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It just occurred to me I haven’t really even started on planning the Second Annual Blog Wars fundraiser event.  So for those that attended last year, or are interested in attending this year, here’s your chance for input

1. Date…any dates work especially best.  For planning purposes I think we need to look at least a month out. Preferences?
2. Location…last year we used the field in Rosemount.  I’m open to switching fields if it works better for people.  Preferences?
3. Charity…last year we used Soldiers Angels, which is a worthy charity and I’m not opposed to contributing to them again.  But I think I kind of had it in my head that it’d be a rotating charity thing.  This year, I was sort of thinking of Neil Duncan…but I’m open to suggestions.
4. Do we even bother inviting the hippies liberals this year?  Last year I made an effort to round them up, but while they talked a big game when it came time to actually put it on the line they dropped faster than a hooker in Bangkok.

That is all.

It’s 47 minutes long but a hell of an argument is put forward.

Not sure I entirely buy the premise he uses, but I’m not sure I can put together a coherent counterpoint

Actually it’s already sold out, because the showdown for the seat of chairman of the Minnesota Republican Party will take place at the State Central Committee meeting on June 9th. To participate you have to be a State Central Delegate, and to be that, you have to be voted as such by your district. For that you have to get your fat ass off the couch and be active.

Alas, although I’ll probably be in the building, I doubt I’ll get a vote. I’m a highly ranked Alternate Delegate but the with a contested seat for chairman I’m guessing that attendance will be high, and none of my districts Delegates will give up their seat (thereby allowing me to take it).

So why is Repya running and what does he plan to do?? In his own words….

“I come from a military background where you’re responsible for everything your unit does or does not do in combat. Last fall, Ron Carey lost 20 seats in the (Minnesota) House and six in the Senate. If he were in the military, he would be reassigned to a new position.”

“I came back from two years of military service in early October to a Republican Party in Minnesota that is probably the most demoralized and factionalized that I’ve seen in the years I’ve lived here,” Repya said. “It is in dire need of dynamic, exciting new leadership, and I can provide that.”

“I bring leadership that’s been tested under fire,” Repya said. “We want to get Republicans back into boot camp, retrain and re-energize them, and get them out of the trenches and back on the road to victory.”

Sounds like a breath of fresh air, and would be appealing even in the best of conditions. But the MN GOP is by far from the best of conditions right now. There are alot of activists very very very bitter about this last cycle. Even if it actually wasn’t his fault, it would almost seem better for Carey to step aside and let the slate by wiped clean. No reason to have internal rivalries and bitterness spill over….which seems almost guaranteed to happen.

And while it’s true that military leadership doesn’t always translate to guaranteed success as a civilian leader, it certainly doesn’t hurt. And it’s not like Repya is exactly a novice at this…

He first appeared on the Minnesota political scene in 2003, when he and his wife, Deb, a St. Paul lawyer, formed a grass-roots organization to produce and distribute 30,000 “Support our troops” lawn signs. Later, he organized a Capitol rally to support the war in Iraq and started making frequent television appearances as a military analyst.

In 2004, he served as Minnesota co-chairman of Veterans for Bush-Cheney, spoke to veterans groups across the nation on behalf of the president’s campaign and led the Pledge of Allegiance to open the Republican National Convention.

About the only bad think I can say about his is he’s a McCain supporter, but then again many veterans are, not that I can really blame them. But he still seems shoulders above his opposition in my opinion. In the unlikely event that I get a vote, I’m pretty sure I know where I’m casting it.

Other opinions can be found at :

Freedom Dogs

Psychmeister’s Ice Palace

Residual Forces

Shot in the Dark

Let Freedom Ring

Brought to my attention earlier today…

Army Sgt. Neil Duncan, from Maple Grove, MN, was severely injured in Afghanistan on December 5, 2005 when an improvised explosive device (IED) ripped through his Humvee. Neil was seriously wounded as a result of the explosion. He lost both of his legs, shattered his jaw, broke his elbow and hand, and sustained multiple shrapnel wounds. Within a week of the attack, Neil was transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC where he began the long road of recovery.

Neil went through more than 20 surgeries, rigorous physical and occupational therapy along with dental reconstruction over the last 14 months at Walter Reed. However, through his mental/physical strength and determination, Neil has overcome this huge hurdle as he is now able to do things he was once able to enjoy.

