Weekend Watch: Illegal Everything

ILLEGAL EVERYTHING is the title of John Stossel's latest exposé about government overreach. It aired last night, and it will air tonight at 10p, ET and Sunday at 3p, ET on your local Fox News station

From the website: "John Stossel argues that America has become a country where no one can know what is legal.

With government adding 80,000 pages of rules and regulations every year, it's no surprise that regular people break laws without even trying.

A small businessman spent 6 years in federal prison for breaking Honduran regulations (and, to make it worse, the Honduran government said he didn't). A family in Idaho can't build a home on their land because the EPA says it's a wetland-but it only resembles a wetland because a government drain malfunctioned and flooded it.

TAXI TROUBLE: Want to start a taxi business? Too bad - it's illegal. Illegal, that is, unless you buy a government-issued "taxi medallion" that can cost as much as a million dollars. One city has a free market for cabs - Washington, DC - but lobbyists there are pushing to regulate."

I watched it last night. Eye-opening and infuriating ... especially the first half. Among the lively guests: Economist Walter Williams, Attorney Harvey Silvergate, and Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms.

Caveat to social conservatives: The second half of the show has a sympathetic segment on illegal drugs and prostitution, and, IMO, it lacked gravitas.

Friday Fun: The 27 lb. Maine Lobster

This story caught my eye, since, today, one of my sons is visting the University of New England which has campuses in Biddeford and Portland.

To think that Rocky weighs more than my tabby Albert (who is a big ol' cat).

He's being spared the lobster pot. (The electric chair for crustaceans.)

Rocky is going back to the wild, after he gets ooohed and aaahed at an aquarium.

Some claws!

Fri. Fun: 'Linning'

Lin(e) 1: The court jesters of Saturday Night Live lampoon the sports media.



Lin(e) 2: Last nights Knicks v. Heat matchup was exciting and physical, although not a stellar game for the country's most famous point guard. He got schooled, non-Ivy League-style.

Lin(e) 3: A budding bromance between Jeremy Lin and that guy from the Broncos?

Lin(e) 4: CBN does a positive feature on his faith and his character.

San Diego's Public Pension Reform Battle

Learn about the astronomical (and unsustainable) pension obligations that City Councilman Carl DeMaio is rightfully concerned about ...




The chipper DeMaio, who is running for mayor of San Diego, is championing a 401(k) retirement plan for city employees.

He believes in parity: "City employee compensation should be no better, and no worse, than what is available to other employees in San Diego."

NSFMP (Not Safe For Moral People)

The Havre Daily Corrector, Montana's feistiest blogger, passed along two posts that he says will 'be sure to get my dander up.'

One here (how Planned Parenthood pushes porn), one there (a British journalist advocating for euthanasia).



"Planned Parenthood should get nothing!" Ron Paul, Mesa debate, 2-22-12

'Militia' Sighting in Massachusetts in 2012

The last time I was in Massachusetts (and I attended a hoops game), I snapped this photo of the UMass/Amherst student booster section known as the "Mullins Militia Bunker."

All the more fun when the country's best mascot - The Minuteman - stopped by the bunker to do a meet-and-greet.

Sun. Inspiration: Joyful Nick Vujicic

Nick V., who was born in Australia but currently lives in California, is a motivational speaker with an international following. He is also a wheelchair marathon athlete who has a bachelors degree (double major) in accounting and financial planning.

Earlier this month, Nick, who is 29, got married.

This young man is a force of nature; simpatico, too.




Nick demonstrates how he masters everyday tasks.

What if Petoskey News-Review Employees Took to the Streets?

Ho-hum. The editorial viewpoint of my community's local paper is consistently status quo, consistently bland. No local conservative or independent thinker or concerned taxpayer has any real presence on the op. ed. page. Nor does anyone who doesn't sing the praises of the safety net society or of city workers.

This column, from the former editor of the PNR, is a prime example of what I'm yammering about. In it, Kendall Stanley complains about all the 'attacks' on public-sector unions by various state legislatures.

