistakes and biases in the MSM within hours or even minutes of an article’s release. For instance, when New York Times science writer William Broad ran a piece deflating Al Gore’s claims about global warming, numerous bloggers pounced on it for being sloppy and skewed. Among them were Robert Dietz and Julie Millican at Media Matters, who documented how Broad had misrepresented the backgrounds of most of the supposedly “rank-and-file” experts quoted.

I don’t know what possessed Broad to so bend his reporting that he would lose credibility across a wide swath of readers (something he has in common with journalist Judith Miller, with whom he co-authored a book), but I do know that the MSM has become consolidated to the point that just a few transnational conglomerates and capital management companies control network TV, commercial radio, and most of our newspapers.

As for the repercussions of this ominous development, John Carroll, former editor of the Los Angeles Times, states them quite clearly: “Gone is the notion that a newspaper should lead, that it has an obligation to the community, that it is beholden to the public.” The current owners, he explains, care only about money, and “are sometimes genuinely perplexed to find people in their midst who do not feel beholden, first and foremost, to the shareholder.”

Bloggers are in an entirely different position: They tend to be mavericks who work for free, and operate far from the sources of power. Feeling no need to ingratiate themselves with the movers and shakers of industry and government, they simply tell it like it is from where they sit as concerned, informed citizens with diverse areas of expertise. Though they don’t often have professional training as journalists, many of them exceed professional journalistic standards, because they answer to their consciences alone rather than to corporate honchos and fund managers. We need to hear from such people, and the fact that there are more blogs out there worth reading than anyone has time to read is a hopeful sign.

Of course, the blogosphere is also filled with nonsense, and worse –as might be expected in any open space that lacks gatekeepers. The all-too-human reality of the web is that the majority of its traffic is directed to sex sites. What’s more, hate groups of all kinds find it a perfect forum to purvey their sick ideas. Even the benign Wikipedia can be used to disseminate false information with an effortlessness that has earned it the gratitude of propagandists everywhere.

How remarkable, then, that out of the cyberslime the lotus of a truly free press has been able to grow. Citizens seeking to avail themselves of the valuable commentary to be found on the web, as well as the fact checking services of legions of bloggers, can learn to easily bypass the detritus and go directly to those sites that offer valuable content.

Where, though, does one turn for in-depth investigative reporting? Though projects such as The Real News Network are attempting to create an alternative, the MSM is still pretty much the only show in town. Bloggers are generally not trained or equipped to do such reporting, and anyway, it´s a full time job that usually requires travel and a support staff, as well as knowledge and contacts developed over many years.

Newspapers carry out at least 80% of primary reporting. And yet the newspapers have repeatedly failed us, sometimes with tragic consequences, such as during the buildup to war in Iraq...

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/09/27/4171/

The North American Union secret
Posted: September 29, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern

When Jerome Corsi and I first began reporting on the quiet conspiracy to integrate the U.S. politically, socially and economically with Mexico and Canada, we were castigated, ridiculed, marginalized ands demeaned by elected officials, our colleagues in the press and some radio talk-show hosts.

We were making it all up, they said.

Congress has never considered any such action, they scolded.

Show us the legislation, they demanded.

Not one responsible official in Washington sees any such threat, they claimed.

This is black-helicopter stuff, they scoffed.

Recently, all seven of the 11 candidates who showed up for the Republican presidential debate organized by "values voters" in Florida acknowledged this European Union-style movement and pledged to halt it should any of them be elected.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=57862

Study finds CO2 didn't end ice age
Counters major premise of global warming theory
World Net Daily
Posted: September 29, 2007

A new peer-reviewed scientific study counters a major premise of global warming theory, concluding carbon dioxide did not end the last ice age

The study, led by University of Southern California geologist Lowell Stott, concluded deep-sea temperatures rose 1,300 years before the rise in atmospheric CO2, which would rule out the greenhouse gas as the main agent of the meltdown.

"There has been this continual reference to the correspondence between CO2 and climate change as reflected in ice core records as justification for the role of CO2 in climate change," said Stott. "You can no longer argue that CO2 alone caused the end of the ice ages."

