(Gainseville, Florida) Dove World Outreach Center Plans "International Burn a Quran Day"

by the Left Coast Rebel

Here at the Left Coast Rebel we hardly avoid controversy. And a story about a church in Gainesville, Florida, burning Qurans on the anniversary of the September 11th attacks is about as controversial as it gets.

Having fatwa all over it, this just hit Memeorandum and will be a big discussion topic coming up. Here's why:

(CNN) -- In protest of what it calls a religion "of the devil," a nondenominational church in Gainesville, Florida, plans to host an "International Burn a Quran Day" on the ninth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks.

The Dove World Outreach Center says it is hosting the event to remember 9/11 victims and take a stand against Islam. With promotions on its website and Facebook page, it invites Christians to burn the Muslim holy book at the church from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

"We believe that Islam is of the devil, that it's causing billions of people to go to hell, it is a deceptive religion, it is a violent religion and that is proven many, many times," Pastor Terry Jones told CNN's Rick Sanchez earlier this week.

Jones wrote a book titled "Islam is of the Devil," and the church sells coffee mugs and shirts featuring the phrase.

Muslims and many other Christians -- including some evangelicals -- are fighting the initiative.

The church launched a YouTube channel to disseminate its messages.

Screenshot of the Dove World Outreach Center website, one is greeted with "Islam is of the Devil":



"Islam is of the Devil" is also a book written by Dove World Outreach Center's pastor Terry Jones:




Screenshot of the "International Burn the Koran Day" Facebook page:



And the "Burn the Koran" Youtube 'instructional' video (ThinkProgress wouldn't post it):



Analysis for me is pretty easy for me on this one. The so-called "International Burn the Quran Day" is geared to the sheer shock factor. It's beyond incediary, ludicrous and a waste of time. And worse, this kind of behavior (burn the Quran/Koran day) distracts from the clear downsides to Islam. It sells books too, apparently. But in the end it is this group's right to do as they please on their property - free speech (including liberal pet projects like flag burning) is sometimes ugly.

Perhaps the Dove World Outreach Center could have instead prayed for our nation, our fallen heroes and those still fighting for America across the world in far too many unappreciated God-forsaken corners of the world.

But then again - that wouldn't garner the attention that this will.

Updated: Let the Islamic threats begin. The Times of India just reported:

Reactions to the Koran burning announcement were swift. Members of the Al-Falluja jihadist forum have threatened to "spill rivers of your (American) blood" and "a war the likes of which you have never seen before".

Updated x2: Reader John in Florida chimes in:

Please, as a Floridian I hope this wont affect general opinions of other Floridians...
My first thoughts are about Nazis burning books that were contrary to the regime.

In this sense he is no different than Adolf!

Although I agree with most of his beliefs, I disagree with his solutions. And unfortunately, I think he has invited those he opposes to attack him and his flock that he is responsible to protect.

A great responsibility...

He quoted from the Bible that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. That is not the job of Christians. The same bible tells us to "pray for our enemies". I agree that we should or even must do something, putting ourselves an others at risk is irresponsible. He has put his face on the "hit list" of those he opposes... And one more point, The Bible tells us to be " Gentle as doves and wily as snakes"...

DaTechGuy weighs in too (and links, thanks!)

They get 10 out of 10 for not being afraid of the inevitable fatwa but they also get 0 out of ten for giving Islamists an actual cause for grievance. Going nuts over a cartoon? Nonsense! Burning their holy book, yeah I can see getting angry over that.

This of course doesn’t change the fact that it is protected first amendment speech and violent retaliation is the act of barbarians.

Sixty Two Percent Believe America is on the Decline and Turning Towards Socialism

By: Les Carpenter III
Rational Nation USA

The USS Constitution, or as the wartime sailing vessel best known as Old Ironsides if fondly called, signifies both the promise and glory that was America.

 Yup, this old, and very patriotic America is proud of what was once considered American exceptional-ism and to hell with what the current empty suit now occupying the White House might have to say about that.

A new FOX News poll shows sixty two percent of Americans believe the country is on the decline. Now imagine that. I am sure the progressive collectivists (perhaps some are communists) would disagree with these numbers, But really... who cares? The progressive movement has been responsible for much of the decline going back one hundred and ten years or thereabouts.

I know the progressives will ask, but how can you make such a statement. It's easy really. The decline started with the progressive turned socialist movement in the early 20th century. The movement that has culminated in the once fiercely independent American becoming the American only to happy and quick to accept the entitlements that Leviathan so readily gives them. Of course this is only after taking from them that which is rightly theirs. Only so Big Brother Gov. can dole it out to others that may have been less successful. 

Highlights from FOX News, fair and balanced:

A Fox News poll released Friday finds widespread belief among American voters that the country is on the decline as a civilization. In addition, a majority thinks the country is moving toward socialism. 

A 62 percent majority of voters thinks the United States is on the decline. That's more than twice as many as the 26 percent who believe it is on the rise.

Along with a strong sense of national decline, the poll also finds 73 percent of voters think the government in Washington has too much power, up from 64 percent who thought so in 1997.

That feeling crosses party lines. To varying degrees, majorities of Republicans (89 percent), independents (78 percent) and Democrats (53 percent) agree the government is too powerful.

Less than one in five voters (18 percent) thinks it would be a good thing for the country to move away from capitalism and toward socialism. Among those most likely to favor this option are those with household incomes under $30,000 (28 percent), as well as those under age thirty (31 percent), and Democrats (32 percent).

