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00Publius Contributor - Business - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - News - Uncategorized - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Unions in Philly Racist?

December 21, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Amazingly, the city council in Philadelphia is proposing that the new $700 million dollar Convention Center expansion be open to bids from nonunion contractors in an effort to include more workers “of color” in the project. City hall is claiming that the 42 local unions in Philly have refused to disclose the racial makeup of their membership. They also claim that these 42 locals are predominantly populated by white members.

Accusing trade unions of standing in the way of minority hiring objectives, City Council yesterday declared the $700 million Convention Center expansion open to nonunion contractors and workers – an unprecedented gesture in a city dominated by organized labor.

Citing the construction industry’s repeated failures to meet minority hiring goals on public projects and the unions’ refusal to disclose the racial makeup of their memberships, Council voted to amend the Convention Center’s operating agreement to allow nonunion workers, to help increase minority participation.

The Philly Inquirer quotes Bruce Crowley’s amazement that the city is going against the unions like this.

“Wow,” said public relations executive A. Bruce Crawley, one of the city’s leading critics of the union’s efforts at hiring minorities. “Wow.”

“This is very encouraging for African American contractors who would simply like not to be excluded from the work,” he said.

Of course, we have one bad thing (that unions are infesting city contracts) to another bad thing (racial quotes), so Philly is in no way getting any of this right. Why can’t we just have the best bids getting the work no matter if they are union thugs or race card throwers??

Still, it is pretty amusing that the leftist ideal of race baiting is trumping the leftist ideal of union thuggery, here.

Talk about eating your own!
Continue reading “Unions in Philly Racist?”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - News - Society/Culture - Taxes - Thomas Brewton - Uncategorized

What’s Wrong With America: the Liberal-Progressive Version

December 21, 2007 by

-By Thomas E. Brewton

It’s important to know what we’re up against.

The Sunday, December 16, 2007, edition of the New York Times carries a review of Robert Kuttner’s The Squandering of America: How the Failure of Our Politics Undermines Our Prosperity.

The reviewer, Harry Hurt III, summarizes the author’s views:

“The potential of our economy to underwrite a society of broad prosperity is being sacrificed to financial speculation,” Mr. Kuttner declares in his new book’s opening chapter. “The winnings are going to a narrow elite, jeopardizing not only our broad prosperity but our solvency. In less than a decade, our government budget, gutted by tax cuts, has shifted from endless projected federal surpluses to infinite deficits. Our trade imbalances and financial debt to the rest of the world have grown from a modest concern to levels that could produce a crash.”

Mr. Kuttner cites numerous studies and statistics that show a staggeringly disproportionate distribution of wealth in America. Among the most telling is the fact that the median income of working-age families has actually fallen by 5.4 percent over the last seven years, adjusted for inflation, even as the gross domestic product has grown by 18 percent.

Let’s give Mr. Kuttner his due. He is certainly correct that, “Our trade imbalances and financial debt to the rest of the world have grown from a modest concern to levels that could produce a crash.” But ultimate responsibility for that lies with one of Mr. Kuttner’s heroes, Franklin Roosevelt, who started the socialistic policies of debasing the dollar and massive Federal deficit spending. Republicans have done very little to reverse those policies and must shoulder a good share of the blame for the severity of today’s problem.
Continue reading “What’s Wrong With America: the Liberal-Progressive Version”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - GOP - Media Bias - News - President - Religion - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Media Fans Flames of GOP Religious Divide

December 20, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

In an article that is ostensibly supposed to be about the many Iowa homeschoolers that are supporting Mike Huckabee, the Washington Post pins the reason to the fact that homeschooling parents must hate Mormons! This has easily become the MSM’s favorite theme as they try to divide and anger portions of the GOP primary voting base against each other. In this MSM meme, anyone who votes against Romney or questions the relative Christian merits of the Mormon faith is a bigot who hates Mormons and won’t vote for Romney merely because he is one. They are also unanimous in pinning support for Huckabee to an anti-Mormon sentiment. The MSM is doing their level best to start a religious war on the right.

In the Post’s article, religion is the central theme of pro-Huckabee homeschool advocates. Here the Post reveals the efforts of a homeschooling Mother named Julie Roe (bet they chose her for her familiar name: Roe) who has stumped for Huckabee by making homemade buttons and making numerous phone calls.

Julie Roe, an early believer in Mike Huckabee, worked with what she had… With no buttons, no yard signs and no glossy literature from his nearly invisible Iowa campaign, she took a pair of scissors and cut out a photograph of the former Arkansas governor. She pasted it on a piece of paper, scribbled down some of his positions, made copies and launched the Huckabee for President campaign in rural Hardin County.

So, why Huckabee? (My emphasis added throughout).

Huckabee’s name is no longer a mystery to Iowa’s Republican voters, in large part because of an extensive network of home-schoolers like Roe who have helped lift his underfunded campaign from obscurity to the front of a crowded field. Opinion polls show that his haphazard approach is trumping the studied strategy of Mitt Romney, who invested millions only to be shunned by many religious conservatives such as Roe, who see the former Baptist preacher from Hope, Ark., as their champion.

But, even the Post contradicts this religious basis only a few paragraphs later.

While early attention focused on Romney and other better-known and better-funded opponents, home-schoolers rallied to Huckabee’s cause, attracted by his faith, his politics and his decision to appoint a home-school proponent to the Arkansas board of education. They tapped a web of community and church groups that share common conservative interests, blasting them with e-mails and passing along the word about Huckabee in social settings.

It was the endorsement by prominent national home-school advocate Michael Farris that helped propel Huckabee to a surprising second-place finish in the Iowa straw poll in August. And it was the twin sons of a home-school advocate in Oregon who helped put Huckabee in touch with television tough guy Chuck Norris, who appeared alongside him in an attention-getting TV spot and on the campaign trail.

Sorry, Washington Post. It isn’t really Huckabee’s religion that the homeschoolers are excited over. It is the fact that he handed homeschoolers a big plum when he was Gov. of Arkansas. It isn’t the religion of the matter as the Post tries to make it seem, but just good old fashioned politics.

Continue reading “Media Fans Flames of GOP Religious Divide”

00Publius Contributor - Elections - GOP - News - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Mitt Romney Lies About Father ‘Marching With Martin Luther King, Jr.’

