Rumors of the McCain Short List

Rumors are swirling around Washington that John McCain has now put together a short list of preferred running mates. Despite quick denials by campaign staff and some political pundits, it is hard to believe that candidates at this stage have not thought about who they would consider for the Number Two position on the ticket.

The long version of the list includes names such as Condi Rice, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, Senator Lindsey Graham, Mike Huckabee, and even Mitt Romney.

Fred Thompson has stated unequivocally that he is not interested in the job.

Interestingly, Mike Huckabee stated on Sunday that he would like to be McCain's running mate. But we doubt that Huckabee would be a top choice, simply because the former Arkansas Governor would not help McCain in areas where he needs it the most.

When the list of potential running mates is narrowed down to those McCain would prefer, and those with whom he would feel most comfortable, one name keeps rising to the surface--Senator Joseph Lieberman.

In spite of being a lifelong Democrat, Lieberman got shafted by his own Party in the last election due to his support of the War in Iraq. Lieberman lost his bid in the Democratic primary to a staunch anti-war Democrat that the DNC desperately wanted to win.

But Lieberman has been around long enough to know a few things about politics in his home state of Connecticut.

Instead of acquiescing to the dictates of Democratic Party bosses, Lieberman ran as an Independent and defeated the Democrat--and the Republican--in a landslide.

Lieberman has also stated that he supports John McCain for President.

The two have worked together in the Senate for many years and are great friends. Insiders state that of all of the potential running mates, Lieberman is the one with whom McCain is most comfortable.

And in choosing Lieberman, McCain would automatically capture more Independents and moderate Democrats, particularly in the wake of the extremist-Left candidacy of Barack Obama.

The problem, however, is that in choosing Lieberman, McCain would most certainly be giving up any hope of gaining the support of the GOP base. Conservatives will not like a McCain-Lieberman ticket at all.

There are a couple of other possibilities on the McCain short list, but given the high priority of putting together a McCain-Lieberman ticket, the other two take second priority. That we will discuss later.

McCain the Jerk

So John McCain goes to the NRA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, and during his speech he states that he wants to ban private gun sales between citizens.

This is in addition to his support for closing the so-called 'gun-show loophole,' which is a bogus argument because there is no such thing.

Therefore, my assessment of McCain today is that he is a jerk.

Don't get me wrong. I would do just about anything to make sure neither Obama nor Hillary get elected (and believe me, McCain is a perfect angel when compared to the two of them!).

But as for today, my feeling about the matter is that the choices the political parties gave us this year almost make me wish there were a Constitutional provision for special circumstances in which we elect NO ONE as President. And I am absolutely livid that the GOP gave us such a lame lineup of 'talent,' with the exception of Fred Thompson.

Thus, if the Democrats are neo-Commies (and they are!), then Republicans are jerks. And McCain is the jerk of the jerks.

The Bush 'Appeasement' Speech: A View from Israel

President Bush sent liberal, appeasement-oriented Democrats howling with his speech in Israel this week. The President correctly compared those who wish to sit down and negotiate with terrorists to European Nazi-appeasers before WW II.

It is to be noted that appeasement-driven ignoramuses were directly responsible for Hitler's continued scourge of Europe, as Winston Churchill charged in the British Parliament just prior to England's involvement in the war.

When Bush made a similar charge this week against American appeasers, the guilty parties came out howling: Obama, Clinton, Pelosi, Reid, Biden, Kennedy, Kerry, and Durbin, just to name a few.

But let's take a look at what Israel thinks about the President's words, shall we? At least one editorial writer in Israel believes that Israeli leaders should be so bold as the American President.

Click here for the op-ed in the Jerusalem Post:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1210668649684&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

WILD CHILD! How Long Can These Girls Live?

With the 'wild child' Hollywood girls of drugs, sex, and parties apparently still rocking out like there's no tomorrow, the question is how long can they be expected to live.

Lindsey Lohan was reported to have 'fallen off the wagon' after her lengthy and expensive stay in a rehab facility. Paris Hilton has been spotted back on the party scene and reportedly posed for some nude pics. Britney Spears has been acting, well, weird.

As this unholy trinity of party animals grows a bit older, it is unrealistic to expect that they will escape the consequences of a lifestyle characterized by orgies involving drugs and alcohol. They will either have to get their act together, and soon, or die.

This is not to say that one or more of the party girls are not serious about their rehab programs. Addiction is deadly and very difficult to manage. But when it's life or death, you do what you have to do to survive.

And these girls are down to their last hurrah. We can only hope they will bite the bullet and do the hard work of recovery.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 5/16/08

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

Sebastian did some liveblogging at the NRA meeting. Here, he live-blogs the McCain speech. Read it all:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/2008/05/16/live-blogging-the-mccain-speech/

Uncle posts some cool gun porn from the NRA meeting:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2008/05/16/let-the-gun-porn-begin/

The Bitch Girls have the video from the NRA meeting of Instapundit's comments on the evolution of gun politics over the last 15 years:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=8214

Squeaky's at the NRA Meeting-Blog Bash too, and here is her report:
http://www.squeakywheelseeksgrease.com/blog/2008/05/16/at-the-blog-bashnra-convention/

Traction Control is also there at the NRA meeting, and here he blogs on the activities:
http://tractioncontrol.well-regulatedmilitia.org/?p=1074

Robb Allen is also there, but he doesn't know it:
http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2008/05/16/Welcome-to.-where-the-hell-am-I.aspx

David Hardy and David Young have an exhibit at the NRA Convention, and here is the info:
http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/2008/05/exhibiting_at_n_1.php

Mike McCarville gets is right about Kentucky:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2008/05/fine-whiskey-and-good-tobacco-abound.html

John Lott has more on Barack Obama's anti-gun views:
http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2008/05/more-on-obamas-anti-gun-views.html

Lott also has more political fallout from the California Supreme Court's approval of gay marriage:
http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2008/05/will-voters-be-facing-constitutional.html

Armed and Safe has good news about the BATFE reform act in the House, H.R. 4900:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2008/05/197.html

The Bastard is at it again. Bloomberg and his gang of mayoral thugs are placing an ad in Kentucky, attempting to get in some publicity from the NRA Convention and the upcoming Kentucky primary. Alphecca has the story:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=769

Blogonomicon reports the latest gun news from Remington:
http://blogonomicon.blogspot.com/2008/05/just-got-latest-newsletter-from.html

Michelle Malkin reports that the grassroots conservatives in the GOP are red-hot angry, and now they have unleashed it all on the National Republican Congressional Committee. Read it all:
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/05/16/the-spanking-they-deserve-nrcc-gets-an-earful/

The Buckeye Firearms Association reports that Walmart is going to videotape all gun buyers in the future, thanks to the Bastard:
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/5671

News Bias:Couric/CBS Adopt Strategy of Obama

As former Democratic National Committee Chair Terry McAuliff stated recently, 'There is no doubt that the mainstream media is in the tank for Obama.'

This happens to be one of the few times McAuliff has been completely honest in his entire political career.

As if reading from a script written by Howard Dean, the Democratic National Committee, and the Barack Obama campaign, Katie Couric began Thursday's CBS Evening News with the headline that 'Republicans deliver a double-pronged attack against Barack Obama.'

Actually they did absolutely no such thing. But Barack Obama claims they did. Funny how in these instances the guilty party shouts first and shouts the loudest.

Here is the series of events to led to the Couric/CBS News smear of the GOP, in chronological order.

President Bush had traveled to Israel to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the creation of the Jewish nation in their native land. In the President's prepared remarks before the Israeli Knesset, Mr. Bush described those who propose negotiating with terrorists and state sponsors of terror as appeasement-driven.

He also compared them to those who advocated appeasement with Adolf Hitler even as the dictator conducted his bloody scourge throughout Europe prior to WW II.

Winston Churchill had to contend with such appeasement-driven boneheads in the British Parliament in the years leading up to the Nazi attack against Great Britain. There, too, British politicians such as Prime Minister Chamberlain advocated 'sitting down and talking to Hitler.'

Chamberlain did exactly that, returning home to London with a treaty signed by Hitler himself.

Churchill was not impressed.

And, as Churchill had warned, no sooner had the ink dried on the treaty than Hitler had done precisely what he agreed not to do. He invaded Poland. Great Britain had a treaty with Poland in which they agreed to come to Poland's defense if they were attacked. Thus, Britain was automatically thrust into the middle of war.

