Frisco Vies for All-America Status

Following-in, or - since one never can be quite certain who's leading the bandwagon and who's piling on - perhaps redirecting the footsteps of Amy Hagopian along her anti-military recruiter parade route, San Francisco is apparently vying for their very own 'All-America' status as they "support the troops" by "patriotically" targeting the recruiters.

That's right. Anti-war activists submitted a ballot measure for the November ballot that, if passed, would encourage city officials and school administrators to exclude military recruiters from campuses - even if it means losing federal funding due to the provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act.

Expect the far-left to expedite the circling of the bandwagons on the "failures" of "No Child." Do not, however, expect the near-left to call BS. I mean: Come on! Who likes to jeer at a parade?!

Besides... wouldn't be prudent...

"We do not see George Bush's daughters signing up," says a member of the International Socialist Organization - which seems to be the band leader of this shining moment of pride for San Francisco and soon, again, the People's Socialist Republic of Seattle and Amy Hagopian.

Notice the ISO sign doesn't identify what "lie" recruiters supposedly tell. I'll give you three guesses why.

The initiative must be certified within 30 days by the Department of Elections, but only 10,400 of the 15,000 signatures must be certified. If San Fran is anything like Seattle, then dead people and felons may freely vote (or sign) early and often if it means maintaining their strangle-hold on power. Therefore, we can expect the initiative to be certified - and for Socialists to gain more political standing in another "All-America" city.




Just one more reason my children are going to be home-schooled if vouchers (meaning ::gasp:: competition for my tax-dollars) aren't approved by the time I have children who are school-age.

Afghanistan: Tons of Munitions Collected; IED Suspect Captured

A News Release from CENTCOM HQ:

July 11, 2005
Release Number: 05-07-07

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Afghan National Police officers turned in more then 1,000 rockets and other munitions to U.S. forces near Ghazni on July 7 after having collected them from around the region.

In addition to the rockets, police collected more then 400 mortar rounds, more than 200 recoilless rifle rounds, 150 machine gun rounds, 75 rocket-propelled grenades and four anti-tank mines. Ninety-five percent of the munitions were reported as serviceable and one quarter were still in their original packing materials.

Coalition forces transported the weapons to a nearby base for destruction.

"We are seeing district and provincial governments across the country prepare for the National Assembly Elections in September. Part of that process is vetting candidates who want to run for seats in the parliament," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Mike Fenzel, deputy commander of the Coalition's Regional Command East. "But in order to be favorably considered as a candidate, former warlords, fighters, and citizens with caches of weapons have to demobilize and demilitarize to even be considered. We've watched a steady flow of weapons and ammunition being turned in and collected by the Afghan National Police around our area of operation, all as part of the democratic process. These are very clear signals that democracy and security are taking hold in Afghanistan.

"Elsewhere in Afghanistan, U.S. Soldiers patrolling near Qalat captured a man believed to be responsible for the detonation of an improvised explosive device that was triggered as their convoy passed July 7. The detonation caused no injuries or damage.

The man believed to be responsible for the attack was being questioned.

U.S. forces pursued a second individual believed to be involved in the attack but were unable to apprehend him.



Comment: Guess who wants to pretend that employing IEDs and hiding in Mosques is the mark of the "winning" side? And - notice his "uniform" then go read the Geneva Conventions.

Where Else...

Seattle Times - Devericks

Bush: Let Chinese UNOCAL Bid Run Its Course

GLENEAGLES, Scotland (Reuters) - President Bush said on Thursday it was best to let an official U.S. review of the Chinese bid for U.S. oil company Unocal run its course without him getting involved.

"There is a process that our government uses to analyze such purchases. It's best I allow this process to move forward without comment," he said when questioned on the sidelines of a Group of Eight summit at Gleneagles, Scotland.

The Chinese state-controlled energy firm CNOOC Ltd has offered $18.5 billion bid for Unocal Corp., higher than a rival offer from U.S. firm Chevron Corp .

Despite the higher price of CNOOC's bid, it has encountered significant opposition from some U.S. lawmakers who want the Bush administration to review the bid to determine whether the Chinese government-backed offer poses any threat to U.S. national security. (Washington Post)

No, Mr. President. Go ahead and comment. I'm thinking your guidance on National Security issues is necessary - even in free market.