The study will be published in the next issue of Science magazine.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=57895

Linked from World Net Daily

Skeptic leaves climate office

http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20070927/METRO/109270054/1004

Ultra-Conservative Farah to Quiz Republicans

Farah's base is the ultra-fervant Christian and Jewish religious... his questions on values are going to surely be designed to further the agenda of those who see absolutely no wiggle room on answers attendees might give. If the answer isn't in line with Farah's - the negative campaign will begin against the Republican candidate... The four front-runners have every reason to stay away... if they desire to encompass those who hold religious beliefs, but aren't so "in-your-face" my way or no way about those beliefs.

Republicans debate 'real values' tonight

WND Editor Joseph Farah moderator for presidential showdown in Florida
Posted: September 17, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern

Note: Live video streams of the debate are available from the American Family Association and ValuesVoterDebate.com.

By Joe Kovacs

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The latest Republican presidential debate takes place here tonight, but all four of what some in the national news media call the "top-tier candidates" will not be on the stage.

Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson have all chosen not to participate in the Values Voter Debate being moderated by WND Editor Joseph Farah.

"Isn't it amazing they all have more important things to do to get elected president than to meet face to face with Christian and Jewish leaders who represent millions and millions of votes?" asked Farah who called them "gutless wonders" in a column previewing tonight's event.

"I tell you it is gut-wrenching fear that kept them away. They are scared to death of the questions. They're scared to death they won't have a good answer. They're scared to death they might say something they will live to regret."

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=57616

http://www.afa.net/

http://www.valuesvoterdebate.com/

What Greenspan really said about Iraq and oil

Emails in County Zoning Case are Public Records

The Herald-Standard has longstandingly been a champion of the case for open public records. A recent promotion for the just cause urges the public to seek public records to learn first-hand of the "difficulty" of obtaining what the public has a right to see.

In this local zoning case, the public is given an indication that e-mails were sent and received between county employees and potentially elected public officials.

The emails should be made public, each and every one of them. It isn't enough to simply report their existence. The public has the right to know the content of the emails.

The Herald-Standard should publish all of the emails. The public can then make its own determination about them.

It would be tedious and time-consuming for individuals to go through the process of requesting the emails now.

The newspaper would be irresponsible if it told us to go and try to obtain these records on our own...

Zimmerlink says she was not improperly involved in zoning case
By Amy Zalar, Herald-Standard
09/13/2007
Updated 09/14/2007 12:06:05 AM EDT

Fayette County Commissioner Angela M. Zimmerlink said Wednesday it is not unusual for her to take her role as a county commissioner seriously and for her to take the time and effort to make sure county offices are operating "properly, effectively, efficiently and fairly."

Speaking at the conclusion of a Fayette County Zoning Hearing board appeal hearing, Zimmerlink was addressing assertions that occurred throughout the testimony that she was improperly involved in the process in which members of the Cellurale family were issued zoning violations.
Wednesday's testimony marked the fourth day of testimony - stretched out since April - for the three separate appeal hearings, which center on property in close proximity to the historic Meason House in Dunbar Township.

Joseph "Joey" Cellurale Jr. was cited for failure to meet the conditions set forth in a special exception to operate his Joey's Auto Body business in 2001, and James and Marilyn Cellurale were cited for discarded material and equipment on the property, as well as using and office trailer for storage and having a Dumpster on the parking lot property.

The zoning violations were issued in January and subsequently appealed.

Throughout the separate days of testimony, Cellurale's attorney David Toal implied Zimmerlink's involvement was out of the ordinary and improper.

Toal questioned Zimmerlink about e-mail correspondence he provided her with that occurred among courthouse employees, although Zimmerlink said she did not provide the copies to Toal. Tammy Stenson, director of the Fayette County Office of Planning, Zoning and Community Development, who was a part of the e-mails, also testified she did not provide the interoffice correspondence to Toal.

http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18814349&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6

Leave Britney Alone Leave General Petraeus Alone

This is so creative... fill in the blank...

Leave General Petraeus Alone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiuRhy4CqzU&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ecrooksandliars%2Ecom%2F

Original Concept

Seriously now, does anybody believe Chris Crocker is the "person's" real name???

