RED STICK RANT

Give A Little Bit.

2010-01-03T18:58:00.003-06:00

Or, if you're a typical greedy, uncaring, uncompassionate, consumerist capitalist American, you give a lot. A helluva lot.

Which made me think - what about my church? Well, let's take a look at the Episcopal Church Foundation. Here is their mission statement. And here is their CharityNavigator.org rating.

One star.

That's right, one bloody star. Which, according to CharityNavigator.org, means, "POOR. Fails to meet industry standards and performs well below most charities in its Cause."

Episcopal Relief and Development, however, does rather better: Four stars.

Speaking Truth To Narrative.

2010-01-03T18:25:00.004-06:00

Also via Instapundit, 'Armed Liberal' over at Winds of Change reviews a review of 'The Blind Side'.

Priorities, Priorities.

2010-01-03T09:54:00.003-06:00

Via Instapundit, what is important to Team Hopenchenge becomes apparent:

"It speaks eloquently to the Obama administration’s priorities that it took the White House four days to acknowledge the “catastrophic breach of security” that led to the failed bombing of a US-bound jet on Christmas Day — but a scant four hours to accuse Dick Cheney of coddling terrorists."

What? Like you thought we were the focus? Pshaw!

La Dolce Vita, Cher.

2010-01-01T18:44:00.006-06:00

Via Instapundit, here's a blog a blog by a Cajun living in one of my favorite places: Coonass In Italy.

Check it out!

Let's Start Off The New Year With Some Good News.

2010-01-01T00:02:00.003-06:00

As Emily Litella used to say, "Oh. Nevermind"...

Campaign for Fools.

2009-12-31T20:52:00.006-06:00

Ron Paul removes all doubt. This is why I can't take Rep. Dr. Paul or any of of his disciples seriously. Would Dr. Paul have defended the actions of the Japanese in 1941 because we were "occupiers", or because we failed to understand "their motivation"? (Remember...) Does Rep. Dr. Paul demand our enemies "understand" us, or understand our "motivation"? Aparrently not.

Side note compare/contrast:
Most notable movie appearance, Ben Stein: Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Most notable movie appearance, Ron Paul: Bruno.

UPDATE: Libertarian Republican has more.

Dissent is Welcome!

2009-12-31T20:38:00.004-06:00

If you exercise your First Amendment Rights in this era of Hopenchange, one of these should be high on your home decor list.

(Hint: I've got a birthday in a few days...)

Hattip: Instapundit.

Happy New Year, Everyone!

UPDATE: 01JAN10 Link fixed.

Magic Carpet Ride.

2009-12-31T18:14:00.003-06:00

OK, I know it's a repost, but this never gets old:

Happy New Year, everyone!

Hattip: Theo Spark.

Something To Remember In 2010.

2009-12-30T19:10:00.002-06:00

In November, 2010, to be specific: Top 10 Most Ridiculous Uses of Obama's Stimulus Funds.

Compare & Contrast.

2009-12-29T14:03:00.005-06:00

Here is the kind of progress 40 years of Marxist Socialism and Islamic Fundementalism can bring.

Our Hopenchange future. I can't wait.

Braveflier.

2009-12-28T23:35:00.005-06:00

What with one's unmentionables now a threat to National Security, I have a solution for the refined gentleman when he flies - one of these. Think of the time you'll save at the security checkpoint.

I'll be winging it across the country in a few weeks; I'm game. Plus, I have the legs for it.

Today's Required Reading.

2009-12-28T23:30:00.003-06:00

Right here: "...either continue traveling down the road to serfdom or return to liberty's boulevard. The republic's future hangs in the balance."

Indeed.

Hattip: Maggie's Farm.

Going Green. In A Good Way.

2009-12-27T09:34:00.006-06:00

The anti-government, pro-freedom "green revolution" that began in Iran last summer, and completely ignored by our current President, hasn't gone away. In fact, it's heating up again. Expect Obama to ignore it this time as well.

History does indeed repeat itself. 30 years ago another clueless Democrat did nothing while Iran collapsed into revolution. Only this time the revolution is one the American people - though not the current American Administration - can understand and support.

