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Veterans Day

David Bowman — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:35:03 GMT

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

McCrae's "In Flanders Fields" remains to this day one of the most memorable war poems ever written. It is a lasting legacy of the terrible battle in the Ypres salient in the spring of 1915. Here is the story of the making of that poem:

Although he had been a doctor for years and had served in the South African War, it was impossible to get used to the suffering, the screams, and the blood here, and Major John McCrae had seen and heard enough in his dressing station to last him a lifetime.

As a surgeon attached to the 1st Field Artillery Brigade, Major McCrae, who had joined the McGill faculty in 1900 after graduating from the University of Toronto, had spent seventeen days treating injured men -- Canadians, British, Indians, French, and Germans -- in the Ypres salient.

It had been an ordeal that he had hardly thought possible. McCrae later wrote of it:

"I wish I could embody on paper some of the varied sensations of that seventeen days... Seventeen days of Hades! At the end of the first day if anyone had told us we had to spend seventeen days there, we would have folded our hands and said it could not have been done."

One death particularly affected McCrae. A young friend and former student, Lieut. Alexis Helmer of Ottawa, had been killed by a shell burst on 2 May 1915. Lieutenant Helmer was buried later that day in the little cemetery outside McCrae's dressing station, and McCrae had performed the funeral ceremony in the absence of the chaplain.

The next day, sitting on the back of an ambulance parked near the dressing station beside the Canal de l'Yser, just a few hundred yards north of Ypres, McCrae vented his anguish by composing a poem. The major was no stranger to writing, having authored several medical texts besides dabbling in poetry.

In the nearby cemetery, McCrae could see the wild poppies that sprang up in the ditches in that part of Europe, and he spent twenty minutes of precious rest time scribbling fifteen lines of verse in a notebook.

A young soldier watched him write it. Cyril Allinson, a twenty-two year old sergeant-major, was delivering mail that day when he spotted McCrae. The major looked up as Allinson approached, then went on writing while the sergeant-major stood there quietly. "His face was very tired but calm as we wrote," Allinson recalled. "He looked around from time to time, his eyes straying to Helmer's grave."

When McCrae finished five minutes later, he took his mail from Allinson and, without saying a word, handed his pad to the young NCO. Allinson was moved by what he read:

"The poem was exactly an exact description of the scene in front of us both. He used the word blow in that line because the poppies actually were being blown that morning by a gentle east wind. It never occurred to me at that time that it would ever be published. It seemed to me just an exact description of the scene."

In fact, it was very nearly not published. Dissatisfied with it, McCrae tossed the poem away, but a fellow officer retrieved it and sent it to newspapers in England. The Spectator, in London, rejected it, but Punch published it on 8 December 1915.

The Above was quoted from http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/flanders.htm I have used this verbatim as I have found it the most appropriate. Kudos and thanks to the author! The poem has said what I am unable to.

I can be E-mailed at outrider@ohnoanotherconservativeblog.com if you have suggestions, questions, or would like to see a particular story written

Conservatism

David Bowman — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 07:26:00 GMT

Conservatism is a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change; specifically: such a philosophy calling for lower taxes, limited government regulation of business and investing, a strong national defense, and individual financial responsibility for personal needs (as retirement income or health care coverage). This is fairly clear, But I believe the definition goes deeper than that.

According to Conservative Resources, there are six key elements defining Conservatism:

1. Belief in natural law.
2. Belief in established institutions.
3. Preference for liberty over equality.
4. Suspicion of power - and of human nature.
5. Belief in exceptionalism.
6. Belief in the individual.

1. Conservatives tend to believe in a higher order law as opposed to liberals who tend to support the written law. Simply put, this means Conservatives believe certain rights are inherent, given by God or they exist platonically, while liberals believe any rights given to man are derived through the written law. In other words, a government grants and guarantees the citizen any rights he/she may have. Indeed, our own Declaration of Independence states; "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness".

2. A strong belief in institutions like family, church, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are among some of the strong institutions in which a Conservative places his beliefs. Conservatives do not blindly oppose progress, but nor do they believe in change merely for social experimentation. On the other hand, a liberal will tend to believe the world can and will be changed through government forces in what Franklin Roosevelt called "bold persistent experimentation".

3. A reality most people do not accept in the present world is people can not be free and equal at the same time. Conservatives desire liberty, they desire to maximize freedom (to paraphrase Barry Goldwater) and do not accept that everyone is or should be on a level playing field whether they have earned the right to be or not.

4. Government is regarded as a necessary evil by Conservatives. If we lived in a perfect world peopled by perfect beings, no government would be necessary. This is the reason, it is believed, government must be controlled with checks and balances, and decentralized so it does not turn into a dictatorship. Along these lines, it is believed government is best exercised at the lowest possible levels first.

5. Conservatives recognize there are those among us that excel; they have superior abilities, talents, and/or intelligence. A liberal believes these individuals are lifted up by the masses. Conservatives believe these individuals exist as role models and inspire others to better themselves. I've always been astounded when liberals accept this trait when found in sports and the arts, but deny it in any other arena.

6. Barry Goldwater stated, "Every man, for his individual good and for the good of society, is responsible for his own development. The choices that govern his life are choices he must make; they can not be made by any other human being, or by a collectivity of human beings."

I can be E-mailed at outrider@ohnoanotherconservativeblog.com if you have suggestions, questions, or would like to see a particular story written

Coalition in Libya Falling Apart

David Bowman — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:29:00 GMT

We still have troops in Iraq and our military presence has escalated in Afghanistan. Now, we are involved in an air war in Libya.

An allied coalition was formed to provide a "no fly over" zone in Libya to protect Libyan civilians from retaliation by the Libyan military. However; this coalition is now falling apart in less than a week of activity. Germany is pulling its equipment and men out altogether. Italy will deny the use of its air bases unless the entire mission is placed under NATO control. Russian premier Vladimir Putin provocatively likened the UN-backed mission to the medieval crusades. The Arab League members are opposed to any aerial bombing. Turkey insists the West is involved only for wealth saying, "Nato should go in with the recognition and acknowledgement that Libya belongs to the Libyans, not for the distribution of its underground resources and wealth"

All the allies have resorted to backstabbing and petty infighting over mission control going to the UN or to NATO or even if sufficient force hasn't already been used. And where is our President? Touring South America. At a time when strong leadership is needed, he is conspicuously absent. American lives are at risk and our President has apparently refused involvement at his level.

If this coalition was critical enough to require American military involvement and lives to be placed in jeopardy, then our President needs to get directly involved and exercise some strong leadership skills and attempt to pull this coalition together. If maintaining the coalition isn't important enough to warrant his attention then he needs to pull our military and our support.

I can be E-mailed at outrider@ohnoanotherconservativeblog.com if you have suggestions, questions, or would like to see a particular story written

Camping with Technology

David Bowman — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 05:41:00 GMT

I was starting to write a column on unions when a commercial came on TV advertising a product called NOMAD 7 ( http://www.amazon.com/ELITE-Nomad-Ultra-Compact-Compatible-Devices/dp/B004AV4C0Y )which struck me as so funny, I decided to write about it instead. Some old boy, wearing more camouflage than an Infantryman, was touting the merits of a backpackable solar panel to be taken on camping and hunting trips. It can charge your cell phones, computers, GPS systems, and even light your cigarette for you.

This device is a solar panel worn on the back on the hiker, camper, hunter, etc. According to Amazon.com, this device is for "the minimalist on the go" Huh? Minimalist? A minimalist requires a USB outlet? A 12 Volt female cigarette adapter? A cell phone charger? Ok, I can accept the cell phone charger as a safety device. Beats a smoke signal or flare, much less firing three times for help.

It claims to charge the sportsmans GPS devices as well. Minimalist? A USB port? A laptop! What? Does this guy needs to Google "Deer" in order to identify his target with a picture? He/she can't do without Facebook or "World of Warcraft" overnight? In my opinion, if you need a GPS to go hunting or camping you ought to just stay home and devote yourself to learning to read a map and use a compass. Then you won't need a GPS nor the solar panel.

Back in my younger days when I hiked, camped, hunted, fished, and trapped; minimalist meant going out for a couple of days to a week with nothing but what was in your ruck. Period. If you didn't need it, you didn't bring it.

