Free Market Advocate Set to Become EU President

As if they are convinced the world is about to end on January 1, the countries of the European Union, which are dominated by socialist economics, are in a frenzy over the fact that Czech President Vaclav Klaus will assume the position as President of the EU at the beginning of 2009.

The position of President is rotated yearly among the member nations of the EU. And, as French President Sarkozy wraps up his term as President of the EU, the member nations of the Union face the prospects of being led by an advocate for free markets and a fierce defender of liberty.

Klaus was educated as an economist. His patience wears very thin with those who espouse views on economics that suggest a powerful role for government in financial sectors.

For example, Klaus once accused the European Union of being like a Communist state. He blasted Al Gore's obvious ideologically driven blather on 'global warming' as junk science. He also blamed too much government regulation and intervention in the markets as the cause of Europe's recent economic woes.

In short, Klaus is a conservative libertarian's dream of a 'near-perfect' politician. I wish he would come to America to be a spoiler for Barack Obama's interventionist, socialistic policies.

However, given Europe's rather entrenched socialism, Klaus is out of step with most of the nations of the EU. But he will not mince words when it comes to principle, freedom, and free markets.

Perhaps this is precisely what the EU needs.

For a full report on Klaus, his history, and his style of leadership, click HERE.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 6/13/08

Focusing on guns, politics, and news of intererst, here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

Mike McCarville has the quote of the day from Tucker Carlson on Hillary Clinton, and it's a doozy!
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2008/06/unkindest-cut-of-all.html

And the MUST-read of the day is by Roberta X as she blasts an anti-gun bigot:
http://twowheeledmadwoman.blogspot.com/2008/06/teh-irony-i-can-has-it.html

Armed and Safe gives us an update on the co-sponsors of H.R. 4900, the bill that would reign in the ATF:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2008/06/one-more.html

Blogonomicon shows us a cool new Freedom Arms pistol with exchangeable barrels:
http://blogonomicon.blogspot.com/2008/06/new-freedom-arms-pistol.html

JR posts a neat Todd Jarrett YouTube shooting lesson on 'shooting on the move':
http://akeyboardanda45.blogspot.com/2008/06/shooting-on-move.html

Gateway Pundit has the results of a new poll on the worst-ever approval numbers for Congress:
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/06/quagmire-pelosi-swamp-sets-record-worst.html

Of Arms and the Law is reporting that the Brady Bunch is bracing itself for a stinging defeat when the Supreme Court rules on D.C. vs. Heller this month:
http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/2008/06/brady_campaign_27.php

It's no secret that I carry a marked disdain for the EU. And here, Breda says that the Irish may have saved civilization today by what they did. Yayyyy for the Irish!
http://thebredafallacy.blogspot.com/2008/06/ireann-go-brch.html

The Volokh Conspiracy has more on this riveting story out of Ireland:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2008_06_08-2008_06_14.shtml#1213369165

David Codrea posts some key documents in the Olofson case from David Olofson:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2008/06/olofson-order-to-report-and-brief.html

The Stiletto posts her 'Daily Blade.' Be sure to read the part about why abortion survivors won't be voting for Barack Obama!
http://thestilettoblog.com/2008/06/13/the-daily-blade-whos-yo-baby-mama.aspx

Michelle Malkin has the scoop on the ever-widening Countrywide mortgage scandal involving high-profile Democrats such as Chris Dodd and Barack Obama!
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/06/13/more-democrat-cronies-who-received-special-countrywide-loan-deals/

John Lott reports that the founder of the Weather Channel warns about the 'scam' of the global warming nonsense:
http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2008/06/founder-of-weather-channel-gives-talk.html

Suppressed News has a Wall Street Journal report on the shady 'friends of Barack.' Read it all:
http://suppressednews.com/cgi-bin/news/viewnews.cgi?id=EkEFkpEkkyTueUEYte&tmpl=offsitenews

Human Events writes that the Supreme Court decision on Gitmo detainees being given Constitutional protection is an ominous one:
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=26990

Global Backlash Building Against Biofuels

Members of the environmentalist movement suddenly find themselves on the defensive these days as news comes of a growing global backlash against biofuels such as ethanol.

