Is History Repeating Itself?

Read this blurb on the fall of the Soviet Union:

The Soviet Union's collapse into independent nations began early in 1985. After years of Soviet military buildup at the expense of domestic development, economic growth was at a standstill. Failed attempts at reform, a stagnant economy, and war in Afghanistan led to a general feeling of discontent, especially in the Baltic republics and Eastern Europe. Greater political and social freedoms, instituted by the last Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, created an atmosphere of open criticism of the Moscow regime. The dramatic drop of the price of oil in 1985 and 1986, and consequent lack of foreign exchange reserves in following years to purchase grain profoundly influenced actions of the Soviet leadership.

Several Soviet Socialist Republics began resisting central control, and increasing democratization led to a weakening of the central government. The USSR's trade gap progressively emptied the coffers of the union, leading to eventual bankruptcy. The Soviet Union finally collapsed in 1991 when Boris Yeltsin seized power in the aftermath of a failed coup that had attempted to topple reform-minded Gorbachev.

The policies that ripped the Soviet Union apart were those tending away from socialist central rule, and allowing private capitalist ventures.

The policies that are ripping the United States apart are those tending toward socialist central rule, disallowing freedom and private capitalist ventures.

The United States' move toward "change" is a move toward what the Soviet Union was locked into for nearly a century... the only thing missing is the use of military force to ensure obedience and loyalty to the central government... just wait - Obama's "citizen corps" will start that - and if not, any states or regions attempting to cross the new socialist government be warned, there are now measures in place to take down any "citizen unrest". Refer to my previous Post "How a Republic becomes an Empire"

Imagine the wikipedia post being read in 20 years:

The United States' collapse into independent nations began early in 2010. After years of US military buildup at the expense of domestic development, economic growth was at a standstill. Failed attempts at reform ("change"), a stagnant economy, and war in Afghanistan led to a general feeling of discontent, especially in the California and Texas Republics and New England States. Reduced political and social freedoms, instituted by the last US leader, George W. Bush, created an atmosphere of fear and increased criticism of the Federal Government. The dramatic drop of the price of oil in 2009, and consequent lack of foreign exchange reserves in following years to purchase Carbon Credits profoundly influenced actions of the US leadership.

Several US States began resisting Federal control, and increasing libertarianism led to a weakening of the central government. The US' trade gap and continued "stimulus" handouts, combined with excessive foreign loans progressively emptied the coffers of the union, leading to eventual bankruptcy. The United States finally collapsed in 2012 when Joe Biden seized power in the aftermath of a failed coup by Hillary Clinton that had attempted to topple reform-minded Barack Obama.

A little artistic freedom - but the parallels are eerily similar... am I the only one noticing this? Any comments - any discussion?

Making Socialism Out of Nothing at All...

Sarah, a commenter on a CNN.com news article, had this to say about Jack Cafferty's criticism of the 'Stimulus Bill' being signed today by Pres. Obama: "This kind of negativity is the last thing this country needs. If you don't have something positively constructive to say wouldn't it be best to say nothing at all?"

Well Sarah - cover your eyes... 'cause this is going to be negative, and it needs to be said over and over again until you damned liberals get it into your thick skulls: DEMAND-SIDE ECONOMICS IS NOT THE ANSWER.

Obamahood and his band of Merry-Congressmen are selling poor economic theory to the tired and droopy eyed American people - the idea the Keynesian Economics is going to pull our country out of an economic recession. The same attempt was made during the 30's, and did nothing more than further stagnate the economy... it wasn't until the war machine sprang to life that the American economy began turning around - providing the readily available supply of raw material, innovation, and production capable from our country at the time.

Keynes (the father of Keynesian Economic Theory) argued that the solution to depression was to stimulate the economy ("inducement to invest") through some combination of two approaches: a reduction in interest rates, and government investment in infrastructure. The short term result would indicate some movement of money and job creation... but the reality is massive devaluation of the currency through inflation, and job loss/stagnation in other sectors of the economy.

The theory is simple - the government injects "stimulus money" into the economy - a series of infrastructure jobs and pet projects - such as an $8 Billion high-speed rail line between LA and Las Vegas (home to Sen. Reid - pet project anyone?), or a bridge to nowhere... Jobs are created for these "shovel ready" jobs... but the money must be taken out of other sectors of the economy - through higher taxation of other individuals - or in our case, ANOTHER DAMNED LOAN FROM CHINA.

The cause of the economic crisis is NOT because government didn't do enough... it is because government over-regulated, made impossible demands on banks and other sectors, and then waiting for the implosion - so they could swoop in and clean up the mess with "the only solution left - Nationalization"...

Friends, family, and readers alike - I echo the words of Jack Cafferty: "Why am I not surprised? Congress lying to the American people has become part of their job description. They can't be trusted on anything anymore."

Congress' approval rating is still in the tank - mustering a pathetic 30%.
Obama's approval ratings have slipped from nearly 80% to nearly %60 in under one month in office.
62% of Americans STILL believe we are heading in the wrong direction in America.

While the general disdain for government is unchanged, and the unease of Americans remains the same, there is n'er an outcry against this bulldozer of Socialism being signed into law today, nor is there question why Republicans in the Senate are calling for the Nationalization of the Banks... Americans are witness to the peaceful transition from a once free society, to that of permanent government rule.

Welcome, friends, to the New United States, one nation, under Socialist Rule, with handouts and health care for all.

That is that... America has a New President - but, what did he say about tribes?

Listening to the Obama speech after his (late) inauguration, it is clear that he is a smooth talker - though evident that he heavily relies on the teleprompter... I listened very carefully to each and every word - and though I agreed with some and not with others - there was one comment in particular which should stand out as a warning to states, Indian tribes, and territories of America who pride themselves on their individual differences... Obama said:

"The lines of Tribe shall dissolve"

This is the fundamental problem with Obama and the Democrats - they believe that Central Government trumps State, Local, and Tribal governments... there is no lower level sovereignty - only cogs in the machine that make the federal government work.

