BlogWonks

Conservative icon Tom Delay and TCV Media CEO Nathan Tabor announced the launching of DeLay’s new web site TomDeLay.com. The unveiling of the new web site coincides with the release of the former Republican lawmaker’s new book, No Retreat, No Surrender: One American’s Fight.

DeLay’s new Internet home is a state-of-the-art creation from political consultant and new media enthusiast, Nathan Tabor, himself a congressional candidate in his home state of North Carolina.

DeLay is the former House Majority Leader, the second ranking leader in the United States House of Representatives. He was responsible for developing the issues and policies that formed the Republican agenda.  DeLay set the legislative schedule by selecting which bills the House would consider and the timing of their consideration.

Following the historic Republican victory of 1994 — a direct result of the legendary Contract with America — DeLay was elected whip by the new GOP majority. Widely credited with revolutionizing the office, DeLay has been called the most effective whip in the history of the House of Representatives. He became known as The Hammer by friend and foe alike.

During the eight years he counted votes, DeLay regularly overcame daunting odds to deliver victory after victory for House Republicans. Despite the limitations imposed by small majorities from 1999-2002, DeLay worked the House floor with consummate skill and often found a way to win votes others thought lost.

DeLay called his method “growing the vote,” and he used a sophisticated outreach effort to establish trust and build solid relationships with Republican members. In this way, their concerns could be resolved before a bill reached the House floor for a vote. This method produced the successful passage of landmark legislation including the Contract with America, Normal Trade Relations with China, welfare reform, Trade Promotion Authority, the Balanced Budget Act, and all the key elements of the Bush agenda, including the largest tax relief measure in a generation.

Before his election as majority whip and then leader, DeLay served as chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee, Republican Conference secretary, and deputy whip. Long considered a leading voice on domestic policies, Majority Leader DeLay increasingly asserted leadership on international affairs. Two dominant principles shaped his response to foreign policy questions: DeLay believes the United States must strongly support democratic allies who share our commitment to liberty, like Israel and Taiwan, while aggressively promoting the expansion of freedom to closed societies; and he believes tyrants and rogue regimes must be confronted before they harm American interests. In his view, the price of freedom remains an active opposition to terror and tyranny.

A native Texan, Tom DeLay was born along the banks of the Rio Grande River in the historic border city of Laredo on April 8, 1947. During his childhood, the DeLay family lived in South America for a number of years. His father’s career in the oil and gas industry required several job postings to Venezuela’s rural interior, and the DeLay family made their home in small towns near the oil fields.

DeLay’s years in Venezuela were a formative political experience. His family lived through the turbulence and uncertainty of three revolutions. Two of these events were violent, and neighboring townspeople died at the hands of marauding revolutionaries. DeLay points to this early exposure to political violence as the source of his lifelong “passion for freedom.”

DeLay graduated from the University of Houston in 1970 with a degree in biology. Shortly afterwards, DeLay opened and operated a successful small business in Houston.

The demands of attracting customers and running his business and the responsibility of making payroll for his employees every month convinced DeLay that the primary impediment to economic growth stems from the twin burdens of excessive taxation and unneeded regulation. He soon grew to appreciate the tremendous costs imposed on small businesses by state and federal regulations. The need to lower these burdens sparked his involvement in the political process.

During a Fort Bend County Republican Committee meeting in 1978, a party official suggested that DeLay run for an open Texas State House seat that had never before elected a Republican. Excited by the prospect of lowering taxes and excess regulations, DeLay rolled up his sleeves and impressed enough voters to win the election. After serving in Austin for six years, he succeeded in becoming the first Republican Fort Bend County ever elected to the United States Congress.

Over the course of his congressional career, DeLay has built a voting record that consistently supports limited, constitutional government, peace through strength, lower taxes, and the sanctity of life.

Delay and his wife Christine share a deep interest in the circumstances facing abused and neglected children. They got involved with children’s issues after Christine DeLay, a teacher, began volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in foster care. Eventually, the DeLays became foster parents themselves. Today, they are outspoken advocates in favor of reforming the present foster care system by making the child’s best interest the paramount concern.

Although no longer seeking elected office, Tom DeLay’s political career is far from over. Like his colleague former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, DeLay still possesses an acute belief in conservative principles and he intends to continue making a significant impact on the US political landscape.

Visit Tom DeLay’s new web site: http://tomdelay.com

For More Information:
Contact: Nathan Tabor, CEO
TCV Media
(336) 416-7117
nathan@tcvmedia.com |

The Sunday morning news shows — on cable and broadcast television –covered the bitter-sweet farewell between arguably the two most powerful leaders in the world: President George W. Bush and Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

While President Bush may have looked into Putin’s eyes and seen his soul, I’ve had — along with other pundits — the opportunity to cover Russian mischief throughout the world, and one must be cautious about speculating whether or not Putin even possesses a soul.

There is so much to write about Putin’s Russian government, that it’s difficult to be pithy and comprehensive at the same time. However, let’s just review a few news stories regarding our “friends” the Russians:

In the run-up to the war in Iraq, the Russians not only assisted Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein with weapons, military advisors and materials, but they also provided Hussein’s military with the US-led coalition’s invasion plan. It’s believed they obtained the invasion plan from a “mole” in either Central Command (CentCom) or the Pentagon.

While appearing to be allied with the US in stopping Iran’s nuclear program and curtailing it’s military buildup, the Russians have been selling the Iranians weapons systems, arms and other military equipment.

Along with the Chinese and North Koreans, the Russians have been selling weapons systems and arms to Venezuela’s madman neo-Marxist President Hugo Chavez.

The Russian government has allowed racially motivated crimes to go unpunished and has even aided in violating the human rights of many Russian citizens. It’s also banned non-governmental organizations, or NGOs, from working within Russian.

At the close of 2006, the Russian’s expressed their anger over Vice President Dick Cheney’s accusation that President Vladimir Putin’s government is actively restricting the freedom of its own people while using its energy resources as “blackmail” to inhibit democracy in other countries.

Putin’s spokesman responded angrily to Cheney, saying it isn’t using energy (oil, natural gas) for political leverage and that the US should get used to Russia’s more active role in geopolitics.

At the time, the denizens of the US news media appeared to be quaking in their shoes. For instance, USA Today wrote, “Washington’s strongest rebuke of Russia yet comes at a tense moment in US-Russia relations as the White House pushes for Kremlin cooperation on Iranian nuclear issues and many Russians say their country has returned to a Cold War footing.”

However, Cheney didn’t back down and, in fact, he continues to voice his concerns over the Russian’s Bear’s insatiable appetite for political drama.  Cheney has repeatedly said, “In Russia, opponents of reform are seeking to reverse the gains of the last decade.”

In many areas of civil society — from religion and the news media to advocacy groups and political parties — the government has unfairly and improperly restricted the rights of her people,” he claimed during a press conference.

The blunt VP pointed to Russia’s difficult relations with three neighbors: Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. Experts on Russian politics and society have noted that Moscow punishes gas customers, such as Georgia and Ukraine, which follow a democratic path, while subsidizing the energy supply to autocratic allies such as Belarus. The bad guys get the energy, the good guys get the shaft.

“No legitimate interest is served when oil and gas become tools of intimidation or blackmail, either by supply manipulation or attempts to monopolize transportation,” Mr. Cheney said. “And no one can justify actions that undermine the territorial integrity of a neighbor, or interfere with democratic movements.”

The VP’s comments regarding territorial integrity were clearly aimed at Moscow’s support for separatist movements in Georgia and Moldova.

Moscow’s reaction was quick and bitter. “We cannot accept some statements today by Mr. Cheney,” Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for President Vladimir Putin, said last night.

Russia has a right to defend its own interests, Mr. Peskov told USA Today, “The energy sources that Russia possesses must be used for our own people, not to help development of democracies in neighboring countries.” The West also confuses the actions of Russian companies with Moscow’s policy, the Kremlin spokesman added.

The argument between the two former Cold War adversaries was ostensibly about Russia’s energy policy and the democratization of former Soviet states, but tensions have been rising between the two countries on many other fronts in recent months, including the revelation the Russia sold Iran a state-of-the-art defense system designed to counter aircraft or helicopter attacks. The Russians are also believed to have sold Iran advanced missile technology.