He writes, "When, one might reasonably ask, did the people who provide us with services become people legislators feel they have the right to vilify? It’s as if the entire economy of the country was being destroyed by public employees."

Now that you mention it ... the entire economy of some states, like tiny Rhode Island, is very much at risk due to public pension benefits. According to the New York Times (not some right-wing rag): "After decades of drift, denial and inaction, Rhode Island’s $14.8 billion pension system is in crisis. Ten cents of every state tax dollar now goes to retired public workers." Whoa!


Mr. Stanley also doesn't bother to mention the unprofessional conduct of, for instance, those firefighters, public school teachers, etc. in Wisconsin. Remember how they angrily took to the streets of Madison when their precious collective bargaining 'rights' got tweaked in order to avert a serious economic crisis in the Badger State?

By the way, I'm not advocating needlessly picking on government employees. On more than one occasion, I've been assisted by police officers and have encountered helpful city and town workers and elected officials. But the economic realities of our times demand that governors promote pro-active measures (like Right-to-Work) that benefit as many people as possible, not just a select few who are recklessly and selfishly pushing for increased spending. The operative word is parity - parity between the private sector and the public sector. Without a robust private sector, there is only recession, recession, and more recession.

Let's leave the puff pieces to the public relations people, Mr. Stanley. Try researching with Google next time you write, and try imbibing something more nutritious and bracing than Kool-Aid.

If you want to add your two cents, Kendall Stanley can be reached at: kendallstanley@charter.net

Friday Fun: The Little Sirena

Attorney Rubén Blades is a singer who hails from Panama. One of his most upbeat tunes is called El Capitan y La Sirena (The Captain and the Mermaid). I've always had a soft spot for its Brazilian-style beat even if the lyrics are nonsensical.

Here's the musica.

Fri. Fun: Intramural Hoops w/Pizzazz

On game night (this past Monday), Anthony Bear (on the right) made Wid III an honorary Cree. Sweet.

Of Snippets, Inserts, & Groan-Worthy Humor

- A UMass sociology professor, who grew up in the libertine Netherlands, has written a book aggressively promoting teen sex. (Insert eyeroll icon followed by sad face icon.)

- Thanks to Fred for passing along this easy-to-digest article about the Federal Reserve. (Insert photo of Ben Bernanke as Darth Vader.)

- Viva Puerto Rico Libre! is Allan Wall's latest. (Insert upside down exclamation mark before the word "Viva.")

- Yesterday, USA Today ran an article called "Demographics evolve among home schools." There is a telling quote at the end of the piece by one Norma Curry who has a 24-year-old daughter she homeschooled into 'gainful employment.' (Insert smiley face icon.)

These are linserts. Get it?

Tornado Lin Hits Toronto

The Linsanity continues: "Jeremy Lin made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with less than a second to play to cap his finishing flurry of six straight points, and the New York Knicks rallied to beat the Toronto Raptors 90-87 Tuesday night, extending their winning streak to six games.

Lin had 27 points and a career-high 11 assists in his first game since being named Eastern Conference player of the week."

To think that no D-1 school wanted this 'overnight sensation' who describes his recent good fortune as a "miracle from God."

The WSJ dubs Jeremy the 'new Tim Tebow.' Hehe.

Update: Lin is so money.

Happy Valentines Day, Ladies & Gents

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. (1 Corinthians 13)

Vulgarians at CPAC 2012

Whassup with the coarse language that was so casually employed by well-known conservatives* at CPAC?

Examples: James O'Keefe and Ann Coulter and Sarah Palin.

Of course, CPAC organizers will look the other way at these family-insensitive indiscretions, because these are the 'cool' kids.

But they snootily ban the wholesome John Birchers from paid sponsorships, at CPAC, due to their independent political views.

Big Tent it ain't.

Update: WW says that CPAC also squished out on immigration.


'Nother Update: Some reckless young people at CPAC get scolded by their 'elders.'

*I use the term loosely, as these people I reference, are more Republican Party boosters than they are social and economic conservatives.

