Schwarzenegger Loses Stadium Name Thanks To Good Move

This MSNBC article tells of Arnold's hometown's decision to take his name off their soccer stadium because he wouldn't block the execution of Tookie Williams. All I can say is....so? I can appreciate the fact that Austria doesn't have the dealth penalty and even that they don't particularly like it. Ol' BC does and this guy deserved it. The reason I believe in it is predominantly fiscal. It costs way too much dough to keep the guys alive, fed, clothed, medical care, guarded, etc. for life. What amazes me is the number of condemned folks who find religion "after" their fate is sealed, but that's another issue. I just hope Arnold isn't losing any sleep for doing what he was sworn to do.

Schwarzenegger had written to the mayor of Graz a week ago asking that his
name be removed after local activists called for the stadium to be renamed
because of Schwarzenegger’s refusal to block the Dec. 13 execution of Stanley
Tookie Williams.

Way to go Arnold. I think it's nice that the mayor of Graz asked him to reconsider. Most people in Austria probably still admire the guy, but why would he subject himself to the mouthy criticism of a few when his silence in Austria may be very loud?

Just a thought.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! It may not be politically correct, but it conveys the essence of the wish. I hope all of you have a wonderful day.

Mardi Gras Controversy

To have or not to have. That is the question. Emotions are still running high as the debate continues.

This Daily News article lends some insight to the debate.

Supporters rejoiced when the city green-lighted a shortened eight-day
carnival ending on Feb. 28, heralding the move as a crucial kick-start to the
city's economy, as well as a sign of the city's fierce spirit.

There are those who had mixed emotions on the subject. Then there are those who have an opinion and an opinion that isn't going to change.

I love Mardi Gras, so it breaks my heart to say it, but I hope nobody goes,"
Johnson said. "If you have that kind of money to party with, you have that kind
of money to spend on people in need."

Well, count Ol' BC as one with an opinion. Tourism is the NUMBER ONE industry in New Orleans. This festival brings millions of dollars into the community which will go a long way towards allowing the city to provide services to those who choose to live there. It will create employment opportunities as well as hasten the city's return to some level of "normal." Sure, some money will be spent, however very little by the city, that could be given to some in need. But, as the old saying goes, "Give a man a fish and he can eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he can eat for a lifetime."

There are still those in this country who prefer to eat for a day.

Just a thought.

Iraq Democracy Gaining Steam, U.S. Democracy Eroding

Ol' BC took note. An estimated 11 million Iraqis turned out to vote in the country's election. This amounts to a turnout in the neighborhood of some 70 percent. The enthusiam of the Iraqis is really quite refreshing. They relish the opportunity to participate in a meaningful election. They know what it's like when you have virtually no rights as an individual. These people have lived that nightmare for years and years.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, individual freedom in the United States is under attack. The leftists in this country, many unknowingly being manipulated by the collectivists movement, continue to push for more government intrusion into our individual lives.

December 15th is Bill of Rights Day and Colonel Hogan posted his take on the subject a few days ago, pointing out some of the many infringements amendment by amendment. It's interesting. Here's an example.

Amendment IIA well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a
free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be
infringed.Freedom-loving individuals face a constant battle against government
to keep this Amendment intact. There are thousands of (unConstitutional) laws
that limit the right to arm and defend oneself, and more limitations appear
fairly often, but the Amendment stands. Many individuals keep illegal weapons
surreptitiously, in defiance of these illegal laws, within their rights as
individuals. More power to 'em!

As we watch freedom grow in Iraq, let's not sleep through the erosion of our own individual freedoms. It's what made this country great.

Just a thought.

Attack Ad - New Name For Reminder Of Past Statements

This Drudgereport article tells about it. Sen. Daniel Inouye, who is on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, released a statement of condemnation regarding the Republicans new ad.

"The Republican Party’s
latest ad is a shameful and disgusting attempt to distract the American
people from the problems in Iraq. It may improve the President’s political
fortunes, but the American people and our troops will pay the price. I hope that
President Bush realizes how shameful it is to play politics when what we really
need is leadership, and that he will direct his Party to take down this ad
immediately."

Everything I've heard about this ad seems pretty ordinary. I heard it just plays some of the statements and comments of those who are now criticizing the administration when they were supportive. I've not actually seen the ad so time will tell.

Just a thought.

Government Revenues Up Since '03 Tax Cut

From TaxProf via
Instapundit

It seems that what Ol' BC has been preaching for years is well documented again. When you lower taxes, revenues to the government increase! Now, if Dubya will only step up and push for a really meaningful cut.

Just a thought.

Red Cross Follow Up

I just received an e-mail that pointed out the following:

Marsha J. Evans, President and CEO of the American Red Cross... salary for year
ending 06/30/03 was $651,957 plus expenses. Brian Gallagher, President of the
United Way receives a $375,000 base salary, plus numerous expense benefits. The
Salvation Army's Commissioner Todd Bassett receives a salary of only $13,000 per
year (plus housing) for managing this $2 billion dollar organization.

Ol' BC hasn't verified the numbers, but I can't help but believe it is accurate in substance.
Another reason to send your donations to the Salvation Army instead of the Red Cross.

Just an observation.

Spanish Is Spanish, Except At Red Cross

At the Red Cross you have to have Red Cross training to be able to translate spanish to english in the event of a disaster. This article tells of the Red Cross trying to get more minority volunteers to ease the pain in these situations. Just one question. Why didn't the Red Cross utilize those willing to help translate at the time instead of letting the victims suffer longer, THEN seek minority volunteers after the catastrophe to send to Red Cross training?