Many Americans wondered why the United States appeared so reluctant to openly criticize Russia as the US tries to encourage support at the UN for action against Iran’s nuclear program. Russia refuses, however, to turn against one of its major trading partner, especially in the lucrative business of weapons sales to Iran.

At the time, liberal-left lawmakers in Washington were fearful that the US-Russian flap would have serious repercussions. Their response to Cheney’s comments was similar to that which President Ronald Reagan received when he called the Soviet Union “The Evil Empire.” How can the US call the Russians “evil?”

In fact, reading The Nation’s column on Cheney is proof the left believes the US is evil — that is Bush who is evil and Cheney who is evil — not Russia. Oh, how they miss the good old days of Stalin and his ilk, especially the New York Times which became Stalin’s and the Soviet Union’s biggest cheerleader in the United States.

Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and he’s a staff writer for the New Media Alliance (thenma.org).  In addition, he’s the new editor for the House Conservatives Fund’s weblog. Kouri also serves as political advisor for Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor Michael Moriarty. 

He’s former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed “Crack City” by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for several major organizations.  He’s also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country.   Kouri writes for many police and security magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer and others. He’s a news writer for TheConservativeVoice.Com and PHXnews.com.  He’s also a columnist for AmericanDaily.Com, MensNewsDaily.Com, MichNews.Com, and he’s syndicated by AXcessNews.Com.   He’s appeared as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc.  His book Assume The Position is available at Amazon.Com. Kouri’s own website is located at http://jimkouri.us

On the 40th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s death, it’s important to stop and realize what must be done to make our country more and more what Dr. King would approve of. Better yet, we should realize what Jesus Christ, Dr. King’s Lord and Savior, would approve of. Are we the nation that has come together and completely healed? Not altogether. America has definitely improved, and we continue to stride for a better society; we continue to strive against the odds.

At this time, America and the world pauses to honor a man who fought and died for many of the freedoms America enjoys today. Yes it is good that persons of color are now able to run for the office of the president. We’ve come far. But there are problems the US has to address. Not as a certain group of people, but together, as one…a family.

There are educational problems to address, problems with drug use, sexual promiscuity, the breakdown of the family, etc. All of those factors certainly play a strong role in how healthy a nation becomes in the future. We have to stop and ask ourselves, “Is this what Dr. King envisioned for us?”

This week, here in Memphis, the local news media is interviewing several influential people in the black community and those who knew Martin Luther King Jr. personally. One close friend of Dr. King, Dr. Benjamin Hooks, stood out to me as he said something profound. As Dr. Hooks reflected on the kind of man Dr. King was, he gave a tearful plea:

“If MLK opened a library, use it. If the NAACP gave you a book, read it. If the Urban League opened a door for a job, take it. Get up. Get your body straight. Get off drugs and alcohol and dope. Get up in the morning and go to work, take care of your body. Take care of your wife. Love and respect your children. Respect your womanhood. Respect America for what it has done, but more than that, for what it can do.”–Dr. Benjamin Hooks, 04/01/08

Read more of Dr. Hooks’ thought provoking interview here:

( http://www.wreg.com/Global/story.asp?S=8098658 )

Dr. Hooks’ message rings similar to other wise and influential leaders like Dr. Bill Cosby. Dr. Cosby has addressed black audiences in his effort to bring to light many problems the black community faces. In the book, “Come on People: On the Path from Victims to Victors,” (written by Dr. Alvin Poussaint and Dr. Bill Cosby) Cosby makes a rallying cry for blacks in America to get it together. He addresses major concerns that are causing the downfall in the black community and then, gives encouragement, urging the reader to rise beyond the circumstances…to make the move “from victims to victors.” Although Cosby is speaking to the black community, his words are beneficial to America as a whole.

Messages of hope that emanate from leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dr. Bill Cosby, Dr. Alvin Poussaint, and Dr. Benjamin Hooks should sink into the hearts of the American public. These men are but a small group of many honorable, strong black men who work to educate the public to reach for and work for a better day. They are the leaders who continue to carry on the torch of freedom and model of morality (respect for your fellow man, etc.), personal responsibility, justice, and equality as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did.

Americans of all backgrounds should follow the example of these black leaders. Use your freedoms wisely. Don’t think your freedoms were gained by folk who sat back and watched the world go by. No, those who have come before us paid many a price for us to be where we are today. But there is still much to accomplish. So let us pull ourselves up, and get to work. That is how we honor those who’ve gone before us.

America, come together as a family. That’s the way Dr. King would have wanted it.

Related Reading:

Tavis Smiley Show in Memphis
http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/

Martin Luther King Jr.: Honoring the Dream
http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/content/mlk/default.aspx

National Civil Rights Museum-Events
http://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/newsevents/events.asp

Come on People!: On the Path from Victims to Victors by Dr. Bill Cosby and Dr. Alvin Poussaint
http://www.amazon.com/Come-People-Path-Victims-Victors/dp/1595550925

*Felicia Benamon is a conservative columnist who writes from a political perspective, but occasionally deviates to write about other concerns facing her country. A patriotic American, Felicia hopes to motivate others to be more conscious of the current state of affairs in America, and to hold true to the wonderful traditions that make America great.

Felicia comes from a military background and is proud to support the men and women who put their lives on the line daily to protect American citizens and who reach out to help those in need across the globe.

Write to Felicia at: FeliciasDesk@aol.com

I’ve seen firsthand what child immunizations can do to an otherwise healthy infant. I’ve had to deal with doctors who’ve said (after this infant suffered a seizure a little under a week after getting his 2nd round of childhood vaccines) that the vaccine may have triggered the seizure, but the vaccine wasn’t the main reason. The neurologists proceeded to look for some “underlying cause”. They did tests to find the culprit but found nothing. Their reasons for the seizures triggered in this child ranged from him having a stroke in his mother’s womb to current findings that he has a metabolic disorder or it may stem from a genetic problem.

While in the hospital, the medical team had found bright spots on the infant’s brain to indicate that he had damage in the temporal lobe. But in the case of the vaccine, these neurologists and their team refuted everything that my gut told me …the vaccine was the cause.

I was told by these neurologists that only in rare cases do children have seizures attributed to vaccinations, that about 1% of children have severe reactions to vaccinations. That is 1% too many! I was given an excuse about what a certain “medical association” believes in terms of vaccines. When I wouldn’t back down, the neurologist, clearly agitated, persisted with, “Where’s the proof, how do you prove it was the vaccine?!”

I pressed on…I mentioned to them, “If there was any doubt that the vaccine would have caused the severe reactions, wouldn’t you want to do further tests (do further testing on the infant based on the side effects of the vaccine to find out if it altered his brain) to look into the drug and its side effects before dismissing it outright?” My urgent questions remained unheeded.

Currently, after enduring seizures and tests in the hospital, this beautiful baby boy is on medication to control his seizures. No doubt he must have all of his vaccinations (in some states, there is an exception) before attends public school. His mother plans to space them out so as to give his body time to build up and become strong again.

It is truly a battle. Doctors will defend to the death the reason they believe vaccines pose no dangers, even when children are having severe reactions.

This is a CRISIS for our country! Are our children lab rats that we should willingly subject them to vaccinations without further tests done to find out if they are safe? As a people, Americans are allowing their doctors to prescribe prescription drugs one after another for us… and for our children, they are getting inundated with vaccines.

Vaccines with strong side effects are given to infants only months out of the womb. Vaccines like DTaP are given before a child reaches 1 yr. old. Side effects range in severity from a fever, to seizures.
( http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/side-effects.htm ).

Newer vaccines are scheduled to arrive on the market soon. A vaccine for Strep throat is scheduled to arrive on the market soon. However, there are vaccines that attack Strep on the market already and Strep is mostly treated with antibiotics ( http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23505424/ ).

There are vaccinations that are available today that I did not take as a child. I risked it and got Chicken Pox at age 10 and since then, I have not had a recurring bout with the disease. But today, the Chicken Pox vaccine is available. The moderate to severe side effects include seizures and pneumonia. Getting the Chicken Pox is annoying at best. But it isn’t life threatening. The side effects from the vaccine are.

We throw immunizations around at every sniffle and disease thinking it’s a cure-all. Certainly infants should be able to have to time to develop their bodies without all of the constant assault of vaccines at such an early stage in their lives. Vaccines carry heavy metals, bacteria, etc. Such is the reason why some infants have severe reactions to immunizations.