December 20, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Mitt Romney has been caught in yet another lie. Only yesterday Romney’s claim of not supporting Planned Parenthood abortion mills was abruptly smashed by a photograph surfacing of him at one of their fundraisers in 1994. Today, it’s Romney’s claim that his father “marched with” famed civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.

During his “I’m a Mormona but it doesn’t matter” speech, Mitt Romney claimed he saw his father, George Romney, marching with MLK during a 1968 civil rights march through Grosse Pointe, Michigan. It was a stirring account of the efforts of his father to show that the Romney family have always reached across ecumenical lines.

Only one little problem… it never happened.

Continue reading “Mitt Romney Lies About Father ‘Marching With Martin Luther King, Jr.’”

00Publius Contributor - Education - Elections - Israel Teitelbaum - News - President - Society/Culture - Uncategorized

Urge the Candidates on Education…

December 20, 2007 by

-By Israel Teitelbaum

We now have the enormous opportunity to test the mettle of our leading presidential candidates. They made strong statements in support of school choice. Now we need to see which candidate can bring this idea to Congress?

You can help with this test.

Here’s how:

In the final Republican Presidential debate last Wednesday, December 12, four of the leading candidates came out firmly in favor of school choice. Here is some of what they said:

Sen. John McCain: http://www.johnmccain.com/Contact/. Phone: 703-418-2008.
“We don’t have a choice and competition. We need it in K through 12.”

Mayor Rudy Giuliani: webteam@joinrudy2008.com. Phone: 212-835-9449
“Parents should choose the school that their child goes to, the same way people choose higher education.”

Sen. Fred Thomson: http://www.fred08.com/Index.aspx. Phone: 515-276-9427.
“…every time someone wants to inject a little choice into the equation for the benefit of the kids, inject a little freedom, inject a little competition…the National Education Association is there to oppose it, and bring in millions and millions of dollars to go on television and work and scare people and misrepresent the situation on the ground. I think that just goes against everything that we know, that can make progress in this country.”

Gov. Mitt Romney: compliance1@mittromney.com. Phone: 857-288-6400.
“I agree with Senator Thompson on that. Boy, they’ve been the biggest obstacle to change in education and choice.”
Please call or write these candidates:

Hon. Presidential Candidate:
Continue reading “Urge the Candidates on Education…”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Media Bias - News - Religion - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

WaPo Columnist Compares Christians to KKK, Says They Love ‘Torture’

December 19, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

After catching Harold Meyerson’s latest Washington Post hatemongering against religion in general, Christians in particular, and Republicans especially, all I could say was just WOW! This thing is nearly unhinged and if you took the word Christian out and replaced it with any of the favored, protected minorities that the MSM guards like mother hens, it would be indistinguishable from the kind of pure bigotry that would result in Meyerson’s utter ostracizing should it have been written about those protected classes. Calling Republicans/Christians torturers, abusers of immigrants, members of the KKK, bigots and even mean, Meyerson skipped only the Nazi and Hitler references making one wonder if his hatred for Christians isn’t fully sated after all in this piece and if there is more seething bile that he decided it was better not to air?

There is absolutely no substance to Meyerson’s piece at all. It is filled with lies, mischaracterizations, blatant spin and name-calling. In fact, it is nothing but a 12 paragraph excuse to call Christians names, so I won’t waste time trying to refute his garbage as it is so bigoted and full of lies that it defies reply — that and it would take far more time than I’m willing to give it. But, here is a list of all the names he calls Christians and Republicans and just some of his outrageously off-base “analysis” in this piece of trash.

Continue reading “WaPo Columnist Compares Christians to KKK, Says They Love ‘Torture’”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Frank Salvato - Islam - Islamofascism - News - Religion - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Uncategorized

Why Is There No Honest Discourse About Terrorism’s Roots?

December 19, 2007 by

-By Frank Salvato

We hear a lot about the subject of terrorism today. This has been the case for mainstream America – and the world – since the horrific attacks of September 11th, 2001. Each night on the news, as if by the networks’ design, there are the obligatory stories about a car bombing or a suicide attack, perhaps a fifteen second shot of the aftermath, a condescending, concerned look from the anchor and then a commercial. “We’ll be right back with another story about Britney Spears’ crotch, right after this!” That the single biggest threat to our nation has become B-Roll news program filler should disgust each and every one of us. Then, each and every one of us is to blame that it has come to this.

Try to think back to the last time you saw the images of September 11th on television or in the mainstream media newspapers and magazines? Chances are it was either directly after the attacks or during a memorial segment commemorating the anniversary of those attacks. The truth is that the mainstream media removed the images of September 11th from our sight – the images of death and destruction, the murder of thousands of innocents, the people who chose to leap to their deaths rather than burn alive – because they deemed the images “too disturbing” for us to see.

Try to remember the last time you heard an ingenuous, learned, intelligent discussion about the root causes of Islamist terrorism on a news program or a news issues television show. Most likely it was directly after 9/11. The overwhelming majority of inspection done on the issue today centers on the treatment – or perceived mistreatment – of radical Islamofascists caught on the field of battle or those who were apprehended for being implicated in plots to slaughter innocents both here in the United States and abroad. Then, of course, we have the pseudo-intellectual network talking heads and anti-war zealots who insist that it is the radical Islamist, caught with AK-47 in hand, who is the victim of the oppression that America has to offer. It couldn’t possibly that the person pulling the trigger or detonating the suicide vest is to blame. America’s foreign policy “made them do it.”
Continue reading “Why Is There No Honest Discourse About Terrorism’s Roots?”

00Publius Contributor - Abortion - Elections - News - President - Religion - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Photo Proof: Romney Attended Planned Parenthood Fundraiser in ‘94

December 19, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

One more proof of a Romney lie has come to light just before the Iowa Primary. First off, I can no longer call Romney a flip-flopper, because he is proven to be an outright liar. PERIOD. On abortion, he first tells the people of Massachusetts that he is pro-choice, then he says he only supported what the people in his state wanted, then he claimed he was “always pro-life” but just never voted that way. He also said he never supported Planned Parenthood, the famous abortion mill operators. Well, here comes ABC News with a photograph of Romney hobnobbing with abortion lovers at a Planned Parenthood “house party” in 1994 while he was Governor of Massachusetts.