That's a lot a crock. Oh the naive Lamestream media...

http://www.google.com/search?q=leave+britney+alone+video&hl=en&sourceid=gd&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2006-40,GGLD:en&aq=t

Tear-stained video plea makes YouTube vlogger an Internet rock star
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20750575/

Risk Heart Attack Stroke Association PAD

Often described as poor circulation in the legs, Peripheral Artery Disease, or P.A.D., is a serious condition that more than doubles your risk of heart attack or stroke. Learn how P.A.D.develops, what puts you at risk for P.A.D., and what treatment options are available to help reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke associated with it...

http://www.padfacts.org/padfacts/home/index.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

Fairness Doctrine Political Correctness Sickness

Geesh, gosh, with the rise of the Internet and blogs and podcasts - every individual has opportunity to display videotaped viewpoints with access to the world! So what's the fuss about?

'Hush Rush' supporters draw 'no comment'


http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=57575

NAFTA superhighway preparations ahoy

Canada preparing ports for NAFTA Superhighway
Building 'free trade gateway' between Asia, North America
Posted: September 11, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern


By Jerome R. Corsi
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com

Canada is developing Pacific ports to compete with the U.S. ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, as well as with the Mexican ports of Manzanillo and Lazaro Cardenas, in an attempt to draw a substantial market share of the millions of containers expected to flow into North America in the coming decades from China and the Far East.

To attract Chinese container traffic, the Canadian government has launched a major ports-rail-truck-airport transportation infrastructure designed to build its version of the emerging NAFTA Superhighway.

In October 2006, the Canadian minority government under the direction of Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper launched the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, or APGCI, as a key component of Canada's national transportation policy.

The idea is to prepare deep-water Pacific Ocean ports on Canada's West Coast to facilitate the import of millions of multi-modal containers from China as a "free trade gateway" between Asia and North America.

WND reported Mexico plans to extend the Trans-Texas Corridor south in what government officials in Mexico are calling a "Trans North America Corridor."

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=57567

Think We'd Have Won WW2 With Today's Media?

A caller believes not. So do many others. Media bias, media's coverage of anti-Iraq war rallies which always appear to feature messages only targeted at George W. Bush.

Where are the messages signs against Congress which authorized action against Iraq?

Congress voted in a resolution to permit Bush to take action if the president deemed that necessary for the security of the United States.

The United Nations with all of its resources, thousands of employees dedicated to finding out what was happening with Saddam Hussein's known at that time "weapons of mass destruction" - believed Saddam continued to possess such weapons - biological weapons of mass destruction.

The anti-Iraq war groups would have much more believability if they spread their criticisms equally.

Iraq and Weapons of Mass Destruction
National Security Archive Electronic Briefing Book No. 80
Updated - February 11, 2004

Edited by Jeffrey Richelson

Originally posted December 20, 2002
Previously updated February 26, 2003

http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB80/

Inspectors Find Decade-Old Iraqi Chemical Gas in U.N. Office

By Colum Lynch
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, August 31, 2007; Page A09

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 30 -- U.N. weapons inspectors stumbled upon evidence of Saddam Hussein's elusive weapons of mass destruction: a vial of potentially lethal chemical gas that was stored in a U.N. shipping crate in Midtown Manhattan more than 10 years ago and forgotten, U.N. officials announced Thursday.

Experts from the U.N. Monitoring and Verification Commission -- which is set to shut down its operations in the coming months-- found a small sample of phosgene, a choking agent, as they prepared to archive more than 16 years of documents on Iraq's weapons program. They said the gas, which was left by the agency's predecessor, the U.N. Special Commission, is under seal and poses no threat to the public.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/30/AR2007083000978.html

Keystone Opportunity Zones unfair agrees state legislator Tim Mahoney

Update: Letter to PA Rep. Timothy Mahoney (October 8, 2007)

http://dirtline.tripod.com/wakeup/id22.html

We can't allow the issue of the unfairness and unconstitutionality of Keystone Opportunity Zones to die after state Rep. Mahoney publicly agreed KOZs are unfair...