Many parents think that child immunizations are normal, that they will protect their child from various diseases. WRONG! If anything, the shots will make them sicker.

But there’s money to be made in the immunization business. Just like drugs, they bring in high dollars. They are UNNECESSARY. I’m no doctor, but if a child has an already healthy functioning immune system and in general, a healthy body overall, why expose them to shots at such an early stage in their life while they are still developing?!

Autism rates continue to rise in the United States. According to the US Food and Drug Administration website, Thimerosal, a preservative that is mercury based, known to cause neurological damage, is still used in many vaccines, however small the amount ( http://www.fda.gov/Cber/vaccine/thimerosal.htm#t3 ). Thimerosal could be attributed to the number of Autism rates in America and other reactions. Recently a family whose 9 year old daughter had a reaction to her childhood vaccines, won a case against the government ( http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23508982/ ). The child was 18 months at the time that she received 5 shots in a month. Afterwards, their child exhibited “autistic behavior.” The child’s father, Jon Poling is a neurologist. “Why take a chance,” he asked in response to the finding that Thimerosal is supposedly absent or in low quantities in many childhood vaccines. Certain flu shots still contain the preservative Thimerosal. Poling urged the government to remove Thimerosal from ALL flu shots.

More outrage…the Hepatitis B vaccine (Hepatitis B is a disease that is normally sexually transmitted, or transmitted through other risk behaviors) is being given to infants, sometimes shortly after BIRTH! What’s the need to expose a healthy infant to a vaccine that is clearly not needed at such a young age?

It’s time that parents stop relying completely on their doctors for every bit of advice they give. It’s time to use common sense. Do the research. Look into adult/childhood vaccines before you decide whether to subject your child to pain and anguish.

You, the parent, have the freedom to choose whether or not you want your child vaccinated. Or at least, space the vaccinations out. YOU are the first line of defense in protecting your child.

I will say this over and over… a statement I made in Part I of my article on vaccines:

*If there is any doubt that any symptom you experience after getting a vaccine is related to the vaccine, there should be no hesitation in stating your case to your health professional. This is about your health…you and only you should be in control of what goes into your body. The medical industry is not always right, hence the many adverse reactions people are suffering at the hands of immunizations and drugs. Many in the medical field don’t want to admit that vaccines are causing people horrible side effects. This is either because they lean on medical statistics from various medical organizations that the incidents of adverse reactions to vaccines are rare (which is a lie) or it is because they secretly have some profit motive behind the drug. The harsh reality is that many people are suffering horrible reactions to vaccines and drugs and it is getting underreported. Please remember, medical professionals are not gods.

Stay tuned for Part III, for more testimonials from reputed doctors on vaccines.

Related Reading:

**This is all VERY important information, please read:

Vaccines and Neurological Damage
http://www.mercola.com/article/vaccines/neurological_damage.htm

Vaccines: Vac-Gen/Side Effects
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/side-effects.htm

FDA ties pneumonia deaths to infant vaccine
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23183636/

Strep Throat vaccine may be near
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23505424/

WAVE - World Association for Vaccine Education
http://www.novaccine.com/

WAVE - Testimonials
http://www.novaccine.com/testimonials/

You have a choice …exemptions to opt out of getting vaccinated
http://www.novaccine.com/law-exemptions/

Thimerosal in vaccinations, FDA.gov
http://www.fda.gov/Cber/vaccine/thimerosal.htm#t3

Family in vaccine-autism case speaks
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23508982/

Vaccinations and Drugs forced on Public, Part I
http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/benamon/080330

Beware of Vaccine Bullies by Michelle Malkin
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCommentary.asp?Page=%5CCommentary%5Carchive%5C200402%5CCOM20040204b.html

*Felicia Benamon is a conservative columnist who writes from a political perspective, but occasionally deviates to write about other concerns facing her country. A patriotic American, Felicia hopes to motivate others to be more conscious of the current state of affairs in America, and to hold true to the wonderful traditions that make America great.

Felicia comes from a military background and is proud to support the men and women who put their lives on the line daily to protect American citizens and who reach out to help those in need across the globe.

Write to Felicia at: FeliciasDesk@aol.com

Reminds me of Hungary after Lukacks…

Not much to say that hasnt been said. No one is home REARING them, they are raising them like corn. The state is indoctrinating them, not teaching them. If a socialist system is a socipathic polity, you will realize that these kids get an A+. in fact, someone is going to sell us on how well they were taught to group think, plan and organize.

However, this takes telling Mrs. Grundy to go fly a kite to a whole new level. Good thing there are few men in schools anymore, that way the blame can fall right where it belongs.

Cops: 3rd-Graders Plotted Teacher Attack
By RUSS BYNUM
WAYCROSS, Ga. (AP) — A group of children ages 8 to 10 apparently were mad at their teacher because she had scolded one of them for standing on a chair, authorities say.

That led the third-graders, as many as nine boys and girls, to plot an attack on the teacher at Center Elementary School in south Georgia.

Police Chief Tony Tanner said the students apparently planned to knock the teacher unconscious with a glass paperweight, bind her with handcuffs and duct tape and then stab her with a broken steak knife.

The scheme involved a division of roles, Tanner said. One child’s job was to cover windows so no one could see outside, and another was supposed to clean up after the attack.

“We’re not sure at this point in the investigation how many of the students actually knew the intent was to hurt the teacher,” Tanner said.

School officials had alerted police Friday after a pupil tipped off a teacher that a girl had taken a weapon to school.

Tanner said the teacher told detectives the children weren’t known as troublemakers.

“You can’t dismiss it,” Tanner said. “But because they are kids, they may have thought this was like a cartoon — we do whatever and then she stands up and she’s OK. That’s a hard call.”

The purported target teaches third-grade students with learning disabilities, including attention deficit disorder, delayed development and hyperactivity, friends and parents said.

Two of the students were arrested on juvenile charges Tuesday and a third arrest was expected. District Attorney Rick Currie said other students told investigators they didn’t take the plot seriously or insisted they had decided not to participate.

“Some of the kids said, `We thought they were just kidding,’” Currie said. “Another child was supposed to bring a toy pistol, and he told a detective he didn’t bring it because he thought he would get in trouble.”

Currie said the children are too young to be charged as adults, and probably too young to be sentenced to a youth detention center.

“We did not hear anybody say they intended to kill her, but could they have accidentally killed her? Absolutely,” Tanner said. “We feel like if they weren’t interrupted, there would have been an attempt. Would they have been successful? We don’t know.”

Currie said he decided to seek juvenile charges against two girls, ages 9 and 10, who brought the knife and paperweight and an 8-year-old boy who brought tape. He said they face charges of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, and both girls are being charged with taking weapons to school.

Nine children have been given discipline up to and including long-term suspension, said Theresa Martin, spokeswoman for the Ware County school system. She would not be more specific but said none of the children had been back to school since the case came to light.

School system policy says any student who brings “anything reasonably considered to be a weapon” is to be expelled for at least the remainder of the school year.

Could this be a vision of what we have to look forward to under liberal government?

Girl sent to psych ward for homeschooling, parents billed (via WorldNetDaily.com)

The parents of Melissa Busekros, the German teen who was taken by police from her home and placed in a psychiatric ward because she was homeschooled, now are being billed by the government for the cost of her forced stay, according to attorneys who are working on her case.

WND originally reported more than a year ago when Busekros, then 15, was taken into custody from in front of her shocked family by police officers bearing the following court order:

“The relevant Youth Welfare Office is hereby instructed and authorized to bring the child, if necessary by force, to a hearing and may obtain police support for this purpose.”

She eventually was detained for several months, until she turned 16 and was subject to different German laws, when she simply left the custodial foster family where she had been ordered to stay and returned to her parents, Hubert and Gudrun Busekros, and her five siblings.

Court officials later said they would not challenge her actions, but the underlying court case stemming from allegations from education and social service officials over the teen’s welfare has remained unresolved.

Typical Socialist Liberal Government. Even the UN is not amused:

“Even the United Nations has called on Germany to reform the way it treats homeschoolers. We appeal to the German people and German leadership to do what is right and to protect rather than attack families who choose to homeschool their children,” the HSDLA has noted.

My friends this could very well be a stunning portrait of the United States of America, if we put a Liberal in the White House. I mean, think of it. An All Liberal Congress and Liberal President, Would you want to live like this?

It is a scary thought.

Cross-Posted at my Christian Blog - Wayward Fundamentalist Christian

As we observe Easter, we must remember that is a time to reflect on our Savior, Jesus Christ’s suffering on the cross for us and His triumphant rise from the grave 3 days later. It is in that move that God gets the glory and mankind reaps happiness and salvation.

Many churches however want to add to this holy observance by allowing the worldly environmental cause to filter in and take the focus off of what God has done for mankind.

Churches have decided to go “eco-friendly” and order “eco-palms” for Palm Sunday. Never mind that traditions are usurped (the environmentally friendly palms can’t be folded into crosses) and that NAFTA is partly responsible for the “eco-palm” frenzy. We are giving up our traditions to be environmentally correct. Churches are playing into the hands of globalists who crafted trade agreements to undermine the sovereignty of nations ( http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/01/world/americas/01palm.html?_r=1&oref=slogin ).  Crafting free trade agreements creates an attitude of dependency of nations, not innovation. It is born from those with ulterior agendas.

In this regard, I ask, do we not have more faith in the Lord Jesus than to think that solely mankind must act to “save the earth”? God is mighty and FAR capable of keeping this planet in balance and in place until He gets ready to shake it (and He will). No matter what mankind tries to do to save the resources of this planet, it will not matter because God (who describes Himself as the “beginning and the end”) knows what will become of the earth in the end. 

If not careful, Christians can get caught up in the environmental fanaticism and not know it. Some may think that going “green” is helping the earth, but they’ve given in to worldly concerns about saving the earth.

I am sure the Lord Jesus is touched by our desire to care for this planet. He also says that this earth is not our home. Don’t get caught up in the cares of this world…

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”–Romans 12:2 (NIV)

Christians cheapen the meaning of Easter when too much light is cast on the creation and not the Creator. 

We have to remember that people who are pushing the environmental agenda stifle other viewpoints as to what is causing changes in the earth. 

NASA scientist Jeff Willis has been studying the ocean floor recording its temperature and has found instead the ocean to be cooling slightly. When looking for answers as to why the icecaps are melting and sea level is rising, Kevin Trenberth of National Center for Atmospheric Research mentions, “The Earth has a number of natural thermostats, including clouds, which can either trap heat and turn up the temperature, or reflect sunlight and help cool the planet.”  It’s important to consider viewpoints from a variety of experts (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88520025).

I firmly believe Global Warming is attributed to the natural cycle of the earth.  We are only a small speck on this earth and in this universe. Humans need not think they have such force to change and alter the very cycle of the planet.

Let’s not put our hope in environmental causes. America, your hope and future is in God, not a movement to revive the earth.  Let Easter be a time when all Christians focus on Jesus’ insurmountable love, that He would lay His life down to take your place as a sinful being before God and ultimately, bring us all back into fellowship with the Almighty through His resurrection.  Let’s put our faith in Jesus and abandon the politically correct “green” environmental movement.

Additional Reading

U.S. Senate Report: Over 400 Prominent Scientists Disputed Man-Made Global Warming Claims in 2007

http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Minority.SenateReport#report 

*Felicia Benamon is a conservative columnist who writes from a political perspective, but occasionally deviates to write about other concerns facing her country.  A patriotic American, Felicia hopes to motivate others to be more conscious of the current state of affairs in America, and to hold true to the wonderful traditions that make America great.Felicia comes from a military background and is proud to support the men and women who put their lives on the line daily to protect American citizens and who reach out to help those in need across the globe.

Write to Felicia at: FeliciasDesk@aol.com

There is a far-reaching scandal brewing for presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, thanks to a radio talk show host based in Oregon. Syndicated talk host Laurie Roth’s revelations make the news story about Obama’s relationship with a racist, anti-American pastor look like child’s play.

A top official at the Pentagon during former-President George H. W. Bush’s Administration and a former CIA intelligence officer maintain that Barack Obama and former Weather Underground honcho William Ayers funneled money to Professor Rashid Khalidi, a known terrorist sympathizer.

Khalidi serves on the faculty of Columbia University in New York and is best known as the professor who invited Iranian President Ahmedinejad to visit Columbia University after he finished his speech at the United Nations. According to confidential sources, Khalidi has direct ties to the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), a group on the US State Department’s list of known terrorist groups.

“One source for this information was once a top military figure in the 1990s. He doesn’t take making allegations lightly. If he says something happened, believe me, it happened,” said syndicated radio talk show host Laurie Roth

“Another source is a former agent for the Central Intelligence Agency, who is an expert in counterterrorism,” said Roth, who broke the story on her show Friday night.

“I certainly don’t want to demonize someone because they are a woman, black or liberal running for President.  I love the idea that in our culture, a black and woman can now run.  However,  it does matter to me with any candidate,  their consistency with good judgment,  their voting record, their association with people with questionable backgrounds and commitment to our country,”  she said during her show.

Here are the connections as described by very reliable sources, who possess impressive military, national security and intelligence backgrounds:

Allison Davis, who hired the young Obama into his small, Chicago law firm Davis, Miner, and Barnhill in 1993, left the firm in late 1999-2000 and became a housing developer. Davis went into business with Tony Rezko, the indicted businessman who’s scheduled to go on trial for corruption in Illinois, and who was a major fundraiser for Obama.

Davis met Rezko when he was a client of Davis, Miner, and Barnhill. Rezko is currently under indictment in Illinois for demanding kickbacks from companies seeking state government business contracts under Governor Blagojevich. Obama was identified as one of the politicians cited in the indictment as having received political contributions from Rezko out of his kickback funds.

Tony Rezko hosted fundraising events for Obama in his home and was on Obama’s US Senate campaign finance committee which collected $14 million for his campaign against conservative Alan Keyes, an African-American who served as an Ambassador during the Reagan Administration. In order to avoid a scandal during his presidential campaign, Obama returned $85,000 that Rezko and his family had donated to him.

In early 2000, while Obama served as a state senator in Illinois, he also sat on the board of the nonprofit Woods Fund. The Woods Fund is a Chicago-based foundation that claims its primary mission is to make financial grants in order to increase and/or create opportunities for disadvantaged people and low-income communities.

The chairman of the Woods fund board in 2000 was Howard Stanback, who like Obama also had connections to Davis, according to the reliable sources.

Davis submitted a grant request to the Woods Foundation for a $1 million investment in his development partnership, Neighborhood Rejuvenation LP, that would be used to finance low-income senior-citizen housing. Under normal circumstances, a board member is supposed to recuse himself or herself from decisions where they have a business or personal relationship.

Obama, who did not recuse himself, voted to approve Davis’ grant request. Stanback, on the other hand, abstained from voting. The housing project, which also received a $5.7 million loan from the city of Chicago, in turn donated almost $70,000 in political contributions to Obama’s presidential campaign.

In the past, Rezko gave Obama — who served as an Illinois State Senator — his first two political contributions in 1995, $1,000 each from two of his companies. In 1998, State Senator Obama wrote letters to city and state officials urging them to fund a Davis-Rezko housing project. It was an obvious quid pro quo arrangement.

Another major fundraiser for Obama is William Ayers, who also sat on the board of the Woods Fund with Obama and is a professor at the University of Chicago.

Bill Ayers, along with his wife Bernadine Dohrn, was an active member of the Weather Underground, a radical left-wing group that advocated violence against the United State. Both Ayers and Dohrn went “underground” in 1970 after others in the group accidentally detonated a bomb in a Greenwich Village (New York City) townhouse. The blast killed three of the group’s members including Ayers’ girlfriend at the time.

While Ayers and Dohrn were hiding from law enforcement, the Weather Underground participated in the bombings of the US Capital, the Pentagon and a State Department building. In 1981 Ayers and Dohrn turned themselves in to federal authorities, but all charges were dropped as a result of alleged “government legal misconduct.” In his 2001 memoir, Ayers wrote, “I don’t regret setting the bombs. I feel we didn’t do enough.”

Ayers and Dohrn are known to have held at least one fundraiser for Barack Obama in their Chicago home.

During Obama’s last year on the board of The Woods Fund (2002), he participated in awarding grants, including a $70,000 grant to the Arab American Action Network, a Chicago-based group founded by Rashid and Mona Khalidi.

