Saturday, September 20, 2008

McCain and Obama have both had their funny moments....

Here is one (on purpose) from Bob Barr:



"3.3 International Affairs

American foreign policy should seek an America at peace with the world and its defense against attack from abroad. We would end the current U.S. government policy of foreign intervention, including military and economic aid. We recognize the right of all people to resist tyranny and defend themselves and their rights. We condemn the use of force, and especially the use of terrorism, against the innocent, regardless of whether such acts are committed by governments or by political or revolutionary groups."

-from http://www.lp.org/platform

Friday, September 19, 2008

Change, reform, change, reform, change, reform, I put it on eBay, I told them thanks but no thanks......

Both of the major parties are promising change and reform and better times for America. I still believe that their minds are muddled and all that can happen (with either Obama or McCain) will be more of the same....

A Real Choice



"3.2 Internal Security and Individual Rights

The defense of the country requires that we have adequate intelligence to detect and to counter threats to domestic security. This requirement must not take priority over maintaining the civil liberties of our citizens. The Bill of Rights provides no exceptions for a time of war. Intelligence agencies that legitimately seek to preserve the security of the nation must be subject to oversight and transparency. We oppose the government's use of secret classifications to keep from the public information that it should have, especially that which shows that the government has violated the law."

-from http://www.lp.org/platform

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Bob Barr talks to an Atlanta Fox affiliate....



"3.1 National Defense

We support the maintenance of a sufficient military to defend the United States against aggression. The United States should both abandon its attempts to act as policeman for the world and avoid entangling alliances. We oppose any form of compulsory national service."

-excerpt from http://www.lp.org/platform

Other things....

I use OpenDNS. You might ask what in the world that is. Visit here for more information. If you like what you see, you can follow the instructions here to start using OpenDNS yourself (home users with that link).

We're thinking about checking out the Monte Sano Art Show on Saturday. It looks like it could be pretty fun! I will, of course, be carrying multiple footbags.

Last, but not least.....

Lest ye forget, tomARRRRRRRRRRRow be International Talk Like A Pirate Day, me hearties!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

As usual.....

Cryptome probably has what you are looking for......

And so it goes.......

More on the issue in this video can be learned about here....



" 3.0 Securing Liberty

The protection of individual rights is the only proper purpose of government. Government is constitutionally limited so as to prevent the infringement of individual rights by the government itself. The principle of non-initiation of force should guide the relationships between governments."

-from http://www.lp.org/platform

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

I totally believe Bob Barr hits the nail on the head here....

Democan, Republicrat, McBama......



"2.10 Retirement and Income Security

Retirement planning is the responsibility of the individual, not the government. We favor replacing the current government-sponsored Social Security system with a private voluntary system. The proper source of help for the poor is the voluntary efforts of private groups and individuals."

-snippet from http://www.lp.org/platform

Monday, September 15, 2008

STOP the Bill of Rights Blackout!



http://www.bobbarr2008.com/rights

"2.9 Health Care

We favor restoring and reviving a free market health care system. We recognize the freedom of individuals to determine the level of health insurance they want, the level of health care they want, the care providers they want, the medicines and treatments they will use and all other aspects of their medical care, including end-of-life decisions."

-excerpt from http://www.lp.org/platform

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Bob Barr on McCain's energy plan....



" 2.8 Education

Education, like any other service, is best provided by the free market, achieving greater quality and efficiency with more diversity of choice. Schools should be managed locally to achieve greater accountability and parental involvement. Recognizing that the education of children is inextricably linked to moral values, we would return authority to parents to determine the education of their children, without interference from government. In particular, parents should have control of and responsibility for all funds expended for their children's education."

-from the National Platform of the Libertarian Party Adopted in Convention, May 2008, Denver, Colorado (http://www.lp.org/platform)

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Greetings and salutations....

The first two pieces (of three) of the old 20 year reunion have come and gone and they've been pretty fun thus far.....

Politics?



"2.7 Labor Markets

We support repeal of all laws which impede the ability of any person to find employment. We oppose government-fostered forced retirement. We support the right of free persons to associate or not associate in labor unions, and an employer should have the right to recognize or refuse to recognize a union. We oppose government interference in bargaining, such as compulsory arbitration or imposing an obligation to bargain."

-from the National Platform of the Libertarian Party Adopted in Convention, May 2008, Denver, Colorado (http://www.lp.org/platform)

Friday, September 12, 2008

One of Bob Barr's latest for your viewing pleasure...



