Rick Santorum - NBC

I watched NBC's "Meet The Press" today, and as expected, host David Gregory did everything he could to try to bait and trip up his conservative guest, GOP candidate for President, Rick Santorum. Nothing worked, and Santorum answered directly and clearly, obviously frustrating the blatantly left leaning host who could never, ever lay claim to being fair and or non-biased. Gregory was clearly frustrated a couple of times when he thought he had good bait and gotcha questions and once when Santorum laughed at him, saying that he gets that question a lot, producing a humiliated look on Gregory's face. Santorum proceeded to answer each one, making it obvious that some of the questions were contrived, silly, and meant to elicit a headline.
Gregory's characteristic bully attitude and demeanor didn't seem to work with Sen. Santorum, who laughed at the bully and responded calmly.
I'd tell you how I thought Mitt Romney did in an interview with Gregory on Meet The Press, but he has declined to go on with Gregory. That is probably a good choice on his part.

Rahm's Autograph

Rahm Emanuel's autograph for the Second Amendment Foundation. There will be more. Rahm is bitter about this and now wants all of Illinois to begin a gun registration program, purportedly to fight crime in Chicago. Will he ever realize that going after the legal gun owners doesn't fight crime, but going after the criminals will work every time it's tried? $400,000. paid out by Chicago tax payers should be a reminder, or even a wake up call.

Ban Chicago Politicians, not trans fat

The “Artificial Trans Fat Restriction Act,” an amendment to House Bill 1600, would bar the sale at restaurants or school vending machines of items containing more than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving or that contain vegetable shortening, margarine or partially hydrogenated vegetable oil.
Restaurant News
The bills sponsor, Rep. LaShawn Ford (D)of Chicago, told the Chicago Tribune the legislation was “a step in the right direction.”
I call B.S., Mr. Ford. This is yet another intrusion into the the lives of the citizens by the state. This is NOT what our government is for. State government has more than its share of things to get figured out in Illinois. And besides, food manufacturers are eliminating it as an ingredient already. (Private sector is already at work on this)
Quit screwing around, wasting valuable time making laws about food ingredients and other methods of intruding on personal decisions of your constituents, and instead, balance the budget, pay your bills, and make Illinois a place that someone wants to set up shop and hire people, not a nanny state closely following the lead of the failed state of California.
Let the people think for themselves, or do you not trust your constituents to do that? Considering that they voted for you, Mr. Ford, maybe you are right, they may be ignorant sheep that really need some herding, unable to figure out what to eat until you tell them it is safe.

Riding the Unicorn, We will not rest...

HB148 - Family and Personal Protection Act 2011

Illinois lawmakers debate Right-to-Carry

Illinois lawmakers are taking aim at some new legislation that would make it legal for gun owners to carry concealed weapons. House Bill 148, named the Family and Personal Protection Act, is seen as giving gun rights advocates their best chance at getting the legislation passed.

Fox Chicago story

Money For Nothing

Money For Nothing
Mark Knockoffler sings the ObamaCare blues with his band Dem Strait

Family and Personal Protection Act 2010

Here are two Illinois House Bills to watch for concealed carry permits in Illinois. HB462 and HB6249.

Bill Status of HB0462 96th General Assembly
Hearing scheduled:
Agriculture & Conservation Committee Hearing Mar 9 2010 2:00PM Capitol Building Room 122B Springfield, IL - House Floor Amendment 1

Synopsis As Introduced
Creates the Family and Personal Protection Act. Permits the county sheriff to issue permits to carry concealed firearms to persons at least 21 years of age who meet certain requirements. Requires an applicant for a permit to have completed specified training requirements developed by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board consisting of classroom instruction and live firing exercises. Preempts home rule. Amends the Illinois Police Training Act and the Criminal Code of 1961 to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.
House Sponsors
Rep. Brandon W. Phelps - David Reis - Patrick J. Verschoore - John D. Cavaletto, Shane Cultra, Bill Mitchell, Mike Bost, Ron Stephens, Robert F. Flider, Paul D. Froehlich and Daniel V. Beiser

And the following similar bill, with issuance of permits by ISP rather than County Sheriffs.

Bill Status of HB6249 96th General Assembly

Short Description: FIREARMS-CONCEALED-PERMITS

Synopsis As Introduced

Creates the Family and Personal Protection Act. Establishes statewide uniform standards for the issuance of permits to carry concealed firearms in this State. Vests in the Department of State Police the authority to issue concealed firearms permits to qualified applicants. Requires an applicant to complete a training course in handgun use, safety, and marksmanship. Also requires instruction in the law relating to firearm use. Creates the Citizen Safety and Self-Defense Trust Fund administered by the Department. The moneys in the Fund shall be used to administer the Act. Establishes restrictions on carrying concealed firearms. Establishes standards for the training course and for certifying instructors. Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that the Family and Personal Protection Act supersedes an ordinance of a unit of local government inconsistent with that Act. Prohibits a home rule unit from regulating the issuance of permits to carry concealed firearms. Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Exempts, from an unlawful use of weapons and aggravated unlawful use of weapons violation, persons who carry or possess firearms in accordance with the Family and Personal Protection Act. Effective immediately.