Says Rick Klein on the Political Radar Blog:

Mitt Romney attended a fund-raising reception for Planned Parenthood in 1994 in conjunction with a $150 donation his wife made to the organization — notwithstanding Romney’s contention that he had “no recollection” of the circumstances under which his wife gave money to the abortion-rights group.

And they have at least one photo showing Romney chatting contentedly with abortion pushers there.

In the photograph obtained by ABC News, Romney and his wife, Ann, are shown in a yellow-and-white tent chatting with local political activists, including Nicki Nichols Gamble, who was then president and CEO of the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts.

Go on over to the Political Radar Blog and check out the whole sordid tale.

But, here is the thing. Romney is NO conservative. Not in any way, shape or form. He is a man that sees NO principle that he won’t flip flop on to “get something done.” He has no real principles guiding him and in an era when we need the strongest president in the White House, this man would be a disaster for our country.

Worse, Romney is a liar. He once said he was a “hunter all his life,” for instance. He then had to admit that he’d only hunted twice in his whole life. If he’ll lie about something so silly as hunting, what important issue will he lie over?

No true conservative, no person interested in truth will vote for Mitt the malleable.

Continue reading “Photo Proof: Romney Attended Planned Parenthood Fundraiser in ‘94”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Media Bias - News - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Actor Charles Grodin Calls Sean Hannity a Fascist on H&C

December 18, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

I have to say, this little TV clip — video posted at bottom of story — shows how leftists can neither take a joke nor can they see what’s funny about their own leftism. On the Dec. 17th edition of Hannity & Colmes guest Charles Grodin decided that it would be, uh, funny to call host Sean Hannity a fascist and a Nazi. Yes, Charles Grodin lost the game violating Godwin’s Law, that states that if you are the first to call someone a Nazi in an argument you end meaningful discussion by heading for the cheapest, easiest, least applicable argument and name to call an opponent. Grodin’s knee jerk reaction, caused him to lose the game, but he did reveal his true feelings for that split second before he regained his composure and put his faux amiability back on.

Grodin was on H&C to flog his latest book titled If I only knew then… learning from our mistakes, a book where a dozen or so liberals debase themselves by telling Grodin their mistakes in life. As Hannity points out, Grodin didn’t include any conservatives in his list. This oversight is probably for the obvious reason that Grodin probably doesn’t know any conservatives, never met one (Hannity aside) and wouldn’t deign to speak to one even if he did.

At about 5 minutes into the discussion about Grodin’s book, Hannity jokingly said that Grodin was a “left wing extremist,” and this set Grodin off something fierce. In answer to Hannity’s ribbing an obviously angered Grodin called Hannity a “fascist,” a “Nazi,” and asked Hannity if he had co-hosted a show with “Goebbels” (as in Hitler’s propaganda chief Joseph Goebbels).

Grodin was obviously angry to have leapt straight for the jugular and so badly showing he can’t take a bit of joshing about his political persuasion. But, his over the top reply reveals how touchy he is on the issue. After all, is “left wing extremist” nearly as bad in general status as a fascist and a Nazi? After all, one can be a “left wing extremist” without having been responsible for the murder of millions and multiple acts of genocide! Me thinks Chuckie doth protest too much.

Continue reading “Actor Charles Grodin Calls Sean Hannity a Fascist on H&C”

00Publius Contributor - Frank Salvato - Islam - Islamofascism - Media Bias - News - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Uncategorized

Talker Roger Hedgecock To Emcee Terror Symposium

December 18, 2007 by

-By Frank Salvato

Nationally syndicated radio talk show host Roger Hedgecock of KOGO in San Diego has signed on to emcee the third in a national symposium series produced by Basics Project and America’s Truth Forum exploring the threat of radical Islam, Exposing the Threat of Islamist Terrorism, February 1 & 2, 2008 in Dallas, Texas.

From his days as a powerful San Diego elected political leader to his 14 years as host of “The Roger Hedgecock Community Forum,” Mr. Hedgecock has reached out to influence millions of Americans nationwide with his message of citizen empowerment. Mr. Hedgecock has guest hosted the number one ranked Rush Limbaugh radio program. He can be heard on his own nationally syndicated radio program on his flagship station AM600 KOGO, in San Diego, CA .

We are thrilled that Mr. Hedgecock has not only agreed to emcee this critical event but has dedicated a significant portion of his professional attention to the issue of our event, the threat of radical Islamist terrorism.

Scheduled to speak:
Continue reading “Talker Roger Hedgecock To Emcee Terror Symposium”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Media Bias - News - Science - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Newsweek’s Hirsch Pleads for Al Gore in ‘08

December 18, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

I wasn’t aware that Michael Hirsh of Newsweek magazine was a writer of such biting satire but after reading his latest titled, “Why Isn’t Al Gore Running?,” I found myself marveling at his wit… or sad for his intellectual incuriosity should he be serious for an Al Gore candidacy for president in 2008. Unfortunately, my hope that he was displaying a Swiftian penchant for satire is easily overcome by the impression he is, indeed, seriously touting another Gore run for the White House. You Lilliputians be damned because Hirsh’s Goreliver stands astride the country — nay the world — like a colossus of Brobdingnagian proportions. And that is really, really big you should know. Not bad on Goreliver’s part for a drop out of divinity school, eh?

No, sadly I do believe that Newsweek’s Hirsh was completely serious when he imagines that Gore would make the ideal 2008 candidate. After all, according to Hirsh, Al Gore is saving the planet no less and what better way than to do it from the Oval Office? So, I’ll have to settle for ridiculing Hirsh’s efforts as opposed to saluting him for his biting wit and perspicacity.

To show Hirsh’s complete inability to grasp what qualifies a person as a great leader, the very first few words of his sycophantic puff piece seems to say that because Gore was seen in the company of two Hollywierd celebs, that must really mean something important.

There he was again on the world stage–in Oslo this time–celebrating his Nobel Peace Prize with singer Melissa Etheridge and actress Uma Thurman, the Hollywood hottie who called him “adorable” and said listening to him talk was “like watching a beautiful racehorse run.”