Let me tell you why it is important that the line of tribe NOT dissolve.

* We are a nation of free individuals who CHOOSE to support a common goal - freedom, peace and prosperity.
* We are a nation who has a government - NOT a government who has a nation.
* We are a collective of individuals representing local differences - regional defining factors - specific needs and wants as a resident of our region and community - not a collective of drones.

The "melting pot" signifies the importance of commonalities as a nation, but it does not indicate the need to dissolve ties to regional needs, regional norms, regional values. To expect rural Kansas to accept the norms of San Francisco is absurd - though we should be able to come together in peace and debate our differences... THAT is the real intent of the government.


I would assume that Obama picked his words very carefully - so why would he specifically mention "tribes" if not for a warning to the Indian Nations that their differences will not be resolved under his administration - and almost as a threat that their nations will be dissolved, and the reservations - the last of the lands promised to their sovereign governments - will vanish like the rest of the once great nations that inhabited these lands.

Let us hope that his words are not "just words" - and that this is not an affront to the Indian Tribes of this land.

Illegal Mexican Immigrants Returning to Mexico in Record Numbers

An interesting report out of Dallas indicates that the solution to stopping illegal Mexican immigration into America was as easy as tanking the economy!

Fox News Reported on Friday that Illegal Immigrants are Returning to Mexico in Record Numbers.

The Mexican Consulate's office in Dallas is seeing increasing numbers of Mexican nationals requesting paperwork to go home for good, especially parents who want to know what documentation they'll need to enroll their children in Mexican schools.

The report suggests that more than 1.3 million illegal Mexican immigrants have returned to their homeland in search of permanent establishment.

Mexico's government is bracing for the strain on it's own social services, and the decrease in wages once the Mexican market is flooded with new laborers - the same strains America was facing during the on-slaught of Mexican government aided illegal immigration.

With this reverse flux of immigrants, America has an obligation to ensure that the border is secure, and that any return by these immigrants is done in a legal manner.

The report did not indicate if violent offenders were also fleeing the United States of America, or if the flow of homeward bound migrants were of the upstanding variety. Unfortunately, logic would dictate that the criminal elements will remain, driving a deeper hatred for migrants in America, and possibly shaping migration policy. I digress.

Call it a small step for the rule of law.

58 Years, Nearly to the Day - Korean War Ending

June 25th, 1950 marked the beginning of one of the first of many Cold War conflicts, in which the United States and her allies would fight against the spread of Socialism and Communism.

The major combat ended in a 1953 cease fire, but the conflict has never been resolved. There is still an active declaration of war between the two halves of the Peninsula, as well as a continuation of sanctions against the North Koreans for their unwillingness to cooperate and end the war. The sanctions have destroyed any chance at economic growth in the tyrannical regime, and their people have little been able to enjoy the fruits of the 20th and 21st centuries.

June 27th, 2008, 58 years later, the day is being marked as the beginning of the end of the Korean War. The Nuclear Cooling Tower at Yongbyon has been destroyed, and the United States is officially ending economic sanctions. The country is stopping short on disclosing information regarding the proliferation of the nuclear technology, but this is a momentous first step, and clearly the most visible step.

This does not mean that the Peninsula is going to be reunited overnight, or that relations between the US and the North Koreans are repaired... but it does represent a mend in relations that could lead to peace and prosperity in the Northern Country.

This move represents the continued strength and influence of the United States, in a time where even the US media would have us seen as weak and losing influence. This is a great step towards freedom and liberty throughout the world.

You Say You Want a Revolution...

I was recently having a discussion with a fellow Douglas County Republican about the need for change here in America. The discussion followed the concerns with lack of leadership in our "leaders" and their inability and unwillingness to be vessels for change, and further went on to state that short of a Revolution we cannot achieve real change in America.

I made a statement that I want to share with you all. A country will find itself in a revolution when the general population cannot access food/water, cannot house itself, and cannot fuel itself (for the purposes of heating, transportation, cooking, etc).

In the United States, we find ourselves increasingly unable to secure housing... if foreclosures create a lack of housing, the market will crash or we will see people forced to fight for shelter.

In the United States, we find ourselves increasingly unable to access fuel. As the middle class is squeezed out of being able to afford fuel, we will find ourselves unable to travel to and from work, unable to conduct leisure activities, and unable to live life as we know it... all ingredients to social unrest. (Idle hands, and all)

In the United States, do to inflation and fuel costs, we are finding ourselves increasingly unable to afford food. The American people are not starving, by any means... however, as food begins to increase in price to the point where it becomes unattainable, we will fully be in revolution.

This trend is slowly taking place in America... but it is nothing that one slow growing season, or one tragic event cannot hasten. Food, Home, Power.

This theory is being tested in Egypt... They have no access to oil, and now no access to food... and deadly riots are following.

OPEC is failing to increase supply to lower the cost of fuel... the people of Egypt are starving, and resorting to murder in order to obtain a simple batch of bread.

Egypt is turning to the US, who gives $1 billion in aid a year to Egypt, and the UN's World Food Program.

A country that cannot feed itself, and cannot fuel itself, cannot defend itself... and as such, cannot be free.

The US is also at risk of such an end. If the US fails to recognize that out of control inflation, a sense of entitlement, and out of control oil prices are the three main enemies internally to the US, we will then fail to stop our citizens from resorting to breadlines run by the government.

US Ranks LAST on "Greendex" test... but Really?

The National Geographic Society conducted a survey in 14 countries in an attempt to determine the environmental consumption habits in relation to "Green Living".

"Americans were least likely to choose the greener option in three of four categories — housing, transportation and consumer goods — according to the assessment"

At a 50,000ft level, I can see how this survey's results have any intrinsic value... and I am sure that the results will be further used by the Global Warming Gestapo to show, yet again, that Americans are the source of the worlds ills.

However, as was reported in the article revealing the results:

"Brazil ranked high, for example, because the average household is physically small, most homes aren't heated, few are air-conditioned and Brazilians tend to use on-demand water heaters."