Hopefully it doesn't rain out the week the sportsman with the solar panel goes out, but I suspect those who would purchase this device would not go out, much less stay out in the rain.

At least with this device, they won't be hauling generators around.

I can be E-mailed at outrider@ohnoanotherconservativeblog.com if you have suggestions, questions, or would like to see a particular story written

War in Libya

David Bowman — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 09:44:00 GMT

Vice President Biden had stated military action from the US was not legal, "unless it was necessary for the president to act swiftly to repel an attack on the United States or to rescue U.S. citizens."   His boss, President Obama, stated in December 2007, "The president does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation." .

However, those comments notwithstanding, we are now involved in Libya of all places. Why? What, exactly has Muammar Gaddafi done to earn the ire of the Obama administration? Has he threatened or harmed American citizens? Has he threatened to invade the USA? Has he even threatened his neighbors? On a pure Capitalist note; has he threatened to disrupt the flow of oil, thus threatening the world economy? He is attempting to put down a revolt. Ok. My sympathies side with the rebels, for the moment. But, that does not justify American lives or equipment.....at the moment. I understand we have lost a aircraft already.

What is the rush? The U.N. Security Council had authorized action in Libya for the first time two days earlier, vs. 17 times in Iraq under President Bush. Bush had persuaded a large majority of the public that escalating the war was a good idea and this was after President Clinton had already conducted a bombing mission in the last year of his term. Obama acted more quickly, without making a sustained case to either the public or Congress. The situation in Libya began on February 15.   Only 32 days later, we're lobbing in missiles, almost a couple of hundred by last count. President Bush made his case and won support: by 296 to 133 in the House and by 77 to 23 in the Senate.

This act is apparently not going over so well with the Presidents core support base, apparently encountering much opposition. During the latest interview, Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) raised the question of Obama's impeachment over this matter.   Michael Moore stated Obama should return his Nobel Peace Prize.

Why now? Why Libya? The cynical side of me believes the President is looking for a distraction from the economic woes of the country. It has been eight years to the day, which Barack Obama ordered the bombing of an Arab dictatorship at precisely the same point in his presidency that George W. Bush did. But...what is the justification? Gaddafi killing rebels? There are 195 countries in the world.... about 25-50 are dictatorships.... depending on definition. These guys are whacking their people all the time.....not a word from the West, Now it is a priority?

Another question. Why are the all so normal typically anti-war press so casual this time about Americans risking their lives in a country that hasn't attacked us?   Why is this President getting a bye in this action?   If the President was a Republican, would the press and the liberals be so quiet?

A few last questions? Why are we not so fired up with other countries such as North Korea, Iran, or China? They treat their citizens much worse. Hell, we watched on world wide TV when a tank was running over a protestor in China. What is the Presidents standard for military involvement in foreign countries? It seems, if you will, just a bit inconsistent.   Does the President have an "End strategy"? This has always been the "Gold Standard" for the Democrats. How exactly do we determine "Victory"? There are, by my count, over 40 countries in this world who are whacking their own people, How does Libya rate our attention? Finally. How are we going to pay for this venture? None of this has been discussed or mentioned by the President.

Newt Gingrich refers to this as "opportunistic amateurism without planning or professionalism". I'm afraid I have to agree with him.

I can be E-mailed at outrider@ohnoanotherconservativeblog.com if you have suggestions, questions, or would like to see a particular story written.

I have returned

David Bowman — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 07:51:00 GMT

Frankly, the last two elections confused the hell out of me.

The America people elected a slick novice with no particular claim to fame and with ideas and concepts totally foreign to the average way of thinking in America, then proceeded to spend us into oblivion. The proposals he put forth were more reminiscent of Europe than us, but the Congress and American people bought off on it.

We then moved on. I watched a blog site I admired and respected decline from a blog with Libertarian leanings and anti-radical Islamic posts go to a vehement anti-Conservative blog, while Conservative blogs I respected and admired became mired in Birther and conspiracy diatribes. All very confusing as to what exactly my place was; politically speaking.

The last election provided more fuel for the fire. The Republicans received very clear guidance from the American people and have thus far done..... NOTHING of note. Meanwhile, the administration has gone further afield, with more spending and higher taxes. Due to the Federal governments spending and policies, governments down the line feel the crunch and have to increase their taxes and fees. And the new Republicans do nothing. Meanwhile, the average citizen deals with higher taxes and far higher costs of living.

While writing in Facebook, I have listened and responded to many Conservatives and liberals. Many of whom have made me appear quite moderate in fact, but have confused me somewhat as to where I actually fall in the political spectrum and how I should address different issues.

Then, one of those minor epiphanies occurred. I am not paid. I accept no donations nor advertising. I am accountable to no one but G-d and myself. I am not a reporter nor am I a college student attempting to submit an essay.

Bottom line? I have returned and will be writing MY opinions. I hope any readers will enjoy reading them and if they make a reader mad; then I hope the reader will at least consider there are differing opinions and consider what has been written as one of those opinions. Perhaps that reader will submit a comment and express him/herself in a reasonable manner and allow others to open debate. ;-)>

I can be E-mailed at outrider@ohnoanotherconservativeblog.com if you have suggestions, questions, or would like to see a particular story written.

Election Day and Voting

David Bowman — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 08:54:00 GMT

We have a primary election today in Georgia and we have been hearing the urgings of media, government officials, candidates, and community organizers of the importance to register and vote.

My opinion? If you are too freaking lazy, apathetic, or cynical to get out and vote? Keep your butt at home. If a person can not be bothered to fill out a simple piece of paper, and lets face it, it has been made appallingly easy to register; then this person will not be bothered to acquaint themselves with the issues or even the fundamentals of how our system works. Many citizens will spend more time in line at the local supermarket buying a case of beer than they will be willing to spend to vote.

The laws of our country have been amended many times just to ensure citizens can vote.

•    (1870) Amendment 15. Voting Rights – Black Suffrage
•    (1913) Amendment 17. Direct Election of Senators
•    (1920) Amendment 19. Women’s Right to Vote
•    (1961) Amendment 23. Presidential Elections for the District of Columbia
•    (1964) Amendment 24. Poll Tax Ended
•    (1971) Amendment 26. Vote for Eighteen-Year-Olds

Registering to vote has never been easier. The government and civic organizations put forth an enormous amount of manpower and funding to ensure people are registered, to encourage them to vote and people still do not do so. Personally, I am not going to cajole, push, plead, beg, or bribe anyone to acquaint themselves with the candidates and issues, get to their polling place and cast their ballot.. I would prefer to maintain the 30% of voters who do show up and are knowledgeable concerning the issues and candidates instead of a possible 100% of voters showing up and 70% of them not even knowing who the candidates are or what the issues are.

We have seen the results of an uninformed public being brought out to vote. Lazy or apathetic? Stay home and watch TV.

According to Daniel Webster, we should, "Impress upon children the truth that the exercise of the elective franchise is a social duty of as solemn a nature as man can be called to perform; that a man may not innocently trifle with his vote; that every elector is a trustee as well for others as himself and that every measure he supports has an important bearing on the interests of others as well as on his own." This is a fairly serious legacy to live up to.

I can be E-mailed at outrider@ohnoanotherconservativeblog.com if you have suggestions, questions, or would like to see a particular story written.

Curious Question on Universal Health Care

David Bowman — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 08:52:00 GMT

Have you ever wondered why the very same people who continue to believe the myth the government actually paid thousands of dollars apiece for nuts and bolts (the same ones purchased at Home Depot) and thousands of dollars on a toilet seat (the same type bought at WalMart) are comfortable with the notion the government can actually run a Universal Health Care program cost effectively?

Just curious.

I can be E-mailed at outrider@ohnoanotherconservativeblog.com if you have suggestions, questions, or would like to see a particular story written.

President Obama is Given the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009

David Bowman — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:09:00 GMT

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has announced its winner of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. They unanimously gave the award to President Obama. I say gave as he has yet to actually do anything in the world arena to merit this award other than spout a lot of rhetoric and campaign type speeches.

According to the official statement:

Announcement

The Norwegian Nobel Committee

The Nobel Peace Prize for 2009

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 is to be awarded

to President Barack Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy

and cooperation between peoples. The Committee has attached special importance to Obama's vision

of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.

Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy

has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other

international institutions can play. Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for

resolving even the most difficult international conflicts. The vision of a world free from

nuclear arms has powerfully stimulated disarmament and arms control negotiations. Thanks to

Obama's initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great

climatic challenges the world is confronting. Democracy and human rights are to be strengthened.

Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and

given its people hope for a better future. His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those

who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the

majority of the world's population.

For 108 years, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has sought to stimulate precisely that

international policy and those attitudes for which Obama is now the world's leading spokesman.

The Committee endorses Obama's appeal that "Now is the time for all of us to take our share of

responsibility for a global response to global challenges."

Oslo, October 9, 2009

President Obama said Friday that he was "surprised and deeply humbled" by the decision of the Norwegian Nobel Committee to award him the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

I bet he was surprised. He is aware he has done nothing. The committee is aware he has done nothing. Even the news crews covering the event were surprised by the announcement as the names were submitted before Obama was even elected. The finalists names were gathered in February. He had certainly accomplished nothing by then. I can only assume this is another example of supposedly reasonable people being blinded by his rhetoric and oratory skills (if he has a teleprompter). In essence, President Obama is being given this award because of his VISION! That is correct; he has a vision no one else has ever had or voiced; this alone apparently merits the Nobel Peace Prize.

This act of awarding Obama the prize doesn't come close to the outrage of awarding the prize to Yasser Arafat, the PLO terrorist in 1994 (along with Israel's Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres). That award was given in recognition for a physical act: the Oslo Accords. Of course, the treaty turned out to be a farce and there was no peace. The award then, as now, was premature and unmerited.

This committee has lost any shred of credibility and respect that I once had for them and my disgust with the committee knows no limits.

Gallbladder: One mans brief journey into the Army Medical system (part 1 of 2)

David Bowman — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 07:11:00 GMT

Years ago, Tony Bennett sang of leaving his heart in San Francisco. Well, My tale of leaving my gallbladder at Winn Army Hospital in Fort Stewart, Georgia isn't romantic but it is of importance to me and its passing wasn't one of sorrow, sweet or otherwise. As the surgeon had stated after the surgery it was totally blocked and "rotten". I'm frankly glad it is gone. Good riddance in my opinion.

This tale started towards the end of July when I was awakened from a sound sleep by stomach cramps. I'm not talking about your "ate a couple of green apples" kind of cramps, I'm referring to the doubling over, "shove your arm down your throat, grab an organ of choice and toss it on the fire to exorcise the demons within" type of abdominal cramps. As it lasted only half an hour or so, it was relatively easy to pass it off as an occurrence of some kind; nothing dramatic. After a couple more of these episodes it was starting to concern me, but no other symptoms were being displayed so I chalked it up to the recent purchase and consuming of those round chips in a can which coincidently had proceeded each of these events. I quit eating them. Then I had another incident followed a couple days later by the granddaddy of them. By the time the cramping had gone on for six hours, I got cleaned up, dressed and went into the emergency room with my wife.

I checked in and was promptly shown to the triage desk where my vital signs were taken.   A few minutes later I was in a cubicle and the show started. Within four hours I had blood samples taken, a urine sample taken, a CT scan performed, an ultrasound performed, had an EKG taken, been put on an IV with various drugs within, been issued drugs to take home, and tentatively diagnosed with gallbladder disease. In each of these steps I was treated with courtesy, respect and caring by a various member of the ER or radiology staff. Each of these persons explained what they were doing and why and performed their duties in a professional manner while still giving me every impression they cared what they were doing and cared about me. In addition, there was a shift change shortly after my arrival. Frankly I was impressed.

I was seen the next morning by my Primary Care Provider. I arrived at the clinic 15 minutes earlier and was promptly escorted to the station where my vital signs were taken. At the time of my appointment I was called and escorted to another cubicle where I soon met my Doctor for the first time. She went over everything, performed an exam of her own and apparently agreeing with the diagnosis made an appointment with the surgeon for me. Again, everyone was super polite, efficient, professional, and friendly. I was given an appointment for the following week with my surgeon to discuss options and procedures.

During the time spent waiting for this appointment I did as much research as I could on this puny little organ with the capability to wreck such havoc and just what my options were. The subject came up among my friends and on-line friends to which the general consensus was to "go civilian". Most of these friends had never served in the military instead relying on horror stories passed on quite apparently. Now, I have had military medical care my entire life; growing up in the military and spending a career in the Army myself and had always been rather pleased with the care I or my family had received.

The day of my appointment arrived and again I showed up 15 minutes early only to be told shortly thereafter the surgeon had been called away to an emergency surgery. The staff was up front with us and asked if anyone wanted to be rescheduled or if we would prefer to wait. They kept us informed every few minutes as to the surgeons status. When I was finally called into the surgeons office, he advised me of the findings, his conclusions and his recommendations as well as the options available. He ensured I understood everything and answered all the questions I had as well as apologizing for being called away. His staff set me up with a pre-op appointment and the surgery date. Everyone in this department also, was super polite, efficient, professional, and friendly. I had a warm and fuzzy feeling about everything when I left.

Over the next few days, the situation deteriorated. The pain became constant from the time I was awake to the time I went to sleep. The only way I was even able to sleep was due to the medications the ER had prescribed. However, I was running out of them and no way would the meds last until my surgery. So, with ten days to go before my surgery I called my surgeons staff and asked to speak to the surgeon about renewing the prescription. He called back rather surprised I was taking the medicine or even needed to. When I explained the situation he stated he would call me right back. Within minutes he called back stating I was to fast after midnight and be in the next morning for my pre-op and surgery was scheduled for the following morning after the pre-op.

I reported to the pre-op desk the next morning to be greeted by a very friendly staff who started by having me fill out a minimum number of forms after which I was placed in a waiting room for a few minutes until I was called by the first of my appointments. She briefed me was to what was going to occur and had me sign a few more papers. My next appointment was with a pretty, young private who took some blood samples and performed an EKG about as smoothly and painlessly as I have ever had done. That was followed by an interview with an incredibly friendly and outgoing anesthesiologist who asked me a gang of questions, briefed me as to the procedures which were to be used and checked me out for suitability for the laryngoscope. She also asked if I had allergies. The next step was to get a chest X-ray which was obtained in a matter of minutes. I was frankly amazed at the speed and efficiency in which the x-ray was taken. The last step was to check in with the inpatient section, I believe (although the name may be wrong). I read a few documents and signed signifying my understanding. I read the sign on the wall stating the charges regarding various medical plans. Contrary to popular belief, I as a military retiree do not have free medical care, which is in fact what I had been promised my entire career, particularly around re-enlistment time. I have medical and dental premiums that I need to pay if I want any medical care; again, contrary to all promises made to me and other retirees in the past. Again; everyone was friendly, polite, professional and caring. I was reminded during the course of this pre-op that I was to consume no food, drink, nor tobacco after midnight.

I could see the next morning was not going to get started on the right foot at all as far as my comfort went. But, after the dealings I had with each and every member of the staff I dealt with, I was left with no doubt in my retired military mind that I would receive excellent care while I was there.

(end of part 1)

The Obama Bible cover

David Bowman — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 02:02:00 GMT

When I first saw this, my first thought was an interesting photo-shop job and a funny one at that. Well, it is real and for sale for a mere $19.99. Just the thing for the well dressed liberal heading off to church.

courtesy Neal Boortz

I'm afraid I find it more than a little creepy, and taken in context-perhaps just a little blasphemous.

I can be E-mailed at outrider@ohnoanotherconservativeblog.com if you have suggestions, questions, or would like to see a particular story written.

Honduras: When is a coup not a coup?

David Bowman — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:08:00 GMT

The Obama administration has condemned the removal of Honduran president Manuel Zelaya as illegal and referred to it as a coup. The administration is in good company; Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Ecuador’s Rafael Correa, Nicaragua’s Daniel Ortega, Cuban dictator Raúl Castro, Rafael Correa in Ecuador, Evo Morales in Bolivia, and Álvaro Uribe in Colombia all agree with the Obama administration.

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehiten (R-FL), ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee stated that Zelaya was “moving to re-write the Honduran constitution to extend and expand his power, while retaliating against those who stand in the way.”

On June 28 the Honduran attorney general charged Zelaya with deliberately violating Honduran law and the Supreme Court ordered his arrest in Tegucigalpa. President Zelaya had attempted to hold a referendum (or poll) to establish a National Constituent Assembly, with a mandate to write a completely new constitution. The Supreme Court of Honduras, Congress, the country's attorney general, and the supreme electoral tribunal opposed the poll and in fact the Congress (to include his own party) began discussing impeachment proceedings. The Supreme Court ordered the head of the Honduran military staff General Vásquez not to distribute the poll materials required for the referendum at which time the President fired him. The Honduran Supreme Court ruled the firing of General Vásquez unconstitutional. President Zelaya went ahead with his plans which culminated in his arrest by the military.

This placed the President in violation of three articles of the Honduran constitution; Article 4 which provides that any 'infraction' of the succession rules constitutes treason", Article 205, which says the legislature has the authority to decide whether charges can be brought against the president, to approve or disapprove of the administrative conduct of the executive branch, and to name a special commission to investigate matters of national interest.and Article 239 of the Constitution, which states that “whomever changes or attempts to change” Article 4 relating to the form of government and the limits of presidential terms, “will be immediately removed from public office”. Therefore, on June 25, Zelaya was no longer the President of Honduras, per ruling of the Supreme Court on June 26. The authority for his arrest was in accordance with Article 272 of the Honduran Constitution which states, “The Honduran Armed Forces are a National Institution of permanent nature, essentially professional, non-political, obedient, and non-deliberating. They are constituted to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic, keep the peace, public order, and Constitutional Rule, the principles of free suffrage, and the alternability in the exercise of the Presidency of the Republic".

Many elements of the media have called it a military coup, apparently not bothering to conduct any research or acknowledging the fact the Honduran military immediately turned power over to head of Congress Roberto Micheletti, the next in line following the President. The Honduran military whisked him out of the country, to Costa Rica, when it executed the court's order, which was itself apparently a violation of the constitution. The "new" government stated they did so to avoid bloodshed.

New elections are planned for 29th November 2009.

President Zelaya has had a few problems in the past regarding his countries constitution. According to the Wall Street Journal:

"Besides eagerly trampling the constitution, Mr. Zelaya had demonstrated that he was ready to employ the violent tactics of chavismo to hang onto power. The decision to pack him off immediately was taken in the interest of protecting both constitutional order and human life.

Two incidents earlier this year make the case. The first occurred in January when the country was preparing to name a new 15-seat Supreme Court, as it does every seven years. An independent board made up of members of civil society had nominated 45 candidates. From that list, Congress was to choose the new judges.

Mr. Zelaya had his own nominees in mind, including the wife of a minister, and their names were not on the list. So he set about to pressure the legislature. On the day of the vote he militarized the area around the Congress and press reports say a group of the president's men, including the minister of defense, went to the Congress uninvited to turn up the heat. The head of the legislature had to call security to have the defense minister removed.

In the end Congress held its ground and Mr. Zelaya retreated. But the message had been sent: The president was willing to use force against other institutions.

In May there was an equally scary threat to peace issued by the Zelaya camp as the president illegally pushed for a plebiscite on rewriting the constitution. Since the executive branch is not permitted to call for such a vote, the attorney general had announced that he intended to enforce the law against Mr. Zelaya. A week later some 100 agitators, wielding machetes, descended on the attorney general's office. "We have come to defend this country's second founding," the group's leader reportedly said. "If we are denied it, we will resort to national insurrection."

These experiences frightened Hondurans because they strongly suggested that Mr. Zelaya, who had already aligned himself with Mr. Chávez, was now emulating the Venezuelan's power-grab. Other Chávez protégés -- in Bolivia, Ecuador and Nicaragua -- have done the same, refusing to accept checks on their power, making use of mobs and seeking to undermine institutions."

As regards the referendum or poll? According to a story carried by Europapress:

Several computers containing the results of the referendum Zelaya wanted to conduct are seized at the Presidential Palace. The National Directors of Criminal Investigation seized various computers from the Presidential Palace that had recorded the supposed results of the referendum to reform the constitution that the deposed leader, Manuel Zelaya, was planning to conduct on July (sic) 28, the day he was removed from office.

The official investigation now deals with the possible crime of fraud and falsification of documents due to the fact that some of the certified voting results had been filled with the personal information of individuals that supposedly participated in the failed referendum that did not take place because of the coup.

One of the district attorneys that participated in the operation that took place this Friday showed reporters an official voting result from the Technical Institute Luis Bogran, of Tegucigalpa, in which the specific number of people that participated in table 345, where there were 550 ballots, 450 of which were votes in favor of Zelaya's proposal and 30 were against, in addition to 20 blank ballots and 30 ballots, which were nullified.

The seizure took place on the third floor of the building attached to the Ministry of the Presidency that had been rented to the ex-minister of the Interior, Enrique Flores Lanza. The deputy district attorney, Roberto Ramirez, declared this area as a "crime scene" and, although he did not want to provide further details, said that further evidence had been found that could be categorized as crimes of fraud, embezzlement of funds, falsification of documents, and abuse of authority.

Sounds as if President Zelaya had some members of ACORN as election consultants.

I can be E-mailed at outrider@ohnoanotherconservativeblog.com if you have suggestions, questions, or would like to see a particular story written.

The Fourth of July

David Bowman — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:36:00 GMT

Why do we celebrate the 4th of July?

Here are two reasons:

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,— That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual,uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records,for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise;the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners;refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations,which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence.They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity.We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America,in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War,conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

— John Hancock

New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts:
John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut:
Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York:
William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey:
Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware:
Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland:
Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia:
George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina:
William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia:
Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

courtesy of US History.org

and:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

The remainder of the US Constitution can be read at US Constitution.net along with the amendments. It is well worth reading in these trying political times.

How is our Constitutional Republic safeguarded?

and

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

I can be E-mailed at outrider@ohnoanotherconservativeblog.com if you have suggestions, questions, or would like to see a particular story written.

Sarah Palin resigns as Alaskan Governor

David Bowman — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:27:00 GMT

According to a news story carried by KTUU.com, Alaskan Governor Palin will resign her position as Alaskan Governor this month.

WASILLA, Alaska -- In a stunning announcement, Gov. Sarah Palin said Friday morning she will resign her office in a few weeks.
Speculation has swirled for weeks, perhaps months that Palin would not seek re-election in 2010 as she pursues a political career on the national stage. The former vice presidential candidate has long been rumored to be considering a run at the Republican presidential nomination in 2012.
Palin did not address those rumors at the press conference at her Wasilla home, during which she did not take questions from reporters.
Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell will be inaugurated as her successor at the Governor's Picnic at Pioneer Park in Fairbanks on Sunday, July 26, Palin said.
Parnell said he will seek election to the governor's office in 2010. Parnell ran for Congress unsuccessfully against Rep. Don Young in the Republican primary last year.
Palin made the announcement flanked by Parnell and all of her cabinet. She said that recent incidents brought up by national media and the spate of ethics complaints have been taking away from her mission to serve Alaska.
She felt that it would be best to step aside and let Parnell and her cabinet continue. Palin said she discussed the decision with her family, and they were united in their support of her decision to step down.

In a story carried by the Washington Post as Palin aide stated the first term Governor is stepping down "so that she can take the fight for her issues elsewhere.". This makes a lot of sense as the logistics of running a Presidential campaign as a seated Governor are..... impractical at best. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and Mitt Romney of Massachusetts are already in campaign mode. Pawlenty announced his decision not to run for a third term as Governor this week in order to devote his time to the Presidential campaign while Romney is already retired.

Being located in Alaska presents many problems while running. They are four hours behind East Coast time zone and almost an entire days travel time to get to any campaign destination. This makes any campaign stop a minimum two day trip any from her duties.

Palin will need the next few years to build a cohesive campaign machine. She will need to be visible to people around the nation as well as GOP strategists. Palin will need to firmly establish herself as a Conservative, not as someone running on a very liberal Republican candidates ticket; this is an image that will have to be corrected.