So, because Gore has the admiration of one B level actress and one aged songstress who hasn’t had a number one hit for 10 years (and even then it was in Canada — 14 years for a Hit in the US), we are supposed to be overawed with his star power? I’m not sure if Hirsh realizes it, but William Hung put out a big selling album once. If Gore sidled up to that warbler are we any better assured that Gore’s scientific acumen puts him the the Einstein club?

But wait, all may not be well. Hirsh scolds his idol for forsaking his duty to cure America and the world of its ills by not wanting to run for office.

Continue reading “Newsweek’s Hirsch Pleads for Al Gore in ‘08”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Immigration/Immigrants - Media Bias - News - Society/Culture - The Law - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Media Distortion on Illegals Question

December 18, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

We’ve seen so many examples of the media using language to elicit an emotional response to an issue as opposed to just reporting on a story and the issue of illegal aliens is no exception. The AP, though, has outdone themselves with this one titled, “Waukegan immigrants wary of city effort to enforce federal law.” In fact, the title itself is interesting in that it would naturally lump illegal immigrants in with legal ones. Yet, nowhere has the issue of immigration been one aimed at legal immigrants.

According to the Associated Press, for instance, folks who are “foreign-born” are “newcomers” who “feel anything but welcome” in the Chicago suburb of Waukegan, Illinois. Notice the coded words? The AP piece leads the reader to imagine that several of the town’s laws have been specifically written to chase out Mexicans and that the immigrant community (legal or otherwise) in Waukegan is feeling pressure to get out. Yet, upon close examination of this AP piece, one cannot help but realize that the AP does not offer any statistics to prove that Mexican residents are leaving in any numbers, they don’t cite any rise in arrests of Spanish speakers there to indicate possible harassment, nor do they even quote anyone to “prove” their contention but one Yolanda Torrez, a lawyer who specializes in criminal, DUI traffic violations, Social Security and DWL traffic violations cases for Spanish-speaking clients. In the final analysis, the AP offers no proof whatsoever that “foreign-born” residents are afraid or truly being discriminated against at all. They just state it as a fact using a single, biased person’s words to assert it.

After a description of the “sailboats” that gently float in nearby Lake Michigan, and other panoramic language the AP piece goes on to describes how “Mexican groceries” and other ethnic businesses have grown in the suburban town. And then the AP begins the scare-mongering with a grave, “despite their numbers, the newcomers feel anything but welcome.”

AP continues that grave tone with some claims that they make no real attempt to buttress with proof.

Continue reading “Media Distortion on Illegals Question”

00Publius Contributor - Crime - Education - Lee Culpepper - News - Society/Culture - Uncategorized

Lost Sowell: Michael Vick

December 18, 2007 by

-By Lee Culpepper

(Note to readers: This article is a revision of my previous article Michael Vick and Southern Hicks. I tried to address the primary concerns that my mom and others had regarding my portrayal of the South. As the son of two Georgia crackers, I feel more than qualified to write this article. For any questions concerning my Southern heritage, visit Culpepper Connections.)

Who could have predicted how far Michael Vick would rise and fall in his life before his twenty-eighth birthday?

At one time Vick seemed to offer hope to all of us as a squeaky-clean kid with unrivaled athletic ability. He appeared to have naturally eluded the perils of growing up in the projects in the same dazzling manner that he made fleet defenders look clumsy on the field. He looked as if he might set the example for children who really needed him to be what everyone wanted Vick to be – a positive role model.

Instead, Vick became a convicted felon.

Monday at the sentencing for Vick’s federal dogfighting conviction, U.S. District Court Judge Henry Hudson rebuked Vick, telling him that he should “be apologizing to the millions of kids who idolize you.” Hudson nailed what is arguably the most damaging consequence of Vick’s fall – Vick’s fumbling the opportunity to offer hope and an example to children growing up in depressing situations like Vick’s.
Continue reading “Lost Sowell: Michael Vick”

00Publius Contributor - Education - Elections - GOP - Israel Teitelbaum - News - President - Society/Culture - Uncategorized

The GOP Candidates on Education

December 18, 2007 by

-By Israel Teitelbaum

Today’s mid-day Republican Presidential Debate, finally addressed the one issue that will ultimately determine most issues – education. Obviously, those who control the educational system determine the future direction of our nation and its leadership. If we focus our attention on this one issue, we have the key to resolving most other issues.

Following is a transcript of the portion relating to education.

We have only one comment and plea to all candidates who recognize that school choice is the right way to go. Please use your considerable influence to sponsor The Civil Rights Act for Equal Educational Opportunity. This will require equitable funding for every child, including those attending private and religious schools, while respecting these schools’ rights in hiring and provision of services. The candidate who will accomplish this will have my vote!

All the best.

Israel

The full transcript of the debate is available at The New York Times

MS. WASHBURN: A new topic that some Iowans say hasn’t had enough debate during this campaign, and that’s education. American 15-year-olds ranked behind 16 other countries in a recent assessment of science literacy. What educational standards does the U.S. need to adopt or improve to compete in the global economy, and what will you do to move us toward those standards, and what’s your timetable?

SEN. MCCAIN: The answer to the problem in education in America is simple: We need more choice and more competition. Entrance by a good student into a college today, they have a number of choices and people are seeking them to be part of those educational institutions.
Continue reading “The GOP Candidates on Education”

00Publius Contributor - Podcasting - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Voice of Liberty Podcast #7

December 17, 2007 by

In episode #7, we make an un-endorsement, offer up a little music, and bring you our usual brand of conservative opinion. Although the contributors do not agree on every issue, one sentiment that we all share is that Mike Huckabee should not be nominated by the Republican Party. Host John McJunkin shares his opinions as to why that is the case. We bring you a special musical treat this week as well – “Barackin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” a parody produced by Matt Tucker and Ryan Gardner for Platinum Traxx Productions and Niel Townsend. It was sung by the super-talented Ashley Scott, and should be the conservative parody hit of the Christmas season. For information on how to get the song, e-mail John McJunkin at john@avalonpodcasting.com. Andrea Shea-King tells us about a pivotal American hero, George S. Patton, Jr., Warner Todd Huston exposes the truth behind Hillary Clinton’s liberal screed “It Takes A Village,” and Ken Marrero gives us his take on the new film “Golden Compass.” Host John McJunkin wraps up the episode with reason number 6 Why Mrs. Clinton Will Never Be President.

