I Almost Vomited

Try to imagine the horror of thinking you had escaped a totalitarian communist nightmare only to find that you had landed in a flock of stupid sheep too brainwashed and anesthetized to even realize they were about to enslave themselves -- and you once again.

Baaaaah.

Yuri told you it was coming. You didn't listen:

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Go Gabriella!

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Can You Say "President Rubio"?

Wow. You may be watching the first President from the Tea Party.

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We The People

Just watch it. You need the smile.

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Of Linen And Toilet Paper

Of course the so-called media not only won't tell you about how big yesterday's protest was but go on and on about how everyone was an "astroturf Nazi racist" of course. Those charges are not based on fact but on psychological projection of course.

Mark Hemingway has a good report:

I asked one guy, who came up from South Carolina with 160 people on three buses, who put his trip together. He laughed and said, "My neighbor." Can we drive a stake through the astroturf claim now?

Another interesting detail about the march — it was filled with immigrants. I'm pretty sure every Cuban in a thousand mile radius was there, helpfully explaining to everyone who would listen that Cuba's vaunted free health care system involves shoddily trained doctors and bringing your own linen to the hospital. I also spoke to angry immigrants from England and Ireland, appalled the country was slouching toward socialized medicine.

Why the toilet paper in the title? That would be because of a little black (brown?) market problem that socialist Cuba is having right now. And I guess I must be a racist for using the commonly accepted terms to describe it, huh?

But wait, didn't I just quote in support of Cuban immigrants? I love them dearly. Do you have any idea what hell many of them went through to escape the giant Alcatraz they came from to get here? And have you ever met my family? Never mind. The truth doesn't matter -- only Alinsky's rules rule.

Speaking of family, I recently ran across another Orwell quote that pretty well sums it up:

A family with the wrong members in control; that, perhaps, is as near as one can come to describing England America in a phrase.

Any more questions?

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Letter To Congresswoman Markey

Here's my letter to Congresswoman Markey of Colorado's 4th District (final):

From:
Bob Gronlund
Fort Collins, CO

To:
Congresswoman Markey
Colorado 4th District

Dear Congresswoman Markey,

First a little about myself. I am a master engineer for a well respected and widely known multi-billion dollar worldwide technology corporation. We are #1 in our industry. We build some of the most complex electronic and software products in existence to enable the global high tech economy. I work daily with people of all nationalities and races from all over the world on distributed, interdisciplinary engineering teams producing a continual stream of world-leading, innovative products.

I have a reputation for competence and integrity won in a 26+ year career of technology and people leadership. I have the ear of upper management in my company and am entrusted with decision making that impacts enormous revenue streams in our businesses. We have a rigorous hiring process and I love working with the high quality people of our company from all over the world. And while I don't always agree with them, I find our upper management to be smart, competent and ethical people.

I also have a long record of local volunteerism and philanthropy in our community. I have generally found the people of my community to be caring and committed to cooperation to make a better place to live.

Unfortunately, I see a complete disconnect between the largely functional organizations I find in my company and my community with what I see in Washington. In Washington I see a lack of humility, pandering to special interests (who wrote those bills anyway if the congresspeople haven't read them?), venality, rude language and lack of respect for the people for whom you are supposed to work.

On top of that I see a complete lack of knowledge about the fundamentals of economics and an overweening belief that the government is the solution to all problems when no sane person who operates in the real world can possibly believe that. I see fundamental innumeracy and a lack of appreciation for the negative impact that debt has on individuals, companies and governments. I see both Democrats and Republicans as being owned by Wall Street and special interests. This must stop and be reversed.

Government is not the solution. It is the problem.

In case you're wondering how it got this way, I think P.J. O'Rourke might have his finger closest to the truth when he said: "When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators."

Ever larger regulation just creates the illusion of healthy function. We need less government interference in people's lives, not more. And we need a focus on re-building a moral society and one where everyone is moral of their own volition, not "moral" because of government controlling their lives.

Which by the way is why I am implacably opposed to President Obama's and Congress' current health care proposals. Government interference has in large part created what problems we do have in our health care system -- and more interference will just make it worse. And should you vote for any of these disastrous and anti-competitive "public option" or "coop" plans I will work night and day against your re-election.

And by the way, there are many people of otherwise liberal leanings who point out some pretty damning things that are being squelched in the "debate". For instance, Dean Kamen -- a prolific medical products inventor and creator of the Segue scooter -- points out that the entire debate is "backward looking" and that we need to find ways to drive innovation and not starve it. ( http://tinyurl.com/kamenbackward )

Oh. And I'm very tired of being called a racist. Should you be tempted to do so, I challenge you to follow me around at work and to visit with my family. This is simply unacceptable for our representatives to behave in such a contemptible manner to create a dishonest smokescreen for their Machiavellian behavior.

