Vice Presidential Candidates!

Senator McCain has announced his running mate today. McCain has said that first time, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Will be his running mate.
Does any one else see what the Candidates are doing to get votes!!
Is it any wonder why Senator Obama chose Senator Biden as his running mate? Biden, is one of the only members of the Legislative branch of the government, with a son about to be deployed to Iraq. He also has years of experience in politics, making Obama's lack of credentials, a little less noticeable.
Could it be, McCain wanted Governor Palin as a running mate, to nab some of those undecided voters, who were going to vote for Obama, simply because of the unprecedented minority factor, or perhaps, to gain some former Hillary supporters? Or perhaps it's to help him with his plans to Drill for Oil in his Vice President's state!! When did nominating a Vice President stop being about who would be the best person to succeed the President in the case of an emergency (and to preside over the Senate) and start being a mere pawn, for the Selfish Ambitions, of the Presidential Nominees? Why is this respected position in our government being used, in an ego driven game, between the two candidates to see 'who can show up, the other candidate more?'

McCain Wants to Reinstate the Draft!

Yesterday, at one of McCain's Town Hall Meeting, in New Mexico, a audience member said that "If we don't reenact the draft, I don't think we will have anyone to chase Bin Laden, to the gates of Hell". McCains response was "I don't disagree with anything you said". Seeing that catching Bin Laden is "supposedly" a top priority for McCain. This is McCain's subtle way of saying that, if he becomes President, he would have no problems reinstituting a draft.
But, what is the draft exactly?
Conscription, more commonly referred to as, "The Draft" is a tool our government uses when the size of our volunteer army just isn't enough. Enacted during times of War and times of Crises, it is used in, the specific sense of, government policies that require citizens to involuntarily serve in the armed forces.

A draft is no different that the government making you a slave! A draft means, the Government can take you from your home, against your will, and force you to fight for them. and if you refuse to do whatever they tell you to do, you can face up to five years in jail or a fine up to $250,000. When will people learn that; We are not the Governments property! The Government can not do whatever it wants to its people. In my opinion, voting for McCain, is the same as saying "I am a disposable piece of property, here for the governments discretion".
Our 13th Amendment States:

"Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime where of the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction".

-Why do we allow such a blatant disregard for our rights to permeate the atmosphere of our political system?
-Why is McCain, not booed off stage after agreeing to a comment that we may have to reinstating a draft?
-Why do many people feel that it is our duty, to the Government, to be treated like a piece of meat?

S.W.A.T.

Over the past few decades their has been a gross over militarization of our nations police forces. S.W.A.T. teams (Special Weapons And Tactics) used to be used to stop bank robberies, hostage situations, and several other highly volatile and dangerous situations. Nowadays the Pentagon gives away millions of dollars worth of military hardware, every year, to whichever police stations can grab at it first. Prompting SWAT teams to form throughout our nation (Many of these places have little violent crime and no need for a SWAT Team).

Nowadays, these SWAT teams are not handling high profile hostage situations, Instead, they are serving drug warrants, many to people with no violent crimes on their record.

When a SWAT team serves a warrant they do so in a very militaristic fashion. They knock on your door at 5:30 a.m. and yell "Police" (Their are reported incidences where they don't even do this). After they do this, you have about 10 to 15 seconds to wake up, get some clothes on and answer the door. After they wait the 10 to 15 seconds they break open the door, and in a "Shock and Awe" manner, they use flash grenades and run into the House/Apartment screaming, Their black uniforms are not necessarily recognizable as police. And as they scream at you and force you to the ground their assault rifles are pointed at your head. This is quite excessive for serving drug warrants.

And what happens if they get the wrong house?

Some people may say that that doesn't happen or that incidences of that are very few and far between. But, They're Not!!

A recent example of this is a from a few weeks ago when Berwyn Heights, Maryland, Mayor Cheye Calvo received some unexpected visitors as the Prince Georges County SWAT team raided his home, interrogated him for hours and killed his dogs.
What is sad is that the Prince Georges County Sheriffs office never notified the Berwyn Heights police that they were sending their SWAT team to serve a drug warrants. This act would have prompted the Berwyn Heights police department to say "Wait, that's our Mayors house!!" and a major incident could have easily been avoided.

