Ted Kennedy

First of all, I have got to offer my condolences to his family. Death is tragic, and I am sure he will be missed by his loved ones.

Second, less then 24 hours later, flags are flying at half-mast at the military base where I work. I commented on this while riding an elevator, and was told "Come on, he did give forty years to his country."

Lets be realistic. I don't think that forty years of paid service can be considered giving. When someone retires from the post office, or McDonalds, are they lauded for "giving" their years of service? Was Bill Gates applauded for service he "gave" to Microsoft? Public servants are unpaid, and should be applauded for their work - politicians are paid employees of the government and the people.

And while we're on this subject - lets discuss Ted Kennedy's exploits.

He was expelled twice from Harvard for cheating.

He enlisted for four years in the Army, served only two thanks to his father, never saw combat in Korea thanks to assignment in Europe, again thanks to his father, and never rose above the rank of private.

After his return to Harvard (after being expelled twice?), he was cited four times four reckless driving but never had his license revoked.

He committed manslaughter in Chappaquiddick - pure and simple. He waited seven hours to report the accident to the police, and made sure to call his lawyer before reporting the incident. For this manslaughter, he was sentenced to two suspended months.

His forty years of employment (not service) in government is relatively bland. he is remembered as a champion of workers and union rights. he also managed several bills relaxing laws on immigration. In fact the majority of his career can be summarized in his efforts to reduce or eliminate immigration controls.

I am sorrowful for his death, but I am sick already of the shameless pandering he is receiving. Lets be honest. Just once.

Gun-Toting Man Draws Scrutiny Outside Obama Town Hall

On 11 Aug, President Obama attended a Portsmouth NH Town Hall meeting. An anti-health care reform rally was being held in close proximity to the Town Hall meeting (on private property). A NH resident attended the rally, carrying a sign that said "It is Time to Water the Tree of Liberty". No big deal. So why is CBS, MSNBC and many of the other main-stream media crying out against William Kostric (the protester in question)?

William Kostric was armed.

Kostric was exercising his constitutional right to keep and bear arms, and his NH right to open carry. He had a pistol in a holster on his right thigh, and his protest sign. He never brandished the weapon, or made any threatening motions. Local police were aware of the situation, and Kostric was under close scrutiny, but as he was not breaking any laws, was questioned but not detained in any way.

Here are some headlines about the story:

"Who was that gun-toting anti-Obama protester?"

"Matthews to Kostric: "You're carring a god-damned gun...?""

"Is Gun-Totin' A-Hole William Kostric Enjoying His 15 Minutes?"

"Man With Gun Shows Up for Obama Town Hall and Police Let Him Stay."

"2 Gun Incidents, 1 Arrest at Obama's NH Forum."

Lets be clear about this. I don't agree with his combination. I wouldn't have personally made the choice to exercise my 2nd Amendment and 1st Amendment rights at the same time by carrying openly and holding that sign. That's just me. (Edit: I would have been carrying - legally - just not open carry.) However, Kostric didn't break any laws. He was not arrested or charged. He did nothing wrong.

I can' even agree with others on the internet who say that it lacked common sense. Many are arguing that just because Kostric had the RIGHT to carry, he shouldn't have. That makes no sense to me. That argument posits that his right to disagree by holding a protest sign is fine (1st Amendment) but his right to keep and bear arms (2nd Amendment) lacks "common sense".

These people arguing the common sense argument are the same people who argued that the crucifix in a jar of urine statue was free speech, and had to be supported by the NEA.

As soon as one right is taken away, others will follow.

A right not exercised is a right lost.

"Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense? The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able might have a gun." - Patrick Henry

"No Free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." - President Thomas Jefferson

"Americans have the right and advantage of being armed -- unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms." James Madison

And the quote that started the furor...

"The Tree of Liberty must often be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots alike."

Senators Cleared of Ethics Charges by.....

... a Senate Ethics Committee. News reports have come out that Senators Dodd and Conrad have been cleared of any ethics violations by a Senate Ethics committee. Dodd and Conrad both received "sweetheart" loans from Countrywide Mortgage, loans that were "expedited" and "available to friends" of Countrywide's CEO, Angelo Mozilo. The Senate Ethics committee stated that since the loans would have been available to any "friend" of Mozilo; and that since the rates were not excessively low, that there were no ethics violations.

Dodd and Conrad were both rebuked though, basically saying that they should have exercised more common sense in avoiding the perception of ethics violations.

So, to paraphrase.... an ethics complaint was brought up and a panel of their peers (co-workers) found them innocent. Is that a shock to anyone?

If a trial for a person suspected of breaking and entering was under way, and the jury was staffed entirely of persons who had been convicted of B and E, how do you think the verdict would come back? Or, if a jury trial for a person suspected of larceny was in progress, and the jury was staffed entirely by your next-door neighbors, would anyone be surprised when the verdict was not guilty.

This is an insult to Americans, and a slap in the face of justice.