Yes it certainly appears that most Americans are on to the scam the progressive collectivists have been working for years. Perhaps, and we can only hope, that Americans put aside the belief that their representatives and senators aren't part of the problem, that it's the other district or state that is the problem. 

The reality is it is everybody's problem and it is time to turn the old tied guard out. Whether they be Democrat or Republican. It's message time folks and we need to send it loud and clear. That goes for 2012 as well!

For those who have the time you may want to read an essay written over a year ago which makes some of the same points. Here is the rest of the FOX Poll.

Question... Isn't it about time we as a nation put the thought of American exceptional-ism back into our beliefs and vernacular? It is after all what Old Ironsides would expect of us.

Via: Memeorandum

Leftist Historian Howard Zinn's Communist Ties

by the Left Coast Rebel

A Howard Zinn primer:

"Let's talk about socialism. I think it's very important to bring back the idea of socialism into the national discussion to where it was at the turn of the [last] century before the Soviet Union gave it a bad name. Socialism had a good name in this country. Socialism had Eugene Debs. It had Clarence Darrow. It had Mother Jones. It had Emma Goldman. It had several million people reading socialist newspapers around the country. Socialism basically said, hey, let's have a kinder, gentler society. Let's share things. Let's have an economic system that produces things not because they're profitable for some corporation, but produces things that people need. People should not be retreating from the word socialism because you have to go beyond capitalism."

---Howard Zinn, Madison, Wisconsin 2009

Can anyone here say how many died in the 20th century for the notion of a kinder, gentler society that 'shares' things? Historian Howard Zinn (passed away recently) and many leftists, progressive and liberals think that socialism (Marxism, Leninism, etc.) has failed so resoundly because it hasn't been given enough of an American attempt (until, as of, late).

Common sense, of course, relates just how preposterous this is.

An absolutist ideology melded with absolute power and a fervent faith in the absolute force of that power will always create human misery.

I'm off on a tangent (again). The actual gist and purpose of this post is to point the reader to Robert Stacy McCain's barn-burning exposé on Howard Kinn in relation to recently released FBI FOI documents. RSM is one of the best in the business when he is firing on all cylinders - he must have had the amply-necessary caffeine and nicotine this morning (and some rest).

Anyway, Howard Kinn was a communist (among many other things) way-back-when (and obviously, still was before his death). Perhaps this shouldn't even surprise us any more.

Read Stacy's post - it's fascinating stuff that dates all the way-back-when.

Exit question - how many leftists in academia, intelligensia, the press and the Soros-funded groups are actually dyed-in-the-wool communists? Or at least were at one point? Don't forget the White House and congress too.

The truth on that might shock you.

Via Memeorandum.

Request Please Help a Friend

Lord knows that this economy has affected everyone in the nation at this point. And many are caught in circumstances beyond their control, for the first time in their lives.

And as Obamunism creeps and the creeps in DC take advantage of things for control - things seem to only get worse.

Stogie over at Saberpoint is a great guy whom I have corresponded with. He's caught in a spot, that all of us can relate - especially in his relation of life seemingly entering a phase where, nothing suprises anymore.

So however you can help him - be it through a lending hand, knowing someone that perhaps can help, contacting him, praying, encouraging - please do it.

Heck, even if 1,000 of us shot $5-$10 dollars his way it may buy him the time that he needs. Or perhaps something else. Stogie is in accounting in the Bay Area - LCR readers, do you have a lead for him? It wouldn't hurt to contact him.

Life's tough, things happen for a reason and in this struggle we should all help our friends when we can. Thanks to The Other McCain for the hat-tip.

Introducing the Re -Volt!

by Proof

Don't blame me! It was all Smitty's idea!

Cross posted at Proof Positive

Staff Sgt. Brian Piercy Laid to Rest

by Proof

Rest in Peace

Staff Sgt. Brian Piercy was killed by an IED, just one month shy of the end of his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. He was laid to rest yesterday in his hometown of Clovis.

I first became aware of the story driving down to Fresno, when I started hearing about Sgt. Piercy's funeral on a local Fresno station. Sgt. Piercy was the ninth soldier from the small town of Clovis, California to give his life in either Iraq or Afghanistan. From Buchanan High School, where he graduated, three of his classmate from the class of 2001 suffered a similar fate. Seven in all from the same school.

From the Fresno Bee:

A soldier from Clovis who was within a month of completing his Army service was killed in Afghanistan on Monday, his brother said Tuesday.

Staff Sgt. Brian Piercy, 27, was killed during a foot patrol north of Kandahar when an improvised explosive device detonated, said his brother, David Piercy.

The Clovis solider, a 2001 Buchanan High School graduate, would have completed his second tour of Afghanistan in about 30 days and was planning to move back to California from North Carolina with his wife, Christina,

Fresno and Clovis are what some might consider "flyover country" between Sacramento and L.A. What is it about small towns in flyover country that instills a sense of honor and duty among its citizens?

"He believed in the values of the Army and in the mission of what he was doing in Afghanistan," -David Piercy, 35

A hushed silence filled Peoples Church on Friday as the montage of photographs traced Brian Piercy's life -- on Christmas Day, at the piano, with his brothers, in his Buchanan High School letterman's jacket, on his wedding day, in the military.