Governor Palin has a long hard road ahead of her given the medias attitude and "open season" approach to covering her in the news. She has to attempt to undue the damage left over from the McCain campaign committee and their sniping attacks on her throughout the campaign. And apparently continues as John Weaver, a longtime friend and confidant of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) comments, "We've seen a lot of nutty behavior from governors and Republican leaders in the last three months, but this one is at the top of that."

She has easily established her credentials as a viable political candidate. Let us hope this starts her bid for President of the United States.

By the way, Governor Palin has a campaign PAC now at SarahPac

UPDATE:

12:00pm AKST - Update from Governor Palin: We'll soon attach info on decision to not seek re-election... this is in Alaska's best interest, my family's happy... it is good, stay tuned.

Hi Alaska, I appreciate speaking directly TO you, the people I serve, as your Governor.

People who know me know that besides faith and family, nothing's more important to me than our beloved Alaska. Serving her people is the greatest honor I could imagine.

I want Alaskans to grasp what can be in store for our state. We were purchased as a territory because a member of President Abe Lincoln's cabinet, William Seward, providentially saw in this great land, vast riches, beauty, strategic placement on the globe, and opportunity. He boldly looked "North to the Future". But he endured such ridicule and mocking for his vision for Alaska, remember the adversaries scoffed, calling this "Seward's Folly". Seward withstood such disdain as he chose the uncomfortable, unconventional, but RIGHT path to secure Alaska, so Alaska could help secure the United States.

People who know me know that besides faith and family, nothing's more important to me than our beloved Alaska.

Alaska's mission - to contribute to America. We're strategic IN the world as the air crossroads OF the world, as a gatekeeper of the continent. Bold visionaries knew this - Alaska would be part of America's great destiny.

Our destiny to be reached by responsibly developing our natural resources. This land, blessed with clean air, water, wildlife, minerals, AND oil and gas. It's energy! God gave us energy.

So to serve the state is a humbling responsibility, because I know in my soul that Alaska is of such import, for America's security, in our very volatile world. And you know me by now, I promised even four years ago to show MY independence... no more conventional "politics as usual".

And we are doing well! My administration's accomplishments speak for themselves. We work tirelessly for Alaskans.

We aggressively and responsibly develop our resources because they were created to be used to better our world... to HELP people... and we protect the environment and Alaskans (the resource owners) foremost with our policies.

Here's some of the things we've done:

We created a petroleum integrity office to oversee safe development. We held the line FOR Alaskans on Point Thomson - and finally for the first time in decades - they're drilling for oil and gas.

We have AGIA, the gasoline project - a massive bi-partisan victory (the vote was 58 to 1!) - also succeeding as intended - protecting Alaskans as our clean natural gas will flow to energize us, and America, through a competitive, pro-private sector project. This is the largest private sector energy project, ever. THIS is energy independence.

And ACES - another bipartisan effort - is working as intended and industry is publicly acknowledging its success. Our new oil and gas "clear and equitable formula" is so Alaskans will no longer be taken advantage of. ACES incentives NEW exploration and development and JOBS that were previously not going to happen with a monopolized North Slope oil basin.

We cleaned up previously accepted unethical actions; we ushered in bi-partisan Ethics Reform.

We also slowed the rate of government growth, we worked with the Legislature to save billions of dollars for the future, and I made no lobbyist friends with my hundreds of millions of dollars in budget vetoes... but living beyond our means today is irresponsible for tomorrow.

We took government out of the dairy business and put it back into private-sector hands - where it should be.

We provided unprecedented support for education initiatives, and with the right leadership, finally filled long-vacant public safety positions. We built a sub-Cabinet on Climate Change and took heat from Outside special interests for our biologically-sound wildlife management for abundance.

We broke ground on the new prison.

And we made common sense conservative choices to eliminate personal luxuries like the jet, the chef, the junkets... the entourage.

And the Lt. Governor and I said "no" to our pay raises. So much success in this first term - and with this success I am proud to take credit... for hiring the right people! Our goal was to achieve a gasoline project, more fair oil and gas valuation, and ethics reform in four years. We did it in two. It's because of the people... good public servants surrounding the Governor's office, with servants' hearts and astounding work ethic... THEY are Alaska's success!

We are doing well! I wish you'd hear MORE from the media of your state's progress and how we tackle Outside interests - daily - SPECIAL interests that would stymie our state. Even those debt-ridden stimulus dollars that would force the heavy hand of federal government into our communities with an "all-knowing attitude" - I have taken the slings and arrows with that unpopular move to veto because I know being right is better than being popular. Some of those dollars would harm Alaska and harm America - I resisted those dollars because of the obscene national debt we're forcing our children to pay, because of today's Big Government spending; it's immoral and doesn't even make economic sense!

Another accomplishment - our Law Department protected states' rights - TWO huge U.S. Supreme Court reversals came down against that liberal Ninth Circuit, deciding in OUR state's favor over the last two weeks. We're protectors of our Constitution - federalists protect states' rights as mandated in 10th amendment.

But you don't hear much of the good stuff in the press anymore, do you?

Some say things changed for me on August 29th last year - the day John McCain tapped me to be his running-mate - I say others changed.

Let me speak to that for a minute.

Political operatives descended on Alaska last August, digging for dirt. The ethics law I championed became their weapon of choice. Over the past nine months I've been accused of all sorts of frivolous ethics violations - such as holding a fish in a photograph, wearing a jacket with a logo on it, and answering reporters' questions.

Every one - all 15 of the ethics complaints have been dismissed. We've won! But it hasn't been cheap - the State has wasted THOUSANDS of hours of YOUR time and shelled out some two million of YOUR dollars to respond to "opposition research" - that's money NOT going to fund teachers or troopers - or safer roads. And this political absurdity, the "politics of personal destruction" ... Todd and I are looking at more than half a million dollars in legal bills in order to set the record straight. And what about the people who offer up these silly accusations? It doesn't cost them a dime so they're not going to stop draining public resources - spending other peoples' money in their game.

It's pretty insane - my staff and I spend most of our day dealing with THIS instead of progressing our state now. I know I promised no more "politics as usual," but THIS isn't what anyone had in mind for ALASKA.

If I have learned one thing: LIFE is about choices!

And one chooses how to react to circumstances. You can choose to engage in things that tear down, or build up. I choose to work very hard on a path for fruitfulness and productivity. I choose NOT to tear down and waste precious time; but to build UP this state and our country, and her industrious, generous, patriotic, free people!

Life is too short to compromise time and resources... it may be tempting and more comfortable to just keep your head down, plod along, and appease those who demand: "Sit down and shut up", but that's the worthless, easy path; that's a quitter's way out. And a problem in our country today is apathy. It would be apathetic to just hunker down and "go with the flow".

Nah, only dead fish "go with the flow".

No. Productive, fulfilled people determine where to put their efforts, choosing to wisely utilize precious time... to BUILD UP.

And there is such a need to BUILD up and FIGHT for our state and our country. I choose to FIGHT for it! And I'll work hard for others who still believe in free enterprise and smaller government; strong national security for our country and support for our troops; energy independence; and for those who will protect freedom and equality and LIFE... I'll work for and campaign for those PROUD to be American, and those who are INSPIRED by our ideals and won't deride them.

I WILL support others who seek to serve, in or out of office, for the RIGHT reasons, and I don't care what party they're in or no party at all. Inside Alaska - or Outside Alaska.

But I won't do it from the Governor's desk.

I've never believed that I, nor anyone else, needs a title to do this - to make a difference... to HELP people. So I choose, for my State and my family, more "freedom" to progress, all the way around... so that Alaska may progress... I will not seek re-election as Governor.

And so as I thought about this announcement that I wouldn't run for re-election and what it means for Alaska, I thought about how much fun some governors have as lame ducks... travel around the state, to the Lower 48 (maybe), overseas on international trade - as so many politicians do. And then I thought - that's what's wrong - many just accept that lame duck status, hit the road, draw the paycheck, and "milk it". I'm not putting Alaska through that - I promised efficiencies and effectiveness! ? That's not how I am wired. I am not wired to operate under the same old "politics as usual." I promised that four years ago - and I meant it.

It's not what is best for Alaska.

I am determined to take the right path for Alaska even though it is unconventional and not so comfortable.

With this announcement that I am not seeking re-election... I've determined it's best to transfer the authority of governor to Lieutenant Governor Parnell; and I am willing to do so, so that this administration - with its positive agenda, its accomplishments, and its successful road to an incredible future - can continue without interruption and with great administrative and legislative success.

My choice is to take a stand and effect change - not hit our heads against the wall and watch valuable state time and money, millions of your dollars, go down the drain in this new environment. Rather, we know we can effect positive change outside government at this moment in time, on another scale, and actually make a difference for our priorities - and so we will, for Alaskans and for Americans.

Let me go back to a comfortable analogy for me - sports... basketball. I use it because you're naive if you don't see the national full-court press picking away right now: A good point guard drives through a full court press, protecting the ball, keeping her eye on the basket... and she knows exactly when to pass the ball so that the team can WIN. And I'm doing that - keeping our eye on the ball that represents sound priorities - smaller government, energy independence, national security, freedom! And I know when it's time to pass the ball - for victory.

I have given my reasons candidly and truthfully... and my last day won't be for another few weeks so the transition will be very smooth. In fact, we will look to swear Sean in - in Fairbanks at the conclusion of our Governor's picnics.

I do not want to disappoint anyone with my decision; all I can ask is that you TRUST me with this decision - but it's no more "politics as usual".

Some Alaskans don't mind wasting public dollars and state time. I do. I cannot stand here as your Governor and allow millions upon millions of our dollars go to waste just so I can hold the title of Governor. And my children won't allow it either. ? Some will question the timing. ? Let's just say, this decision has been in the works for awhile...

In fact, this decision comes after much consideration, and finally polling the most important people in my life - my children (where the count was unanimous... well, in response to asking: "Want me to make a positive difference and fight for ALL our children's future from OUTSIDE the Governor's office?" It was four "yes's" and one "hell yeah!" The "hell yeah" sealed it - and someday I'll talk about the details of that... I think much of it had to do with the kids seeing their baby brother Trig mocked by some pretty mean-spirited adults recently.) Um, by the way, sure wish folks could ever, ever understand that we ALL could learn so much from someone like Trig - I know he needs me, but I need him even more... what a child can offer to set priorities RIGHT - that time is precious... the world needs more "Trigs", not fewer.

My decision was also fortified during this most recent trip to Kosovo and Landstuhl, to visit our wounded soldiers overseas, those who sacrifice themselves in war for OUR freedom and security... we can ALL learn from our selfless Troops... they're bold, they don't give up, they take a stand and know that LIFE is short so they choose to NOT waste time. They choose to be productive and to serve something greater than SELF... and to build up their families, their states, our country. These Troops and their important missions - those are truly the worthy causes in this world and should be the public priority with time and resources and NOT this local / superficial wasteful political bloodsport.

May we ALL learn from them!

*((Gotta put First Things First))*

First things first: as Governor, I love my job and I love Alaska. It hurts to make this choice but I am doing what's best for Alaska. I've explained why... though I think of the saying on my parents' refrigerator that says "Don't explain: your friends don't need it and your enemies won't believe you anyway."

But I have given my reasons... no more "politics as usual" and I am taking my fight for what's right - for Alaska - in a new direction.

Now, despite this, I don't want any Alaskan dissuaded from entering politics after seeing this REAL "climate change" that began in August... no, we NEED hardworking, average Americans fighting for what's right! And I will support you because we need YOU and YOU can effect change, and I can too on the outside.

We need those who will respect our Constitution where government's supposed to serve from the BOTTOM UP, not move toward this TOP DOWN big government take-over... but rather, will be protectors of individual rights - who also have enough common sense to acknowledge when conditions have drastically changed and are willing to call an audible and pass the ball when it's time so the team can win! And that is what I'm doing!

Remember Alaska... America is now, more than ever, looking North to the Future. It'll be good. So God bless you, and from me and my family - to ALL Alaska - you have my heart.

And we will be in the capable hands of our Lieutenant Governor, Sean Parnell. And Lieutenant General Craig Campbell will assume the role of Lieutenant Governor. And it is my promise to you that I will always be standing by, ready to assist. We have a good, positive agenda for Alaska.

In the words of General MacArthur said, "We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction."

I can be E-mailed at outrider@ohnoanotherconservativeblog.com if you have suggestions, questions, or would like to see a particular story written.

American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES)

David Bowman — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:10:00 GMT

The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES) (Waxman-Markey bill) was approved by the House of Representatives on June 26, 2009 by a vote of 219-212, but has not yet been approved by the Senate. This bill would establish a variant of a cap-and-trade plan for greenhouse gases to address climate change.

To view the bill in its entirety go to the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and attempt to read all 1200 pages of the bill. I'm fairly confident our Representatives have not. Let us hope our Senators read it and fail to pass it.

The Congressional Budget Office said Friday that the legislation would increase revenue by $873 billion from 2010 through 2019 and would increase direct spending by $864 billion during that time. It also said that several mandates would “well exceed” the annual guidelines set in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.

The bill itself was subject to many amendments prior to passage. By close of business on May 20, 2009, 2 Republican and 24 Democratic amendments had been adopted. 15 Republican amendments had been defeated. No amendment sponsored by a Democrat had yet been defeated. No surprise there.

The US Chamber of Commerce is against passage of the bill. Their analysis of the bill is fascinating reading, although a little lengthy. One passage I found particularly interesting was, "Coal and petroleum sectors are hit very, very hard by this bill. In the case of coal, the industry receives $60 billion through 2025 for funding of R&D for carbon capture and sequestration. However, the absence of this technology in early years under the cap means that fuelswitching will almost certainly occur and coal will be de-selected from the marketplace. New coal plants permitted between 2009 and 2015 must retrofit to CCS within five years or lose federal assistance. New coal plants permitted between 2015 and 2020 must use CCS at commencement of operations or else will lose federal assistance. All coal plants permitted after 2020 must use CCS. Of course, all of this assumes a coal plant will easily obtain a permit and be built at any time in the near future." I assume their use of the word "deselected" means it is going away. Readers will remember the then candidate Obamas campaign promise made prior to the election in which he stated; "

...I was the first to call for a 100% auction on the cap and trade system, which means that every unit of carbon or greenhouse gases emitted would be charged to the polluter. That will create a market in which whatever technologies are out there that are being presented, whatever power plants that are being built, that they would have to meet the rigors of that market and the ratcheted down caps that are being placed, imposed every year.

So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can. It’s just that it will bankrupt them because they’re going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that’s being emitted...

I would say off hand President Obamas intentions are fairly clear on this bill as well as the other bills he has pushed through.

William Kovacs, senior vice president of environment, technology and regulatory affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said the bill would harm business: "The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, a 1,200-page behemoth consisting of a cap-and-trade program for greenhouse gas emissions, a federal renewable electricity mandate, and a suite of new mandatory energy efficiency standards, will impose 397 new federal regulations (which require traditional federal agency rulemakings) and 1060 new mandates on an American public already overwhelmed by extensive federal regulation." (boldface is mine)

With the new mandates and new regulations being imposed, does anyone seriously believe our energy costs and resulting product costs will not go much higher? Perhaps more than the average lower middle class and working poor family will be able to afford? For example: American Farm Bureau economists estimate permit costs for cattle and cash-crop acreage could skyrocket under the new proposed regulations. Agricultural operations primarily emit methane from rice and animal agriculture operations, and nitrous oxide from fertilizer applications and animals. The potency of these two gases is greater than carbon dioxide; thus CAA regulation would affect even small to mid-size farms according to Missouri Farm bureau officials. This will result in higher meat prices for a start. The same principal works in other manufacturing, merchandising, and construction arenas of business.

According to Washington Watch dot com passage of this bill will cost the average person in the USA $3,885, average couple $7,770, the average household will pay $9,985 and the average family will end up paying $12,161.

In the second paragraph I referenced $873 billion. Any idea where that amount of money comes from? You might recall the words of Rep. John Dingell (D-MI), the former head of the Energy & Commerce committee, who said in April: "Nobody in this country realizes that cap and trade is a tax, and it's a great big one." Another Democrat who recognizes this bill for what it really is? W&M Chairman Charlie Rangel: "Whether you call it a tax, everyone agrees that it's going to increase the cost to the consumer. At the end of the day ... if there's nothing there to repay [consumers] for their financial expenditures, it might be difficult to fight Republicans who call this a tax."

