Thursday, July 31, 2008

Democrats Please Explain



I must admit I'm just a simple voter and consumer trying to raise my family in America. I may not be as smart as Obama, Pelosi, Reid, and others in the Democrat party leadership position so please put it in simple words I can understand. What is wrong with domestic drilling and being independent from foreign countries for things we can produce here at home?

Its like having a reservoir full of water on my own property but depending on my neighbor for water because I am afraid to use my own. My neighbor is getting rich off of me and laughing all the way to the bank.

Another problem with this situation that I don't understand is, what if my neighbor doesn't like me and another neighbor has started to pump water out of my reservoir. I can't make my neighbor like me and I can't stop the neighbor from stealing my water because he is pumping from the river that supplies my reservoir.

I have to have water to raise my crops and feed my kids but the pour fish in the reservoir need the water to swim in every day and my kids like to swim and play in the reservoir too. This is my quandary, I must protect my kids pristine natural resources and provide them a clean and fun recreation area but I need water for my crops.

When the neighbors raise the price on the water they supply to my family to such a high level that we have to start rationing, what do we do? Should we start using our own water or keep counting on the goodwill of our neighbors?

My kids say save the reservoir and protect the habit of the fish. They think new technology will be coming in the next 30 yrs that will get us off our need of natural water, something about synthetic water. Being a simple man, I don't understand.

Today our need for oil and petroleum based products is not much different from our need for water. While I'm only a simple voter, I understand we will never be completely free from fossil fuel. It takes decades upon decades to change the infrastructure of a country as large as ours from one type of energy to another. Imagine how long it will take for service stations across the country to convert their underground diesel and gas tanks to biofuels or alternative fuels. What do we do in the mean time, ride bicycles and work 20 hrs a day just to survive? How will the trucking industry that transports everything we produce stay in business if the price of fuel continues to rise while they're waiting for new and better trucks?

Would some genius Democrat that is holding up the vote in Congress please explain in simple terms, what would be the harm in using our own natural resources to lower the price of everything around us? Are the pristine beaches off our coast, the Alaska Caribou, or the Rocky Mountains really so fragile that we cannot drill in a safe and environmentally friendly manner?

My last question to Obama, Pelosi, or Reid: Is politics and getting elected more important than following the will of the people? Over 70% say drill and drill now!!!

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Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Democrats: United Socialist States of America



In a previous post dated May 25, 2008 If Liberals Win The Election I outlined ten things the Democrats would try to Nationalize as soon as they take control of both the Congress and White House.

Agenda of our new Democratic led government:

1. Nationalize the Healthcare system
2. Nationalize the Oil Industry
3. Nationalize the Transportation system
4. Nationalize the Aircraft Industry
5. Nationalize all Electric and Gas companies into the Energy Department
6. Nationalize the Auto Industry
7. Nationalize the Media and Press
8. Nationalize all of the Food an Restaurant Industries
9. Nationalize the Unions
10 Nationalize America

Maxine Walters was the first Democrat to publicly announce their attentions, now it sounds like Sen Obama is on the same page. In the Washington Times Editorial on July 11, 2008 the author observed;

"Mr. Obama's economic agenda belies his liberal view of the state as all-seeing and all-knowing. Rather than empowering Americans, he will end up burdening citizens with higher taxes, increasing regulation and creating more unaccountable bureaucracies to administer his numerous meddlesome initiatives."

This sounds very close to a Socialist ideology to me.

As reported by the Washington Post and confirmed by CNN Obama and his friends are so arrogant they believe all the hype surrounding Obama and their plans for controlling the world.

According to Obama and evidently Pelosi:

"This is the moment, as Nancy [Pelosi] noted, that the world has been waiting for.”

According to a study by The Tax Foundation of the two different economic plans of Sen McCain and Sen Obama,

"the Obama plan would redistribute more than $131 billion per year from the top 1 percent of taxpayers to all other taxpayers." Sound Ok? Read more:

"These figures do not include the impact of Obama's proposal to apply Social Security payroll taxes on incomes above $250,000. According to Tax Policy Center estimates, this plan would increase the tax burden of top earners by an additional $40 billion in 2009 alone and more than $629 billion over the next ten years. By itself, the $40 billion tax hike is twice as much as all the federal taxes paid by people in the bottom quintile combined."

Simply put redistribution of wealth by governments is Socialism and taxing at such high numbers would not only put small business out of business. Corporations that haven't already gone overseas because of high corporate taxes, will move any remaining business offshore to avoid the increases. This will destroy what is left of the US economy, but Obama will be President of the world so I guess the world economy is more important than our own.

