To file or not to file

The State of New York passed a law that would enable the state to release Donald Trump's New York tax returns should coup conspirators, or should I say, committees of Congress request those returns. The President sued in a Washington DC federal court to get that law thrown out but a judge has dismissed that suit on the grounds that that court does not have jurisdiction in the matter.

This story is not over yet, and hopefully it will eventually turn out in the Presidents behalf. Should it not turn out that way I have a suggestion:

Americans should stop filing income tax returns of any sort.

Why?

We fill out our tax returns, under penalty of law, with the assurance that the information is confidential. As has been said many times, if they can do it to the President, they can do it to anyone.

Do you support the opposition party? Show us your taxes.

You are a critic of government policy? Show us your taxes.

If we are required to submit confidential information to the government, we should be able to do so with the expectation that such information is secret. If the tyrants in Washington are able to retroactively expose us, then we should have the right to deny the government this information in the first place.

Sic semper tyrannis. There may very well be a revolution coming. The plotters will not know what hit them. Vindman does not represent the military. Most of the military is like flyover country while the higher-ups are like the elitist coastal cities: they may think the majority is with them, but the majority is not.

A Call to Action

Are we cowards, or are we men? It's time folks.

Sell your cloak, buy a sword: 

It is not time to break the law, yet. But it is time to start marches, riots, and other forms of relentless civil disobedience to show the establishment our resolve.

If we have the resolve. Do we?

Do you?

The lamps are going out all over the world. It is time to start a few fires.   

                                         John C. Wright

The Anger Isn't Abating. It's Building.

From contributor Sundance at The Conservative Tree House:

"...Perhaps it would be different if you ever had a come-to-Jesus moment and apologized immediately following the November election.  Then again, when your opinion of your own self-importance is this high, those humble words are just as foreign as your understanding of the movement that won.

You don’t get to frame the entire construct of your argument around opposition to a team, and then claim benefit to the outcome of victory.  Stay on your high-horse, move along and ride off into that proverbial land of irrelevance; you’re dead here.

Save your dismount for another defining “conservative” assembly where you can gather at CPAC again and give a standing ovation to House Speaker Paul Ryan a month after he eliminates the debt ceiling and passes a $2 trillion OmniBus spending bill, funding all of the progressive priorities you hypocritically claim to oppose; you’re good at that.

That particular circle of crazy just doesn’t sell here any longer..."

Read the whole thing. It's brutal. I'm VERY thankful that so many conservatives who didn't like Trump are now with us. We are strong and united! However, these guys (and gals) will NEVER be with us, even as they watch their credibility and their careers circle the drain. We're much better off without them.

A New Direction

Here is the foreign policy speech that Jourdan mentioned.




Comments? Criticisms?

Modernity Has Not Been Kind to the Celt

From the pen of Apollon Zamp: 

"Throughout history, the denizens of rural Appalachia have been at a high risk of death from gunshot wounds, stabbings, and blunt force trauma. This is the seeming end result of piling too many Scots-Irishmen together and expecting them to co-exist peacefully (cf. a certain six counties of Ulster). Those causes of death have been replaced by the much less mediapathic,[1]but no less lethal, trio of diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.[2] Fast forward a couple of centuries and the main threat facing a mountaineer is the face he looks at in the mirror every morning. In the immortal words of the comic strip Pogo, “We have met the enemy and he is us.”The singular question any intelligent and curious observer is left with is: Why?Or, in other words: What happened to the Appalachia of yesteryear? Who’s responsible for its decline? How did it come to this?

The best answers I can provide are, respectively: it’s dead; the Federal government; and the inevitable progress of the welfare state."

I know most of you aren't into the American anthropology thing like I am, but I think you'll really enjoy this article. Thanks to the Baron at GOV for sharing this.