Shaolin: Smart, Spiritual, and Sincere

Between "Lin, Lin, Lin," "Linpossible," and the "Lin-Sanity Continues," Jeremy Lin, who just started playing point guard for the New York Knicks (and who had an amazing weekend) has been the inspiration for some creative wordplay.

The son of immigrants from Taiwan, Jeremy is a Harvard grad who is a serious Christian. Not your typical NBA player especially, since he wasn't drafted and this whole Knicks thing is kinda random.

Here's a clip where he thanks the Lord (whoever posted this doesn't spell well).



Here's a clip from a game.



Update: The sofa, doubling as a bed, that Lin crashed on goes viral.

Friday Fun: Among the Working Boats

I was in Portland, Maine, not long ago, walking on a wharf near some lobster boats. I like the name of this vessel - so New England.

The Truth Shall Set You Free

Disappointing that the Social Contract Press, which did a fine job exposing the Southern Poverty Law Center's leftist agenda, has run a puff piece about Margaret Sanger by Don Collins who is a frequent critic of conservatives and pro-life advocates. Collins deserved a rebuttal. A forceful one. Since it won't be offered by TSC, here is the other side of the story.

More from Clenard Childress on PP.

More from Conspiracy Central ...

Bald Eagle Freed

Credit: Petoskey News Review

Details here.

Hey, Smokey

This amiable kitty, named Smokey, lives at the Overlook at Northampton, MA nursing home. I had the pleasure of meeting him a couple of weeks ago. He stealthily roams the halls keeping a select few patients company.

Super Bowl Headgear

Patriots or Giants? Tom or Eli? Blue and red and silver or blue and red and white?

A Word about Number 39

My newsfeed about the New England Patriot's 5-foot-8-inch dynamo is up. The title is Facing the Giants? A snap for Danny Woodhead.

Speaking of ... this is a corny, feel-good movie that I really liked.

Fri. Fun: Snowmobiling Gamblers

You know you're in northern Michigan when you see a sign, at the local casino, for snowmobile parking.




But notice the dearth of the white stuff; an unusually mild winter we continue to have. I haven't used my snowshoes once.

Indiana Becomes Number 23

Indy: Union workers protest RTW at Super Bowl village.

All eyes will be on Indianapolis this weekend, due to the Super Bowl.

But that will be fleeting.

In contrast, Gov. Mitch Daniels' action, yesterday, is lasting: He signed a right-to-work law (HEA 1001). The first 'Rust Belt' state to do so. Way to go, Indiana!

Update: Governor Daniels' official (and reasonable) statement about HEA 1001:

“Seven years of evidence and experience ultimately demonstrated that Indiana did need a right-to-work law to capture jobs for which, despite our highly rated business climate, we are not currently being considered.

“This law won’t be a magic answer but we’ll be far better off with it. I respect those who have objected but they have alarmed themselves unnecessarily: no one’s wages will go down, no one’s benefits will be reduced, and the right to organize and bargain collectively is untouched and intact.

“The only change will be a positive one. Indiana will improve still further its recently earned reputation as one of America’s best places to do business, and we will see more jobs and opportunity for our young people and for all those looking for a better life.”

PBS Kids Writing 2012 Contest

That time of year ... an FYI about a writing contest sponsored by PBS. Home scholars are welcome ...



ARLINGTON, VA, January 30, 2011 – PBS KIDS GO! is kicking off the new year with its annual PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest, a national initiative designed to promote the advancement of children’s reading skills through hands-on, active learning. The Contest, managed by member station WNED, partners with PBS stations nationwide to encourage children grades K-3 in communities across the country to celebrate the power of creating stories and illustrations by submitting their own original work.

Beginning January 16, 2012, PBS stations throughout the country will work with schools, public libraries and other literacy organizations to implement the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest in their communities. Children will be encouraged to write and illustrate stories and submit them to their local stations, which will select winners and award prizes. These winners will then be entered into the national level of the Contest where a panel of judges will select the winners. National winners will be announced and prizes, including tablets, e-readers and MP3 players will be awarded during summer 2012.

For the first time, stories can be digitally submitted to the Contest through a tool developed by new sponsor, StudentPublishing.com. Every participant that uses the tool will receive a free animated digital book of their story that they can share with others, including parents who can purchase bound copies of the entry as a keepsake for years to come. More information on participating local stations, general entry rules and contest resources can be found here.

Sat Sighting: Montanore Mining Permits

Go here to see the bookcase of documents needed to obtain a 'government permit' to mine in Libby, Montana (in the Cabinet Mountains). This economically-depressed area could certainly use the jobs that such a monumental natural resources project would generate.




HT: Ken Miller

Of Hooters and a Paradox

There's a "surplus" of snowy owls in the North Country. As a result, some of these elegant-looking feathery friends are also starving.

'Mother Nature' is cruel and beautiful.

Homeschoolers & NRA Youth Hunter Events

In Missouri and in Oklahoma.

New England's One Percent

I visited Massachusetts this past weekend. One observation: The dead of winter makes New England feel bleak in a way that northern Michigan does not (even in the dead of winter).

Maybe the bleakness is spiritual.



HT: Melanie

He's Toast, er, Tostada

Thanks to Joe H. for passing along this clip of Mayor Joe "I might have tacos tonight" Maturo of East Haven, CT.

+ =

Weekend in New England

Taking a few days off from blogging as I am traveling and tending to family matters.

Let the Interviews Begin

Politico has complied a "Top 10 most competitive contests for the 2011-12 cycle."

Montana's gubernatorial race holds the numero uno spot on this list.

To that end, I'm going to be interviewing all the candidates in that race. My first Q&A is with Ken Miller, a Laurel businessman and former state senator, and a former rodeo competitor. Go here. Yeehaw.

Opportunity for Environmental Entrepreneurs

This just in: "Applications are now being considered for 16 Enviropreneur Institute fellowships sponsored by the Property and Environment Research Center (PERC). This annual, two-week training for conservationists will be held in Bozeman, Montana, from June 24 - July 6, 2012.

The mission of PERC's Enviropreneur Institute (PEI) is to empower environmental entrepreneurs in the application of property, contracts, and markets to enhance environmental assets. The program features lectures by experts in the fields of economics, business planning, marketing, and project management. Discussion sessions, lectures, field trips, and individual mentoring with PEI faculty and alumni highlight the experience and give fellows an opportunity to develop business plans linking economic opportunity with environmental quality."

Newbie entrepreneurs welcome.

For more information: 888.406.9532, perc@perc.org

Social Safari to Bay Harbor

The Village at Bay Harbor is a northern Michigan enclave where the 1% live, part-time. The homes, apartments, yachts, shops, sights, and amenities are both splendid and over-the-top.

Bay Harbor's Ice & Spice Festival took place this weekend. Ice carvings and a chili cookoff were the featured events. Some photos:


This pretty ice sculpture lists this event's sponsors. Mitt Romney would approve of this tribute to venture, crony, vulture, and no-adjective-to- describe-it capitalism.



The s'more-roasting pit.



A griffin or a phoenix. I get those two mixed up.



One of the palatial multi-million dollar seasonal homes ...



... that faces Bay Harbor.

Bill Belichick 2012

In which a Flyover Country team enters the liberal northeast matrix and learns that Morpheus is an unflappable Patriot: "As far as they went this season, the 45-10 whipping the Broncos received on a bitter cold Saturday night from ruthless coach Bill Belichick and his world-class New England Patriots proved the Broncos still have a long, long, long way to go."

A somewhat bumbling, but very funny attempt, to explain why Coach B. should be president of the United States. (Note: A few naughty words.)

One More Time for North Dakota

My New American Q&A with Charlene Nelson, homeschool mom, municipal judge, and property-rights advocate.

Friday Fun: Going Nuts

We are not bakers or a large family or survivalists or subscribe to a faith that encourages food stockpiling, and Santa Claus has come and gone. So how did 25 lbs of roasted, salted, mixed nuts sneak into my kitchen?