Add this to trying to divert 9/11 donations, selling bottled water when other charities were giving it away and whatever other examples you may be personally aware of and you won't have much trouble donating to the Salvation Army. Ol' BC cut off the Red Cross a long time ago. At least it's further confirmed I made a good choice.

Just an observation.

SCOTUS Gets One Right, AARP Wrong Again

The United States Supreme Court ruled that if you borrow money from the federal government for student loans and don't pay it back the government can attach your Socialist Security. Wow.
That's actually logical and the opinion was unamimous according to this MSNBC article.

the case was important because outstanding student loans total about
$33 billion, which includes about $7 billion in delinquent debt. Of the
delinquent loans, about half are over 10 years old, government lawyers have
said.

Of course the AARP opposed the ruling. Maybe someone should explain the concept of "loan" to them as opposed to the concept of "gift." Perhaps if they get feeling a little frisky they could go into the concept of "theft."

Just a thought.

House Prayer Follow Up

Stephen H Webb, professor of religion at Wabash College (perhaps the finest institution of higher education in existence), had this to say on the subject. You may recall that federal Judge David Hamilton ruled that no prayer that opens the Indiana House of Representatives shall refer to Jesus. Yes, it is another example of judicial activism even though his logic is flawed.

When Judge Hamilton demands that prayer in the Indiana House be directed at
the God who transcends all religions, he is not making a neutral recommendation.
Instead, he is making a poor theological judgment. He is saying that liberal
prayers are better than traditional prayers, and that Christians who pray to and
through Jesus should not be allowed to pray publicly in the House at
all.
There is no generic form of prayer, just as there is no one religion
that everybody can accept. The only solution to religious pluralism in America
is to let people pray as they wish, as long as it is voluntary and nobody is
discriminated against.
Devout Christians believe that prayer is a religious
obligation at both private and important public functions meeting. It is time
for liberals to begin treating them with tolerance.

Well said professor. It is an exclusionary ruling even though all indications are he was trying to be more inclusive. However, he is clearly excluding the vast majority of the state's population. But, liberals will do that from time to time.

Just an observation.

Bush The Big Spender...

A bigger spender than LBJ and JImmy Carter according to this NewsMax article. I'll concede that it is in discretionary spending, but that's where he can excercise some level of control should he have such a desire.

When spending is adjusted for inflation and length of time in office, Bush
has an annualized real growth in spending of 8 percent, compared to Johnson's
4.6 percent. In contrast, Ronald Reagan's real growth was just 1.9 percent.
"In other words, Bush has expanded federal nonentitlement programs in his
first term almost twice as fast each year as Lyndon Johnson did during his
entire presidency," the Cato Institute's report discloses.
Reagan's
discretionary spending rise was mainly a result of increased outlays for
defense, but he offset that spending with cuts in other areas. By the end of his
two terms, nondefense discretionary spending was actually down 9.5 percent.

Ol' BC just can't figure the intense hatred for this president from the Donks. He spends like he is one of them. I also can't figure out where the Congressional leadership has been. Sound asleep I guess.

Just a thought.

CIA Gets al-Qaida Number 3 Guy

This MSNBC article says the Pakistan president confirms it.

Rabia has been sought by both U.S. and Pakistani officials for more than
two years. Pakistan has offered a $1 million reward for his capture. He is
believed to have participated in the planning for two assassination attempts
against Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Dec. 14 and Dec. 25, 2003. At
that time, Rabia was believed to be the chief deputy to Abu Faraj al-Libbi,
al-Qaida's operational chief and the No. 3 man in the organization. In May,
Pakistani security forces captured Abu Faraj and turned him over to the United
States.

Ol' BC may be somewhat confused, but it seems that the U.S. is still searching for the terrorists in spite of what Admiral Kennedy of the SS Oldsmobile and his cronies try to make the general public believe.

Just a thought.

Congressman Wants To Look At BCS

You've got to be kidding. There is so much Congress can be doing, but this isn't part of their job description, as far as I can tell. It's college football. It's not national defense.

"Too often college football ends in sniping and controversy, rather than
winners and losers," Barton said. "The current system of determining who's No. 1
appears deeply flawed."

Of course it's flawed, but not nearly as flawed as if the Federal government gets involved (see the United States Postal Service). Besides that, controversy is part of the beauty of college football. Remember, last year Auburn was the best team in college football and didn't get a chance to play for the championship.

Just a thought.

Another Federal Court Boner

This article tells about it. Federal court judge David Hamilton ruled that the Indiana House of Representatives prayers that have opened sessions since the state was formed are in violation of the law.

The case stemmed from a lawsuit filed by the Indiana Civil Liberties Union
on behalf of four citizens. The suit contended the House prayers -- a 188-year
tradition -- overwhelmingly promoted Christian values.

Yes, they probably have "overwhelmingly" promoted Christian values, but then again the state is overwhelmingly Christian. The prayers haven't, however, "solely" promoted Christian values.

Of 53 prayers offered in the House during the 2005 session, 41 were
delivered by people identified with Christian churches, Hamilton's written
opinion says. Of the 45 prayers for which transcripts were available, 29 were
offered in the name of Jesus, the Savior and/or the Son.

As Ol' BC sees it, this is probably somewhat representative of the state itself. The state is probably more than 77% Christian (41 of 53 referenced above). If I went to, oh let's say Calcutta, India and the legislative body opened with a Hindu prayer, I would not find that offensive in any way shape or form. There are probably a large number of Hindu folks in India.
By the same token, when one immigrates to the United States he or she has to know that this is a predominantly Christian nation.

I fail to see how a prayer asking for strength, wisdom or peace isn't inclusive even if it's asked in the name of Buddha or Jesus. But then again the Federal government has pretty much lost touch with the average American who pays the taxes .

Just a thought.