I hope you have not already become accustomed to Washington. Because if you ever become so, I will work tirelessly to return you to the real world of everyday Americans.

In closing, I note that you have, I hope not disingenuously, been attempting to apply George Washington's rules of civility to your recent local meetings. One rule that an outside observer such as myself suspects you may find difficult to follow (in Washington's own city!) is: "A Man ought not to value himself of his Achievements, or rare Qualities of wit; much less of his riches Virtue or Kindred." Perhaps you have already voted for Congress to buy more private jets? That is a great irony of our time, isn't it?

And since we're mutually admiring Washington, I might also suggest paying close attention to his farewell address. In particular, his warnings about the dangers of party allegiance and influence of foreigners over loyalty to the people of one's country. ( http://tinyurl.com/washfarewell ) In particular, he warned against the alternate domination of one party faction over another leading to the "ruins of Public Liberty".

That I believe is what we are witnessing today. Please don't be a part of it.

And despite some of my rather forthright words, you have an open invitation to my home to discuss these and any other matters you desire over a very civil dinner. I can always be contacted at bgronlund at gmail dot com.

I suspect that you have somehow managed to convince yourself that people with my set of beliefs and background don't exist. I can assure you we do. We are not hicks and dimwits. I meet more and more people who are realizing that they need to become involved to stop our power-mad, reality disconnected Republican and Democrat parties from carrying out their unrealistic ideas.

And no, we will not allow you to "watch over" us. But we are watching your performance very closely.

And I'm going to be fascinated to see whether I get any indication that your staff recognizes that this letter may not be quite like many others expressing similar opinions that you ignore.

Sincerely,
Bob Gronlund
Fort Collins, CO
http://nocosurroundsthem.blogspot.com

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Death To Socialism Panel Member -- Be There

That's how you'll find me Saturday the 22nd at noon at College and Mulberry in Fort Collins.

Be there or be a socialist.

Oh. And the sign I like best -- other than mine of course -- wins a quick $50 from me.

Just so you remember that capitalism pays.

Which almost everyone seems to have forgotten despite all the evidence that surrounds them.

Sigh.

UPDATE: The winner was a very nice, freedom-loving lady carrying the sign: 'This "Wise Latina" says no to Obamacare'. I would have taken her picture but I don't trust our "betters" not to find and harass her. I'm pretty livid right now about the lefty-loon abuse of Kenneth Gladney and the lady who challenged Arlen Specter for instance. The "people" doing this are truly contemptible. Somehow, protest seems to not be patriotic when it's on the other foot.

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Two Against One

I'm going to beat the Gonz to this one for once. It'll warm his heart. As it does mine.

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Just The Ticket

I've finally figured out just the ticket.

First, we need somebody at the top of the ticket who's not only heard of Thomas Jefferson but can actually quote him with knowledgeable enthusiasm:

That would be Katrina. Just in case you missed her.

Second, we need a VP who understands who's Un-American and who's not and doesn't mince words about it:

That would be Leah. Got your attention didn't she?

Looks to me like it's time to start going door to door. Any questions?

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King O Manufacturing

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Health Care Rally Today

Well today (Friday 7/17) is the health care rally in front of Betsy Markey's local congressional office at College and Mountain in down town Fort Collins at 10am. Be there with your signs!

And check out this impressive little screed I just ran across. Here's a snippet touching on both unemployment and heath care "reform":

Why are those 15 million people unemployed? For the most part, they’re looking for jobs, but no one will hire them. Companies very much want to hire more people, and expand – no business wishes to remain stagnant. The decision to refrain from hiring people is a tough one. Business owners don’t make it because they’re cruel and like to laugh at people in the unemployment lines. One of the reasons the economy is contracting is because money – the avatar of time, resources, and entrepreneurship – is being forced to go where it doesn’t want to go. Businesses that should fail are being propped up by reckless deficit spending. The shadow of titanic tax increases to come, including those needed to fund Obama’s adventure in health insurance, looms fearfully large on the horizon – and when money is frightened, it hides.

Hiring people to fill job openings is not the same thing as handing them a check and announcing they’re employed. The health care “crisis,” to the extent one exists, cannot be solved by signing a bill and declaring everyone has health insurance now. Businessmen live at the intersection of theory and reality, while politicians angrily deny that intersection exists at all. That’s one reason I much prefer dealing with businessmen.

Nice, huh? And as he points out earlier in the piece, Barack now owns the unemployment problem: Did you know that with the $787B in Barack's "stimulus" package he could employ every unemployed person in America for a year at $52,000 per year? Or two years at $26,000 per year? But no, that money is slated to scratch the backs of his corrupt political cronies. Do the math. If only we still taught math in this country...