From the very beginning there have been voices within the U.S. Government, particularly within the Congress, who have advocated policies of appeasement with terrorist states. John Kerry, Nancy Pelosi, Ted Kennedy, Joe Biden, and a host of other Democrats in Congress have urged the President to sit down at the negotiating table with Iran, Iranian President Mahmood Ahmadinejad, and the leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah.

Thus, the concept is nothing new.

But one would have thought that the President had fired the first shot in World War III if one listens exclusively to the mainstream media. Immediately Barack Obama was all over the television news networks, claiming that Bush had attacked him personally in his speech in Israel.

Why would Obama think that Bush had singled him out when there are many others who have advocated appeasement among the Democrats?

Obama did nothing but 'out' himself as one of the guilty parties. As the presumptive Democratic nominee he has consistently advocated 'sitting down at the negotiating table' with terrorist thugs and goons who kill people either because they are not Muslim or because they support Israel.

Thus, Obama was the first to yell. But soon he was joined by his partners in crime, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, John Kerry, and Dick Durbin, among others. They decried and condemned the Bush comments, referring to them as 'beneath the dignity of the office of the President,' and other such nonsense.

In what way did he disparage the office of President? By telling the truth? By reminding Israel that there are those within the U.S. Government who are just as naive and shortsighted as Chamberlain and British politicians before WW II?

This information is of vital concern to Israel's very survival in a dangerous area of the world where they are overwhelmingly outnumbered 99-to-1.

These facts were apparently lost on Couric and company at CBS, who proceeded to read the Democratic playbook word-for-word as they described these events. The very fact that Couric stated that Obama had been 'attacked' by Republicans gave one the impression that he was ganged up on by a group of attack dogs.

And within Obama's strategy for winning the White House is the tactic of making sure it is always inappropriate to criticize him in any way, and in this case, even when they don't intend to. Attacking Obama automatically makes one mean and racist.

And the mainstream media, particularly Couric and CBS News, have bought it hook, line, and sinker.

But this is not all.

The second part of the supposed 'two-pronged attack against Obama' occurred when a CBS reporter asked Republican Presidential candidate John McCain about Bush's remarks and Obama's claims.

McCain correctly mused that it is always a mistake to negotiate with terrorists and that Obama's suggestion to that effect shows his naivete and inexperience. Again, McCain spoke nothing but absolute truth.

Thus, CBS News' template for doing a smear job against Republicans, Bush, and McCain was in place.

Nothing the President said was untrue. Nothing he said did anything but confirm common knowledge about the policy proposals for the Middle East that do, indeed, emphasize appeasement. He never mentioned Barack Obama by name. But it was Obama who seized it and made it all about him.

And not only did CBS News take the Obama script and use it, but they also baited John McCain to respond, not so much to the President's speech, but to Barack Obama's response. And this supposedly amounted to a two-pronged Republican attack against Obama, although the 'second prong' was initiated by a CBS News reporter.

Perhaps Obama, Pelosi, Biden, Kerry, Kennedy, and Durbin should do some serious soul-searching. Their vitriolic responses to the President's words show that those words hit a raw nerve.

And so, ladies and gentlemen of surrender and appeasement, if the shoe fits, wear it. Don't try to make this about Bush when he was merely accurately reporting facts. If you support sitting down at the negotiating table with terrorists who are known to lie and say anything to further their agenda, then say so. We all already know you support these things anyway.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 5/15/08

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

John Lott has several excellent posts today, one on Obama's latest series of gaffes on foreign policy, another on the good news about Georgia gun legislation, and yet another about Obama's use of the Christian Cross in a campaign ad, and the ensuing silence of the mainstream media, although they pitched a hissy fit over it when Huckabee did it:

http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2008/05/obamas-newest-gaffes-on-foreign-policy.html

http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2008/05/georgias-concealed-handgun-law-amended.html

http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2008/05/dont-hold-your-breath-on-this-one.html

Speaking of Barack Obama's overt use of the Cross in campaign ads, check out this picture and commentary:
http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/375071.aspx

JR has an interesting post on dialing 911 and the need for self-defense:
http://akeyboardanda45.blogspot.com/2008/05/dial-911-and.html

Roberta X has the MUST-read of the day on armed civilians:
http://twowheeledmadwoman.blogspot.com/2008/05/armed-civilians-utility-thereof.html

Alphecca has great news. A gun control bill in Maryland has failed to pass the state assembly:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=767

The Bitch Girls give us an update on the preparation for the NRA meeting/Gun Blogger Bash:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=8212

In addition, Sebastian comments on the significance of John McCain's appearance at the meeting (neither Hillary nor Obama would agree to show up):
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/2008/05/15/were-here/

Nicki is disturbed by this, and so am I. And I hope YOU will be too!!:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2008/05/this-disturbs-me.html

David Codrea has Part I of David Olofson's comments on his reprehensible and disgusting conviction by an obvious kangaroo court made up of morons:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2008/05/down-rabbit-hole-part-i.html

Tam says that since the freaks and nutcases have taken over the Libertarian Party (as opposed to small 'l' libertarians such as myself, who belong to no Party), it is odd that Bob Barr would be their nominee for President:
http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2008/05/bob-barr-and-libertarians.html

Eugene Volokh says that the voter backlash from the California Supreme Court's ruling allowing gay marriage may inadvertently help John McCain in the general election:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2008_05_11-2008_05_17.shtml#1210878732

Misplaced Blame

Americans are increasingly enraged about the price of gasoline, and rightly so. Skyrocketing gas prices are beginning to cut into the lifestyle choices to which most of us have become accustomed, forcing drivers to either cut back on driving or ditch their SUVs for small, fuel-efficient autos.

Oil companies and gas stations are easy targets for Americans' rage in the blame game. After all, somebody, somewhere is to blame for this mess. And it just so happens that the oil companies are making excellent profits for their stockholders, which good corporations are supposed to do.

Of course, the mainstream media never reports that the profit margin percentage for companies like Microsoft and Google is much larger than that of the oil companies. In the liberal blame-game, it is always politically correct to blame the oil companies.

But is it fair to blame the oil companies?

Consider some facts. In 1992 the price of a barrel of crude oil was about 15 bucks. By 1998, ten years ago, crude oil cost roughly $25 per barrel.

Within the last 10 years the price of crude on the open market has steadily increased as demand for the commodity has skyrocketed with China and India beginning to use oil increasingly in their growing economies.

That steady increase in the market value of crude reached an unheard-of $127 per barrel this month. That's roughly 100 bucks per barrel higher than in 1998.

Oil companies do not set the price of crude. The open market determines the price based upon investors/speculators. China and India are now using millions of barrels of oil, meaning, of course, that they are now near the top among the countries of the world in the production of 'greenhouse gases.'

Yet the United Nations granted both countries an exemption from its 'mandated' reduction in greenhouse gases.

With these two countries now using as much oil as most any other country in the world, and with our dependence on foreign oil still remaining at a fairly high level, it is no wonder that the markets have created a financial bonanza for crude.

When the oil companies are having to pay 100 bucks per barrel more for crude than they did 10 years ago, is it really a surprise that gasoline prices have skyrocketed when compared to the past?

The solution that many liberals are selling to a gullible public is to place a windfall profits tax on the oil companies. My friends, oil is already taxed at a rate that boggles the mind. For every 8 cents the oil companies make in profits, the federal government alone collects 18 cents in taxes, and that doesn't count state and local taxes.

In short, the federal government is making windfall profits off of the oil company profits.

So, why does the government need or want more?

In addition, the environmentalist nutcases have seen to it that not only are we forbidden from drilling for oil anywhere in the country but that we are blocked from building more nuclear power facilities or new oil refineries. No new refinery has been built in the U.S. for over 30 years.

Thus, if the answer is weaning ourselves off of foreign oil, how can that be done when a few very powerful extremists have tied our hands?

It should be noted that one of the environmentalists' favorite countries, France, is powered almost exclusively by nuclear energy to the tune of at least 80% of its energy needs.

With new technology that makes nuclear energy as safe as any type of energy on the planet outside of solar, there should be no reason why the U.S. should not build more nuclear facilities and shift to that form of energy as quickly as possible. Nuclear power also ranks with solar as the cleanest form of energy available.

But the answer is not 'taking oil company profits' out of the hands of stockholders in order to fund these alternative energy sources. We were ALREADY funding alternative sources until the environmentalist nutcases put a stop to it.

