Three Card Monte

Puppies are cute, so I'm supporting Al Gore's campaign to end global warming. Al Gore is for puppies, and chances are, Al Gore will be the next Democrat Candidate for President. He's right on Global Warming, he's right on The Real Issues That Are Important, and he's for puppies. And whales.

He's also doing something about it. Something that you can spend money on if you want to feel better about your "Environmental Footprint". If you don't know what an Environmental Footprint is, you're obviously okay, so don't worry about it. I mean, don't! No gogle search, now AltaVista search, just don't worry about it.

But if you care, and you want to do something about it you can invest in Generation Investment Management LLP. It's a company set up to help you "offset" your Environmental Footprint by giving Al Gore your money.

If anybody else in the world attempted this type of scheme he'd be laughed off the public stage. But, because you support Al Gore, you have to support this patently fraudulent scheme. You can't see that the man is a cheat, and a crook.

And I'm afraid he's laughing at you, all the way to the bank.

h/t Redstate. Thank-you for catching this.

Democrats, Little Innocent Girl, Fraud

One of these things doesn't belong in the above headline.

The Governor's campaign for expanded health care wouldn't resort to fraudulent testimony, would it?





If it would, would these words move you?



" I believe my daughter didn't get all the tests she needed to keep her with us because she didn't have insurance. It’s that simple. If they had run more tests it might have made a difference for Molly.



As a single mother working as a server at a high-end restaurant, I earned too much to qualify for the state insurance program. Every month I would scrape together the money needed for Molly's well baby check-up and immunizations. Often, I ate just one meal a day so I could afford healthy food and quality medical care for Molly.

In this day and age, it is unnatural to bury your child. It affects every person that ever knew the child and every person those people will ever meet. We are still haunted by the memory of a child that did not turn seven in December and the $432 test that would have made it possible for her to live. I am sharing my story in hopes that no mother will ever lose a child because they are uninsured."





Pretty touching, huh? It had me going. This is what the group "Americans for Health Care" has put up on it's website to shill for the governor's ridiculous new health proposal. The picture above is from their website.



"'We shouldn't have to hear those kinds of stories in Oregon," said Rep. Tina Kotek, D-Portland."

"'It's important to put a human face on this,' said Rep. Mitch Greenlick, D-Portland."

The only problem is, it's not true.

In a story by Don Colburn it turns out that the claims of this poor little girl's mother were made up. "But based on the new information, Greenlick said Tuesday: 'I would certainly rather have had somebody testify who had a more straight story.'"

It won't affect the rhetoric surrounding the Governor's insurance scheme. Honesty isn't important enough to affect a good storyline. And, the link above to "Americans for Health Care" is still there. Sometimes you have to ask yourself, is the governor telling you the truth?

Lefties Love the Chavez

Is it possible that this is true? You and I have read about Sr. Chavez and Iran. But is it possible that any educated man in the post-Holocaust world could ever allow this kind of thing to occur?

I know that Lefties accuse GW and Cheney of being Hitler.

But what to think when the Lefties' "New Che" is a fascist? Could it be, that Lefties have more in common with fascism than they want you to think?

Property, free speech and freedom of religion. Those ideas are big with me. Can the "light of day" ever disinfect this horrible infestation?

Thank you, Harry.

Michael Totten On His Way to Iraq

If you've never read Michael Totten, you've been missing out on the best blogger Oregon has produced. Michael is not motivated by allegiance to political parties or political views. He is a surprising read. Just when you think you have him pegged, he'll write something that will open your eyes to a new dimension of the way he sees the world. He's serious about our commitment to the Middle East. So much so, that last year he decided he's just go over and see for himself.

His writing, his experiences, his connections have improved over the past 3-1/2 years. Take your time and go back into his early archives and step forward with him. It's been fun to watch him grow, and his honesty will set you back on your heels.

This is one guy that deserves your support. Read him. Send him some dough. Three cents a day would be ten bucks. But every day you come back to his site you'll feel like a million bucks.

Finally, Some Common Sense in Oregon

It doesn't happen often. And in this state it happens, rarely, indeed.

Here's the good word from Vance Day, Oregon Republican Party:

House Republicans today defeated a $275 million tax increase, rejecting a House Democratic plan (HB 2707) to create a rainy day fund at the expense of Oregon businesses. Republican’s gave Democrat leaders every opportunity to support a proposal that would have protected small Oregon-owned businesses; today’s vote makes it clear that House Democrats would rather play politics then pass good policy.