In another suspected quid pro quo arrangement similar to those with Ayers and Rezko, Rashid Khalidi also held a fundraising event in his home for Barack Obama.

In the Middle East, Rashid Khalidi was known as a man to be reckoned with. From 1972 through 1983, Khalidi was the director in Beirut of the official Palestinian press agency, FAFA. His wife worked there as well.

According to sources, when the Khalidi’s left Chicago for Columbia University in New York, Rashid was honored with the Edward Said Chair in Arab Studies at that Ivy League university. Their goodbye party in Chicago included testimonials from Bill Ayers and Barack Obama.

“What other fund raising connections does Obama have? How many times can you look the other way in church and with fund raising situations with more than questionable people?” asked Ms. Roth.

“We all make mistakes in judgment with people and their backgrounds sometimes, but usually we learn and pick better friends and associates.  How come Obama seems to have continued hanging around more than questionable characters with anti American backgrounds and some with criminal behaviors?   Now one is being indicted, Tony Rezco, who raised a ton of money for Obama,” she said. 

“As President, how much would he look the other way when dealing with national security and dangers to our country?   How much would he listen passively to terrorist leaders then lecture us on our ugly American status?   This kind of change is not what our country needs!” added the popular talk show host, whose show is syndicated by USA Radio Network

In a related story, during an interview on Thursday morning (March 20) with Black Panther leader Malik Zulu Shabazz, Fox News Channel viewers learned that Shabazz’ group endorsed and supported Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States. Even on Fox — an organization wrongly accused of being “conservative” — the interviewers were careful in their questioning of Shabazz, a recognized racist and anti-American radical.

The New Black Panther Party leader proudly announced on Fox News that his organization endorsed and Obama for President.

“While some people may say that Barack Obama has no control over who endorses him, he should have control over what endorsements are posted on his websites,” said Laurie Roth, who, besides hosting a popular talk show, is a regular columnist for NewswithViews.com

“The endorsement of the New Black Panther Party was posted on Barack Obama’s website. Why was this tolerated unless Barack Obama wanted their endorsement? If he does not want their endorsement, how much control over his staff is he going to have once he’s elected President?” asks Mike Baker.

The New Black Panther Party is openly anti-White, anti-Jewish, and anti-America. After Obama’s Tuesday damage-control speech, his campaign pulled the Black Panthers’ endorsement story off their website.

It’s also been reported that Obama’s campaign staff was allowed to fly a Che Guevara flag inside his office, according to NewsMax

“Do these revelations demonstrate a pattern of Barack Obama’s judgment? If so, then I do not want him dealing with world leaders. I do not want these groups having access to the White House. Do you?” asks the New Jersey-based political strategist.

“It appears the Barack Obama water carriers within the mainstream news media are on the job as usual — ignoring another story that has the alternative media on the Internet buzzing: Obama’s embracement of an endorsement by the radical, racist organization,” Baker added.

To contact Laurie Roth telephone 509-701-1884  
www.therothshow.com

Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and he’s a staff writer for the New Media Alliance (thenma.org). In addition, he’s the new editor for the House Conservatives Fund’s weblog. Kouri also serves as political advisor for Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor Michael Moriarty.

He’s former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed “Crack City” by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for several major organizations. He’s also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country. Kouri writes for many police and security magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer and others. He’s a news writer for TheConservativeVoice.Com and PHXnews.com. He’s also a columnist for AmericanDaily.Com, MensNewsDaily.Com, MichNews.Com, and he’s syndicated by AXcessNews.Com. He’s appeared as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc. His book Assume The Position is available at Amazon.Com. Kouri’s own website is located at http://jimkouri.us

Many Americans are wondering when will the US Justice Department get around to prosecuting US Congressman William J. Jefferson for the alleged corruption he’s perpetrated while in office.

Jefferson, a Democrat from Louisiana, was indicted last year by a federal grand jury on charges including bribery and racketeering for allegedly using his office to corruptly solicit bribes and for paying bribes to a foreign official, Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division and US Attorney Chuck Rosenberg for the Eastern District of Virginia announced during a press conference.

The 16-count indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in Alexandria, VA, charges Jefferson with solicitation of bribes, honest services wire fraud, money laundering, obstruction of justice, violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, racketeering, and conspiracy.

The indictment alleges that from about August 2000 through August 2005, Jefferson, while serving as an elected member of the US House of Representatives, used his position and his office to corruptly seek, solicit and direct that things of value be paid to Jefferson and his family members in exchange for his performance of official acts to advance the interests of people and businesses who offered him the bribes.

The things of value allegedly sought and/or received by Jefferson on behalf of his business interests and relatives included hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of bribes in the form of payments from monthly fees or retainers, consulting fees, percentage shares of revenues and profits, flat fees for items sold, and stock ownership in the companies seeking his official assistance.

The official acts allegedly undertaken by Jefferson included leading official business delegations to Africa, corresponding with US and foreign government officials, and utilizing congressional staff members to promote businesses and businesspersons. Business ventures that Congressman Jefferson sought to promote included: telecommunications deals in Nigeria, Ghana, and elsewhere; oil concessions in Equatorial Guinea; satellite transmission contracts in Botswana, Equatorial Guinea, and the Republic of Congo; and development of different plants and facilities in Nigeria.

As it is alleged, Congressman Jefferson violated the public’s trust and used his official position and office as a RICO enterprise to corruptly solicit bribes, to pay off a foreign official, and to illegally benefit from overseas business transactions during a five-year period.

Jefferson also corruptly sought bribes from an individual identified in the indictment as a Cooperating Witness (CW) to be paid to family members. The indictment alleges, for example, that Jefferson required 5 percent to 7 percent of the CW’s newly formed Nigerian company be given to members of Jefferson’s family in exchange for his assistance. Jefferson allegedly made the request of the CW in December 2004 during a meeting in a congressional dining room.

The indictment further alleges that Jefferson violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by allegedly offering, promising and making payments to a foreign official to advance the various business endeavors in which he and his family had financial interest. Jefferson was allegedly responsible for negotiating, offering and delivering payments of bribes to the official identified in the indictment as “Nigerian Official A.”

On or before Aug. 3, 2005, at his residence in Washington, DC, Jefferson allegedly secreted in his freezer $90,000 of the $100,000 in cash provided by the CW as part of the front-end bribe payment to Nigerian Official A. The cash was separated into $10,000 increments, wrapped in aluminum foil, and concealed inside various frozen food containers.

According to Justice Department officials, Jefferson faces a maximum of 235 years in prison if convicted on all counts.

The question is: When will the Attorney General get around to actually prosecuting Jefferson? What’s delaying his detention and trial? The man continues to hold office with all its perks, yet the DOJ appears hesitant to move forward with their prosecution of a flagrantly corrupt lawmaker.

Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and he’s a staff writer for the New Media Alliance (thenma.org). In addition, he’s the new editor for the House Conservatives Fund’s weblog. Kouri also serves as political advisor for Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor Michael Moriarty.

He’s former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed “Crack City” by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for several major organizations. He’s also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country. Kouri writes for many police and security magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer and others. He’s a news writer for TheConservativeVoice.Com and PHXnews.com. He’s also a columnist for AmericanDaily.Com, MensNewsDaily.Com, MichNews.Com, and he’s syndicated by AXcessNews.Com. He’s appeared as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc. His book Assume The Position is available at Amazon.Com. Kouri’s own website is located at http://jimkouri.us

The owner of an international electronics business has pled guilty to one-count arising from a conspiracy to illegally export controlled microprocessors and electronic components to government entities in India that participate in the development of ballistic missiles, space launch vehicles, and fighter jets.

The guilty plea was announced on Tuesday by Kenneth L. Wainstein, Assistant Attorney General for National Security; Jeffrey A. Taylor, US Attorney for the District of Columbia; Joseph Persichini, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, FBI Washington Field Office; Darryl W. Jackson, Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement, US Department of Commerce, and Julie Myers, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Parthasarathy Sudarshan, 47, a resident of Simpsonville, South Carolina, entered his guilty plea in US District Court for the District of Columbia before the Honorable Ricardo Urbina to the felony charge of conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Export Administration Regulations; and to violate the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

The Honorable Ricardo Urbina is scheduled to sentence Sudarshan on June 16, 2008.