Neil will soon be leaving Walter Reed to go back home to Minnesota.

Neil is a very focused — and inspiring — young man, he has big plans for his future. That plan includes purchasing a home close to a university so that he can complete his college education, and adapting his home so that he can live an independent lifestyle, despite his injuries.

As Neil will be coming home to Minnesota, his friends and family want to give him a proper welcome home and help him financially as he starts his new life as an independent person. A homecoming benefit to honor Neil and to express our sincere appreciation for his sacrifice and commitment to our country will be hld. This benefit will include a silent auction, raffle, and cash donations as well as a chance for people to meet our hero. All proceeds will be used to help Neil build an independent life adapted to his specific needs - a handicap accessible house, a vehicle with adaptive equipment, etc.

The benefit will be held at the following address:

American Legion Post #172
260 4th Avenue SE
(Hwy. 169 & Cty. Rd. 81)
Osseo, Minnesota 55369

Ways you can help:

Cash donations can be made via paypal, or at any Wells Fargo Bank, see here for account information.
Donate items for the silent auction
If you’re in the area, stop by and attend the benefit

For more information, see Neil’s website, and while you’re there, how about leaving him a comment thanking him for his service?

Stop by check it out. Offer what you can. Check out his site for more details about both the benefit and Neil himself.

Remember that Boy Scout whiny brat that got lost in the woods a couple weeks ago? I think I’m beginning to understand how he got lost. Clearly he must have taken the Iranian version of the Orienteering Merit Badge. Check out this map brought to us by the seldom reliable AP….

Ok since the AP does a shitty job explaining why this situation is comical, I’ll have to fill in (as usual).

Now let’s pay attention to the positions. Position X, is the actual position of the British boarding party, compliments of the GPS coordinates of their craft. Position 1 is the first location the Iranians said the vessel was located. When the British dutifully notified the Iranians that this was still within Iraqi waters, they changed their mind and said the vessel was at Position 2.

Seriously, if you’re gonna make up some story about a vessel being in your territorial waters, at least make sure your story uses a location that isn’t actually outside your territorial waters, which means it was YOU that invaded another country’s territory. Causes really, otherwise the only morons you’re going to convince is nutcases like Rosie “9/11 was an inside job” O’Donnell, who apparently thinks this whole thing is another Gulf of Tonkin. Hell even France thinks Iran is wrong…which answers the age long question, of who is dumber, Rosie or the French. Historical Footnote : This marks the first French victory in anything.

I think just the fact that Rosie agrees with Iran is the strongest proof that they are in the wrong. Although now the Iranians are saying the British can have their people back if they just admit they were wrong. Which sort of proves that point. It was never about these people “invading”, it was about Iran giving a big “fuck you” to the world. And with Russian intelligence now reporting a massive US military buildup on the Iranian border and the biggest naval force since the Iraq invasion, this makes Iran’s “small penis syndrome” awfully dangerous.

Now remember UN, these are the guys that claim they only want nuclear weapons power for peaceful purposes.

Early on in his campaign, it was obvious that Duncan Hunter wasn’t a frontrunner and his strategy was going to have to reflect that.  Or in the words of his new media guru, John Hawkins…

Duncan is the most conservative and appealing candidate to Republican voters, but he can’t match up with the top tier contenders in name recognition yet. So, we’re trying to make up for that by reaching out to conservatives on the internet. They’re some of the most informed voters, it doesn’t cost a lot to reach them, and I believe that once Duncan takes off on the net, it’ll bleed over into his offline poll numbers as people start to try to find out why he’s generating so much buzz.

Now that sounds well and all, but is it possible??  Well as David All points out, there is getting to be some evidence to support that it is.  But the key issue remaining is, is it happening fast enough?  We’re all very well aware the race has become more front-heavy than a porn star.  Basically our two candidates will be known by Feb 5th, perhaps earlier if other states keep pushing up like Florida recently has.

Once we hit Feb 5th, I would start arguing it’s time to start lining up behind our candidate, regardless of who that is.  However, we’re not to that phase yet.  We still are in the phase where just because you’re not a frontrunner, doesn’t mean you’re out of the game.  It does mean your game is alot harder, though.  And while Hunter is probably mid-pack, he does still have a hell of a haul ahead of him to get leader status.

