Monday, August 27, 2012

Stonewall’s Bounty

Via Sister Anne



It was the most grueling of the forced marches for which Gen. Stonewall Jackson was justly famous — 56 miles in 36 hours across the rolling Virginia Piedmont. To move faster, at the beginning his men were ordered to “unsling knapsacks.” They were going to live off the land. But the land didn’t offer much to sustain 23,000 Confederates. On the second day, remembered a South Carolina soldier, Berry Benson, “My only food…was a handful of parched corn and three or four small sour green apples.”

But it was worth it. On the evening of Aug. 26, 1862, Jackson captured Bristoe Station on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad about 40 miles west of Fredericksburg, cutting the Union supply line. Not only that, he now stood between John Pope’s Union Army and the Federals’ main supply depot at Manassas Junction. His soldiers could not only re-sling their knapsacks — they could fill them, too.

Manassas Junction was lightly guarded by a token force of Federal soldiers under the command of Capt. Samuel Craig of Pennsylvania. One of Jackson’s lieutenants, Brig. Gen. Isaac Trimble, gleefully proposed taking it with two picked regiments, the 21st North Carolina and the 21st Georgia: “Give me my two Twenty-ones and I’ll charge and capture hell itself! ”The combative, ambitious Trimble — he had confided to another officer that after the next battle he would be “either a major general or a corpse”— got the go-ahead from Jackson, who later sent Jeb Stuart’s cavalry along as well.

More @ NYT

Large photos: 20 years ago: Ruby Ridge standoff

Some goodies from O'l Remus

Ol' Remus



Senator Joe McCarthy was right.
Ol' Remus at woodpilereport.com

art-link-symbol-small.jpg Your password is no longer secure - Now used increasingly for computing, graphics processors allow password-cracking programs to work thousands of times faster than they did just a decade ago on similarly priced PCs that used traditional CPUs alone. A PC running a single AMD Radeon HD7970 GPU, for instance, can try on average an astounding 8.2 billion password combinations each second, says Dan Goodin in this article, Why passwords have never been weaker—and crackers have never been stronger, at Ars Technica.

art-link-symbol-small.jpg Holder's Justice Department - The documents reveal deliberate recruitment efforts to hire as attorneys and staff for the Department of Justice people suffering from psychiatric disorders and intellectual disabilities... Those with "targeted disabilities" may be hired through a "non-competitive" appointment. That means they don't have to endure the regular civil service competition among applicants, but can be plucked from the stack of resumes and hired immediately instead, says Christian Adams in this article at the PJ Tatler.

No, you idiot Republicans, it's exactly what it looked like. Roberts stabbed you in the back, so quit pretending you liked it.
vox at voxday.blogspot.com

==========

Friday's Empire State Building shootings
Now we know why DHS needs those billion rounds

"Some may have been accidentally shot by police officers."
NY Police Commissioner Ray Kelly via news.blogs.cnn.com

All nine people injured in Friday's shooting in front of the Empire State Building were wounded by police gunfire, New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly told reporters Saturday.
David Ariosto at cnn.com

Police said it is unlikely that Johnson fired during the shootout. One witness told investigators that Johnson fired, but ballistics tests don't back that up, authorities said.
newyork.cbslocal.com

One of those injured by police told the Guardian that officers appeared to fire "randomly" as they confronted Jeffrey Johnson.
Gabbatt and Holpuch at guardian.co.uk

===========

Empire State building shootings - There was absolutely no mention of the fact that 19 people were shot last night in Chicago and 13 of those people died... in August alone, more people have been killed in Chicago shootings that in the shootings of Aurora, the Sikh temple, and the Empire State Building combined. But that's not the news CNN wants to report, so it's not the news we hear.
A Hawkins at breitbart.com

Lessons from Ruby Ridge

Range target

Twenty years ago today, an FBI sniper shot Vicki Weaver in the head as she held her ten-month-old baby at her home in Ruby Ridge, Idaho. The sniper also shot her husband Randy Weaver in the back, trying to kill him. Their son was shot in the back and killed the day before by U.S. Marshals on the family’s property. One of the Marshals also died, as did a Weaver family dog killed by the officials.