“The defendant participated in a clandestine network that circumvented our export laws and put sophisticated technology in the hands of foreign companies that were listed as endusers of concern for proliferation reasons,” stated US Attorney Taylor.

“With this prosecution, the defendant will no longer be able to make a profit at the expense of our national security. This case also demonstrates the priority our government has placed on combating such networks.”

By fraudulently acquiring and shipping controlled missile technology overseas, this defendant violated both our federal law and our national security. It is fitting that he stands convicted and faces a serious penalty for his criminal conduct,” said Assistant Attorney General Wainstein.

According to court documents filed by the government, Sudarshan did business as Cirrus Electronics (”Cirrus”) and held himself out to be Cirrus’ CEO, Managing Director, and President and Group Head. Cirrus has offices in Simpsonville, South Carolina, Singapore, and Bangalore, India.

Among the recipients of US technology in this case were the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), an enterprise within the Department of Space of the Government of India, and Bharat Dynamics, Ltd. (BDL), an enterprise within the Ministry of Defence of the Government of India.

The US government has determined that VSSC participates in India’s space launch vehicle program and that BDL participates in India’s development and production of ballistic missiles. As such, both VSSC and BDL are on the Department of Commerce’s Entity List and exports of US-origin commodities to these entities are restricted and require prior authorization in the form of a license from the Department of Commerce.

Between 2002 and 2006, Sudarshan acquired electrical components with applications in missile guidance and firing systems in the United States for VSSC and BDL. In particular, in the case of at least two US vendors, Sudarshan and others at Cirrus provided the US companies with fraudulent certificates that claimed that the endusers of these electrical components were non-restricted entities in India, when, in fact, the items were for VSSC. There were no export licenses for any of the shipments to VSSC and BDL.

To further conceal from the US government that goods were going to entities in India on the Department of Commerce Entity List, Sudarshan would route the products through its Singapore office and then send the packages on to India.

In addition to supplying VSSC and BDL with components, Sudarshan acquired microprocessors for the Tejas, a fighter jet under development in India. The microprocessors were necessary for the navigation and weapons systems of the Tejas. Because the microprocessors are on the US Munitions List, the State Department must license any export of the products.

On two occasions in 2004 and 2006, Cirrus caused the shipment of a total of 500 microprocessors to the Aeronautical Development Establishment, an enterprise within the Ministry of Defence of the Government of India that was responsible for the development of the Tejas. There were no licenses for these shipments.

“Today’s plea illustrates the FBI’s commitment to ensure the safety and security of our nation’s citizens and our country’s protected national security information and technology,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Persichini. “The FBI also recognizes the invaluable investigative assistance provided by the Department of Commerce Office of Export Enforcement.”

“One of the highest enforcement priorities of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security is ensuring that dual-use items don’t end up in dangerous hands,” said Commerce Assistant Secretary Jackson. “The Department of Commerce’s Entity List puts exporters on notice regarding endusers that are of proliferation concern. This case demonstrates that we will take action against those exporters who evade our export control system.”

“The customs laws of the United States are in place to ensure that sensitive technologies do not fall into the wrong hands. When exporters skirt the law or cover up their activities to fill their own pockets, they do so at the expense of national security. We will aggressively pursue these cases and see that those who violate export regulations are prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” said Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Myers.

Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and he’s a staff writer for the New Media Alliance (thenma.org). In addition, he’s the new editor for the House Conservatives Fund’s weblog. Kouri also serves as political advisor for Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor Michael Moriarty.

Sometimes its VERY educational to put two articles together and read one after the other. Especially when the first one, refutes a major assertion in the second one.

the key paragraph to keep in mind when reading the second article is:

Immigrants may interpret their lower social standing as caused by racism and discrimination. Many natives in turn may interpret the low employment rates of foreigners as a sign of their sloth. That’s an explosive mix of misperceptions and social failings.

Welfare Wean
By NIMA SANANDAJI
====================================

In the Western world, Sweden is often considered a Social Democratic paradise, the irrefutable proof that the welfare state can transform society for the better. But outsiders, and still too many Swedes, tend to overestimate the gains and underestimate the costs of social engineering.

====================================

In the 1950s and 1960s, the integration of migrants worked quite well. The foreign-born had a 20% higher employment rate than native Swedes in 1950. Half a century later, in the mature welfare state, the picture has dramatically changed. According to the latest figures, only 48% of non-Western immigrants are gainfully employed, which is 30 percentage points below the average. For this group, originating from places such as Turkey, Chile, the former Yugoslavia, the Middle East and North Africa, welfare dependency is nine times higher than for native Swedes.

====================================

No doubt, a generous welfare system initially helps many immigrant families, cushioning the transition to a new country. However, the combination of high taxes, a regulated labor market, the world’s highest union-imposed minimum wages and the lavish transfer programs effectively keeps out immigrants from the labor market.

====================================

Sweden’s powerful unions and the left-leaning intellectual elites work against such reforms. Swedish voters, though, are beginning to have mixed feelings. In 2006, they ousted the Social-Democratic government and elected a center-right coalition that promised to cut taxes and benefits. Labor-market reforms, though, were missing from their election campaign.

====================================

High unemployment among immigrants is of course not confined to just Sweden or Scandinavia. Throughout Europe, governments have found that well-intentioned social insurance policies can lead to lasting welfare dependence, especially among immigrants. Belgium is the European country with the highest difference in employment rates between the foreign-born and natives. The images of burning cars in the suburbs of Paris that were broadcast around the world illustrate the kind of social and economic problems France is facing with its restive immigrant population.

====================================

Given the high barriers to entry, many immigrants in Europe no longer start accumulating essential language and labor market skills. This is in stark contrast with the situation across the Atlantic. For example, in 2000, Iranians in the U.S. had a family income that was 42% above the U.S. average. The income of Iranian immigrants in Sweden, however, was 39% below the country’s average.

====================================

Please see link for rest of article.

Note all the politically correct rhetoric shown to be false above, and shown to do EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT THE STATED INTENTIONS OF THE POLICY ARE.

Now carefully, note these things when you read below what the ‘problem’ is and what the ’solution’ is.

MORE WELFARE!!!

Equality law could bar white men from jobs

White men could be legally blocked from getting jobs under new anti-discrimination laws being considered by Labour.

Employers would be able to give jobs to women or ethnic minority candidates in preference to other applicants, under the plans unveiled by equalities minister Harriet Harman.

If two candidates were equally qualified for a position, employers would be able to reject the white person or the man in favour of a black person or a woman.

But the plans are due to be criticized by business leaders and last night, even equalities campaigners expressed doubt.

Miss Harman - known as Harriet Harperson for her politically correct views - wants to look at how to bring U.S.-style “positive action” to Britain, saying it is vital to ensure the workforce more accurately reflects the demographic make-up of the population.

She says too many women and people from ethnic minorities are being held back because they cannot break through the “glass ceiling”.

[according to the findings in the article above, they cant do it because they are being helped. but if we leave them alone, they do better than the native population! - artfldgr]

The new laws would only come into play where two equally qualified candidates had applied for the same post, allowing the employer to tip the balance in favour of minority candidates.

[And function creep will take them completely to the end. -artfldgr]

Businesses would not be compelled to favour the female or black candidate but the law would be changed to ensure they could not be sued for turning down a white man.

The proposals would also allow universities to select more female students in male-dominated subjects such as science.

But equal rights campaigners said the new rules would have a limited effect, and that action should be targeted on equal pay.

Katherine Rake of the Fawcett Society, which campaigns on equal pay, said: “How you would really hold that up in a court of law is not clear and, if it isn’t, employers may be reluctant to use it.
“You are probably talking about a handful of cases.”

The present law says employers are allowed to say they welcome applications from minority candidates, and they are allowed to promote jobs to specific groups.

Theresa May, Conservative spokesperson for women, said: “One of the real problems facing women today is the gender pay gap.

“If Harriet Harman really wants to help women in the work place she should strengthen the existing laws on equal pay. We have recently put forward proposals to do just that and our proposals would have a real impact on women’s lives.”

A spokesman for Harriet Harman said: “This is under discussion but no decisions have yet been made.”
The changes would be included in the new equalities Bill, which will also give new rights to mothers to breast-feed in public. Golf clubs would have to give female players equal access.