It's not a ruling... just guidance.

Those Offensive Ten Commandments

Ann Coulter puts the SCOTUS ban on the Ten Commandments into perspective with a long list of apparently less-offensive tax-payer funded speech.

For example:

• A photo of a newborn infant with its mouth open titled to suggest the infant was available for oral sex. —NEA-funded performance

• Korans distributed to aspiring terrorists at Guantanamo. —U.S. military

• "If there was a better, more effective, or in fact any other way of visiting some penalty befitting their participation upon the little Eichmanns inhabiting the sterile sanctuary of the Twin Towers ([ than the attack of 9/11)], I'd really be interested in hearing about it." —Ward Churchill, professor, University of Colorado

• We need "a million more Mogadishus" [referring to the slaughter of 18 American soldiers during a peacekeeping mission in Somalia in 1993]. —Nicholas De Genova, assistant professor, Columbia University

• Close-up photos of women's vaginas plastered all over a portrait of the Virgin Mary (which The New York Times will still not mention when it describes the "art"). —Brooklyn Museum of Art

• A show titled "DEGENERATE WITH A CAPITAL D" featuring a display of the remains of the artist's own aborted baby. —NEA-funded exhibit

And ol' Blue wants you to suppose "Thou Shalt not Kill" is going to corrupt your children's mind...

WTF?!

Which Came First?

Paul Nowak, CNS News

Bail Set for Child Rapist

Jeremy Daniel Cockerham of Bremerton, Washington is accused of 1st-degree rape and impregnating his 10-year old step-daughter. The evidence against him is solid.

Here in Washington, if the attacker were a female teacher with her pupil for a victim - they would be cheered by the liberal establishment (including the media, naturally) while being showered with flowers and gifts as ladies daintily covered their mouths while gossiping about the sweetness of true "love."

Scuse me. That's "true love" expressed as CHILD RAPE. Who doesn't get this other than the liberal MSM?!

Clearly, enough people don't get it that judges feel comfortable gifting Cockerham with a bail amount of $250,000. Someone explain to me why in the hell this guy has ANY amount set for bail?! If that SOB gets out of jail, I pray for the judges family.

While I think it's funny as hell that Justice Souter is facing the outcome of his decisions and a private organization is trying to take his home away, I do not think it would be very funny if this judge's child were to be attacked by someone he went so easy on. Clearly, the kid wouldn't deserve anything like that - but the judge would have no right to bury his head in shame crying "Why me?"

Why the hell NOT?! Our little corner of the world would be much better off if Justices and Legislators... and especially Justices who legislate from the bench... had to live with the effects of the decisions they made!


And in case you're wondering, DNA tests were done on the 10-year old's born child and the lab indicates a 99.99% probability that Cockerham is the father. Innocent until proven guilty, but with evidence like that - there is NO excuse for offering bail.

God forbid the same judge hears the case.

Cockerham deserves something significantly worse than the Clockwork Orange treatment, but here is the SPRS - it's going to be milk and cookies, baby!

KIRO TV (Seattle) didn't have the sack to print the judges name.

Bastards.

Souter Served Own Medicine

Following the decision allowing private industry to capitalize on private land, it looks like we get to find out whether Justice Souter is willing to live up to the very decision he was part of making.

God, if this only happened more often to judges who misinterpret the Constitution!



Press Release

For Release Monday, June 27 to New Hampshire media
For Release Tuesday, June 28 to all other media

Weare, New Hampshire (PRWEB) Could a hotel be built on the land owned by Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter? A new ruling by the Supreme Court which was supported by Justice Souter himself itself might allow it. A private developer is seeking to use this very law to build a hotel on Souter's land.

Justice Souter's vote in the "Kelo vs. City of New London" decision allows city governments to take land from one private owner and give it to another if the government will generate greater tax revenue or other economic benefits when the land is developed by the new owner.

On Monday June 27, Logan Darrow Clements, faxed a request to Chip Meany the code enforcement officer of the Towne of Weare, New Hampshire seeking to start the application process to build a hotel on 34 Cilley Hill Road. This is the present location of Mr. Souter's home.