Brazil is ranked at the top because their citizens live in hovels. That may be a bit extreme, but when most homes are unpowered, unheated, lacking air conditioning or other amenities that a first world country enjoys, one must consider the intended outcome of such a survey. Is the National Geographic Society suggesting that Americans return to pre-industrial revolution lifestyles?

Perhaps.

But let's look at the other countries that "beat" the US (in order of ranking):

1. Brazil
2. India
3. China
4. Mexico
5. Hungary
6. Russia
7. Great Britain
8. Germany
9. Australia
10. Spain
11. Japan
12. France
13. Canada

We've discussed Brazil. Now the next two are India and China, both developing countries in their own Industrial Revolutions, and both with a majority of their citizens living in poverty without power or other first world amenities.

Mexico, ranking fourth... where 1/10 of Mexico's population is living within the borders of the United States. The northern towns are in destitution, poverty and lawlessness is the norm.

Hungary, a nation whose goal is to "become a developed country by IMF standards". The IMF is the International Monetary Fund. Hungary is a self described "less than first world" country.

The top 5 finishers in the "Greendex" survey, then, come from undeveloped and poverty stricken countries... mostly where there is no free market choice of consumption, and often times little to no consumption choice even available.

My summary is that the survey, which is soon to be another tool in the belt of the Al Gores of the world, is little more than useless data decrying advances in the modern world.

Can developed countries do better to "be green". Yes.

But don't try to use a survey to show that the US ranks last, when the outcome of the survey is based on the general poverty level of the citizens... A green ranking should not be given just because the citizens live in unpowered mud huts in the swamps. A more accurate ranking would take into account level of technologies, and our ability and willingness to use said technology to ensure higher standards of living in conjunction with green living.

Mayday! May Day?

When I was a tot, I remember May first as a day when we would sit around in class and make fake flowers, with the intent of leaving them on the door of some unsuspecting recipient as part of a celebration that "rung in spring"... Little did I know at the time that it was actually a celebration of communism / socialism in which we provide to those according to their needs based on our ability.

On this Snowy May Day, I am thankful that we are no longer growing up in the Cold War Era... but regretful that the latest generation doesn't truly "GET" Rocky 4... or the struggle that freedom had when faced with Socialism.

It makes me uneasy that in my class of 64 graduating Aerospace Engineers back in 2004, about half had no issues with moving to China to help China's goal of Lunar and extra-planetary exploration...

It upsets me that there is a lackadaisical attitude towards freedom and liberty in America anymore... and that "rights" are now defined as what the government "should give me" - without thought as to how the government obtained the goods in the first place (i.e. my pocketbook!)

It frustrates me that "Coming to America" is no longer a song in which the glory of America is exalted as the Right Choice and Moral High Ground in the world... Coming to America is now a right that our elected leaders believe every "citizen of the world" has, regardless of illness, intent, or ability... and once you "come to America" the government will provide everything you need... off the broken back of the taxpayer!

So on this May Day, I am remembering the communist training that I received so many years ago, as an unaware child... and I am thankful that in my life I was able to rise above the propaganda, and become a free thinking, liberty loving Conservative!

Update on Lakota - Dim Echos of the Ghost Dance

In December of 2007, I reported on a story in which the Oglala Sioux of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation had claimed that they were breaking their treaty with the government of the United States.

I have since been following this story looking for some sign of movement on either side (Sioux or US).

A summary of the background is that the Sioux announced a withdrawal from the Laramie Treaties, which are Supreme Law as defined by the Constitution Article VI, and announced that they wish to reestablish control and sovereignty of their land... as outlined in the map (notice that Lakota is a very large section of 5 US states. The Bureau of Indian Affairs ignored the declaration of continued independence, and stated that rogue Indians will be jailed. It was very much a scene out of 1880! The second installment, discussing International Attention, can be found HERE.

Little attention has been given to the situation as of late, but something very important happened: The US has given in... sort of.

The beginning of the end of the free Sioux was a Massacre at Wounded Knee. The new beginning of the Sioux is fueled by the echos of the Ghost Dance (a Sioux dance believed to help bring the Sioux lands back together entirely).

The fight of the Oglala (true) Sioux in the Pine Ridge Reservation with the US government has been over the systematic theft of Sioux lands over time, in violation of the Treaties between the US and the Sioux (which defined the above shown land as Sioux territory).

And though there has not been much fanfare, the United States has begun putting land back into the trust of the Sioux. There is a national park called the "Badlands" in the Dakotas, which was seized from the Sioux during the Great War period (first and second world wars) and used as munitions proving grounds. The Federal Government and departments in charge of the national parks has begun the process of returning the south badlands back to the Sioux.

It is hardly possible to determine the motive behind the United States' reasons for returning the land. The article in which I found the the story claims that it is a "funding" issue... but with a $3 Trillion federal budget, I doubt that funding has much to do with it. I am willing to bet that this was part of a "peace offering" between the Oglala Sioux (who are gaining the trust of the land) and the Federal Government. And it is being done quietly so as not to embarrass the US.

It’s an apparently unprecedented set of proposals that, at least symbolically, would represent a reversal of the centuries-old tradition of land grabs by the U.S. government [against native tribes].

This reunification of the Sioux land is a first step, and is an historic occasion. It is a far cry from the total return to Lakota, and it falls short of the return of the Black Hills (sacred Sioux Land, and home of Mt Rushmore) which is the goal of the Oglala activists.

The Sioux in the area of the reservations struggle with the United States highest suicide rates, dropout rates, alcoholism, and other symptoms of a broken society in extreme poverty. They have never truly seen themselves as part of the Western Society as the US developed around it, and have been plagued with extreme repression throughout history. As they begin the reunification of their lands, they are being trusted to take the steps to heal... heal within their society, and work with the US to begin to heal the broken heart of the Indian Nation.