Download | Duration: 00:28:50

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Media Bias - Military - News - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Did Chicago Sun-Times Endanger a U.S. Soldier’s Life Just for a ‘Scoop’?

December 17, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Long-time gossip columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, Michael Sneed, was one of the first to announce that the son of Chicago’s Mayor Daley volunteered as a private in the U.S. Army in 2004 after successfully attaining his MBA from the University of Chicago. That was interesting reporting, that such a big city mayor’s son would join the Army like a regular guy, of course, but has Sneed now taken her “exclusives” a step too far? On Dec. 11th, Sneed reported that Patrick Daley is being deployed overseas. Has this somewhat specific news endangered his life and/or that of his fellow soldiers now that the enemy has been told that the son of a famous politician is on his way to a specific theater of action as well as being told a targeted window of departure?

Sneed reported the following:

A soldier’s story: Sneed hears Mayor Daley’s soldier son, Patrick, 32, will ship out for duty in Afghanistan next week.

“Patrick has been preparing for this for a long time, but it is still stunning news to his family at Christmastime,” said a source.

Now, recall that the British government wouldn’t allow their royal scion, son of Prince Charles, to go to a theater of heavy action nor did they allow reporting of his whereabouts to be released. This only makes sense for a variety of reasons.

For one thing, each solder in a company at war needs to know that they are all equally important to their fellows. But, if one single solder (like a British Royal son, or the son of a famous politician in the States) is held as more “important” doesn’t that harm both the cohesion of the company and its safety?

Wouldn’t the extra fear for this famous son’s security cause extra pressure on the company to which he belongs, especially if the enemy is alerted to his location via the media?

Continue reading “Did Chicago Sun-Times Endanger a U.S. Soldier’s Life Just for a ‘Scoop’?”

00Publius Contributor - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Founders - News - Patriotism - Selwyn Duke - Uncategorized

How Free Are We Really?

December 17, 2007 by

-By Selwyn Duke

We Americans take great pride in our freedom. We call ourselves “the land of the free, home of the brave,” have Lady Liberty in New York Harbor and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. America is synonymous with freedom in the minds of most. Much of the rest of the world, however, is thought a land of darkness which doesn’t benefit from our unencumbered bliss. Thus do we speak of the free and unfree worlds.

In reality, it’s not that simple. There is neither such thing as a people with complete freedom nor one completely bereft of it; it’s a matter of degree.

While many realize this, few understand that there is a barometer with which liberty can be measured: The number of laws in existence.

By definition, a law is the removal of a freedom, as it dictates that there is something you cannot or must do. If the former, you’re not free to do it; if the latter, you’re not free to do otherwise.

Many rightly point out that some laws free us from the tyranny of our fellow man. Prohibitions against murder, rape and theft, for instance, provide us the freedom to walk down the street unmolested. Yet for two reasons this barometer of liberty is still valid. First, when we speak of how free a nation is, we refer to freedom from government intrusion. Second, while such laws are necessary and just, they do nevertheless deny us certain freedoms. Only, we’re not going to worry about freedoms whose removal only bothers Tony Soprano.

Yet we long ago transitioned from making just laws to just making laws, which is why I look forward with a sense of foreboding. Every year our nation enacts more and more laws but hardly ever rescinds any, which means every year we become progressively less free. I call this “creeping totalitarianism.”
Continue reading “How Free Are We Really?”

00Publius Contributor - Business - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - News - Society/Culture - Taxes - Thomas Brewton - Uncategorized

Inflation vs Demand

December 17, 2007 by

-By Thomas E. Brewton

Once again, inflation is not a result of rising demand by consumers or business enterprises. And the Fed’s interest rate tinkering does not cure inflation.

In an article titled Tips for TIPS, a Wall Street Journal reporter, who should know better, writes:

For now, few people see inflation as a major threat. The world economy remains strong and the dollar has been sliding, making U.S. imports more costly. But tighter credit and a badly sagging housing sector are expected to hurt U.S. economic growth, and government data suggest that higher energy prices so far haven’t had a broad impact on inflation. Indeed, investors believe that the Federal Reserve, which has cut short-term interest rates twice to quell market turmoil, will do so again.

Inflation is a general rise in the overall price level. And it results from only one thing: a deteriorating currency, that is, excessive money creation by banks, in particular, central banks.

The Federal Reserve has created an excessive money supply, and the recent cuts in the Fed’s interest rates are intended to make the money supply still more excessive. The Fed will implement those cuts by open market and direct purchases of securities from financial institutions, paying for them with bookkeeping entries to create previously non-existent money.

In contrast to overall inflation, increased demand raises prices for specific commodities.

Let’s take petroleum, for example. We have seen the price of oil, reflected in gasoline prices, rise and fall over recent years. But that is not general inflation. It is simply current and prospective demand exceeding current and prospective supply for that one commodity and its derivatives.

Absent ill-advised government intervention, when oil prices rise, some consumers and businesses will decide to curtail their use of oil and gasoline, feeling unwilling to incur the higher costs. The ratio of demand to supply will drop, and oil and gasoline prices will level off and eventually decline.

That’s why the Fed’s use of “core inflation” numbers to measure inflation is a sham. First, the Fed selects the price measurements to use in the core index. Second, movements up or down in specific commodity prices do not measure general inflation.
Continue reading “Inflation vs Demand”

00Publius Contributor - Elections - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Mormons Aren’t Christians, Says Dallas News Columnist

December 17, 2007 by

Rod Dreher, editorialist for the Dallas Morning News, wrote a great piece on the “Mormon question” coming down on the obvious and entirely factual point that Mormons are NOT Christians.

He hakes some great points and I urge everyone to read this one. I couldn’t have said it better myself, either…
—-
Mormons aren’t Christians …

… and other thoughts on religion and politics sure to get your blood boiling

Herewith, my views on religion and the politics of the present moment, with something to offend just about everyone:

1. Mormons aren’t Christians. I don’t mean that as a criticism, only as a descriptive phrase. When Mormons claim Jesus Christ as their savior, there’s no reason to doubt their sincerity and good will, or even to deny that they are in some way followers of Christ. Yet Mormonism rejects foundational doctrines of traditional Christian orthodoxy, such that it is impossible to reconcile with normative Christianity.