With the rise of, more and more, SWAT teams across our nation. Mistakes are getting more prevalent and hundreds of mistakes and botched police actions are being recorded throughout our country.

The over-militarization of our nations police forces, in my opinion, is leading us one step closer to tyranny!

Read a book if you want to argue with me!!

My youngest sister-in-law and I got into a political debate over the weekend. One thing that she said upset me a little.

I was discussing, with her, why I feel that Congressman Ron Paul would make an excellent President. Don't get me wrong, she has every right to disagree with me. But when she said, he was "ridiculous" and his policies were "stupid" that bothered me. From my discussion, with her, it was apparent that she knew nothing about Congressman Paul and his political viewpoints. She didn't realize how popular his grassroots campaign is. Nor does she realize, that, he is a very well respected, and liked, Congressman (even Congressmen who disagree with him respect him and his viewpoints).

Here's a tip for people, and I feel that this applies to everyone. If you want to call any ones political viewpoints stupid or ridiculous.... You should find out what those viewpoints are first!!
We all have a right to our differing political opinions, that's one of the things that makes this country great. But, if you feel the need to debate and/or bash, someone else's political viewpoints, please! Please!!, do a little research and find out what you're talking about, and if you still feel like debating, please, do so in an intelligent and educated manner.

No body likes, uneducated, political rhetoric!

Georgia on my mind!

Over the weekend conflict broke out between Russia and Georgia over the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Both of these regions have declared Independence at one point or another and since the 1990's have been acting as somewhat independent entities (Neither region, has been diplomatically recognised by any member of the UN). While Georgia has offered them a limited autonomous status, it was rejected in 2006.

Fighting broke out on August 1st 2008 between Georgian troops and para-military separatists in South Ossetia. A few days later Russia, warned Georgia that they will intervene if a full conflict erupts. Both of these regions are heavily populated by Russian speaking peoples. Support for secession from Georgia, by the Kremlin, has increased dramatically over the years, (Russia offers the inhabitants of these regions Russian passports and citizenship).

Statements of "Ethnic cleansing" have been made by both sides (Georgian genocide of Russian speaking Ossetians / Russian targeting of Georgia's civilian population / etc... ) . It all gets a bit confusing!

This is a perfect example of why America should not get involve in entangled alliances and "peacekeeping" missions!

NATO is currently considering plans to accept Georgia membership in 2009. This would mean that America, as a founding member of NATO, would have no choice but to come to the military aid of Georgia. What would have happened if Georgia became a member of NATO last year? Hell... even a month ago? I'll tell you what would have happened... Full U.S. military confrontation with Russia!

This in my opinion, is one more reason to leave NATO. Trying to help resolve the issues through neutral diplomatically is one thing. But, would we really be willing to risk going to war with Russia over South Ossetia?

Cheeky Bastard!!

Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, mother of, the morally bankrupt, Detroit Mayor Kwame "Deuch Bag" Kilpatrick, won the Democratic Primaries in Michigan, Tuesday night August 5th by getting 20,888 votes, or 39.1%. Former state Rep. Mary Waters had 19,183 votes, or 36%. and State Sen. Martha Scott was in third place with 13,280 votes, or 24.9%.

The Detroit Free Press and the people of Michigan discuss, and to some extent complain, that it should have been a 2 person race because, "Taken together, Waters and Scott collected 32,463 votes compared to 20,888. That imagainary outcome would have meant a 61% to 39% victory for the opponent".

Though, it is sad to see a three person election process bring about an unfavorable result. It is not our electoral system that is at fault here. Instead of pointing fingers and saying "Why were 3 candidates running instead of 2?" we should, instead, be asking "Why did over 20,000 people vote for Her?"