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Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Congressman Wexler Should This Be Legal



After hearing the story about Congressman Wexler living in Maryland since 1999 and never owning or renting a home in Florida, I was surprised to find very little being said on the topic. Personally I would expect any representative to have more of a connection to the state or district, other than in-laws, he or she represents. O'Reilly and The Factor first broke the story and seem to be the only ones on TV that are interested in it.

Sun-Sentinel has been covering the story in Florida. Conservative blogs like The Daily Pulp and others are covering it on the Internet but it is receiving far less national coverage than did the outrage when Rick Santorum was accused in 2001 of violating the residency law concerning the school his children were attending. The difference was Sen Santorum actually owned a home in Pennsylvania, the state he represented, and also a home in Virginia closer to Washington DC. It appears Congressman Wexler has never owned property or lived in Florida.

This may be legal but I would ask, Should it be legal. I would like to know how the majority of Floridians feel about this topic. Are you really being represented by a person that has no other ties to your state other than his in-laws?

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Blog Comment Section Open



COMMENTS WELCOME, Visit the Archive section to find posts on politics, oil, gas, immigration, alternative fuels, news, new technology and other topics. If it effects the current state of America or our future please feel free to leave your comment.

In the past the Comment Section has been strictly moderated to eliminate profanity or hate comments directed at any public official, private individual, or groups in America. Terrorist organizations and enemies of America and our allies are exempt from receiving the wrath of State_of_America and your comments are welcome.

While the comment section is open to all I would ask that anyone leaving a comment on any particular topic be civil and respectful of others points of view. Please do not use profanity, hateful, or discriminatory language. These type of comments will be deleted. If you disagree with any topic please explain in the comment section.

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Monday, July 28, 2008

Save Money On Gas





With today's high prices at the gas pumps everyone is looking for a way to save money. I may not be an expert but I have spent a lifetime driving and working on combustion engines. I have no advice for truck drivers since 90% of longhaul drivers are diesel trucks and the price is often times fixed at a common price. Gasoline engines are entirely different.

Some of the biggest myths about gasoline are the octane levels required for cars and trucks in America,
the difference in the gasoline between Cut-Rate dealers and major brands like Shell, Exxon, BP, etc. and the value of additives in gasoline verses keeping your vehicle tuned properly.

Most of what I am talking about is referring to the most common engines in todays vehicles. They are the mid-size medium range horsepower V-6 engines. In the case of proper octane levels it applies to larger horsepower V-6 and some V-8 engines.

The majority of cars and trucks are engineered to run on 87% octane. Every automobile comes with a owners manual and sticker on the automobile telling the owner the recommended octane level. Most mechanics will tell you the biggest problem with combustion engines is carbon built up and some argue that running higher octane gasoline will solve this problem. I disagree to the extent that constantly running higher octane gas is wasting money when comparing the difference in price to the benefit gained. Most carbon built up in combustion engines occur from the incomplete burning of fuel. This is due 9 out 10 times from constant low speed driving that is required in every city. Take any engine with 90 thousand miles of inner city driving and compare it to the same engine with 90 thousand miles of interstate long distance driving and you will find double the amount of carbon built up in both the internal and external parts of the engine and exhaust systems driven in the inner city only vehicle. The cause of this is constantly running the engine at low RPMs (revolutions per minute) and the constant starting and stopping required in city driving. Combustion engines are designed to operate more efficiently and burn fuel more efficiently at higher RPMs than at lower RPMs. Low RPM driving cannot force all of the carbon and unburned fuel out of the exhaust system. No additive or higher octane level will solve this problem. It will give you more power but unless you can force the unspent fuel and carbon out of the exhaust it will remain in the engine and exhaust. I know I will be attacked for the previous statements, but I have a vehicle at present that is 14 years old with 268 thousand miles on it. Until the last 3 yrs over 80% of that mileage has been interstate. Except for some transmission work I have had no major repairs on the engine. This is not the first vehicle I have purchased new and got this type of service from. I keep it tuned and the only additive I add is the occasional injector cleaning treatment.

The difference between Cut-Rate dealers and Major dealers is minimal. The formula for refineries in America must meet Federal standards. Those standards must meet the automobile manufacturers nationally accepted standards. Except for states that require additional additives to meet their specific emissions standards the formula is basically the same. It is much the same as any other distributing company in America, change the label on a particular product and charge more, even though the product came from the same distributer and the products are basically the same. Take a vehicle with a empty tank, add 5 gallons of Cut-Rate 87 octane gas and run it out, take the same vehicle, driver, and travel the same speed with a Major brand 87 octane gas and you will find the distance traveled will be negligible compared to the difference in price per gallon.