Some critics have even tagged the term 'a crime against humanity' to describe the push by environmentalists and the politicians who agree with them to switch to biofuels, due to the toll such a move takes on the world's food supply at a time when global hunger is on the rise.

Consumers all over the world are already feeling the effects of the environmentalist vision--skyrocketing food prices. In the United States food prices are rising at the fastest rate in 17 years.

The critics' view of the fiasco has some merit. How noble, honorable, or ethical is it to take land and commodities that were once used for food in order to produce fuel?

And let's not forget that food shortages resulting from the production of biofuels do nothing but raise the prices of food to unbelievable levels. The law of supply and demand is most evident here. As supplies dwindle and demand increases, prices skyrocket.

Further, let's also not forget that the blame for this crisis can be laid directly at the feet of the environmentalist movement and their puppet politicians around the world, particularly in the European Union.

By the way, for its part, the European Union, which normally can be counted on to wax eloquent in its morally and ethically superior manner about 'our responsibility to the poor of the world,' intends to dig in its heels and stay the course on developing and using biofuel technology, in spite of the food crisis it is creating.

To borrow a conversation from European royalty in the past, 'But, Sirs, the people have no bread.'

'Then let them eat ethanol.'

New G.I. Joe Symptomatic of a Growing Cancer

If Hollywood get its way, G.I. Joe will no longer be the toy symbol of the quintessential American hero--the U.S. Marine. A movie project is in the making that will remove G.I. Joe as the symbol of American military might and place him under an international special operations force in Brussels.

Paramount plans to turn 'G.I. Joe' into an acronym meaning 'Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity.'

Apparently Paramount is concerned about its international marketing ability should the new film glorify the American military.

But, of course, as supporters say, G.I. Joe is only a toy, right? It means nothing, actually.

Think again.

The new 'G.I. Joe' is a symptom of a growing cancer--that of degrading American patriotism in favor of a generic, international entity in which citizens are no longer citizens of the United States of America, but citizens of the 'universe,' or the 'global community,' or whatever the hell else the modern-day neo-Commies wish to call it.

G.I. Joe bears the face of a real American military hero by the name of Colonel Mitchell Paige, a World War II veteran. Paige had served in the Pacific theatre as one of the Marines the U.S. Navy dropped off to drive the Japanese off the island of Guadalcanal.

Paige lost 90 of his men during the battle. The Japanese lost over 2000 soldiers.

The citation for Paige's Metal of Honor reads, 'When the enemy broke through the line directly in front of his position, P/Sgt. Paige, commanding a machine gun section with fearless determination, continued to direct the fire of his gunners until all his men were either killed or wounded. Alone, against the deadly hail of Japanese shells, he fought with his gun and when it was destroyed, took over another, moving from gun to gun, never ceasing his withering fire.'

Hasbro Toys contacted Paige some years ago to request his permission to use his face on its G.I. Joe. Paige consented. And ever since, the toy soldier has born the image of one of the finest heroes in U.S. history.

Oh, and by the way, when Paige gave his consent to be the face of G.I. Joe, he stipulated that he would agree to the deal 'only as long as G.I. Joe remains a United States Marine.'

Paramount should be resoundingly condemned for planning such a desecration of a real American hero (Paige is now deceased). It is not the toy that counts. It is the man whose face G.I. Joe bears.

Once again, the creeping crawl of globalization is about to gobble up another piece of unique Americana. The United States of America is not about a North American Union, an 'Amero,' the U.N., or some European Union entity in Brussels. Those who push these ideas are one half-step away from being outright traitors.

Chilly Relations Growing Between Swiss and EU

Switzerland and the European Union have squared off for their latest round in an ongoing dispute over taxation. The EU has essentially accused Switzerland's policies on taxation to be 'harmful' and 'a violation of free trade agreements.'

Pope Benedict XVI certainly didn't help matters any when he issued a statement last week castigating 'some European nations' for the failure to follow EU policies on taxation.