Ted Kennedy will not even allow windmill-generated wind power to be developed on the shoreline of Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Thus, who IS to blame for the current crisis? Look no further than the environmentalist movement, liberals like Ted Kennedy, and countries like China and India. The oil companies and your local gasoline vendor are no more to blame for the rising prices than your grocer is to blame for rising food prices due to the environmentalist insistence that we take crops and turn them into bio-fuel instead of food.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 5/14/08

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

Here is some big news, and it's good. The North Carolina Community College system will no longer allow illegal aliens to enroll in their curriculum degree programs. Good for them! Michelle Malkin has the complete story:
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/05/14/no-sanctuary-for-illegal-alien-students/

Gun Owners of America has urgent news that Senator David Vitter (R-Louisiana) has introduced a bill in Congress that mandates concealed carry reciprocity for those states that allow it:
http://www.gunowners.org/a051308.htm

David Codrea reports that David Olofson has been convicted and sentenced to 30 months in jail and 2 years probation. He also says that Lou Dobbs may do a follow-up tonight on this ominous development:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2008/05/olofson-convicted-sentenced.html

FreedomSight has links to the complete transcripts of the Olofson trial:
http://freedomsight.net/?p=2494

Also, FreedomSight discusses the issue as to whether or not citizens are required to identify themselves to the police:
http://freedomsight.net/?p=2492

Sebastian show us yet another case of 'pants shittin' hysterics' from the media in Philadelphia:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/2008/05/14/more-psh-from-philly-media/

Mike McCarville has excellent commentary today on how the Democratic political machine, and Howard Dean, set up things so that Hillary didn't have a chance:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2008/05/hillary-can-blame-it-on-howard-dean.html

Blogstitution says that former DNC Chair Terry McAuliff has made an amazing admission, which conservatives have known all along:
http://www.blogstitution.com/2008/05/you-dont-say/

Alphecca has the MUST-read of the day:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=765

Breda has an example of more political hypocrisy at work:
http://thebredafallacy.blogspot.com/2008/05/just-curious.html

Uncle makes some excellent points today about John McCain:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2008/05/14/more-on-mccain/

On the other hand, Robb Allen has THIS to say about McCain and this year's choices:
http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2008/05/14/Were-all-losers.aspx

Eugene Volokh has some great news about food prices in the U.S. (despite the doom and gloom of the mainstream media):
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2008_05_11-2008_05_17.shtml#1210707405

Update on Furman's 'Gang of 200'

Apparently the controversy at South Carolina's Furman University concerning the graduation speech by President George W. Bush is growing. You will find complete details of the protests of the 'gang of 200' in an earlier post today on The Liberty Sphere.

As the childish and inappropriate tantrum of the group of 200 professors and students continues, a backlash has begun on campus, led by a group of conservative students.

Calling themselves 'Conservative Students for a Better Tomorrow,' these brave young men and women are calling on Furman's administration to hold the faculty to their contracts, which mandate their attendance at graduation ceremonies.

Apparently the cry-babies of the 'gang of 200' have been threatening not to show up for the ceremony due to the Bush speech.

In addition, apparently the Furman administration has refused to allow responses to the 'gang of 200's' letter, which was posted on the school's website. The conservative students are demanding that if Furman allows overt political commentary on its website, the least it can do is allow students to respond.

In fact, the conservative group is asking the administration to disallow a political statement by a tiny minority of the faculty to be posted on the website at all.

These students are to be highly commended for their willingness to stand up to the liberal machine in academia, which often effectively shames and silences conservative voices among students and guests.

If Furman allows the 'gang of 200' to get away with these juvenile antics, then I renew my call for the school's financial donors to withhold their funds until some sanity is restored to the University.

Here is a link to the website operated by 'Conservative Students for a Better Tomorrow' at Furman:
http://furmancsbt.org/graduation.aspx

Furman University's Shame: The Gang of 200

In an act reminiscent of students who heckle and shout into silence conservative speakers such as David Horowitz, former Muslim Jihadist Nonie Darwish, Ann Coulter, and many others, 200 students and faculty at South Carolina's Furman University have signed a petition protesting the school's scheduling of President George W. Bush to deliver the graduation address.

The prestigious Baptist university, located in the scenic foothills of upstate South Carolina, prides itself on the fact that its students average roughly 1350-1400 on their SAT scores.

Through the years, however, the school has gradually fallen into the hands of liberal extremists.

Furman severed its centuries-old relationship with the South Carolina Baptist Convention several years ago in an attempt to prevent conservatives from gaining a controlling majority of its Board of Trustees. Since that time the school has continued its gradual descent into the abyss of liberal politics and religion.

One would think that having a U.S. President speak at one's college graduation ceremony would be a rare and high honor. Normally that would be true, with the exception of the 200 Furman students and professors who signed a letter objecting to the President's visit, and placing on the school's website a post entitled, 'We Object.'

Granted, out of the 2,625 students on campus, a mere 200 protesters is a tiny minority. However, given the Furman faculty's penchant for leaning Left in matters political and religious, the protests point to a much deeper and broader problem at the school.

Claiming that Bush had engaged in 'obstructing progress toward reducing greenhouse gases while favoring billions in tax breaks and subsidies to oil companies that are earning record profits,' the gang of 200 stated, 'We are ashamed of this administration.'

Perhaps the Baptists who gave of their hard-earned dollars to establish Furman would be ashamed to know that these so-called 'brightest of the bright' would buy into the debunked garbage of the 'global warming' nutcases.

Or perhaps these geniuses didn't do their economics homework, given that the percentage profit margin of Microsoft and Google surpasses that of the oil companies. The oil companies do not set the price of a barrel of crude, either.

Further, the 'gang of 200' wrote that they are ashamed of the administration's engagement in the War in Iraq, which 'has cost the lives of over 4000 brave and honorable U.S. military personnel.'

True, Bush has not always handled Iraq prudently. But the War has been an absolutely necessary component of the War on Terror, the central fact of which is that Islamic Jihadists around the world want to kill us.

But this has never mattered to anti-war freaks. They would prefer to lay down their weapons and surrender to being beheaded than to send one single soldier into war to defend this country against ANY enemy.

Much to Furman's credit, the 'gang of 200' has been the target of harsh criticism and condemnation on the part of other students (but not the school's faculty or administration, which have remained silent). One student in particular wrote to the group, 'Don't you dare ruin my graduation.'

I hate to break it to you, my friend, but, they already have. By merely initiating this insane, imbecilic 'protest' leading up to a graduation ceremony, the 'gang of 200' has already left a sour taste in the mouths of many students, and most definitely in the mouths of South Carolina Baptists who at one time sent multi-millions of dollars to Furman.

And all we get for the effort is a faculty of Left-wing kooks and a group of students so dumb as to blindly follow in their wake.

Perhaps the school's financial supporters should send a clear signal to Furman that this sort of overt and crude manner of handling a Presidential visit will not be tolerated. They can easily do this by withholding their funding.

Hillary Wins, But The REAL News Is...

As expected, Hillary Clinton has won the Democratic primary in West Virginia by an overwhelming margin of landslide proportions. But the REAL news is what the exit polling shows concerning Barack Obama.

According to West Virginia Democrats who voted today, Obama is not trustworthy. 51% stated that the candidate has a problem with credibility and honesty.

In addition, one-third of Hillary's supporters said that if Obama is the nominee they will jump ship and vote for John McCain. Another 24% said they would stay home.

And the most damning fact of all in the exit polling is that upwards of 55% of Democrats in West Virginia stated that they would NOT vote for Barack Obama if he is their Party's nominee. This means that in a head-to-head matchup with John McCain, Obama would lose by double-digits, similar to his loss to Hillary tonight.

Apparently the 'Reverend Wright' factor has hurt Obama much worse than anyone had anticipated.

And that's not all. Obama faces Kentucky Democrats next, who are similar demographically to West Virginia Democrats. We can safely bet he will lose big time there as well.

John McCain, thus, has a golden opportunity at this moment in time to make significant inroads into 'Reagan Democrats' in the rust belt--Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, etc. Hillary has appealed to these mostly blue-collar white workers, but with her campaign faltering and over 20 million dollars in debt, McCain has an open window.

Obama will not get the Reagan Democrat vote. He is perceived as elitist and untrustworthy. He has made fun of their guns, religion, and lifestyle. For Obama, the chance to get these votes is over.

This is why McCain MUST stop talking about 'global warming' and come to Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, and Illinois to talk about the nation's defense and 'values,' i.e., the sanctity of human life, the importance of family and worship, the commonly-held view in the heartland that a human being's most basic right is to self-defense and self-protection, i.e., gun rights.