Clements, CEO of Freestar Media, LLC, points out that the City of Weare will certainly gain greater tax revenue and economic benefits with a hotel on 34 Cilley Hill Road than allowing Mr. Souter to own the land.

The proposed development, called "The Lost Liberty Hotel" will feature the "Just Desserts Café" and include a museum, open to the public, featuring a permanent exhibit on the loss of freedom in America. Instead of a Gideon's Bible each guest will receive a free copy of Ayn Rand's novel "Atlas Shrugged."

Clements indicated that the hotel must be built on this particular piece of land because it is a unique site being the home of someone largely responsible for destroying property rights for all Americans.

"This is not a prank" said Clements, "The Towne of Weare has five people on the Board of Selectmen. If three of them vote to use the power of eminent domain to take this land from Mr. Souter we can begin our hotel development.

"Clements' plan is to raise investment capital from wealthy pro-liberty investors and draw up architectural plans. These plans would then be used to raise investment capital for the project. Clements hopes that regular customers of the hotel might include supporters of the Institute For Justice and participants in the Free State Project among others.

International Day In Support of Victims of Torture

June 26 is the International Day In Support of Victims of Torture.

Amnesty International has a complete organizing guide loaded with media guidance, pointers on how to take action, key messages and talking points, petitions - including one to the President, legal references and their "12 Point Program for the Prevention of Torture by Agents of the State."

It's a strong and valid message they are putting out, but they completely failed to mention anything about the torture perpetrated by our prisoners of war against their own women, children, and "infidels." Those found to be criminals and "infidels" have enjoyed the rite of qata al-raas for the past 14 years - but, today, you wont hear Amnesty International saying jack about that.

Qata al-raas, by the way, is the act of cutting someone's head off.

Our prisoners are choking down chicken almondine this weekend... and their heads are still attached to suffer through it.

President Bush had the following to say this day in 2003:

Today, on the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the United States declares its strong solidarity with torture victims across the world. Torture anywhere is an affront to human dignity everywhere. We are committed to building a world where human rights are respected and protected by the rule of law.

Freedom from torture is an inalienable human right. The Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment, ratified by the United States and more than 130 other countries since 1984, forbids governments from deliberately inflicting severe physical or mental pain or suffering on those within their custody or control. Yet torture continues to be practiced around the world by rogue regimes whose cruel methods match their determination to crush the human spirit. Beating, burning, rape, and electric shock are some of the grisly tools such regimes use to terrorize their own citizens. These despicable crimes cannot be tolerated by a world committed to justice.

Notorious human rights abusers, including, among others, Burma, Cuba, North Korea, Iran, and Zimbabwe, have long sought to shield their abuses from the eyes of the world by staging elaborate deceptions and denying access to international human rights monitors. Until recently, Saddam Hussein used similar means to hide the crimes of his regime. With Iraq's liberation, the world is only now learning the enormity of the dictator's three decades of victimization of the Iraqi people. Across the country, evidence of Baathist atrocities is mounting, including scores of mass graves containing the remains of thousands of men, women, and children and torture chambers hidden inside palaces and ministries. The most compelling evidence of all lies in the stories told by torture survivors, who are recounting a vast array of sadistic acts perpetrated against the innocent. Their testimony reminds us of their great courage in outlasting one of history's most brutal regimes, and it reminds us that similar cruelties are taking place behind the closed doors of other prison states.

The United States is committed to the world-wide elimination of torture and we are leading this fight by example. I call on all governments to join with the United States and the community of law-abiding nations in prohibiting, investigating, and prosecuting all acts of torture and in undertaking to prevent other cruel and unusual punishment. I call on all nations to speak out against torture in all its forms and to make ending torture an essential part of their diplomacy. I further urge governments to join America and others in supporting torture victims' treatment centers, contributing to the UN Fund for the Victims of Torture, and supporting the efforts of non-governmental organizations to end torture and assist its victims.

No people, no matter where they reside, should have to live in fear of their own government. Nowhere should the midnight knock foreshadow a nightmare of state-commissioned crime. The suffering of torture victims must end, and the United States calls on all governments to assume this great mission.

With all that said -

Let's not pretend the military or administration are accepting of the comparatively few abuses that have taken place in Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo - and let's not pretend that nearly every one of those prisoners would happily cut your head off given half the chance.

Looks to me like AI's interest is anti-administration politics... else they likely would not have missed the forest for a few of the trees.

Backtrack: Purple Goddess - Body and Soul

Pot Smokers Overloading Our Prisons?

Marijuana sympathizers want you to believe our prison system is over-loaded with otherwise law-abiding drug abusers simply on the account of their 'recreational' pot use. Those illicit-drug advocates are not telling you the truth.

The fact is that the majority of our drug prisoners are violent criminals, drug traffickers, repeat offenders or some combination of the three - in addition to their other crimes. These people belong in prisons. The true recreational user, in fact, rarely goes to prison anymore. Intervention, drug treatment and the drug courts are in place to offer these recreational users a chance to put an end to their destructive and illegal behavior.

The majority of those in prison for marijuana offenses were nailed for more than simple possession. They come with additional drug trafficking charges, additional offenses or have pled-down to possession in order to avoid prosecution on more serious charges. The latter, I personally see on a routine basis. In the judicial system, it's "death, taxes, and plea deals."

In State Prisons during 1997 (the most recent year with complete available data):- 1.6% of state inmate population was held for sole-marijuana offenses- 0.7% of state inmate population were incarcerated with a sole charge of marijuana possession, and- 0.3% of state inmate population consisted of first-time possession only offenders

In Federal Prisons during 2001, the story is similar:- The overwhelming majority of drug-convictions were for drug trafficking- 2.3% of federal prisoners (186 total) were sentenced for simple possession. Only 63 of those 186 (with 174 whose sentencing information is known), actually served time behind bars

Drug laws exist because drug users, pushers and abusers hurt our communities, our friends, and our families. Persistent violators face increasingly harsh penalties. The mischarachterization that our prisons are overloaded with casual users is simply false.

Seth Michael Ferranti told Rolling Stone magazine that he was a prisoner in the war on drugs... from the suburbs... and basically a law-abiding citizen with a possession rap. In fact, Ferranti ran a drug-trafficking network that distributed over 100,000 doses of LSD to high school and college students in Fairfax Co, Virginia.

Somehow, he was released on his own recognizance pending trial. Taking up one-third of the "death, taxes and plea deals" offer, Ferranti agreed to roll on one of his fellow gang members for a lighter sentence. Surprise, surprise, however, when Ferranti faked his own suicide, skipped out on his own plea deal, and vanished. While on the run, Ferranti returned to his drug trafficking ways and was finally arrested under a complete alternate I.D. (credit, I.D. cards, birth certificate, voter registration, checks, etc..) in St. Louis on a simple possession charge. Unaware of his true identity, Ferranti was released. US Marshalls tracked Ferranti a month later - still in St. Louis - and nailed him with multiple sets of alternate identify info and 18 pounds of marijuana.

When he was returned to Virginia, Ferranti was sentenced to 12 months for failure to appear at his original sentencing and mail fraud. He also received his original 24 year-plus sentence without the possibility of parole - NOT for marijuana, but for selling LSD.

Ferranti's story is no different than countless others whose stories are repeated by drug advocates in their persistent misinformation campaign. People must look deeper than the Rolling Stone article or the headline on tomorrow's front page.

The truth is that drug abusers are, on the whole, receiving fair and equitable treatment by our judicial system and the overwhelming majority of them who are enjoying milk and cookies in our prisons have more than earned their stay.




See Also:

• An Interview with Seth Ferranti: Prisoner #18205083, by Michelle Daugherty. Spank Magazine, Summer 2000, as posted on Prisonerlife.com.
• The American Dream: Free Enterprise, Seth M. Ferranti, #18205083. Web site for the November Coalition.
• United States of America v. Seth Michael Ferranti, Case #’s 1:91CR00337001 and 9400122A, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division. (PACER, fee)
• I’m a Prisoner in the War on Drugs, By John Colapinto. Rolling Stone, May 28, 1998.