2. Anyway, the Latter-day Saints church teaches that all other Christian churches are apostate. A heretic is someone who rejects one or more doctrines of religion, but an apostate is someone who has rejected the religion entirely. How is it, exactly, that you can get mad when people you regard as apostates consider you to be … apostate? How does that work?

3. Theologically, this is a big deal. But politically, so what? Mormons vote like Southern Baptists and come down on the same side of most issues of public morality like conservative Christians do. If you’re a socially conservative lawmaker, wouldn’t you rather have a Mormon in your legislative foxhole than a Kennedy-style cafeteria Catholic or progressive mainline Protestant? I’m no Romney fan, but is there really no meaningful political difference between Good-Mormon Mitt and Bad-Catholic Rudy, to say nothing of Liberal-Protestant Hillary?

4. There are plenty of good reasons for conservative Christians not to vote for Mr. Romney, but his religious beliefs are not among them. Do Christians want to be in the position of rejecting a candidate whose political views and moral values they agree with, solely because they don’t like his religion? On what grounds would they condemn secularists for rejecting Christian candidates?

5. “If Mitt Romney believes what Mormonism teaches, no telling what he’ll believe,” say more than a few conservative Christians. Oh? Non-Christians have to overlook the fact that Christian candidates profess to believe that God became man, was murdered and rose from the dead. They have to ignore the fact that some Christians believe that same God-man mysteriously appears as bread and wine under certain circumstances, and others believe that the universe was created in seven literal days. The content of a religion’s doctrinal teaching is not a reliable guide to the overall judgment of one of its adherents.
Continue reading “Mormons Aren’t Christians, Says Dallas News Columnist”

00Publius Contributor - Business - Democrats/Leftists - Military - News - Uncategorized - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Maryland Dems Still Being Attacked by Their Own Union Supporters

December 16, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Back on the 5th of Nov., we brought you the amusing story of Dems and union thugs eating their own in Maryland. Well, we have an update on this imbroglio that proves there is neither compromise with, nor pleasing union thugs.

The story was that in Prince George’s County, some Dems there were a bit miffed that because the union wasn’t getting all it wanted it was opposing the creation of new jobs in the county. So, instead of working with the new businesses, they tried to stop those business from opening and improving the economy of the county. A few Democrat committeemen took umbrage at this irresponsible behavior and chastised the unions. Then the floodgates of hate opened up by union thugs and these two Dems were attacked unmercifully.

Well, it appears that the two Dem County operatives in question have tried to appease union thugs, even pledging to add more union thug members to the committee, but to no avail. Let’s let the Gazette pick it up from here:

Spat between Democrats and unions continues

Central Committee’s eviction is the latest sign of tensions

Under pressure from union workers and elected officials, Democratic Party leaders in Prince George’s County passed several resolutions supporting organized labor.

But union members said the measures passed last week, which included a pledge to add six pro-union women to the party’s central committee, have not eased the tensions sparked by committee Chairman Terry Speigner and Vice Chairman Arthur Turner earlier this fall by several e-mail messages.

‘‘We were hoping to get on a path to reconciliation,” said Mark Federici, spokesman for the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400. ‘‘Obviously, they did not do that.”

The crowd of about 30 union workers and officials attending the Nov. 20 meeting booed Speigner as he held up his gavel and tried to assert that he supported the trade groups.

Continue reading “Maryland Dems Still Being Attacked by Their Own Union Supporters”

00Publius Contributor - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - News - President - Society/Culture - Taxes - The Law - Uncategorized

Jackson had it right the first time

December 16, 2007 by

-By Michael M. Bates

The first President Bush crafted a 1989 taxpayer-funded plan to bail out the troubled savings and loan industry. As usual, Jesse Jackson jumped on the case, primarily Bush’s.

Jackson spoke of “outraged” taxpayers who would be forced to pay for the “gambling and gambles of others.” “Let those who had the party pay for the party,” said the Rev. “It does not make sense that those who were never invited to the party should be asked to clean up the mess.”

I hate when this happens – and it doesn’t often – but Jesse Jackson was right. Some in the industry had cooked the books, made irresponsible loans, bought members of Congress to do their bidding, and in general acted like the thieves they were. Certainly there were other factors in the thrift crisis, including an increase of insurance up to $100,000 per depositor guaranteed by the government, but the bottom line is many middle- and upper-income people were subsidized by folks living in more reduced circumstances.

They shouldn’t have been required to clean up the mess. And they shouldn’t be required to clean up the mess resulting from the current home loan foreclosure predicament.
Continue reading “Jackson had it right the first time”

00Publius Contributor - Family - News - Religion - Society/Culture - Thomas Brewton - Uncategorized

The Spirit of Truth

December 15, 2007 by

-By Thomas E. Brewton

How to put it to work in your life.

Pastor Rick Allen’s sermon on Sunday, December 2, at the Black Rock – Long Ridge Congregational Church (North Stamford, Connecticut) focused on understanding the Holy Spirit as a helper and supporter in our daily lives.

Existence itself is the Mind of God, God’s Word, eternal truth, towards which we can make our Pilgrim’s Progress with the help of the Holy Spirit.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. (John 1:1-4)

Existence, the Mind of God, Truth, is not a “thing” that can be touched, weighed, or analyzed in the manner of purely worldly things that are the subject matter of chemistry and physics. Focusing exclusively upon the materiality of our physical world is scientific, but it is only a small part of Truth. The laws of physics, chemistry, and quantum mechanics are merely subsets of the Mind of God, whence come those laws of science.
Continue reading “The Spirit of Truth”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Media Bias - Military - News - Race - Religion - Resa LaRu, "Warchick" Kirkland - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Uncategorized

Same Old Same Old

December 15, 2007 by

Israel, America and the History of one very Wicked Man
-By Resa LaRu Kirkland

We never learn.

I know, you’ve heard it before. And yet, here we are…again.

As a history lover, I cannot help but notice the trends, cycles, behaviors, and consequences that humanity has repeated since leaving Eden. Oddly enough, in spite of the diversity of this planet, there are some things that are the same no matter where, when, or to whom they happen. Those are the things of eternal consequence, the things that truly matter when all the fluff and distraction of life is tossed aside.

They are what happens when good people choose evil.

Yea, and we also see the great wickedness one very wicked man can cause to take place among the children of men.–Book of Mormon, Alma 46:9

It has never ceased to amaze me that no matter which tribe of Israel you study–the Bible is about the tribe of Judah and the Book of Mormon is about some of the descendants of Judah’s little brother Joseph, who left Jerusalem in about 600 BC and traveled by ship to the promised land of America–there is the same cycle. The people start out righteous, constantly seeking to do good. As a result, God blesses them with great gifts of knowledge, technology, wealth, abundance, peace and wisdom.

But then a curious thing happens, a thing that inevitably leads to THE ONE INEXORABLE TRUTH, a truth that Father knows but that we have to learn over and over again, and usually the hard way. Please follow me through the progression, as there are several steps that lead to the final, full understanding of this eternal truth.
Continue reading “Same Old Same Old”

00Publius Contributor - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Media Bias - News - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

News Media Should ‘Regulate’ New Media/Bloggers

December 14, 2007 by 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

In another arrogant piece from a “professional” journalist claiming that Internet journalism is “dangerous,” one where the writer imagines that he is somehow the personification of truth in “reporting,” we get yet another screed on the theme that they are the only ones that should be allowed to be called “journalists.” And this one is a hoot, too. In an article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, former journo and current professor David Hazinski seems to imagine that it’s the job of the “news industry” to “monitor and regulate” the content of blogs and Internet journalism. No, I’m serious, he really said that! This self aggrandizing piece is so filled with blind assumptions and presumptuous pap that it quite literally boggles the mind.

Lately, we have seen quite a few of these screeds against Internet journalism with nose-in-the-air, self congratulatory philosophies underlying their logic. Hazinski’s takes it to the next step, though. In Unfettered ‘citizen journalism’ too risky, Hazinski, a former NBC correspondent and current professor of telecommunications and head of broadcast news at the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism, has graciously deigned to lower himself and his fellow “professionals” to the role of overlord, making sure we ignerint Internet writers conform to the obviously higher standards that he and his fellow journalists employ so successfully in their field — can you say Dan Rather and Jayson Blair?

Amusingly, Hazinski can’t even grant that citizen journalists could be either a citizen or a journalist, it seems, as in nearly every usage of the term he puts scare quotes around the words “citizen journalists” calling the relative truth of both words, singular or combined, into question. Even the title of the piece uses quotes around the words to call into question the legitimacy of the term.

It ranges from the CNN YouTube debates to political blogs to cellphone video of that sniper who opened fire at an Omaha Mall. These are all examples of so called “citizen journalism,” the hot new extension of the news business where the audience becomes the reporter.

I love how he says “so called” preceding “citizen journalism.” I use that convention a lot myself and I mean it to eviscerate the legitimacy of what follows, not merely to gently question it. Who can doubt that Hazinski is using the “so called” in the self same manner here? I found myself considering his contentious use of quotes in this context, though, as I’d find it more contradictory to say that real journalists themselves are “citizens” of anything, really. Other than their apparently closed fraternity of so-called professionals, of what are they citizens? After all, how many times have we heard news hounds claim that their first loyalty is to the news and not their country?

Continue reading “News Media Should ‘Regulate’ New Media/Bloggers”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Founders - Media Bias - News - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

New York Times Discovers a Founding Father

December 14, 2007 by 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

Fascinating story in The New York Times, the other day…

“Made for Washington, Given to Lafayette, a Medal Sells for $5.3 Million”, NY/Region Section, The New York Times

By GLEN CULLINS, Published: December 12, 2007

A gold medal that was created for George Washington, who was apparently our first president and richest, most vicious slave owner in America, and presented to the Marquis de Lafayette, a French man fooled into helping the nascent American rebellion, was auctioned at Sotheby’s in Manhattan on Tuesday for a record $5.3 million, and will remain in France after residing there for 183 years where it can be viewed by Americans seeking a better life in Europe.

The enameled patriotic badge was bought by the Fondation Josée et René de Chambrun at the Château La Grange, Lafayette’s historic home 60 miles east of Paris, the “City of Lights” and heart of all intellectual pursuits in the world today.

The medal, made for members of the Society of the Cincinnati, a legendary group of Revolutionary War rebels and vigilantes, “is a symbol of French friendship, and there are only two places where it should reside — La Grange and Mount Vernon,” said Christophe Van de Weghe, a Manhattan gallery owner who was the bidder for the Fondation Chambrun at Sotheby’s and has a really great sounding name that is not as base and gauche as is Fred, Rudy or even George. He was referring to Washington’s historic residence in Virginia where slaves were whipped and forced to labor until they dropped by the haughty and cold Washington.

The medal will be available to the public by appointment at Chateau La Grange “as soon as Sotheby’s gets it there,” he said, adding that “the Fondation would be happy to make the medal available on temporary loan to Mount Vernon, so the American public can see it as well.” Though it is doubted that anyone in the USA even knows who this Washington fellow is. We here at the New York Times offices were amazed by the news that this fellow even existed and we are ashamed to be from the same country he is from. We hope our friends in France realize this.

Continue reading “New York Times Discovers a Founding Father”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Media Bias - News - Religion - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Honoring Kwanzaa Creator, A Rapist and Torturer

December 14, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Each year, with the onset of Christmas, we are treated to another gauzy, fluff piece about how great Kwanzaa is by yet another PC spewing newspaper columnist. This year, among many others, the Houston Chronicle gets in the act with a piece by Leslie Casimir titled “Learning about Kwanzaa from the holiday’s creator.” This one, though, is a bit off the usual track of the how-great-Kwanzaa-is theme because this particular piece celebrates the inventor of the faux holiday, Maulana Karenga, himself. So, we’ve gone from merely celebrating this manufactured holiday to making a hero of the rapist, race monger and a violent thug who created it! Amazing.

Casimir is all a glow about how wonderful Maulana Karenga is and her column follows a gullible parent who, with kid in tow, went to see the man at a local community center.

Thomasine Johnson needed to get the record straight about Kwanzaa, a cultural holiday steeped in African traditions that celebrates family, ethnic pride and community.

With her 11-year-old grandson in tow, the Missouri City interior designer on Saturday brought her video camera to S.H.A.P.E. community center to hear from Father Kwanzaa — Maulana Karenga — in the flesh.