State Representative (Pennsylvania) Timothy Mahoney (D-51st), agreed with another caller and myself during an appearance on WMBS 590 Let's Talk with Bob Foltz (Tuesday, August 28, 2007) that the state's Keystone Opportunity Zones are:

unfair
not uniform according to the PA Constitution
unconstitutional

During the follow-up call, rep. Mahoney was then told that wasn't enough to just agree, that was good news, but now what would the Representative do in Harrisburg about the unfair KOZs.

Rep. Mahoney responded after pressing that he would take some action - it wasn't clear exactly what action though he was asked if he'd submit a bill eliminating them - but his action rested on his getting the job done on his two top priorities.

He noted those as being:

Pennsylvania open records
local real-estate property tax elimination

My rejoinder to that was the second effort might take years to accomplish and the legislator should act now. He should make KOZ unfairness an equal top priority to the other two of his priorities since many local property owners were losing their property to tax sales now and would continue to do so meanwhile other property owners don't have the threat of that action residing or locating in a tax-free KOZ.

Rep. Mahoney then offered to meet and subsequently I agreed to such a potential meeting to try my best to convince the state legislator to take action now and make KOZ unfairness for home and business property owners his third top priority.

I have pointed out on these pages previously how the three local taxing bodies (school district boards, county board of commissioners, and municipal boards) adopted KOZs via resolutions back in 1998 and in later resolutions which expanded them.

In many cases, KOZ status is for a 10-year duration, however in other instances, the tax-exemptions which apply to more than local real estate property taxes, run for 12 to 15 years and are now out to the year 2029.

If KOZs are unfair and unconstitutional now, they should be eliminated now.

The state legislator takes an oath to the PA Constitution to uphold the Constitution. Seeing something unfair and not uniform and doing nothing about it is not doing one's duty to that oath.

Rep. Mahoney should hear from any and all who agree with him with the principle that KOZs are unfair.

I especially invite any candidates for public offices that include school boards and municipal boards and county commissioner boards to make their positions known on this issue to Rep. Mahoney.

Should Rep. Mahoney publicly hear from any of the candidates and more citizens who support those candidates he might be motivated to act now.

State Representative Timothy Mahoney website and contact info

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/house_bio.cfm?districtnumber=51

http://www.pahouse.com/Mahoney/

My website concerning Keystone Opportunity Zones non-uniformity

http://dirtline.tripod.com/wakeup/

Update: Letter to Rep. Timothy Mahoney

http://dirtline.tripod.com/wakeup/id22.html

Related

Tax free homes question for county commissioner candidates

http://netthetruthonline.blogspot.com/2007/04/tax-free-homes-question-for-county.html

Unequal taxation are KOZs

http://netthetruthonline.blogspot.com/2007/04/unequal-taxation-are-kozs.html

Commissioner Candidate Joe Hardy Steps Out

This news really isn't so shocking - but coming before the election in November, it is puzzling. One would have thought Joe Hardy would have waited until after he was actually re-elected to bow out, and then have a replacement named...

Hardy won't seek Fayette commissioner seat

Hardy ends re-election bid

The Herald-Standard article notes:

It is unclear who may be named to replace Hardy on the November ballot. Only Hardy and county Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink sought the Republican nomination in the primary election.

The Tribune-Review notes:

Given Hardy's late exit from the race, Nobers could not say if Hardy's name will appear on the ballot in November. The deadline for nominated candidates to withdraw was Aug. 13, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State's Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation.

Update:

According to news reports Hardy can petition the local county court to have his name removed from the ballot and likewise, the local Rep. Party can petition to extend deadlines for placing a name on the ballot.

This might be fair had Hardy become incapacitated, or an emergency situation arisen.

That didn't happen, so why should one Party basically get to name another candidate, who possibly won't have all the "negatives" the other candidate possessed?

How is this fair to Independents, who must meet all election requirements and deadlines to "play."

Update

Sampson will be Hardy replacement on ballot

By Michael Cope
Daily Courier Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
A former courthouse aide to millionaire Fayette County Commissioner Joseph Hardy will replace the 84-year-old as a GOP nominee in November.
Charmaine Sampson was appointed Tuesday by the Fayette County Republican Committee to run for commissioner alongside GOP incumbent Angela Zimmerlink.