Keeping your vehicle properly tuned verses the over the counter miracle additives is common sense. If your vehicle is not firing properly on every cylinder nothing in the world will burn the fuel entering the cylinder.

In summary how can you save money? Change driving habits. When you are traveling on the interstate and find yourself low on gas, don't fill up at the higher stations along the interstate. Pull off at exits close to cities and drive the extra 2-3 miles until you find the Cut-Rate.

If you are driving in the inner cities don't be sold on the commercials from Major Oil companies that my brand is better or safer for your vehicle. Let their gas stay in the ground until they lower their price.

Buy only what you need. A full tank of gas always sitting in your driveway or garage is a waste. The longer the dealer has it in his tanks the greater the chance he will lower the price to make room for his next scheduled delivery.

Look at your manufacturers recommended octane level for your particular vehicle and use the octane the manufacturer recommends. Anything else is a waste.

Look at your vehicle as a machine that requires periodical maintenance and use. If your vehicle is sitting more than it is being driven, find a different mode of transportation. Like any machine a vehicle sitting idly in a garage or outside will deteriorate over time. This is due in a large part to all of the rubber and fluids required in todays vehicles. Machines sitting idle over time will begin to accumulate rust on metal to metal parts and fluids will break down without circulating through the system. The reason motorcycle owners winterize their motorcycles, drain the tanks, remove the battery, run their carburetors dry of gas, etc. for long winter storage is to stop the deterioration of parts that are sensitive to sitting around in gasoline for an extended period of time. Gasoline will begin to deteriorate and break down just sitting in a container the same as most liquids. Batteries have a built in shelf life, sitting idle in a vehicle creates a constant drain and cuts the shelf life of any battery.

Buy the vehicle that fits your needs. If you are only driving in inner cities, consider a smaller less powerful vehicle. If you are traveling more highway or long distances don't be afraid of a larger vehicle. We are a large mobile society and one size fits all does not and cannot apply to all of the requirements of the American driver. While we are waiting for new technology to save us from today's high prices at the pump, there are some things we can do to save a little money and maybe force the dealers to lower their prices at the pump.

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Friday, July 25, 2008

Optiver Holdings Manipulating Oil Prices



In an earlier posting Speculators May Face Prison 6/5/08 I stated "
It is rumored the Commission (Commodity Futures Trading Commission, CFTC) has or is ready to ask the Department of Justice to join in the Commission's investigation."


While the Department of Justice will make no comment it leaves you to wonder if they are in fact investigating Optiver Holdings and its two subsidiaries for fraud. The CFTC has accused Optiver Holdings of illegal price manipulation in the oil futures commodity market and asked for a heavy fine. The main headquarters for Optiver Holdings is listed as being based in Amsterdam, but three of the main people involved are Chicago residents with firms in Chicago and Amsterdam. According to the article in the Chicago Tribune they are
Chief Executive Bastiaan van Kempen of Chicago; Christopher Dowson of Chicago, a head trader; and Randal Meijer of Chicago.

During the time Optiver was allegedly manipulating the price of oil, the Securities and Exchange Commission was considering an amendment to control price manipulation. Along with a long list of other investors Chief Executive Bastiaan van Kempen sent a letter to the Commission objecting to the amendment.

Now it is clear why Mr. van Kempenn objected to the amendment. One wonders if this is only the tip of the iceberg.

At one point today the price of oil hit a low of $121 per barrel, even at a time when CNN is constantly airing the "disastrous oil spill in the Mississippi ", its really diesel and will be cleaned up shortly but CNN has their own agenda. Just imagine how far the price would fall if Pelosi and Reid would allow a vote on the Republican Bill to do everything mentioned in the Bill including, Domestic Drilling, Alternative Energy Investing, Research For New Technology and yes more Commodity Market Transparency.

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Thursday, July 24, 2008

McCain Closing Gap With Obama



For all the media hoopla surrounding the Obama world tour for World Leader, Obama's lead for the Presidential racing is losing ground. Sen McCain is quietly and patiently closing the gap by talking directly to American voters and answering their questions and listening to their concerns. Sen McCain, unlike Sen Obama, has not screened his Townhall Meetings and answers questions from everyone, including people that obviously will not vote for him.

