PatriotWriter - Inane American Humor & Texas Grit

UT Austin Senior Brianna Becker Aces Ultimate Test

2009-10-01T11:11:00.000-05:00

Brianna Becker's genuine spirit and loving smile captured my heart instantly when we met on UT's West Mall nearly four years ago. She was passionate about making this darkening world brighter. She championed justice for the innocent. From our very first conversation, we shared a deep understanding of purpose as well as a few tears of conviction. She shared her sparkling faith with me that first day.

Since then, I've had the pleasure and honor of joining her at various events spanning the breadth of the conservative and liberty-loving political spectrum.

It was shocking to hear on Saturday morning, September 26, that she'd been struck and killed while jogging the afternoon before.

This UT senior was unlike any young Longhorn I'd ever met. Her courage to publicly stand for her beliefs, for what was right and true, set her apart from the burnt orange masses. Her grace and optimistic realism was a breath of fresh air in the Texas political scene. Her poise, stage presence and messaging pointed to a true statesman in the making. To me, Brianna, with her unforgettable red-lipped smile, embodied Philippians 2:14-16. "Do everything without arguing or complaining, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people, so that you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the Word of Life..."

Brianna Nichole Becker leaves us a multi-faceted legacy of incredible depth. I am most thankful for her legacy of encouragement -- she continually spoke positive words into my life. I cherish that my last words to her on this earth were ones of encouragement. (She taught me well!)

It seems to our earthbound sensibilities that the best people -- the "salt of the earth" -- are often swept up to heaven "far too soon." Perhaps this is because, spiritually speaking, they are the best runners. Brianna finished the course set before her well in advance of any of us. She passed a test she didn't know was scheduled so soon for her -- the biggest test of all -- one whose score has eternal impact. Brianna Becker aced the "well done, good and faithful servant" test. (I'd say that beats taking the LSAT any day!)

Brianna WAS the real deal. Now this amazing friend and daughter is wrapped tightly in her Heavenly Father's arms. I wish I could see the smile that's on her face now!

PatriotWriter "Attacks" The Beast (John Avlon)

2009-07-13T12:37:00.006-05:00

The following comment is one I made in response to "The GOP Votes for Hate and Suicide" http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-07-13/the-gops-vote-for-hatemdashand-suicide/?cid=bsa:moreauthor1 but has yet to be approved by the blog's moderator. I'd like to know what you think. Please comment here.

Mr. Avlon:

While I agree with your concluding paragraph, your supporting arguments were primarily rubbish. For the record, I had a vote in the Shay vs. Hoff election and Ms. McCain did not. If she was so passionate about one ticket, she should have joined the Arizona delegation and cast her vote.

If the GOP is to rediscover the values of individual freedom, it must reject the liberal trap of identity politics that elects someone based on the color of their skin, gender, or sexual orientation (none of anyone's business!) We are all individuals, not "groups". Lumping people together by skin color is the ultimate racism! It is my hope that Michael Steele was elected Chairman of the RNC because he was viewed as the best man for the job, not merely the darkest skin we could find in a nice suit. How base is that notion!?!

We are poised on the brink of having one of the most idiotic, unAmerican Supreme Court justices of all time confirmed, despite a clear record of the majority of this judge's past decisions being both overturned and unConstitutional. Why will this judge most likely sail straight onto the highest court? Because SHE is a woman (hear me roar!) and because she was born with an attractive tan that screams, "I'm a misunderstood minority!" Nonsense! RACISM at its finest!

I conclude by challenging your journalistic integrity. I clicked on your blog post to find a quote from the Facebook exchange from whence you generated your sensational headline. Finding none, I ask that you withdraw your charge that Ms. Shay is a KKK-style racist. You have offered no proof, unless you also subscribe to the School of Thought Police. "We think she thinks X so it must be true. Hang her!"

I was not satified with either candidate at the top of the YRNF ticket, nor do I place as much importance on the position as you seem to do, so I abstained on that one vote this weekend.

Republicans must reject identity politics and affirmative action racism. Going forward, may the best, most qualified individual always win. That concept is at the heart of Goldwater Republicanism to which the GOP must return to save its neck. Any other interpretation is misinformed.

Truly,

K. Priscilla Jones
www.twitter.com/patriotwriter

The New Texas Declaration of Independence?

2009-05-12T10:42:00.008-05:00

"When a government has ceased to protect the lives, liberty and property of the people, from whom its legitimate powers are derived, and for the advancement of whose happiness it was instituted, and so far from being a guarantee for the enjoyment of those inestimable and inalienable rights, becomes an instrument in the hands of evil rulers for their oppression.

"When the Constitution of their country, which they have sworn to support, no longer has a substantial existence, and the whole nature of their government has been forcibly changed, without their consent, from a restricted federative republic, composed of sovereign states, to a consolidated central federal government, in which every interest is disregarded but that of the President and the special interest groups, both the eternal enemies of civil liberty, the ever-ready minions of power, and the usual instruments of tyrants.

