Still On "Blogging Leave"

Yet again, I've found it difficult to take time out of my schedule for blogging. There are a few reasons for this...

Spent 3 days visit my parents who do not have a computer, internet connection, TV, or even get a daily paper. My son lovingly calls them his "Amish" grandparents.

Trying to get some extra time with Young Master Nordeaster before school starts.

Massive piles of work.

Lots and lots happening on the activist front. Good news updates will be hitting this space as things come together.

Fantasy football auctions next week (yeah, I'm one of those guys)

More massive piles of work.

When I get home, I'm brain fried (see: massive piles of work).

There is a light at the end of the tunnel. By the middle of next week, things should be back to normal as a couple of my analysis projects wrap up. Hopefully, I can make it down to Keegan's tonight, but not sure my schedule will allow it.

A Busy Week, But A Good Week

It's been another one of those weeks where work and personal commitments have had to take priority over blogging. It has been a very good week, though.

I had a terrific time at the Irish Fair with Young Master Nordeaster and his two friends. I should go into specifics, but suffice it to say that it is a real blessing when your teenager selects good friends. Flogging Molly was great, but they did have a "Shut Up and Sing Moment" complete with a two handed single finger salute to President Bush. I understand most artists are going to relate to the left side of the political spectrum, but I would prefer to be in ignorant bliss rather than hear their disrepect first hand. It would be so much easier if I liked country music instead.

Young Master Nordeaster also had his 17th birthday a few days ago. It's tough to buy gifts for boys that age, but I managed to hit a home run and a couple of RBI doubles this year. The big home run -- black leather Chuck Taylor's.

Since he just turned 17, Young Master Nordeaster was also excited for his next right of passage (which are far too frequent lately). Last night he insisted on buying tickets to the "The Great Raid". He approached the window with cash in one hand and ID in the other, in anticipation of being carded. I stood off in the wings to allow him his moment. He returned looking completely deflated. He relayed that after placing his request he even prompted the clerk "don't you want to see my ID, it's rated R?" The clerks words were a curt "I don't care". Total unfulfillment. I imagine the feeling was much like the first time I ordered a beer and the bartender saw no reason to ask me for my ID.

The Facade Is Dropped

All 14 people who tuned in last night to Keith Olbermann's "Countdown" program on MSNBC witnessed a very telling piece of honesty from the left's favorite poster mom, Cindy Sheehan. Mrs. Sheehan dropped her guard and revealed that she couldn't care less whether she meets with President Bush. That her "peace vigil" is nothing but an anti-war PR stunt. Here's a cut from the transcript....

OLBERMANN: Last question. It‘s pure politics. The nature of the media coverage you‘re getting now, the response from other families of soldiers killed in Iraq, all of that, from the perspective of your protest there, in a way, isn‘t it really better if President Bush doesn‘t meet with you?

SHEEHAN: I would think so, yes. I think it‘s great. And if he would come out right now, it would really defuse the momentum, and I don‘t want to give them any hints. And I think that‘s something they‘ve probably already thought about.

She also revealed that she hasn't spoken with her in-laws since November. What evil offense did her in-laws commit to warrant Mrs. Sheehan's umbrage? They voted for George W. Bush, of course...

OLBERMANN: ...There is an e-mail that purports to be from members of your family that denounces your presence there in Crawford. It was sent to a right-wing Web site. Is there any truth in it? Are there members of your family who are upset with what you‘re doing there?

SHEEHAN: There‘s members of my—they‘re my in-laws. And we have always been politically on the opposite sides of the fence. And we always kind of did it good-naturedly. You know, my father-in-law would call me Meathead and I would call him Archie, and we would just fight about politics all the time.

But you know what? When they supported George Bush in November, and when they voted for the man who I consider killed their grandson, that‘s when—that was it. That, to me, was a betrayal of Casey, and it hurt me so deeply. I haven‘t spoken to them since.

Gold Touches $450 Per Ounce

Though it's back down to $444, spot gold prices briefly surpassed $450 per ounce, just a couple of dollars below it's 10 year high. In the last 30 days, gold has risen $21+.

There's been a lot of talk about gold investment in the last two years. If you listen to AM1280, the Patriot, Minneapolis you hear the commercials a couple of times an hour. I'm not an investment adviser, nor am I making any recommendations to the potential of the investment, but if you enjoy economics and global markets gold is one of the more interesting investments to follow.

Even if you don't invest, researching some of the historical charts and comparisons (like gold vs. inflation, oil prices, deficits, etc.) can be a very enjoyable worthwile learning experience.

If you are intrigued by the idea of metals investing as a hedge or compliment to other investments, but are intimidated, you aren't alone. I'm amazed at how many extremely successful people feel the same way. Some even feel that way about stocks and bonds. Like anything else, do the research, talk to people you trust (preferably those that have been successful in investing over the long-term), and get informed. Make your descision to invest or not based on information, not ignorance.