This is not the only reason Sen McCain is closing in on the Kid From Chicago. No matter how much spin the media tries to put on Obama's interviews and speeches the American people are listening to his words and they don't like what they hear.

The Liberal Media that is falling all over each other to show who has the most love for Barack are already praising his Berlin speech as something close to Reagan and JFK speeches in Berlin. I have listened to it over and over, sorry Obama you're no Reagan or JFK. You are just another Jimmy Carter politician.

I am certain after his Grand Tour of Europe designed to introduce them to their next Saviour of the free world ends, we will really start to hear the truth about what went on behind the scenes. Some of things are already starting to come to light.

Emails from troops are starting to float around the Internet angry that Obama would not meet with them, talk with them and in some cases looked down on them even when they offered to shake his hand. Others were upset that he only showed up long enough for staged photo ops and was gone before some even knew he was there.

In his Berlin speech in front of the Victory Column the media failed to mention a free concert took place just prior to Sen Obama's speech. According to NewsBusters
"two popular German acts -- reggae artist Patrice and rock band Reamonn -- entertained the gathering audience." I wonder how many would have shown up without the concert. If this sounds familiar, it should. Barack did the same thing during the Democratic Primaries, remember Portland Or.

The speech was typical Obama,

Race:

"I know that I don't look like the Americans who've previously spoken in this great city. The journey that led me here is improbable. My mother was born in the heartland of America, but my father grew up herding goats in Kenya."

Poor Background and Servitude:

"His father - my grandfather - was a cook, a domestic servant to the British."

"At the height of the Cold War, my father decided, like so many others in the forgotten corners of the world, that his yearning - his dream - required the freedom and opportunity promised by the West. And so he wrote letter after letter to universities all across America until somebody, somewhere answered his prayer for a better life."

Peace Through Negotiations:

Below is how Obama reads history relating to the 1948 Berlin Airlift:

"on the twenty-fourth of June, 1948, the Communists chose to blockade the western part of the city. They cut off food and supplies to more than two million Germans in an effort to extinguish the last flame of freedom in Berlin.

The size of our forces was no match for the much larger Soviet Army. And yet retreat would have allowed Communism to march across Europe. Where the last war had ended, another World War could have easily begun. All that stood in the way was Berlin.

And that's when the airlift began - when the largest and most unlikely rescue in history brought food and hope to the people of this city.

The odds were stacked against success. In the winter, a heavy fog filled the sky above, and many planes were forced to turn back without dropping off the needed supplies. The streets where we stand were filled with hungry families who had no comfort from the cold.

But in the darkest hours, the people of Berlin kept the flame of hope burning. The people of Berlin refused to give up. And on one fall day, hundreds of thousands of Berliners came here, to the Tiergarten, and heard the city's mayor implore the world not to give up on freedom. "There is only one possibility," he said. "For us to stand together united until this battle is won...The people of Berlin have spoken. We have done our duty, and we will keep on doing our duty. People of the world: now do your duty...People of the world, look at Berlin!"

Obama would have you believe that the United States and Britain were somehow weak and afraid of the Soviet Union and only by the will of the citizens of Berlin did the Soviet Union back down. The facts are different:

On June 27, 1948 after the United States, Britain and France refused the right of the Soviet Union to search western convoys traveling through Soviet controlled Germany, the Soviet Union refused to allow transportation into Berlin. President Truman stood up to the Soviet Union by ordering the airlift and warned them not to interfere with American planes delivering food and supplies to Berlin. The airlift made 270,000 flights without a Soviet challenge. The blockade failed and was lifted May 12, 1949.

His Decision On Iraq:

"
And despite past differences, this is the moment when the world should support the millions of Iraqis who seek to rebuild their lives, even as we pass responsibility to the Iraqi government and finally bring this war to a close."

Didn't no it was up to a senator to make foreign policy on ending a war.

Global Warming:

"Let us resolve that all nations - including my own - will act with the same seriousness of purpose as has your nation, and reduce the carbon we send into our atmosphere."

Does this mean more Nuclear Plants in th U S like the numbers in Europe?

Peace Through Solidarity:

"
We must remember that the Cold War born in this city was not a battle for land or treasure. Sixty years ago, the planes that flew over Berlin did not drop bombs; instead they delivered food, and coal, and candy to grateful children. And in that show of solidarity, those pilots won more than a military victory."

Hm, wasn't it the Soviet Union that first backed North Korea and North Vietnam? Wasn't those wars over land and who would control it? Wasn't there a lot of bombs dropped and people killed?

