Archive for April 2010
Good Writing
Found a couple of cool sites today that are going into the blogroll.
The first I found through The Classic Liberal’s blog, who btw, has another followup piece to the Conservative/Libertarian question.
The new site I spotted is Eternity Road and while I was following that link they pointed me to an excellent short essay over at Primordial Slack that I will call the must read of the month. Great story telling that one.
Arizona
Next, why is a latino woman schooling her city council on Arizona’s illegal immigrant law? Go here for the video and commentary. More from Tammy Bruce an the issue here.
And this from Human Events:
Ever wondered what the U.S. border with Mexico really looks like?
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Congress is Rum Dumb
Puerto Rican Rum that is.
For our consideration, Puerto Rico’s unemployment rate is about 15.9% and 45% of its citizens live below the poverty level – so statehood for Puerto Rico would basically be like adopting another Michigan. If we?re hell bent to adopt another country, how about Singapore or New Zealand?
For some, statehood for Puerto Rico simply boils down to ~ you guessed it ? “benefits::
“First of all, we are demanding full benefits of our citizenship,” said Thomas Rivera Schatz, the president of the Senate (R-Puerto Rico). “Already, we haven?t those full benefits and we fight the U.S. wars. We are part of a U.S. government and we don?t have the full benefits of our citizens. We can?t vote for the president. We don?t have representation in the House or the Senate. So, those are some of the benefits we are demanding.”
Do we really need more dependents? Why on earth, at this time, when we are providing so many people with so many entitlements do Nancy Pelosi and the Dems want to make Puerto Rico a state? I wonder how many of them would vote Democrat? This is the wrong thing to do. We do not need more dependents. We need jobs and less taxation.
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What The…?
Next, on the military side of things, these two gems from Defense Tech:
The first headline read “Russia Losing Valuable Arms Buyer as Chinese Defense Industry Ramps Up”
I have to ask: Ramps up for what?
Read more here.
War on Terror
Then there was this article, speaking on Afghanistan “Taliban Believe They’re Winning…”
“The insurgents perceive 2009 as their most successful year,” the report says. Higher levels of violence, poor turnout during the Afghan presidential elections and reports of Afghan government fraud contribute to a sense of success among the Taliban. While ISAF has seen some success in certain parts of Helmand, putting in place the Afghan government and security forces, the “hold and build” part of the COIN strategy, has been slow. The Taliban have re-infiltrated areas cleared by the Marines and are again intimidating the population.”
I thought we were supposed be out of Afghanistan by now?
Look, if we are going to be there, let’s kick some ass already and get it over with. No, this is not a different message from 2 years ago. I said the same thing when Bush was in office. I just didn’t have a blog then, so you’ll have to take my word for it.
The difference with this regime is they don’t see any political capitol to be gained by getting out or winning right now. I’m not sure they would know what the true purpose of the war is if it was a scud missile flown up their arses. The fact is, that any advances in the war are to be attributed to the soldiers themselves. Any lapses go on the asshats in the White House due to their politicization of the war and apology tour!
Now I’ve gone off on a rant, but that is what you came for, isn’t it?
Go read the report here.
Those freedom lovers who put liberty before all, to a fault. Sometimes they miss the fact that while the ideas Libertarianism promotes are very worthy and worthwhile, practicality just gets in the way.
While it is true that most people are virtuous, moral and well meaning. Some are mean, amoral, or just downright evil and can’t be trusted. It is the latter that governments are invented to protect us from. Sometimes I think that most dyed-in-the-wool Libertarians forget this.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of Libertarianism, I think it is at the core of the founding principles and of Conservatism. I also think it must be tempered with common sense. I’ve said before at the other blog that I believe the founders meant to limit the Federal Government to affairs of the nation as a whole. It has no place in our personal lives. Yes, I believe the income tax, social security and medicare/aide and the Seventeenth Amendment should all be repealed in due time. I know that most Libertarians would agree with me on this.
Where we get sideways though, is the issue of where the state and local governments have jurisdiction. A Libertarian friend once told me that even state or local government should have no place in your personal life. If this is the Libertarian’s belief, then they are wrong.
The Tenth Amendment lays it out with clarity that cannot be ignored.
Amendment X
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.
This tells me that the writers of the Constitution gave the people of each state the power to do what they want within the confines of that state. In other words, if the people of California want to legalize dope, they can. If you don’t want to live in a state that allows pot heads, move. Simple!
The way I see it, under the Constitution, the states were set up to each be it’s own laboratory, testing out their own particular brands of government, with the referee being the Federal Government, who was there to make sure they play nice with one another in the sandbox of America.
The idea works at the local level as well, communities can and should be able, within the constraints of the rules of the State Constitution, to make their own community by-laws, laws with respect to vices, personal public conduct, etc.
As I understand it, a true Libertarian would have none of this. They would have no laws restricting personal freedom whatsoever, be they federal, state or local. While this sounds very well intentioned, it actually is an imposition of sorts. That means that I cannot, if I wish, band together with like minded individuals and form a community experiment with a certain set of rules for the town. Say, no drinking. So, in effect Libertarianism, taken to its own ideal, is a form of quasi-anarchy in that it forces me to live in a society without social boundaries, which is a society I would not want to live in. Where is my freedom and that of my companions to form a commune if I so desire?
Sincerely, am I missing something here? If I misunderstand the tenets of Libertarian thought, please correct me.
No form of government is perfect, just as no political ideology is perfect. They are man-made and thus subject to the failings of man. Much like the rambling inconsistencies of this writer. But I’m working on it, and that is what we should all be doing in respect to this government within the true intent and meaning of the Constitution. Not bending it to suit our own ideal of what we would have it mean.
So, the question was, “What to do with those pesky Libertarians?”
I’ll tell you what we do with them. I believe that Libertarians and Conservatives are on a close enough plane in the realm of political thought that we should have no quarrel in the current arena. The fight against the “fundamental transformation” going on is far too important to magnify petty differences in our ideology. We must band together for the common good of the nation. Perhaps in doing so we can find more common ground to agree on as well.
My 2 cents, adjusted for inflation.
UPDATE: TCOTS has a plea. Gator Doug interjects. And The CL has a well placed volley.
Also linked at The Washington Rebel and A Conservative Shemale.
Better company would be hard to find.
Friend of the Robot and fellow Southeast Texan, Peter Morrison, has chimed in on the Arizona Illegal Immigration law issue with a call for action to our leaders in Austin. The Robot could not agree more.
Peter issues a newsletter from time to time and has graciously given permission to share his thoughts with you.
If you would like to receive the articles directly, you can sign up at the link to the right under “Texas Political Links”.
Here is
The Peter Morrison Report
The governor of Arizona just signed into law a measure that gives
local law enforcement the power to actually do something about
illegal immigration. It’s one of the toughest laws in the nation
dealing with the illegal invasion, and all the right people are
denouncing it. Now it’s time for Governor Perry and our
legislators to give Texas the same kind of bill.
Send a fax to Gov. Perry, Lt. Gov. Dewhurst, and Speaker Straus,
http://www.morrisonreport.com/fax_test/index.php?faxID=87
Full report:
The Arizona legislature passed a bill this year that can actually
have a real impact on the massive invasion of illegal aliens that
all states in the Southwest are experiencing. Unlike so many bills
dealing with illegal immigration, which usually do very little to
actually crack down on the problem, Arizona’s SB 1070 has some real
teeth in it. For starters, it makes it a violation of state law to
be in the country illegally, which is a great end run around the
federal government. The Washington, DC establishment always claims
that only the feds have the power to enforce laws against illegal
immigration, because it’s a federal crime, not a state violation.
Then they turn around and do nothing to enforce federal immigration
laws.
The bill also authorizes local law enforcement officials to arrest
illegal aliens, which is another critical component. Since the
federal government refuses to do its duty to protect the nation’s
borders, SB 1070 gives the men and women in the police and
sheriff’s departments of Arizona the authority to do so. This is
how it should be, as federal law enforcement manpower simply isn’t
sufficient for the task. Once illegals get past the Border Patrol,
it’s up to local communities to deal with the problem. The bill
also bans “sanctuary cities”, and makes it a crime to knowingly
transport anyone who is in the country illegally. This is exactly
the kind of legislation conservatives have been demanding for years.
Arizona’s governor, Jan Brewer, at first played coy about whether
she would sign the bill, refusing to comment on it either way.
