EckerNet.Com

Yet another rifle joins the already impressive arsenal of the MN Militia.

This speciman, of the species Rugerus Tenus Twenty-twois, is seen here outside it’s native habitat. It was discovered by Kevin Ecker, member in good standing of the MN Militia, in the Owatonna firearm preserve. It will be cared for by it’s finder and will serve well as short-range protection from the dreaded North Dakota Prairie Dogs.

Such a role in the firearm ecosystem takes on added importance this year as the population of 7.62 ammo dwindles. Activists claim the ammo is near extinction and have have blamed damn dirty hippies and their anti-common sense agenda for it’s continuing plight. In response, the MN Militia announced plans to possibly initiate a breeding program to restore the population.

Surpassing all expectations, hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants and their supporters marched in LA, to protest the possibility that the Federal government might do it’s job by enforcing immigration laws. Ironically, this crowd probably did more harm than good to their cause. For one, it helps visualize the enormity of the problem. This crowd is a fraction of the current population of illegal immigrants in our country today. All of them by definition criminals. And the reportedly equal numbers of Mexican flags to US flags* (despite organizers encouraging participants to bring US flags) should demonstrate the loyalties of these illegals.

And let us right away dispel this frequent George Bush talking-point that we “need” illegal immigrants to do the jobs that “Americans won’t do”. It’s pure bullshit, plain and simple. And regardless of what rationale he uses, Bush is talking out his ass and looking the complete fool every time he uses it.

It’s a myth that the U.S. economy “needs” more poor immigrants. The illegal immigrants already here represent only about 4.9 percent of the labor force, the Pew Hispanic Center reports. In no major occupation are they a majority. They’re 36 percent of insulation workers, 28 percent of drywall installers and 20 percent of cooks. They’re drawn here by wage differences, not labor “shortages.”

As many economists will tell you, there is really no such thing as a “shortage”. Simply lack of goods to meet the demand at the present price. In a free market system, in that situation price goes up, demand comes down. Ideally price stops when supply meets demand. What does this mean for workers?

But what would happen if new illegal immigration stopped and wasn’t replaced by guest workers? Well, some employers would raise wages to attract U.S. workers. Facing greater labor costs, some industries would — like the tomato growers in the 1960s — find ways to minimize those costs. As to the rest, what’s wrong with higher wages for the poorest workers? From 1994 to 2004, the wages of high school dropouts rose only 2.3 percent (after inflation) compared with 11.9 percent for college graduates. President Bush says his guest worker program would “match willing foreign workers with willing American employers, when no Americans can be found to fill the jobs.” But at some higher wage, there would be willing Americans.

There is no actual “need” for such workers. They simply keep wages artificially low at the expense of workers who are here legally. And might I add that those legal workers who most affected by illegal immigration are those least able to pay. And might I add that unemployment for those workers is already high, especially when compared to the rest of America. I wonder what these legal Americans think every time they hear that they “won’t do” the jobs that illegal immigrants will. And to tell these illegal immigrants that that will be magically granted legal status is to reward them for their disdain of our laws. It is amnesty, no matter how many times Bush tries to deny it, nor what spin he puts on it.

“America is a nation of immigrants, and we’re also a nation of laws, and our immigration laws are in need of reform,” Bush said.

No, our immigration laws are in need of enforcment (that’s your job by the way!). Six months ago you sent that hopeless failure Chertoff out proclaiming that all illegal immigrants would get kicked out. Has any of this happened?? No, on this issue you’ve never been sincere and I have no reason to believe that you right now. This is simply bad politics at it’s worst.

Look I think even the most ravenous opponent of illegal immigration will symphathize with the plight of some of these people. In a fair world, the governments of their home countries would not be run by corrupt despots. However, as you’ll all remember learning while growing up “Life isn’t fair”. So let’s all be adults about this and realize that while these people may deserve something better than what they have, nowhere is it the United State’s responsibility to provide the them the location for that life, nor is my responsibility to pay for it.

And just like many rightfully oppose redistribution of wealth, those same people can logically oppose illegal immigration as redistribution of poverty as outlining in a phenomenal article by Robert J. Samuelson

Guest workers would mainly legalize today’s vast inflows of illegal immigrants, with the same consequence: We’d be importing poverty. This isn’t because these immigrants aren’t hardworking; many are. Nor is it because they don’t assimilate; many do. But they generally don’t go home, assimilation is slow and the ranks of the poor are constantly replenished. Since 1980 the number of Hispanics with incomes below the government’s poverty line (about $19,300 in 2004 for a family of four) has risen 162 percent. Over the same period, the number of non-Hispanic whites in poverty rose 3 percent and the number of blacks, 9.5 percent. What we have now — and would with guest workers — is a conscious policy of creating poverty in the United States while relieving it in Mexico. By and large, this is a bad bargain for the United States. It stresses local schools, hospitals and housing; it feeds social tensions (witness the Minutemen). To be sure, some Americans get cheap housecleaning or landscaping services. But if more mowed their own lawns or did their own laundry, it wouldn’t be a tragedy.