"When, long after the spirit of the constitution has departed, moderation is at length so far lost by those in power, that even the semblance of freedom is removed, and the forms themselves of the constitution discontinued, and so far from their petitions and remonstrances being regarded, the citizens who bear them are ignored or ridiculed, and agents of the government are sent forth to force new government systems upon them using either the newest technologies available or via gunpoint.

"When, in consequence of such acts of malfeasance and abdication on the part of the government, anarchy prevails, and civil society is dissolved into its original elements. In such a crisis, the first law of nature, the right of self-preservation, the inherent and inalienable rights of the people to appeal to first principles, and take their political affairs into their own hands in extreme cases, enjoins it as a right towards themselves, and a sacred obligation to their posterity, to abolish such government, and create another in its stead, calculated to rescue them from impending dangers, and to secure their future welfare and happiness.

"Nations, as well as individuals, are amenable for their acts to the public opinion of mankind. A statement of a part of our grievances is therefore submitted to an impartial world, in justification of the hazardous but unavoidable step now taken, of severing our political connection with a globalizing American people, and assuming an independent attitude among the nations of the earth.

“The U.S. government, by its overreaching federal laws, subjugated the population of Texas to its will under the pledged faith of a written constitution, that they should continue to enjoy that constitutional liberty and republican government to which they had been habituated in the land of their birth.

"In this expectation they have been cruelly disappointed, inasmuch as the United States has acquiesced in the late changes made in the government by President Barack Obama, who having overturned the constitution of this country, now offers us the cruel alternative, either to abandon our homes, acquired by so many privations, or submit to the most intolerable of all tyranny, the combined despotism of forced compliance and special interests' agendas.

"It has sacrificed our welfare to Washington, D.C., by which our interests have been continually depressed through a jealous and partial course of legislation, carried on at a far distant seat of government, by a hostile majority, with unclear allegiances, and this too, notwithstanding we petition in the humblest terms for the establishment of a separate state government.

"It has failed and refused to secure, on a firm basis, the right of trial by jury, that palladium of civil liberty, and only safe guarantee for the life, liberty, and property of the citizen.

"It has systematically weakened our once-competitive public system of education, although still possessed of almost boundless resources, (the public domain,) and although it is an axiom in political science, that unless a people are educated and enlightened, it is idle to expect the continuance of civil liberty, or the capacity for self government.

"It has encouraged the taxing entities, stationed among us, to exercise arbitrary acts of oppression and tyranny, thus trampling upon the most sacred rights of the citizens, and rendering their power superior to the civil power.

"It has dissolved the true sovereignty of Texas, so that states' rights is merely something to which lip service is given, thus depriving us of the fundamental political right of self-government.

"It has demanded the surrender of a number of our citizens, and ordered federal agents to seize them, in contempt of the civil authorities, and in defiance of the laws and the constitution.

"It has made piratical attacks upon our livelihoods, by sending our productive jobs offshore to be held by residents of foreign countries, and meddling in the affairs of private business operations.

"It denies us the right of worshipping the Almighty according to the dictates of our own conscience, by the support of a national non-religion, calculated to promote the temporal interest of its human functionaries, rather than the glory of the true and living God.

"It has demanded us to deliver up our arms, which are essential to our defense, the rightful property of freemen, and formidable only to tyrannical governments.

"It hath increasingly been, during the time of our connection with it, the contemptible sport and victim of successive revolutions, and hath continually exhibited every characteristic of a weak, corrupt, and tyrannical government.

"These, and other grievances, were patiently borne by the people of Texas, until they reached that point at which forbearance ceases to be a virtue. We shall take up arms in defense of our constitution. We appeal to our American brethren for assistance. We may be forced to the melancholy conclusion that the American people have acquiesced in the destruction of their liberty, and the substitution therefore of an all-powerful federal government; that they are unfit to be free, and incapable of self government.

"The necessity of self-preservation, therefore, now decrees our eternal political separation.

"We, therefore, the delegates with plenary powers of the people of Texas, in solemn convention assembled, appealing to a candid world for the necessities of our condition, do hereby resolve and declare, that our political connection with a globalizing American nation, a pawn of the United Nations, has forever ended, and that the people of Texas do now constitute a free, Sovereign, and independent republic, and are fully invested with all the rights and attributes which properly belong to independent nations; and, conscious of the rectitude of our intentions, we fearlessly and confidently commit the issue to the decision of the Supreme arbiter of the destinies of nations."

2009-04-16T01:03:00.001-05:00

Afternoon Austin Tea Party Draws 5,000+

2009-04-15T21:42:00.007-05:00

With my horse whip and a sign that read "TAX Slave" on the front and "The IRS Owns ME" on the back, I hit the main Austin Tea Party (late afternoon) and walked from the Capitol to the body of water formerly known as Town Lake. 5,000+ folks attended. (Congressman McCaul who spoke introduced me to his staffer as his gun nut gal. Ha. I'm impressed he remembered me from the flight we were on together in August. Or maybe he got a copy of the RPT blacklist with my photo on it. I digress.)

My Bastrop County pals and I were among the last to leave the Capitol and could see the crowd marching down Congress. The throng of angry Americans stretched from the Capitol gates to the bridge! Very impressive.