At each step in his short life, Piercy won friends and influenced people, those closest to him recounted.

A loyal friend and gifted musician who grew into a leader, Piercy was laid to rest in a quiet spot along an American flag-lined drive at the back of the Clovis Cemetery following his funeral at Peoples Church.

Piercy, a 27-year-old Army staff sergeant who served in the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, died July 19 of injuries from an improvised explosive device set off in Afghanistan's Arghandab River Valley

And not to take away from the ultimate sacrifice that Brian Piercy made, but I learned another thing from the Fresno radio coverage: July set a record for the most US casualties in a single month, breaking the previous record that was set...last month. Let me ask you, those who look to the MSM for their news coverage: Did you know that June had set a record for the number of US casualties in Afghanistan? Neither did I. Look for equal coverage of the new record set back to back with the old one. To NPR's credit, they did post this:

In a summer of suffering, America's military death toll in Afghanistan is rising, with back-to-back record months for U.S. losses in the grinding conflict. All signs point to more bloodshed in the months ahead, straining the already shaky international support for the war.

Six more Americans were reported killed in fighting in the south — three Thursday and three Friday — pushing the U.S. death toll for July to a record 66 and surpassing June as the deadliest month for U.S. forces in the nearly nine-year war.

But, has this message permeated the MSM, or do you have to go searching for it to ferret it out?

What a difference two years makes! A couple of years ago, every casualty in Iraq was front page news. Tallies of casualties could be seen on the front pages of newspapers, commentators would slowly recite the names of the fallen, even Doonesbury would print a list in the Sunday comics. It was Bush's war then, and people needed to see just how heartless he was wasting the precious lives of our service men and women over there!

Where is Code Pink? Where are the Cindy Sheehans of the Left? Why is no one camped out on the road to Martha's Vineyard, or his Hawaiian vacation villa, or the many golf courses he frequents? Is it that there are just too many of them? Or was it never really about the deaths of soldiers for the Left? Was it all just a crass excuse to try to gain and retain political power for themselves and their cronies by playing on our sympathies?

Take a moment today to remember Staff Sgt. Brian Piercy and his family. They deserve the honor, the respect and the thanks of our country. And then, take a moment to ask yourself, if George Bush were still in the White House, do you think that record numbers of our soldiers dying in Afghanistan might have commanded a bit more attention than the subject is garnering under Barack H. Obama?

Wonder why that is?

Cross posted at Proof Positive

The Ground Zero Mosque... ADL is Right to Oppose

By: Les Carpenter III
Rational Nation USA

I have maintained my pledge to generally keep the debate of religious theocratic philosophy, with all the sordid details with respect to human suffering that are part of it's history, off the pages of this site. I can no longer do so.

The proposed construction of a Mosque near Ground Zero, and the rush by the progressives to argue in support of its construction, leads me to delve into the issue, and provide a reality check for those in favor of any such construction. Just to set the record straight, because the progressives who read this will otherwise undoubtedly call me a right wing Bible thumping fanatic, I am a believe that religion, or the lack thereof is a deeply personal issue. If there is one issue I agree with the progressives on it likely would be the issue of religion and its place in society. But I digress.

The attack on the United States of America on September 11, 2001 was an attack by Islamic religious extremists that are determined to destroy not only the USA, but any civil society that does not accept the religion of Islam. While there are probably hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions of moderate Muslims who can live in peace with their non Islamic neighbor, the very structure of the Islamic religion, the Koran is anything but peaceful. To the devout adherents of Islam a mosque at this place represents a breath taking victory of the west and its infidels.

The argument that Islam is a religion of peace is a myth carried not only by moderate Imams and Mullahs, and by progressive in America that have latched onto the "feel good" aura it provides them. It is likely few of them are aware of the history of Muhammad, Islams creator, or the requirements of the devout adherents to the faith of Muhammad.

Muhammad was anything but a piece loving, compassionate, and understanding individual. He was committed to the conversion of all peoples to his new faith of Islam. Following an excerpt from Who Was Muhammad?

Islam spread rapidly in Yathrib, now Medina, and Muhammad took his followers there to settle and build a great Mosque. After settling the area for his followers and another marriage to a 10-year-old girl, a long list of "holy wars" began. Those people who were conquered in these battles were given three choices: accept Islam, pay tribute, or die by the sword (see the Repentance Surat, verse29). As a result of this method of forced conversion, many Christian churches were turned into mosques to please the conquering Muslims, while many other Christians not willing to take the easy way out were killed. After the Battle of Badr, he proclaimed the ordinance "Know that whatsoever thing ye plunder, verily one-fifth thereof is for God and for the Prophet." The remaining spoils, after Muhammad received one-fifth, were divided among the warriors. This began the teachings of Jihad, and fighting for the cause of Islam. Muhammad taught that to die for the cause of Islam was the highest honor and would lead to eternity in Paradise surrounded by virgins.

Surat al-Nisa 4:74 Let those fight in the way of Allah who sell the life of this world for the other. Whoso fighteth in the way of Allah, be he slain or be he victorious, on him We shall bestow a vast reward.

Surat al-Ma'idah 5:33 The only reward of those who make war upon Allah and His messenger and strive after corruption in the land will be that they will be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet on alternate sides cut off, or will be expelled out of the land. Such will be their degradation in the world, and in the Hereafter theirs will be an awful doom.