Will we really get hit with higher energy costs? Why not ask Obama to say in his own words?

xx

I can be E-mailed at outrider@ohnoanotherconservativeblog.com if you have suggestions, questions, or would like to see a particular story written.

North Korea threatens to nuke Hawaii

David Bowman — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 02:57:00 GMT

Due to reduced tax bases, many communities will forego their traditional 4th of July fireworks celebrations, but if North Korea's Kim Jong Il follows through successfully on his threat, Hawaii will not be one of them. On 18 June, Kim Jong Il threatened to fire a Taepodong-2, long-range missile tipped with a nuclear warhead at Hawaii according to Yomiuri Daily, Japan's most popular newspaper.

North Korea conducted a nuclear test on May 25 and may be looking to launch a long-range missile toward Hawaii after the United Nations punished Pyongyang by toughening sanctions. The U.N. Security Council responded by toughening an arms embargo, authorizing ship searches for nuclear and ballistic missile cargo and depriving the regime of the financing used to build its nuclear program. The U.S. Navy is tracking a North Korean ship under the new sanctions that bar Pyongyang from trading in weapons, including missile parts and nuclear material. According to Fox News, "the USS John McCain, a Navy destroyer, is positioning itself in case it gets orders to intercept the ship Kang Nam as soon as it leaves the vicinity off the coast of China, according to a senior U.S. defense official".

Shortly after the tests, President Obama declared North Korea a "grave threat" to the world, and pledged that recent U.N. sanctions on the communist regime will be aggressively enforced. This prompted Kim Jong Il to warn a "thousand-fold" military retaliation against the U.S. and its allies if provoked. "If the U.S. and its followers infringe upon our republic's sovereignty even a bit, our military and people will launch a one hundred- or one thousand-fold retaliation with merciless military strike," the government-run Minju Joson newspaper said in a commentary according to Fox news.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he has ordered the U.S. military to take defensive measures should North Korea attempt to fire a ballistic missile toward Hawaii.

Gates stated on Thursday the military is "watching" that situation "very closely," and would have "some concerns" if North Korea launched a missile in the direction of Hawaii. But he expressed confidence in U.S. ability to handle such a launch. Gates said he's directed the deployment of the Theater High Altitude Area Defense, a mobile missile defense system used for knocking down long- and medium-range missiles.

"The ground-based interceptors are clearly in a position to take action. So, without telegraphing what we will do, I would just say ... I think we are in a good position, should it become necessary, to protect the American territory."

On Wednesday, a military radar system — shaped like a giant golf ball — slowly disappeared from Hawaii's coast as it headed out to sea. The 28-story missile X-Band defense radar is designed to work with ground-based missile interceptors on the island of Kauai to intercept and destroy ballistic missiles during their final phase of flight. The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system was returned to Hawaii after the mobile launcher recently was tested at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Since 2005, all six tests of the ground-based missile system have intercepted their targets, excluding tests when the targets malfunctioned, Missile Defense Agency spokeswoman Pam Rogers said.

This will be a superb opportunity to see our missile defense program, of which President Obama cut over $1 billion from the budget, the day after North Korea fired its missile.

It is doubtful if the missile which has a range of 4,000 miles (6,500 kilometers), could hit the main islands of Hawaii which is 4,500 miles (7,200 kilometers) from North Korea. But, the firing of the missile is a direct affront to the UN sanctions and the United States.

According to intelligence analysts, North Korea's missiles could strike the U.S. within three years if its weapons growth goes unchecked, but this does not mean they lack the capability at this moment.

However, The independent International Crisis Group said the North is believed to have between 2,500 and 5,000 tons of chemical weapons, including mustard gas, phosgene, blood agents and sarin. These weapons can be delivered with ballistic missiles and long-range artillery and are "sufficient to inflict massive civilian casualties on South Korea." South Korea's annual defense report, published early this year, said that in addition to chemical weapons, the North is believed to be capable of producing biological weapons with agents like anthrax and smallpox.

The logical portion of my brain tells me this is merely more posturizing on the part of the diminutive little North Korean dictator. The logical side of my brain believes this is an attempt to make himself look big to his people. Some analysts believe that the North's rhetoric is aimed at showing people at home that their government can defy the powerful U.S., and giving credit for it to Kim's reported heir apparent, Kim Jong Un. The analysts say this would make Jong Un's ascent to the top acceptable to the North Koreans. Now, does this rhetoric still work out well for him if he doesn't actually fire the missile? Or if it self destructs on the launch pad creating a nuclear blast seen from outer space? Or if, like the last launch the missile falls into the ocean 40 seconds into flight?

However, there is also that part of my brain that tells me the world has seen many "mad as hatter" nutjob dictators that come to believe their own hype and propaganda and have led their countries to total destruction. Is North Korea soon to be added to the list? Assuming President Obama takes any action....... other than a strongly worded letter of protest.

I can be E-mailed at outrider@ohnoanotherconservativeblog.com if you have suggestions, questions, or would like to see a particular story written.

Trust on Issues

David Bowman — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 06:10:00 GMT

Interesting polling results per the Rasmussan Reports:

Voters now trust Republicans more than Democrats on six out of 10 key issues, including the top issue of the economy.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% now trust the GOP more to handle economic issues, while 39% trust Democrats more.

This is the first time in over two years of polling that the GOP has held the advantage on this issue. The parties were close in May, with the Democrats holding a modest 44% to 43% edge. The latest survey was taken just after General Motors announced it was going into bankruptcy as part of a deal brokered by the Obama administration that gives the government majority ownership of the failing automaker.

Voters not affiliated with either party now trust the GOP more to handle economic issues by a two-to-one margin. Separate Rasmussen tracking shows that the economy remains the top issue among voters in terms of importance.

Republicans also now hold a six-point lead on the issue of government ethics and corruption, the second most important issue to all voters and the top issue among unaffiliated voters. That shows a large shift from May, when Democrats held an 11-point lead on the issue.

For the eighth straight month, Republicans lead on national security. The GOP now holds a 51% to 36% lead on the issue, up from a seven-point lead in May. They also lead on the war in Iraq 45% to 37%, after leading by just two points in May and trailing the Democrats in April.

Fewer voters see national security as a very important issue this month, but confidence that the United States and its allies are winning the War on Terror is at its highest level since February.

Republicans lead the Democrats on immigration for the third straight month, pulling ahead to a 35% to 29% advantage on the issue.

On taxes, the GOP leads the Democrats for the fifth straight month, 44% to 39%. In May and April, Republicans held six-point leads on the issue.

Democrats continue to hold the lead on the issues of health care, Social Security and education. While Democrats have a 10-point advantage on health care, that’s down from the 18-point lead the party had a month ago. Democrats lead by six points on Social Security, down from nine points in May. The parties were tied on the issue in April. On education, Democrats hold a 44% to 37% lead over Republicans.

The parties are tied on the issue of abortion for the second straight month, each earning 41% support from voters.

Link for Rasmussan Reports: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/trust_on_issues/trust_on_issues

I can be E-mailed at outrider@ohnoanotherconservativeblog.com if you have suggestions, questions, or would like to see a particular story written.

Surprise! Obama considers taxing the wealthy

David Bowman — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 01:19:00 GMT

Health care. President Obama has asked for legislation to be enacted before August of this year. To this end, there have been several proposals put forth. In essence they all require-yes, require; under penalty of law, that all Americans carry medical coverage. The key proposal involves a Federally operated exchange, although states could offer an exchange for citizens use also. Senator Kennedys' proposal is gaining steam. His scheme requires employers to supply health care for ALL workers; part-time workers included. Another cost to be passed on to the consumers of course.

The interesting aspect to this entire mandatory health care is we are talking about 17% of the working population. The Democrats estimate there are about 46 million uninsured citizens in the country of a population of over 300 million. So, our entire health care infrastructure and insurance industry will be overhauled and remade; more taxes will be levied-for the 17% of our population without health care. This is a tough subject as almost everyone has an anecdote involving themselves or someone close who has had financial difficulties due to medical problems. But, principals are involved here as well as the question of just how much government involvement do we as a nation want in our daily lives and how much independence do we want from our governments. Do we want entrepreneurs to flourish in this nation or do we desire government run businesses? I mean, more so than now.

