Monthly Archives: December 2009
Chipping Away At Our Freedoms And Offering Nothing In Return
Western Washington is reeling at the deaths of six law enforcement officers in just under two months: Officer Timothy Brenton, Sergeant Mark Renninger, Officer Ronald Owens, Officer Tina Griswold, Officer Greg Richards, and earlier this week, Deputy Sheriff Kent Mundell.
With a lightning quick response – Rahm Emmanuel would be proud – supporters of the Aaron Sullivan Public Safety and Police Protection Bill are using one of the deaths, Brenton’s, to justify the legislation, which would “ban the sale of military-style semi-automatic weapons.”
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Ross Hunter, D-Medina; Sen. Adam Kline, D-Seattle; and Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle. “The ban would cover semiautomatics designed for military use that are capable of rapid-fire and can hold more than 10 rounds. Semiautomatics designed for sporting or hunting purposes wouldn’t be banned.”
Filed under Washington
Of Pat Downs, Scanners and Profiling
Bernie Goldberg asks the eminently sensible question, “And What Exactly is Wrong with Profiling?”
“My trip on El Al comes to mind because of what we’ve been hearing recently about the “underwear bomber” who tried to blow up a Northwest flight en route from Amsterdam to Detroit on Christmas day. By now we all know the story: his father, a prominent banker in Nigeria warned the U.S. State Department in Lagos that his son was becoming a religious fanatic and might be dangerous. His travel history included a trip to Yemen. He bought a one-way ticket. He paid for it in cash.
“Did any of this set off alarms? Nope. Too bad he wasn’t wearing a sign that said, ‘I’m a terrorist and I plan to blow up your airplane.’ But frankly, I’m not sure those eagle-eyed authorities would have noticed that, either.” Continue reading
Filed under Terrorism
A Rare Convergence Of Politics And Citizenship
Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna’s concerns about the constitutionality of the Senate health care reform legislation led him to join with other Republican AGs in protesting the deal.
“In an interview today, McKenna said he believes that provision could violate Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, which says Congress may collect taxes for the ‘general welfare of the U.S., not for a special benefit for a particular state. ” Continue reading
Filed under Health Care, Washington
You Know You’ve Got Trouble
When even the left-leaning Seattle Times questions the constitutionality of your legislation, you know you’ve got trouble. SEN. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., exacted a special price for his vote on the Senate health-care bill. Opening up the Medicaid program to 15 … Continue reading
Filed under Washington
Shorter Napolitano: “All’s Well That Ends Well”
I don’t really know all that much about Janet Napolitano but after her appearance on CNN’s State of the Union, I give her an F for her ability to evaluate effectiveness of U.S. safety measures. Or as President Obama would say, she earns a solid B+. Napolitano’s assessment, from the transcript.
“What we are focused on is making sure that the air environment remains safe, that people are confident when they travel. And one thing I’d like to point out is that the system worked. Everybody played an important role here. The passengers and crew of the flight took appropriate action. Within literally an hour to 90 minutes of the incident occurring, all 128 flights in the air had been notified to take some special measures in light of what had occurred on the Northwest Airlines flight. We instituted new measures on the ground and at screening areas, both here in the United States and in Europe, where this flight originated.
“So the whole process of making sure that we respond properly, correctly and effectively went very smoothly.” Continue reading
Filed under Terrorism
A Dearth of Common Sense Or Political Correctness That Kills?
By now you’ve heard about the Nigerian citizen, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who was overwhelmed by other passengers while attempting a terrorist attack on a Delta Airlines flight about to land in Detroit.
Question: Why did Abdulmutallab still possess a visa allowing him to enter the U.S., despite appearing in at least one U.S. database which one would hope would result in automatic disqualification? Continue reading
For Unto Us A Child Is Born, Unto Us A Son Is Given
The prophecy…
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
Continue reading
Filed under Christianity
Fight To The Finish
This is the kind of fighting spirit I expect from the GOP Congressional leadership; a bold play on 4th and 18. Going for the win rather than the tie in overtime. Instead, Mitch McConnell kicks a field goal to end regulation play.
Perhaps McConnell believes that capitulation is preferable to a glorious defeat in the defense of liberty and prosperity. Perhaps when he swore to “support and defend” the Constitution, he was just saying the words or perhaps he doesn’t think the Constitution is worth his best effort. Continue reading
Filed under Health Care
And Now, A Word For Mitch McConnell From Sam Adams
If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquillity of servitude than the animating contest of freedom–go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains … Continue reading
Filed under Health Care
I Couldn’t Make This Stuff Up
State of Washington Department of Corrections has lost an Arkansas felon. Sean Robinson, writing at the Tacoma News Tribune, fills us in on the details.
“He’s William T. Forbes, one of 14 Arkansas parolees Washington is required to supervise under the terms of an interstate agreement.
Forbes is a fugitive – the only wayward parolee in the Arkansas group. His whereabouts are unknown; last known address in Moses Lake. An active warrant, valid anywhere in the country, calls for his arrest.” Continue reading
Filed under Washington