In the Battle with the Quraiza Jews, over two thousand Jews were slaughtered by Muhammad and his warriors. In the bloodbath, Zainab, his adopted son's ex-wife, Muhammad's fifth wife, and a Jewiss taken in battle, lost her husband, father, and brother. Seeking revenge, Zainab poisoned Muhammad's dinner. Muhammad spit out the food before it could kill him, but it's effects on him combined with pneumonia in the eleventh year of the Hijra, led to his death at age 64.

History tells us that the twelve months following Muhammad's death were spent in bitter, bloody battles to subdue the Arab tribes who became apostate. However, Islam continued to grow after Muhammad's death, led by four Khalifs elected by the closest followers of the prophet. Jihad also continued in much the same way it had under their prophet. In 634 the Islamic military force advanced on Palestine and Syria, and defeated the Byzantine armies at Yarmouk River in 636. Forty thousand more Muslims marched to conquer North Africa, followed by the surrender of Jerusalem to the plundering Muslims.

Over one million Armenian Christians were savagely slaughtered by the Turkish Muslims at the beginning of the twentieth century. According to a report by Khartoum University professors Ushari Mahmud and Suleyman Ali Blado, more than one thousand Dinka citizens were massacred in the Western Sudan town of Diem in 1987. The Baptist Record newspaper of November 5, 1987, added that dozens of pastors have been killed and many churches destroyed since Islamic law was imposed in 1983, when Sudan was officially declared an Islamic republic. The Baptist World Alliance newsletter of September, 1987, tells of 130 church buildings and pastor's homes, all of Christian denominations in Kadona State in Nigeria, being destroyed by Muslim rioters. Where does this rampant slaughter in the name of religion come from. It is taught in the Quran as revealed by the prophet Muhammad.

Read the exact words from the Koran: Repentance Surat, Verse 29 in which Muhammad preaches:

Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Apostle, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.

Translation: The devout Muslim has but three choices when engaging with non Muslims, or as Muhammad saw it infidels. First the devout Muslims will attempt to convert the infidels to Islam, Failing the first Muslims are to subjugate the infidels to Islam and Islamic law, and failing the second they are to kill the infidels. So sayeth Muhammad, the prophet of peace.

The proposed mosque near Ground Zero is a slap in the face to peaceful religions, a stick in the eye of every American, and a coarse disregard for the individuals who died at the hands of proponents of this abhorrent religious dogma and their families.

This site has been selected because it sends the message to Islamists and Jihadists around the world that infidels died by the sword of Islam in the country that would protect their right to hold the most violent of religious dogma. It is time the progressives wake up and realize that Islam in the modern world sees its destiny the same as it did in 631 AD. To convert the rest of the world to belief in, and acceptance of the Koran and Islamic law, failing this subjugate it to Islamic law, and if both fail annihilate the infidels. Any arguments that attempt to lead us to believe the Muslim community is proposing this site as a means too heal the wounds of 911 den't deserve a respond.

The fight over the proposed mosque is not just about religious tolerance, it is about recognizing the truth and the danger inherent in the "supposed" peaceful religion of Islam.

Cross posted at Rational Nation USA.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Contender Ministries

Via: Muslin Access

When Life Hands You Electric Lemons...

by Proof

...you're in the Age of Obama!

Edward Niedermeyer writing in the NYT: G.M.’s Electric Lemon

GENERAL MOTORS introduced America to the Chevrolet Volt at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show as a low-slung concept car that would someday be the future of motorized transportation. It would go 40 miles on battery power alone, promised G.M., after which it would create its own electricity with a gas engine. Three and a half years — and one government-assisted bankruptcy later — G.M. is bringing a Volt to market that makes good on those two promises. The problem is, well, everything else.

I heard Obama hawking the Volt today:

"This car doesn't use a sip of gas for forty miles and then keeps going after that!"

Nah! That's not misleading at all!

For starters, G.M.’s vision turned into a car that costs $41,000 before relevant tax breaks ... but after billions of dollars of government loans and grants for the Volt’s development and production. And instead of the sleek coupe of 2007, it looks suspiciously similar to a Toyota Prius. It also requires premium gasoline, seats only four people (the battery runs down the center of the car, preventing a rear bench) and has less head and leg room than the $17,000 Chevrolet Cruze, which is more or less the non-electric version of the Volt.

One of the annoying presumptions people make about electric cars is that somehow they don't "pollute". On battery power, it's not that they don't pollute, it's that they shift the pollution somewhere else. It doesn't come out your tailpipe, it comes out of a smokestack at the power station. And unless the electric cars are more efficient than their older gas powered brothers, it will require even more energy to be generated. And lugging that massive battery pack around can hardly be considered "efficient". And if your utility is like mine, the power for your car will be "charged" at the highest possible rate.

So, to recap, it's priced above its value, requiring more cash incentives from the government. It will still pollute the planet, just in a different place. Manufacturing and disposal of the batteries will produce higher levels of pollution. And electricity isn't free. I don't hear anyone talking about what the Volt will do to an average family's utility bill.

Windshield defrosting can be done with wires in the windshields. What is going to defrost your fingers and toes in the winter time...in North Dakota? An electric heater, if available is only going to reduce your "40 mile range" down and start you burning that premium gas that much sooner.

Maybe in another three years they'll have all the bugs worked out?