Don't Miss Event: Minnesota Irish Fair & Flogging Molly

I'm not Irish, but the Minnesota Irish Fair looks like a fantastic event. I'm excited to be going for the first time tomorrow. I'm taking Young Master Nordeaster and a couple of his buddies to see Flogging Molly. Master Nordeaster turned me on to Flogging Molly about a year ago. Their CD "Drunken Lullabies" has quickly become one of my favorites. The talented seven member band has a high energy punkish style with an Irish Folk flair, mixing electric guitar, bass and drums, with fiddle, tin whistle mandolin and accordian.

Flogging Molly is always a treat worth checking out. Considering it's free, this is a don't miss opportunity. The Young Dubliners open for Flogging Molly and I've heard good things about them as well.

There are also lots of great family events Irish poetry, dancing demonstrations, sheep herding demonstrations (love those border collies) and of course bagpipers. I may go back on Saturday or Sunday to check out those.

If you go, stop by the Keegan's Irish Pub booth. If you're there Friday night, say hi to my good (and good looking) friends Shay and Molly at The Local's booth.

Check out the full schedule here.

American Red Cross Fires Employee for Refusal to Celebrate "Gay and Lesbian Pride Month"

Josue Sierra at Latino Issues found this disturbing story (via RedState)...

A relative brought this story to my attention on the recent case of the Red Cross employee that was fired for his refusal to celebrate the Gay lifestyle.It is sad to see a life-saving organization getting distracted by politics and political correctness, instead of focusing on what they should be--saving lives. It is worst when political correctness trumps over individual's rights of expression and free exercise of religion. We can only hope the courts correct this error by the Red Cross, and communicate clearly to American corporations that free speech is still a constitutional right in this country.

And he has a suggestion from a reader -- read on.

As Josue points out, this is similar to the AllState case where an employee was fired for contributing a story denouncing same-sex marriage to MensNewsDaily.com on his own time.

Side note: This is my first time to Latino Issues. Good stuff. I will be back periodically.

Why The EU Is Failing

One of the main reasons the EU is losing traction is its oppressive over-regulatory nature. Here's a perfect example of how regulation is ruining one of the most time proven business practices - "cleavage + beer = Profit"...

Beer drinkers in Germany are frothing at the mouth over EU plans to make Bavarian barmaids cover up.The aim of the proposed EU directive is to protect them from the sun's harmful rays.

But the so-called "tan ban" has been condemned as absurd by breweries, politicians - and the barmaids. Bavarian barmaids typically wear a a costume known as a dirndl - a dress and apron with a tight, low-cut top enhanced by a short white blouse.

The Mayor of Munich, Christian Ude, said: "A waitress no longer allowed to wander around a beer garden in a plunging neckline - this is the EU at its most pedantic."

The comments on this SkyNews story indicate that public opinion is not on the side of the EU.

Idea for a new EU Directive: make all women cover up from head to foot in public.That would serve a dual purpose - appeasing the Islamic extremists and satisfying the Health and Safety fundamentalists all in one go. Chris, London

This is just more bureaucratic nonsense from the idiots in Brussels! And they wonder why so many people are rejecting European rule. Jim

One reader posed an interesting compromise having to do with high SPF suncreen and volunteerism...

Letter "I" Discovered To Be 9th Letter of the Alphabet

I thought this was an odd way to word this headline...

Tropical Storm Irene Is 9th Storm of Season
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Associated Press

Tropical storm names are assigned years in advance. We knew 4 years ago that Irene would be the 9th storm of this season (unless we didn't have 9 storms this year).

He Was Due

A whopping 82 years without a traffic violation or an accident. The insurance company made some big profits off this guy...

A 100-year-old driver with 82 years of clean motoring is angry after his motoring licence was withdrawn. Tom Soulby was told he was losing his licence on health grounds despite passing his three-yearly health test declaring him fit to drive at the age of 99.

An amazing record, sir.

Bye Bye Benon

Benon Sevan resigned today. Don't let the door hit you on the way out...

NEW YORK — The former chief of the Iraqi Oil-for-Food program, Benon Sevan, resigned from the United Nations Sunday — just hours before the results of a probe are expected to accuse him of getting kickbacks from the $67 billion operation.

Sevan resigned in a letter to Kofi Annan, blasting the U.N. secretary-general and accusing him "sacrificing" him for his own political gain.

Sevan is suspected of receiving bribes or kickbacks of $160,000, possibly more. Sevan's attack on Kofi Annan sounds fairly scathing. This may just be deflection rather than genuine bad blood. If there really is bad blood, and Sevan ends up facing further investigation or a subpoena he could turn on Annan. One thing is clear. There is still a lot of digging left to be in the Oil for Blood scandal. Sevan is not the end of trail, and Kofi's problems did not walk out the door with him.

Minnesota Judicial Candidates Allowed to Campaign.

I am surprised this hasn't received more attention:

A federal appeals court paved the way Tuesday for potential knock-down partisan fights among judicial candidates in Minnesota with a ruling that will allow candidates to align with political parties and ask for campaign donations.

The ruling by the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals invalidated longstanding restrictions on Minnesota's judicial candidates that attempted to prevent campaigns from affecting a judge's impartiality. The court said those restrictions violate First Amendment rights.