The Statesman:

"
Now the world will watch and remember what we do here - what we do with this moment."

Sound Familiar: "The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here." Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address


Leader Of The World:

"
People of Berlin - and people of the world - the scale of our challenge is great. The road ahead will be long. But I come before you to say that we are heirs to a struggle for freedom. We are a people of improbable hope. With an eye toward the future, with resolve in our hearts, let us remember this history, and answer our destiny, and remake the world once again."

And you thought he only wanted to be President of the United States.


These are the reasons Sen McCain is gaining on Obama. The more Barack speaks the more people turn against him. By promoting a larger war in Afghanistan, and maybe Pakistan after he sends in more troops and crosses the Pakistani border, Barack has started to lose his support on the left. He has left so many people behind, including his wife, he now has few to stand by his side.

Senator McCain has been right about Iraq.
Senator McCain is right about Afghanistan.
Senator McCain is right about Iran.
Senator McCain is right about Domestic Drilling, our economy and energy.
Senator McCain is right for America.

Senator Obama is just wrong and people, including Democrats, are beginning to see it.

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Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Wounded Care Organizations



Regardless of a person's personal beliefs toward the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan the one thing that should remain a top priority for all Americans is to support our troops, especially the wounded members and returning vets that may experience hardships from war. There are many charities and organizations that are set up to help our Vets and we as Americans should do everything we can to support them.

It is not my place to support one charity or organization over the other. I simply wish to provide information to anyone that is looking for organizations that needs help in their efforts to help our wounded men/women and their families.

The Defense Department has listed some worthy organizations on their website. I have a link here to this page. I would encourage everyone interested in helping, to visit Wounded Care Organizations and look through the different organizations. You may find one that you would like to contribute to or become a member. These men, women and their families deserve our profound gratitude and support.


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Monday, July 21, 2008

Illegals - San Francisco Wants You



A message to All illegals regardless of nationality but preferably from Spanish speaking countries, Please come come to San Francisco. Since San Francisco has declared itself to be an open sanctuary city the old Mommas and Pappas song "California Dreaming" should be your new national anthem.

Here are some of the things San Francisco have to offer illegals:

Free housing

Free medical

Free education

Free, well paying jobs

Free protection from the Federal Government

No background checks

Free transportation to avoid Federal Prosecution if convicted of a crime

Free legal representation if accused of crime

Free fraudulent documents to blend in to American society

Free drugs, if you are addicted to illegal drugs

Free treatment if you wish to get off drugs

Right to protest

Right to vote

Regardless of your gang affiliation MS13, Bloods, Crips, La Emme (Mexican Mafia), Mara Salvatrucha, Surenos, 18th Street, Latin Kings, Black P. Stones, Black Gangster Disciples, the Vice Lords, or your criminal background San Francisco is the place to be. In San Francisco everyone can get along.

All illegals across America have been invited to the City of Free Love and are welcomed with open arms. If you are not armed they can be provided for your protection, also free. San Francisco has always been and will always be the cutting edge of a new and progressive society. So if you are illegal and feel persecuted by local, state, or federal officials or citizens in the state you are currently presiding in, Welcome To San Francisco.


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Sunday, July 20, 2008

We Can Win In Afganistan




As the Liberal media turns its focus from Iraq to Afghanistan you have to ask, Why. The answer is they don't want to admit we have all but succeeded in Iraq. Obama cannot admit he was wrong about the surge in Iraq so he will be 'refining' his message by saying we must concentrate our efforts more on Afghanistan. The media will endorse his refinement by pointing to increased fighting and greater US casualties coming from Afghanistan. What Obama and the media fail to say is every battle that has been waged against our military and the few NATO forces that are allowed to fight, have been won by our military.

Witness the battle of July 13, 2008 where we lost 9 brave Americans after being attacked by numbers far superior to their own. Read about it in Stars and Stripes

The story is told by one of the soldiers that was actually there and involved in the fighting. Listening to the media one would think it was a disaster and our forces were overran. Reading the story from a firsthand source you find that the soldiers held their own and in the case of so many other battles went beyond what most people would believe possible.

If you talk to our military members that have been to Afghanistan and Iraq or you have been following both wars from the beginning, you will find our troops are usually outnumbered but never out trained. Like all NATO wars that the U.S. has been involved in from Korea to Afghanistan, most of the actual fighting has been left up to America and only a handful of other member nations.