Perhaps the Pope should learn to remain silent about matters about which he knows nothing.

The nations of the European Union are known for some of the most heavily taxed countries on earth, not to mention their penchant for promoting, implementing, and funding massive cradle-to-the-grave nanny-states that are known for rewarding mediocrity and undercutting every known natural human motive for productivity.

The one oasis in this vast human desert of irrationality has been Switzerland. As we reported last week on The Liberty Sphere, Switzerland has become a target of leftists and their allies among immigrants. Apparently, a vibrant economy, a strong defense that depends on individual armed citizens, and a rugged individualism that insists on democratic values are an affront to those who prefer the collectivism of big government.

Not only does the EU have its underwear in a bunch over Switzerland, but now even the Pope thinks he should weigh in on the decisions of a sovereign nation that has been no threat to anyone in its history, except to those who despise liberty.

Relations between Switzerland and the EU began to chill even further when two major corporations, Kraft Foods, Inc. and Proctor and Gamble Co. shifted their European headquarters to Switzerland.

The reason? Taxation.

Many of Switzerland's cantons exempt or partially exempt from taxation corporate profits that are generated outside the country. Not so in the EU.

Thus, rather than take a rational, pragmatic approach to keeping such corporate giants within the EU by amending its policy on taxation, the EU instead meddles in the affairs of a sovereign nation by demanding that Switzerland amend its policy on taxation to mirror that of the nations within the EU.

Predictably Switzerland is incensed. And rightly so. After all, would you as an American willingly accept the demands of a nation such as Denmark to dictate to us our policy on taxation?

Further, what if Denmark were upset that our taxes were not collected at the rate of roughly 50% of our income?

And by the way, Denmark's highest scale of taxation stands at 68%.

Observers of world politics and economics believe that the present skirmish between the Swiss and the EU signals a long period of very chilly relations between the two. The Swiss have already capitulated to outside demands by somewhat liberalizing their policies on the disclosure of financial information collected by its banks.

Switzerland's long-standing policy of complete privacy for investors in its financial institutions has been under attack by the EU and the rest of the world. In order to be perceived as a 'good neighbor' by the international community, Switzerland has begun to disclose some financial information to international law enforcement.

It is highly doubtful at this point that Switzerland would be in any mood to further let go of its time-honored traditions that have served the nation well.

Perhaps this is a good time to remind the leadership of the European Union that it does not have jurisdiction over the whole world, not even over all of Europe. The last time I checked, the capital of Switzerland was not Brussels.

Will Switzerland Be Gobbled Up by EU 'Values'?

Other than having some of the most breathtaking mountain panoramas in the world, the Swiss have been known for centuries for three things, i.e., their neutrality and fierce independence, gun rights, and democratic values that have produced one of the most economically vibrant nations in the world.

While the rest of Western Europe plunged into decline economically, militarily, and politically, Switzerland thrived. This fact was lost on a recent writer of an article that appeared in the U.K.'s 'The Independent,' who claims that Switzerland may be Europe's 'heart of darkness' due to its intent in recent days to do something to stem the tide of a burgeoning immigration problem.

The writer also failed to mention that the rest of Western Europe's failure to deal with this very problem has brought it to the brink of disintegration and chaos at the hands of Islamic extremists.

It would seem clear, then, that Europe's 'heart of darkness' exists not within Switzerland, but within the Houses of Parliament in London, Paris, and Berlin, as well as within the corridors of the EU's Parliament in Brussels.

It would also be a big mistake to fail to mention that while 'enlightened' Europe dealt rather unsuccessfully with Adolf Hitler, Switzerland managed to avoid the stain, the stench, and the statism of totalitarianism.

The Swiss stayed out of WWII not because they did not detest Adolf Hitler and the Nazis but because their accepted policy on national defense forbade an attack on a foreign government unless they were attacked first.

Switzerland was the only nation in that part of Europe that Hitler did not invade. Neither did Stalin from the West.