House Sponsors

Rep. John E. Bradley - Paul D. Froehlich

Cheney on 2009 politics

HUMAN EVENTS' 2009 Conservative of the Year, Dick Cheney, on the Political Hot Topics of 2009

Change Nobody Believes In

From the Wall Street Journal
Change Nobody Believes In
A bill so reckless that it has to be rammed through on a partisan vote on Christmas eve.

Indiana newspaper targets gun owners

Indiana newspaper prints handgun carry permit database

More from Caleb about the interview.

Making something illegal, more illegal.
Why is that Reasonable?

Govt's Constitutional limits: Ignored and Broken

I don't find anything in the Constitution that authorizes the government to institute a 1000+ page bill for government run national health care.

Ladies and Gentlemen: The Constitution

From the Law Dog Blog
As Law Dog states emphatically at the end of his post:
"You want Government-run National health-care?
You do it right -- you get the Constitution amended to allow Congress that power.
Until then -- go to hell."

Marko says, "A mandatory public health care system is a universal adapter for unlimited Nanny State legislation."

Read the Bills Act

The light of day is still exposing some liberals as the hypocrites that they are. When the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee states matter of factly at a National Press Club luncheon that reading the bills before voting on them is useless, unless you have 2 days and two lawyers to explain it to you after you read it, then the bill is also going to be too complicated to work as planned, and will fail.

To stop this kind of nonsense, we should strongly consider asking our representatives to pass the “Read the Bills Act”

“No LEGISLATION without representation.”

We hold this truth to be self-evident, that those in Congress who vote on legislation they have not read, have not represented their constituents. They have misrepresented them.

This clip of Michigan's rep, John Conyers, husband of Monica Conyers, a convicted bribe taking Detroit City Council member, should make the average American quite angry with liberal "politics as usual."

Free Rifles and Ammo from Uncle Sam?

The anti-2nd ammendment Coalition To Stop Gun Violence and the unintended consequences.

Wherein We All Get Free Rifles And Ammunition

"Over at the Coalition To Stop Gun Violence website, there is a post up on recasting the Second Amendment as a mandate for militia service. If executed faithfully, this would be a great idea, since every able-bodied male (probably females too, given sex-discrimination jurisprudence) would get a militia-compatible rifle, possibly a pistol, and a bunch of ammunition out of the deal. This new twist on gun control would actually increase the availability of guns and call into question the validity of any “assault weapon” legislation, since those are exactly the arms required for militia service..."

Court is Where Policy is Made?

No! We elect representatives to the legislative branch of the government to do that. And we don't re-elect them if they don't represent us well. That is why the person with a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court must not make policy, but will be there only to interpret the laws that our representatives write and the executive branch signs.
A judicial activist making fun of the constitution is not a good choice for the Supreme Court. These comments alone should be a disqualifier, regardless of any other credentials or emotional life story accomplishments.

His reign has ended

Hello Governor Quinn
"I haven't done anything wrong. I look forward to proving my innocence, clearing my name and that's what's gonna happen."
Blagojevich, speaking after the state Senate's vote to convict him of abuse of power.
Good luck with that, Mr. Blagojevich.

As he drove "down there" to Springfield today, the Governor said this to a NYT reporter doing a feature article, “I come out of the alleys of Chicago politics. That’s a tough place. The politics there is not motivated by idealism or high purpose. It’s nuts and bolts, and you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. I came up that way.”

This was part of the response from Andy McKenna, the Illinois Republican Party's chairman.
"Change for the people of Illinois will come when elected officials actually impose ethical reform, fiscal reform, create jobs and bring greater transparency and accountability to our government."
My only contention with Mr. McKenna is that I don't want the government creating jobs, I prefer that government make the business conditions favorable for private enterprise to create jobs.

Obama does Dubai Interview

In his first extensive interview since the inauguration, President Obama mentioned the Muslim background of many of his Kenyan relatives and alluded to his childhood in predominantly Muslim Indonesia. This was barely spoken of and hushed during interviews with American news networks, however, this interview was with Al Arabiya network, based in Dubai. more.

I'm still anxiously waiting for an executive order that helps or protects Americans. The first two seemed aimed at helping the enemies of our country by closing Gitmo and allowing foreign terrorists to claim rights granted to Americans under our constitution, the next one allowing US dollars to be used on foreign abortions.