UPDATE: Like I said - clueless.

UPDATE: Glenn Reynolds is updating with more links.

Why Lawyers Should Never Be Allowed To Write Children's Poetry.

2009-12-25T16:15:00.006-06:00

A timely comparison.

...A Child Is Born.

2009-12-25T11:44:00.002-06:00

One of my favorite pieces of Christmas music.

Hattip: What Planet Am I On?

Barry and Friends Dance For Christmas.

2009-12-25T11:15:00.002-06:00

Something to brighten your Christmas Day:

And to all RSR readers everywhere, a Very Merry Christmas!

Top 10 Bad Things That Are Good For You.

2009-12-24T20:59:00.005-06:00

Here. Better indulge quick; once health care "reform" kicks in our new national nannies will ban them for our own good.

Merry Christmas, Beijing!

2009-12-24T15:01:00.005-06:00

Democrats voted today to raise the debt ceiling to $12.4 trillion. Ironic, isn't it - we're having to borrow from Communist China to finance our drive to Socialism.

Eyes On The Prize.

2009-12-24T09:31:00.016-06:00

The Senate has now passed, on a strict party-line vote, their version of health care "reform. In a few months, after some more of that opaque "transparency" and back-room payoff deals the Democrats have become so famous for lately, one-sixth of the US economy - and your freedom to choose - will likely fall under direct government control. We will start paying for that right away, in the form of higher premiums and taxes. Obama may be saying he will let you keep your existing plan if you like it, but it'll be pretty hard when your employer or insurance provider drops the plan or slashes coverage because the new regulations and fines will make it too expensive to offer, or too unprofitable.

But doesn't that play right into the hands of the Republicans in 2010, I hear you ask? It does. And 2010 and 2012 will likely be bloodbaths for Democrats. But the Democrats, particularly the hard Left in the party, are taking the long view. They know that once this monster is in place it will be almost impossible to get rid of it. Like all government "programs", the only thing it can do is grow. (Being fertilized as they all are with endless amounts of bullshit. -ed.) The Democrat ideologues are willing to suffer what they see as a temporary electoral setback in order to advance their long-term goal - smashing the American notion of individualism, free markets and limited government, and replacing it with a mushy, bureaucratic, European socialism that they will manage in perpetuity. (Think Canada, only with nicer beaches. -ed.) They know well that when we are all forced to drink from the same spigot, we become totally dependent on the folks who control the flow of water.

Andrew McCarthy at NRO points out that while the Republicans and us Tea Partiers are busy playing tactics, the Democrats are playing strategy. And if those opposed to the Democrats don't start thinking strategically as well, we will get rolled just like we did during the Clinton/Bush years, only this time it will be much worse. The GOP's "Compassionate Conservatism" was a reactionary election-year gimmick. It was tactics; it was not a vision for this nation.

We on the conservative/libertarian side do know how to think strategically. I mean, Ronald Reagan was all about strategy, and he was able to toss Marxist socialism onto the ash-heap of history (which is where Obama and pals found it, dusted it off, and sold it in 2008 as "change".) Reagan didn't give a damn about Sam Donaldson's carpings, or the Euro-coward's fears of "nuclear winter". He clearly called evil what it was. Namely, evil.

So we need to do the same. We need to stand tall, turn our face to the wind, and set our course by the light of the stars - not by the lights of each passing ship. For me, those stars are this:

The role of government is to secure, protect and and defend the inalienable Rights of its Citizens, and government may only infringe upon those Rights as a last resort. Anything that requires the government to take from one to provide for another is not a Right.

Government power derives from the consent of its Citizens, not the other way around. Government power has clear and balanced limits, established by our Constitution, and government shall abide by those limits and that balance.

The greatest engine for human prosperity, progress and freedom is private property, the free market, and the Rule of Law.

The bounty of our Citizens belongs to our Citizens, and Government may only claim, through Law, what is necessary to execute its limited role.

A Free Citizen is a responsible Citizen.