The ruling got cheers from those who argue that voters should have more information on judicial candidates and that candidates should be able to speak freely. But for many in the legal community, it ignited fears of the public electing judges on the basis of political or social agendas.

"It basically changes completely or potentially how we select our justices and our judges in the state," said David Schultz, a Hamline University law and political science professor. "It's a huge decision."

My feelings on this are somewhat mixed. The average voter has had very limited information about judicial candidates. Allowing candidates to be more visible with their position will also encourage more scrutiny from the MSM and non-MSM media and will lead to a more informed electorate. This is a big positive. However, I'm not sure that massively funded political campaigns are the best method for starting the dialog. I also think that we have already over politicized the judiciary and this takes us further down that road.

In my uneducated opinion, this is the proper ruling vis-a-vis the 1st Amendment, which is a positive that trumps any other impacts positive or negative.

I have always felt judges should be able to campaign, but in my perfect world, they should have their own separate parties. I've even selected party symbols. On one side, a couch - for those judges who believe in fighting crime through counseling (Milquetoast Party). On the other side, a noose - for those that believe in tough sentencing (Roy Bean Party). At higher court levels -- the constitution, a quill and an India ink pot (Constructionist Party) or the constitution, a pencil and an eraser (Living Document Party).

Other recommendations for judicial party symbols or names are encouraged.

Democrat Operatives Far More Involved In Voter Fraud and Intimidation

Captain Ed found this revealing story regarding a study done by the American Center for Voting Rights on voter intimidation and voter fraud in the 2004 election. The study found that...

...despite their heated rhetoric, paid Democrat operatives were far more involved in voter intimidation and suppression activities than were their Republican counterparts during the 2004 presidential election. Whether it was slashing tires on GOP get-out-the-vote vans in Milwaukee or court orders stopping the DNC from intimidating Republican volunteers in Florida, the evidence presented in this report shows that paid Democrat operatives were responsible for using the same tactics in 2004 that they routinely accuse Republicans of engaging in.

Duh!

I worked as a poll challenger in Minneapolis on election day. In several locations, MoveOn.org tables had to be moved on to legal locations outside restricted areas. I witnessed a van load of voters with Id's from all over the city being hauled into the polling area and had to let it slide because someone "vouched" for them. A person waving Kerry/Edwards sign was asked to leave the polling property.

Prior to the election I replaced numerous stolen or vandalized Bush signs, including my own. Working late nights at Bush HQ, I had the constant worry that our office would be vandalized or the workers assaulted as happened in 20 Bush HQ locations throughout the country.

Below are a few examples of the tolerance of the left (to see them all view the whole report here):

September 2, 2004: Gun Shot Fired Into Huntington, WV, Republican Headquarters.

September 13, 2004: Swastika Drawn On Duluth, MN, Resident’s Lawn, Signs Also Defaced With Words “Nazi” And “Liar.”

September 16, 2004: Community College Professor In Florida Punched Republican County Chairman In Face.

October 5, 2004: Gun Shots Fired Into Knoxville, TN, Bush-Cheney ‘04 Office, Shattering Office’s Glass Front Doors.

October 22, 2004: Break-In Discovered At Flagstaff, AZ, Victory 2004 Headquarters. Perpetrators gained entry by throwing a cinder block through a plate glass window.

D) Intimidating And Misleading Phone Calls To GOP Volunteers Made By President Bill Clinton And DNC General Counsel Joe Sandler In Florida

Voter fraud has been a part of the Democrat game plan for a long time. For a brief accounting of this history check out Hugh Hewitt's book "If It's Not Close, They Can't Cheat."

Waiting for Jimmy Carter's and MSM's outrage....

The American Center for Voting Rights appears to take a fairly even handed approach to voter fraud, though there is little background on the organization (founded Feb '05). Incidents from both sides are cited. The site is worth checking out. I'll be going back periodically.

UPDATE: Some questions have been raised as to the independence of this organization. I'll wait until the smoke clears to update that further. See CQ (link above) or The Moderate Voice for more on that. All of the cases of fraud and/or intimidation in the study are documented. The question is that there may be sins of omission on the Republican side (though several incidents or complaints are listed).

UPDATE II: Mark F. "Thor" Hearne, one of the two directors of ACVR is on Michael Medved today 8/4/05. To me the cries of foul and bias seem largely unfounded. The ACVR has two directors, one with a history in the Republican Party the other with a history in the Democrat Party. Mr. Hearne states that the organization employees people with various political leanings and receives funding from a variety of sources (no disclosure of sources or percentages). As I stated, the incidents cited in the report are well documented and the recommendations are for the most part, very solid. I of course have my own bias in this area, read it for yourself.

Still waiting for the outrage from Jimmy Carter and the MSM....

Work Over Blogging

As I stated in my very first post, I was hesitant to get into blogging because I knew from time to time that work would get in the way. The nature of my job is that work tends to hit in furious spurts with tight deadlines. During those periods, posting is very difficult. This has been one of those weeks. My apologies to all 3 of my readers...