jimsweb.net : politics

Remembering Ulysses S. Grant

jim® — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 15:02:07 GMT

Hiram Ulysses Grant was born at Point Pleasant, Ohio on this day in 1822. When his congressman nominated him to West Point, the politician couldn't remember the full name, but remembering young Grant's mother's maiden name, he made up a new name for the enrollment forms: Ulysses Simpson Grant. His military career was average at best, his business efforts were mostly unsuccessful, and his early efforts in the Civil War were indifferent. He waged an unconventional battle for Vicksburg and returned to prominence, ending the war as the chief general of the Union Army. His own actions as president were reasonable but he chose too many subordinates of poor character, his administration was continually rocked by scandal. Out of office he invested in a brokerage firm and was fleeced by his partner but spent his last years writing his memoirs so he could pay his bills. Published by Mark Twain, this work is still regarded as the finest presidential memoir ever.

“The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can. Strike at him as hard as you can and as often as you can, and keep moving on.”

“There are but few important events in the affairs of men brought about by their own choice.”

“Wars produce many stories of fiction, some of which are told until they are believed to be true.”

“Although a soldier by profession, I have never felt any sort of fondness for war, and I have never advocated it, except as a means of peace.”

“Everyone has his superstitions. One of mine has always been when I started to go anywhere, or to do anything, never to turn back or to stop until the thing intended was accomplished.”

“I don't underrate the value of military knowledge, but if men make war in slavish obedience to rules, they will fail.”

All from Ulysses S. Grant, 1822 - 1885

Remembering Thomas Jefferson

jim® — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 08:58:00 GMT

Thomas Jefferson was born at Shadwell, among the hills of Virginia, on this day in 1743. A favorite amongst the founding fathers, he is also one of my favorite authors. Jefferson distinguished himself as a horticulturist, statesman, architect, archaeologist, paleontologist, author, and inventor, not to mention being the third President of the United States of America and principal author of the Declaration of Independence.

I could easily fill this page and probably 10 others with quotes from Mr. Jefferson; however, here are some of my favorites:

“I hold it, that a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical.”

“Is it the less dishonest to do what is wrong, because not expressly prohibited by written law? Let us hope our moral principles are not yet in that stage of degeneracy.”

“My theory has always been, that if we are to dream, the flatteries of hope are as cheap, and pleasanter, than the gloom of despair.”

“Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.”

“Those who would trade safety for freedom deserve neither.”

“The wise know too well their weakness to assume infallibility; and he who knows most, knows best how little he knows.”

And my all time favorite, which is often shortened, but in my opinion looses some of it’s meaning:

"Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear.”

All from Thomas Jefferson, 1743 - 1826

If you do decide to comment, please add your favorite quote(s), and let’s see how many we can get.

An Unhealthy Health Care Debate

jim® — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 07:57:00 GMT

I guess it was too much to ask that when the University of Washington School of Law decided to hold a roundtable debate on the Constitutionality of the Health Care Reform Act that they would actually have both sides of the argument represented, and that the panel members could refrain from showing their obvious contempt toward one side or the other.

I was however impressed with the moderator.

Feel free to watch, and you be the judge:

TVW - Washington State Public Affairs Network: MEDIA:University of Washington School of Law - Watch more Videos at Vodpod.

The End of Liberty? I think Not!

jim® — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 08:48:37 GMT

After the recent debacle (I say debacle, because it was definitely not a debate) over Health Care, many have said to me that they believe this is the beginning of the end for Liberty. Although we could easily debate this idea for hours, let’s just say, I disagree with you. Liberty, ladies and gentlemen, is in a nutshell your God-given right. No one, not the Congress, not the President, not even the government, can take it from you without your consent.

I have often wondered how I would act if placed in a situation in which my liberty was in jeopardy. I can only hope that I would act as bravely as this author, for it was on this day 1775 that he rose to address the Virginia House of Burgesses, his words, “give me liberty or give me death!” still (to me at least) ring true today!

No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope that it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen, if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve.

This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty towards the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren, till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation?

For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth—to know the worst and to provide for it. I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House?

Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation—the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motives for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies?

No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us; they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer on the subject? Nothing.

We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves longer.

Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.

Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne. In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope.

If we wish to be free—if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending—if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!

They tell us, sir, that we are weak—unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?

Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of the means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.

The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable—and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come!

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, “Peace! Peace!”—but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!

Patrick Henry – March 23, 1775
Richmond, Virginia

Politics has no place in Gang Legislation

jim® — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:05:29 GMT

Gang Legislation is about protecting our residents from criminal street gangs, it has nothing to with “racial profiling” as the ACLU would have you believe.