Miss Harman also wants to force companies to conduct “pay audits”, reviewing staff salaries to ensure they are not underpaying women.

But she is facing opposition from within the Cabinet on this from ministers who are worried about antagonising business yet further.

Last year Miss Harman called for all-black shortlists in constituencies with high ethnic-minority populations.
She said that unless action was taken, it would take decades for the make-up of the Commons to accurately reflect the make-up of British society.

But the plan immediately came under attack from ethnic minority MPs on the Labour backbenchers - saying black people should be selected on merit.

Here we have a clear example that their policies are harmful to the people they are pretending to promote.

Dispromotion, by promotion of a social good assumed

Once again, a startling view of how ideology can cause people to no longer be capable of common sense.

Cop size doesn’t matter - Nixon

POLICE chief Christine Nixon has denied politically correct zealots are making a mockery of recruitment, insisting size and age does not matter.

Ms Nixon was responding to a Herald Sun report revealing fit young men are being denied entry to Victoria Police while the force recruits more women and people approaching retirement age.

Ms Nixon said past height and age barriers to entering the force were outdated and had unfairly blocked talented candidates.

She said police used their brains, capsicum spray and batons in brawls and other confrontations, not their size, age or gender.

“It’s about the way you go about your work, the way you deal with people, the way you interact, your confidence in yourself,” Ms Nixon said.

A 142cm woman, a 61-year-old man and two men in their late 50s are among the 157 recruits now in training.

The recruiting policy was yesterday described by one serving policeman as “political correctness gone mad”.

The Opposition and the Police Association also challenged the policy.

Police command defended the system, saying the force could not legally refuse any applicant on the grounds of age, gender or height.

But some qualified male applicants have waited two years after sitting the police entrance exam and still don’t know if they will be accepted.

One would-be recruit told the Herald Sun he had been told by police friends his position on the training academy’s waiting list fluctuated each month “depending how many women have applied”.

Russell Dickson, 24, is 188cm, has a university business degree, works out almost every day and passed the force’s entrance exam in March 2006.

He has a female friend who is 157cm, struggled to complete year 10 and applied to join the force a year later.

She started training at the academy last month.

“I know she didn’t do as well on some of the tests as I did, but none of that seems to matter,” Mr Dickson said.

More women than men graduated from the police training academy for the first time in 2007. Police figures show that 33 per cent of last year’s 1098 applicants were women.

Almost 52 per cent of the 316 recruits who graduated during the year were women.

The number of women in the 11,250-strong police force has jumped from 15 per cent to almost 23 per cent in the seven years since Christine Nixon became the first female chief commissioner.

But that number is short of Ms Nixon’s aim to boost female police numbers in Victoria to 25 per cent by last June — and well short of the national average of 31 per cent.

Deputy Commissioner Simon Overland yesterday denied female applicants were given preferential treatment.

He said the reason they were being selected in large numbers was because many scored higher than men during the selection process.

Mr Overland said there had been a campaign to encourage women to apply, but applicants were treated according to the score they achieved in the selection process.

He said the percentage of policewomen in Victoria was still the lowest in Australia.

Assistant director Sue-ellen Zalewski, of the police human resources department, said rankings on the force’s order of merit were based solely on results in the entrance exam and a selection panel interview.

She said the force aimed to at least reach the national average of female police.

There were 250 people on the order of merit who had qualified and were hoping to be accepted for training, and another 1000 at earlier stages of the selection process, she said.

She said Victoria Police was the only force in the country with a waiting list.

Ms Zalewski said of the eight squads and 157 recruits now in training, 92 were men and 65 women.

The Police Association and the Opposition yesterday questioned the fairness of the recruiting system.

Opposition police spokesman Andrew McIntosh said the recruiting policy “should be about equal opportunity — not reverse discrimination”.

“It’s wrong if the high-jump bar is set differently for some people and not for others,” he said. “Reverse discrimination is just as disingenuous as having a discriminatory policy.”

Police Association secretary Paul Mullett said the association was supportive of equal opportunity principles, but not at the expense of the best possible police force.

Sen-Sgt Mullett called on Ms Nixon to apply for exemptions from equal opportunity laws.

“Because of the nature and type of work policing is, we believe the Chief Commissioner should be seeking an exemption to avoid these issues,” he said.

“She should be given an exemption so she doesn’t have to employ people in their 50s or 60s — male or female — or people who could be physically incapable of performing all the tasks that could be required of them.”

Victorian Equal Opportunity Commission chief executive Dr Helen Szoke said criticism of female police undermined the force’s significant gains.

Dr Szoke said an employer could seek exemption from the Equal Opportunity Act if they could demonstrate that a physical characteristic would be a “significant and genuine barrier” to employment.

It was not against the law for an employer to discriminate if it was necessary to protect health or safety.

Mr Overland said the force aimed to be representative of the community.

He said age, height and gender were not a reliable guide to policing ability.

“I don’t think it’s as simple as that. You can’t distinguish on that basis.

“We’ve got some big, burly blokes who are absolutely useless and we’ve got some tiny policewomen who are absolute terriers.”

Mr Overland agreed it had been a problem for some smaller members to manage the weight and bulk of all the items carried on a police utility belt — such as a baton, firearm, radio, capsicum spray can and handcuffs.

“We’ve had to modify our equipment to suit all of the workforce, and we’re looking at vests as an alternative carriage system,” he said.

Police figures show the oldest recruit last year was 60, the youngest 19 and the average age was 30.

Twenty recruits were former police who have been re-appointed. The 61-year-old recruit in training at the academy is also a re-appointee.

One sergeant said a 142cm policewoman would have “no hope of carrying everything on the utility belt”.

“I’ve worked the past six months in the CBD, and after dark it’s a war zone,” he said.

“A copper that size — male or female — would be about as useful as a chocolate teapot.”

A female sergeant said the recruiting policy was “great in theory but useless in practice”

Just so its clear as to what happens when such ideas actually go into practice.

‘A Very Sad Day for Fulton County’

A Fulton County judge, a sheriff’s deputy and a court reporter were shot and killed and another deputy critically wounded Friday at the courthouse before the gunman fled from the scene and carjacked a motorist.

Superior Court Judge Rowland Barnes, a female court reporter, identified as Julie Ann Brandau, 43, of Snellville, and a sheriff’s deputy, identified as Hoyt Teasley, were pronounced dead after they were transported to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Police were conducting a massive manhunt for the suspect, who fled in a vehicle believed to have been a green Honda Accord, after the 9 a.m. incident. Sheriff’s Lt. Clarence Huber identified the suspect as Brian Nichols, 33.

Grady physician Dr. Jeffrey Salomone said two deputies were rushed to Grady for treatment, but Teasley, who suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen, later died.

At a news conference outside the hospital, Salomone said the second deputy, who suffered a gunshot wound to the mouth, was in critical condition. She was identified as Deputy Cynthia Hall.

Salomone said, however, that Hall was expected to survive her wounds.

A reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution was also injured during the incident.

Authorities said the reporter, identified as Don O’Briant, was pistol-whipped and assaulted during an attempted carjacking while the suspect was trying to get away.

The AJC reporter, who was attacked as he was arriving to work, was taken to a metro area hospital, where he was listed in good condition, newspaper spokeswoman Mary Dugenske said.

The suspect fled from the scene in the reporter’s car.

Police issued a lookout for two vehicles: a green Honda Accord with a tag of 6584 YN, which is O’Briant’s car, and a green Isuzu Trooper with a tag of 4697 AJY.

At least one courthouse worker said the suspect grabbed a gun from the deputy inside the courthouse before opening fire. Police Deputy Chief Alan Dreher confirmed that account, saying the 6 feet 1 inch man overpowered Hall before taking her weapon.

The suspect then fled to a nearby parking garage and attempted to carjack two people. A shootout with Teasley, who was felled by a bullet, ensued on the street just outside the courthouse.

The assailant managed to get a vehicle from the AJC reporter before leaving the area.

Police shut down several streets in the area while they looked for the suspect. No one was allowed to enter or exit the courthouse buildings, which sit on a two-block site in downtown Atlanta.

The courthouse’s 400-plus workers were evacuated later, and schools, restaurants and office buildings in the area were locked down during the day.

The area reopened Friday afternoon.