Finally, though, she bowed to public pressure and signed it into
law. She said the bill will allow Arizona to “work to solve a
crisis we did not create and the federal government has refused to
fix – the crisis caused by illegal immigration and Arizona’s porous
border.” Governor Brewer is up for re-election in November, and
with polls showing that 70 percent of Arizona voters were in favor
of the bill, refusing to sign it into law would probably have been
the death knell for her career in politics. Illegal immigration in
Arizona is even worse than here in Texas, and voters all over the
political spectrum have finally had enough.
Naturally, it didn’t take long for the leftists and
multiculturalists to start denouncing Arizona’s long overdue
crackdown on illegal immigration. Several left wing groups are
already promising to fight it in the federal courts, and liberal
politicians and pundits have been condemning the bill in
apocalyptic terms. That’s because they want the invasion of tens
of millions of illegal aliens from third world nations to continue;
they know that the invasion will result in millions of future
Democrat voters. They don’t mind seeing America turned into a
Balkanized country if it guarantees a permanent Democratic
majority. That’s exactly what will come about if we don’t
immediately take serious steps to begin reversing the invasion of
illegals from south of the border.
Barack Obama, naturally, has condemned the bill. In his view the
new law threatens “basic notions of fairness that we cherish as
Americans, as well as the trust between police and their
communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe.” It’s quite
telling that Obama was quick to condemn the Cambridge police
officer who rightly arrested one of his pals, but is now suddenly
concerned about trust between the police and “communities.” (Notice
he didn’t use the word “citizens.”) One of Obama’s favorite
preachers, the far left-wing Jim Wallis, called the bill “a racial
sin.” The liberal Roman Catholic Archbishop of Los Angeles, who is
notorious for his support of illegal aliens, even compared the new
law to “German Nazi and Russian Communist techniques”. These over
the top hysterical reactions are proof that this bill is liberals’
worst nightmare.
Continue reading “Follow Arizona’s Lead on Illegal Immigration” »
It is my earnest opinion that most times we take for granted the sacrifice and hard work our soldiers put forth every day. Having never served in the military, I think I owe these brave men and women a mountain of gratitude.
The previous blog began with a video of thanks to our servicemen and women and I can think of no reason not to continue with that idea.
You can find the “A Million Thanks” website here.
From the website:
A Million Thanks is a year-round campaign to show our appreciation to our U.S. Military Men and Women, especially those who have been wounded in the War on Terrorism, past and present for their sacrifices, dedication, and service to our country through our letters, emails, cards, and prayers.
Howdy! Welcome to my new abode.
I’ve constructed a new nest out of some old mechanical parts laying around the shop and will be residing at these new digs for the foreseeable future. Needless to say, I was in a quandary as to how to get the most mileage out of the move and the most exposure for the new site, so I’ve decided to combine this Rule 2 link fest, with a Rule 5 cheesecake post for maximum effect. I’m hoping Smitty plays along…
Please be sure to update your bookmarks with the new site address. Visit and comment often, I’m open to critique and suggestions for any part of the site.
The new address is http://mindnumbedrobot.com/
Now, I wish to offer some gratuity.
To all of you listed below, I raise a frosty mug of home brewed goodness and offer a sincere Thank You! for your kindness in linking to the humble Robot. Thanks also for bearing with me as we traverse the tedious terrain that is the political landscape of present day America. Each new day is a learning experience, and I’m honored to be learning fro
m and fighting along side all of you. True Patriots you are.
On with the Love-In:
- The Other McCain – Smitty and Robert Stacy McCain are the Kings of the Blogosphere! Smitty and co. hold the record for giving the Robot the most traffic evah. Plus, they are really intelligent, nice guys who just happen to be great writers. What more could one ask for? (How’s that for sucking-up?)
- iOwnTheWorld – Still Rules! Reason being, they hold the highest single day link traffic to the ‘Bot for Christmas ’09. Thanks Guys!
- Instapundit – I know, Mr. Reynolds has never linked here, but as long as I’m in full suck-up mode, I may as well suck up to the best…
- Doug Ross @ Journal -Linked the Robot on numerous occasions – Thank You!
Not to say that these sites are any less worthy of linkage, but prudence dictated that I give kudos to the main traffic sources.
Also in line for a thorough thanking are, in no particular order…
- The Thinker -Got me to well, thinking.
- Little Miss Attila -Just because I heard that it’s bad karma not to link her.
- Tea Party Patriots – Get involved!
- The Troglopundit – Got me motivated…
- Imperfect America -Thoughtful ideas, well placed.
- No Sheeples Here -Is the Photoshop Queen!
- Pundit and Pundette -Outstanding Pundetry
- Liberal Guy – Hoisted the Robot Flag!
- Founding Bloggers -Power to the Founders.
- Generator Blog -Just plain fun.
- In a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World -
- Libertarian Buddha -a great friend
- The Lights of Albuquerque -The initial blogroller
- Eye of Polyphemus – Thanks for the constant support!
- Legalize the Constitution <— What he said.
- Caught Him With A Corndog <—Red has a HOT Avatar!
- Politicartoon – Pixellated coolness.

- Hillbuzz -Don’t get stung!
- Channel 82 – ?
- Flopping Aces -Wise words.
- Left Coast Rebel -Rebellious indeed!
- Hummers and Cigarettes -
- IMAO -Funny stuff!
- Mako Snark -Photoshop greatness to which I aspire but I fear, will never reach.
- Dr. Melissa Clouthier -The Doctor will see you now
- The Reference Frame -Brainiac.
- Villainous Company -Love Love Love Cassandra’s elegant eloquence.
- Pamibe -Truly nice lady
- Sharp Elbows StL -Grass roots reporting
- Washington Rebel – Pays a compliment – Thanks!
- They Say/We Say – Added the Bot to their Blogroll. You have excellent taste.
- The Classic Liberal – Also added the ‘Bot to his blogroll. Many thanks.
- Interesting News Items – Found a bit of satire they liked.
- Motor City Times – I think we met a a debate or something…

- Republican Redefined – More debate debauchery
- Theo Spark – Infiltrated the ranks.
- Moe Lane – Had some nightmares and couldn’t believe he missed this.
- WyBlog – Found a Rovian connection.
- That’s Right – Linked a gun video.
- Ruby Slippers – Threw some linkage at us as well. Keep clicking those heels Dorothy, maybe we can get back to Kansas after all.
- And So it Goes in Shreveport – Had an Easter Bunny reach around.
- Fishersville Mike – Noticed some scary extremists
- The Camp of the Saints – I salute you General.
- Mulieris Dignitatem – Caught wind of the house license.
- Conservative Hideout – Top notch analysis
- WesternFront America – caught the housing issues with cap and tax
- DeanO – True Christian Patriot.
- Gorges’ Grouse – Constant commenter and great essayist.
- My Thoughts on Freedom – Another great patriot.
- American Power – Doesn’t apologize for American exceptionalism.

- Another Black Conservative – Get’s it, and gives it with the best.
- Nation of Cowards – Isn’t afraid of irony.
- Carol’s Closet – Holds some high powered opinions.
- The Live Wyer – Is electrified.
- The Blogprof – Lucid reasoning.
- The Macho Response – It’ll grow on you.
- MAinfo – Opie is a nice lady. Don’t piss her off.
- teresamerica – Smart and right.
- Common Cents
- Makes My Brain Itch – I’ll scratch your blog if you scratch mine.
- Pillage Idiot Retirement -
- The C Square – Cry Havoc!
- Three Beers Later – *Hic* I’ll drink to that.
- Track-a-’Crat – How’s the fog over there?
- Team Sarah – What? Team Sarah linked me? How did I miss that?!
- Grandpa John – Wisdom of the ages tempered with the fire of wit.
- Guns and Bikinis – Why not?
- Obi’s Sister – The force is with her.
- Le*gal In*sur*rec*tion – Revolution is brewing.
- Liberty 1776 blog – Thanks for the linkage!
- The Daley Gator – Sorry Doug and Ed, I didn’t omit you on porpoise, I promise! Thanks for the reminder!
BTW, the model this week, as pointed out by Russ, is Miss Shannon Richards. Her twitter feed is here. Her website can be found here.
If I missed anyone, email me and I’ll get you added to the list.
Thanks for stopping by! Check back later for further additions to the site and commentary on what ever pops into my tin-clad head.



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