Almost as quickly as the Senate Democrats in Washington State removed the 2/3rd’s requirement for increasing taxes, they once again have gutted, strike that…killed legislation that would help cities and counties combat criminal street gangs.

Yakima-area lawmakers tried to get tough on gangs at the Legislature this year, but they were turned back at the last minute by powerful Democrats who worried the proposal amounted to racial profiling and would penalize innocent property owners.

Rep. Norm Johnson, R-Yakima, said Monday that a measure that would have given citizens and law enforcement another means to fight criminal gang activity “was systematically dismantled in the Senate” last week, becoming “a victim of politics.” …

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/03/09/politics-killed-anti-gang-bill-yakima-lawmaker-says

I ask you, when will our legislators in Olympia, namely the Senate Democrats realize that we do indeed have a gang problem in this state?! Back in 2007 the City of Sunnyside adopted the first ever gang legislation in the state. It had many of the provisions Rep. Johnson’s bill had, and gave our police the tools they desperately needed in order to address the gang problems in our city. I say ‘had’ because almost immediately the State Legislature took notice of Sunnyside’s actions, and before the year was out, legislation had passed through both houses creating a new Criminal Gang Activity Law. The problem is that in order to get it passed Republicans allowed the Democrats to gut it! – It had none of the nuisance language that ours had, it also didn’t allow the police to create ‘special event areas’ – it was basically a law that for the first time in Washington’s history identified what a Criminal Street Gang was and basically nothing more. They also ‘preempted’ any current lower level legislation, which meant the City of Sunnyside had to change it’s law to meet the State’s standard.

Now jump ahead to 2010, Rep. Norm Johnson, R-Yakima and Rep. Charles Ross, R-Naches introduce legislation that would put back some of the teeth that the original bill had in 2007. It passed the House by a vote of 90-6, it passed the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee (with the removal of the nuisance procedures and gang injunctions) – However, even with those items removed, it still might have been a decent law for the books; however, I’ll bet you can guess what Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown (D-Spokane) and her cronies did? That’s right, they killed it. They allowed it to die in the Senate Rules Committee, and when calls were put to their offices, they didn’t even have the common courtesy to return them. According to the Yakima Herald, calls to Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown’s (D-Spokane) office were not returned.

Winston Churchill said, “A politician thinks about the next election - the statesman thinks about the next generation.” – If you ask me, these ladies and gentlemen in Olympia need to start acting like statesmen instead of politicians!

Hopefully, this year, we can send a strong message to Olympia by giving a few of them their walking papers!

Remembering the Father of our Country

jim® — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:54:20 GMT

George Washington was born in Virginia's Westmoreland County on this day in 1732. When his father died in 1743, George moved to Mount Vernon to live with his half brother, later inheriting that estate. He learned surveying, worked in the frontier areas of Virginia until the French and Indian War. His abilities in leading troops earned him the rank of Lieutenant Colonel at the tender age of 22. He served in the Virginia House of Burgesses, then at both the First and Second Constitutional Conventions, the latter of which elected him unanimously as Commander of the Continental Forces in 1775. He went back to Mount Vernon after the war, but was disappointed by the results of the early government and led the Virginia delegation to the Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia. When the new constitution was ratified, Washington was unanimously elected as the first President. By all accounts, Washington was brilliant and capable, of good character, and would have much rather spent more years as a Virginia gentleman farmer had the British Colonial government been more reasonable.

Mr. Washington has been quoted so much in history, that it was difficult to find five quotes for this blog post; however, I think I have some that I haven’t used before, my favorite is the last one.

“Occupants of public offices love power and are prone to abuse it.”

“It is infinitely better to have a few good men than many indifferent ones.”

“Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and show the whole world that a Freeman, contending for liberty on his own ground, is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth.”

“It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it.”

“My observation is that whenever one person is found adequate to the discharge of a duty ... it is worse executed by two persons, and scarcely done at all if three or more are employed therein.”

“The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments.”

All from George Washington, 1732 – 1799

Remembering the 18th Amendment (Prohibition)

jim® — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 13:58:07 GMT

On this day in 1919 the 18th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States was ratified and enacted into law. One year later, on January 16th, 1920 it became illegal to produce, distribute or sell alcohol in the United States. The National Prohibition Act or as it was more commonly referred to, the “Volstead Act” passed through Congress and over President Wilson’s veto and established the legal definition of intoxicating liquor; however, did very little to enforce the law. And by 1925 there were approximately 100,000 “Speakeasy” clubs in New York City alone. It is without a doubt the most unpopular law ever enacted in the history of our country, and was plagued with logistical problems from the start, and so on December 5th, 1933, it was repealed under the Twenty-first Amendment.