And of course you know that Joe Biden says that we're going bankrupt so we have to spend more money to avoid bankruptcy. Only people that have the power to counterfeit would even consider mouthing such an insanity.

UPDATE: FYI, slow Joe's quote was: “Now, people when I say that look at me and say, ‘What are you talking about, Joe? You’re telling me we have to go spend money to keep from going bankrupt?’” Biden said. “The answer is yes, that's what I’m telling you.” Just remember. He's just one heartbeat away. God help us.

And here's a link to some pics from the rally.

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Katrina's Invitation

Because, you know, Katrina is just such a racist. LOL

Did I forget to mention Katrina for Prez!?

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On Protest (Iranian "Election" Update)

Today we had a Flag Day Eve Tea Party protest march in downtown Fort Collins. Thanks to Ray Harvey for organizing it and to all who attended! I would give it five stars for being an extraordinarily well behaved crowd. Because that's who we are of course.

But it should be noted that in Iran things are a wee bit more serious. These people deserve our sincerest sympathy -- and support. They are fighting the same sort of personality cult tyranny that O Duce is assaulting us with. But it's rather more advanced of course. Over there, sham elections have become a kabuki dance art form. Over here they just began in national form with the last one. Wrong headed as public financing is and noting the fact that McCain was a kabuki distraction, did you notice how effortlessly O Duce broke his pledge to use public financing and how big money and foreigners bought the election almost completely unreported by our state run media?

Anyway, watch this video and ponder. When our fellow citizens finally have their TVs turned off because of unemployment, runaway inflation and power shortages, it might start to look like this here.

They’re chanting “Death to this liar government.” Sobering.

UPDATE: Wow. Iran is on fire. Literally.

Even if you're not religious, you need to pray for their success. The implications of a revolution even vaguely directed toward freedom in Iran are absolutely enormous. The two sites you should be watching are Michael Totten and Michael Ledeen.

Ledeen points out that with no more hope an American president might help them any more they might finally take matters in their own hands for good:

Stalin would be proud. But even his Soviet Union eventually succumbed to the dissidents, and while the regime has most all of the guns, the chains, the clubs, the tear gas cannisters, and the torture chambers, there are tens of millions of Iranians who hate the regime. The question is whether they are prepared to face down the Basij, the police, and the Revolutionary Guards. It is usually a matter of numbers in these cases: if a million people gather in front of the Supreme Leader’s palace and demand freedom, while half that number make the same demand in front of the government buildings in Isfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz and Mashad, they might win.

Until quite recently, the Iranians did not believe they could do such a thing on their own. They believed they needed outside support, above all American support, in order to succeed. They thought that Bushitlercheney would provide that support, and they were bitterly disappointed. But nobody believes that Obama will help them, and they must know that they are on their own.

And here's an electrifying status report passed on by Totten:

"My next door neighbor is an Iranian immigrant who came here in 1977. He just received a SAT phone call from his brother in Tehran who reports that the rooftops of nighttime Tehran are filled with people shouting 'Allah O Akbar' in protest of the government and election results. The last time he remembers this happening is in 1979 during the Revolution. Says the sound of tens of thousands on the rooftops is deafening right now." It's almost four in the morning in Iran.

And my young sons were complaining about how far they had to walk today. They've come a long way but I have much to teach them yet. And I pray the most difficult of the lessons to come won't be learned the hard way.

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Run Over To Ray's! (Bumped)

Check out Raymond Harvey's new "Tea Party Of Northern Colorado" site including his blog. Remember this recent post by Ray on "Oil Shortages And Government Intervention"? Look for more head-shaking wisdom at his new site! Go Ray!

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Did I Forget To Mention...

Katrina Pierson for President? Finally a solution to the British President dilemma ;) My deepest apologies for not posting her here sooner. An authentic speaker wielding Jefferson quotes. It doesn't get much better than that.

I'm also reminded of the comments of President Kennedy at a gathering of Nobel Laureates at the White House. He said that there hadn't been so much brainpower gathered there since Thomas Jefferson dined alone ;)

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Survey Says...

Power Line has some tolerably good news on the Tea Parties:

This Rasmussen survey is the first I've seen on the tea party protests that have been held around the country, mostly last Wednesday. Rasmussen finds that 51 percent of Americans approve of the tea parties, with 33 percent disapproving. By far the largest group of respondents, 32 percent, is "very favorable" toward the protests.

Almost equally interesting is that one in four Americans says that he or she personally knows someone who participated in one of the rallies. That probably helps to explain why the Left's over the top attacks--slanders, really--didn't gain more traction.

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Pathetic With A Capital Priceless

Congrats to everyone on the parties! I went to the one in Loveland which was a little different as we lined the sides of the busiest intersection in town. I think it had a lot more impact than standing in a park although there was too much horn honking to have any speakers. I can live with that.