Cross posted at Proof Positive

Left Coast Rebel Reader-Request: Glenn Reynolds, Instapundit and an Army of Davids

by the Left Coast Rebel

I'll make this quick. As I recently explained here, I am branching out (as is C-Gen) to bigger platforms to get my voice out there and increase cred in the conservative movement. Last night I wrapped up yet another Daily Caller piece (as I was inspired and had some extra time) and I'm sure that you will like it.

My quick request this morning before I jet off is to visit Glenn Reynold's site Instapundit as he has been super-gracious with my expanding noteriety (and helpful too). Send Instapundit some traffic from LCR so that he takes note.

Also, in case you didn't know, Glenn Reynolds authored a book, "Army of Davids:How Markets and Technology Empower Ordinary People to Beat Big Media, Big Government, and Other Goliaths" that can be purchased at Amazon.com.

(VIDEO) Dallas' Dancing Robbers

by the Left Coast Rebel

An obvious case of crack cocaine + convenient store heists = Fail:



Fox News out of Dallas:

DALLAS - A team of robbers takes to bizarre behavior, including dancing, while committing crimes.

The group, possibly strung out drugs, is responsible for two robberies in as many days, police said. The second was caught on surveillance video.

The thieves didn't have guns in either case, but police said their behavior is what worried the victims.

At a 7-Eleven on Ross Avenue on Tuesday night, a man and woman walked into the store. The man then jumped over the counter and pulled an empty bag from his crotch. He stuffed cigarettes into the sack while yelling at the clerk.

The crazed woman then climbed onto the counter and began dancing wildly.

The fearful clerk then grabbed a stick to defend himself while the woman continued dancing, sometimes while standing and sometimes on all fours. All the while, her partner stuffed more cigarettes into the bag.

Several minutes later, the clerk got on the counter and started swinging a larger stick at the pair.

The woman then used a checkout scanner as a weapon and repeatedly swung it at the clerk before a brawl broke out.

During the melee, the clerk was able to wrestle the bag from the thieves, who fled empty handed.

Police said while they usually tell clerks not to fight back during robberies, they understand why the man in this case did, especially because the woman was hitting him.

According to investigators, the woman and two other men also robbed an Exxon station at Abrams Road and Lovers Lane the day before.

The clerk in that case said one of the men acted as if he had a gun and that they took cash from the store. They group fled in a white pick up truck.

Detectives are trying to determine if the crooks have hit other stores in the Dallas area.

If you recognize the suspects in the video, police urge you to call them.

Fort Hood Shooter Nidal Hassan - I'm Still Receiving a Paycheck but no Bank Wants me

by the Left Coast Rebel

This is a bizarre story:

BELTON — As he sits in the Bell County Jail, accused of the Nov. 5 Fort Hood shooting that left 13 dead, Maj. Nidal Hasan continues to receive his monthly U.S. Army paycheck, which based on his rank and experience is probably more than $6,000.

That's standard procedure for soldiers who are confined before military trial, according to Army officials.

But Hasan, charged with a shooting spree that shocked the country, is not a standard defendant. And he's having a hard time finding a bank to take his money.

Ok, so that's bizarre as it stands. I guess that I can understand that Nidal Hassan has a 'right' to his pay before he is convicted, but come on - the shooting was in November and his case is (obviously) cut and dry. In the meantime taxpayers are bled $6,000 a month which is absurd.

Leave it to defense attorney scum (read Democrat) to see it differently:

According to his civilian attorney John Galligan , Bank of America notified Hasan last month that it was closing his account and no area bank so far has agreed to open an account for the Army psychiatrist. Military regulations require soldiers to be paid through direct deposit, making a bank account indispensable.

"I think it's just another example of the prejudice that he's been exposed to," Galligan said. "It's money that he's entitled to, that he has a right to."Galligan said he and his staff have tried to open accounts in Hasan's name at half a dozen banks but were turned down at each one. He was especially angry that Fort Hood National Bank also refused, he said.

Perhaps Nidal Hassan should follow his attorney's lead here, solicit help from the ACLU, and sue each institution that has refused to take his money.

Send it off to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and you have a slam dunk on your hands.

Who knows then, maybe Niddal Hassan will get off on a 'technicality' and retire into luxury (even though his 13 victims will never have that chance).

I'm sure the ACLU types would love that.

Via Memeorandum

Protesting the Other 68% - Waving the Mexican Flag in Phoenix (Video)

by the Left Coast Rebel

Yesterday the local San Diego news networks (one in particular) couldn't contain their glee with SB 1070 being blocked and the 'controversy' of the protests taking place in Arizona, ostensibly to celebrate the defeat (and for leftists that cannot read, their 'victory'). They profiled a group of a dozen leftists from San Diego that 'caravanned' to Arizona to protest SB 1070. The same local San Diego press that ignores/maligns local Tea Party gatherings painted the picture that these brave souls selflessly represented San Diego.

Leftist-communists, illegal aliens and various illegal immigration sympathizers protested and ritoted (from what I can tell) following their good fortune ruling by ACLU-cloned judge Bolton.

Honey this ain't Kansas (or a Tea Party anymore).

Plug the damn border! is essentially what 68% of Americans now are saying yet the ruling class (by a 67% margin) believe the precise opposite.