The echoes of the Ghost Dance dimly roll through the South Dakota Badlands... but it is my hope that the echoes of the Ghost Dance will begin to be shared with the drumming sounds of the Sun Dance... a time of rebirth, renewal, and peace amongst all tribes of the earth.

It happened in the USSR...

When the USSR collapsed in the late 80's, the Cold War ended. The United States was filled with joy of the end of the CW, but new threats began to arise.

Those threats were rogue states, unstable nations, and civil wars throughout the old soviet republics.

What would it look like if the US government, and it's complacent voters, continues the gap between the people and the leaders... What would it look like if the gas prices reached $4.00 a gallon and drove the nation into an economic panic, as the lower and middle class could no longer afford the basic necessities. What would it look like if the lower and middle class was systematically uprooted from their homes because of government mingling in the private housing market?

What would it look like if the US ceased to be a union of peaceful states, and instead became a series of independent states fighting for resources enough to survive?

It is not crazy... we have done it before... and as the people are less and less able to thrive, let alone survive, we march forward along the same path that destroyed the Soviet Union.

We are truly at a pivotal point in our nation's history... and our nation's existence.

Here is an interesting timeline starting in 2008... it is from a video game, but is hardly unlikely.

Iran's Goal: A Nuclear Apocalypse

Iran's quest to bring about the End-Times is as clear as listening to a speech by any one of her leaders. The self-fullfilling prophecy of bringing about the savior of man, or the next prophet, is done so by tragic warfare, with total destruction of humanity in it's current form... It would appear, to anyone actually listening, that Iran's hopes for world peace come only from making haste on bringing about global nuclear war.

This is the problem with religious fanaticism in leadership positions... such as the Iranian panel of religious leaders and the Ayatollah, in charge of overseeing all that the governemnt and people do. Their hope is to please their god by aiding the end times.

Don't believe me? Iran has been trying to obtain the technology to build nuclear wepons since before the revolution, and since 2003 has redoubled their efforts to create not just enriched Uranium for fuel, but Plutonium for bombs. All the while speaking of peaceful energy use, but ending the speeches and policy with "and by the by, we also are going to blow Israel off the map"... let me guess, blow them off the map with peaceful energy?

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad regularly mentions the Mahdi, the Muslim Messiah, in his speeches regarding the future of Iran and Iran's energy program.

If we analyse the events and the rhetoric, we can better understand what is unfolding.

The use of religion, or the invocation of the name of a god on behalf of one's cause has been the oldest and strongest form of coorsion in the history of man. Fighting in "god's army" has been a battle cry of both sides of countless wars throughout the ages. Most famous was the Crusades, in which the Holy Land was being reclaimed in the name of Christ. What better way to get atonement than to glorify your god in battle?

With this in mind, there is no question that the leaders of Iran look to influence their subjects, as well as Muslims around the world, who see the tasks they are undertaking as the work of the muslim god. As a muslim, or a citizen of Iran, how can you question the actions of your divinely inspired leaders? To do so would be blasphemy... and to blaspheme would mean death. So it goes, that the leaders of Iran have taken the most widely used page out of the history book, and are once again invoking religion over reason, and their loyal subjects are powerless to stop god.

Next, let's evaluate the "code words" being used by Iranian leadership. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad often talks about the use of Uranium for "peaceful purposes" while in the same breath talking about the destruction of Israel and the West. Let me explain: in the eyes of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad they are not mutually exclusive... they are, in fact, one in the same. According to the story of the Mahdi, there will be peace on earth when the restores righteousness and changes the world into a perfect and just Islamic society alongside Jesus (who, of course, was Muslim and not Jewish... right?). So the peace comes when the world is controlled by Islam, and we are all subject to Islamic law. That is the ultimate "peaceful purpose"... death to the infadels, and survival and submittal of all loyal islamic subjects to the islamic leadership... I mean allah, of course!

Iran is in a dangerous bind... and that bind is tying knots in the stomach of the rest of the world.

Should Iran obtain nuclear weapons, or the capability to manufacture them, we will be within a decade of nuclear war.

I ask, if we can see the future and know what tragedies are going to come, is it our obligation to stop them?

Of course I am not suggesting all out war with Iran... but destroying the ability for Iran to enrich nuclear material... for energy or for weapons.

The alternative could be much worse.

Democrats Debate - Government the Answer

I was watching the Democratic debates last night, and wanted to share a few comments today.

During the first hour, the theme of the debates was "Integrity" and "Electability". Obama made reference on a few occasions that these topics were distractions, and the real discussion in the campaigns should be "the issues".

The fact that Mr. Obama doesn't seem to think that integrity is an issue MAKES it an issue!

When a candidate for president lies about being fired at and having to run for cover, but then gives a statement that she mis-remembered... well, it has the same integrity of a president asking what the actual definition of "IS" is... There needs to be a new occurrence in US politics: If a politician lies, it should be our duty to reply, "That sir (or ma'am) is a lie!"

Imagine the flashbulbs going off as they try to fix the statement on the spot... I'll tell you what, holding our elected officials accountable to their words is a great way to truly find out who the characters of substance are, versus the trash we see today.

In fact, Obama's lies are worse than Clinton's... Clinton at least knows that she is a liar... Obama believes that he is actually telling the truth. And if you believe it, it must be true... Ask Kucinich about his UFOs.

For instance, Obama should come out and say, simply, that the speech he gave in SF was meant to be heard only by those in the city. He was simply trying to tell the city folks that he believes they are living a better life for deciding to live blissfully in dense urban areas... meanwhile, he believes that those who live a rural lifestyle are bitter and angry that our lives do not amount to that of the city-folk... and as such, we cling to the bare-bone, knuckle-dragging basics of sentient beings: religion and guns. If he told the truth, THAT is what it would sound like.

Unfortunately, there is not an honest or moral bone between the two of them... IMHO.

The common theme in the second hour was that "government is not doing enough to make life better". Government is the answer. There is no way that the people can be trusted to improve their own lives... the government needs to step in and help.