Veteran incumbent Vincent Vicites and newcomer Vince Zapotosky are on the Democratic ticket. An independent candidate, Marilyn Cellurale, is vying for one of the three seats.

Sampson was chosen by secret ballot from a field of four nominees, including Fred Junko, Jim Griffin and Ron Romeo...

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/election/s_528233.html

Hardy makes it official on plans to bow out of election
By Liz Zemba
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, September 13, 2007

Fayette County Commissioner Joe Hardy has given official notice of his intent not to seek re-election.

The first-term Republican announced on Sunday he would withdraw from the race for a second term. On Wednesday, he filed a petition with the county prothonotary's office indicating he will ask a judge to remove his name from the ballot.

Hardy, the founder of 84 Lumber Co., needs a judge's approval because the deadline to withdraw his nomination was Aug. 13.

Hardy's attorney, Cheri Bugajski Bomar, will formally present the petition 9 a.m. Monday during motions court. In the petition, she indicated Hardy is withdrawing "for personal and community reasons."

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/fayette/s_527222.html

Update

GOP will have two names on November ballot
By Amy Zalar, Herald-Standard
09/11/2007

excerpt

Hardy must petition the Fayette County Court of Common Pleas to officially withdraw his name from consideration, and the Republican Party must also file a petition with the court to extend the deadline for nomination certificates and then submit another name, according to Mark Rowan, solicitor for the Fayette County Republican Party.

"There will still be two Republican candidates on the ballot," Rowan said. However, he said the second name will not be determined until likely sometime next week. The second Republican candidate will be determined by a vote of the members of the Fayette County Republican Committee.

Rowan said he is anticipating that Hardy will be permitted to withdraw by the court, although the issue is not common. "This doesn't come up very often and there is not a lot of guidance," Rowan said.

Leslie Amoros of the Pennsylvania Department of State said because it is a county office, and not a statewide position, how the issue will be handled is really in the hands of the county and not the state. "It's really the call of the county," Amoros said.

http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18803392&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6

Update 9/11/2007

DEMOCRATS SEE NO EFFECT
Fayette GOP seeks Hardy stand-in
By Liz Zemba
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Lumber magnate Joe Hardy's withdrawal from the race for Fayette County commissioner has left Republicans scrambling to find a replacement candidate, but Democrats say it will have no effect on their campaign leading up to the Nov. 6 election...

excerpt

The deadline for Hardy to withdraw his name from the ballot has passed, but a judge can grant a request to extend the deadline, said Laurie Lint, director of the Fayette County Election Bureau. The GOP committee must petition the courts to extend the deadline to add a replacement candidate.

Richard Grimaldi, GOP chairman, said the party is in the process of drawing up its petition. The challenge, he said, is to find a candidate to replace one of Hardy's stature.

"We have to find a verifiable candidate, one we feel can win this election," Grimaldi said. "We have to get our troops together and get moving."

Grimaldi had no information yesterday on potential candidates, but he said the party would take into consideration any suggestions from Hardy. Nobers said Hardy might throw out some names, but only if the party seeks him out...

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/fayette/s_526773.html

Previous Postings

Neither article mentions another entry into the race for county commissioner. This isn't an endorsement, merely pointing out that another candidate, an Independent, Marilyn Cellurale was apparently slighted in the news coverage and may not have been asked by the newspaper reporters how the Hardy action might effect her campaign...

Considering the county voter registration favors Democrats by 4 to 1 ratio, the former Democrat's campaign could be more viable to registered Dems. Voters can select two choices. Democrats who want to see a return to a Democrat majority but don't want to select a second among the two Primary picks, may have another choice in Cellurale.

Hardy's dropping his name from the ballot could swing Democrats who otherwise would have voted for him to Cellurale over whomever is named as Hardy's replacement...