Make these goals the strategy, and the tactics will pretty much take car of themselves.

UPDATE: Fiddled with and edited the piece a bit.

Wait A Minute...

2009-12-23T18:13:00.003-06:00

...Did, um...did we just win? Maybe so:

Barack Obama plans to put the health-care overhaul on the back burner until after the State of the Union address, pushing any conference between the House and Senate off until February.

Bet those 59 Leftys and Prostitutes are really glad Harry made 'em stay 'till Christmas Eve.

Mitch McClellan. Or, Fred Thompson, Where Are You?

2009-12-23T17:31:00.004-06:00

Required reading for the GOP:

It’s clear McConnell just isn’t that guy. Like Cornyn, he’s a good senator. But as our general, he’s too much McClellan and not enough Sherman. The other side has Shermans; we’d better find one soon.

Indeed.

Another Example Of "The Most Honest, Most Open, And Most Ethical Congress In History"

2009-12-23T16:54:00.003-06:00

Ben "I'm-A-More-Expensive-Whore-Than-Mary-Landrieu" Nelson gets caught apparently changing a vote.

Really, it's not gonna do you any good, Ben. You're Harry's bitch now; your political career is toast. At least try to keep some shred of dignity. And speaking of toast, I hear the Denny's in Omaha will be hiring in Januart 2011...

Hattip: Riehl World View via Instapundit.

"This Is The Bill We've Been Waiting For..."

2009-12-23T15:37:00.004-06:00

But this isn't, apparently, the bill our political betters think they should wait to read. Or let us read.

Contract With America, 2010.

2009-12-23T14:18:00.005-06:00

Over at Chicago Boyz there is a great discussion over a potential 'Contract With America' in 2010, and what should be in it. The comments are quite lengthy, but well worth the read.

I think a new Contract With America is a good way to go. I don't much care who issues it - the GOP or the Tea Party Movement - though I would hope they would work together if one is drafted.

As for me, here are five things I would want to see in a 2010 Contract with America:

1. An IMMEDIATE balanced budget.
Not in ten years, or two years, but NOW. We've dithered over this for far too long. Budget Social Security, Medicare and Defence first, and everything else is negotiable. We don't need to fund things like PBS and NPR anymore when folks have access to Discovery, History Channel, Nickelodean and Disney, and XM/Sirrus on the radio. If "thoughtful" people want them, let them pay for them. If we need to fund the war, issue War Bonds. Other than that, be willing to shut down the government if necessary before another dime is borrowed.

2. No New Taxes.
None. Zip. The American people are taxed enough already. Short term, push for a 15% across the board Income Tax rate for all. Long term, introduce an Amendment to repeal the 16th Amendment and return to the States the funding the Federal Government, with each State paying a uniform tax per person as set buy Congress. (That'll give a pause to all those States who want to count illegal aliens in the next census...)

3. Fight The War On Terror To Win.
No more fiddling while Kabul burns. Our enemies want our country, our values, and way of life destroyed; we must fight like it.

4. Invade Canada And Annex Saskatchewan.
Not really. I just wanted to scare the hell out of any Canadian readers who stereotype American conservatives as a bunch of barbaric cowboys. That, and I like saying the word, "Saskatchewan."

5. Sunset All Laws.
All laws proposed, and all regulations, shall expire after a set time and must be renewed by the Congress. Maximum of four years for all Fiscal, Tax and Entitlement laws and regulations; six years for all others. If Congress has to work through all that every couple of years, they won't issue so many laws or allow so many bureaucratic regulations.

I know you, dear readers, will have more suggestions. Put 'em in the comments.

Mad Dogs and Englishman II

2009-12-23T11:51:00.004-06:00

Also via Maggies's Farm: A man in England gets two-year 'supervision' (e.g., a suspended sentence) for holding a family at knife-point and threatening to kill them; and the father he was holding gets two years in jail for attacking his assailant.

These are the kind of European values Barack Obama wants the United States to emulate. This is what Team Hopenchange means by "fundemental change". You are helpless; you are wrong to stand up for yourself. Only the arm of government can save you.