I'm not going into detail on the specific health care schemes at present as so much of it is up in the air right now. The one aspect any of the plans have is the enormous cost involved and the increased bureaucracy that will be created to manage this beast. Any bets on how the Obama administration is proposing to pay for his universal health care?

According to a story carried by Bloomberg.com, President Obama wants Congress to consider taxing the wealthy instead of workers to pay for a health-care overhaul, as House Democrats discuss a plan to require health insurance for most Americans. In an interesting twist, he isn't calling for increased tax rates; he is instead going for the traditional Obama obfuscation. Instead of raising the tax rate, his proposal is to reduce the number of deductions. According to Bloomberg, "Obama’s own proposal would set a 28 percent cap on tax deductions for items such as mortgage interest, investment expenses and charitable gifts for Americans in the two highest tax brackets, which would be 36 percent and 39.6 percent under his proposals. Without the cap, they would be able to deduct 36 cents and 39.6 cents on the dollar for those expenses, respectively. Obama also proposes new taxes on securities dealers and life insurers, and to raise revenue by prohibiting certain estate-planning techniques." The story goes on further for other ways to raise revenue, "Lawmakers have a plethora of proposals to raise the hundreds of billions estimated to be needed for an overhaul, including new taxes on soda, beer, and wine, and a partial tax on employer-provided health insurance for the first time". Nothing like discouraging citizens from planning ahead and taking care of their estates.

Can anyone explain why the Democrats believe all moneys earned by Americans belong to the government and is only "loaned" to the citizens? Why does the Democrat party insist on confiscating wealth from those that have earned it and "leveling the financial playing field" by giving it to those that have not earned it. Why do we as a nation, continue to punish those that have succeeded and reward those that have not been as successful? Why have the Democrats not been able to figure out the simple little rule that business and corporations pay no taxes, expenses, fines, etc. They are all passed on to the consumer. The question that looms in my mind, is what happens when the cost can no longer be passed on to the consumer before the product or service being sold is higher than the consumer wants or is able to pay? What happens to the entrepreneur or stockholders then? And the employees, landlords, supporting businesses........ and of course the tax money.

Within the story is the comment, "The tax-free nature of employer-provided insurance is the biggest tax expenditure in the federal budget." Here again is a reference to the government "LOSING" money as if somehow a business or citizen somehow manages to keep some money through various deductions, exemptions, tax breaks/credits, or some other "nefarious" means of keeping money from the rightful owners; the government. Obama adviser David Axelrod, speaking for the article is going to rectify this problem saying there is a Senate proposal to tax some employer-provided health benefits. Apparently, if an employer is already providing health benefits they could now face paying taxes on those benefits. Obama is trying to avoid taking that step at present.

Another interesting comment in the article is one made by Axelrod. “We have to bring down the cost of health care,” he said. “If we do that and make it affordable, people are going to buy it, mandate or no mandate.” This point is referenced quite a few times. Bring down the costs. How is this going to be done? Is the government going to do to doctors as they did to CEOs of the bailout businesses and place a cap on their salaries? Will he pay their student loans? Place a cap on prescription medicines? Will they also place a cap on lawsuits and caps on malpractice insurance rates? Are they going to place a cap on the cost of hospitalization so it will be as cheap to stay there as a Motel 6? The plan would place new restrictions on private insurers, including a bar on excluding coverage for those with “pre- existing conditions.” That is going to lower costs? How? The Centers for Disease Control has estimated that the annual health care costs for an individual with diabetes are approximately $13,000. Will the insurer have to charge government mandated lower rates and suck up the remaining amount of a confirmed loss? Or has Obama, et al discovered a miracle cure for diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer that will automatically result in lower costs? The point is almost all of these examples are of private businesses and corporations-not charities or government run institutions. Yet.

I can be E-mailed at outrider@ohnoanotherconservativeblog.com if you have suggestions, questions, or would like to see a particular story written.

IRS wants tax preparers to be licensed and regulated

David Bowman — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 22:19:00 GMT

If IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman has his way there will soon be another layer of government added to an already bloated IRS by regulating and licensing all tax preparers. He says that this will help reduce mistakes and combat fraud. Shulman goes on to say, "Paying taxes is one of the largest financial transactions individual Americans have each year, and we need to make sure that professionals who serve them are ethical and ensure the right amount of tax is paid." Apparently the private sector is incapable of providing this service with integrity so government intervention is mandated.

According to a story carried on Breitbart.com, "From 2006 through 2008, the IRS initiated more than 600 investigations of fraud among tax preparers. During that time, 356 tax preparers were convicted, with more than 80 percent of them sentenced to prison, home confinement or electronic monitoring." This breaks down to about 200 investigations a year, with a little over a 50% conviction rate. This merits sweeping reforms and such drastic changes?

The government is apparently now tacitly admitting the taxes are so cumbersome and difficult to manage, anyone doing so requires special training and licensing in order to do it effectively. Eighty percent of taxpayers get help with their returns, either from paid preparers or computer programs, Shulman told a congressional subcommittee. A more practical solution would perhaps be to simplify the tax code and the filing process through the passage of the Fair Tax, Flat Tax, or a national sales tax.

The expenses involved in this program will of course be high, but think of the infrastructure which will pop up to support the licensing scheme. Study materials for the test, license "camps", testing centers, storage of results and managing the databases will all of course have to be provided by someone. The new bureaucracy will need to update the standards every year, publish these standards, create the tests and disseminate them to the testing centers prior to the start of the tax year. They will have to get these results back to the licensing authority for issuance to the tax preparers before the tax year. I doubt they can do it.

Who pays for this? The taxpayer of course. We will pay the governments portion through a higher budget for the IRS and pay the tax preparers portion through higher rates. As they will be tested and licensed, tax preparers will now be able to ask for even higher rates in addition to passing along the costs associated with testing and licensing. If taxpayers wanted to pay the rates we would probably see , they would pay for a CPA to do their taxes. At this point, nothing has been said about individuals preparing their own taxes, but under the current administration, can anyone doubt it will show up on the table for discussion? I wonder how this will affect on-line or tax applications (such as Turbo Tax)?

Who would write the new standards and tests for licensing? The very agency who has trouble answering questions about their own tax forms; the IRS. Even they don't trust their documents as evidenced by the extract from The Internal Revenue Manual 4.10.7.2.8 (01-01-2006) IRS Publications: IRS Publications explain the law in plain language for taxpayers and their advisers. They typically highlight changes in the law, provide examples illustrating Service positions, and include worksheets. Publications are nonbinding on the Service and do not necessarily cover all positions for a given issue. While a good source of general information, publications should not be cited to sustain a position. Unfortunately, the IRS is not bound by answers or positions stated by its employees orally, whether in person or by telephone. According to the procedural regulations, 'oral advice is advisory only and the IRS is not bound to recognize it in the examination of the taxpayer's return.'

According to a story carried by the AP IRS Workers Mistaken Almost Half the Time (September 3, 2003), "IRS centers established to help people prepare their tax returns gave incorrect answers - or no answer at all - to 43 percent of the questions asked by Treasury Department investigators posing as taxpayers. Auditors were given correct answers to 57 percent of their tax law questions during the course of the study. Less than half, or 45 percent, of the questions were answered correctly and completely. In 12 percent of the cases, the answer was correct but incomplete. The IRS disputed the results. Using the raw numbers gathered by Treasury investigators, the IRS recalculated the error rate and ignored any instance when a taxpayer was denied service or told to do his own research. Of the questions answered, they calculated that 67 percent were answered accurately. The IRS hopes to improve its track record and answer 80 percent of the questions correctly this year, and 85 percent correctly next year." An accuracy rate of 67% and hoping for an accuracy rate of 85%? And the IRS is to write the standards and tests for tax preparers? Will the IRS reps have to qualify?

I can be E-mailed at outrider@ohnoanotherconservativeblog.com if you have suggestions, questions, or would like to see a particular story written.