This all started after years of federal investigation into Randy Weaver, beginning in the mid-1980s when Weaver’s neighbor, bitter over a land dispute, called him to the attention of various federal authorities. The most that came from these investigations was a charge, possibly true but contested, that Weaver had sold illegally sawed-off shotguns to an ATF informant, a charge with which an agent threatened Weaver if he refused to participate in another one of their investigations into third parties. Not wanting to be an ATF informant, Weaver refused. Eventually, a trial was set, but Weaver was told the wrong court date. A grand jury indicted him for failure to appear before he had a chance to show up on the date he was told.

The federal agents ambushed his property and when all was done, one official and two of the Weaver group had died and two were wounded, along with the loss of their family pet.

Some look at this incident as a sign of the modern dangers of anti-government paranoia, but this is an obscene interpretation of the facts. If anything, this is an example of the government’s paranoia run amok.

Consider:

More @ The Independent Institute

Ron Paul turns down convention speech opportunity?

t0827-rncpaul-jb-8

The NY Times is reporting that Ron Paul does not fully endorse Romney for President. Mr. Paul, said convention planners had offered him an opportunity to speak under two conditions: that he deliver remarks vetted by the Romney campaign, and that he give a full-fledged endorsement of Mr. Romney. He declined. “It wouldn’t be my speech,” Mr. Paul said. “That would undo everything I’ve done in the last 30 years. I don’t fully endorse him for president.”

Warner Bros. Removing Confederate Flag From ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ Car

Via Calvin Johnson

Dukes of Hazzard

Screen Crush
VERBATIM POST

The General Lee – Bo and Luke Duke’s vehicle of choice from ‘The Dukes of Hazzard‘ – is a classic and instantly recognizable Hollywood car. But it’s about to get a little less recognizable as Warner Bros., the studio that owns the theatrical, DVD and licensing rights to ‘The Dukes of Hazzard,’ has decided to remove the confederate flag from all future versions of the car.

The news has reportedly been floating around the hobby community over the past few days as ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ collectors became aware of a new regulation. A collector on HobbyTalk.com was told by a representative at ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ toy company Tomy:

Starting January 1, 2013 all Dukes of Hazzard General Lee vehicles will not be allowed to be produced with the Confederate Flag on the top of the vehicle.

According to the toy rep, the word came directly from Warner Bros. who no longer wants to endorse an item that has the Confederate flag printed on it.

As of now, this directive only expressly includes merchandising but Warner Bros. is developing a new ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ movie with Jody Hill directing and if they’re being this strict about licensing issues, they could very well enforce the same policy with the upcoming film. But what is a ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ property without the General Lee with the flag painted on top?

What do you think? Is it a smart move for a company like Warner Bros. to distance themselves from the symbolic nature of the Confederate flag or do you think it’s an overly PC kneejerk reaction.

Elizabeth Warren Staffer Roughs Up Cameraman: ‘You’re Messing With the Wrong People’

Via Don

The Blaze
VERBATIM POST

The Weekly Standard is reporting that a staffer of Massachusetts Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren, who claimed to be part-Cherokee because of family lore, roughed up a persistent cameraman this weekend in Martha’s Vineyard.

The clip begins with a recording of Warren and her staff walking to an SUV, before one of her aides turns on the cameraman, saying, “don’t f*cking…” as he slaps the camera to the ground.

The cameraman replies “wo-oah, really?” with surprise, as he picks up his recording device and continues to film the Warren staffer.

From there the two repeat, respectively, “it’s a public event“ and ”get out of my face” for about fifteen seconds until the unnamed staffer quietly warns: “You’re messing with the wrong people.”

Watch the entire exchange, via the Weekly Standard, below (content warning for language)



Elizabeth Warren, who claims to have formed the intellectual basis for the “Occupy” movement and believes that roads, bridges, and the collective are responsible for American success, is currently in a tight race with incumbent Senator Scott Brown.