Today’s quotes are on Prohibition, as many of the time felt the 18th Amendment was a joke, I personally like W. C. Fields’ the best.

“Why don’t they pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting anybody from learning anything? If it works as well as prohibition did, in five years Americans would be the smartest race of people on Earth.” – Will Rogers, 1879-1935

“Prohibition goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control man’s appetite by legislation and makes crimes out of things that are not crimes.” – Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1865

“For every prohibition you create you also create an underground.” – Jello Biafra

“Prohibition has made nothing but trouble.” – Al Capone, 1899-1947

“Once, during Prohibition, I was forced to live for days on nothing but food and water.” – W. C. Fields, 1880-1946

Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.

jim® — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:31:23 GMT

Martin Luther King, Jr was born at Atlanta, Georgia on this day in 1929. He was taught to read at home before going to school and advanced rapidly, skipping two grades and entering Morehouse College at age 15. The son of a Baptist minister, he was ordained in 1947. Inspired by a parishioner named Rosa Parks, he organized the boycott of Montgomery's bus service. Then he had a dream, following it made him one of the few who have visibly changed the world. The world resists change and Dr King was murdered, but the dream continued and his words live on.

“Morality cannot be legislated, but behavior can be regulated. Judicial decrees may not change the heart, but they can restrain the heartless.”

“We shall have to repent in this generation, not so much for the evil deeds of the wicked people, but for the appalling silence of the good people.”

“Science investigates; religion interprets. Science gives man knowledge which is power; religion gives man wisdom which is control. Science deals mainly with facts; religion deals mainly with values. The two are not rivals. They are complementary.”

“Success, recognition, and conformity are the bywords of the modern world where everyone seems to crave the anesthetizing security of being identified with the majority.”

“We must combine the toughness of the serpent with the softness of the dove, a tough mind and a tender heart.”

“When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

All from Martin Luther King, Jr, 1929 - 1968

Remembering George Mason IV

jim® — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:27:48 GMT

George Mason IV was born on his family's plantation in Fairfax County, Virginia Colony on this day in 1725. His father died in a ferryboat accident ten years later, George lived with an uncle with a library of 1500 volumes where he educated himself. At age 21 he inherited his fathers holdings, including over 20,000 acres in Virginia and Maryland. He wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which Jefferson adapted for the Declaration of Independence. He reluctantly took Washington's seat in the House of Burgesses and when time came to create the Constitution he was Virginia's delegate to that assembly. The lack of a statement of rights caused him to refuse to sign the document and campaign against ratification. The campaign worked, in the first Congress Madison introduced what we now know as the Bill of Rights, largely paraphrased from Mason's original.

Below are some of his more memorable quotes:

“Government is, or ought to be instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security of the people, nation, or community; of all the various modes and forms of government, that is best which is capable of producing the greatest degree of happiness and safety, and is most effectually secured against the danger of maladministration.”

“I begin to grow heartily tired of the etiquette and nonsense so fashionable in this city.”

“We came equals into this world, and equals shall we go out of it.”

“A few years' experience will convince us that those things which at the time they happened we regarded as our greatest misfortunes have proved our greatest blessings.”

“When the same man, or set of men, holds the sword and the purse, there is an end of liberty.”

“This cold weather has set all the young folks to providing bedfellows. I have signed two or three licenses every day [as a Fairfax Justice of the Peace] since I have been at home. I wish I knew where to get a good one myself; for I find cold sheets extremely disagreeable.”

All from George Mason, 1725 - 1792

Treating Terrorism as a Crime…Nine years later!

jim® — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:18:50 GMT

The FBI said today that they are announcing the addition of two individuals to our Most Wanted Terrorists list, along with substantial rewards for information leading to their capture.

Fahd Mohammed Ahmed al-Quso is sought for his role in the October 2000 bombing of the USS Cole in Yemen, in which 17 American sailors were killed.

Husayn Muhammad al-Umari is wanted in connection with the 1982 bombing of Pan Am Flight 830, which resulted in the death of a teenage passenger and injury to 16 others. The flight, bound from Japan to Hawaii, carried 267 people.

The U.S. State Department’s Rewards for Justice Program is offering up to $5 million for information leading directly to the apprehension or convictions of these individuals.

We are also announcing today that we have added Abdullah al-Rimi to our Seeking Information-War on Terrorism list. Unlike al-Quso and al-Umari, who are under indictment in the U.S., al-Rimi has not been charged but is wanted for questioning in connection with the USS Cole bombing.

Al-Quso, who speaks Arabic, is believed to be 35 years old. He was born in Yemen and may still be living there.