McCain must also discuss with these voters economic issues, such as jobs, gas prices, healthcare. But he must do so in such a way that he doesn't scare these voters with any notion of a tax hike. In hard times, much to the chagrin of money-grubbing Democrats, voters do NOT want the government taking more money out of their paychecks at a time when they are having trouble making ends meet.

Thus, the West Virginia Democratic primary has shown us the stark reality of Obama's glaring weakness and vulnerability. McCain should move quickly to capitalize on that vulnerability.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 5/13/08

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

Ever wonder why there are so many tornadoes this year? John Lott says it's cooler oceans, not 'global warming':
http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2008/05/cooler-waters-not-global-warming-behind.html

Michelle Malkin has the quote of the day on Cindy McCain and Michelle Obama:
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/05/13/known-unknowns-and-known-knowns/

JR has breaking news on the new McCarthy gun ban proposal--H.R. 1022:
http://akeyboardanda45.blogspot.com/2008/05/is-hr-1022-gaining-traction.html

Armed and Safe blogs on the assault weapon hysteria in Philly:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2008/05/more-philadelphia-assault-weapon.html

This is great news. Sebastian reports that he will be on Cam & Company tonight during the 9:20 PM segment:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/2008/05/13/ill-be-on-cam-company-tonight/

Uncle speaks penultimate truth about the jackbooted thugs of the ATF. Go read it:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2008/05/13/speaking-of-atf/

Uncle also reports that the Secret Service will not allow guns at the McCain speech at the NRA:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2008/05/13/mccain-at-nra-con/

Breda presents us with an excellent reason for women to carry...even while 'walking in the park':
http://thebredafallacy.blogspot.com/2008/05/not-exactly-walk-in-park.html

The Liberty Belles have the MUST-read of the day, entitled, 'Who's The Real Criminal?' (Hat tip to David Codrea at The War on Guns):
http://www.libertybelles.org/articles/criminalbatfe.htm

So, Bush's approval ratings have dipped to one of the lowest in history. What about Congress!!?? Congress is rated lower than at ANY point since polls were taken! Pelosi is one of the reasons why...and her failure to follow through on earmark reform. Here, Born Again Redneck cites Pelosi's hypocrisy:
http://bornagainredneck.blogspot.com/2008/05/so-much-for-pelosis-earmark-reform.html

Mike McCarville comments on Hillary in West Virginia, her remaining obstacles, and the unlikely prospects of her winning the nomination:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2008/05/not-over-until-lady-in-pantsuit-sings.html

FAMED GOSPEL SINGER/SONGWRITER KILLED

Image courtesy of Amarillo.com

Dottie Rambo, who wrote hundreds of Gospel songs that went on to become classics among professional Gospel groups and church choirs, has died from injuries sustained in an accident.

The singer's tour bus was involved in a crash on a highway, killing Rambo and seriously injuring the members of her band. One band member was in critical condition late Tuesday and was on life support.

Rambo made her debut as a performer in the early 60s with her family group called 'The Singing Rambos.' But it was her compositions that made her famous. Her songs received wide air play and publicaton, such as 'The Holy Hills of Heaven Call Me,' 'Sheltered in the Arms of God,' 'He Looked Beyond My Fault and Saw My Need,' 'Remind Me, Dear Lord,' 'We Shall Behold Him,' 'Behold the Lamb,' and many more.

In later years Ms. Rambo appeared with Bill Gaither on his Homecoming videos and tours.

Funeral arrangements for Ms. Rambo are incomplete at this time.

West Virginia Democrats Vote Today

Hillary Clinton is widely expected to win the West Virginia Democratic primary, which is being held today. Barack Obama has already all but conceded the state to Hillary in his remarks on Monday.

West Virginia is one of those states Obama would have a very difficult time carrying as the Democratic nominee. The state is full of religious folk who love their guns.

And we can't forget that this is the land of legendary Senator Robert 'Sheets' Byrd, D-WV, who is a former Klansman. Many residents of the state have reported to pollsters that they suspect Obama is a Muslim because of his name.

The thing is, if West Virginians would think about it for a bit, they would realize that Hillary Clinton is not their kind of Democrat, either. Her record on guns is as bad as Obama's. And her prescriptions for America's 'ills' are just as Socialistic as her opponent's.

Check back later in the day for a full update on the West Virginia Democratic primary.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 5/12/08

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

Dr. John Lott discusses open carry in Virginia restaurants:
http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2008/05/open-gun-carrying-in-virginia.html

The Buckeye Firearms Association reports that the Lautenberg travesty is going to the U.S. Supreme Court:
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/5660

Mike McCarville reports more bad news for Hillary Clinton:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2008/05/another-superdelegate-endorses-obama.html

JR was setting up his account for the 2nd Amendment Blog Bash and found THIS:
http://akeyboardanda45.blogspot.com/2008/05/things-you-can-find-on-youtube.html

Robb Allen has more on the Bash here:
http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2008/05/12/Times-getting-short.aspx

Alphecca comments on the new talking points for the Left and Barack Obama--if you don't like Obama's policies, you're automatically a racist:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=759

Tam has the MUST-read of the day:
http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2008/05/how-can-people-be-this-dumb.html

David Codrea has a vital interview today with David E. Young, one of the foremost historians and gun activists in the nation today:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2008/05/david-e-young-interview.html

Armed and Safe reports on the next step of the Illinois gun-grabbers:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2008/05/illinois-gun-prohibitionists-next.html

All American Blogger has a feature story on the racist origin of 'La Raza':
http://www.allamericanblogger.com/2767/the-racist-origin-of-la-raza/

Dustin says that this is 'gun week' on Glenn Beck's TV and radio programs:
http://dustinsgunblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/glenn-beck-gun-week.html

FreedomSight reports that Pennsylvania police demanded 'gun papers' and confiscated the weapon from the citizen in question. Sieg Heil!:
http://freedomsight.net/?p=2490

Ryan Horsley at Red's Trading Post has found a way to get around the anti-gun bias of PayPal/eBay, etc.:
http://redstradingpost.blogspot.com/2008/05/dilemma-bias-and-finally-answer.html

Traction Control says the courts question police credibility on gun searches:
http://tractioncontrol.well-regulatedmilitia.org/?p=1066

Breda has a video of Barack Obama and says 'the lights are on but nobody's home':
http://thebredafallacy.blogspot.com/2008/05/lights-are-on.html

The Bitch Girls comment on the hostility of Michelle Obama and her veto of Hillary Clinton on the Democratic ticket:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=8202

Here are the consequences of the slippery slope regarding gun control. Sebastian says Canada is pursuing charges against a man for defending his son against a grizzly bear attack:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/2008/05/12/a-self-defense-no-no/

Ever wonder what academia really thinks about conservatives? The Volokh Conspiracy has a quote that is VERY telling!:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2008_05_11-2008_05_17.shtml#1210602688

Born Again Redneck blows the lid on Obama's connection to corrupt Chicago politics and his ultra-liberal voting record in the Illinois legislature (and let's not forget he is being bankrolled by atheist-Commie Democratic activist billionaire George Soros):
http://bornagainredneck.blogspot.com/2008/05/oh-boy-obama.html

Go have a look at 'Personal Protection Rounds' at Cap'n Bob and the Damsel:
http://capnbob.us/blog/2008/05/11/personal-protection-rounds/

Pay Attention to the Spouses

It's true that Michelle Obama, Cindy McCain, and Bill Clinton are not running for President. But it's a big mistake to assume that spouses of candidates do not wield significant influence over their husbands/wives.

In Michelle Obama's case, that influence may be more significant than any other political spouse outside of Bill Clinton.

Sources close to the Obama campaign insist that Michelle Obama has vetoed any talk of the possibility that Hillary Clinton could be her husband's running mate and potential Vice-President.

In fact, inside sources, according to 'Real Clear Politics,' state that Michelle's hostility toward Hillary goes far beyond a mere objection to her name being on the Democratic ticket. Michelle has been open sniping at Hillary for many months now, and those behind the scenes say that the hostility often erupts into outright rage.

The rage of Michelle Obama has already been the subject of numerous news reports, particularly with regard to her country. Apparently that rage is sometimes directed at individuals as well.

Pay close attention to the spouses of candidates.

One less-than-stellar pundit on CNN had the audacity to suggest over the weekend that voters should totally forget about political spouses, given that the candidates themselves are the ones being elected.

True enough, at least with regard to the latter part of that statement.

