Saturday, October 31, 2009

Cash for Clunkers cost $24,000 per car

HT: Stephen Smith


Edmunds.com, the premier resource for online automotive information, has determined that Cash for Clunkers cost taxpayers $24,000 per vehicle sold.
http://www.edmunds.com/help/about/press/159446/article.html


The Bellamy Brothers



Thursday, October 29, 2009

I Sent This E-mail Today

The original post was about someone wanting to control others use of what is described as  ""harmful material" – stuff that "appeals to the prurient interest" and is "utterly without redeeming social value for minors"".

My comments come about 22 responses into the discussion.

Trey Garrison Plausibly Undeniable

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Holmes Dissents

Obama Signs Federal Hate Crime Law

http://reason.com/blog/2009/10/28/obama-signs-federal-hate-crime
Today President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Bird Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. At best, it's a feel-good law that will accomplish nothing. At worst, it will undermine the division of powers between the states and the national government by federalizing a wide range of violent crimes, further erode the constitutional ban on double jeopardy by inviting serial prosecutions for the same offense, and impinge on freedom of conscience, freedom of speech, freedom of association, and freedom of religion....


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United States v. Schwimmer, 279 U.S. 644 (1929), was a case decided by the Supreme Court of the United States. It concerned a pacifist applicant for naturalization, Rosika Schwimmer, who in the interview declared not to be willing to "take up arms personally" in defense of the United States. Originally found unable by the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois to take the prescribed oath of allegiance, a decision reversed in appeal, the case was argued before the Supreme Court, which ruled against the applicant, and thus denied her the possibility of becoming a United States citizen.

Significance

The Court placed great emphasis on the interest of the state to foster feelings of nationalism, even though the nationalist beliefs of the country may have some conflict with religious beliefs. The case is best known, however, for Justice Holmes's phrase concerning "freedom for the thought that we hate," which has become a favorite statement of the underlying principles of free speech embodied in the First Amendment.

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from Holmes Dissent, Brandeis Concurring, at FindLaw

Some of her answers might excite popular prejudice, but if there is any principle of the Constitution that more imperatively calls for attachment than any other it is the principle of free  thought - not free thought for those who agree with us but freedom for the thought that we hate. I think that we should adhere to that principle with regard to admission into, as well as to life within this country. --





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United States v. Schwimmer at Religious Freedom Page
United States v. Schwimmer at Justia.com 
United States v. Schwimmer at Wikipedia
Rosika Schwimmer at Wikipedia 

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Beware the hobby that eats. — Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

Game, sideline, venture, project, diversion, something we do on weekends.
Richard Cohen mentions "Whatever Obama decides" and "Obama is paying a price".
http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=510440

Obama ain't payin' SHIT compared to the soldiers.

Cohen chastises Westmoreland for "needless loss of life".

Q: Is Cohen talking strategy or tactics (in Afghanistan) ?
A: ______________________________________________

Q: Would Cohen chastise Lincoln and Wilson?
A: ______________________________________________


Take a look at the highlighting.  The USA seemed to be serious about war.  We considered the alternatives, we counted the costs, we paid the price - to win,  because losing was not an option. 


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Congressional Declaration of War on Japan

December 8, 1941

JOINT RESOLUTION Declaring that a state of war exists between the Imperial Government of Japan and the Government and the people of the United States and making provisions to prosecute the same.

Whereas the Imperial Government of Japan has committed unprovoked acts of war against the Government and the people of the United States of America:

Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That the state of war between the United States and the Imperial Government of Japan which has thus been thrust upon the United States is hereby formally declared;
and the President is hereby authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of the United States and the resources of the Government to carry on war against the Imperial Government of Japan;
and, to bring the conflict to a successful termination, all of the resources of the country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the United States.

Approved, December 8, 1941, 4:10 p.m. E.S.T.

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December 11, 1941
The President's Message

To the Congress of the United States:

On the morning of Dec. 11 the Government of Germany, pursuing its course of world conquest, declared war against the United States. The long-known and the long-expected has thus taken place. The forces endeavoring to enslave the entire world now are moving toward this hemisphere. Never before has there been a greater challenge to life, liberty and civilization. Delay invites great danger. Rapid and united effort by all of the peoples of the world who are determined to remain free will insure a world victory of the forces of justice and of righteousness over the forces of savagery and of barbarism. Italy also has declared war against the United States.

I therefore request the Congress to recognize a state of war between the United States and Germany, and between the United States and Italy.

Franklin D. Roosevelt
The War Resolution

Declaring that a state of war exists between the Government of Germany and the government and the people of the United States and making provision to prosecute the same.

Whereas the Government of Germany has formally declared war against the government and the people of the United States of America:

Therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that the state of war between the United States and the Government of Germany which has thus been thrust upon the United States is hereby formally declared; and the President is hereby authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of the government to carry on war against the Government of Germany; and to bring the conflict to a successful termination, all of the resources of the country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the United States


http://www.law.ou.edu/ushistory/japwar.shtml

http://www.law.ou.edu/ushistory/germwar.shtml

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