Tribune Review article excerpt

Hardy won't seek Fayette commissioner seat
By Brian C. Rittmeyer
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, September 10, 2007

Fayette County Commissioner and 84 Lumber founder Joseph Hardy announced during a campaign rally Sunday that he is withdrawing from the commissioners race.
About 1,200 Hardy volunteers and supporters attended the rally, which doubled as a Steelers game day party, at the Fayette County Fairgrounds.

During halftime, Hardy's campaign manager and spokesman, Jeff Nobers, stood at the podium with Hardy and broke the news. Nobers said the crowd was saddened by the unexpected announcement, but supportive and understanding.

Hardy, 84, a Republican, is serving his first four-year term as commissioner. Nobers said Hardy went on with the rally as a way to thank his supporters.

Hardy had announced in March that he intended to run for re-election. He and fellow Republican Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink ran unopposed for two GOP nominations in the spring primary.
Their election in 2003 gave the GOP its first majority in the commissioners' office since January 1936, but the two rarely voted together on controversial issues or board appointments.

Given Hardy's late exit from the race, Nobers could not say if Hardy's name will appear on the ballot in November. The deadline for nominated candidates to withdraw was Aug. 13, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State's Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/fayette/s_526645.html

Herald Standard article excerpt

Hardy ends re-election bid
By Patty Yauger, Herald-Standard
09/10/2007

DUNBAR TWP. - In a surprising move Sunday, Fayette County Commissioner Joseph A. Hardy said he could better serve the area as a private citizen and will withdraw his name from the November general election ballot.


The announcement came at a campaign rally at the Fayette County Fairgrounds where several thousand of both Republicans and Democrats had gathered in support of Hardy's second run for the seat.

Hardy, 84, was flanked by his daughter, Maggie Hardy Magerko, and other supporters on the dais as his campaign manager Jeff Nobers released the information to the crowd.

"As the campaign really started to get into high gear, he started to ask himself what is the best way for him to serve the county for the next four years, and the answer was as a private citizen," said Nobers, adding that the discussion about his withdrawal from the race was only begun within the past two days.

The founder of 84 Lumber Co. and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa in Farmington has often been criticized by the media for his lack of attendance at meetings and accessibility, said Nobers, but rarely acknowledged for his successes.

"We all know politics is a business and there is a need for politics. But one thing for certain, (Hardy) is not a politician," he said. "He is a visionary who says these are the things we need to do and marshals the resources and people to get it done.

"He is not one that likes to go through layers of approvals, committees and all the things that typically take place in the political arena."

excerpt

It is unclear who may be named to replace Hardy on the November ballot. Only Hardy and county Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink sought the Republican nomination in the primary election.

Hardy and Zimmerlink were to square off against Democratic candidates Vincent Zapotosky and Commissioner Vincent A. Vicites, who was also seeking re-election...

http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18800032&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6

Related

5 to run for Fayette county commissioner seats
By Liz Zemba
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, August 3, 2007

A Fayette County businesswoman has entered the race for county commissioner as an Independent candidate.
Marilyn Cellurale, of Lemont Furnace, filed nominating papers with the county election bureau on Wednesday, the last day to file. She listed her party as "Cellurale County Commissioner."

Cellurale, owner of the family-run Cellurale Garden Center on Route 119 South in Dunbar Township, could not be reached yesterday for comment.

She becomes the fifth candidate seeking three seats on the board. The others who are running are incumbent Republicans Angela Zimmerlink and Joe Hardy, and Democrat Vince Vicites.

The only other challenger to the three incumbents is another Democratic candidate, Vincent Zapotosky.
Zapotosky said he does not intend to challenge Cellurale's candidacy.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/election/s_520486.html

August 02, 2007By Amy Zalar, Herald-Standard
$ Independent candidates add names to fall ballot
Marilyn Cellurale, a Lemont Furnace woman who has publicly accused Fayette County Commissioner Angela M. Zimmerlink of initiating code enforcement violations against her business, is running as an Independent county commissioner candidate....

http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=18654137&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=565757&rfi=8

August 24, 2007By:Amy Zalar
$ Politics in air at commissioners meeting

Political season got a boost into high gear Thursday when independent Fayette County commissioner candidate Marilyn Cellurale brought accusations of smear tactics against Commission Chair...


http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=18745836&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=565757&rfi=8

Search results

http://pittsburgh-news-swicki.eurekster.com/marilyn+cellurale/

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/columnists/whispers/s_524203.html

Uninsured Health Insurance Numbers Include Illegal Aliens

Two guests on C-Span were not aware whether statistics were compiled on the number of illegal aliens who comprise the 44-million plus figure offered as the amount of uninsured in health insurance coverage.