If this is an indication of the next four years, buckle up.

Cowboy Rod Blagojevich

The Governor had a radio interview this afternoon complaining about the process to remove him from office. Last time I heard him at a press conference, he recited poetry. Today he had a cowboy story, complete with details of horse thievery, hanging, and an alibi.

Blagojevich:
"...I've done mostly the right thing..."

Daley:
Blagojevich is "cuckoo"

Obama, DNC assault on 1st and 2nd amendments

'Truth Squad' using sheriffs, DAs to police bias against candidate
Obama Campaign and DNC Launch Assault On First Amendment!
"...Obama and the DNC have been using strong-arm tactics reminiscent of Chicago machine politics to try and cover up the truth and silence NRA by forcing the stations to assist them in hiding Obama's radical anti-gun record..."
More details on Obama's gun banning positions... GunbaNObama.com
"Just like fellow Democrats Edward Kennedy, Charles Schumer and Dianne Feinstein, Biden has voted for, and actively pushed, major anti-gun bills, including those:
Banning semi-automatic firearms; Banning hunting, sporting and self-defense ammunition; Banning magazines holding more than 10 rounds; and Imposing a waiting period on handgun sales..."
"...During a debate with Obama, Sen. Hillary Clinton, and other contenders for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination, Biden said, "I'm the guy who originally wrote the assault weapons ban."
While the Obama campaign wants voters to think that Joe Biden complements him, bringing a different perspective to the Democrat ticket, the reality is that both candidates have long records throughout their careers of not merely of going along with gun control, but originating and pushing the anti-gun agenda aggressively. It is fair to say that if Barack Obama is elected president, Joe Biden will be the most anti-gun vice president in American history."

Cheney urges SCOTUS to strike down DC gun ban

from the SCOTUS blog:
Cheney disagrees in D.C. gun case
"Vice President Richard Cheney, parting company with the official Bush Administration position on the test case before the Supreme Court on the Second Amendment, signed onto a brief Friday urging the Justices to strike down the District of Columbia handgun ban without ordering any further proceedings...
...The congressional brief [co-authored by Senators Kay Bailey Hutchinson and Jon Tester] represents the views of 55 senators — 46 Republicans, nine Democrats — and 250 representatives — 182 Republicans, 68 Democrats, along with the Vice President."
Thank you, Mr. Vice-President.

Heller's Friends in Congress, And One More
NRA statement on congressional amicus curiae brief

Deporting 20 million illegals

It is often said that we simply can't round up and deport 12 or 20 (or whatever the current numbers are) illegal aliens. However, this isn't really the argument, and this statement is further used to preface amnesty, which is simply another word for surrender to foreign interests.

I don't think we need to round up millions of illegal aliens, nor grant amnesty to millions of foreign nationals whose very first activity in the USA was breaking the law. After trespassing, they then proceed to steal an identity of an American citizen to allow them to take a job. The lack of consideration of our laws is then followed not by adapting to and joining our society, based on our belief system and constitution, but by an intent to change America to their liking, by not accepting American values and language, but bringing their own and expecting Americans to adapt to theirs. We are considered a friendly and gullible northern part of Mexico and Central America to many illegal aliens.

There must be a coordinated effort by local, state and federal authorities along with business interests to stop the alien magnet, which is represented by jobs "that Americans won't do." If the magnet is turned off, many will deport themselves back to their country of origin because they will realize that the lure of America, the freedom, the prosperity and the rule of law, will be there no longer for them unless they choose a different, legal path to citizenship.

Crackdowns on airport staffing are certainly more important than crackdowns on restaurants and farm fields, but the airport story demonstrates the severity of the problem. It took a worker who cooperated with federal authorities to clear one Chicago airport of 24 potential terrorists working in restricted areas with phony ID cards. How many more are there at O'Hare? How about any of the airports in the country?
Secure the borders for exit only at the same time you turn off the magnet.

O'Hare workers arrested in alleged fake ID scheme
Federal and local law enforcement agents raided several warehouses Wednesday at O'Hare International Airport and arrested 24 workers who were allegedly in the country illegally and using phony security badges for jobs on the tarmac, cargo areas and other restricted zones.

"Most of these workers loaded pallets, freight and meals for companies doing business at O'Hare," including commercial airlines such as United Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Qantas Airways, said Elissa A. Brown, special agent-in-charge of the Chicago office for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"We're still at the point where we don't know how we got to this point," said Brown, who declined to comment on whether any of the arrested workers -- most of whom are from Mexico -- have criminal histories. All face felony charges in Cook County for carrying fake IDs and, although they are being held at Cook County Jail, they are expected to be deported, officials said.