So rather than begin the debate by conceding defeat and declaring the need to grant amnesty to all illegal immigrants, how about we first actually try to protect our borders and stop the flood of illegals crossing it. How about we actually try to first accomodate the native unskilled workers we already have.

* Regarding the number of US vs Mexican flags, the photographs that accompany most articles about the march are rather telling in the bias of media on this issue. Close-up shots of the crowd almost ALWAYS contain only US flags. However, careful examination of wide-angle and aerial photos show that there were just as many Mexican flags as US flags at the rally. The media just decided not to make that too obvious…you know because it might look bad.

You will find that the State is the kind of organization which, though it does big things badly, does small things badly, too.

- John Kenneth Galbraith

It’s amazing what’s coming out of the Iraqi archives lately…

Two Iraqi documents dated in March 2003 - on the eve of the U.S.-led invasion - and addressed to the secretary of Saddam Hussein, describe details of a U.S. plan for war. According to the documents, the plan was disclosed to the Iraqis by the Russian ambassador.

How nice, the Russians coughed up our plan for war to the Iraqis. First of all, I would be curious how they got those plans, whether by espionage or intelligence or what.

The first document (CMPC-2003-001950) is a handwritten account of a meeting with the Russian ambassador that details his description of the composition, size, location and type of U.S. military forces arrayed in the Gulf and Jordan. The document includes the exact numbers of tanks, armored vehicles, different types of aircraft, missiles, helicopters, aircraft carriers, and other forces, and also includes their exact locations. The ambassador also described the positions of two Special Forces units.

This doesn’t sound like the run of the mill friendly anecdotal advice, sounds like there are enough specifics involved here that it’s way beyond that. At the very least this sounds like intelligence analysts are involved, satellite photos, etc. We’re talking state level assistance here.

One would certainly hope that the CIA is taking a look at these documents to determine if this information could be gathered purely by satellite surveillance and the like or if a leak is involved somewhere.

The second document (CMPC-2004-001117) is a typed account, signed by Deputy Foreign Minister Hammam Abdel Khaleq, that states that the Russian ambassador has told the Iraqis that the United States was planning to deploy its force into Iraq from Basra in the South and up the Euphrates, and would avoid entering major cities on the way to Baghdad, which is, in fact what happened. The documents also state “Americans are also planning on taking control of the oil fields in Kirkuk.” The information was obtained by the Russians from “sources at U.S. Central Command in Doha, Qatar,” according to the document.

Yeah, like I was saying. Not exactly the type of stuff you would casually mention during a poker game with the guys. Certainly once you know the position and composition of the forces involved, the possible strategies can be narrowed down. But skipping major cities? Somewhere security is breaking down.

And given that the Russians had all this information it was awfully nice of them to share it with someone we were obviously prepared to go to war with. Speaks highly of their opinion and intentions towards us. Which begs the question, why we should take them seriously regarding Iran?

A guy goes in an adult store and asks for an inflatable doll.

Guy behind the counter says, “Male or female?”
Customer says, “Female”
Counter guy asks, “Black or white?”
Customer says, “White”
Counter guy asks, “Christian or Muslim?”
Customer says, “What the hell does religion have to do with it?”
Counter guy says, “The Muslim one blows itself up!”

I must confess to a (blogging) sin. Much like the MSM, I’ve been sitting on a hot story. But I’m afraid I simply can’t sit on it any longer. There is a massive scandal within the MOB.

You see, our own Uncle Ben has become increasingly obsessed with the admittedly attractive (but French) Melissa Theuriau. We’ve staged interventions and used peer pressure but I must admit it’s only gotten worse. In retrospect, it was only a matter of time.

Now the whitest white person on the planet has been arrested for…well

Reports are that as the deviant Uncle Ben was dragged from Melissa’s front yard he screamed (in French of all languages), “The Apostate set me up!!“. Marion Barry was not available for comment.

Let us hope that this is a wakeup call for Uncle Ben. His sentence hearing has yet to be announced by The Mayor, for whom this comes at a particularly bad time, considering his sagging poll numbers due to the ongoing warquagmire between KAR and the Nihilist.

Ok NCAA Hockey tournament starts this weekend. Let’s see how I do this year. Picks and commentary are as follows

First Round

Minnesota vs Holy Cross : Minnesota
Granted Minnesota lost to the Huskies and the Badgers but hopefully they can pull themselves together for one game at least. Besides….it’s Holy Cross.