I saw a great sign in front of a church last weekend, which read: God does not promise a smooth flight, just a soft landing.

That is wisdom! The trials and tribulations of day-to-day living ARE life! As people of high moral fiber, we should take the challenge of the storm and sail on, learning the lay of the land, and becoming wiser as we fail and try again.

But to be at a point where you can no longer stomach the fight, and you beg for mercy from government, you are no longer a citizen... you are a subject.

A citizen tells the government how it is going to be.

A subject is told by the government how it is.

To expect the government, an entity that is fastly becoming uncontrollable, to be the savior of the people is the suicide of liberty.

Hillary Clinton and Barry Obama both stated last night that the answer to the woes of the country is bigger government. Economic crisis - More government regulation and intervention. Fuel prices - more government regulation and intervention. Mortgage issues - more government regulation and intervention. Higher Taxes, more government social programs... rob from the rich to house, clothe, educate, feed, bathe, enrich the poor... Give to those in need from those who have the ability. The very basic principle of Socialism.

The summary of the debate: We cannot, as Conservative Americans, stand by and let one of these two Socialists step a foot inside the White House.

Energy Independence - Science Fact or Science Fiction?

Sitting through a lecture last week on the increase cost of oil, and listening to the blame on China's demand, increased US demand, and the inability to produce more due to Big Energy's inability to explore or tap more wells... I was struck by a comment from the Oil Company Spokesman: "Energy Independence is unattainable and illogical".

Not a shocking comment coming from one of the largest Natural Gas and Oil companies in the greater Rocky Mountain area.

And when further pressed with a question: "If you were king for a day, what would it take to achieve energy independence?"

The response was, of course "Energy Independence is a nonsense concept, so I don't accept the premise of the question". In fact, he stated that the best course of action was inaction... do nothing and the problem fixes itself!

So I asked myself... Is Energy Independence Science-Fact or Science-Fiction?

Let's first explore the energy consumption and production in the US.

The US consumed roughly 3.35 TW of power in 2004... that is 3.35x10^12 Watts. That is a little more than 1/5th of the worlds entire energy consumption. That consumption can be further broken down into four sub categories: Residential, Commercial, Industrial, and Transportation uses.

Those uses, across the board, can be broken down into the source of the energy.




Fossil Fuels make up about 80% of our total consumption... That is Coal, Petroleum, and Natural Gas. A recent study, shown in a new commercial advertisement, states that the US has enough petroleum and natural gas to run 60 million cars and heat 100 million homes for 60 years... So what happens on the 61st year? This does not sound like a problem fixing itself! It sounds like assured chaos! (but I digress... for now)

Transportation, in it's current form, does not seem to able or willing to part ways with petroleum. We currently import 30% of our petrol from outside the US. This is the main focus of our Energy Independence... how can we reduce consumption of petroleum? Fuel cell technology is a great place to start. Alternative combustibles is another great avenue to explore.

What about home heating and electricity costs? We have huge Natural gas reserves in the US, but we also import large amounts of NG from Canada. Most homes in the South Denver area are heated by gas... and I can assume that the same is true across most of the Midwest where the gas is readily available and easily distributed. (Sorry for all you folks on the west coast... you get your hydro-electric and coal based energy). 21% of all energy consumption goes into housing... and from a source that is being advertised as being 100% used up within 60 years.

I began looking into a plan that would help build an infrastructure for the future energy needs of Americans... and there is always one constant: The sun.

The sun can be the solution to all our energy needs here in the US. Let me explain.

Photovoltaics, also known as Solar Power, is becoming so advanced that the space sector (of which I am a part of) is beginning to use solar arrays with energy absorption efficiencies breaking the 40% range. The use of Triple Junction Gallium Arsenide arrays has set a new standard for the level of efficiencies, and this standard is being flown into the public market. For a reasonable priced solar array available to the public, we can assume a panel with the efficiency of 22% - 25%. As well, solar panels have a working life on the order of 30 years.

The argument is often made that solar power stations are inefficient because of their small energy output for the amount of land required to build a power generating facility. In fact, large power companies have created these large solar farms in areas like the Mojave Desert, where the sun is always shining and the impact seen by the public is often minimal (not seen because, honestly, who goes to the Mojave?).

But I would argue that the infrastructure for the smartest, widest reaching, and privately owned power grid is already in existence... There is no need for massive solar farms hidden away in the desert. It is the roof top of every homeowner in the United States... especially those in "Sunshine Regions".Using existing rooftops is the only zero impact to the environment. Using rooftops will allow the homeowner to generate his/her own power, and sell the rest back to the power grid. It will be a truly free market of energy trade.

The question is often brought up about the ability for homes to run completely on solar... In 2006, the average household consumption was 10,656 kWh. Based on the chart below, over half of the United States is blessed with an average daily solar energy exposure of 5.0 kWh per metere squared or more. 95% of the country (excluding Alaska) has exposure of 4.0 kWh or more.
With the efficiencies discussed above (23% efficiency), and assuming the availability of 5.0 kWh of daily exposure, and the energy consumption of 10656 kWh per year of the average household, we can crunch some numbers to determine that each rooftop would need 273.25 square feet of panels to accommodate their consumption entirely. This, of course, does not take into account power conversion or storage.

Power storage is also currently inefficient. The advancement in fuel cells and batteries is also making this future power source a fact over fiction. However, current technology requires a 10% power loss in transferring from DC power (collected) to AC power (used by the appliances in the house), and any unused power sent to the batteries would see additional loss due to inefficiency in power transfer and storage.

273 square feet of solar panels, per roof, as a minimum... If we expand that to 500 square feet to account for power loss and less than peak power days (clouds), we can replace our current coal and gas system for a purely solar power supply.

Utopian, sure... unrealistic, not at all!

Excess power sources can then be transferred to fill the need for transportation. Remember, all we need to do is to supplement 30% of the transportation energy requirements to eliminate the need to import oil from our enemies. If we offered a retrofit to vehicles, replacing their combustion engines with an electric motor and battery storage (assuming we can make an electric motor with similar vehicular performance properties), we could eliminate our need for oil on a large scale.