It was also amazing the number of folks who drove by not only honking but waving flags. It was a good way for them to join in without feeling quite as silly as the rest of us. But I even started to warm up to it after a while. I decided to use a sign that was to the point: "ATTN: Washington, You have run out of our money." The favorite sign I saw on the web though was this one on Instapundit: "Why teach reading and math? Congress uses neither!". Hoo Haw.

But the reaction from Congresscritters was pathetic with a capital priceless:

PATHETIC: “Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) blasted ‘tea party’ protests yesterday, labeling the activities ‘despicable’ and ’shameful.’”

Ironic: “The husband of an Illinois congresswoman pleaded guilty Wednesday to tax violations and bank fraud for writing rubber checks and failing to collect withholding tax from an employee. Robert Creamer, a political consultant married to four-term U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, could face four years in prison on the two felony counts when he is sentenced Dec. 21.”

Tax hypocrisy abounds in Washington, but they’re angry that people are protesting. . . .

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Tea Parties Cancelled ... Just Move Along Now ...

Wait for it ... wait ... wait for it ... here it comes:

Remember this report from our nation’s history?

CNN (Continental News Network) Boston, 1773: The city of Boston canceled a proposed protest over tea taxes today, citing the fear that too many people dressed as Indians would be gathered near the wharves. Organizers expressed sadness over the cancellation, but meekly returned to their homes fearful of upsetting the officers of the Crown. Taxmen breathed a sigh of relief as the tar and feathers were put away not to be used this day.

You don’t remember that pre-revolutionary history? I should say you shouldn’t, because it didn’t happen. But flash forward a few hundred years and you’ll find it is happening today in Cape Coral, Florida where city officials canceled a tax day tea party gathering because they “feel too many people could show-up.”

That’s right, folks, the God-given, long-held American right to assemble and protest the actions of our government has been canceled due to too much popularity of the protest.

And what does it come down to? Money. You see, the city officials want an insurance policy taken out so that organizers can cover any loss that might occur as a result of the rally. And those insurance policies cost hundreds of dollars.

And it ends thus:

Americans do not have the rights they always thought they did. There is no right to protest government. There is no right to assemble. The people have no rights at all to voice their displeasure. Shut up people. Go home. Nothing to see here. Go quietly back to your IPods and DVDs. Big daddy government will take care of you. The Obemmessiah will decide what’s best for you. Don’t worry your little heads. Oh, and thank you for your payments on April 15th.

Put away the tar and feathers, won’t you? There’s a nice fella.

So I think you know you need to go RTWT now don't you? Seriously, this is a huge wake-up call. Read. The. Whole. Thing.

And my favorite part is that us gullible constitutional protesters probably will be paying AIG for the "protest insurance" policies somewhere or another.

I'll leave out the bad language but you should be glad you're not sitting next to me right now.

Comments?

UPDATE 4/2/09 by Bob: It turns out that the part about city officials actually canceling the tea party was incorrect and has been retracted at the site the article links to (the link is broken if you tried to follow it). However, the part about needing insurance is correct. So you can count on continuing to fund more bandits the more we protest. And the idea that you need insurance to protest is beyond insanity. Way beyond.

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Are YOU a Rebel?

I found the message in this email that I received today (see below) particularly interesting. I am a member of the Revolutionary War Veterans Association. My wife and I will be attending an Appleseed rifle shoot in Douglas, WY in May. So I get these emails regularly. This one is for an online streaming radio show this week. Feel free to use the info below to join in.

But what I found particularly significant, is that we "rebels" - and yes, 9.12 Project members: By definition you are all rebels too - is that we, through our actions to call attention to what is going on around us, are carrying the load for a very significant part of society. Because WE are the ones who have the courage and are willing to do the work to stand up for our rights.

Fellow 9.12ers - I salute you all, because the message below is a testament to your own courage, and what all of you are doing to try to get our country back on track.


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The Rifleman Radio Show

Please Join us for The Rifleman Radio Show, on Appleseed Radio Tuesday night at 7:00PM Central time.

You can listen in on your computer at,

blogtalkradio.com/AppleseedRadio

You can also call in to listen at, Call-in Number: (347) 308-8790


Are You a Rebel???

Are you? Are you doing anything to protect your rights and freedoms? Because if you are, you are quite probably a Rebel. A Rebel is someone who goes against the norm, who does things that no one else would consider doing. 99.9999% of Americans today are doing NOTHING to protect their rights and freedoms and are oblivious to any threats to their rights or themselves. So, if you are doing something to protect and defend your rights, liberties and freedoms, then you are definitely going against the norm and you must be a Rebel. Congratulations, you are carrying the load for millions of your fellow Americans who are floating about lazily in their pools that are filled with apathy and laziness. If you are not a Rebel, what are you waiting for?

-Scout

Rifleman Show Host

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