“Today House Democrats showed their true colors in voting against a proposal to protect Oregon-owned small businesses from a $35 million dollar tax increase. I’m thankful that the House Republican’s stood together to place policy above politics.

“When legislators raise taxes on the backs of small Oregon businesses even though the state has 20 percent more money than it had last session – it’s dishonest and irresponsible! Give them an inch and Democrats will take a mile.

“Nothing would have put the breaks on Oregon’s growing economy faster than this bill. If Kulongoski finds another way to get around the legislature on this tax hike, at least we’ll know we have him to thank for Oregon’s next recession.”'

Now, don't start thinking it's time to stop fighting. The dems are fighting a verbal war, saying "House Republicans failed today to commit to a real and sustainable Oregon Rainy Day Fund championed by House Democrats and supported by all of the state’s major business associations."

The advantage to the Oregon voter? We'll be able to vote on it this Fall. The disadvantage? Had the dems offered to take a look at the Republican plan, the state might have had a "Rainy Day Fund" in place. A rainy day fund without an increase in taxes for Oregonians.

You gotta give it to the Democrats.

And give, and give and give.

Senator Smith to Become a Democrat

In 1952, "maverick" senator Wayne Morse left the Republican Party.

I'm thinking this is the year Senator Smith decides it's time to become a Democrat. The thinking is pretty easy.

1. No Republican has ever been able to get a square deal with the democrat party since 1974. While it's true that Smith is eating off the governor's plate, that kind of deal-making didn't help a former Oregon senator. But maybe I'm just stepping on toes here.

2. Oregonians love the image of being a "maverick". And if Smith keeps blowing the "end the war" horn, he'll be eligible for double-maverick. And we've never had one of those before.

3. Here's the latest press release from the Senator's office:

"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2007
Contact: Kimberly Collins
202-224-5364

**Radio Advisory**
Click here for a clip of Senator Smith announcing his support for a raise in the federal tobacco tax.

Raise the Federal Tobacco Tax to Cover More Kids, Smith Says

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Gordon H. Smith (R-OR) announced today that he will support a raise in the federal tobacco tax to fund health care coverage for more children and pregnant women under the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). SCHIP must be reauthorized by the end of 2007. Senator Smith has said he would use the increased revenue to expand the program to cover all children and pregnant women up to 300 percent of the poverty line ($41,070 for a family of two).

“I will support an increase in the federal tobacco tax and dedicate the additional revenue to covering more children,” said Senator Smith. “It is rare that I even consider a proposal that raises taxes. However, as I have done before, both in Oregon in 1993 for the Oregon Health Plan and in Washington D.C., I have and will vote to support an increase in the tobacco tax if I believe the cause is just. The reauthorization and expansion of SCHIP is just such a case. The goal is laudable and I believe warrants the change.

“This year, funding expires and we have a challenge on our hands to come up with the needed funds to continue the program in it’s current form and expand coverage so more children receive help. An increase in the tobacco tax brings us closer to achieving this goal. When it comes to the health of our children, we cannot be penny-wise, pound foolish. The health of our children is worth our investment.”Senator Smith’s priorities for the SCHIP reauthorization are as follows:

Ensure all those who are enrolled in the program continue to receive coverage;
Cover those currently eligible, but not enrolled;
Expand coverage to all pregnant women and children up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level ($27, 380 for a family of two);
With new revenue from an increased tobacco tax, expand coverage for pregnant women and children up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level ($41,070 for a family of two); and
Cover parents if additional funding is available.

# # #"

So, tax smokers. It's the "Oregon" thing to do. As I mention in the story of "Jack and Diane", the state is looking at increasing the cost to low-income families by over $600.00 a year in direct taxes on tobacco.

Thanks to Senator Smith, and his concern for "kids" that low-income family is facing an even harder time trying to spend all the money it's getting from having the minimum wage increased to $7.80 an hour.

As annual budget deficits continue to fall, and the outlook for a balanced budget by 2008 appear increasingly likely, why not stick with what the government does best. Highways, waterways and defense.

And leave the social engineering to the dustbin of history.

Our Little Brown Brothers

War is such a bother. Kitties are cute.

If only we weren't in Iraq, there would be peace. See the letter, from your Republican Senator, Gordon Smith, below.