Keep the power plants running, sending out electricity, and use that electricity to provide overnight charges for our vehicles, or quick charge stations (instead of gas stations).

The fact of the matter is that Energy Independence is not a scientific absurdity. It is achievable, and imminent. The ability for our way of life to continue is in jeopardy, should we "stay the course" for 60 more years without planning a smart infrastructure built around "free" energy.

We need outside of the box ideas from our political leaders. We need an education of the masses on the inevitability of the need for alternative energy sources. We need to stop the "stay the course" mentality being pushed by the big oil and big energy companies.

Of course Solar is one leg in the stool of future energy... and I am focusing on solar because it is the best option to put the "power" of power in the hands of the individual. Imagine being able to share or trade power with your neighbors... perhaps in exchange for giving your tools back :) It is free market trade at it's best.

The closing point is that Energy Independence is achievable. With the right decisions made, the right resources made available, and the right education, the US is a prime candidate for reaching the unreachable. This has the potential to be a classic case!

Cry 'HAVOC', and Let Slip the Dogs of War...

This post is equally inspired by three men: William Shakespeare , Winston Churchill, and Steve Emmerson.

Recently, the The Archbishop of Canterbury declared that Sharia Law should be allowed as an alternative to British Common Law. Meanwhile, across Europe, the most common male name for new births is Mohammad. Muslims are rioting in the streets of France, Saudi's are threatening to destroy Britian, and Muslim children in America are signing up for summer camp... but not at Camp Happy Scout... rather at Camp Jihad!

There is a war against peace, a war against freedom, and a war against humanity.

London is burning, metaphorically. And within two decades, Britain will be a Muslim nation. They have done nothing to stop the Muslim population growth, they have an unarmed populace to fight a Muslim British Army, and they have leaders who are thwarted by the threat of violence and instead opt for capitulation and appeasement.

The US is traveling the same road. But it will take much more effort to turn the United States from a freedom loving nation into a Muslim nation. First, the people of the United States must be disarmed. Secondly, the United States children must be re-educated. Thirdly, the Constitution must be amended or destroyed. And finally, the will of the American freedom loving people must be annihilated.

I sit in wonder on many occasions as to what will be the breaking point for America. when will enough be enough when it comes to Radical Muslim appeasement? How late is too late? What fights are we putting off that our children will inherit... and will my soon-to-be-born little girl spend her adult life in Sharia Appropriate garb?

To answer the last question: Not as long as I have air in my lungs.

Is it too late for Britain? If the words of Shakespeare can speak to one drop of English blood in our hearts or our British brothers... if there are British men, women, and children who still love their country as is descirbed in these words... I echo the words of Chruchill: We shall fight in the air, we shall fight on the sea. We shall fight on the beaches and in the streets... We shall never surrender!

And I leave you with these words from Shakespeare's King Henry:

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage;
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;
Let pry through the portage of the head
Like the brass cannon; let the brow o'erwhelm it
As fearfully as doth a galled rock
O'erhang and jutty his confounded base,
Swill'd with the wild and wasteful ocean.
Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide,
Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit
To his full height. On, on, you noblest English.
Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof!
Fathers that, like so many Alexanders,
Have in these parts from morn till even
fought And sheathed their swords for lack of argument:
Dishonour not your mothers; now attest
That those whom you call'd fathers did beget you.
Be copy now to men of grosser blood,
And teach them how to war. And you, good yeoman,
Whose limbs were made in England, show us here
The mettle of your pasture; let us swear
That you are worth your breeding; which I
doubt not; For there is none of you so mean and base,
That hath not noble lustre in your eyes.
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'

Marriage, the Government, and Liberty

As an advocate for traditional marriage, I often ponder my role in the marriage debate. In fact, I find myself considering anyone's role in the marriage "debate". And time and again I find myself coming to the same conclusion: It's the constitution!

The Establishment Clause of the 1st amendment to the United States Constitution clearly states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibit the free exercise thereof".

Marriage has always been a religious or spiritual bonding of two people together. Under the guise of being in the best interest of the general social welfare, US states began issuing marriage licenses. The purpose was to protect spouses from STDs (which is why some states still require blood tests), to keep accurate historical records, and to provide the couple to be married ample tome to consider the bond which they are making (with divorce rates upwards of 50%, I think this last one has lost meaning!). So with good intent, the states had intervened and begun regulating marriage.

Enter the federal government. Tax code, all 60,000+ pages of it, mention marriage. Since the states had found a way to regulate marriage as a non-religious and purely record keeping process at the state level, the US government took clear advantage. This was the key to skirting the Establishment Clause. The US government regards marriage as little more than a business contract, and as such has made tax laws regarding this business matter.

C'mon... we all know we got married for the tax benefits, right! And that is why we will have kids too... another deduction, yeah!

Instead, what has happened is the systematic undoing of the most sacred and spiritual bond that two people can make to one another. And this state regulation of religion into some form of a business matter has allowed the federal government to not only make laws respecting an historically religious event, but now there is talk of a marriage amendment to the constitution.

Please allow me to apply the brakes gently for a moment.

The very people who are fighting to "save marriage" are playing into the hands of those have destroyed it's original intent... and the original intent of the constitution for that matter!

To use the constitution to define marriage is to acknowledge that marriage is not a religious or spiritual bond. If you believe it to be, then the 1st amendment would not allow such an amendment to exist... unless, of course, you intend the Constitution to regulate our religion in this nation. And again, as with the 18th amendment, the constitution would be used to limit liberties.

If marriage is as sacred as those fighting to protect it believe it to be, they should start by fighting the tax codes/laws respecting this religious bond. They should fight a legal battle challenging the US government's laws regarding this religious right. They should further fight the state's regulation of marriage, and limit the state's role from "granting marriage licenses" to "recording marriage for historical accuracies". The efforts of the defenders of marriage are doing little more than attempting to establish a religious rule in the Constitution, and is doomed to failure under a truly free society.

The constitution is a means to say the government cannot impose themselves on us in these manners, and should warily be used to say we want the government to impose themselves upon it's people in these other manners. It is a document who's intent is to limit government, not create cause for increase and regulation of our lives BY government.

It is well known that the right thing is often the hardest thing. For those fighting for a marriage amendment to the US Constitution, look into your hearts and find why this is right. Are we a society that limits the liberty of our fellow citizens, and do we want to be a society where the government is allowed to regulate our religions? When you answer these questions, you will find the answer... and it is not in a liberty limiting amendment.

LAKOTA - the World's Newest Country!

Lakota, a land of majestic hills, flowing prairies, forests and wild game is plentiful... and it is now a Sovereign Land.

But where is Lakota? If you are scouring the maps of the Middle East, stop... Eastern Europe, try again... Ahhh... South America? (buzzer sound).

Lakota lies within the borders of the US.


The Lakota tribe has unanimously voted to withdraw from the legally binding treaty of 1868, thus returning all land (yellow above) to the Independent Nation of Lakota.

What does this mean to the citizens of those states? Well, let's first look at the areas affected:

According to the old treaties, all of these residents would have been living on this land at the invitation / courtesy of the Lakota tribe, as defined in the 1868 Treaty. The US constitution states that the Congress has the power to make treaties and regulate trade WITH the tribe. The tribe, therefore legally, has the right to cancel treaties with the United States.

Will this be upheld in the courts? The answer is yes... it has to. The Indian tribes are sovereign nations living within the US, and willfully abiding by US laws (for the most part). This would make it to the Supreme Court, and they would HAVE to uphold the decision.

The residents inside the borders of this new country are going to be forced to renounce their US citizenship, turn in their US passports, and be issued documents as citizens of Lakota. If they do not, they are being asked to move.

The question then comes up about property rights... During the occupation of the west, land grants were provided by title holders in NY, and often with no permission or authority from the tribes. All those property's will have to be tried in Lakota and US courts.

The biggest impact is that more than half of some of these states are being consumed by this new nation. This means that Senators, Congressmen, and other elected officials are hereby not affiliated with the United States. Businesses, roads, taxes, etc... there is a lot to consider.

NOW - let's talk logistics and then implications.

Logistics: Lakota houses Rushmore, US Interstates, infrastructure, and I am sure that there are some military bases involved. As well, what if the people of Lakota chose not to abide by the rule of law in Lakota, and declare independence from Lakota and wish to rejoin the US claiming squatter's rights? And what if the governors of the states affected mobilize their national guard... can they declare a state of emergency in those regions of their "states" or would that be considered an invasion by US forces into a sovereign country (yeah, I said it with a straight face).

Implications: What if other tribes follow suit, and declare the treaties withdrawn? How would this shape the west? What rights would the citizens of the US have? Would they have to fight against the new government in a military civil war similar to Bosnia)? Could the US survive, or could we just eliminate the treaties, sue for the land (in court or by force), and declare all reservations null and void, thus uniting the United States?!?

How does this change the face of the US, and how does it effect the future of our nation? Are we at risk of seeing the same reaction from the federal government as was seen in 1860? Is this the catalyst for the next civil war?

What a day!
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UPDATE: Rumors are spreading that Putin and the Kremlin plan to recognize Lakota as a sovereign nation.

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Thoughts?

The State of the World *Amended for a friend

Firstly, I apologize to my two loyal readers for my long absence. Life has been so busy that I shan't even start down that path!

I wanted to discuss the state of the world. As a brief overview, these are the things that are really sticking out in my mind:

US/Russo relations are further strained by Russian response to European missile shield, and begin Soviet sorties over the Arctic ocean. They are also laying claim to the North Pole, dissolving their government, and instilling a strong sense of national pride in "youth camps". Sounds like the cold war isn't over... but I have to admit, Bush's foreign policies regarding Russia have been the protagonist in this epic play.

Iran is really being a pain in the rear... which is a double edged sword. The PEOPLE of Iran are unhappy with their leadership, like the US is with theirs... but the two governments are locking in to a war of words, and per Iran, a Final Answer (similar to the Final Solution of Hitler?) on October 12th. And the huevos that the Iranian President has, wanting to lay a wreath at the WTC Ground Zero site... really... like you would expect the US president to be allowed to lay a wreath at the old US embassy in Tehran in remembrance of the Marines killed and the hostage situation of the early 80's. PLUS, Iran has been working with Syria to mount chemical weapons onto missiles, pushing for nuclear weapons, and most likely trading nukes with North Korea. I was a little concerned about Iran before, but now I fear that war with them is inevitable... which is going to bulk up support for the government and eliminate any hope for change from the people.

Syria was just bombed by Israel for trying to smuggle nukes in from Iran. Of course Syria was the country of least concern, until the Nancy Pelosis of the world began visiting them and giving them any sort of legitimacy... now we are seeing assassinations by Pro-Syrians in Lebanon, inevitable war with Israel, and more problems in Iraq from the increasingly rogue country.

And I had a discussion with a liberal friend up in Washington State as I was visiting over the weekend. She was touting the Bush/McCain immigration "reform", i.e. amnesty plan. She was talking about how she was having construction done on her house, and the first group of union workers were crap, so they fired them and brought in (what were potentially) illegals, who worked longer hours for cheaper pay with better quality. My first thought was that the union guys are a product of the union environment... where you don't have to work long and/or hard to keep your job... you have strength in numbers and that trumps any working standard (I've seen this in action... ). Then she argued that we should work to build up Mexico so we don't have them running across the border. I told her that the problem with "world government mentality" is that the US becomes some sort of a nanny to the other countries. Our country ends at the borders, therefore our constitution ends at the borders, and our involvement should end at the borders. IF the Mexicans want a better living situation, go home and fix the problem. Please come back when, and only when, you plan to accept American culture and American Loyalty... but of course the liberal agenda has worked wonders in destroying American Culture... and expanding it around the world... so now borders are blurred, and it makes no sense that governments fight because "we are the people of one world"... well... needless to say it was an interesting conversation, and as I was discussing the issues I was being bashed for my views... a common liberal tactic. Of course if you try the same tactic you can expect a lawsuit or some crap like that. (In my humblest opinion)

Anyway... I have been gone, but I have not been uninvolved! I look forward to sharing some more ideas with you all more regularly now!

God Bless!

Blogging on my Birthday / The Importance of Labor Day

I hope everyone had a safe Labor Day holiday, and took a minute to give thanks to the men and women who labored before us to build this wonderful nation in which we live.

And this brings me to my topic today. Our generation is that of lazy, spoiled, self-righteous, little bastards... As a whole, we are more concerned with hip-hop, Hilton, and hand-helds than we are about giving thanks and living up to the expectations of our founders. We live in a generation where everything was given to us... even the impoverished, there was always someone offering something. The infrastructure was in place, public transportation existed, cable television, Nintendo, AAA roadside, electricity, microwave ovens, fast food, Starbucks, playboy, Internet, cell phones, CNN, etc, etc...

There was never any REAL struggle to "get" in our generation... Our biggest decision growing up was $0.49 hamburgers or nuggets in our McDonald's Happy Meal...

We forget that not too long ago there was no Happy Meal... actually, every meal was a happy meal... because there was food enough for everyone to eat, even the parents... It was not long ago that the only way into town was a stroll down a dirt road, highways did not exist... hell, CARS did not exist... or if they did, it was rare to actually own on. Skyscrapers were things of fiction, child labor was rampant in the industrial cities, food in the US was scarce, jobs were even more so...

And it was in those conditions, without power or running water, that the backbone of America was built. Men and women labored to provide the United States the tools necessary to grow into a world leader (we were not always on top). The coasts were connected by highway, then freeway. Towns turned into Cities as metropolitan centers sprang up across the nation... Men and women worked 40, 50, 60 floors above the ground without adequate safety equipment (because if you complained your job went to the next guy in line willing to shut up and work to feed his family)... Bridges spanned seemingly impossible gaps, bringing potential to once remote areas across the nation. Raging rivers were dammed, giving power to the nation. Telephones and Radios were invented, followed by television... Blood, sweat, suffering, and pride... The core of the US, creating a nation... And my hat goes off to everyone who has come before us.

Now, we are on a different path... Corrupt leaders wasting millions, billions of dollars wasted on "compassion" over progress... Cities destroyed by storms left as ghost towns because this generation lacks the backbone to work when the yoke is heavy on our backs... It is easier to move and look for a handout in another location. Instead of low cost, high quality work because of pride in our jobs...we get lowest bidder/matching quality...

Houses are defunct, roads are falling into disrepair, bridges are collapsing, dams are aging, power plants are at maximum capacity and at age, hundred year old steam pipes are erupting beneath city streets... the very pipes laid by our laboring founders.

What it took the Roman Empire hundreds of years to accomplish, we did in decades... and what it took the Romans nearly a thousand years to squander... well, we have done in a much shorter timeline.

From infrastructure, to our way of life... it is all connected. When we create a society incapable of supporting itself, of rebuilding in the wake of disaster, or lacking insight and innovation... well, you get a crumbled infrastructure, a corrupt ruling class, and a culture that ceases to exist.

So in observation of this holiday (and my birthday), don't look at it as a day to "hurry on in for the huge sale"... In fact, don't even take a day off... you don't deserve it... none of us do! You should, instead, gather the family and take a tour of an historical building... ask questions on the tour about the laborers, the architecture, and how in a time of horse and buggy such a feat was accomplished. We should give money to the historical societies locally... preserving what our government won't. And write an editorial to your local big city post echoing these same concerns...

And most importantly, put down your Venti-double-Mocha from Starbucks and ask yourself one question: What would I be willing to do to ensure a successful future for this country... What would I sacrifice to feed my family... or What have I taken for granted lately?

Introspection is the only way to know the self, to know your capabilities, to know your true worth... Look inside yourself... look inside the nation's self... What do you see, and what would you change?

God Bless!

From Sea to Shining "Si"

Since the second failure of the Immigration "Reform" bill, the immigration front has been all too quiet. I have searched headlines, international and political news stories... but to no avail...


So, my friends, have we won the battle but lost the war?


If our only offense is the defense against amnesty, then I think that is the very essence of losing this battle.


Now that we have the pro-illegal group on their heels, it is time to deliver the knock-out punches to put this issue to bed once and for all. We should be pushing the issue of starting construction on the wall (not fence) along the border... we should be pushing for an increase in armed National Guard troops along the border to stop the flow while the wall is being built... and we should have a Senator or Representative propose a new bill... the "Mexican Repatriation Bill", similar to the Repatriation performed during the Great Depression.


"Extremist"... I can hear the screams now! but what we are asking for is the law be enforced... and a bill of such nature would be an avenue with which to carry out the current laws...


With current US immigration laws, anyone coming into the US illegally will be prosecuted, and lose any ability to legally come back into the United States... so as a compromise, the Repatriation Act could have a clause stating that "All repatriated Mexicans may chose to return to the United States and file for citizenship through legal channels, so long as the applicants have no history of gang affiliation or criminal records at home or in the United States"... I am not anti-immigrant, just anti-illegal!




One thing that we would have to do differently than in the 1930's, of course, is to ensure that the public knows that we are not deporting ANY legal citizens, and that (even though this would be a futile statement... cause you KNOW it will come up) this is NOT a racist / race-cleansing deportation... rather a legal move to control those who are in our country.

As a part of the R.A., I would also suggest the "Employer Consequence Amendment"... stating that any employer who knowingly hires illegal immigrants will face harsh fines, and possibly jail time... the same should go for city officials in "Sanctuary Cities"...

If we don't continue the charge against the illegal immigration racket, we will surely lose this war!

Thoughts?

God Bless!