The latest polling data from Public Policy Polling indicates that Scott Brown is leading by five points, but it is his first solid lead this year. Even after the “Cherokee” controversy, Warren registered an advantage among likely voters for months.

Narcissism personified

Via Don

Obama Remembers Neil Armstrong. By Posting A Picture Of Himself


Neil’s spirit of discovery lives on in all the men and women who have devoted their lives to exploring the unknown—including those who are ensuring that we reach higher and go further in space. That legacy will endure—sparked by a man who taught us the enormous power of one small step. —President Obama on the passing of Neil Armstrong

The Euro in One Lesson


A Question About the NY Shooting

LRC
VERBATIM POST
by Eric Peters
EricPetersAutos.com


People who want to take guns away from citizens often argue that it’s dangerous for citizens to have guns. They will say, “innocent people will get shot in the crossfire” in the event an armed civilian uses a gun to stop an armed criminal.

I wonder what they’ll say about what just happened in NYC?

According to reports, a laid-off women’s clothing designer named Jeffrey Johnson, 58, decided to shoot his ex-boss. He pulled out a .45 pistol and did so – and was himself almost immediately gunned down by a gaggle of city cops. Problem is, the cops ending up shooting more people than the gunman. Eight people were shot – by the cops. (news story here.)


Will the people who demand citizens be disarmed because “innocent people might get caught in the crossfire” now demand that cops be disarmed, for the same reason?

If not – why?

Will the “reckless” cops – who clearly can’t shoot straight - be held civilly and criminally responsible for shooting innocent bystanders – as a citizen surely would be?

If not, why?

Don’t forget that cops – as a matter of law – are under no obligation to protect any individual from harm. They are law enforcers – not protectors.

Protection – of our individual persons – is ultimately up to us.

Provided, of course, we are permitted to do so. And provided, of course, that we aren'’t caught in a cop crossfire.

Kia Sorrento with jammed accelerator.......

The Feral Irishman
VERBATIM POST

It was 35 minutes of sheer terror! A 47-year old Iowa mom hurled down the highway, her Kia Sorrento completely out of control and gaining speed - fast- the accelerator jammed. She drove like this for 35 minutes and no one thought to turn the motor off?

Spiders On Drugs:)

Via Knuckledraggin' My Life Away


New firepower for NYPD

Via Knuckledraggin' My Life Away

As the police were only able to shoot 9 bystanders they are being issued new magazines.


Best of Times

Via Cousin Colby


The Secession Paradigm



DUMP DC
VERBATIM POST

Secession is the new paradigm for personal liberty and property rights on the North American continent.

In order for secession to be successful, it will require that each of us think on an entirely new level than we have ever thought before. Why? Because living in a 50-state nation is very different from living in a single nation with counties.

Albert Einstein is quoted thus: “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “paradigm” (pronounced “pair-a-dime”) as: “a philosophical and theoretical framework of a scientific school or discipline within which theories, laws, and generalizations and the experiments performed in support of them are formulated.”

Secession is a paradigm, a framework within which a group of individuals may band together to work from theory to action to solve the problem of the loss of individual liberty and property rights by “throw(ing) off such government and to provide new Guards for their future security.” (hat tip to Mr. Jefferson)

The very act of secession demands that we stop thinking like Americans and begin thinking like free men and women who will no longer accept a life under tyranny and slavery. Most people either cannot or refuse to embrace the weight and responsibility that accompanies living free. Many have gotten so used to tyranny that all they can comprehend is everyone suffering equally…instead of the equality of liberty.

Folks are going to have to be sick and tired of being sick and tired before they will commit to secession as a solution to their problems. And nothing will be as effective in winning hearts and minds for secession as the collapse of the American economy. Secession will require allegiance to our state, soon to become our new nation. And that commitment will first be exhibited in a commitment to each other as individuals who yearn to be free to govern ourselves as we see fit.

Governing after secession is also a paradigmatic and drastic change from conventional thinking and understanding about governance.

Let’s start thinking together right here…right now…in new ways about self-governance.