Randel Johnson (U.S. Chamber of Commerce) Bill Samuel(AFL-CIO)

The stats are out there people...

Friday, July 20, 2007
Statistics Wrong on Americans Without Health Care Coverage

http://netthetruthonline.blogspot.com/2007/07/statistics-wrong-on-americans-without.html

C-Span

http://www.c-span.org/homepage.asp?Cat=Series&Code=WJE&ShowVidNum=9&Rot_Cat_CD=WJ&Rot_HT=206&Rot_WD=&ShowVidDays=100&ShowVidDesc=&ArchiveDays=30

Ad Money Falling, Falling for Print Media

Hopefully, the trend will continue as people wake up to the new media, online journaling, blogging, podcasts...

Advertising at Newspapers Falls 8.6 Percent
Saturday, September 1, 2007

Advertising revenues at newspapers fell 8.6 percent in the April-to-June period of this year, as an accelerating decline in print ads more than outweighed gains in online advertising, an industry group reported Friday.

Print-only advertising at newspapers slumped 10.2 percent to $10.5 billion in the second quarter of the year, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of declines, according to figures compiled by the Newspaper Association of America.

Online advertising at newspapers continued to grow, rising 19.3 percent to $795.7 million, although that was a slower rate than the 22.3 percent gain recorded in the first quarter and the 35 percent gain in the fourth quarter of last year.

http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/Newspaper_ads_fall/2007/09/01/29202.html

Investigation of Allegations by Election Board Iffy

Fayette controller won't give up fight

By Mary Pickels
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, September 1, 2007


The Fayette County Election Board held a brief meeting Friday, at the request of Controller Mark Roberts, who continues to allege violations by his election opponent Sean P. Lally.
Lally topped Roberts, who has served two terms as county controller, to receive the Democratic party nomination in the May primary election.

Roberts has repeatedly questioned the legitimacy of several of Lally's election petitions.

Lally spent $12,700 on attorneys to survive the election challenge at the county level and an appeal to state Commonwealth Court, according to his campaign finance report.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/fayette/s_525285.html

NAFTA Superhighway: Mythical says Nation writer

Christopher Hayes, writer for The Nation magazine, said on C-Span, the NAFTA Superhighway is "mythical."

"it doesn't exist," Hayes said. It's a fear in terms of American sovereignty... not well grounded in reality...

C-Span

The Nation

excerpt

Grassroots movement exposes elite conspiracy and forces politicians to respond: It would be a heartening story but for one small detail.

There's no such thing as a proposed NAFTA Superhighway.

Though opposition to the nonexistent highway is the cause célèbre of many a paranoiac, the myth upon which it rests was not fabricated out of whole cloth. Rather, it has been sewn together from scraps of fact...

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070827/hayes

Say what, Christopher Hayes... the NAFTA Superhighway doesn't exist? Hmmm... not yet, Mr. Hayes, but it is coming... and with it the end of U.S. sovereignty since the NAFTA Superhighway is part of the larger concept to eliminate borders between three separate countries.

Read your history, sir.

Hayes also said there is no political push for a North American Union... say what again! That's exactly the push to first eliminate borders between the United States, Mexico and Canada, there is a political push to equalize trade, laws, etc.

Hayes also said the mainstream media hasn't covered this... but the mythological NAFTA Superhighway is all over the Internet...

Exactly... the mainstream media hasn't covered the situation so it is left to sites such as ours and real news gatherers like Newsmax and World Net Daily to expose the news the mainstream media won't...

The man keeps digging himself in deeper.

He says there is no "evidence" the Texas road - massive scale - is going to continue across the United States...

Host asks him specifically, is there any evidence in other single states of movement on connecting the road...