Salvia Divinorum

Yesterday morning I saw a report on the news speaking of the dangers of Salvia divinorum. But what is Salvia and why ban it?
Salvia is a member of sage genus of plants. When smoked it produces effects such as;
-Perceptions of bright lights and vivid colors
-Object distortions
-Loss of coordination
-Dizziness
-Hallucinations
-Slurred speech
The effects last between 10-20 minutes, and afterwards normal awareness returns. Differing studies suggest no overall consensus so far with regard to the long-term effects of Salvia on mood but feelings of anxiety have been reported. Salvia is found in the Oaxaca, Mexico and has traditionally been used by the Mazatec shamens to facilitate spiritual healing rituals. The Latin name Salvia divinorum literally translates to “sage of the seers”.
Until the 21st Century, Salvia was legal in all 50 states. According to the NSDUH Report of February 14th, 2008, in 2006 an estimated 1.8 million people 12 and over have used Salvia in their lifetime. That's less than 1% of the U.S. population. So how is it that this Hallucinogen has for hundreds of years of American history ,and 40 years of a U.S. "War on Drugs", remained legal and barely know to the general public?
That's very simple, because, until about 2005, no one was trying to make it illegal!
In May of 2006, Delaware statute SB259 also known as "Brett's Law" was passed. Delaware was the third state to ban Salvia (Louisiana and Missouri were first and second to outlaw Salvia).
This law was written in response to suicide death of Brett Chidester, a 17 year old who's parents blame his depression, and ultimately his suicide, on his abuse of Salvia (no traces of the Salvia were found in Brett Chidester's system during his autopsy).
Brett's Law has lead to the beginnings of a political Domino Effect. Soon after this incident in Delaware, News stations all over the country started speaking about this "new drug craze" spreading thru America's youth. But, What drug craze is the media talking about? By 2006, Less Than 1% of the U.S. population has ever used Salvia. Before 2005, Salvia Divinorum was almost completely un-searched for on Internet search engines. Most people have never even heard about Salvia!!! If anything, The media is providing Salvia with free advertising by inadvertently introducing Salvia to people who would have never heared of it otherwise.
It is because of media headlines, such as "Magic mint’ triggers cosmic, and legal, high", "Is Salvia the Next Marijuana?" and "Hallucinogenic Herb Called Salvia Could Be the 'New Marijuana,' and Florida Lawmakers Might Ban It", from News organizations trying to speak about the dangers of Salvia that has caused this "new drug craze" to exist in the first place. Is it any wonder that teens want to try this drug, especially when it is referred to, by media, as "Pot-Like", "The Next Marijuana" and "Legal!".
Unfortunately, a moral panic created by media, has forced lawmakers to answer the cries of misinformed and hysterical parents, who watch the news, and institute bans on Salvia in their respective states (It is baned in 10 States now, and over a dozen have pending legislation).
A lot of media hype and government intervention is only the answer, if the question is "How can we make this situation worse?" Besides the one, faux instance is Delaware, no deaths have ever been linked to Salvia. Does any of this sound familiar? For decades now, the government has taken a position of fear-based prohibition on substances (including plants!) which make people act a little weird. The result? Billions of dollars thrown away persecuting people for growing, selling or using these substances with no (many would argue negative) effect on the overall welfare of our country.

IRS... "Don't Tread on Me!"

What ever happened to the Fourth Amendment?
What ever happened to "Innocent until Proven Guilty"?

They seem to be lost in today's government, especially, to the IRS!
The IRS websites career recruitment page, describe the IRS CI Special Agents job as;
"Special Agents are duly sworn law enforcement officers who are trained to "follow the money." No matter what the source, all income earned, both legal and illegal, has the potential of becoming involved in crimes which fall within the investigative jurisdiction of the IRS Criminal Investigation".

"Follow the money... All income earned, both legal and illegal...": Also known as, any and every person in the country is a suspected criminal.

The IRS is the most powerful collection agency in the United States. It has the power to levy, or garnish, and seize assets without ever having sued you in a civil court of law and obtained a judgment.
The IRS’ ability to bypass the usual collection hurdles which anyone else attempting to collect a debt must jump over makes them very dangerous. Except for certain small limitations, the IRS has the ability to levy (garnish) or seize:
- bank accounts
- wages
- your home and other real estate
- cash value of life insurance
- pensions (also including federal pensions)
- Social Security benefits
- furniture and household belongings

All of this without taking you to court?
Does this sound right to you? ... I didn't think so!

We, as a nation, need to ask the question "Why are they allowed to do this?" The sooner we ask, this question, the sooner we stop this blatant disregard of our rights.

We The People

A new, and eye opening, piece of artwork from artist Chris Jordan. It’s an 8 foot by 25 foot mural in five panels showing the heading of the Constitution, rendered entirely with 83,000 pictures of Abu Ghraib prisoners, equal to the number of people who have been arrested and held at US-run detention facilities with no trial or other due process of law, during the Bush Administration’s war on terror.