The USS Cole bombing took place on October 12, 2000, when suicide terrorists exploded a small boat alongside the Navy destroyer as it was refueling in the port of Aden. The blast ripped a 40-foot-wide hole in the ship. In addition to the 17 who died, many were injured.

Al-Umari, 73, who may be carrying a Lebanese passport, is one of three people indicted for the Pan Am Flight 830 bombing and is alleged to have built the device that was placed under a seat and detonated while the plane was in flight.

Sometimes called “The Bomb Man” because he is an explosives expert, al-Umari formed the terrorist group 15 May Organization in 1979. The group’s mission was to promote the Palestinian cause through violence toward supporters of Israel. A Sunni Muslim who doesn’t drink or gamble, al-Umari is said to enjoy smoking Cuban cigars.

We need your help to find these three individuals, all of whom should be considered armed and extremely dangerous. If you have any information concerning these alleged terrorists, please contact your local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or consulate, or submit a tip electronically.

With today’s additions, there are now 24 people on our Most Wanted Terrorists list, which was established a month after the 9/11 terror attacks. The State Department’s Rewards for Justice Program, established in 1984, has paid nearly $80 million to more than 50 people who provided information that prevented international terrorist attacks or helped bring others to justice for previous crimes.

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AUTHOR COMMENTS: Ok ladies and gentlemen, here is a perfect reason why terrorism should be treated as a military operation instead of a criminal prosecution. Don’t get me wrong, I think the FBI is doing everything they can; however, they are not equipped to handle operations such as these.

It pains me to hear Obama and many others on the left talk about our system of justice, and how great it is, and how they want the world to see how great it is by offering the same protections to individuals who are not U.S. Citizens and who would like nothing better than to kill more Americans.

When will these “do nothing” President’s understand that the only way to fight terrorism, is to act quickly and decisively! In many ways, Mr. Obama is no different than Mr. Clinton, in this case, it was Mr. Clinton who dropped the ball on the USS Cole and now Mr. Obama is trying to pick up the pieces, 9 years later!

Both of them could take a lesson from Reagan’s playbook:

In 1985 the Italian cruise liner Achille Lauro was hijacked by terrorists from the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in an attempt to free political prisoners and terrorists by putting pressure on the Israeli government.

During the hijacking of the cruise liner, the terrorists murdered the American Leon Klinghoffer.

When hearing about it aboard Air Force One returning from Chicago, Reagan told his National Security Team, “Go Get Them!” and Get Them we did…

US intelligence uncovered the plans of the PLO terrorists and then US President Ronald Reagan ordered the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea to take action against the flight of the terrorists from Egypt to Libya.

What followed was condemned by many as an act of "airborne piracy", but it was in fact a well planned precision operation by carrier aircraft launched from USS Saratoga (CV-60) and intelligence aircraft from the USAF: No less than seven F-14As from VF-74 and VF-103 were launched, four to undertake the interception of the B737 plus three to fly top cover for the unlikely event that Libyan fighters would take aggressive action against the US aircraft. Additionally, an E-2C, four KA-6D tankers, EA-6B Prowlers, EA-3B Sky Warriors and a RC-135 electronic intelligence aircraft participated in the operation.

Once on its way to Libya, the Egypt Air Boeing 737 with the terrorists on board was located by an E-2C Hawkeye which vectored the Tomcats into position to perform the interception. The Tomcats approached the B737 with all lights extinguished in total radio silence, only using modern data link facilities between the participating aircraft. The Tomcats positioned themselves ahead, to the rear and on each side of the airliner.

Once in position, the F-14s switched on position lights and made a call to the B737 pilot to follow. Without another choice the airliner was escorted to NAS Sigonella in Italy, where a Navy SEAL (Sea-Air-Land) team surrounded the airliner and captured the terrorists.

All this was accomplished within 6 days of the incident.

When asked about the bombing of the USS Cole, Clinton had this to say, “This tragic loss should remind us all that even when America is not at war, the men and women of our military risk their lives every day in places where comforts are few and dangers are many.”

When asked about the shooting at Foot Hood, TX, Obama has this to say, “These are men and women who have made the selfless and courageous decision to risk and at times give their lives to the rest of us on a daily basis," the president continued. "It is horrifying that they should come under fire at an Army base on American soil."

In comparrison, when asked about the Achille Lauro incident, Reagan had this to say, “Terrorists thought they could murder an innocent American and get away with it, they thought wrong.”

Sometimes I wonder if America couldn’t take a lesson from the Roman playbook when it comes to terrorism. There was a time on this planet, when a citizen of Rome could walk without fear anywhere in the civilized world, because it was well known that to harm a citizen of Rome was to attack Rome itself, the mere thought of which, coupled with Rome’s retribution for harming one of it’s citizens was too terrible to contemplate.