Hayes, there are rumblings, he says, but nothing being built...

Is the man daffy? So because dirt isn't being moved right this instant, there's no evidence???

Don't miss the rebuttal by Gerome Corsi at World Net Daily

excerpt

The Nation cover story denies Superhighway
Nevertheless acknowledges massive Texas project to accommodate NAFTA, WTO

Posted: August 15, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com

In a cover story for the current Nation magazine, Christopher Hayes is the latest to join a growing list of those who deny a NAFTA Superhighway exists.

"There is no such thing as a proposed NAFTA Superhighway," Hayes declares.

The remainder of the article, however, shows how the Trans Texas Corridor under construction parallel to Interstate 35 is specifically designed to accommodate the steadily growing volume of NAFTA and World Trade Organization traffic pouring into Texas from China and the Far East through Mexican ports on the Pacific such as Manzanillo and Lázaro Cárdenas.

Like Hayes, the the Dallas-based trade group North America's SuperCorridor Coalition, Inc., or NASCO, adamantly denies the superhighway.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=57165

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/search.asp

Related

NAFTA Superhighway deniers ignore evidence
Posted: August 16, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern

An extensive search of the available literature and archived websites establishes that either a fundamental incompetence or a basic political dishonesty drives those deniers who want to squash any public discussion of "NAFTA Superhighways."

Directly stated, NAFTA Superhighway deniers either negligently overlook a large body of specific references by transportation economists, transportation trade associations and numerous government reports, or they intentionally disregard these references to make a political point.

In 1998, transportation economist John P. McCray published an important paper entitled, "North American Free Trade Agreement Truck Highway Corridors: U.S.-Mexican Truck Rivers of Trade" in the Transportation Research Record.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=57175

NAFTA superhighway extends north
Plan under way in Texas will extend to Oklahoma, Colorado
Posted: June 21, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com

A NAFTA superhighway plan under way in Texas will be extended to Oklahoma and Colorado, stretching the four-lane, train-truck-car-pipeline corridor from the Mexican border at Laredo, Texas, to Denver, reports WND columnist Jerome Corsi, whose new investigative book, "The Late Great USA: The Coming Merger with Mexico and Canada," has just been released.

As WND has reported, the Federal Highway Administration is promoting public-private partnership projects to expand superhighway projects, consistent with extending the Trans-Texas Corridor network north.

The plan is for the states of Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado to apply the TTC toll road concept first developed by the Texas DOT to largely rural areas along the Ports-to-Plains Corridor.

To advance this plan, the Ports-to-Plains Trade Corridor Coalition – sponsored by the consulates of Mexico and Canada along with the Texas and Colorado transportation departments – is co-sponsoring a "Great Plains 2007" international conference Sept. 19-21 at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Denver.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56287

NAU deniers: Ignorant, or deceitful?
Posted: August 25, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern

There is a difference between stupid and ignorant. The talking heads at Fox News are not stupid. But the three guests on Brit Hume's Tuesday night telecast who snickered at the "conspiracy nuts" who are concerned about the emergence of a North American Union are either ignorant, or deceitful. Here's the question: Is the NAU fact, or fiction?

Ridicule is a time-proven way to discredit opponents and redirect attention away from the issue at hand. Consider how President Bush avoided answering a direct question during a press conference in Canada Tuesday. When asked, "Can you say today that this is not a prelude to a North American Union?" Bush didn't say yes or no; he hemmed and hawed and told reporters: "I'm amused by the difference between what actually takes place in the meetings and by what some are trying to say takes place."

Were the meetings not held in secret and were the press allowed to observe and report, the president would certainly not be amused. Through a Freedom of Information Act request, Judicial Watch secured documents from a previous meeting of the Security and Prosperity Partners, and learned that in secret, the participants discussed "... evolution by stealth," referring to the advancement of the SPP. But the president insisted that references to a North American Union were nothing but "political scare tactics."

The president is not ignorant about what the SPP is doing; he and the other heads of state, the prime minister of Canada and Mexico's president, are the current contractors charged with building the NAU. The chief architect is one Robert Pastor and the Council on Foreign Relations Task Force.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=57306