On that note, via. American Power, "Protesters Raise Mexican Flags Outside Phoenix Jailhouse"

Charlie Rangel and Nancy Pelosi: Draining the Swamp?

by the Left Coast Rebel

Charlie Rangel may face an ethics trial, after all (CBS):

But even for Democrats, totally covering up Congressman Rangel's tracks would have been impossible. What they wanted was a deal, for Rangel to admit wrongdoing to some things to avoid a public trial right before the election. They -- the Democrats -- thought they had it.

"We've presented by the investigative subcommittee with 13 very serious allegations relating to Mr. Rangel's conduct," said Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas).

But 13 was too big a number to let Congressman Rangel admit to two or three and even though staff lawyers had hammered about an agreement with Rangel's lawyers, the Republican congressmen said no way. They wanted Rangel to cop to all 13, which they knew he wouldn't, or face a public trial during election season, which would certainly help them try to wrench control of the House back to their party.

No Sheeples Here points to the fact that the Rangel trial would be held in September, after the summer recess. I'm sure that you can do the election-math in that case. Let's hope it works out that way. Sheeples also provides a hit-list of alleged Rangel wrongdoings and an awesome Pelosi-related, 'draining the swamp' (to compliment the 'swamp thing' graphic above) Youtube video:


Exit question - why does a powerful congressman face 'ethics violations' when a normal American would be facing much worse - if not jail time?

Via Memeorandum.

Tea Party Jitters and Rand Paul in New York City

Photo taken at the Tax Day April 15, 2010 Temecula Tea Party

by the Left Coast Rebel

Spencer Wilkins in the New York Press puts forth a great writeup on the Tea Party movement in New York city specifically and in doing so creates a must read. It's all about Rand Paul, true-conservative principals and a resurgent liberty movement:

In order to explain how a politician like Rand Paul has been nurtured in hotboxes like these and flourished, to be placed on the ballot—in a dead heat to become Senator, according to a recent Public Policy Polling survey—one should consider the emergence of the Tea Party movement and how this libertarian-conservative protest blob has taken shape and adapted to places like New York City.

Read the rest, via Memeorandum.

Help Wanted..

by The War Planner..

..well, no, actually by Supi over at her blog:

Ein Volt: The People's Car

by Proof

Because a leader should take an interest in the transportation of his subjects people!

Inspired in part by LCR's take on Government Motors.

Cross posted at Proof Positive

Daily Lunch-Time Disturbing Thought

by The War Planner

Put down that ham sandwich and reach for the Bromo boys and girls! Rush Limbaugh thoughtfully provides props for The Pantload's appearance on The View today, and, in so doing, conjures up one of the more troubling images of the week:

I have frequently used the term "Kneepad Media" to describe the MSM, but alas, never copyrighted the term. Too bad for me; with Rush's numbers, I'd have my own Scrooge McDuck Money Bin built to store the royalties.

H/T to Three Fingers via Michelle Malkin's blog.

(VIDEO) Obama on "The View"

by the Left Coast Rebel

Obama shows up on "The View", accelerating the Oprah-ization of the Presidency, attempting a desperate cleavage-grab for his flailing numbers.

Can Obama pull off the 'aw-shucks, ladies, I feel your pain (and thighs)...' schtick of Slick Willy and reinvigorate one of the Democrat's most consistent voting blocs?

I hardly think so. For those guided by emotion - Obama comes off as cold, Spock-like and even 'otherworldly' and disconnected. Not flattering traits with the ladies, no?

Obama on "The View" making splashes with the "I wasn't invited to Chelsea's wedding" routine:

Was "The View" showing worth giving the Boy Scouts of America Jamboree the cold shoulder?

Also, Puff-Ho columnist Robbie Gennet maintains the ridiculously inane progressive-playbook-narrative byline that Glenn Beck is 'radical and dangerous' but she states something I agree with (for the opposite reasons), "Screw The View: Obama Should Appear on the Glenn Beck Show"

That would be awesome, my dear, but alas - the Emperor has no clothes.

Updated: Per Instapundit, Fox News shows that Obama has experienced a signifigant drop in the mama-grizzly constituency.

Charlie Rangel may skip a Public Trial but the Three Ring Circus will be Remembered in November

by the Left Coast Rebel

A reader sends breaking news and asks a question. In the LCR mailbox:

Lawyers have reached a tentative deal to settle ethics charges against Rep. Charles Rangel. If approved by the House ethics panel, the deal would stop public hearings on alleged ethics violations.

The buck stops no where with these guys - what do you think?

I simply wrote back, "every infringement stacks up to more electoral losses for the Democrats in November."

To expand upon this - perhaps a public trial would not be as damaging for the Democrat party and leadership (and potentially at the ballot box in November) as yet another smoke-filled-backroom-attorney-power-broker-deal is. I recall similar antics played out during the train-off the-tracks Republican congress and we all recall how that turned out.

Charles Rangel cutting a deal to avoid a public trial may just incite more anger from independents, Tea Partiers, libertarians, moderates and conservatives than the ruling class is estimating.

If only I had photoshop skills, images of Charlie Rangel and a three ring circus are flooding my mind:

Cross posted to War Planner, Proof Positive, Rational Nation, Allied Liberty News.

Updated: In other news regarding the ruling class, check out a related, yet unrelated post at Outside the Cardboard Box, "The Ultimate Weight-Loss Program for the Economically Depressed"

BP May Reduce Taxes by $9 Billion Dollars Because of Spill

by Proof

Master Negotiator Barack Obama took BP out to the woodshed to teach them a thing or two! Pay up $20 Billion dollars, said Barack. And everyone applauded the Boy King* for his masterful** negotiating skills. Now this:

The Washington Post reports: BP to cut U.S. tax bill by $10 billion because of losses in gulf spill

BP said Tuesday that it plans to cut its U.S. tax bill by $9.9 billion, or about half the amount pledged to aid victims of the disaster, by deducting costs related to the oil spill.

So, the net total of revenue to the US government and the American people will be half what Obama expected because of his ignorance of the tax code???

A portion of that could be refunded from taxes BP paid in earlier years.

So, not only is Obama not getting the full twenty Bil, he's going to refund some of what was already paid? Where did we get this guy?

The company disclosed its intentions as part of its second-quarter earnings report, in which it said it would record a $32.2 billion charge to reflect the costs of the spill.

Under U.S. corporate tax law, companies can take credits on up to 35 percent of their losses.

The credit for BP could mean, however, that taxpayers will indirectly foot part of the bill for the $20 billion fund that BP established to compensate people and businesses harmed by the disaster.

On Tuesday, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said U.S. taxpayers would not be responsible for the cost of the spill. When asked whether BP should be claiming a credit, Gibbs said, "I don't think anybody would prefer that they do that."

And I would prefer to date a supermodel, but I don't think that's going to happen any time soon either!

The Gang Who Couldn't Shoot Straight is alive and well at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue!


PS: For all you folks who defended John Kerry for where he docked his yacht, I hope your defense will cover BP as well!


*"Boy King", not "boy", for all you race baiters out there.
**"masterful" - has nothing to do with "slaves" and or "masters", for all you race baiters out there.

H/T Mullings
Cross posted at Proof Positive

There is more than one kind of equality

By KOOK for Left Coast Rebel

Cross posted at Allied Liberty News

                             "We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal..."

That is a loaded phrase in itself. We can argue the meaning of nearly every word. Whether you believe in an actual Creator or not, it is hard to dispute that we are created. Perhaps a more modern way (although not better) of saying it would be "...all people begin life equal". That is not exactly what "created" means to me but it is an acceptable paraphrasing if creation would offend someone. But what about this "equal" thing.

Equal does not mean "same". Surely no rational person would argue we are all the same. Even when we are first born we are all different. Life is wonderful because of diversity. Anyone who would prefer to live in an ant colony has a bleak outlook at best. So equal does not mean that we look or behave the same. As we grow we become more different. This results in the long limbs and torso narrow waist and broad shoulders that make an Olympic swimmer; the size, musculature, and near preternatural quickness that makes an NFL linebacker; the innovative, questioning, and exacting mind of an inventor, or the compassion and intelligence it takes to become a doctor. With these differences in ability and structure come different levels of capacity for achievement. I will never be an NFL lineman, a great painter, a ballerina, or invent the next iPhone. But there are many things that I am quite good at, and my opportunities are wide and varied, if not actually infinite.

We are not physically or mentally all the same.

Not to burst anyone's bubble but realistically speaking we are not even all born with the same opportunities. If Paris Hilton had not been born a Hilton it is unlikely she would have had a tv show, been in a movie, had a recording deal, or been a fashion icon. If Chelsea Clinton was not the daughter of Hill and Bill she would not be getting married at the old Astor estate. I was born with more opportunity than almost anyone born in Zimbabwe or China. Malia Obama has a much different position in life than any other little girl from Chicago just by virtue of who she is.

So even when we are born we are not equal in actual position.

So we are not equal in ability or position but we are also not equally different:

The range is not all or nothing. It is different by intricate and infinitesimal degrees. A person not born into Paris Hiltons position could very well become more successful or famous. Rags to riches stories still happen here everyday. But what separates Ussain Bolt from Tyson Gay as fastest man alive? Less than Milliseconds.

So in what way are people equal? How can men be equal when they are so different?

Because of our differences in ability and position the only way to MAKE us the same is to treat people differently. To give to some and take from others and, yet, we will all still be different. Because we really cannot give; we can only take.

So if people are born different, have different opportunities by birth, and the only way to make people the same is to treat the differently then how can we be Equal?

By controlling the only thing we actually have control over. Our interpersonal dealings. The dealings of people can be dealt with equally. We can TREAT all people equally. We can do unto others; how we would like others to do unto us. And being that we are not all equally moral or ethical and must create governments to protect the non-aggressive from the aggressive evildoers in our midst then the best we can do is to create such a government where all people are treated equally under the law. That is all I ask for.

To take it one step further we have to decide as a species if we are going to seek material equality (as Obama and the socialists are for) or equality under the law (as the founders were for) because you cannot have both. If we decide on material equality then we must treat everyone differently under the law. And if we choose equality under the law then we will necessarily have to accept differences in material possessions.

And if we choose material equality then we will remove the wide and varied opportunities that now exist to better ones position than that which they received at birth.




It would likely keep the Norma Jeans of the world from becoming Marilyn Monroe, or Elvis A Presley from becoming the King of Rock and Roll; or of Cassius Clay becoming Muhammad Ali. Of course, it would also limit the ability of Paris Hilton to be, well, Paris Hilton.



We can't have it both ways.

Kook
-via my iPhone

Judge Bolton... Another Judge Cloned BY The ACLU

By: Les Carpenter III
Rational Nation USA

I suppose it was to be expected. Judge Susan R. Bolton, a former President William Jefferson (no resemblance to President Thomas Jefferson) Clinton appointee has struck down key provisions of Arizona's immigration law. Judge Bolton's actions are consistent with the typical disregard the statist has for the will of the people in general, and the rule of law specifically.

What has just occurred is federal judge thumbing her nose at not only the citizens of the state of Arizona, but at all Americans, who in majority support the Arizona law. In fact several states have been considering actions of their own to effectively control illegal immigration to their states. The federal government, by consistently and methodically failing to enforce immigration laws, created the reason Arizona acted, and why other states have been considering similar measures.

The ACLU, one of America's most progressive collectivist bodies is solidly behind the efforts to overturn Arizona's perfectly legal SB 1070, the bill that created their new law. What the federal government really is after is just this... amnesty for all current illegals in the country and a cake walk path to citizenship in the future for all desiring entrance into our country.

If this is not so then someone please explain why nothing has been done going all the way back to the Reagan years to control the onslaught of illegals entering our country. When the question is asked... a defensing silence is always the response. Yet when a Governor with the, excuse the expression - balls to take action and show leadership finally arrives on the scene, the response is to handcuff and shackle her efforts.

The very federal government that is "supposed to protect the interests of the federal union" (which by the way was initially entered into voluntarily by all states) is failing miserably. The issue of illegal immigration points this up better than almost any other issue. It is time the citizens of the nation make their voices heard. And it is long past time for the government to take heed. The majority of legal American citizens support tougher immigration laws. They also support Arizona's new law... the way it was written.

I suppose I am ranting here. However it is about time those who understand that the issue is all about ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION stand up in unison and force their voices to be heard. Arizona's new law has nothing whatsoever to do with racism, racial profiling, abridging a citizens rights, or any other nefarious act. Rather it is about protecting Arizona's right to control it's borders and insure the safety of it's people.

Find Arizona Governor Jan Brewers appearance on Hannity discussing the subject on my Twitter and Facebook pages. Stand tall Governor Brewer. Take the fight to those who would work against securing your your bonders and those of the United States of America. The final judgement is not in. When it is the rights to secure our borders will be vindicated.

The joke of the day is this statement by Hannah August of the Justice Department... "While we understand the frustration of Arizonans with the broken immigration system, a patchwork of state and local policies would seriously disrupt federal immigration enforcement."

This statement says two things. First the fed's (Obama and minions) want to increase further their failed statist agenda, and second, how does one hamper an enforcement policy that has been non existent?

Stay tuned.

Cross posted at Rational Nation USA.

Via: Memeorandum

Yellowstone/Soda Creek (grizzly) Bear Attack: Man Killed Identified as 48 Year Old Kevin Kammer of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Deb Freeley's Survives

by the Left Coast Rebel

Fox News just reported that the man killed in Wednesday's bear attack near Yellowstone National Park (that I blogged about here) has been identified. His name was Kevin Kramer and he was from Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Authorities have also confirmed that the bear responsible for the attack was a female grizzly bear. Montana officials have captured that female grizzly, along with 2 of her cubs as well. The same bear attacked a teenage woman and a Canadian boy.

The Grand Rapids Press tells us a little more on Kevin Kramer from his mother-in-law:

Kammer's mother-in-law, Phyllis Howard, of Grand Rapids, said he enjoyed fishing, camping and kayaking. Kammer was a father of four, ages 8,9, 15 and 19, with the two youngest attending All Saints Academy, another attending City High School and the oldest at Grand Rapids Community College.

"He was a wonderful father. He took good care of his kids," she said.

Howard said Kammer went to Yellowstone for a trip on his own.

"He always wanted to go out there, and he had an opportunity to go," she said. "That was always a dream of his to go out there."

The PortClinton News Herald also has a story from the female survivor, Deb Freeley of London, Ontario, recounting that she 'played dead' as the grizzly bear attacked:

COOKE CITY, Mont. (AP) — A woman who was attacked by a bear in the middle of the night at a busy campground was bitten on her arm and leg before she instinctively played dead so the animal would leave her alone, she said Thursday.

At least one bear rampaged through the campground near Yellowstone National Park on Wednesday, killing one man and injuring Deb Freele of London, Ontario, and another man.

Appearing on the network morning talk shows from a Wyoming hospital, Freele said she woke up just before the bear bit her arm.

“I screamed, he bit harder, I screamed harder, he continued to bite,” she said.

Her survival instinct kicked in, and she realized that the screaming wasn’t working.

“I told myself, play dead,” she said. “I went totally limp. As soon as I went limp, I could feel his jaws get loose and then he let me go.”

ABC video of Canadian Deb Freeley's first hand account:



Updated: Newsy has more firsthand account of the Grizzly bear attack:

pp

Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

I Agree with this Obama Bow

by the Left Coast Rebel

It's not an emperor, or Mid-east king, a communist leader, or even a mayor - for a first.

And it's not a photoshop:



Hat-tip Weasel Zippers. Paging (or bowing to) Chris Christie. Like I said, it's not a photoshop:

President Barack Obama laughs as he is greeted by N.J. Gov. Chris Christie, center and Newark Mayor Cory Booker, left, after exiting Air Force One at Newark Liberty International Airport, N.J. , Wednesday, July 28, 2010. The President is in the area to meet local business leaders in Edison, N.J.

SisterToldjah has a great correlating post up today as well, "The rise of the strong Republican Governor." Two of my favorites are on her hit list as well.