Speaking from the "Kitties Are Cute" wing of the Republican Party, we can draw strength from Senator Smith's vision of the Middle East. The key to peace is to leave. . .then we can think about kitties. Not thinking about kitties causes war.

So, don't click on the links below. The writers below think that the reason why Lefties want to leave Iraq is because they aren't cute. Well, at least not as cute as kitties. Which are cute. And Lefties believe the war will end when our troops come home to a splendifirous parade! yay!

Support the troops!

Thank you, Senator Smith.

So, here's the flip side to Senator Smith's judgement: War will end when enough innocent people are killed in Iraq. Well, not just people. Special people. Our Little Brown Brothers. Wogs.

The Surge is the Opposite of Kitty. If we spent more time thinking about kitties--or how about playing with kitties, with a piece of yarn!--we wouldn't have to worry about the war. Which is wrong. Unfortunately, it looks like the Surge is working.

How important are kitties? In the old days, pre-Katrina, owners looked after their kitties. It was a form of individual responsibility. But kitties are too cute to be left to chance. Oregon must Lead the Way.

We need a State Plan for Kitty Protection. We need to use the full, coercive power of the state to protect Kitty. Look at the top of this post! Kitties are Cute, so which party's members are leading the fight for Kitty Protection in a Post-Katrina world?

Kitties are cute. They need our protection. Iraqis are brown. Let's hurry them on their way.

Great state, huh?

Growing up in Oregon

Had to interview a couple of guys today. Old guys. There's a lot to changes in tax law, forestry practices, water and reclamation...as well as economic development, highways and changing social structures, that have occured in the last 50 years.

And I've got some business appointments to worry about. I've kinda got the next post in rough draft...if it weren't for business I'd have 'er done.

Thanks for reading.

Form Letter Response

I wrote to our Senator about my concerns. I didn't want to see him turn his back on Iraq. Here is the body of his reply:

" Thank you for contacting me regarding U.S. military operations in Iraq. I appreciate your perspective and the diversity of opinions on this issue. Through my trips to the region and meetings with military and intelligence officials, I have concluded we need a new strategy in Iraq.

When the Sentate voted in October 2002 to send American troops to Iraq, we rallied as a nation to remove a tyrant who was a chief financier of terrorism and a threat to our national security. Our troops performed magnificently in deposing a murderous dictator. However, the situation in Iraq has changed, leaving our forces policing Iraq's civil war. On December 7, 2006, I addressed my concerns about Irag in a speech on the Senate floor. You can read and watch this speech online at http://gsmith.senate.gov. I believe the United States should have a mission in Iraq that focuses our military on maintaining the territorial integrity of Iraq, denying international terrorists a safe haven, conducting counterterrorism operations, promoting regional stability, and training and equipping Iraqi forces to take full responsibility for their own security.

Recently, President Bush announced his plan to increase U.S. troop levels by 21,500. I oppose this surge in troops, fearing it will be no more successful than the three previous surges. We serve no American interest further shielding Iraqi political leaders from making the hard political decisions which, if made, will lead to lasting peace. These decisions involve revenue sharing from oil, civil rights for minorities, and a federalist structure that fairly includes Kurds, Sunnis, and Shiites. Once made, peace is possible. I also believe it is important we support our troops when they are on the battlefield.

I hope you find this information useful. PLease know that I will keep in mind your concerns about the U.S. role in Iraq and appreciate the chance to share my concerns with you. I hope you will not hesitate to contact me in the future.

Warm regards,
Gordon H. Smith
United States Senate"

If you haven't written the Senator yet, please do. You can reach him on the link above. I loved the line "we serve no American interest further shielding Iraqi political leaders from making the hard political decisions which, if made, will lead to lasting peace." Hey, you make your straw men you've gotta lie down and sleep with them.

We're not there to protect innocent men, women and children. Nope. We're not there to promote democracy in the region. The "Surge" is about shielding Iraqis from making "hard political decisions". Why doesn't he call them little savages while he's at it? Or, ask for the return of the Baath Party. Those fellas could make some hard decisions.

I wish the Senator the best in what remains of his time in the Senate. Unless he takes a look at his responsibilities as a national leader, instead of lefty panderer, I can't see Republicans much interested in helping him out in the next election. A more honest approach would be to pull a Wayne Morse now. Then the senator could become a "peace advocate". And I think he'd be more comfortable as a democrat with his new lefty friends.

The Long War-v2.0

America is Not at War.