I saw a little boy sitting on a rock looking glum. His homemade sign read, "Thanks for my bleak future." Broke my heart!

A boatload of patriots threw crates of tea in the lake, albeit after much of the crowd had dissipated. Wild Indians in canoes retrieved them. I wished they'd used bullhorns! The spirit of the event was very inspiring, overall. My feet are in a good deal of pain due to my poor footwear choice, but I'm just a taxpaying slave like the rest of us, so what do I know?

I do know this: the leaders in the GOP had better take a crash course in limited government concepts or be replaced. And the Republican Party had better shift back to the right or be left out in the cold. Americans have spoken! And Texans are ready to break their federal chains.

I'm ready. Are you?

President Lincoln would have given our Congress a stern speech

2009-02-13T22:41:00.003-06:00

--before recommending them to be hanged for treason. Happy 200th Birthday, Honest Abe. We've derailed an amazing nation in record time, haven't we?

"Freedom isn't an ideology; it's the only thing that's ever worked." -as tweeted today by Sen. Jim DeMint

"Never before have so few people spent so much money in so little time with so much secrecy and done so much damage to the next generation." -as tweeted by Cong. John Culberson

Sex, political scandal, and delicious martinis.

2009-02-06T10:56:00.006-06:00

And it's only Month 2 of the Obamistration. Sure, the title is a shameless cry for some shallow new readers. Don't forget, I threatened to start blogging about designer purses and mixed drinks in 2009. While I'll have to read up on those things before I post, check this list out. It's off the cuff. Yeah, I know. There's nothing else to do it Alaska at the moment, except get pregnant.

EIGHT STATES NOW DECLARING SOVEREIGNTY!!

Several states have recently appealed to the 10th and/or the 9th Amendments to assert their state rights over federal government.

These amendments state:

Amendment 9 - Construction of Constitution. Ratified 12/15/1791.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment 10 - Powers of the States and People. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Washington
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?year=2009&bill=4009

New Hampshire
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2009/HCR0006.html

Arizona
http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/legtext/49leg/1r/bills/hcr2024p.htm

Montana
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billhtml/HB0246.htm

Michigan
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(sjgu5xbql1n5xf45imuuysrm))/documents/2009-2010/Journal/House/htm/2009-HJ-01-22-002.htm

Missouri
http://www.house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills091/bills/HR212.HTM

Oklahoma
http://axiomamuse.wordpress.com/2009/01/07/state-legislator-charles-key-wants-to-limit-federal-power/

Hawaii
http://www.hawaii-nation.org/

Are we seeing a trend?

I'd like to see Texas and Idaho on this list. Whatchyougot?

Thanks to George Dewey for compiling this info.

Unrelated hysteria: last night I dreamed I was on a crippled Navy boat with an Air Force sergeant and some friendly ghosts. We came under attack by a Chinese submarine launching torpedos at us. Miraculously, the ghosts saved us by helping the boat drift to shore while we were busy trying to inflate our lifevests by mouth. I think this dream has something to do with the stimulus bill being volleyed in the Senate.

In a previous nightmare, I had the sense I was being followed. Every time I turned around, there was Barack Obama not more than three feet away with his hands in his pockets, smiling. He followed me everywhere. I suspect this dream has something to do with our nation's impending fall into Communism. Barry was my "big brother" in this nightmare...always looking out for me--I mean, always watching my every move.

If Obama wins, I'm moving to...

2008-11-03T22:57:00.004-06:00

...yeah. That's right. Alaska. Or at least Houston. Streisand ain't the only female around these parts who can make idle relocation threats! (We're still waiting for her to move to Canada...right?)

Also, thanks to the talented Benito Segovia for taking my slogan and designing so brilliantly.

Now, if Obama wins, here are the ten things I am planning to do on Wednesday morning:

10. Buy all of the .38 special ammo my local gunstore currently has in stock.

9. Track down the AR-15 that was recently given to me...if I can find it (it was stolen from a friend and recovered by the police at the scene of a crime).

8. Figure out how to fire an AR-15 accurately. And get ammo for it.

7. Sell off 95% of my possessions, except my guns, ammo, and other things that will keep me alive.

6. Write goodbye notes to all of my Republican "friends" and try to not let them smack with too much "I told you so..."

5. Pack my "to go" bags.

4. Pick up my new passport. Hit it with a hammer. Then, throw it in my "to go" bag.

3. Get new shoes for my horse.

2. Saddle my horse and load up the "to go" bags.

1. Ride north. Way north. North to Alaska.

Encouraging Quote by a Great Man

2008-10-23T12:17:00.004-05:00

"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." -- John Quincy Adams

It is with this in mind that I will choose to watch the upcoming third party presidential debate.

The debate is tonight at the historic Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., where I stayed one year ago this month. (Debate schedule: Thursday, October 23, at 9:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM Texas time.)

C-SPAN will cover the debate, hopefully live.

Early voting in Texas has begun, so vote your conscience and stick to your principles, all the way down the ballot. Remember that your vote is your endorsement of that candidate, and one day you might get a chance to shake their hand and look in their eye. This is what I think about when I vote--who would I most like to support if we were face to face?

"This guy just sold a kidney to pay his 2008 property tax bill."

2008-10-14T17:37:00.003-05:00

"I'm gonna punch your lights out!" A Tale of US Economy Woe Revenge

2008-10-08T13:14:00.003-05:00

"Lehman CEO Reportedly Punched In Face At Gym

Attack Allegedly Happened Shortly After Bankruptcy News Broke
POSTED: 10:41 am EDT October 7, 2008
UPDATED: 11:50 am EDT October 7, 2008

Lehman Bros. CEO Richard S. Fuld Jr. was reportedly attacked at the company gym shortly after it was announced that the 158-year-old company was going bankrupt last month, according to CNBC and The Telegraph of London.

The Telegraph, sourcing CNBC, said "two very senior sources - one incredibly senior source" had confirmed the rumors of the attack.

According to reports, Fuld was running on the treadmill when a man who was pumping iron in the corner of the gym came over and knocked him out cold.

Further details about the alleged attack were not immediately available.

Fuld sat for a two-hour-plus grilling before the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Monday as the panel combed through his pay history, management practices and financial strategies.

"You made all this money by taking risks with other people's money," Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., the panel's chairman, said. "The system worked for you, but it didn't seem to work for the rest of the country and the taxpayers, who now have to pay $700 billion to bail out our economy."

A subdued Fuld opened his testimony declaring, "I take full responsibility for the decisions that I made and for the actions that I took," but he conceded no errors or misjudgments in the chaotic period that led to the firm's bankruptcy.

And he said a compensation system that he estimated paid him about $350 million between 2000 and 2007 even as the company headed for disaster was appropriate.
"We had a compensation committee that spent a tremendous amount of time making sure that the interests of the executives and the employees were aligned with shareholders," Fuld said.

Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed."

PatriotWriter's Note: Ron Paul is reported to have commented on the bailout situation and the failures of the Federal Reserve, "I told you so."

Hijackers pilot the GOP, American Liberty is first casualty

2008-10-01T11:35:00.008-05:00

"There is no question that if one were to ask whether we Americans are moving toward more liberty or more government control over our lives, the answer would unambiguously be the latter – more government control over our lives. We might have reached a point where the trend is irreversible, and that is a true tragedy for if liberty is lost in America, it will be lost for all times and all places." - Walter E. Williams

I have been reading lately about the history of the Republican Party and its players. The hijacking of the GOP is nearly complete, and completely obvious to anyone who dares investigate. People with conservative principles have been systematically weeded out, if not completely destroyed. Promoted within the GOP are those weak-starred boot-licking generals consumed by a lust for personal power at all costs. They are experts at kissing ass and standing up for nothing.

Most of the GOP Hijackers' supporting crew have never pondered the proper role of government or any truly conservative principle. They care not for matters of liberty. They fall in line with the head puppetmasters--folks like GW, Rove, McCain, and Cheney--and salivate eagerly for any scrap of perceived power, or even just an "atta boy" from someone higher up on the political ladder. These spineless sergeants of the New GOP hold office at all levels in every state. It wouldn't occur to them to oppose big government legislation or shifts away from liberty because they don't operate based on a set of well-defined positions. The only position they understand is their current standing in the hierarchy on the ladder of power, and their lust for altitude.

The result for rank and file American patriots? We will only ever have the choice of two positions: kneel or fight.

John Stossel asked me, "Do looks matter?"

2008-09-08T09:47:00.003-05:00

Here are my thoughts on that...

Of course, looks matter. We have a celebrity culture and a very shallow electorate. Right now, nearly half of American voters are ready to elect as President a good-looking, younger man because he happens to be only 50% Caucasian. I doubt that very many of his supporters are able to articulate how even one of his policy ideas would impact the nation.

On the other ticket, we have a very beautiful Vice Presidential nominee who will attract a lot of those shallow voters, as well. I think that’s one of the big reasons why she was chosen! However, Gov. Palin is truly beautiful for what she stands for—and she is not a decoration. She is not a “gimmick”. She is not a “narrative”. The wild card with Palin is not that she was “unknown”, it’s that she is the real deal, across the board conservative. She is a champion of the taxpayer. She promotes transparency in government. She fights waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars and challenges the status quo. These traits are in every fiber of her being and they won’t go away when she gets to Washington.

It should be noted that even if Hillary Clinton looked exactly like Sarah Palin, she would still have worn a pantsuit on that stage and would still be ugly—because it’s what’s inside that counts. What’s inside both Hillary and Obama is 100% Socialism.

I think McCain got more pitbull than he bargained for with Palin. I am looking forward to her keeping his administration in check on the real issues that affect Americans. (Can anybody say tax cuts? Gun rights? Freedom of speech for non-profits? McCain opposes these things.) If Palin’s gorgeous packaging is what opens the big White doors for this fine grassroots born and raised reformist, I’ll be the first to admit it. And more power to her. Pass the lipstick.

Wacky Ron Paul Movement's "Cliff Notes" by Barry Goldwater, Jr.

