What's next on the agenda of North Carolina Democrats? Giving more, larger cash payments to those who don't work. Why? Because that is what today's Democrat party wants: you to work and give them your money because only they know how best to spend your earnings.

The latest proposal will cost about $67 million in new taxes and will result in a new cash payment to a few hundred thousand non-workers in North Carolina -- or those who work little, like part-time teenagers. What's special about this proposal? Well, nothing, actually. It's just ANOTHER way the Democrats govern -- take money from those who work and produce and give it to those who do not. It really is that simple. That's all Democrats know how to do.

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This week's new advertiser is Skin Flicks. No, not that kind. It's an Irish blog by a very, very angry fellow. Go on over, take a peek. Neat stuff there.

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Apparently, this doesn't exist. We're trying to show people freedom and liberty for the first time, and we're not even showing them how to do it. One of my readers sent an email to the US state department and asked them. They responded:

Thank you for contacting the U.S. Department of State.

You might want to try googling it. Unfortunately, this is not a document that we have.

Sorry we were unable to help.

Thank you again for contacting us.

This reader also sent a letter to Charles Osgood of CBS Sunday Morning, asking about this rather strange development:

Dear Charles, (Osgood - "CBS Sunday Morning")

Just thought I would check your side of the battle front to see how the war is going.

This week, the first week of 2007, I received an email from the U.S. State department that I found rather disturbing, and was hoping someone in the media would also find it disturbing. On Thursday I sent it to our self-proclaimed "Culture Warrior" friend, Bill O'Reilly, then followed-up with a call to his show on Friday. I was quite surprised to discover he didn't seem to "get it." (Show is available on pod cast.)

Here is what I sent to Bill:

"Dear Bill,

This just in. Over the holidays I had contacted the U.S. Information Agency, and The U.S. State Department to see if the Declaration of Independence is available from either of those sources in Arabic. Read for your self. It's not! The real question is: "Does the United States still believe in what it hopes to impose on Iraq."

In my opinion this is the core question/problem, even where the Culture War is concerned!

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: United States Declaration of Independence
From: U.S. Department of State
Reply-To: U.S. Department of State

Recently you requested personal assistance from our on-line support
center. Below is a summary of your request and our response.

Thank you for contacting the State Department.

Subject
---------------------------------------------------------------
United States Declaration of Independence

Discussion Thread
---------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for contacting the U.S. Department of State.

You might want to try googling it. Unfortunately, this is not a document that we have.

Sorry we were unable to help.

Thank you again for contacting us.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Status: Solved

Bill, perhaps if only our State Department spoke their language, and really believed in what we claim we stand for, it wouldn't be necessary for our War Department to rely on bombs, bullets, and gallows, at least, not in the first instance. Seems like "... a decent respect for the opinions of mankind... " would have made dropping pamphlets a better alternative!

As for your part, may you know the thrill of victory as a "Culture Warrior!"

James Jay Ferris - Golden Valley, NC

P.S. I was working in Germany when the Iron curtain came down, and Eastern Europe was crying out with questions as to how to be free. I asked the State Department then if they had the "Declaration" in the German language. The answer was that they only had it in French, Spanish, and English. :-\ (The irony was/is that the first time it was published it was in German.) Even then I was reminded of a book written back in the 60s by an FBI man. It had "Treason" in the title. Perhaps you remember it. What has been betrayed, and by whom?

I hope to call in tomorrow, just thought I would provide the evidence ahead of the call."

So Charles, now I'm wondering if anyone on your side "gets it." Here's the problem as I see it. If this country is intent on bringing the "culture of freedom" to other cultures and nations. Wouldn't it be better to start by communicating in their native language, the reason and principles of our own existence as a nation, rather than to start with more violent means?

Perhaps I'm just old fashioned, but that seems like a no brainer to me, no matter which side of the culture war you happen to be on.

This is so patently obvious that I can only conclude the powers that be in this country, either the media powers or the other governmental powers have already repudiated the stated reasons for this country's existence. In short, it has become apparent that the "U.S. Declaration of independence" is no longer considered politically correct. This being the case, the next obvious question is,

"Whose idea of freedom are we trying to drop on Iraq?"

Shouldn't this kind of question be an acceptable part of the public dialogue, unless of course freedom has already lost the war even in this country? If we ourselves no longer agree on what we stand for, does it really make sense to be bombing others to get them to stand for the same thing?