It turns out, though, that his real name is not “Maulana Karenga,” but Ronald McKinley Everett, AKA Maulana Ron Karenga. We’ll soon see that subterfuge, reinvention and smoke is “Karenga’s” stock in trade, it seems.

Continue reading “Honoring Kwanzaa Creator, A Rapist and Torturer”

00Publius Contributor - Family - Lee Culpepper - Media Bias - News - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Uncategorized

Pimples, Perverts, and Politicians

December 14, 2007 by

-By Lee Culpepper

After sexually molesting her 13-year-old student, 25-year-old middle school teacher Kelsey Peterson deported the illegally immigrated kid to Mexico. Peterson left the boy marooned south of the border when officials hauled her off to the local jail.

Reports uncovered that Peterson’s victim is an alleged gang member and father of a two-year-old child. One judge from the hoodlum’s past has described the boy as an “uncontrollable juvenile.” Peterson’s attorney, Jim Davis, also claims “the young man” is 16 years old, not 13. Moreover, the attorney suggests the teen is not a victim, but instead the aggressor who groomed the relationship.

Not surprisingly, Mexico wasted little time returning a wanted child molester to her own country. In contrast, American authorities’ efforts to reward an illegally immigrated gang member are disturbing. The juvenile delinquent and his family will probably receive American citizenship in exchange for the little thug’s testimony. The scenario is made possible by the new “U” visa, passed by Congress to encourage illegal aliens to become victims of crimes.

Have we ever heard of a teacher-student sexcapade that did not strike us as jarringly bizarre?
Continue reading “Pimples, Perverts, and Politicians”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Media Bias - Nancy Morgan - News - Science - UN - Uncategorized

Saving The World

December 14, 2007 by 1 Comment

-By Nancy Morgan

Over 15,000 bureaucrats, politicians, officials, and assorted do-gooders from 187 nations descended on the tropical island of Bali last week for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.Their goal? To make a last ditch effort to save the world from the ravages of global warming. The aim is to require industrial nations to limit their emission of C02 to 25-40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020. This is necessary, they proclaim, in order to head off rising oceans, drought, famine, dying species, and, well, just plain catastrophe.

These noble shepherds of the earth are willing to have others make any sacrifice necessary to achieve their laudable goal. They are even willing to make some sacrifices themselves. Starting with the 100,000 tons of CO2 emissions caused by all the private jets used to ferry them to the conference. Not to worry…

Indonesia plans to plant 79 million trees to ‘offset’ the entire conference’s emissions. The European Union has assured us that they will be buying carbon credits on the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. And the UK? Well, their 40-person team will have their emissions neutralised through a central government fund. Whew..

It looks like this conference is being held just in the nick of time. Reports on the damage man is doing to the environment have been making headlines all week. AP environmental writer Michael Casey describes the havoc global warming is wreaking on nature: “More than 3,000 flying foxes dropped dead, falling from trees in Australia. Butterflies have gone extinct in the Alps, and giant squid… ” You get the drift.

Global warming is truly a crisis. By consensus. Peoples across the world are actively promoting their own solutions, hoping against hope that rational people will see the error of their ways and join this selfless crusade:
Continue reading “Saving The World”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Media Bias - News - President - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

ABC: Thompson’s Debate ‘Tantrum’ — There’s Fair and Balanced Reporting!

December 13, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

ABC proved once again that they will use language to flavor reporting to promulgate their ideological position instead of just reporting the facts. After Wednesday’s GOP debate in Iowa, ABC news posted a Political Radar blog entry calling attention to Fred Thompson’s efforts to improve the depth of debate held that day. Calling Thompson’s efforts a “Tantrum,” ABC seeks to cast Thompson’s sensible and adult desire to engage in real debate as a child’s temper tantrum. Does ABC want real debate or do they want dumbed down, name calling or simple minded sound byte replies? I think you can easily decide which!

If you didn’t see the debate and missed what it is that Thompson did, there is a video available that I’ll post at the end of this piece so you can see for yourself. But, in essence, Thompson refused to do a “show of hands” answer to the question of whether or not the candidates agree with the theory of man-made global warming. He felt that this important issue needed an actual reply. The gall of him, eh?

So, since Thompson felt that important issues need in depth discussion and not silly, childish “show of hands” answers and because he refused to participate, ABC terms his serious concern a “tantrum.”

But, once you find out what Thompson really said about his actions on the debate stage, there is a great ring of truth and seriousness about it.

Continue reading “ABC: Thompson’s Debate ‘Tantrum’ — There’s Fair and Balanced Reporting!”

00Publius Contributor - Business - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - News - Uncategorized - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Small Victory Against Union Dues Misuse

December 13, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Well, mark one in the “win” column for the little guy against union thugs, here.

One thing that many states and employees groups as well as brave individuals have been trying to get settled for at least the last 10 years is a ruling that prevents unions from using a member’s union dues for political purposes of which the member doesn’t approve. It’s an opt out policy whereby an employee can tell the union not to use his dues for political purposes.

Part of the battle to get such a rule in place has been won. But unions continue to try to find ways around this rule so that they can continue to steal members’ dues and use them against a member’s wishes. Currently, many unions force the employee and union member to sign the request every single year instead of allowing it to be stated but once. In this way, the union imagines that the employee will forget (if he ever knew) to apply for the exemption all over again after doing it the first time. Often they are correct. So, even a request not to use dues for political purposes can be ignored at a later date.

Well, apparently there has been a ruling against the unions in Florida. As reported by NRTW.org:

Pensacola, FL (December 11, 2007) – After nearly a four-year delay, a Florida worker has prompted an administrative law judge of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to strike down a nationwide policy of a major international union that requires employees to object annually to prevent union officials from spending their compulsory union dues for political activities. The policy is a pervasive tactic used by union officials to prevent dissenting employees from reclaiming forced union dues used to promote political causes they oppose.

National Right to Work Foundation attorneys helped Robert Prime, an employee of L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace, LLC at the Naval Air Station, file unfair labor practice charges in December 2003 against the International Association of Machinists (IAM) union Local Lodge 2777. The charges alleged that union officials violated Prime’s rights by forcing him to renew his objection to funding union political advocacy every single year.

This decision was originally sought in 2003, but better late than never.

Continue reading “Small Victory Against Union Dues Misuse”