Michigan vs North Dakota : North Dakota
North Dakota is on a tear. But Michigan is no pushover, and it a couple years I think they’ll be an even better team. But I still give North Dakota the edge, plus they have the momentum of the WCHA Championship behind them.

Miami vs Boston College : Boston College
Why does Miami still have a hockey team? Yeah, they threw together a couple decent forwards, but still nothing in front of the net. Boston should have a good practice here.

Omaha vs Boston University : Boston University
Yawn

Wisconsin vs Bemidji : Wisconsin
Yeah, I know I’m supposed to be impressed with Bemidji. I’m not there yet. I’m giving this one to Wisconsin

Colorado College vs Cornell : Colorado College
Cornell isn’t a bad team, but they are also in a shitty conference. I think their hopes will be deflated by playing Colorado College, who certainly isn’t as good as they could be, but they know how to compete at this level. Possible upset here, but I’m still sticking with CC.

Harvard vs Maine : Maine
Definitely Maine. Solid Team, explosive power play.

New Hampshire vs Michigan State : Michigan State
Buy souvenirs New Hampshire, cause that’s all you’re getting today.

Second Round - Quarterfinals

West Regional
Minnesota vs North Dakota : North Dakota
Minnesota has been on a slide. North Dakota has been looking good down the stretch. And with my SCSU background, I simply can’t give Minnesota the nod…that and they’re gonna lose.

Northeast Regional
Boston College vs Boston University : Boston College
This one is gonna be fun to watch. I think I’m giving the edge to Boston College, but this one I could easily see going either way. As you’ll see in the next round though, it doesn’t really matter.

Midwest Regional
Wisconsin vs Colorado College : Wisconsin
Here Colorado’s vulnerabilities will finally cost them. After struggling in the first round, they’ll be crushed in the second. So long CC, and if you could take the Badgers fans with you please? They’re pissing me off.

East Regional
Maine vs Michigan : Michigan
Ok, if I was gonna rank upset opportunities, this is the top one. I’m going with Michigan, but if there are alot of penalties, I can see Maine pulling a win out of their ass. Keep the penalties down, and Michigan should be able to pull this one out.

Third Round - Semifinals - The Frozen Four

North Dakota vs Boston College : North Dakota
I honestly can’t see Boston College being able to handle the physical play of North Dakota. This will probably be an easier game for North Dakota than the Quarterfinals were.

Wisconsin vs Michigan : Wisconsin
I can easily see Wisconsin taking an early lead and forcing Michigan to leave their comfort zone and attack hard. Gotta give this one to Wisconsin. Plus it’s in Wisconsin….well, not that that matters for Wisconsin fans.

FINALS

North Dakota vs Wisconsin : North Dakota
Haven’t we seen this already??? The Sioux have already shown they can shut down the scoring of Wisconsin with their physical play. Same result. Sioux win.

BONUS :
If these aren’t enough chances to make bets on, may I make a suggestion for yet another? When do the University of Minnesota fans start rioting.

I predict first car fire starts at 10:30 pm on Saturday.

UPDATE : Other MOBsters weighing in. Nihilist picks Minnesota over Colorado College. And The Elder whose picks which are oddly similar to mine (except the quarterfinals), picks North Dakota over Wisconsin as well. I would say great minds think alike but I’m afraid Chad doesn’t have the necessary equipment.

UPDATE : I have closed the comments on this post because probably 90% of the spam I get is directed at this post for some reason.

Wow, Patriot blog went on the auction block today. Apparently time constraints have forced the sale.

Now alot of us have the silly little my blog is worth pic on our sites, where the “value” of the blog is theoretically computed according to incoming links. For example, according to this method EckerNet.Com is worth $130,973.28. Now I’m under no delusions I could actually get that for it. So it will be rather interesting how much the guys over at Patriot Blog actually get for the domain name.

Check them out here, or the auction here (starting bid $2500).

The Rankings Are As Follows:
Triple “I Whine Like A Child” A : 3
Aelfheld : 2
Dan S : 1
Sola-Man : 1
Mall Diva : 1
Harvey : 1

For this contest you get to make up your own answers!! That’s right…just pretend you’re a real life journalist and just make shit up. Post answers in the comments. They will be judged on creativity, plausibility and humor.

Question : What is he rocking out to?

Past Contests :
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9

You know Democrats have been doing alot of bitching about all the things that are Bush’s fault. Seems everything is Bush’s fault these days. Probably the only thing I haven’t described as his fault is the economy, wonder why that is:

U.S. college graduates are facing the best job market since 2001, with business, computer, engineering, education and health care grads in highest demand, a report by an employment consulting firm showed on Monday.

“We are approaching full employment and some employers are already dreaming up perks to attract the best talent,” said John Challenger, chief executive of Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

Nevermind…found it. It was sitting here in the MSMs basement in a locked file cabinet behind a barricaded door labeled “Beware of Cougar”.