An attorney who witnessed this morning’s shooting told Channel 2 Action News that Barnes was hearing a rape case involving Nichols at the time of the shooting.

Fulton prosecutor Gayle Abramson told the AJC that Nichols was appearing before Barnes in the retrial of a rape case. Nichols was accused of going to his ex-girlfriend’s apartment in North Fulton and holding her hostage for hours during which he repeatedly sexually assaulted her.

County employee Ali Lamei, who works on a floor below where the shooting started, said he was told by officers in the building that a sheriff’s sergeant was escorting a prisoner into Barnes’ courtroom when the prisoner grabbed the sergeant’s gun and shot the judge and sergeant.

James Bailey, a juror in the Nichols trial, said the jury was not in the courtroom at the time of the shooting.

Nichols, who also faced charges of sodomy, possession of a machine gun, possession of a handgun, and possession of marijuana, had not taken the stand yet in the trial, which started Tuesday.

Renee Rockwall said she was outside the courthouse when the incident happened. She said she saw a deputy chasing the suspect when the gunman turned and opened fire, wounding the deputy.

Court officials had been concerned Nichols might do something because earlier this week a shank was found in his shoe during a search, said two officials in the district attorney’s office who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The shank was confiscated and extra deputies were assigned as security on the case, the official said.

Fulton Sheriff Myron Freeman said during a news conference outside Grady that Nichols is believed to be armed and extremely dangerous. Anyone with information was asked to call 404-730-5129, 404-730-7983 or 911.

“This is a very sad day for Fulton County,” Freeman said. “We’re going to do everything we can to bring this person to justice.”

News of the shooting shocked those who knew Barnes, described as a fair judge who was well-liked.

Among the recent cases that Judge Barnes handled was the sentencing of Atlanta Thrashers player Dany Heatley, who pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in the death of a teammate.

Barnes, 64, also drew national attention last month when he took the unusual step of ordering a mother of seven who pleaded guilty to killing her 5-week-old daughter to have a medical procedure that would prevent her from having more children.

Barnes was named to the Fulton County Superior Court bench on July 10, 1998. He also worked as a part-time Fulton County Magistrate and City Court Judge in Hapeville and Fairburn. Barnes was a 1972 graduate of Emory Law School in Atlanta and a graduate of Lebanon Valley College

A BIT MORE ON HILL

Hurt Deputy Leaves Rehab

ATLANTA — The Fulton County sheriff’s deputy who was injured when a man took her gun and went on a deadly shooting rampage at the courthouse last month left an Atlanta brain injury center Wednesday.

Deputy Cynthia Hall, wearing sneakers and pink hospital scrubs, walked on her own from the Shepherd Center to a van. She gave her doctor, Gerald Bilsky, a “high-five” and then thanked him as she left the medical center where she has been recovering.

“We are very proud of her and know that she still has some work to do,” Bilsky said. “But she has come a long way.”

Hall, 51, sustained a bruise and bleeding on the brain as well as fractures around her right eye during the March 11 shootings. Authorities say Brian Nichols, 33, overpowered her when she was escorting him to his retrial on a rape charge.

Authorities say Nichols took Hall’s gun from a lockbox and shot Superior Court Judge Rowland Barnes and court reporter Julie Brandau to death in the courtroom. They say he also killed a sheriff’s deputy outside the courthouse and a federal agent at the home the agent was building in Buckhead before he was arrested 26 hours after the shootings began.

Officials said Hall has little, if any, memory of the incident, a loss that she has struggled with.

Hall’s doctor says she may never recover fully enough to resume her former duties as a sheriff’s deputy. But he says a full recovery is one of the center’s goals.

Her treatment regimen during rehab has included strength training, physical therapy and relearning basic skills.

“She’s gotten to the point where she can walk unaided,” Bilsky said. “Now we have to see how she does handling herself in grocery stores, restaurants and out in the community as opposed to what we consider a more protected environment.”

She will continue her rehabilitation at Shepherd Pathways — an outpatient therapy clinic in Decatur.

you can read about Brian Nichols here

After a 51-year old female sheriff’s deputy, 5′2″ Cynthia Hall, removed his handcuffs so that he could change into civilian clothes in preparation for a court appearance, Nichols attacked the deputy and took her sidearm. According to hospital sources, the deputy suffered bruising to her brain and some fractures around her face. After the attack, her condition was reported as critical, but she survived.

Nichols then crossed over to the old courthouse via a skybridge, where he entered the private chambers of Judge Rowland W. Barnes. While there, he encountered another deputy, overpowered him and also took his weapon. Nichols then entered Barnes’ courtroom from a door behind the judge’s bench, where Barnes was presiding over motions in a civil trial, and shot him in the back of the head. Nichols then shot Julie Brandau, the court reporter, and as he made his escape from the courthouse he shot Sgt. Hoyt Teasley, a pursuing deputy. Barnes and the court reporter died at the scene and the deputy was pronounced DOA at Grady Memorial Hospital.

During his escape Nichols tried to carjack at least three vehicles, ending up in a multi-level parking structure for Atlanta’s Underground tourist area. He first took a tow truck at gunpoint outside the courtroom. Later he hijacked a Honda Accord from Don O’Briant, a reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Nichols pistol-whipped O’Briant in order to gain control of the car.

Anyone care to send Ms Nixon a copy of the wiki link, some photos, and ask her again if “size matters”?

Cecil “Cece” Suwal, the 23-year-old madam of an international prostitution ring run by her boyfriend, a 62-year-old Israeli widower named Mark “Michael” Brener, are at the heart of the scandal that brought down the governor of New York, Eliot Spitzer.

According to local cops in Cliffside Park, New Jersey — right across the Hudson River from New York City — Suwal and Brener ran the Emperors Club, an Internet-based call-girl operation from a high-rise co-op named the Briarcliff.

Cliffside Park police officers said Tuesday Suwal and Brener have lived together at the Briarcliff for about three years. Although the couple stayed off the police radar, a neighbor did call the police once in 2005 after allegedly hearing a female voice crying, “Daddy, please don’t hit me anymore, please daddy, don’t.”

According to the police report, Cliffside Park officers entered the premises, but after they determined that the cries came during role-playing sex, they departed and no charges were filed against them.

New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who was allegedly caught on an FBI wiretap arranging a $4,300 meeting with a call girl who worked for Suwal and Brener was one of their repeat customers. According to news reports, Spitzer paid Suwal and Brener more than $80,000 over the years.

Federal prosecutors said in court papers that large part of that money was spent on a “date” with a call-girl named Kristen on February 13, 2008.

But police investigators did not reveal how Suwal, a 2002 graduate of the Blair Academy in Blairstown, NJ, came to meet Brener, who immigrated with his wife to the United States from Israel 20 years ago and lived in New Jersey. His wife is now deceased after fighting cancer for several years.

According to Cliffside Park cops, neighbors described Brener and Suwal — a “beautiful” young woman with light skin and dark curly hair — as a couple who were regularly seen together.

Police officers said that neighbors described Suwal and Brener as an unassuming and low-profile couple who avoided attention. While they allegedly made a fortune with their prostitution business, they didn’t live an ostentatious lifestyle.

According to federal prosecutors, between 2004 and 2008, the couple made more than $1 million, which they laundered in bank accounts with the names QAT Consulting Group and QAT International Inc. Brener handled the Emperors Club’s international operations, while Suwal handled criminal enterprise’s daily operations.

Prosecutors said that the young woman controlled the ring’s bank accounts, supervised its booking agents and reviewed applications from call-girls seeking employment.

Federal investigators said the investigation is ongoing and they are depending on many of the ring’s “johns” — including Eliot Spitzer, who resigned his position as governor of the Empire State on Wednesday — to help develop leads in the case.

Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and he’s a staff writer for the New Media Alliance (thenma.org). Kouri also serves as political advisor for Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor Michael Moriarty.

He’s former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed “Crack City” by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for several major organizations. He’s also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country. Kouri writes for many police and security magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer and others. He’s a news writer for TheConservativeVoice.Com and PHXnews.com. He’s also a columnist for AmericanDaily.Com, MensNewsDaily.Com, MichNews.Com, and he’s syndicated by AXcessNews.Com. He’s appeared as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc. His book Assume The Position is available at Amazon.Com. Kouri’s own website is located at http://jimkouri.us