But one must also weigh and consider the views, temperament, and style of the political spouse. Such a consideration will often reveal significant facts about the candidates themselves.

For example, with Bill Clinton's love for politics and his daily tirades out on the campaign trail, does anyone actually believe that he will not be a major player in a Hillary Clinton administration? Similarly, with Michelle Obama's penchant for opening mouth and inserting foot, revealing her deep and abiding hatred for America, does anyone realistically expect Barack Obama to ignore the powerful manner in which she presents her desires and points of view?

It is quickly becoming clear that Michelle Obama is every bit as much the loose cannon as Teresa Hines Kerry.

And this is not a gender issue. On the campaign trail there are certain things that best remain unspoken. And this goes for the candidates, as well as their spouses.

'Mother'

We lost her in the month of October as the weather grows cooler and the days shorten, as if she were beckoned to heaven by the changing color of autumn leaves. Her struggle with cancer had left her depleted and weary, her relief and permanent healing only provided by her abiding faith in One who would transport her to another realm where suffering is no more.

Welsh singer/writer/poet Donna Lewis speaks of her Mother as the one who showed her the way through 'the chosen words' of everlasting faith and hope. I can fully relate. But more about that a bit later.

My Mother was a woman of unusual strength and determination, buoyed constantly by a faith that would not flinch in the face of seeming insurmountable obstacles. But my most vivid and poignant memories of her are from boyhood, having spent many a day suffering from the frightening plight of childhood asthma.

I remember as a boy feeling as if I were smothering once the lights went out at night. I am not certain of any scientific or medical evidence suggesting that this is common among the victims of childhood asthma, but nonetheless, I remember having the distinct and frightening feeling that my struggle to breath was made worse by the darkness.

Many a night during those days I would get up and go to the den, where there was always a light. Some way, somehow, though she were sound asleep, my Mother would always sense my presence in the den, and before long she would be by my side sitting in the chair as I reclined on the sofa.

Sometimes she would hold my hand, other times she would get me medicine to help me breath. Sometimes she would hold my head as I threw up from the drugs that were given for the asthma.

Eventually, sleep would slowly overtake me unaware. I would awaken in the morning as the light of the sun came through the window. Invariably as I would look to my side, I would find my Mother still there, sometimes sleeping softly in the chair, sometimes watching me as I awakened.

In some indescribable fashion, the terror that the night brought to a small boy who suffered from asthma was always greatly relieved by the presence of my Mother...and the knowledge that she would be there at the dawning of the morning's light.

Her memory forever lives on in my heart, undimmed by the passage of time. And when October comes, I still feel the sadness of the day we lost her to that higher realm of being.

Donna Lewis, the Welsh singer/songwriter, burst onto the music scene in this country in 1996 with the hit single 'I Love You Always, Forever.' On that same recording is a song that also received some acclaim, though it never reached the level of success as her initial release. It is called simply, 'Mother.'

The song is profound. And it bears an uncanny similarity to my own experience and feelings associated with my Mother. In loving tribute of my Mother, I offer you these captivating words from Donna Lewis.

'Mother'
by Donna Lewis

And I can hear you calling my name
Your healing hands smooth away the pain
And I can hear you whispering
'It'll be alright'...you'll stay until the night breaks into day

You are my light ... in the dark
You stand beside me
You take my hand ... show me the way
You're here to guide me
You give me the strength ... that I need
You give me shelter
You gave me life ... you gave me love
You are my mother

And when you hear me calling your name (I hear your voice)
You touch me with your chosen words
Everlasting faith, everlasting love is the greatest gift you have
Believing understanding me

CHORUS

Closer ... closer ... closer to heaven are you
You are my light in the dark
You take my hand and show me the way
You give me the strength that I need
You gave me life you gave me love

I Smell Another Liberal Hollywood Smear

A film will be released three weeks before election day in November entitled 'W'--another of Oliver Stone's supposed 'biographical' pieces about political figures, this time, George W. Bush.

Given Stone's political views and his history in political film-making, there is no reason to believe this movie will be anything other than a Bush-bash, released just before the election, in tandem with liberal efforts to claim a John McCain presidency will be simply a 3rd George Bush term.

Not only that, but the President is being played by none other than Josh Brolin, son of actor James Brolin, who, along with wife Barbra Streisand are two of the most partisan, liberal, Democratic activists in America.

This is no accident. It is to be remembered that it was James Brolin who played Ronald Reagan in a very controversial film about the former President, which was forced to be removed from the CBS lineup due to an overwhelming public outcry against the movie.

Getting known Hollywood liberal activists to play Republican Presidents is a typical Hollywood ploy. No matter how supposedly 'fair' or 'balanced' the script may be, the very fact that an extremist activist gets to interpret how the role is played automatically makes the performance skewed.

The actor is going to make sure that his/her subject comes off looking as much like a buffoon as possible.

It's not so much that I am coming to the defense of George W. Bush. I have regularly taken Bush apart on this blog for several months now, and thus, this has nothing to do with my views concerning him. Rather, my objective is to expose the Hollywood sleight of hand, as well as its hypocrisy.

The practice of Hollywood in claiming innocence in these matters, while at the same time pulling stunts that show to alert observers that the movie business is a bastion of extremist liberal activists who will stop at nothing to smear those who get in their way, is proof positive that Hollywood uses its movies as a tool to spread Leftist propaganda.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 5/9/08

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

The Buckeye Firearms Association reports that Ohio's Castle Doctrine/Self-Defense bill is moving through the state legislature, and the hearing on it has been rescheduled:
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/5657

Can you say 'goo-goo-gaa-gaa-ma-ma-da-da-o-bama'? Sheesh. This is so typical of the Leftist mainstream media. Michelle Malkin has the story of how the media's collective tongue is hanging out over the Obamessiah:
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/05/09/breaking-news-video-journalists-ogle-obama/

Malkin also reports that Bush has slipped into a war spending bill a billion-dollar initiative to help MEXICO close up it's SOUTHERN BORDER, although he has consistently refused to secure OUR southern border! This is the first time I have had these feelings about the President, and I hate to be disrespectful, but he is an asshole:
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/05/09/merida-initiative-update-white-house-sneaks-it-into-war-spending-bill/

The Bastard (Michael Bloomberg) has asked a judge to disallow any reference to the 2nd Amendment in a trial on guns in New York City...what a freakin' outrage!:
http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2008/05/gag-on-2nd-amendment-in-new-york-citys.html

Sebastian says that a Democratic sweep in the Fall will put our gun rights on the line no matter what the Supreme Court says in Heller vs. D.C., and he is 100% correct:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/2008/05/09/gingrich-talking-tough-to-republicans/

Squeaky states the obvious here, and it is so simple to understand, yet millions of people still don't get it:
http://www.squeakywheelseeksgrease.com/blog/2008/05/09/preaching-to-the-choir/

Squeaky also reports that the women of Code Pink--the extremist, Leftist, Commie, anti-military, subversive group--are beginning to use witchcraft, yep, you read that right, witchcraft, to stop the War in Iraq:
http://www.squeakywheelseeksgrease.com/blog/2008/05/09/let-me-know-how-that-works-for-ya/

Here is the first segment of the Lou Dobbs piece last night on the Wisconsin gun owner case, via The War on Guns:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2008/05/lou-dobbs-on-olofson.html

And here is the 2nd segment. Be sure to read ALL of David Codrea's commentary on the Dobbs piece as well:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2008/05/lou-dobbs-on-olofson-part-2.html

Tam has a highly informative post on the controversy over the new Smith & Wesson gun locks:
http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2008/05/lock-mess-monster.html

Add this one to your list of absolutely absurd laws. FreedomSight has the story:
http://freedomsight.net/?p=2486

Robb Allen uses some well-placed sarcasm to make an excellent point:
http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2008/05/09/It-is-time-to-stop-the-easy-access-to-pharmaceuticals.aspx

JR has some excellent gun news from Texas:
http://akeyboardanda45.blogspot.com/2008/05/good-news-in-texas.html

It seems 'Pump Head' Bill got into an argument with a voter in West Virginia. Mike McCarville has a link to the video:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2008/05/bill-clinton-argues-with-west-virginia.html

Armed and Safe blogs on bullying by the Brady Bunch in Illinois, and it's backfiring:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2008/05/brady-bunch-bullying-and-backfiring.html

Born Again Redneck has an excellent read on oil company profits (and spending)...read it all:
http://bornagainredneck.blogspot.com/2008/05/daily-duh-those-evil-big-oil-companies.html

Alphecca says that there was a pro-Second Amendment article that appeared recently at, of all places, the Daily Kos:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=757

The MUST-read of the day is at All American Blogger, and it is entitled, '8 Reasons to Oppose Gun Control':
http://www.allamericanblogger.com/2750/8-reasons-to-oppose-gun-control/

This, my friends, is ominous. The country may be getting ready to elect to the Presidency a man whose views on the Constitution and the Courts are nothing short of frightening. The Volokh Conspiracy has two posts on the subject, here:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2008_05_04-2008_05_10.shtml#1210345761

And here (this one contains his most chilling statements of all):
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2008_05_04-2008_05_10.shtml#1210371002

What in God's name has happened to this country?