"2.6 Monopolies and Corporations

We defend the right of individuals to form corporations, cooperatives and other types of companies based on voluntary association. We seek to divest government of all functions that can be provided by non-governmental organizations or private individuals. We oppose government subsidies to business, labor, or any other special interest. Industries should be governed by free markets."

-from the National Platform of the Libertarian Party Adopted in Convention, May 2008, Denver, Colorado (http://www.lp.org/platform)

Thursday, September 11, 2008

As far as this blog is concerned...

Please consider this a day of silent remembrance for those who were lost seven years ago and their families and the United States as a whole.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Who said this?

"Medicare is going to go broke (citing director). In 1993 we rejected the Clinton universal healthcare proposal, it was rejected by the American people. The latest proposal is putting lipstick on a pig. I was at Cleveland Clinic yesterday, they are making incredible use of technology, technology that's startling. Heart operation that goes in between the ribs. Capability of monitoring patients online."

The article here attributes it to McCain. I believe that the "outrage" needs to lose the spin and these folks need to lighten up and talk about issues. I know Sarah Palin is supposed to FINALLY do an interview, but it's a handpicked interviewer after a week of learning the "party line". This is not aimed at her personally, but her rhetoric was used once at the convention and it gets kind of old and tired hearing it OVER and OVER again. It almost reminds me a bit too much of the Bush administration a few years ago. "If I say something OVER and OVER and OVER again, maybe it's true." If the election had been held several weeks ago (prior to either VP candidate being named at least) and the only possible choices were McCain or Obama, I would've chosen McCain. That would be different today. Thank God there's a Libertarian out there.....

McCain's Meaning of Is from http://www.youtube.com/BobBarr2008



" 2.5 Money and Financial Markets

We favor free-market banking, with unrestricted competition among banks and depository institutions of all types. Individuals engaged in voluntary exchange should be free to use as money any mutually agreeable commodity or item. We support a halt to inflationary monetary policies, the repeal of legal tender laws and compulsory governmental units of account."

-from the National Platform of the Libertarian Party Adopted in Convention, May 2008, Denver, Colorado (http://www.lp.org/platform)

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

T-about 3.5 hours and counting.....

The "First Beam" of the Large Hadron Collider should be fired in about four hours. I'll be sawing logs around that time so I hope the world doesn't end....

:-P

Meanwhile, the webcast starts at 0830 CEST. By the way, as of 2220 CDT, it's 0520 CEST.

Nighty-night, folks!

It was sure to come....

Bob Barr speaks about the Fannie/Freddie bailout



" 2.4 Government Finance and Spending

All persons are entitled to keep the fruits of their labor. We call for the repeal of the income tax, the abolishment of the Internal Revenue Service and all federal programs and services not required under the U.S. Constitution. We oppose any legal requirements forcing employers to serve as tax collectors. Government should not incur debt, which burdens future generations without their consent. We support the passage of a "Balanced Budget Amendment" to the U.S. Constitution, provided that the budget is balanced exclusively by cutting expenditures, and not by raising taxes."

-from the National Platform of the Libertarian Party Adopted in Convention, May 2008, Denver, Colorado (http://www.lp.org/platform)

Olive Garden doesn't see us visiting that often, but they did this evening. Many folks equate Italian food with spaghetti and meatballs and lasagna and the like. There's a great deal more to Italian food. I had this and IT WAS yummy! Of the places we've lived, we enjoyed Biaggi's in Davenport, IA and Mangia Cafe in Clifton Park, NY (unfortunately it's gone now but there's one in Slingerlands, NY).....

Monday, September 08, 2008

Why would the Republican Party sue Bob Barr?

Bob Barr Sued by McCain's GOP



" 2.3 Energy and Resources

While energy is needed to fuel a modern society, government should not be subsidizing any particular form of energy. We oppose all government control of energy pricing, allocation, and production."

-from the National Platform of the Libertarian Party Adopted in Convention, May 2008, Denver, Colorado (http://www.lp.org/platform)

I'm sure it's old news to most folks, but check out one of the US Navy's most recently christened ships. This ship is going to be an amphibious dock transport ship and will be named the USS New York. Appropriately, it is named in honor of the NYC victims of 9/11. A portion of the twisted steel remnants from the World Trade Center attacks (24 tons worth) has been used in the ship's construction and it is scheduled to be commissioned next year on September 11th in New York City.