NATO took command and co-ordination of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in August 2003. ISAF is NATO's first mission outside the Euro-Atlantic area. ISAF operates in Afghanistan under a UN mandate and will continue to operate according to current and future UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. ISAF’s mission was initially limited to Kabul. Resolution 1510 passed by the UNSC on 13 October 2003 opened the way to a wider role for ISAF to support the Government of Afghanistan beyond Kabul.

In a story in U.S. News & World Reports
Anna Multrine points out "Ask American troops in Afghanistan what ISAF means, and you are opening the door to a running joke: "I Saw Americans Fight," and "I Suck at Fighting," and "I Sunbathe at FOBs" (a reference to the heavily fortified and largely safe forward operating bases) are among the more popular punch lines."

In her report she says "the U.S. soldiers who offer up the jokes are only half kidding. Their point is a serious one: that troops from the United States—along with just a handful of other countries—do the bulk of the heavy fighting, while a number of other ISAF detachments are limited by their own governments' combat restrictions. These include prohibitions, or "caveats," against, for example, fighting in the snow for troops from some southern European nations. Other soldiers are required to stay in calmer areas of the country or to keep their aircraft grounded at night or to consult their home legislatures before operating near the volatile Pakistani border."

In the comment section I was taken by a comment from a British citizen:

"When I see the response to the lobbying of Gates,it makes me sick to call myself a European and as a Brit,it makes me damn angry to see those countries liberated by the english speaking world,turn their backs on us when their help is required.

May I suggest that America, bans all trade with said countries,removes itself from nato,asks France, Germany,Belgium etc.,to cough up their share of the expenditure incurred protecting them during the cold war,and as a final act accepts the Uk as a 51st State."

For Obama and the Media to say we must increase our military by pulling troops out of Iraq is a sign of people that have no idea on how to fight a war. They are misleading Americans. Any troops that leave Iraq will not be sent directly to Afghanistan. They must 1st come home for rest and recuperation plus retrained for the terrain they will be facing upon deployment to Afghanistan. Fighting in the cities and desert of Iraq is totally different from fighting in the villages and mountains in Afghanistan. To pull 2-3 Brigades out of Iraq and send them to Afghanistan without giving them a break and more combat training for the environment they will be facing, would have disastrous results. Barack having no military understanding of how wars are fought and his not being willing to listen to generals like General Petraeus leaves doubt as to whether the lives of our military men and women should be entrusted to his ideas of fighting the war in Afghanistan.

Americans must understand the war in Afghanistan will be very long and difficult. We cannot depend on NATO to win this war. It will be won by America and the few American allies that remain dedicated to a long and costly fight. We have to remember no country has ever invaded Afghanistan and remained as the ruling power. Alexander the Great to the Soviet Union lost by using large overpowering armies. Using the example of General Petraeus in Iraq is the only hope for succeeding in Afghanistan. Any President that thinks he knows better than the commanders on the ground is fighting a losing war. Our military has demonstrated in battle after battle from WWII to present day that they cannot be defeated. The next President and the American people must tell NATO "Lead, follow, or get out of the way."

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Saturday, July 19, 2008

Where Does Obama Stand On Iraq?



Where does Obama really stand on Iraq and supporting our troops? Watch the video and you tell me.



Politics as usual or his version of 'change'.

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Friday, July 18, 2008

King and Queen, Crash and Burn



America's self proclaimed King and Queen of Capital Hill crashed and burned yesterday when both of their bills in the House and Senate were defeated. Nancy Pelosi's ill fated scam to block domestic drilling went down in flames for two reasons, the first one was simple. Her so called "Use it or Lose it" Bill is already part of all oil leases. The second reason, her belligerent refusal to allow amendments that would lift the Congressional Ban on Domestic Drilling and make it easier for companies to drill in the United States. Her aristocratic "Let them eat cake" attitude has resulted in her own party refusing to stand beside her.

Harry Reid's attempt also went down in flames. In his case there was room for compromise and the slight chance of passage, if his true intentions had not surfaced when he refused to allow amendments. His my way or the highway attitude was doomed to failure from the beginning and he knew it. His Bill was narrowly aimed at the market and excessive speculation. The Republicans were set to pass a limited version of his Bill provided Senator Reid would address the question of Domestic Drilling, something that over 70% of the voters are demanding from Congress.

Before the Bills were voted on and as the Markets closed, the price of oil dropped to $129 and the Dow was rising. Within the first 30 minutes of the opening bell this morning the price increased to over $131 and the Dow was in a decline. The only thing that changed overnight was hearing the news that this do nothing Democrat led Congress was still a do nothing Democrat led Congress.