Erase the SPLC

The foot-stamping little trolls of the SPLC, a pillar of today's elite class, are championing a cultural pogrom against the eviiiiil racist haters raters hatists of the South. They, the elites who KNOW BETTAH, seek to choose our heroes, our holidays, the names of our schools, our monuments, our flags, and what is written on the gravestones of our ancestors.

Because all the lootin' pollutin' rooty-toot-tootin' gang bangin' cop shootin' riot burnin' stealin' rapin' rappin' crappin' uneducated unemployed anti-social money-suckin' dumb fuckin' black mobs are all our fault.

Morris Dees, bless his pea-pickin' little fascist heart...

Madame Patriot

How is it that I've never heard of this remarkable woman until today? Mrs. Fritsch, may I offer you a glass of wine and an honorary seat at the Table?

“I compare it to the way Ted Cruz was able to go to Washington based on advocating just for the people. A lot of people asked why John Cornyn hasn’t sided more with Cruz, and that’s probably because he’s in the system. I am not criticizing Cornyn; I am just saying when you are not a career politician, you are in a better position to answer to the people. When you’ve been a career politician for 20 years, you don’t know anymore, frankly, what it is like to be a citizen. You’re just disconnected, I think, from everyday life.”

*snip*

“I also want to build a wall around the welfare state, not just the border. What I mean is, in order to receive benefits, you have to be a legal resident. That cuts off the underground economy and allows people to pay taxes and play by the rules. If you don’t come up with some workable solution, we have a de facto amnesty.”

People like Lisa Fritsch, Ted Cruz, Allen West, and Mia Love are the soul of conservatism. They bring something to the mix that many Americans of European descent seem to have lost; a burning patriotism and a staunch belief in America as a beacon for freedom. While we yammer and wring our hands, they are ascending the hill bearing the flag.

We have leaders. We need to recognize who they are and get back in the fray.

An Open Letter To Mitch McConnell

Oh, Mitch Mitch Mitch...you just HAD to go there, didn't you?

While I know that reading things is not your strong suit *cough* healthcare bill *cough*, perhaps you'll indulge me if I keep it short and to the point.

You said:

 "The most important election yesterday wasn't the governor of New Jersey and it wasn't the governor of Virginia, it was the special election for Congress in South Alabama, where a candidate who said the shutdown was a great idea, the president was born in Kenya, and that he opposed Speaker Boehner came in second." The victory of a more electable Republican, is significant, Mr. McConnell says. To govern, parties must win. To win, parties must "run candidates that don't scare the general public, [and] convey the impression that we could actually be responsible for governing, you can trust us—we're adults here, we're grown-ups." 

We DON'T trust you. You and your cohorts do not behave like adults, you behave like spoiled children in a candy store. The candidate from Alabama is unelectable because he questions the president's birthplace and opposes the sniffling, weak-spined Boehner?  But yet left wing extremists are elected wholesale, people who believe that islands will tip over if there are too many people on them, people who are so overtly racist against white people that they tremble with hatred, people who blatantly lie through their teeth, people who are crooks and cheats, people who refuse to produce a college transcript, people who have never had a real job or managed anything more complex than their checkbook. Perhaps you could try throwing rocks at THEM instead of some guy from Alabama I've never heard of and can't find with a google search. The general public is indeed scared. They're scared of inept bureaucrats like you, Mitch, and they're angry that you refuse to represent them or even hear their concerns. Damn angry.

You said, when asked if the GOP is in a civil war:

 "No, I don't think so." Everyone agrees on the central issue: "We would all love to get rid of ObamaCare. If we had the votes to do it we'd do it in a heartbeat. It's the single worst piece of legislation that's been passed in modern times."

On the homefront, there is no civil war. We have abandoned your party, Mitch. In droves. Hundreds of thousands of us, MILLIONS of us. Some of our young guns in Washington think that they can wrestle power away from you long-term geriatric leviathans. I'm not sure that qualifies as a "civil war". It's more like a good old-fashioned house cleaning. You, sir, are simply a dust bunny that will be swept out with the rest of fluff.