I often decry excessive government secrecy here (and point out spots online like http://www.cryptome.org). One of the nation's most secretive agencies (often with good reason but abuse can occur) makes The World Factbook available as a website and a download. I like information....

Peace, y'all!

Sunday, September 07, 2008

Are your papers in order, comrade?



" 2.2 Environment

We support a clean and healthy environment and sensible use of our natural resources. Private landowners and conservation groups have a vested interest in maintaining natural resources. Pollution and misuse of resources cause damage to our ecosystem. Governments, unlike private businesses, are unaccountable for such damage done to our environment and have a terrible track record when it comes to environmental protection. Protecting the environment requires a clear definition and enforcement of individual rights in resources like land, water, air, and wildlife. Free markets and property rights stimulate the technological innovations and behavioral changes required to protect our environment and ecosystems. We realize that our planet's climate is constantly changing, but environmental advocates and social pressure are the most effective means of changing public behavior."

-from the National Platform of the Libertarian Party Adopted in Convention, May 2008, Denver, Colorado (http://www.lp.org/platform)

Now for your viewing pleasure, here are some recent CRS reports.

Saturday, September 06, 2008

I'll be waiting to see/hear Bob's response to the rumored government takeover of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac...

Fannie & Freddie Bailout Bad for Taxpayers -Barr on FXN 7/14



"2.1 Property and Contract

Property rights are entitled to the same protection as all other human rights. The owners of property have the full right to control, use, dispose of, or in any manner enjoy, their property without interference, until and unless the exercise of their control infringes the valid rights of others. We oppose all controls on wages, prices, rents, profits, production, and interest rates. We advocate the repeal of all laws banning or restricting the advertising of prices, products, or services. We oppose all violations of the right to private property, liberty of contract, and freedom of trade. The right to trade includes the right not to trade — for any reasons whatsoever. Where property, including land, has been taken from its rightful owners by the government or private action in violation of individual rights, we favor restitution to the rightful owners."

-excerpt from the National Platform of the Libertarian Party Adopted in Convention, May 2008, Denver, Colorado (http://www.lp.org/platform)

Friday, September 05, 2008

Here's another thing....

This is a two hour radio show (one can normally listen locally via NPR) called Democracy Now. If you don't like that video, there's an interview in the included audio stream via archive.org. Amy Goodman's interview of Bob Barr starts at about 1 hour, 46 minutes, 15 seconds. It didn't take too long to load to that point for me, but I'm using cable, so......



The interview transcript is available from this page on democracynow.org.

I'll bet y'all thought I forgot today's daily dose of liberty......

Here goes...

I will start with BunZo's. The food was very good. There was a slight miscommunication/bad assumption on the part of the waitress, but we'll definitely be going again. I figure we'll give them a little time to iron out any kinks (a month, tops) and check it out again. I definitely recommend this place......

Anyway, here's what Bob Barr has to say about John McCain's Iraq strategery:

Bob Barr on John McCain's Iraq Strategy



" 2.0 Economic Liberty

A free and competitive market allocates resources in the most efficient manner. Each person has the right to offer goods and services to others on the free market. The only proper role of government in the economic realm is to protect property rights, adjudicate disputes, and provide a legal framework in which voluntary trade is protected. All efforts by government to redistribute wealth, or to control or manage trade, are improper in a free society."

-excerpt from the National Platform of the Libertarian Party Adopted in Convention, May 2008, Denver, Colorado (http://www.lp.org/platform)

The wife unit (1 each) occasionally meets some folks from in and around Huntsville for lunch.....

As today was my day off, I had the chance to go as well. What was the venue today?

Soul Burger

I'd heard good things about this burger joint before. I must say that the food was really good. I had a monstrosity of a burger (the Double Big Daddy). I definitely recommend this place. Just a warning....

If you're going for lunch, the place stays busy and is kind of small, so you might wait a bit for a table. That's just a testament to the food. If you tell the folks that you're new, they'll ring a bell for you and yell "We've got a virgin!"

I tried to get by without that happening, but was foiled by one of my wife's usual lunch crew. The woman who I believe owns the place will occasionally come out and take orders from folks waiting in line and always has a "How ya' doin', (sweetheart|cutie petootie|sweetie|honey)?" for visitors.

Tonight, it's BunZo's Seafood for dinner. This place is right near Sakura and Mama Mia's Pizza along County Line Road. Here's what Mike Kaylor (dining/night life writer for the Huntsville Times) had to say about the place......