The Immoderate Blog

Orrin Hatch Should Retire!

Senator Orrin Hatch former conservative from Utah is an embarrassment to proponents of limited government. No, he is not currently advocating for in state tuition for illegal aliens (that I know of, at least.) What he is doing is sticking the federal government where it does not belong, college football's BCS!

Excuse me, Senator Hatch, but isn't that something one of your loonier Democrat colleagues might pull? I don't care how upset you are that Utah didn't get to play for the National Championship, you are out of line! I assume you didn't mean it when you said in regards to the Constitution per your Senate web-site:

Adhering strictly to the Constitution and the system of government our Founders outlined is the best guarantee of the freedoms we cherish as Americans. We need legislators, judges, and citizens who understand the view of the Constitution envisioned by our Founding Fathers. I believe strongly in the freedoms enshrined in our Bill of Rights, and that it is the duty of every American to uphold those freedoms. But I also believe that these rights are sometimes misinterpreted by over-reaching judges. We should not take freedom of speech so far as to mean that pornographers may target our children. And we should not turn freedom of religion on its head, reasoning that all references to God must be removed from public life. Our Constitution is an inspired document that has preserved the unity of our nation, protected the rights of its citizens, and made America a beacon of freedom and prosperity for the world. I consider my pledge to defend the Constitution, and all that it stands for, to be among my most sacred duties.

The Sexting Indicator

Today's on-line version of The Telegraph has the first of two articles about the problem of “sexting”.Kathie Bassett writes in "'Sexting' common among teens" sub-title "Educators struggle to control trend":

"Sexting" is the act of sending a nude photo or video of oneself or an explicit text message to another person's cell phone.

These photos have a tendency to be forwarded by the recipient to many other people, often without the knowledge of the person who sent the image. Sometimes, as many as 50 other people might see an image the same day it is sent to the intended recipient.

Of course this phenomenon is an indicator and a product of the depths to which society has fallen. It should surprise no one that the generators of the problem now seek (more government) ways in which to cope with it. More from Ms. Bassett's piece:

Is Politico Right About Mark Kirk?

In an article regarding congressmen who might be on the fence as to how to vote on the dangerous and stupid Cap and Trade Away Prosperity Act of 2009 or HR 2454, Lisa Lerer puts Mark Kirk in the following class:

The schemers: Reps. Charlie Melancon and Mark Kirk

Both Melancon and Kirk are eyeing statewide office, and their political ambitions are certainly influencing their votes on the bill. Melancon has all but officially declared his challenge to Republican Sen. David Vitter (R-La.). And in Illinois, Republicans are pressuring Kirk to run for Obama’s old Senate seat in 2010.

Melancon voted against the bill, which is close to a nonstarter in oil-rich Louisiana, when it was before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. With the GOP already ready running radio ads against him, he’s expected to oppose the bill again this week.

Kirk remains on the fence, saying he has concerns about the lack of funding for nuclear energy and coal interests in his state.

“We don’t want to de-industrialize Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin,” Kirk said after a meeting with Pelosi and Reps. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), the sponsors of the legislation.

Opposing the bill could hurt him, however, in Chicago and other more liberal corners of the state. So voting for the bill, note political observers, could indicate some serious senatorial ambitious.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/24177.html#ixzz0JSsUyCM4&C

Attack of the Enviro-statist!

Be warned! While ACORN Broadcasting Company prepares to do a prime time hard sell of Obamacare and while American citizens seem to be inundated with government action after government action, Nancy "I left my brain in San Francisco" Pelosi is going to schedule a vote on HR 2454. This threat is titled the "American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009" in typical Dem misrepresentation-in-bill-naming fashion. The title has a positive ring to it, so as long as no one notices and no one thinks, the Dems can have their way. While American citizens are concerned about what Barack Obama is going to roll out next, what his administration will nationalize next, or what will be rationed next, the Enviro-statist prepares his assault on the nation.

Mark Levin, on pages 121-122 of Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto, describes the mentality of the Enviro-statist:

If nature has "intrinsic value" then nature exists for its own sake. Consequently, man is not to be preferred over any aspect of his natural surroundings. He is no better than any other organism and much worse than most because of his destructive existence. And so it is that the Enviro-statist abandons reason for a faith that preaches human regression and self-loathing. And he does so by claiming the moral high ground - saving man from himself and nature from man. Most individuals who are sympathetic to environmental causes are unwitting marks, responsive to the Enviro-statist's manipulation of science, imagery, and language. Over time, they self-surrender liberty for authority, abundance for scarcity, and optimism for pessimism. "Save the planet!" is the rallying cry that justifies nearly any intrusion by government into the life of the individual. The individual, after all, is expendable.

What Passes For A Leader

Some days the news is depressing. Some days the news is outlandish. Some days the news is funny. Every day the news about President Barack Obama leads a rational person to wonder if the "reporters" are auditioning to be replace the bumbling fool that currently attempts to be his spokesman.

At least Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi have been out of the headlines recently. What is wrong with the Nevada electorate? If they are not careful they will become as embarrassing as the electorate to which I belong (Illinois.) No need to wonder about the mental state of those that consistently vote for the queen of excessive face lifts, as she represents San Francisco. The San Francisco 49ers (up until the mid to late 90s) provided some redeeming value.