2008-09-06T02:52:00.011-05:00

More than 11,000 people from all 50 states and at least a dozen other nations gathered at the Rally for the Republic held in Minneapolis on September 2. The sheer number of media present was astounding. As I walked the floor I was stopped and interviewed by a German TV crew who flew in just to cover the event. A Vanity Fair writer also spoke with me at length, although I got the distinct impression that he was there to figure out how to achieve his predetermined angle on a story already written, if only just in his head, about an event that had not yet begun. To be fair and since I don't believe in "thought crimes" charged by hasty judgments, please allow me to retract my previous assumption and replace it with a more palatable, "The Vanity Fair writer I spoke with was polite, young, hip, polished, and mum--all of those things you want in a hired gun columnist. Why? Because it's disarming."

Please check out the three minute Cliff Notes explanation of the wacky extremist movement chaired by Ron Paul, as brought to you by his fellow member of Congress (ret.) Barry Goldwater, Jr.

Goldwater introduced Congressman Paul at the Rally, and to thunderous applause--the vibrations of which will be felt for decades to come.

Editor's Note: These folks aren't going away. And it's the waste-of-oxygen, tax-and-spend, bloated "legislation is the answer" cry-baby boomers in both parties that best be watching their backs. The "Old Right" is back in vogue, and this time they're armed with both pitchforks and muskets. It is worth noting that they are now very well-versed in fighting techniques since the 50-state war was declared on them by the GOP leaders at the county, district, state, and national convention levels in 2008. Come January, I would be very afraid of losing my personal power in the Republican Party if I was one of their empty-headed cheerleaders. A shockingly limited government is not only the answer to our nation's woes--it's the demand of a million+ proud new members of the Old Right.

This million member strong movement is just barely a week old. It has nothing to do with a candidate, so you can stop sympathizing with McCain's endangering-his-election heart palpitations. This brand new movement is now about millions of new leaders and millions of reforms--reforms at the county, district, state, and national levels.

More laws and more government regulations + less accountability to the taxpayers are NOT Republican values. If you don't understand what I am talking about then you don't belong in the Republican Party anymore--especially in a professional capacity. I hear the Socialist Party is taking new hires this time of year.

Is "The Next Reagan" a Woman: Sarah Palin?

2008-09-04T14:53:00.009-05:00

Flashback: C-Span coverage of the Alaska Governor's Debate - November 2, 2006. I caught it on a channel-surfing fluke and stayed to learn more about Alaska politics. When Republican incumbent-beating Sarah Palin, small town mayor, opened her mouth I was stunned. So impressed. I agreed with everything she said. She was poised, polished, and perfect on every point. Then I did my research on her and found out she was born and later educated in my homestate of Idaho. Another connection. When she won the governor's race, I could not believe it. I sent her a note of congratulations immediately. Had she a larger staff perhaps I might have heard back from her. haha.

I never would have guessed in my wildest dreams that McCain would actually put her on the ticket. I was very vocal about my decision to not vote for McCain unless he chose her. Three weeks ago I flapped my gums to Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams as such. I told him I thought that was the only way McCain would win and she was the only person who could inspire all of the GOP burnouts like myself. I thought I was safely in the camp of a protest vote come November.

I have to say I am so impressed with whatever visionary advisors McCain hired that whispered to him the name Sarah Palin. Perhaps they even fought for her against the conventional wisdom. We all know this election, complete with the influence of new media, is not politics as usual anymore. Whatever the situation, my hat is off to the McCain strategists who picked her. It was a brave move. It was the right move. And they have done more than possibly win the election. They might possibly have changed the direction of our country. The grassroots just went from wilted to electrified. They are fired up for issue reform. The vehicle, surprisingly, is the McCain machine.

If they ease off the heavy-handed tactics they and GOP establishment elitists use on the limited government, Goldwater conservatives in the party, we will have unity not just for an election cycle, but for the duration of our effort to restore this nation.

RE: my headline--John McCain may have just accidentally made "the next Reagan" possible--and it's not him!

McCain is still fighting the war within. (the GOP) Tries to block Goldwaters from RNC.

2008-09-01T07:25:00.002-05:00

It doesn't have to be this way. I wish it wasn't. But it is. The GOP elite are to blame for the continued exclusion of the truly conservative members of the Republican party. The bad attitudes and rudeness are not just being sported by the low level GOP cheerleaders. No, some of the entrenched "leadership" is outright condescending toward both the new blood in the party AND the Old Right's old guard. Yes, the "Old Right" is still being systematically kicked aside even though the New Right got their man McCain's name on the yard signs for November.

I'm not here to name names and demonize a few, although that would be best for this blog's ratings. I don't think that tactic will result in the unity that is so needed. So I'm not going to tell you which foot soldiers did what. Top of the ticket is fair game in my book though so here's the scoop.

Barry Goldwater, Jr., son of Mr. Conservative--the founder of the modern conservative movement--called McCain's office to get credentials for the convention. The former Congressman and his family are in town and wanted to be involved in the RNC Convention, if only as observers. McCain said no to the initial request for passes. Why? Because Goldwater is one of those dreadful "Ron Paul supporters"--the equivalent of a town leper. Allegedly McCain dangled the endorsement carrot in exchange for passes. Goldwater, a man with an iron spine, refused to give his endorsement. Then the offer turned to money--a ridiculous amount for each pass. The Goldwaters just laughed and refused to pay. Eventually they won out and got a few begrudged complimentary passes.

Moral of the story: there is still a war within the GOP and it will tear the party apart if it continues. With a moderate like McCain on the ticket, we cannot afford to have an entire party of bootlickers supporting him. If we do not stand up and do what is right, what is truly in the interests of the Old School Conservative movement, what have we gained?

With Sarah Palin on the ticket, I will vote for McCain. I will campaign for them. But I'm not going to kiss his feet and sign off on everything he does. I hope Palin won't either. Kudos to the Goldwaters for remaining true to their principles. Shame on McCain and his devotees for continuing to wage the war within. It will be the death of the GOP if they continue.

"States Rights" + Barry Goldwater Jr. Speaks in St. Paul--Undeterred by Gulf Coast Storm

2008-08-31T23:20:00.005-05:00

While George, Dick, and John are in some bunker watching the Weather Channel (and not appearing as scheduled at the RNC) Congressman Barry Goldwater, Jr. addressed members of the Texas delegation and others. In fact, come to think of it, it's basically just the people who are intent on restoring our republic who showed up to speak in MN. Those who intend to position themselves for best media advantage this week, despite not being the Governor of a Gulf Coast state, are ambulance chasing somewhere along Gustaf's predicted landfall. At this very moment, "the boys" are with Geraldo in the heart of the danzer zone--that tiny area between Port Aransas, TX and Miami, FL.

I really don't see why a nation's president sees fit to interfere with the operation of a state's response to a predicted weather-related threat. Oh yeah--maybe it's to give beefy FEMA something to pre-emptively do. I thought the states' governors were left with the decision on whether or not to issue a distress call to Washington in the event of a real or predicted emergency. It seems all Washington does these days is volunteer their help on our dime. It seems all Washington does these days is assert themselves where they are not wanted or needed and make themselves scarce when it comes to decisions that truly are in their jurisdiction.

I don't think Governor Palin would take too kindly to FEMA announcing their arrival en masse into Alaska, giving her a token salute, and then advising her of their mission in her state*. Kudos to Governor Perry for his handling of the storm preparations. That is precisely his job!

States' rights. That's all I'm sayin'. Got it, Gustaf?

I will laugh if the storm just totally dies out before landfall and all of the ruined plans and aggravated delegates were over nothing. If McCain loses the election because he didn't bother to run the scheduled convention this week, he deserves it. The thousands of members of the state delegations and their guests are the ones being inconvenienced by this Weather Alert in a distant land. many of them paid their own way here. Do you think FEMA will reimburse them for their trouble and then park some outrageously priced metal trailers in St. Paul "in case" the convention goes a few days too long and the hotels throw us out for outstaying our welcome and their availability?

There's another kind of water that is causing quite a ruckus at the RNC. It's worth mentioning that when Barry arrived at a party across town and was introduced from the microphone, the whole place erupted in chanting: "Bear-ree! Bear-ree!" Perhaps there are still some folks-God bless 'em!-left in politics who properly care for their conservative conscience.

States' rights! That's all I'm sayin".

Twin Cities: Eyewitness Account of the War Zone (RNC Convention pre-game)

2008-08-31T14:15:00.006-05:00

Familiar faces in the Minneapolis airport were all smiles today. Police were everywhere making the "good guys" feel more safe and making the bad guys scarce.

I've been following the anarchists on Twitter. For some reason they let "PatriotWriter" in on their evil plans. Their whole goal is to get arrested for disruption and violence so they can claim police brutality. They have many lawyers on site to get them right back out again.

All I can hear from my room on the riverfront is helicopters. It really does sound like a war zone. Unfortunately, Anarchists vs. GOP isn't the only war waging in the Twin Cities.

Apparently the establishment Republicans, the GOP elitists, the anti-Ron Paul contingent is still bitter that anyone dared challenge their heavy-handed--even illegal--exclusionary tactics leading up to this day. They are still on guard. On edge. Suspicious. I've heard several very negative things already in a matter of an hour here--and from folks in leadership positions in the party.

The son of Mr. Conservative himself will be in our hotel lobby bar tonight signing copies of what should be the GOP Bible: "The Conscience of a Conservative". I've mentioned it to most people I (hang on...just taking a call from Barry himself. King of good timing.) have seen and actually got this response, "We're staying as far away from that as possible. There will be too many Ron Paul people there."

Now, that's a heck of an attitude to have towards these happy young, energetic, solid conservatives. It seems to me that if the GOP is going to avoid extinction, it needs to embrace new blood--even if that means the "new blood" totally schools them in what it means to be a conservative and a member of the Old Right. The only way we can be successful is if the old guard embraces the new blood--and they most certainly are not. I've seen very poor attitudes here. Very elitist.

We have three wars on our hands this week: Anarchists vs. Republicans, Establishment vs. Ron Paul, and Old vs. Young. (I thought it was supposed to be Republicans vs. Democrats, not Republicans vs. each other.) All I know for sure is that the Young will be the victors in their war. We are more conservative than the baby boomers who are ruining our country and polluting our party. Fortunately, they'll all eventually be dead. Oh yeah--and we have Sarah Palin on our team. They just think they do. :)

This is KJ signing off from the war zone...it doesn't have to be this way. It just is. Stay tuned for more updates!

Dallas Smoking Ban Would Kill This Small Business

2008-08-23T13:28:00.002-05:00

Breaking: Sneaking past the Old Media & the Old Congress to drill for Americans.

2008-08-03T23:33:00.007-05:00

They say you never know what revolutionaries will surface to bring reform until the hemorrhaging is great. (Well, "they" don't really say that. I made that up.) But this is true:

According to Congressman John Culberson, we are at a turning point. The popular mandate to "Drill Here, Drill Now" may prove to be the issue that changes the way the will of the people is heard by decisionmakers. The D.C. "Old Media" won't touch the real story coming out of Pelosi's pranksters' latest assault on America. Culberson just reported the following to his band of faithful followers on Twitter.com: (all times are Central)

11:10 p.m. Sunday "I will be back on the House floor tomorrow at 10am with others asking the Speaker to call the house back for a vote to drill here drill now!"

11:11 p.m. Sunday "We would ask the Pres to call Congress into special session but the Senate used a sneaky trick to prevent this - they are still in session."

11:13 p.m. Sunday "Senate is in 'pro forma session' for 5 minutes every day all summer to stop the Pres from calling a special session to drill here drill now."

11:16 p.m. Sunday "Utterly and blindly biased old media DC press corps will not tell you these things. I will happily help new media absorb and eliminate old media."

The hemorrhaging has not yet started for Americans on this issue. Right now, outrageous energy prices are inconvenient and some folks are feeling real pain. But not most folks. Not yet. It will get worse before it gets better, but we must have a plan in place to get it better when we hit that proverbial wall.

In the meantime, what can an average person like you do about it?
SQUAWK.
Online. In person. With your friends. With your enemies.

We can bring reform to a nation that has lost its way by uniting (online and offline) on this issue and demanding, through new media, that we drill for oil domestically using our reserves. For you new media junkies out there: our task at hand is tweet.

**Note: Cong. Culberson will forever hold the record for first Twitter post from the U.S. House floor. He's a technology pioneer compared to the old guard in Congress!

One tall refreshing drink of AuH2O, please.

2008-07-24T18:08:00.005-05:00

He said, "Just call me Barry." And so we did.

At the RightOnline Summit in Austin last weekend, the son of Mr. Conservative himself proved to be a wonderful ally on limited government issues, a humble patriot and man of the people, and a fantastic friend with a wicked sense of humor. Barry Goldwater Jr. was endearing and polite, but not afraid to crack a few jokes. My favorite was one he pulled on me as we walked through the lobby together after his speech. Goldwater: "It's such a fine night, and I packed my swimsuit. I think I might go for a dip in the pool!" Me: "That does sound nice. I brought mine too, but I find that every time I pack my swimsuit I never end up using it." He instantly responded with, "Oh you NAUGHTY girl!"

And so it began, my love affair with Barry. He will always be my hero. He does not hesitate to call it like it is, even when his opinion might be unpopular. Men with spines that strong are rare these days. Here are some quotes from him at dinner:

"Some of you remember when we had a conscience of a conservative. Let me remind you that a conservative is one who seeks to expand individual liberty and resists accumulation of power by those who claim they know best."

"A conservative Republican Party took over Congress in the 90s with their Contract with America, promising change, limited government, and reform. It was dubbed a 'revolution' because it ended 40 years of continuous Democrat domination. Within a decade, the Republicans (with the help of our President) became everything that they had campaigned against, and were soundly booted out of Congress. Today, burdened by internal divisions and a discredited President, who I question whether he knows what a conservative is, the Republicans are in retreat. There’s a somewhat listless attitude, a defeated morale, a lack of confidence. Facing an uncertain future, conservatives are looking back to their iconic leaders: William F. Buckley, Ronald Reagan, and Barry Goldwater for direction, and perhaps inspiration."

“Early in our nation’s history, people like my great-grandfather didn’t expect the government to wipe their nose or raise their children. They did not ask the government for anything except to leave them alone to build their own empire as they envisioned it. They valued hard work, which was rewarded with satisfaction and pride. Instead of feeling entitled to free stuff, they felt thankful to be free.”

Regarding his dad's sense of humor: “He once said, ‘Hubert Humphrey talked so fast it was like trying to read Playboy magazine with your wife turning the pages.’ And ‘It’s a great country where everybody can grow up to be President, except me.”

"We have an interesting time in this election, where we watch our two major candidates try to move themselves to the center. Obama’s coming to the center. McCain is coming to the center. Obama has become Bill Cosby on responsibility, George Bush on Iraq, and I think next week he’ll join Israel in attacking Iran, and opting for shooting caribou and drilling in Anwar.”

"Ronald Reagan and Barry Goldwater were cut from somewhat the same cloth. They were the most influential politicians advancing this conservative-libertarian philosophy in the 20th Century. There were very few conservatives prior to 1964. A fundamental key to their success of moving conservatism to the mainstream of America was their moral leadership. The Reagan Revolution was more than just tax reform and ending the Cold War. He provided leadership when it was needed. That is why we are together today, to find a common purpose, to bring all of our organizations and groups together to create a goal and a purpose, to redefine conservatism, offer positive solutions for today’s social programs, and find a leader in the mold of Reagan and Goldwater. And as Churchill once advised us, 'Never, never give up.'"

Thanks, Barry, for stopping in Austin to inspire a whole new generation of conservatives. (We can always skinny dip next time.)

-KJ

RightOnline Video - Full Version

2008-07-19T09:57:00.004-05:00

Texas Defending the American Dream New Media Summit

2008-06-03T10:12:00.009-05:00

Join me July 18-19 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel for the groundbreaking new media and taxpayer advocacy Summit brought to us by Americans for Prosperity and RightOnline. Confirmed speakers include Michelle Malkin, Robert Novak, Barry Goldwater, Jr., and the coolest guys from the Wall Street Journal--John Fund and Stephen Moore.

Limited space is available so you should register now!
http://www.defendingthedream.org/TX/

Ghost employees haunt Texas legislators

2008-05-13T17:44:00.004-05:00

While most folks are planning their summer vacations despite high gasoline prices or budgeting for their own healthcare despite high medical prices, several folks around the Great State of Texas are hunting ghosts. They've even found a few, and in the likeliest of places! I imagine the historic Texas Capitol is crawling with ragged souls unable to cross over to a great reward. Since the two oldest professions seem to have so much in common, I am sure their otherworldly deeds in the recesses of the Capitol building would be nothing short of colorful if they weren't so pathetic.

We are faced, however, with a modern day hunt for "ghost employees" of the state. You may have read about it already--people scattered around the country on the Texas payroll doing who knows what while getting great full-time employee benefits. This story has been all over the news in Texas. Last week, the Texas Progress Council asked House Republicans to identify ghost employees. Americans for Prosperity - Texas jumped on the bandwagon and sent similar public information requests to all House Democrats. The move caused quite a reaction. Apparently the pain from these requests crosses all party lines. So, apparently, do lost souls.

Speaker Tom Craddick called the practice, “unacceptable” and said it, “violates the trust of taxpayers, and it must be stopped immediately.” It is the height of governmental abuse that while Texas taxpayers are struggling to pay their own health insurance, our own taxpayer dollars are providing benefits to those who don’t even work for us. State government should not be a welfare program for friends of legislators who feel they are entitled to state benefits!

The inquiry may heighten fear among some legislators, but if they’re spooked by light shining on government hiring practices in this “ghost hunt”, PatriotWriter says they should get out of the Capitol and take their sense of entitlement with 'em. We have enough ghosts as it is.

Hollow Rhetoric to the Rescue!

2008-04-23T21:24:00.004-05:00

Normally I name names. Today, I'll just let you fill in the blanks, although, it might be easier to list who the following does NOT describe. Just picture the politician who is on your mind and then see if I have described them...or not. Enjoy this exercise, if you can stomach it.

Style over substance. Personal wealth that prevents any understanding of what the middle class needs or wants. Unabashed arrogance. Loyalties to the elite class, not the voter base. Speeches tailored to what the particular audience wants to hear, often in complete conflict with yesterday's message across town. Backroom deals. Unholy alliances. Shameless self-promotion and political posturing. Empty promises. "Business as usual" attitude toward governing. Family members / spouse used as props. Questionable allegiances. Documented lies. Criminal acts. Blatant theft of taxpayer dollars: "tax and waste". HOLLOW RHETORIC.

Our Mission

We must reject those people in politics who are stuck reciting the same old tired and deeply flawed narratives found in various conventional political circles. You see, there are certain transcendent truths that will still be here long after our short lives on earth are done. It is up to us to actively engage in civic life on those very important issues so that we can make a difference not just for today, but for years to come. We must have the courage of our convictions when we stand against political and popular culture winds, resisting what is convenient and what might be the easiest thing to do in the moment.

I am not interested in politics as usual. I am fed up with the hollow rhetoric. I want this American generation to make some real and lasting progress on behalf of this nation and her people. We have many different directions that we are all running in order to achieve this. We must realize that we are actually working toward the same goal, even if we are toiling on separate issues on different paths. If you agree with me and you are ready to stamp out Hollow Rhetoric, I guess you could call people like us conservative renegades. We're the radicals in the Republican Party who want to return to our core values. If the Party refuses, they will lose all in the long run and another party will rise to prominence to replace the GOP.

We must all continue to cultivate virtue and bravery in our lives. We'll never know how our examples and efforts will affect the world to come.

If you ever wonder if all of the sacrifices you make while doing what you see as your civic duty are worth the effort and expense, I pray that epiphanies like these help you answer with a firm "yes". Thanks to our New Media outlets, Hollow Rhetoric is experiencing a real vetting for the first time since the telegraph. I am excited to see those deserving of the fire go down in flames. In their place, may those true leaders rise up who have our country's best interests at heart.