MUSIC! TAYLOR SWIFT SKYROCKETS

Image courtesy of Great American Country Television (GAC-TV)

Ever since The Liberty Sphere first posted an introduction to young Taylor Swift, the 17-year-old country singer/songwriter, all predictions concerning her skyrocketing success have been surpassed.

Not only did the singer score a top hit with her very first release, she has since added her first number one single to her belt, appeared on 'Live with Regis and Kelly,' won the Country Music award for best new artist, and been the subject of countless articles and features in publications and TV news stories such as 'Rolling Stone,' 'Billboard,' and the BBC.

To say that Swift has taken the music industry by storm is an understatement.

The significance of her rapid rise to fame is highlighted by the fact that when she first came to Nashville a major producer told her, via a news report rather than in person, that she probably didn't have much of a chance of success and that she should return home, finish high school, and then perhaps consider a shot at singing.

It was that same year that Swift recorded her first major hit, 'Tim McGraw,' and began touring extensively.

Now, a little over one year later, Swift is playing to sold-out venues across the country.

And for those who don't particularly care for Country Music, 'Rolling Stone' stated that the singer has plenty of crossover appeal as she rocks the entirety of the music world.

At this point it appears the sky is the limit for this talented young lady.

For The Liberty Sphere's first post on Taylor Swift, click here:
http://thelibertysphere.blogspot.com/2006/11/young-taylor-swift-on-her-way-to.html

Second Amendment News Roundup for 5/8/08

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

ROFL! We start off the Roundup today with some great news. Sebastian has found a news article in the BBC that shows that great tits weather global warming quite well:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/2008/05/08/some-good-news/

Roberta X says we have raised a generation that forms 'the aristocracy of incompetence':
http://twowheeledmadwoman.blogspot.com/2008/05/aristocracy-of-incompetence.html

John Lott points to a VERY controversial yet accurate assessment on the subject of guns and race:
http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2008/05/very-provocative-thought-experiment-on.html

You GOTTA see this over at Michelle Malkin's place. As a spoof of the popular blog, Stuff White People Like' she has started a new feature entitled, 'Stuff Muslims Don't Like,' and she starts with the subject of bikinis:
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/05/07/stuff-muslims-dont-like-a-new-feature/

Alphecca is thoroughly disgusted with the choice between McCain and Obama:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=755

Armed and Safe has caught the jackbooted thugs of the BATFE in more lies about firearms:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2008/05/lies-from-batfe-say-it-aint-so.html

Say Uncle points to an oft-recurring theme--armed persons stopping mass shootings:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2008/05/08/a-recurring-theme/

Chilling, absolutely chilling. David Codrea says that police departments, specifically the Little Rock Police, are developing what is called 'a warrior mindset' against the citizens:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2008/05/announcing-warrior-mindset.html

Tam points to Xavier's five rules for concealed carry:
http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2008/05/tote-gun.html

Traction Control comments further on the militarization of public servants...resulting in the shooting of an innocent guy sleeping on his couch:
http://tractioncontrol.well-regulatedmilitia.org/?p=1063

An enthusiastic 'congratulations' goes to Breda today for being asked by The Buckeye Firearms Association to allow them to republish one of her posts on the Association website. Way to go, Breda!!:
http://thebredafallacy.blogspot.com/2008/05/yay-me.html

Of Arms and the Law has this info on some pro-gun pieces in the media:
http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/2008/05/progun_media_pi.php

Mike McCarville says that Obama plans to declare victory over Hillary on May 20:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2008/05/obama-to-declare-victory-on-may-20th.html

This is the MUST-read of the day. It seems the pot-bangers at Duke University are stirring up a hornet's nest again over the Lacrosse rape hoax. Three professors, two of whom were the first of Duke's faculty to stir up hatred against the falsely accused lacrosse students, have written a 'scholarly' article on the subject, which K.C. Johnson summarily takes apart over at The Volokh Conspiracy:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2008_05_04-2008_05_10.shtml#1210225198

One-Third

One-third of Hillary Clinton supporters have consistently indicated to pollsters and news reporters that if their candidate is not the nominee of the Democratic Party, they will support John McCain.

This is excellent news, given that it has become all but certain that Hillary will NOT win her Party's nomination.

The numbers simply do not support a Hillary Clinton win, especially after Tuesday's dreadful results. She needed to win big in Indiana but almost lost. She needed to be competitive in North Carolina but lost by double-digits. The momentum is now on Obama's side, and everyone in the Party knows it, particularly those all-important 'super-delegates,' who are abandoning Hillary like rodents jumping off of a sinking ship.

Barring some unforeseen circumstance such as another Obama gaffe in which he claims that older white women do not support him because they secretly fear he will rape them, or some other such nonsense, the man who insulted Pennsylvanians will in all likelihood be the Democratic nominee.

The prospects of a John McCain-Barack Obama matchup should be a delightful prospect to all of those who loathe the Obama ideology. Although McCain has raised the ire of conservatives on many occasions, when compared to Obama's abject Socialism and outright hatred of America the Arizona Senator will look like a Burke traditionalist in comparison.

Obama's reluctance to spell out the 'change' he proposes can be attributed to his extremist, Leftist viewpoint. Extremists of the Left typically do not fully describe their views or proposals for the fear that it will alienate the majority of the population. Thus, vague generalities are the order of the day.

But when one looks closely at Obama's words over a period of time, it is clear that he is well outside the political mainstream. Americans in the heartland will never go for his prescriptions for our so-called 'ills' once they are spelled out for them, as McCain will most surely do.

For example, Obama claims the oil companies are guilty of 'price gouging.' This statement is in itself ample evidence that the man has no inkling of what he's talking about. Not only that, but his response to the supposed price gouging is to 'take their profits' and invest them in alternative energy sources.

My friends, when government raids the profits of private enterprise, we are no longer living in a free society but an oppressive one, closely akin to that of Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. Further, the oil companies are already investing in alternative energy sources. BP, for example, is one of the world's top investors in solar energy. This is not to mention that the top American automakers are rolling out products that use electricity, fuel cell technology, as well as bio-fuels. If the automakers believed that there would be no way to power these vehicles, then they would not produce them.

In short, the free market and private enterprise is taking care of the problem.

Obama has also said each of the following: we should withdraw from Iraq immediately and invade Pakistan to 'get bin Laden and al Qaeda' (Pakistan is a major nuclear power); handguns should be banned, period; he would mandate that the automakers manufacture only those vehicles that adhere to the most restrictive gas mileage and emission standards (removing from the consumer the right to choose what they drive); he would have absolutely no limits on abortion, given that he voted against providing medical care for babies that survive botched abortion attempts; he has stated he is against the Bush tax cuts and is for letting them expire in 2010, meaning he supports the largest single tax increase in American history; he has proposed various and sundry new government programs that will necessitate a 300 BILLION tax increase in order to pay for them; he believes that the federal government should play a greater role in local education, in spite of the fact that he opposes 'no child left behind;' he has stated he opposes moves to punish 'sanctuary cities' that break the law in order to give haven to illegal aliens; and he opposes clamping down on illegal aliens.

Because of these extremist views, Obama has failed to win the majority of the white vote AND the Hispanic vote in the primaries. The only white votes he has won are what we can refer to as the 'egg-headed liberal elites of academia.' This, in fact, is the reason he won big in North Carolina over Hillary. The state's Democrats are overwhelmingly African-American, and the white Democrats tend to be connected to academia where they flourish in such liberal bastions as Duke and the University of North Carolina.

As one of Hillary's advisers stated Wednesday morning on a TV morning show, 'no Presidential candidate can win the White House in November by getting only the African-American vote and the votes of the white egg-heads.'