It is hard to imagine any of the greatest comedy writers of the last century being able build the sort of unsavory, bumbling, dishonest, clownish, and artificial characters as those who currently populate the leadership of our government.

Will The Big Dog Bite Opponents of Medical Rationing?

The guardian of our nation, which is systematically being converted into one large junkyard, needs to get tough... with those who oppose government rationing of medical care. At least this appears to be the opinion of Obama's AP.

The headline of AP writer Charles Babington's piece sets the goal, "Obama may need firmer hand on health care debate." Does this mean that "Big Brother" Barry should attack the issue as if he were still campaigning (oh wait, he is still campaigning) as opposed to the delicate and "nuanced" (read: posterior smooching) method he employs with the enemies of our nation? This would seem logical since Obama's toughness is always reserved for domestic political enemies, freedom loving Americans, and Israel.

Senate Apologizes for Things They Didn't Do

Although I'm sure there are some senators such as former KKK member Robert Byrd (D - WV), who would have liked to own slaves, I suggest no American alive has ever owned a slave and that no American alive has ever been a slave! Slavery was atrocious, but we did not commit the act, so why should we apologize? Apparently the lying-about-my-military-record-because-I-want-to-be-President idiot from Iowa, Tom Harkin wants to make a spectacle out of apologizing for slavery.

From Newsvine:

WASHINGTON — The Senate has unanimously passed a resolution apologizing for slavery and racial segregation and sent the measure to the House.

Iowa Democrat Tom Harkin first introduced the measure years ago but wanted it passed Thursday on the eve of Juneteenth - a day of celebration commemorating the end of the Civil War and the release of African Americans from slavery. He said the House is to take it up soon and that a formal celebration will be held next month in the Capitol Rotunda.

I know our nation requires a show and what better way to provide the show than with a grand apology made by those who never committed the act bestowed upon those who never experienced the act? Will part of the ceremony include one of Barack Obama's teleprompters (representing his mother's ancestry, aka whitey) apologizing to the other teleprompter (which represents his father's ancestry, aka Africans that were not captured by fellow Africans and sold into slavery)?  Even if it doesn't include a half-Obama apology, the celebration will only be historic if Barack and RuPaul play central roles.

Socialized Auto Repair and Car Care

This is from The Grouch at Right Truth :

The dictum finally came down from the lord Barack Obama, the messiah, the most merciful that all the land should be taxed and part of the proceeds would be used to fund socialized car care.

Mac the mechanic, who had been an auto mechanic for at least 30 years received notice in the mail that he would no longer be able to bill people directly for his services, but would rather have to send a monthly claim to the administration of car care and auto repair. Mac had always pretty much run a cash and carry service. His loyal customers would bring their cars in for service. Mac, who was very competent and very well liked, would go over the problems with his clientele, make the authorized repairs, get paid in cash, and everyone was happy. If any unexpected problems occurred, Mac would do his best to make things right.

Well, suddenly, Mac found out that the gubment would not accept paper claims from him. The gubment required that Mac submit electronic claims. Poor Mac did not know a thing about computers. He called the car care and auto repair administration to complain but was told that this was "change he could believe in" and that he would be required to buy a complete computer system, the latest gubment claim submittal software, and a high speed internet connection, as well as hire a technician to train Mac and his staff on the proper utilization of the system.

Please visit The Grouch to read the rest of the story

Lawyer Love, Obama Style

“Big Brother” Barry renewed his vows to and expressed his love for the slip and fall lawyers today as he apparently forgot that he was speaking to the AMA and not the ABA. You see, it would not be fair to the patients to cap awards in malpractice cases. No, no, no (or as Reverend Wright might exclaim, Naw, naw, naw,) lawyers don’t profit from these awards… and this is definitely not a contributing factor in high healthcare costs. It is the paranoid doctor who orders “unnecessary tests and procedures” to prevent the possibility of… uh-oh malpractice lawsuits… but how can this be if the malpractice lawsuits aren’t part of the problem?

Obama’s AP has the report:

Obama also said the nation must explore ways to reduce the number of unnecessary medical tests or procedures that sometimes are conducted to stave off possible malpractice lawsuits.

And Obama said that placing caaps on malpractice awards, which many doctors want, would be unfair to patients, a statement that produced a loud boo from the audience.

However, he said, "we need to explore a range of ideas about how to put patient safety first, let doctors focus on practicing medicine, and encourage broader use of evidence-based guidelines. That's how we can scale back the excessive defensive medicine reinforcing our current system of more treatment rather than better care."

Congratulatory Waste in the ILGA

As a frequent reader and contributor to Illinois Review, I can't help but notice the lower right sidebar occasionally. I think the State Surge feed is an excellent way to share information about the activities of the state legislative bodies. What really caught my eye was all the "CONGRATS" resolutions.

Perhaps, given the state of government in Illinois, I should be grateful that the legislators are spending their time drafting congratulatory resolutions. This time and expense might otherwise be used to further damage the state, its economy, and the liberty of its citizens. So these congratulatory resolutions provide some protection from the intrusive activities in which the legislators might otherwise engage if they had this time to fill. There is probably even an occasional valid call for congratulations.

I have to wonder, is this what these people are elected to do? At least it provides an opportunity perpetuate identity politics, which is an integral part of our state and federal governments. Here is an example that currently sites on the sidebar: