We have learned that they are evil and kill without mercy -- but not without purpose. We have learned that they form a global network of extremists who are driven by a perverted vision of Islam -- a totalitarian ideology that hates freedom, rejects tolerance, and despises all dissent. And we have learned that their goal is to build a radical Islamic empire where women are prisoners in their homes, men are beaten for missing prayer meetings, and terrorists have a safe haven to plan and launch attacks on America and other civilized nations. The war against this enemy is more than a military conflict. It is the decisive ideological struggle of the 21st century, and the calling of our generation.

-- President Bush, September 11, 2006

But yes, Bush gets it when he says that this is the decisive ideological struggle of the 21st century. And unfortunately, there are a large number of Americans that are on the wrong side of this battle.

Posted by: Ogre at 03:17 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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1 If he gets it then why doesn't he ACT like he gets it?? He approved Khatami's visit. Khatami- he who supports Hezbullah and HAMAS; he who joined the fanatic rise of the current Iranian government as our citizens were held hostage. I want to have faith in Bush again but it's very hard.

Posted by: Raven at September 13, 2006 09:05 PM (gJOhL)

2 I don't understand it, either. He says the right things, but he's not DOING the right things.

Posted by: Ogre at September 13, 2006 10:45 PM (QmGzr)

3 I think it comes down to the government sometimes having to do distatesful things. Also, alot of things happen which never make it to the President. I'm sure we all make decisions at work for ourselves. We aren't asking the guy making 7 million a year with stock options for the decision, even though he (or she) is ultimately responsible. And sometimes we pooch those decisions. Sometimes things go wrong. I just fired someone for sexual harrassment. Alot of it. Not going to blame the CEO, who probably doesn't even know the story or persons name. Moving on, it is rather sad that the womens groups here and abroad do not stick up for the plight of women in Islamic countries, all because of their BDS.

Posted by: William Teach at September 14, 2006 02:04 AM (doAuV)

4 That's an interesting one, Teach. Nearly all "womens" groups in the US support Islam and terrorists. But when the Muslims gain control, they CRUSH women and rights. I suppose it could be that's what the womens groups actually want...

Posted by: Ogre at September 14, 2006 11:20 AM (oifEm)

5 I double dog dare you to say that outloud at one of those group meetings.

Posted by: William Teach at September 14, 2006 04:41 PM (IRsCk)

6 OK, but you have to go with me. I need a witness...

Posted by: Ogre at September 14, 2006 04:52 PM (oifEm)

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by Jonathan of Publius Rendezvous

To borrow what was spoken of last week in the Fair Tax BlogBurst, I thought I would take this burst, and build upon the debate begun by one of Debbie's readers at Right Truth. For those of you knew to the audience, here is the original burst, and here is the assertion made by "Ralph Ekwall."

We now have a progressive income tax system that imposes a higher rate of taxation for high income earners. The so-called “Fair Tax” would impose a higher rate of taxation on middle and low income earners and allow most of the money earned by wealthy people to be untaxed.

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For the second time this year, Willie Ray Starling won election for the NC House. After there were claims of "irregularities" in the initial primary, the Democrat-controlled NC Board of Elections ordered a new election. Yesterday a few people voted and Willie Ray Starling won again.

As Jim Rouse said,

we now have a true conservative Republican to stand behind as we move toward the general election.

Now he just has to beat Democrat Van Braster in November. In 2004, this district voted Republican 14,529 (57%) to 10,793 -- and the Republican was the man that Willie Ray Starling just defeated.

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This week's Tarheel Tavern has been posted! Another excellent job by Billy the Blogging Poet. His are always unique and different.

For those who haven't seen it before, the Tarheel Tavern is a conglomeration of posts from and about North Carolina. Go have a read!

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by Heidi at Euphoric Reality

This weekÂ’s Blogburst is available as a Podcast.

In the days and weeks leading up to the fifth anniversary of 9/11, I have been musing how the overall impact of that single days' terrorism has affected our nation. Some people have felt their initial shock and horror fade away to something sadly benign - a quiet relief that it hasn't happened again, and a determination to "do their part" going on with their lives. After all, if they didn't, then the terrorists would've "won" that day, they aver. Others like me, felt that same shock and horror harden into a stone cold fury and an implacable resolve to fight this burgeoning evil that hides behind the facade of religion.

more...

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And no, this time it's not the ACLU's favorite claim of chuch and state. One person, standing in a public area, acting calmly and rationally, not saying a word, just handing out pieces of paper with a bible verse. Sound like he's doing something wrong? The South Wales Police arrested him.

He was not disruptive. He was not disorderly. He was not even speaking. That doesn't matter. The Bible, according to police there, is "threatening, abusive or insulting" -- and you can be arrested for, apparently, showing anyone the Bible.

Why don't the police there just outright ban the darn book, if it's so evil? There is no freedom of the Christian religion in England. Funny, I don't see anyone getting arrested for reading and proclaiming "Death the Infidel." I guess showing signs that promote killing Christians is okay, but showing people the Bible in public isn't. Remind me NOT to visit England, lest I get arrested when I walk off the plane with a Bible in hand.

Posted by: Ogre at 03:03 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Ugh. CNN did a poll for 2008 presidential candidates. The choices were:

Giuliani, McCain, Gingrich, Allen, Frist, Romney, Pataki, Brownback, Clinton, Gore, Kerry, Edwards, Feingold, Richardson, Warner, Bayh, Biden, or Vilsacka.

Ugh. If those are my choices, I choose "none of the above." Sorry, but not one of those people has given me any reason to vote FOR them. Just saying they're not as bad as the other guy isn't good enough for me. If those are the choices, feel free to join me in writing in "Ogre."

Posted by: Ogre at 02:07 PM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
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I received a copy of a letter from the folks at Take Back Charlotte Mecklenburg, a group that

is made of courageous men and women that take a stand for our Independences. The same freedoms “The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence” and our "Declaration of Independence” stood for, these freedoms are dying. The sacrifices have long been forgotten and our independents are taken for granted, by our immediate generation and direction.

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Former State Senator Patrick Ballantine named to N.C. Property Rights Coalition Board of Directors

WILMINGTON, N.C. – Former State Senator Patrick Ballantine of Wilmington has joined the Board of Directors of the N.C. Property Rights Coalition, Chairman Kieran Shanahan has announced. Ballantine was the Republican Party’s nominee for governor in 2004.

“On behalf of property owners all across North Carolina, I thank Patrick Ballantine for taking a public stand in defense of our property rights,” said Shanahan. “Patrick has been a leader in our state for many years, and his support is important to our efforts to protect private property from the long arm of big government.”

“In my view, private property rights are one of the cornerstones of our republic,” said Ballantine. “I have traveled to every corner of our great state, and I know that the vast majority of North Carolinians share this view. We must be vigilant in protecting this important, fundamental right.”

About the N.C. Property Rights Coalition

The North Carolina Property Rights Coalition (NCPRC) is a 501(c)(4) non-profit coalition of individuals, organizations, businesses and community leaders dedicated to advancing and protecting the rights and interests of property owners, as well as revealing misuses and threats of eminent domain throughout North Carolina. The NCPRC was founded by Kieran Shanahan, a Raleigh attorney and former member of the Raleigh City Council. More information on the N.C. Property Rights Coalition is available at www.NCPropertyRights.com.

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Five years ago today, a number of men of the Muslim religion boarded airplanes and killed nearly 3,000 Americans because of what they read and believe in a book called the Koran.

No matter what your belief system, it will shape and control your actions.

I only wish the people of Islam could realize that contrary to what their religious book tells them, they do NOT need to die to get into heaven. Someone has already died for them. They have a place in heaven, and no man can take that away from them -- they need only to claim it.

Posted by: Ogre at 11:54 AM | Comments (12) | Add Comment
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1 Islam is based on doing deeds to get to heaven. According to the Koran, the only sure path to eternal life is to die while killing infidels. Are you familiar with Walid Shoebat? He converted to Christianity because he realized that Christ had died to redeem him. In the film "Islam: What the West Needs to Know," Shoebat spoke of his great relief to know that he has been redeemed.

Posted by: Always On Watch at September 11, 2006 04:44 PM (GIL7z)

2 I've heard of a few people that have made that conversion. As more in Islam find out they DON'T have to EARN heaven, the more will leave (or die trying).

Posted by: Ogre at September 11, 2006 04:58 PM (oifEm)

3 I guess in the end it doesn't matter what you believe. In the Bible it states only the children of Israel will go to heaven. Unless I have Jewish blood from somewhere down the line I better get used to the heat.