The only chance Hillary has, therefore, is to convince a majority of the super-delegates that Obama has no chance in November. But it is doubtful she will succeed since the Democrats this year are star-struck by a young upstart who has no experience.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 5/7/08

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

Mike McCarville provides an excellent analysis of Hillary Clinton's poor showing in yesterday's primaries:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2008/05/ignoring-reality-clinton-stays-in.html

Michelle Malkin points out Obama's biggest liability in the general election in November:
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/05/07/obamas-biggest-general-election-liability-his-bitter-half/

Sebastian reports great news about John McCain's judicial advisory committee, which is made up of some highly reputable persons who will please gunowners and conservatives (Eugene Volokh and Fred Thompson are in the group):
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/2008/05/06/mccain-judicial-advisory-committee/

Armed and Safe has important news to gunowners concerning H.R. 4900:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2008/05/picking-up-steam.html

Nicki takes apart another Hollywood-type liberal elitist who opened up his mouth and hurled Leftist blather:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2008/05/more-disrespect-please-mr-king.html

Blogstitution has a MUST-read on the War in Iraq:
http://www.blogstitution.com/2008/05/how-i-got-iraq-right/

Traction Control reports that gunbloggers will have press passes at the 2A/NRA blog bash in Louisville:
http://tractioncontrol.well-regulatedmilitia.org/?p=1062

Go take a look at THIS at Born Again Redneck--read it all:
http://bornagainredneck.blogspot.com/2008/05/losing-our-spines-to-save-our-necks.html

Breda has some good reading today and posts her predictions on Obama, Hillary, and McCain:
http://thebredafallacy.blogspot.com/2008/05/prediction.html

This is wayyy off topic but I couldn't pass it up. Damsel has a wonderful portrait of their beautiful dog, Bear....and I offer this to all who, like me, are dog lovers:
http://capnbob.us/blog/2008/05/06/shaggy-dog-stories/

The Bitch Girls have excellent reading today on the NRA and an imbecilic reporter. Whatever you do, don't pass this one up!:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=8184

David Hardy informs us about Steve Halbrooks' new book, 'The Founders' Second Amendment':
http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/2008/05/steve_halbrooks.php

In a free society, government agencies should have no 'secret offices' except as secondary locations in the event of a major emergency. But the BATFE is getting a new office in a secret location. Mmmmm, wonder why??? As David Codrea points out, there is a very obvious reason why, and it ain't good:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2008/05/secret-location-of-batfu-cave.html

Say Uncle has the quote of the day from Tam:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2008/05/07/quote-of-the-day-9/

Be sure to read THIS by Robb Allen:
http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2008/05/07/They-should-have-just-given-him-what-he-wanted.aspx

She's In Trouble

The pundits and political prognosticators were wrong. Hillary Clinton failed to pull off an upset in North Carolina, and in fact, the exact opposite took place. She lost by double-digits after having pulled to within 5-6 percentage points of Obama over the weekend in the tracking polls.

In addition, Clinton failed to win Indiana by the comfortable margin that has been predicted. In fact, as of this writing the state of Indiana has been deemed too close to call, although Hillary is leading Obama by 4%.

Clearly, the movement has shifted to Obama, and he comes out of Tuesday's two primaries with significant momentum.

Not only did Hillary need to win North Carolina, or at least lose by single digits, she needed to win big in Indiana. She got neither. Spin this any way you will and you still have a candidate who is in deep trouble.

The most shocking statistic from the evening, however, comes from Democratic voters in these two states. In Indiana over 60% of Democrats say that Hillary is honest and trustworthy, and over 70% say the same about Obama. In North Carolina 49% say Hillary is honest and trustworthy, while well over 70% say the same about Obama.

This means that in spite of the lies, the spin, the duplicity, and the disingenuousness exhibited by both of these candidates, Democrats appear oblivious to it all.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 5/6/08

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

Dustin takes strong exception to a man in Chattanooga who believes that it is impractical to take a handgun on the hiking trail:
http://dustinsgunblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/10-lb-handgun.html

Of Arms and the Law reports that at ground zero of gun bans--London, England--a gun fight broke out that resulted in a police siege. I didn't think these things happened in such a 'safe' place!:
http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/2008/05/gunfight_and_po.php

Tam blogs about the Indy gunbloggers meeting recently:
http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2008/05/my-head-feels-vacuumed-out.html

The Ninth Stage opines on prosecutors and other government officials who violate the law and the civil rights of the citizens...and I FULLY agree!:
http://ninthstage.com/index.php/2008/05/05/id-say-hell-yes/

The MUST-read of the day is by Pamela Geller at Atlas Shrugs, and it shows us why Zogby's polls cannot be trusted:
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/obama-zogbys-ug.html

David Codrea has a neat story about a family that is proud to be a shooting family, where children are taught to respect and properly handle firearms:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2008/05/proud-to-be-shooting-family.html

We know that the government has fallen into the hands of tyrants and despots when the ones making the laws for the masses believe that they themselves are exempt from those laws. Take smoking indoors, for example, as Uncle points out:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2008/05/06/step-1-find-book-step-2-throw-it/

Sebastian gives us some facts about the size, scope, and power of the gun rights movement:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/2008/05/06/more-gun-rights-facts/

Nicki comments on suspending the gas tax, drilling for more oil in North America, and building more refineries:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2008/05/gas-tax-ignorami.html

As Bill Buckley discovered in the early 1950s, American academia is a cesspool of liberal propaganda and brainwashing. Mike McCarville gives us an example of this in the state of Oklahoma:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2008/05/study-93-of-ou-employees-back-dems.html

North Carolina, Indiana Democrats Decide Today

The North Carolina and Indiana Democratic Primaries are being held today, and early reports indicate we may be in for a surprise.

Hillary Clinton has been closing the gap on Barack Obama in North Carolina, rebounding from a double-digit deficit to a mere 5-6 point deficit over the weekend. Reports from around the state on Monday indicated that the trend is definitely going Hillary's way and that she has pulled within easy striking distance of Obama, who had enjoyed a comfortable lead until now.

Indiana is expected to go Hillary's way, but Obama has picked up some key support in the state. The question is which part of the state can turn out the most voters.

North Carolina's governor is solidly behind Hillary and has purchased ads that are running throughout the state that provide a ringing endorsement for the ex-First Lady.

Although Hillary is quickly catching up to Obama in North Carolina, she may run out of time before overtaking him. That said, some pundits in the state are predicting a Hillary upset, which would be a serious setback for the Obama campaign.

Check back later this evening for further updates.

Tom Hanks Can Take a Flying Leap...

This is precisely why I am vehemently opposed to entertainers publicly endorsing political candidates. As soon as one of our illustrious gold-brick 'stars' think they are important enough that their political opinions matter, I never view that person in the same light, particularly if they endorse someone who is entirely opposed to every single core value I espouse.

For this reason I will never go to see another Tom Hanks movie...ever.

Hanks has endorsed Barack Obama for President. This is too bad because I always thought of Hanks as a decent human being.

Not anymore.

Anyone who can endorse the likes of a gun-grabbing, rights-robbing, tax-raising Socialist like Obama must be a Socialist himself who agrees with the candidate's views. This makes Tom Hanks lower than pond scum in my book.

As far as I'm concerned the actor and others like him can take a flying leap off the highest bridge they can find...

Second Amendment News Roundup for 5/5/08

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

There is an excellent op-ed over at the Buckeye Firearms Association, which explores the fact that liberals should love the 2nd Amendment:
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/5626

There is so much good reading at the Volokh Conspiracy today that I won't attempt to link to all of them. Just click on the website link below and scroll down for a great discussion about Burkean Conservatism, a proposed statute in Massachusetts that would make it a felony to cheat on one's lover, exam questions and advanced topics in firearms (particularly about the Colt revolver), and the shenanigans of Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and the state's Democratic Party:
http://volokh.com/

Did you know that the U.N. has a 'Representative for Disarmament Affairs'? There is a lot most Americans don't know about this subversive organization of anti-freedom, yet we still pay for it. Read this latest scoop on the U.N. from Sebastian:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/2008/05/05/small-arms-threat-to-peace-and-security/

JR has this excellent rundown on several laws passed by the Texas legislature involving firearms:
http://akeyboardanda45.blogspot.com/2008/05/employer-parking-lots-and-firearms-in.html

Mike McCarville reports that Hillary shot herself in the foot in an Indiana campaign ad highlighting Obama's views on guns:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2008/05/clinton-campaign-shoots-self-in-foot.html

Roberta X says that Hillary and Obama suddenly woke up to the importance of the middle class:
http://twowheeledmadwoman.blogspot.com/2008/05/suddenly-were-uniquely-special-just.html