Just one more observation:

The reason for the existence of governments stated in the "Declaration" is the securing of rights to life, in a sense the power to live. What occurs to me is that, as Dams secure the power of water, Governments secure the power to live. When a dam leaks or breaks, it doesn't make sense to work on the problem downstream rather than upstream. The stated reason for our existence is upstream of our history. The refusal to go there to work on the problem becomes more and more suspect with each passing day. Surely, like Rodney Dangerfield, "... the opinions of mankind... " have already noticed.

Whatever happened to the "... respect..." part of the deal?

Terrified, but not with what's going on overseas,

Posted by: Ogre at 03:08 PM | Comments (11) | Add Comment
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How do you make your budget? How do you think someone who is responsible handles money? Do you live within your means, or do you spend just a little more? And if you do, do you feel bad about it? Or do you work harder, hoping to one day pay off the loans?

How many people think it is responsible money management to attempt to pay off all your debts and not have to pay credit card debts all your life? How many people dream of owning a home and not actually having to pay a mortgage payment each month? Do you think someone responsible might be able to do that?

Well, if you believe in responsible money management, you are not welcome at the Department of North Carolina state Treasurer Richard Moore.

Instead of looking for waste; instead of trying to find ways that the state could be responsible with money; North Carolina's treasurer is spending his time trying to find out how to maximize the state debt. He suggests that the state can easily spend another $3.8 billion -- just in new debt, not including all the massive tax increases the Democrats are planning.

At the same time, he mentioned that the state would likely need to spend an additional $9 BILLION this year on top of the current $17 billion budget. I think his goal is to double government spending every 7 years. And this is the person responsible for the state treasury. Aren't you glad you pay taxes?

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Once again it's time for the Friday Feast. Here's how it works:

Each Friday when you visit this meme, you will find 5 enticing courses for your mind to gobble up:

Appetizer
- a quick, tasty morsel to get you started

Soup
- smooth and warm to soothe your mind

Salad
- a nutritious blend of "veggies"

Main Course
- a hearty portion that is sure to satisfy

Dessert
- light concoction for your sweet tooth

Appetizer
What was one of the fashion fads when you were a teenager?

Soup
Name one thing you think people assume about you when they first meet you.

Salad
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how hard do you work?

Main Course
If you were given a free 30-second commercial during the Super Bowl to sell anything you currently own, what would you advertise?

Dessert
Fill in the blank: I love to ________ when it is _________.

Posted by: Ogre at 10:08 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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1 how much for the house? I'm tired of this pennsylvania winter. (*)>

Posted by: birdwoman at February 04, 2007 03:02 PM (Sc2Wh)

2 It's a BIG house. With a mother-in law suite. Around $400K.

Posted by: Ogre at February 04, 2007 09:24 PM (pHUVv)

3 Does the sale of your house mean you will be moving to the great white north?

Posted by: oddybobo at February 06, 2007 03:47 PM (mZfwW)

4 If it sells and I find a job it does.

Posted by: Ogre at February 06, 2007 03:57 PM (oifEm)

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Mike goes to his first show at an art gallery and is looking at the paintings. One is a huge canvas that has black with yellow blobs of paint splattered all over it. The next painting is a murky gray color that has drips of purple paint streaked cross it.

Mike walks over to the artist and says, "I don't understand your paintings."

"I paint what I feel inside me," explains the artist.

Mike says, "Have you ever tried Alka-Seltzer?"

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You Should Spend Your Summer in the Mountains

You're quiet, introspective, and a great thinker. You need a summer vacation that gets you away from the crowds and the heat. So retreat to the mountains, where you can clear your head.

Okay. I guess I have to go since the quiz told me to, right?

Posted by: Ogre at 06:07 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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1 It told me I should spend my vacation at the beach, did that last year.

Posted by: Quality Weenie at February 02, 2007 06:33 PM (BksWB)

2 Yet another accurate quiz!

Posted by: Ogre at February 02, 2007 11:07 PM (pHUVv)

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Venezuela continues down it's path to murders of citizens. Chavez was "given" the power to, well, do quite literally anything he wants to. He can rule by instant decree anything he wants.

He wants to set up a socialist government -- the type that has absolutely failed every single time it's been tried in history. He plans on nationalizing any industry that will put money in his pocket at the expense of the people. He will be taking various properties away from numerous Americans as well.

He plans to destroy the Constitution and writing his own version. His version, says he, will make him glorious leader for life. He claims freedom of speech will still exist, but he will have absolute power to remove that at any time from any person.