1. Personal liberty is greatest where there is the least amount of government. So documents like the Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution are anachronistic and irrelevant for a new nation. Now…happily…excitedly… perhaps we can stop believing that the constitutional republic is the greatest form of human governance. An unrestrained republic is what got America into the shape it’s in right now. Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not suggesting that we have more regulations. Quite the contrary. I am saying that we need LESS GOVERNMENT.

In an article I wrote in 2009, I offer an entirely new form of governance,
The New Corporate Model Of Governance.
Take a look at that article. This form of governance makes sure that every citizen signs a contract with his government instead of having a 230-year-old document that no one alive has ever agreed to.

2. There is no more important issue for a new nation that its money. If a new nation gets the monetary system wrong, the wheels of the nation will fall off eventually. The big money interests and banksters will fight hard to continue the present system of Fractional Reserve Banking (FRB) and fiat money. But that should be enough to prove to you that they are all criminals and counterfeiters. FRB and fiat money must be outlawed from day one in the new nation, and the penalty for FNB or counterfeiting should be death. The new national Constitution must authorize only gold and silver as money, but must stop short of setting its value. The law should authorize the private minting of gold and silver coins for use as money, but that is as far as the law needs to go. Never should the new government have the authority to set the value of money, for the free market will do that very well.

3. Taxation. I propose that the nation have only one source of revenue, and that is the national sales tax. No property taxes, no Value Added Taxes, no tariffs, no ad valorem taxes, no use fees, no income tax, no estate tax, no excise taxes…NO OTHER SOURCE. PERIOD. The government will be very limited in its scope of duties, so I propose that the initial tax national sales tax rate be set at 10%. Remember, under a Corporate Model of Governance, every citizen could vote on every issue, and that would naturally include any tax rate increase or addition of the scope of governance. That also means that the only tax that cities and counties could assess would be a sales tax. The national Constitution should set the maximum rate for city/county sales tax. Then all the various municipalities must live within their means without borrowing. And if the state or other governmental bodies run a surplus in a given year, they issue dividend checks to the citizens.

4. National legislature: Use Texas as a model. The Texas Legislature meets in assembly EVERY OTHER YEAR for about three months. A properly organized new national government won’t have all that much to do. Let the new constitution set the parameters for the schedule of the Legislature. The mere existence of a set number of days in assembly gathered will drastically restrict the mischief they can set in motion.

5. National security: Every able-bodied person between age 18 and 50 will be a militia member. That old US Constitution actually got this right in the Second Amendment. The security of a free state makes it necessary to have a militia, and the militia is not a standing army. It is comprised of free citizens trained and ready to defend their nation. DEFEND…not invade another country.

Think about a nation with no inflation, no out-of control Congressional spending, no fiat money, no army, no Social Security and Medicare, no income tax, no three-letter Federal agencies like EPA, DEA, CIA, HHS, etc., no banksters. Imagine how free that nation would be. Imagine how the wealth of the world would pour into a country with no inflation. Dream of full employment, high wages, high productivity, fierce competition and a high standard of living. All these attributes can exist in a state that secedes from the United States and then forms their new government with individual liberty and property rights as its only reason for existence.

Finally, try to wrap your mind around the truth that when your state secedes, it removes every taxpayer in the seceding state from any and all responsibility for repayment of the US national debt. For Christ’s sake, do you need any more reason to become a secessionist?

Secession is the only hope for humanity. Who will be first?

Issa to question OIG head as ATF pores over report

Via WRSA

Will Issa put the hammer down on the IG over Gunwalker report?

A Friday letter sent by House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Darrell Issa to Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz warned against delaying release of the long-awaited report on its Fast and Furious gunwalking investigation and summoned the IG to appear before the Committee on Sept. 11 for questioning. Additionally, the letter revealed that a copy of the report has been provided to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in addition to being sent to Justice.

The length of time the report has taken to prepare prompted Gun Rights Examiner to observe last December that it had already exceeded the time it took the Warren Commission to produce its report on the John F. Kennedy assassination. Cautions were also raised months back about the selection of Horowitz to replace then-acting IG Cynthia A. Schnedar, who had close ties to Attorney General Eric Holder, when this column pointed out his close ties to Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer, identified early on as a person of interest in Fast and Furious by this column and citizen journalist Mike Vanderboegh of Sipsey Street Irregulars.

“We have been told through our sources for some time to be ready for a ‘September Surprise,’” Vanderboegh told his readers yesterday of this latest development. “The idea was to get the OIG report on the record and then, if it was a whitewash, to blow it out of the water with additional documents and witnesses already in the hands of the Issa committee.”

That makes Issa’s warning against delay all the more understandable, and further validates claims made over the weekend to this columnist by a past-proven source that there are “a lot of closed doors” at ATF Headquarters, as Acting Director B. Todd Jones, Deputy Director Thomas E. Brandon, the Chief Counsel’s office and relevant staffers are “poring” over a report said to be over 400 pages long.

It also renews hope that Issa and the Committee will be taking heed of unsolicited public counsel from this correspondent and Vanderboegh to demand the evidentiary work papers used as the basis for report findings, characterized by an adviser in government practice.

More @ Examiner

Ron Paul: If I Was In Charge The People Killed on 9/11 Would Still Be Alive

At a speech today in the Sun Dome at the University of South Florida ahead of the Republican convention, the Libertarian former Republican presidential candidate said if he had been in charge 9/11 wouldn't have occurred. “Somebody — rather nationally —- said the other day on the Internet 'if those Paul people had been in charge Osama Bin Laden would still be alive.' But you know what I think the answer is? So would the 3000 people killed on 9/11 still be alive!”


Famous Drill Instructor Says GEICO Fired Him for Criticizing Obama Admin.

Via avordvet

Famous drill instructor Lee Ermey — best known for his appearance in the movie “Full Metal Jacket” — says he was fired from his gig as a GEICO insurance personality because he criticized President Obama.

Last December, Ermey — also known as “Gunney” — made headlines by blasting the economy and linking Obama to socialism:

But the plot thickened in January when Ermey came out and apologized, drawing the ire of some of his fans. And now, despite that apology, Ermey says GEICO fired him because of the statements.

Ermey had played a psychiatrist in a GEICO commercial and famously called his “patient” a “jackwagon.” When TMZ recently asked him about it, he said “GEICO fired me because I had– I wasn’t too kind about speaking with the– about the administration, so– the present administration — so they fired me.”

“So they fired you because of political reasons?” asked TMZ.

“Yeah,” he answered. “If you’re a conservative in this town, you better watch out.”

Watch it @ The Blaze

U.S. Forestry Service Steps Up To The AMMO Trough

Via avordvet



This is just one region... California.

All numbers are in cases... 272,000 rounds, including hollow points.

Ammunition Solicitation Number: AG-91S8-S-12-0031
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Office: Forest Service
Location: R-5 Pacific Southwest Region

40 Caliber, 165 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point 170 CS $__________ $___________

223 Caliber, 62 to 65 Grain Bonded Soft Point 150 CS $__________ $__________

12 Gauge, Rifled Slugs, 2 ¾ inch, 1 oz. Reduced 40 CS $_________ $__________

12 Gauge, 9 Pellet 00 Buck, Reduced Coil 40 CS $________ $__________

9 MM Luger, 124 to 127 Grain 12 CS $________ $__________

Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
380 Caliber Auto, 85 TO 95 Grain 12 CS $________ $_________

Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
45 Caliber Auto, 200 to 230 Grain 4 CS $________ $__________

Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
38 Caliber Special, 110 to 125 Grain 6 CS $_______ $_________

Delivery is important. Ammo needed within 30 days. Please provide Dates for Delivery Ammunition.


Scientists Successfully ‘Hack’ Brain To Obtain Private Data

Via Keep It Simple Survival

(http://www.binauralbrainwave.net/)

It sounds like something out of the movie “Johnny Mnemonic,” but scientists have successfully been able to “hack” a brain with a device that’s easily available on the open market.

Researchers from the University of California and University of Oxford in Geneva figured out a way to pluck sensitive information from a person’s head, such as PIN numbers and bank information.

The scientists took an off-the-shelf Emotiv brain-computer interface, a device that costs around $299, which allows users to interact with their computers by thought.

The scientists then sat their subjects in front of a computer screen and showed them images of banks, people, and PIN numbers. They then tracked the readings coming off of the brain, specifically the P300 signal.

The P300 signal is typically given off when a person recognizes something meaningful, such as someone or something they interact with on a regular basis.

More @ CBS

Former Fla. Gov. Charlie Crist Endorses Obama

Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist says he's backing Barack Obama in the 2012 presidential race.

The former Republican made the announcement in an op-ed piece published in Sunday's Tampa Bay Times. The endorsement came as Republicans are gathering in the Tampa Bay area for the GOP convention. It also came amid preparations statewide for Tropical Storm Isaac.

Crist left the Republican Party during his unsuccessful bid for a U.S. Senate seat in 2010 and is currently registered as having no party affiliation. He was elected governor of Florida as a Republican in 2006.

In the Tampa Bay Times article, Crist wrote he's "confident that President Barack Obama is the right leader for our state and the nation."

Republicans wasted no time in slamming Crist for his choice -- and his timing.

Florida GOP Chairman Lenny Curry in an e-mail to Florida Republicans called Crist's endorsement on what would have been the eve of the GOP convention a "repugnant display from a self-centered, career politician."

“Make no mistake about it: This is Charlie Crist trying to shed his skin for a political comeback,” Curry said.

More @ NewsMax

Rep. Ron Paul rallies supporters in Tampa

Supporters were dancing in the aisles at a Ron Paul rally on Sunday. “This was a lot more than a campaign,” one young man said.

Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) addressed boisterous supporters Sunday, saying their efforts would help to usher in a new era of American politics.

"The end of an era provides an opportunity," he said.

In wide-ranging and lengthy remarks delivered to supporters in Tampa one day before the Republican convention is slated to begin, Paul further touted his unique brand of political thinking, which has gained him a passionate base of support following several dark horse presidential runs.

The overarching theme of Paul's remarks was one of wanting to minimize the government's influence on people's everyday lives. The lawmaker, who plans to retire at the end of 2012, used a number of specific points to highlight his worldview, including legalized drugs, a reduced military presence abroad, and even allowing for the consumption of raw milk.

"The return of liberty can solve so many of our problems," he said.

More @ The Hill

Authors: Pope Pius XII Was Framed by KGB



When former Romanian intelligence chief General Ion Mihai Pacepa made sensational claims in 2007 that Pope Pius XII was the victim of a Soviet plot to frame him as a Nazi sympathizer, historians and even even some of Pius’s defenders were skeptical.

Yet as new evidence has come to light, Pacepa’s claims are gaining wider support. The former spy chief, who defected to the United States in 1978, has just completed a new book called “Disinformation” in which, together with Ronald Rychlak, an expert on Pius XII and the Holocaust, he explains how the intricate framing operation was carried out.
Rychlak, a law professor at the University of Mississippi, was initially sceptical of a Kremlin plot, but rather than let the claims pass and fade away, he spent the next two years combing through documents to see if Pacepa’s claims would add up. “Bit by bit, all the pieces fell in place,” he told me. “The new picture answered many questions and made sense out of things that had previously been inexplicable.”

The former Romanian spy chief remains in hiding for his own protection, but through the Pave the Way Foundation, a charity that seeks to bridge sectarian divisions, he explained via email his proof of a KGB plot against Pius. But he said that to recognize such evidence of disinformation, “one should be familiar with the Kremlin’s very secret “science” of changing the past in order to suit current priorities.”

“In KGB jargon, changing the past was called “framing,” and it was a highly classified disinformation specialty,” he explained, adding that the operations were “like mosaics made up of hundreds or even thousands of tiny pieces fitted together.”

“Only a handful of master designers know how the final image will turn out,” he continued. “I was peripherally involved in changing the past of Pius XII, but at that time, even I did not know what the final image would look like.”

More @ NewsMax