You said:

 "The tea party... consists of "people who are angry and upset at government—and I agree with them." But "I think, honestly, many of them have been misled. . . . They've been told the reason we can't get to better outcomes than we've gotten is not because the Democrats control the Senate and the White House but because Republicans have been insufficiently feisty. Well, that's just not true, and I think that the folks that I have difficulty with are the leaders of some of these groups who basically mislead them for profit. . . . They raise money . . . take their cut and spend it" on political action that hurts Republicans.

You agree with us, but we have been misled. More Washington gobbledegook and double-speak.  We have not been misled. We are not ignoramuses hanging on every word Limbaugh or Beck utter, or captivated by DeMint's PAC . We Tea Partiers, as a whole, are smart, savvy, and know our history and our constitution. When you flip us the bird by calling us stupid or not able to think for ourselves, it just strengthens our belief that you have to go, Mitch. Go back to Kentucky and live in this gawd awful mess you've created. Do you realize how patronizing you sound when you say things like  "because Republicans have been insufficiently feisty". Feisty? You rolled over and played dead, Mitch. We didn't expect you to be more feisty, we wanted you to FIGHT, to get mad, to yell the alarm from the rooftops, to stand against the giant blob that is Washington progressive politics and say NO. And as for radio and TV commentators making a profit? It's a business. We're capitalists. We BELIEVE that excellence should be rewarded with profit. Remember capitalism, Mitch? You, on the other hand, are making a profit as a public servant. How does that happen? Why are you making so much money? You're SUPPOSED to be representing us. Who's paying you, besides the padded paycheck you've wrestled from the public coffers? Tsk tsk. I don't think you want to open that can of worms.

I won't address anything else you said in your interview with Peggy Noonan. You've lost your credibility with me. That cocky smirk may be wiped off your face when you run for your upteenth term; people like me, who don't even live in your state, WILL support your opponent. And we WILL contribute to Jim DeMint's Senate Conservatives Fund that is targeting you for your malfeasance.

You, Mitch McConnell, are a big chunk of the problem. You have to go.

Coffee And Crumb Cake

What is all this caterwauling and rending-of-garments over the fact that the NSA and the FBI are monitoring our communications? Haven't they done that for many decades? I may not like it, but it's certainly not news.

I'm thinking this is a deliberate attempt to deflect attention from the massive abuse of power by the IRS, and to a lesser degree Benghazi and the whole "boo-hoo, I'm a reporter...you can't target me!" thing. Also on the burner are the full-frontal assault on Judeo-Christian beliefs and the continued brainwashing (and dumbing-down) of our youngsters.

Many Americans are basically stupid. Their short attention span is momentarily grabbed by anything shiny. "Oh hey, look! Wait, what were we talking about? Ummmm....like, where's my free phone, bro?"

I also find it perplexing that the hippies and radicals from the sixties who sat on their asses smoking dope and sobbing about tolerance and free love are now the suits carrying the baseball bats.

The bad guys are entrenched, and they're drunk with power. Who will lead us out of this unholy mess? 

And no. I will NOT sit down and shut up, you effers. Hah!

Obama Fatigue And The Modesty of George Bush

The wheel of time (with apologies to Robert Jordan) grinds forever forward until we're back where we started, only better.

From the pen of Peggy Noonan:

In all his recent interviews Mr. Bush has been modest, humorous, proud but unassuming, and essentially philosophical: History will decide. No finger-pointing or scoring points. If he feels rancor or resentment he didn't show it. He didn't attempt to manipulate. His sheer normality seemed like a relief, an echo of an older age.

And all this felt like an antidote to Obama—to the imperious I, to the inability to execute, to the endless interviews and the imperturbable drone, to the sense that he is trying to teach us, like an Ivy League instructor taken aback by the backwardness of his students. And there's the unconscious superiority. One thing Mr. Bush didn't think he was was superior. He thought he was luckily born, quick but not deep, and he famously trusted his gut but also his heart. He always seemed moved and grateful to be in the White House. Someone who met with Mr. Obama during his first year in office, an old hand who'd worked with many presidents, came away worried and confounded. Mr. Obama, he said, was the only one who didn't seem awed by his surroundings, or by the presidency itself.

There's more. Read it all. Twice even! Is this a flickering glimmer of sanity from the left? Or am I just dreaming?

Choosing Your Community

My husband and I are both anticipating a migration of conservatives/libertarians/constitutionalists in the coming year or two. As a political strategy, for this group to shift their numbers out of solidly blue states such as New York and California, where their voices are not heard, and into toss-up states such as Ohio and Florida, where they can create a vocal majority with a high number of accompanying electoral votes, makes perfect strategic sense.

From a security viewpoint, we both expect a sizable number of working, heavily armed citizens to load up the Uhaul and put down new stakes in states such as Texas, Utah, and Idaho, strengthening these states with skilled, self-reliant citizens and driving out the simpering, hand-wringing liberals and slugs.

Armed fortresses WITHIN a state are already forming. In my opinion, the federal government's response to these communities will, in all likelihood, be swift and brutal. What they can't destroy using the jackbooted might of the IRS or the bigoted Attorney General's office (racism!), they will attempt to destroy with Homeland Security.

Here is one such endeavor:

"A group of like-minded patriots, bound together by pride in American exceptionalism, plan on building an armed community to protect their liberty.

The group, named Citadel,  intends to purchase 2,000 to 3,000 acres for the project in western Idaho.  The community will comprise of 3,500 to 7,000 families of patriotic Americans who "voluntarily choose to live together in accordance with Thomas Jefferson's ideal of Rightful Liberty."

Good luck to the brave, rugged individualists who will help build The Citadel; we'll be watching with great interest.

Mitt Romney Is A Good, Decent Man.

 From my email today:

[redacted],

Ann and I cannot thank you enough for supporting and believing in our cause.

This was more than just a campaign -- this was a national movement.

Thank you for the work that you did -- going across neighborhoods to knock on doors and put up yard signs. Thanks for making phone calls, coming to rallies, donating funds, and convincing friends and family to join our team.

What's really inspiring is that you came together because you care about America.

We still believe that better days are ahead. It's up to us to rally together to renew America's promise and restore American greatness.

From the bottom of our hearts, Ann and I thank you for your support, prayers, efforts, and vote.  We are forever grateful to each and every one of you.

Today's a new day. Keep believing in America.

Thank you and God bless America,

Mitt and Ann Romney

 -----------------------------------------------

Thank YOU Mitt, for taking on the shrieking, bloodsucking progressives, the uneducated mobs, the union thugs, and the welfare bums. You campaigned with class and dignity, and I was proud to cast my vote for you.

Tidbits From The Heartland

I wanted to share this with you all:

As I went through my day, the hospital was buzzing about the election. I've never seen anything like this in any past election. Folks were gathering in groups in the hallways, congregating in surgical wings, pulling tables together in the cafeteria. EVERYONE I talked with (or overheard. I eavesdropped a lot today!) expressed firm support for Romney; doctors, nurses, patients, and support staff. NOT ONE person voiced that they were casting their lot with Obama.  NOT ONE.

Bonus: MOST of these people had voted for Obama in '08. (Nosy me...I asked.)

I'm sensing a profound shift in outlook. The pendulum has begun its swing back toward the center, and sanity.

What's the pulse in your neck of the woods?

Eastwood, You Magnificent Bastard!

The Good Professor has photos posted.

I especially love the one with the "Breitbart Is Here" placard.

July 4th, 2012

"We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

It's 1775.