Hunter does have quite a bit going for him though.  He’s very personable and his conservative credentials are impeccable.  And in an time period where many are angry about RINOs and Bush butting heads with his base at every turn, I think conservative credentials take alot of importance.  Just look at the outcry for Newt to enter for evidence of that. Besides, if you offer the voters Democrat-Lite, they’ll vote for the real thing every time  (Giuliani supporters, pay attention!).

I’ve yet to meet a single conservative, whom after learned about Hunter, has not liked him.  Problem is most haven’t learned about him.  I like this Broadband Bypass Strategy, and agree it’s probably his best bet, but I’m not sure it’s happening fast enough.  It certainly could use a Surge of it’s own.

Some might argue that cash still runs the game.  And it does, most certainly it does.  But I wouldn’t use that as an excuse why a particular candidate isn’t qualified for the nomination.  Even if the poor guy gets the nod on Feb 5th, Republicans are going to line up behind that candidate and contribute.  UNLESS, they find hot button issues they disagree with that person on and are turned off by them.  And I’d argue that every one of the current front runners has that drawback now.  McCain is a RINO King, Giuliani is the gay rights gun control amnesty liberal, Romney is….well, we’re not quite sure, depends on the day really.

So as a result I’m really hoping for a Surge in the Broadband Bypass Strategy, or for Newt to jump in, or for this global warming thing to happen so the coasts flood.  Some might argue I’m naive, I’d argue I’m being realistic.

Ok I’ll admit I’m a little confused over this Iran capturing British sailors as they were conducting UN-authorized searches.

Now first of all, Iran claims they are gonna interrogate them and try them for espionage, which, as Capt Ed points out, is a violation of the Geneva Conventions. Where is the outcry for that?? If all those assholes in Gitmo are supposed to be considered soldiers, surely a bunch of British sailors in uniform, on a British Navy boat are considered soldiers. Yet no outcry from the local media, which isn’t suprising because they are stupid, so they can’t help it. But heh UN and Amnesty International, where the hell are you on this one??? Where is our outcry about this one?? Prove you’re worth your weight. And why isn’t the Bush administration pushing that issue. We’re getting pounded internationally because supposedly we don’t follow the Geneva Convention, why not point out to the world the double standard and watch them attempt to explain it.

Also, how the hell did they get captured. I mean sure, you’re a dozen sailors and you got a warship bearing down on your little dinghy, fair enough, not much you can do. But they were in a dinghy basically, that was launched from a British warship. Anyone else have this same question?? What the hell was the HMS Cromwell doing during this time?? Did this happen during their afternoon tea or what? Your shipmates are in harms way, how about a little something? Why did you even allow them so close? I should sure hope a US vessel wouldn’t allow their mates to get ambushed or even get in the area without a challenge.

And finally why the silence from the US. Hello, at the very least the Brits are a NATO ally. A little loyalty maybe? Not to mention they’ve been at our side through both Afghanistan and Iraq. Now they suffer a bit of an incident and we’re standing silent? At the very least I hope we’re play a role behind the scenes, because our current posture doesn’t seem very ally like.

UPDATE : So now Iran has paraded captured sailors on TV.  And where is the outrage by the usual suspects?  Where is the cries for the violations of the Geneva Convention?  When video of US troops rounding up prisoners during the march to Baghdad were broadcast, everyone was raising holy hell.  When we showed pictures of Saddam in captivity to reassure the Iraqi public, it was a horrible miscarriage of justice.  Now no outcry.  Congrats world, you have shown your true colors

Conservatives have often lamented the practice of judges using foreign law as precedence, or even a guide to making judgements according to US law. It’s a dangerous practice because you’re faced with a choice, and either path presents great peril, to both the system and the nation itself.

Either you selectively cite foreign law, which almost by definition creates an environment were “fairness of the law” can be called into question. After all, for any given situation, it’s almost guaranteed that you will find legal precedence for either side of the issue. So which do you pick, whichever one sounds best?? Now you’re legislating from the bench….which I admit hasn’t been a problem for many judges lately.

Or you accept ALL foreign law as valid precedence, which allows us to fall into a trap like this..

Politicians and Muslim leaders denounced a German judge for citing the Koran in her rejection of a Muslim woman’s request for a quick divorce on grounds she was abused by her husband.