Posted by: Arbitratorofall at September 11, 2006 05:15 PM (oAW9D)

4 Nah, that's before Jesus. All you have to do, according to the Bible, to get to heaven, is to accept Jesus. Seriously, that's it.

Posted by: Ogre at September 11, 2006 05:52 PM (oifEm)

5 Oh yeah, I forgot about the cult leader who became the son of god. He simplified the Jewish religion and took out the sacrificing of animals. I guess he was the first PETA member.

Posted by: Arbitratorofall at September 11, 2006 11:19 PM (5+Jvh)

6 I like your simple, to-the-point and so true FACTUAL description of 9-11. With all the days sorrows and tributes and politics, nothing will change until the Muslims STOP reading their book of heaven-by-death Koran. OR until Americans come together and recognise the threat and truly DO SOMETHING about it. I mention Americans because the rest of the world does not have the stomach to see this threat- no matter what. When I think about all those who died on 9-11, I get mad because when we really step back to see where we're at, we are no better off now than we we're 9-10-01.

Posted by: Raven at September 11, 2006 11:54 PM (S/UQw)

7 And that's what's missing from all of today's tributes and memorials: anger. Look back 5 years ago. This country was angry. They wanted to STOP these people. Not today. We want to appease and not offend them. There's no anger left. No one seems to care.

Posted by: Ogre at September 12, 2006 01:21 AM (QmGzr)

8 Arbitrator...ummm...who? what?

Posted by: Ogre at September 12, 2006 01:22 AM (QmGzr)

9 Hiya Ogre..thanks for the support on this tough day..I linked ya up and sent a TB.. hope ya had a peaceful remembrance dude.

Posted by: Angel at September 12, 2006 01:34 AM (Q3CPK)

10 It's a very tough day. For me, very tough to understand what happened to America. Where is the America of September 12, 2001?

Posted by: Ogre at September 12, 2006 01:49 AM (QmGzr)

11 Ogre, the America of 9-12 went out to pasture with many of the liberal cows. It's gonna take something really really really BAD to bring us all together again too. I hate it. I hate feeling so useless when it comes to making change. We need change.

Posted by: Raven at September 12, 2006 12:34 PM (xJq7W)

12 That's correct...but YOU can make the change. As sickening as it sounds, if more people who were NOT politicians were elected, America would be a much better place...

Posted by: Ogre at September 12, 2006 12:57 PM (oifEm)

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Well now. I found this quiz at American Warmonger. I would have to say I'm quite honored by the results:

You Are Most Like Ronald Reagan

People tend to think you're a god - or that you almost ruined the country. But even if people do disagree with you, they still fall victim to your charms!

Posted by: Ogre at 10:21 PM | Comments (14) | Add Comment
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1 What a compliment. No one has said that about me, and I wish they would. I don't know if there is something wrong with me, but Russian led Communism seemed evil, and seemed like an empire, so I didn't see any problem in putting the two together. On the other hand, the Reagan admin did hit a low point when they declared ketchup a vegetable for school nutrition purposes.

Posted by: Elliot Essman at September 09, 2006 11:49 PM (Upym8)

2 Thanks, I take it as a huge compliment, too, even if the quiz was rather...light. Thanks for stopping along!

Posted by: Ogre at September 10, 2006 01:14 AM (QmGzr)

3 Damn! I came out as JFK. That quiz can't be accurate.

Posted by: Always On Watch at September 10, 2006 01:31 PM (GIL7z)

4 Oh, that's funny, AOW!

Posted by: Ogre at September 10, 2006 02:22 PM (QmGzr)

5 Ogres have charms? I thought they fell victim to your ARMS.....

Posted by: Smokey at September 10, 2006 05:56 PM (fq59s)

6 I'm GW Bush! Something in me just turned a flip or two!

Posted by: Smokey at September 10, 2006 05:58 PM (fq59s)

7 Arms, charms, whatever...

Posted by: Ogre at September 10, 2006 06:03 PM (QmGzr)

8 I came up GW! Go figure! ;-) Mr. Essman, so many folks, like you, believe that whatever bureaucratic decisions made during a President's administration is made by him and his top advisors. What y'all need to learn is that the firmly ensconsed bureaucracy in all Federal departments are members of federal unions provided for them by the Democrats. The one thing you can count on from these entrenched feeders off the public dole is that they will do whatever they can do to make a Republican president look bad, and vice versa! Bush Derangement Syndrome has exacerbated the problem. Now these same bureaucratic partisans are willing to jeopardize our country's security by leaking to NYT thanks to their mental derangement! Sorry for ranting on your site, Ogre. Just could not help myself!

Posted by: DagneyT at September 10, 2006 09:26 PM (OST2X)

9 No offense, Elliot, just wanted to set the record straight. Some moron in the HEW made that catsup decision. Did not mean to "go off" on you, but when people say "Reagan Administration" or "Bush Administration", even "Clinton Administration", they forget about the

Posted by: DagneyT at September 10, 2006 09:47 PM (OST2X)

10 ...oooops! ...bureaucraps making the "policy calls".

Posted by: DagneyT at September 10, 2006 09:48 PM (OST2X)

11 Damn that catsup, anyway. Or is it katsup?

Posted by: Ogre at September 11, 2006 02:13 AM (QmGzr)

12 I got that I am most like George W. Bush, heh.

Posted by: Seth at September 11, 2006 11:46 AM (4OJoa)

13 So what if you're not exactly popular? You still rule the free world. And while you may be quite conservative now, you knew how to party back in the day! Yeah, baby! Dubya all the way!

Posted by: Peter Porcupine at September 11, 2006 07:16 PM (532QC)

14 Seems like a match to me!

Posted by: Ogre at September 11, 2006 07:56 PM (oifEm)

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Note:

Do not rely on published information regarding ranges of rockets when using Estes Model A10 rocket engines. A small, lightweight rocket using an "A" engine WILL go much higher than 400 feet and much, MUCH further out than 100 feet. And cows will eat small rockets.

(Sorry, no pictures -- the camera is in the shop)

Posted by: Ogre at 07:19 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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"This man polluted our glass,"

Bystanders encouraged the beating, because it would be a "good" deed that would help them in heaven

Open your eyes, people, this IS a religious war, whether you want it to be or not. You're a Muslim or you're an enemy -- even if you don't want to be.

Posted by: Ogre at 02:02 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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We should remember the origins, history and tradition of the uniforms worn with pride by militaries around the world.

For example, a long time ago, Britain and France were at war. During one battle, the French captured an English colonel. Taking him to their

headquarters, the French general began to question him.

Finally, as an afterthought, the French general asked, "Why do you English officers all wear red coats? Don't you know the red material makes you easier targets for us to shoot at?"

In his bland English way, the colonel informed the general that the reason English officers wear red coats are so that if they are shot, the blood won't show and the men they are leading won't panic.

And that is why, from that day to this, all French Army officers wear brown pants.

(H/T to Hard Astarboard.)

Posted by: Ogre at 04:03 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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So, who else wants to go out and buy GM's new flying cars? What? You hadn't heard about them? Well, I guess you didn't watch the first quarter of last night's Steelers-Dolphins game, because they showed that commercial no less than four times in 30 minutes.

The commercial shows a guy sitting in traffic and then changing the radio station. After he changes the station, his car starts floating. I'm thinking it's an ad for XM Radio or some such thing. Then other cars start floating and all the drivers look at one another in wonder and confusion. I'm still thinking it's a radio ad because although they're all GM cars, you can't tell it (I guess unless you're an expert on every car GM makes).

They finally tell you that GM has a special deal about some extended warranty or something. Next, a guy steps on the gas and his car starts flying -- and so does everyone else who has a GM car. They fly above and around everyone who doesn't have a GM car. I guess they're somehow trying to make you feel that if you buy an extended warranty, you'll feel like you're flying.

So, I want my flying GM car so I don't have to sit in traffic.

Commercials are SO not aimed at me.

Posted by: Ogre at 02:49 PM | Comments (11) | Add Comment
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*** Breaking news ***

Baghdad, Iraq -- Just days before the anniversary of the September 11th attack on America, 26,074,000 people did not die in Iraq. Reporters on the ground surveyed the area, looked all over the country, but can now report that over 26 million people were not killed and are still alive.

In apparently unrelated news, over 29 million were not killed or attacked by terrorists in Afghanistan and over 295 million were still alive in America. U.S. Military officials offered no explaination as to why so many people were still alive after all the news reports about deaths, bombs, and unrest.

An unnamed citizen, when interviewed, said, "I don't know, I'm just headed off to go to work."

Linked to Pirate' Cove Trackback Party and Cao's Open Trackbacks.

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So says the "National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education," a self-proclaimed "independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization."

Their complaint, and reason for giving the higher education system a grade of "F," is that a college education is not affordable enough in North Carolina. Can someone explain how that's "nonpartisan?" They complain that despite the $144 MILLION given away by the state, that it's not enough. That's NOT nonpartisan. That's very clearly the liberal Democrat anti-freedom position. I suppose it might be considered "nonpartisan" because there's some Democrats registered as Republicans that support giving away that kind of cash, too.

Here's a news flash for you: government has utterly and completely failed at educating people. They are totally incapable of educating anyone at any time, any where. They can't educate at the grade school level, the high school level, or the college level. They're simply incompetent.

The value of a college education continues to fall as states continue to destroy them. States support socialists and others controlling the higher education system and continue to add classes that have no value and no meaning. Education is the one thing that no longer happens on college campuses, especially in state-supported institutions.

Want to improve education? Want to make a college degree worth something again? Get government OUT of education. Let individuals create an education system. Let PEOPLE work and earn money to pay for education. GIVING away more money from the state is stupid and only helps bureaucrats. If you want the numbers, I'll explain: more...

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Hey Smokey, time for another quiz! This one was found at Raven's, too, and is more accurate than yesterday's...

What Classic Movie Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

I can SO see that. If you've never seen this movie, you do not know what you're missing. Go see it now.

Posted by: Ogre at 06:09 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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1 Took it when you posted the assassination victim result, I am the Godfather!!!!!

Posted by: Smokey at September 07, 2006 11:22 PM (o/PfH)

2 ok, I think you are just jerking us around... I, too, am the Godfather... All about Power and Control and living by the mafia code... mafia code my arse... my code!

Posted by: vw bug at September 08, 2006 12:46 AM (1wVJS)

3 VW, stop it, you're scaring the children!

Posted by: Ogre at September 08, 2006 11:14 AM (oifEm)

4 I got - You are The Godfather. You are all about Power and Living By the Mafia Code. See, THIS is what the GOP does to you....

Posted by: Peter Porcupine at September 08, 2006 08:39 PM (532QC)

5 POWER! Yay! lol.

Posted by: Ogre at September 08, 2006 11:45 PM (QmGzr)

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Crossposted from Stop The ACLU

It isn't surprising that the ACLU were quick to react to Bush's jaw dropping speech admitting to secret CIA prisons and pushing Congress to pass legislation that would put captured terror suspects under the rule of a military tribunal.

Via ACLU:

America is a nation dedicated to upholding the rule of law. However, President Bush's draft proposal for military commissions fails to meet the standards recognized by the Supreme Court in Hamdan v. Rumsfeld. The court held the President's initial military commission scheme was illegal because it violated Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, the most basic standards regarding treatment of detainees. The new proposal has nearly all of the same problems, and will eventually be found to be illegal. For example, it would allow a person to be convicted based on secret evidence and would allow the use of evidence obtained as the result of horrific abuse.

Posted by: Ogre at 03:08 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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The NC DOT is claiming they "don't have the money" to build roads where people need them. Well gee, why is that? Looking at the actions of the Democrat-led General Assembly, I see LOTS of money:

How about $25,000,000.00 wasted spent on the "Global TransPark"?

How about the funds from the Highway Trust Fund used to pay for "hospital medical insurance, longevity payments, salary increments, and legislative salary increases, required employer salary‑related contributions for retirement benefits, death benefits, the Disability Income Plan and social security for employees?"

How about the funds used to pave all roads in the state that have 50 vehicles a day on them, instead of the roads that have heavy usage?

How about the $68,000,000.00 used to improve roads based on their LENGTH and not their USAGE?

How about the HUNDREDS of millions, if not billions, that have been taken from the Highway Trust fund for the general fund?

How about the $500,000,000.00+++ that is being wasted on the Pat McCrory 9-mile long train track?

Fact is, Democrats in North Carolina DO NOT WANT ROADS. That is their position, no matter what they say. Where they spend the money shows the truth. They do not like giving you the freedom to move about because they know you'll move AWAY from them. Charlotte "leaders" have no interest in increasing road usage -- they hide behind lies about pollution and environmentalism, but the plain fact is they DO NOT WANT ROADS.

If you dislike roads, continue voting for Democrats at the state and local level. If you want a government that's actually responsive to the people and that will do what people want, perhaps you should vote for someone else.

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