Playing With Dynamite

Here's an interesting take on the spectacle in Wisconsin from the Washington Post:

By siding with public employees in the state and local budget disputes, the national Democratic Party is playing with dynamite. Voters are sometimes willing to accept new taxes to purchase shared public benefits such as roads or schools. But even in liberal California cities, voters are reluctant to raise tax revenues to transfer directly to the retirement benefits of a middle-class interest group. So public-sector unions seek to channel resources away from education, parks and libraries into pensions — making public unions a major obstacle to the adequate provision of public services. This is a losing political proposition in Wisconsin, California or just about anywhere else in the country.

This column is well worth reading. While Gerson does a fine job differentiating between the two factions of activist Democrats, the progs and the unions, he doesn't address a third faction: Dems who are neither progressives nor union members, and who quietly go about their business without taking to the streets and making utter fools of themselves. While many have decamped for the sanity of being an Independent, some have clung to their roots and retain their Democratic party membership. What of them? 

I suspect that this group voted for Walker, and, after witnessing Obama's antics and failures, may consider Romney in 2012. One can hope.

Paul Krugman Is A Jackass

 Kyle Smith pens an excoriation of the far-left nutty economist Paul Krugman in yesterday's NY Post:

In his new book “End This Depression Now!” (W. W. Norton & Company), he compares Ben Bernanke to the moronic Chance the Gardener in “Being There” — and Bernanke is the man who hired Krugman at Princeton.

Krugman “writes with more vitriol than I find attractive,” writes Harvard economist and fellow Times columnist Greg Mankiw. He treats anyone who disagrees as “a mendacious idiot,” writes George Mason University economist Alex Tabarrok. “Krugman should stop bullying people,” wrote columnist Michael Kinsley.

In short, to use the kind of colorful language the great Nobelist favors, Paul Krugman is a jackass.

A friend of ours teaches economics at the university level. Some time ago, he told us that when he joined the department, he replaced the "far-right political textbook" with one that was written by a more "middle-of-the-road" economist; Paul Krugman. Before I could slap my hands over my pie-hole, I blurted "Krugman's about as middle-of-the-road as Glenn Beck!". Oops. The back-and-forth that ensued was watched like a ping-pong match by the people who were privy to this conversation, and the good professor and I were both a bit ruffled (but civil and respectful; neither of us ever raised our voice) as we parted ways. Noah chuckled all the way home.

Our friendship survives with this AF vet and all-around nice guy; we dabble around the fringes of politics, and enjoy talking about a huge scope of other subjects. It gives me hope that regular folks can indeed sit at a kitchen table, find common ground, and negotiate the direction of our country without gouging eyeballs and shrieking ad hominem attacks...we just have to figure out how to jettison the politicians and get the regular folks to pull up a chair.

Who Will Continue The Fight?

From the good professor:

I only spoke once with Andrew Breitbart. He reached out to me, and we spoke by phone. The topic is not important, but I was shocked that he even knew who I was; but as I’ve come to learn, Andrew seemed to know who everyone was in the conservative blogosphere. He was just that way.

Since my wife called this morning to let me know of Andrew’s death, it has been hard to focus on anything else. In her words, we don’t have that many bright media lights, and to lose him hurts.

Andrew lived in a world without restraints. He could be who he wanted to be, a luxury few bloggers have, particularly those who blog under their own name and work for others.

I live in a world of restraints, and I envied Andrew’s freedom more than you can know.

Andrew is irreplaceable, but we would serve his memory well to aspire to more freedom of thought and more freedom of action.

I’ve often wondered where to go with this blog. I now know.

Sarah Versus Barry - Compare And Contrast

Yesterday, Barry showed the strength of his spine, when he whiningly apologized to Afghanistan for the burning of some otherwise trashed Q'urans.

My scoring:  Two ping pong balls.

Today, Sarah Palin called for an apology from Afghanistan for the idiotic, sub-civilized murders, assaults and other behavior unbecoming a human being, resulting from that burning.

My scoring:  Two medicine balls.

Newt Rising!

Wow. Just wow!