I still say the over/under for the number of innocent people that will be murdered by Chavez is 8 million -- even more than Pol Pot, but not as many as Stalin.

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We you aware of this? Did you know that if you say that people shouldn't throw stones at people and kill them that you are a racist. Yes, that's what Salam Elmenyawi, president of the Muslim Council of Montreal claims. Well, I guess you can count me as a racist, using that monstrous definition.

Other things that you can say that will get you called a racist by Salam:

• You should not burn people alive.
  
• You should not circumcise people against their will.
  
• Women should be allowed to drive a car.
  
• Children shouldn't take weapons to public schools.

Just another tactic by moderate Muslims: call racist if you disagree with their barbaric practices. Islam death: coming to your neighborhood soon.

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A poll released by the Greater Triad Area Business Journal claims that 55% of the people who responded to it's online poll said that they preferred a socialist system instead of a Representative Republic or a capitalist system.

Well, they didn't actually word it that way. Instead, they asked people if they favored higher taxes and government control of industry, and they said "Yes."

I guess that's why freedom is on the decline so much in this country. People actually do not like freedom. Freedom is hard work. And freedom is not "nice." Freedom is just free.

To be free, one must take responsibility for your own actions. Apparently, the Triad people not only don't to take responsibility for their own actions, they honestly believe that other people in the state should be responsible for the irresponsible in their county.

Well, as I've mentioned, socialism has failed every single time it's been tried throughout the history of this earth. That doesn't matter, apparently, as the United States is well on the road to socialism, with Democrats in North Carolina really taking the lead.

If you're irresponsible, YOU should bear the results of your irresponsibility, not anyone else. The good part of that is that if you are responsible, you shouldn't have to pay for others who are irresponsible. But none of that matters to the Triad. I just wonder how long others will continue to work and be productive, knowing that all you need to get by is a government check. One day there won't be enough people actually being productive to pay for all those who are not. I just wish that day would come sooner rather than later. Then we could all be free.

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Your Driving Is is: 75% Male, 25% Female

According to studies, you generally drive like a typical male. You're confident in your driving skills, and hardly any situation gets the better of you. And while you may have a few tickets under your belt, you're still a very good driver.

Silly women drivers.

Posted by: Ogre at 08:04 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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1 Your Driving Is is: 50% Male, 50% Female According to studies, you drive both like a guy and a girl. This means you're a pretty average driver, with typical quirks. Occasionally you're frustrated and or a little reckless, but that's the exception - not the norm.

Posted by: vw bug at February 02, 2007 11:53 AM (ByL8J)

2 93% Male! I am surpried I scored so low on the male side.

Posted by: Quality Weenie at February 02, 2007 02:43 PM (BksWB)

3 So you're saying you're a mean, agressive driver?

Posted by: Ogre at February 02, 2007 02:46 PM (oifEm)

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A father walked into the market followed by his ten-year-old son. The kid was spinning a quarter in the air and catching it between his teeth. As they walked through the market, someone bumped into the boy at just the wrong moment and the coin went straight into his mouth and lodged in his throat. He immediately started choking and going blue in the face, and his Dad started panicking, shouting and screaming for help.

A middle-aged man in a gray suit was sitting at a coffee bar in the market reading his newspaper and sipping a cup of coffee. At the sound of the commotion he looked up, put his coffee cup down on the saucer, neatly folded his newspaper and placed it on the counter. He got up from his seat and made his way nonchalantly across the market. Reaching the boy, the man carefully took hold of the kidÂ’s gonads and squeezed gently but firmly.

After a few seconds the boy convulsed violently and coughed up the quarter, which the man caught in his free hand. Releasing the boy, the man gave the coin to the father and walked back to his seat in the coffee bar without looking back.

As soon as he was sure that his son had suffered no lasting ill effects, the father rushed over to the man and thanked him profusely. The man looked embarrassed and brushed off the fatherÂ’s thanks. "I've never seen anybody do anything like that before, it was fantastic. What are you, a surgeon or something like that?"

"Oh, good heavens no," the man replied. "I work for the IRS."

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Well, if you're in a country where Islam is the religion (remember that religion? The religion of peace? The lovely, nice people who want nothing more than to be left alone?), you might get life in prison. Yes, that was the sentence handed down for a Christian who used a bathroom near a mosque that was supposed to be only used by Muslims.

This is not the actions of a "few radicals." This is not the so-called "extremists" who are killing innocent people so they can go to hell while they think they're going to have child virgins. These are the "moderates." This is what the people of Islam want to enforce everywhere in the world. This is what will happen as the Muslims take over more of the world and enforce their version of "law" on everyone else.

No, I don't like it. But the Muslims are the ones who are trying to force their rules on everyone else. Just imagine next time you speak up for the "poor" Muslims. Imagine getting a life sentence in prison for going to the bathroom in a "Muslims-Only" bathroom. That's what they want to happen to you. And that's just the moderates.

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Absolutely incredible. You are an innocent, law-abiding citizen. You're minding your own business. You're not breaking any laws and you're not disturbing anyone. Then, some government bureaucrat decides to tell you to be somewhere at 10am on Tuesday. No, it's not even to investigate wrongdoing. It's not as a witness to a crime. In fact, no crime has been committed.

In addition, the bureaucrat is not from the executive branch, nor are they associated in any way with law enforcement. They have nothing to do with taxes (other than living off yours). They have absolutely no force of law behind their request at all.

You, being rather busy doing something like working to earn enough to pay that bureaucrat's bloated salary, decide that you cannot get the time off from work and so you choose not to follow the bureaucrat's "request" to meet them on their terms at the time of their demanding.

In a free country, that would be the end of the story. However, the United States is not a free country. Instead, in Texas, if you DARE to refuse a non law-enforcement bureaucrat, they want to make that a misdemeanor crime that will cost you $500 and possible jail time.

Now go ahead and read the story and claim "it's for the children." That's crap. It's damn wrong, no matter how you frame it. To give unelected bureaucrats the power over people's lives like that is completely and totally wrong. If you want to hold parents responsible for their children, kick the children out of the school.

Of course, that will NEVER happen because schools don't do that at ALL any more. Short of committing a murder on school property, no child is ever removed from a public school. Heck, Charlotte openly welcomes convicted sex offenders into the classroom so others can experience diversity.

Some days I really wonder if there is any hope for freedom left anywhere on this planet.

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Well, it's almost the filing deadline for governor of NC for 2009. Well, actually, it's just over a year before the filing deadline. But following the trend set nationally, former North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Robert Orr has announced that he will run for governor on the Republican ticket.

With a name like Orr, how can you not have fun with that?

Vote Orr Governor!

What?

Vote Orr Governor!

Or what?

Governor.

Look, do you know who you want me to vote for for governor?

Yes.

Who?

Orr.

Or what?

No one, just Orr.

So you want me to vote for no one?

No, Orr.

Or what?

There's no "what" in his name.

So what IS his name?

Orr.

...

Someone HAS to run that ad for him. Anyway, a little more about Robert Orr:

Bio from the North Carolina Institute for Constitutional Law:

ROBERT F. ORR
Executive Director / Senior Council
Justice Robert F. Orr retired from the N.C. Judiciary on July 31, 2004 after eighteen years of service to the citizens of North Carolina. He practiced law in Asheville prior to being appointed to the bench by Governor Jim Martin in 1986. He spent almost ten years as a member of the Supreme Court and eight years on the Court of Appeals. Justice Orr was elected four times statewide by the voters of North Carolina — twice to the Court of Appeals and twice to the Supreme Court

Over the years, Justice Orr has served in a number of professional and civic positions, including his current service on the UNC School of LawÂ’s Self Study Committee and the N.C. Central School of LawÂ’s Board of Visitors. Previously, he served on the Chief JusticeÂ’s Innocence Commission; the GovernorÂ’s Crime Commission; Chair of the Southeastern Judicial Conference on Genetics in the Courtroom; Vice President of the N.C. Bar Association; and as member and Chair of the Secretary of the InteriorÂ’s National Park System Advisory Board. In addition, he is a member of the Board of Directors of the Wake County First Tee program, and a board member at the Central YMCA. He also participates in a mentoring program and serves as a vestry member at his church

Since August 2004, Justice Orr has been the Executive Director and Senior Counsel for The North Carolina Institute for Constitutional Law, a nonprofit, public interest legal organization based in Raleigh. He serves as an adjunct professor at the UNC School of Law, where he teaches a seminar on the North Carolina State Constitution. Previously, he taught at the N.C. Central School of Law and the Campbell University School of Law.

Justice Orr earned both his undergraduate and his law degree from UNC-Chapel Hill. He also served three years in the U.S. Army. He is married with four children.

From The North Carolina Conservative

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