The reasons most often cited by scholars for Switzerland's escape from attack are two-fold: Switzerland's unfathomably rugged terrain, and the nation's long-standing policy that all adult males belong to the militia for a specified number of years, which mandates that each male keep a government-issued fully-automatic rifle.

If a militiaman is an officer, he is required to be part of the militia 5 years longer than others and must keep a semi-automatic pistol in his home.

Had either Hitler or Stalin attempted to invade Switzerland, the two vast unknown variables would come staring them squarely in the face--navigating the rugged mountains would have proved nearly impossible and deadly, and facing a citizenry where every single male is armed would have surely produced massive bloodshed.

To this day, Switzerland's policy of an armed citizens militia still stands. Yet there are signs of opposition. Globalism, the influence of EU values, and immigration are all taking their toll on traditional Swiss values--values that have kept the nation free from invasion and economically strong.

A recent poll in Switzerland suggests that 2 out of 3 Swiss residents want a change in the nation's policy toward firearms. A 'Green' member of the nation's Federal Assembly wants the guns out of the homes. A proposal has been put forth which mandates that the firearms be kept at various government locations and that gun registration be implemented for private ownership.

As it stands now, no permit is required to buy a gun, although one must obtain a 'carry permit' in order to carry a firearm openly. Some of the nation's cantons--the equivalent of a 'state' in the U.S.--are very liberal in their issuance policies, meaning of course, that government monitoring is kept to a minimum.

Although Switzerland is one of the most heavily armed countries in the free world, the crime rate is very low. Deaths by firearms are amazingly low, most of which are suicides and the occasional murders of family members. Due to the rarity of these firearms deaths, the government does not bother to keep statistical information on such things.

When the country's total population of 6 million is taken into consideration, plus the fact that there are upwards of 3 million firearms owned by the citizens, the number of firearms deaths per year--an estimated 300 at the most--is minuscule.

Switzerland is not a part of the European Union, although many in the nation's younger generation desire closer ties to the EU. Many believe that eventually the Euro will become the nation's currency, although there is strong opposition to such a plan.

The creeping crawl of the EU and globalism is having an impact on the Swiss, no doubt. Under intense pressure from outside sources, Swiss banks have begun to selectively cooperate with foreign authorities in providing data to law enforcement personnel.

Historically this information was kept strictly confidential. However, the Swiss are under intense pressure from the global community to be a 'good neighbor' by cooperating more fully with members of the international community.

The pressure of the international community gives one pause to wonder if Swiss independence will withstand the onslaughts of leftists who wish to change society from top to bottom. Part of the problem has been immigration. Although Switzerland has been able to control its borders admirably, the issue of legal immigration is one of great curiosity.

Upwards of 25 percent of the Swiss workforce is foreign--one of the highest in Europe. With immigrants crowding into the country whose values do not mirror those of the traditional Swiss, the leftists have had natural allies in their attempts to reconstruct Swiss society.

So far Switzerland has been able to fight off the wolves in spite of the fact that they have invaded the hen house.

It is to be noted that the Founding Fathers of the United States government expressed deep admiration for the Swiss ideal of limited government. For centuries the Swiss have managed to keep that ideal intact. The country is known for a very small and limited central government bureaucracy, and the citizens are often called upon to address political concerns through national referenda.

The leftists are presently attempting to use the tools of democracy, such as the referendum, to implement very un-democratic policies, such as the confiscation of firearms.

A pertinent question arises to the forefront as a thorough consideration is given to these weighty matters: if something isn't broke, why fix it? Switzerland's traditional values of independence, democracy, economic prowess, and gun rights have kept the nation safe from aggression, crime, and economic decline.

This is no time to begin changing one of the most admirable societies ever seen in the history of the world.

EU Tries Again on Constitution

Washington, DC (TLS). The European Union failed to approve a unifying Constitution the first time such a proposal made its rounds in Europe. It appears that now they are trying again, although the new proposal is being described as 'Constitution-lite.'

Melanie Phillips in the U.K. always provides an insightful perspective from across the Atlantic. Here are her thoughts on the new proposal:
http://www.melaniephillips.com/articles-new/?p=515