Remember when all the so called expert generals and retired military were on CNN and MSNBC before the military surge in Iraq, now the so called market experts are all over the networks and cable news explaining why the oil market is jumping up and down. The experts were wrong on Iraq and the new experts are wrong on oil. American consumers have it right. It doesn't take an expert to understand we are not going to break away from fossil fuel, oil in particular, anytime soon and we cannot be held hostage to high oil prices and 70% dependency on foreign oil.

Consider that everything consumers use around the world is transported or produced by using a oil based petroleum product, albeit diesel or gas for our trucks, tractors, ships and trains and jet fuel for our planes. Electric and alternative fuels are fine for cars within the next 20-30 years, but they will not work for semi tractor trailers that deliver our goods to market. Will we have electric trains, planes and ships within the next 20-30 years, it's not likely. The only thing the experts are going after is the car. Not one expert has said anything about what we are going to do about the biggest fuel guzzlers in the world, our ships, large trucks, trains and planes. The reason they don't say anything is because they know technology to replace large diesel and gas combustion engines is not being considered.

Reduction in the amount of fuel used by cars will have an impact but to believe cars are the main reason for high consumption is false. This is a mobile country because of its size. No electric engine or alternative fuel will have the power needed to replace the diesel engines we use in our large equipment whether that equipment is used for transportation or construction. The automotive industry, shipping industry and Congress understand there is no technology in the foreseeable future that will substantially reduce the amount of fuel required by these types of vehicles. That is the reason these vehicles are exempt from Congressional mandated CAFE standards.

It is time for Congress, the King and Queen of Capital Hill, and now Al Gore face the facts and become realist. We cannot break our dependence on oil and petroleum products anytime soon and we must DRILL, DRILL, DRILL. If Congress wants to look into market manipulation that's fine too. They can do both, as long as the market remains free.

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Thursday, July 17, 2008

Operation Jump Start Ends Today



Operation Jump Start placing the National Guard along the Southern Borders to help the Border Patrol gain more control of our borders, officially ends today July 15, 2008. Critics of the plan of ending the operation are some of the same people that opposed the idea of sending the Guard to our borders in the first place. The governors along the Southern border states for the most part opposed the guards' mission in the beginning but now oppose President Bush's decision to end the mission 2 years later.

Their mission was not to enforce the immigration laws, but only to support the Border Patrol through surveillance and to help with infrastructure projects and construction of the border fence. The National Guard never were involved with apprehension, detention, or transporting detainees. Bush critics are saying there will be no personnel available to replace the National Guard and fear an increase in drug and human smuggling along our borders. This is not true,
the National Guard manpower along our borders reached 6,000 members after 2006. That number started to fall in Jan 2008. As more Border Patrol Agents completed their training and were assigned duty locations, the more the National Guard has been reduced. The mission of the California National Guard officially ended June 12, 2008. Since July 2007 over 3000 Border Patrol Agents have been added to the CBP. They are well on the way to meeting their goal of 6,000 new Agents by Dec 2008.

The National Guard has done an exceptional job in helping the Border Patrol along our borders. Only time will tell if the Border Patrol can pick up the slack left behind by withdrawing the Guard. With support of the American people the Border Patrol should be able to accomplish their mission.

The following are some of the Border Patrol's accomplishments for the 1st half of July 2008 for more info click on the highlighted story:

- July 16Trusted Traveler Busted for Larceny Warrant
- July 16Missing Juvenile From California Located by CBP in Washington State
- July 16Busy Weekend for CBP Officers, Find Narcotics on Three Commercial Buses - Also Apprehend Eight Wanted Persons and Process 235 Immigration Violations
- July 16Fugitive Apprehended by CBP Field Operations in Puerto Rico
- July 16Border Patrol Rescues Individual from Texas River
- July 16Border Patrol Hosts Del Rio Recruiting Event
- July 15Fugitive Apprehended After Arriving on Victoria Clipper Ferry
- July 14Suspected Fugitive Arrested at Pacific Highway Port of Entry
- July 14$3 Million in Narcotics Seized at the San Luis Port of Entry
- July 14CBP Agents Intercept Suspected Smuggling Boat on San Diego Beach
- July 14CBP Intercepts Cut Flowers Carrying Disease in Los Angeles
- July 14CBP Officers Arrest Three for Immigration Violations, Apprehend Fugitives This Weekend at Texas Port of Entry
- July 14CBP Officers Arrest ICE Fugitive in California
- July 14CBP Assists Pennsylvania State Police Secure Governors Conference
- July 14Border Patrol Agents Seize Bags of BC Bud in Washington State
- July 14Border Patrol Arrests Convicted Sexual Offenders and Burglar
- July 12U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers in New York Arrest Suspected Navy Deserter
- July 11Million Dollar Currency Seizure at Pacific Highway Port of Entry
- July 1113 Major Drug Seizures at Calexico Ports of Entry
- July 11Four-Day Federal Hiring Event in Four Kentucky Cities - Recruiters on a Mission to Increase Diversity with More Women and Minority Applicants
- July 10Hollowed Out Flat-Bed Trailer Floor Filled with Marijuana Seized by CBP Officers at Laredo Port of Entry
- July 10 Man Wanted by Canadian Authorities Apprehended by CBP Officers at San Ysidro Port
- July 10 CBP Agents Intercept Suspected Smuggling Boat Near San Diego Coast
- July 10CBP Charges More Than 1,000 Containers of Illegal Textile Shipments to China’s Quota Levels
- July 10$2.1 Million Heroin Seizure at Nogales Port of Entry
- July 10CBP to Support National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center
- July 09U.S. Customs and Border Protection to Host Imperial Valley Hiring Event - Nation’s Border Agency Hopes to Fill 130 Vacancies in San Diego/Imperial Counties
- July 09$400K in Marijuana Seized by CBP Officers at the Douglas Port of Entry
- July 08Deserter Arrested by CBP at Sweetgrass Port of Entry
- July 08St. Thomas Field Operations Coordinates Apprehension of Fugitive
- July 08Field Operations Ensures Fugitives Crossing the Borders are Apprehended
- July 07CBP Joint Marine Enforcement Operation Leads to Federal Arrests
- July 07Temporary Increase in International Bridge Crossing Times Expected in El Paso
- July 07CBP Officers Find a Ton of Marijuana Hidden in Empty Cargo Truck - 2,017 Pounds Seized by CBP Officers at Otay Mesa Port
- July 07SENTRI/Dedicated Commuter Lane Member Violates Crossing Privileges
- July 07CBP Officers at El Paso Port of Entry Nab Washington State Homicide Suspect
- July 07Border Patrol Brings Federal Job Opportunities to Des Moines - New Agents Launch Careers in Arizona, California, New Mexico or Texas
- July 07Federal Recruiters Bring Job Opportunities to Bloomington - New U.S. Border Patrol Agents to Launch Careers in Arizona, California, New Mexico or Texas
- July 04Border Patrol Explorers Graduate
- July 03El Paso Agriculture Inspections Uncover Untreated Wood Packing Materials, Pests, and Other Violations
- July 03$200,000 in Narcotics Seized at the San Luis Port of Entry
- July 03FAST Participant Arrested for Alleged Narcotics Smuggling
- July 03CBP Arrests Fugitive Arriving On Mayagüez Ferry
- July 03Three-Day Federal Hiring Event at Indiana Black Expo - Recruiters Continue Diversity Mission to Increase Women and Minority Applicants
- July 03Arizona Border Patrol Agents Apprehend 27 Undocumented Aliens
- July 03Yuma Sector Agents Seize Nearly 1,000 Pounds of Marijuana
- July 03Border Patrol Thwarts Unusual Smuggling Effort - Agents discover 379 pounds of marijuana in man-made holes
- July 03Border Patrol Prevents Two North County California Smuggling Attempts
- July 03Vermont Border Patrol Experience Change of Command - Chief Patrol Agent Daniel B. Doty takes command of the Swanton Sector
- July 02CBP Los Angeles Provides Travel Tips for Busy Summer Season
- July 02Cocaine, Marijuana Discovered on Air Jamaica Flight to Philadelphia
- July 01CBP Advises Travelers in New York to Prepare for the Busy Holiday Weekend
- July 01Border Patrol in Washington State Assists RCMP - Agents disrupt drug smugglers along U.S./Canadian border
- July 01Philadelphia CBP Agriculture Specialists Intercept Record Number of Pests on Fruit Shipments
- July 01CBP Officers Deliver Baby at El Paso Border Crossing
- July 01CBP’s 2008 Summer Travel Awareness Campaign in Puerto Rico
- July 01CBP Announces New Features to Frequent Traveler Program At San Ysidro, Calif. Port of Entry
- July 01CBP Atlanta Provides Travel Tips for Busy Summer Season

If anyone is interested CBP is continually recruiting, more info can be found at CBP Careers



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