Judge Christa Datz-Winter said in a recommendation earlier this year that both partners came from a “Moroccan cultural environment in which it is not uncommon for a man to exert a right of corporal punishment over his wife,” according to the court. The woman is a German of Moroccan descent married to a Moroccan citizen.

The judge argued that her case was not one of exceptional hardship in which fast-track divorce proceedings would be justified. When the woman protested, Datz-Winter cited a passage from the Koran that reads in part, “men are in charge of women.”

Either way, answering the trick question of “When did you stop beating your wife?” is no longer awkward, you have the law on your side after all!

Ok the text for the amnesty bill (HR 1645) going through the US House has FINALLY been released (gee wonder what took so long?? Waiting till the heat dies down?). Taking a quick spin through the text I think my original appraisal was largely correct. I want to take the chance to dig through the details a little more first. If I spot anything major, or particularely interesting, I’ll bring it up at a later date…sorry, but it’s the best I can do, work is still kicking my ass.

Instead, I wanted to share how this immigration amnesty push is likely to go down. They weren’t stupid when they wrote this bill. It contains just enough fluff that they can spin it to sound like something it’s not.

First of all, you’re gonna hear the term “enforcement first” alot. Our legislators learned last year we weren’t gonna fall for another amnesty without enforcement like we did in 1986 (and 6 other times). So they know they have to hit the enforcement pulpit hard. So they’ll use the term “enforcement first” alot. Here’s the catch, notice the second term, “first”. Well when you use “first” that sorta implies something comes second right?? That’s where the amnesty comes in, and then something about putting lipstick on a pig (or sheep for any muslims out there).

Why do we need the amnesty part at all. How about we get enforcement, and then deal with the remaining problem. How about we try to deal with the problem without using amnesty first without just saying it’s impossible?? It’s never been tried, let’s try it.

Secondly, you’ll here alot about the “touchback” provisions. Basically they are trying to fool people into believing that they are forcing illegal aliens to leave before they can get amnesty. Not try, really all they have to do is touch the border at some point in the six years after they make their presence known. So if sometime in the next six years they go down to Tijuana for a few tequilas with their buddies, requirement fulfilled. The trip doesn’t even have to be to Mexico, they could go watch a hockey game in Toronto and it meets the requirement.

My guess is they won’t go into too much detail about the guest worker program because public support for it is almost non-existant. But you certainly won’t hear that they are creating an entirely new class of Visas just for all this BS. Of course, you won’t hear any information like how they actually expect the Homeland Security Department to track all these guest workers, considering there are already 600,000 that we’ve lost track of.

Right now the bill has been referred to the Homeland Security Committee. My guess is they’ll sit on it for awhile. But they’ll slowly work on it over the next few months. They want to get this down well before the 2008 elections heat up, so I would expect a vote on it before the end of the year. At the same team, work continues on the Senate’s version, which I would guess is going to be the worse of the two. More on that as things develop.

Ran across a particularly well written article on the continuing “victimhood” status of New Orleans.  The article starts like this

Hurricane Katrina was an interesting tragedy to me.

On one hand, the loss of life was staggering. It was one of the most unexpected natural disasters of our time, and it left thousands upon thousands of people dead, injured, or homeless. But on the other, there were people who didn’t leave – knowing that a Category Four storm was headed their way, to a city below sea level, and thought that they could just ride it out. The local government did nothing to plan for the emergency that was sure to come, leaving low-income residents stranded when they could have used the hundreds and hundreds of buses that were left in bus barns to get those people out. Mayor Nagin did nothing to prepare for the inevitable. And on top of that, the best idea they could come up with for what to do with the surviving residents was to throw them all into the Metro Dome and wait.

And then the insanity really began.

There were conflicting reports from inside the stadium, which itself was badly damaged from Katrina, of rapes and murders and robbery. Journalists said it happened; police investigators concluded there was no evidence of any of this. The levees broke and things got worse. There was looting not seen since the Los Angeles riots in the early 90s. FEMA descended, along with the Army Corps of Engineers, upon New Orleans to start rebuilding. Often they were greeted with violence and threats. And somehow, all of this was of course George Bush’s fault – his attempt to “wipe out” all the underprivileged black people in New Orleans.

And it gets better….worth the read.  Because if you don’t, you obviously don’t care about the plight of minorities or something.  I dunno, I’m not real familiar with how to talk “victim”.