Alphecca reports some major discrepancies between the Brady Bunch and the Violence Policy Center on firearms stats:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=750

Say Uncle has the quote of the day:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2008/05/05/quote-of-the-day-8/

First, Obama took the American flag off of his lapel. Then he refused to place his hand over his heart along with the other Dem candidates when the National Anthem and Pledge were being played/stated. Then we discover his wife and closest friends (and Pastor) are America-haters. Now, Michelle Malkin reports that another radical Obama friend, Bill Ayes, has stomped on the American flag:
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/05/05/flag-desecration-of-the-day-bill-ayers-stomps-on-old-glory/

Try out this one as one of the clearest examples of the nanny state at work: a pipe smoking convention in Illinois will not be allowed to light up their pipes because of the state's indoor smoking ban. John Lott has the story:
http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2008/05/indoor-smoking-ban-takes-steam-out-of.html

Dr. Lott also reports that a judge has removed a citizen from jury duty because of the citizen's views on concealed handguns:
http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2008/05/one-person-who-was-removed-from-jury.html

Robb Allen blogs on how a journalist got enlightened to firearms:
http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2008/05/05/What-do-you-get-when-you-cross-a-journalist-with.aspx

The Bitch Girls point to a New York Times op-ed that clearly shows they are not interested in enforcing the laws on the books against criminals:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=8179

Traction Control has an important update on the ongoing controversy about the use of Islamic symbols at the sight of the memorial of United Flight 93 in Pennsylvania:
http://tractioncontrol.well-regulatedmilitia.org/?p=1059

David Codrea has some examples of 'lies of omission' from Harvard:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2008/05/lies-by-omission-from-harvard-cji.html

I agree with this 100%. Go read it at Nicki's place:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2008/05/this-retard-doesnt-speak-for-me.html

The MUST-read of the day is at Armed and Safe:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2008/05/second-amendment-americas-monopoly.html

Cap'n Bob and the Damsel have a neat video of their day at the range yesterday:
http://capnbob.us/blog/2008/05/04/getting-your-moneys-worth-2/

FreedomSight has the story of more asset seizure and forfeiture by 'big brother' gub'ment:
http://freedomsight.net/?p=2479

Born Again Redneck comments on the fact that Oprah Winfrey left the Reverend Wright's church while Barack 'Pennsylvanians Use Outhouses Equipped with Sears Catalogues' Obama did not:
http://bornagainredneck.blogspot.com/2008/05/why-oprah-left-wrights-church.html

All American Blogger reports that Barack 'Pennsylvanians Wash Their Clothes in the Crick' Obama is accepting a large donation from the anti-American, anti-military group, Code Pink:
http://www.allamericanblogger.com/2703/obama-accepting-50000-from-code-pink/

Tax Rebates and Firearm Purchases

Recently I had opportunity to gather with a group of acquaintances for a dinner party. In a room adjacent to the dining area about ten of us were gathered to smoke our pipes and cigars, and to engage in a bit of chat.

Someone in the group broached the subject of the Bush tax rebates, the first wave of which has already been sent out in the mail. The question was what we intended to do with our rebates.

Would we pay some bills? Put it in savings? Or would we do as we have been encouraged to do and use it to purchase goods that will stimulate the economy?

Several offered their intentions about what to do with the money, and then it was my turn. I told them I planned to buy a new firearm.

A part of me made that comment for the express purpose of creating a row--knowing that most within the room were squeamish about the citizenry being entrusted with the ability to own and keep firearms.

The other part of me made the statement simply because that is exactly what I intend to do. I need a new firearm, and what better way is there to stimulate the economy, bolster my own self-defense, and exhibit the patriotic, independent spirit of the Framers of the Constitution than to purchase a gun?

My acquaintances, however, seemed to take a dim view of my plan. In fact, I must have shocked them speechless. The room grew totally quiet...so quiet in fact that you could have heard the footprints of a feline on carpet.

No one said a word. The only reaction was a collective stare in my direction as if I had insulted John Kerry.

And then, as if awakening from a brief, 10-second trance, they all began to pick up right where they had left off in the conversation before my show-stopper.

So this is the point to which we have descended in 'polite' society in this nation, and it has been a long, long descent from the lofty ideals of the men who put their lives on the line to give us this free country.

In spite of the fact that I went to this shindig against my better judgment, rationality finally kicked in as I realized that I no longer wanted to be in the presence of these sophomoric, self-righteous, and sanctimonious snobs that inhabit the social circles of the Left.

Oh, and, by the way, since most liberals do not believe that we, the taxpayers, should get a rebate in the first place, I certainly will be expecting all my acquaintances at the dinner party, along with all of the rest of the esteemed Left, to turn their rebate checks back in to Uncle Sam.

After all, I'm sure they wouldn't dare be so overtly disingenuous as to accept their tax rebates while at the same time condemning the whole idea. Of course not. Liberals are entirely too honorable to commit such a dastardly act of hypocrisy.

How Bush Destroyed the Winning Coalition

Ever since Ronald Reagan put together a winning coalition in 1980 of social/religious conservatives, economic conservatives, limited government libertarians, those who believe U.S. defense should be the strongest in the world, and conservative Democrats who are disgruntled with their Party, Republicans have enjoyed the longest era of success they've had in modern times.

It would be redundant for me to enumerate those successes here as I have written often of the resounding success of the Reagan Revolution. Suffice it to say that the Reagan ideology probably saved the Republic from continued decline and eventual destruction.

Yet, all it took to rip this coalition apart was two terms of George W. Bush.

Bush has perhaps pulled off the single biggest hoax in politics since Richard Nixon. He ran twice as a Reagan conservative but has governed as a moderate, elitist Republican in the tradition of his father, George H.W. Bush, and other GOP moderates such as Nelson Rockefeller and Gerald Ford.

During the first Bush term, this fact was hidden by the nation's focus on terrorism and the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. But during the second term those issues had faded from public consciousness a bit, allowing the light to peer through so as to illuminate the true Bush ideology.

Bush has adhered to the principles of the Reagan Coalition on only two fronts--the tax cuts and abortion. Even when it comes to the War in Iraq, the President has failed to consider the enormous strain his policies have placed on the American military, which was not prepared in terms of overall manpower to conduct two separate fronts in the War on Terror.

Reagan believed that one must first build up the country's military strength in terms of new and effective weapons--and modern gear for the soldiers--and in terms of increasing the number of men and women who serve in the armed forces.

Certainly a President is not always afforded the luxury of having the time to do these things before engaging our military in battle. 9/11 was an event that could not be foreseen in any specific, definite sense. But Bush's failure was not responding to the attack. His mistake is that even after engaging our military we still did not succeed in the necessary strengthening of arms and personnel.

The result is a military that has been drained, used-up, overworked, and under-compensated.

Nonetheless, Bush still presided over a massive increase in the size and scope of government, even as our military suffered. And this is precisely where the President committed what is tantamount to heresy within the Reagan Coalition--a libertarian, small government conservative would not support such a massive buildup of government power and authority.

Add to this the Bush penchant for kicking in the teeth those who put him in office, such as supporting D.C.'s gun ban, allowing the ATF to continue to intimidate, harass, and crush the firearms industry, and failing to stop the flow of illegal aliens into the country and put the clamps on 'sanctuary cities.'

Because of Mr. Bush's willingness to ignore the policies that gave the GOP such enormous success, he has become perhaps the most unpopular President in U.S. history, and he has been dragging down the GOP with him.

For this reason we are stuck with John McCain, who in some ironic twist of fate is probably the one Republican who has the best chance of winning the White House precisely because he has been willing to oppose Bush and his Party on various issues.

Granted, some of McCain's views are certainly anathema to Reagan conservatives, but the public perception is that he is a good guy who thinks for himself. The masses generally do not understand the nuances of policy. All they know is McCain has stood against Bush and other Republicans who are not so popular at present.

The bottom line is that we are stuck with McCain because Bush has nearly destroyed the Reagan Coalition. And if McCain is able to pull in some Democrats with him it won't be because they are 'Reagan Democrats' but because they support some of McCain's more liberal ideas and refuse to support Hillary or Obama because of the ill feelings the Democrats' primary season has evoked.

To be sure, the remnants of the Coalition are still there, although scattered apart in political never-never land. The 'blue dog' Democrats are ample proof of that. All it would take for the Coalition to receive a breath of new life is a candidate who can inspire and rekindle the patriotic spirit that brought us all together in the first place.