Michael Moore & Occupy Traverse City: What a Joke!

"Capitalism, in the last year, has proven that it's failed." Michael Moore, in 2009


Documentary filmmaker Michael "1%" Moore recently addressed Occupy "99%" Traverse City (MI). His credentials/expertise to do so? He owns a massive vacation home near TC.

Among the advice he dispensed to those gathered at a (pro-capitalism) bookstore: "Most people can’t pitch a tent or do civil disobedience. So one thing that we’re trying to do now across the country is, there are these yard signs, like campaign yard signs, that say, 'We Are The 99 Percent.'

And the idea is to get this in as many yards and as many neighborhoods across the entire country and this is really starting to grow now. Maybe you’ve seen pictures on the Internet. It’s really cool. You just drive down street after street and it just says 'We Are the 99 Percent,' 'We Are the 99 Percent,' 'We Are the 99 Percent.' "

The local icon, I assume, didn't personally run with his own ho-hum suggestion (although how hilarious would that have been if he did).

How out-of-place, after all, would a lone '99%' sign look to recreational boaters (the only folks that might see it), at his bodacious $2 million home (photo below) located on tony and very white (not due to lake-effect snow) Torch Lake.

click on it

This is a small photo of Moore speaking to the Occupy Traverse City crowd. If you click here, you'll see, up close, that this crowd doesn't appear down-n-out. Maybe some of these liberals, also, own homes on Torch Lake. Maybe the liberals who 'reported' this story could act less like breathless stenographers and more like reporters.

Searching for a 'Vampire': Moises Ramirez-Matias

Twilight is set in Forks, Washington. As almost everyone knows it is a quirky romance tale whose protagonist is an ancient vampire who falls for a mortal teenage girl.

Alas. A real-life drama - a terrible one - has occurred in this rainiest of cities, also featuring a teen in a relationship gone awry. KOMO reports: "A search is on for a man suspected in the stabbing death of an 18-year-old Forks mother who died after a domestic violence incident early Sunday morning, police said.

Moises Ramirez-Matias (pictured) is sought in connection with the death of his girlfriend, Laranda Konopaski, said Forks Police Sgt. Ed Klahn.

Konopaski's 4-year-old daughter called 911 just after 5 a.m. Sunday to report her mom was hurt, Klahn said. Medics rushed to the Rainforest Mobile Home Park where they found Konopaski suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was taken to Forks Community Hospital where she was pronounced dead."

I can't imagine a little child having to make this call. Very brave and very smart but how utterly awful.

The suspected perp, who is Guatemalan, hasn't been caught yet, but the U.S. Border Patrol is investigating his immigration status given that he also goes by the names Dario Ramirez Moises and Jose Luis Ramirez Pablo. (Forks' not-small illegal alien population mostly 'work' as leaf harvesters for the floral industry.)

My question: Can the American public, who cares about this law-and-order issue, trust Mitt Romney to be the nation's Sheriff Arpaio? Because it's high noon in the U.S.A.

Update: Alleged killer is still at-large. More about the victim, Laranda, who became a mom at age 14 and hoped to have a nursing career.

Another update: The alleged killer - Moises - is in custody. He is an illegal, and he returned to the U.S. after being deported once before. Incredible.

Sorry, Troy Polamalu

Photo finish (80 yard pass!) in overtime for Timmy and the Broncos!



Ward Hines was "stunned." Love it!

Sunday Inspiration: Collin Klein

Overall, a very touching article, from the MSM, about one of those isolationist homeschoolers.

Young Mr. Klein (pictured, right) is a mandolin player, the Kansas State QB, and a true leader.

Of his educational/familial/meager 'foreign intervention' experience, he gratefully says, "It was a huge blessing. I wouldn’t trade it.”

Saturday Sighting: Yo-Yo Quilts

This video explains how to sew circles into yo-yos. Scraps are most welcome.

Students For Life of Michigan

Christen Houck
If you are a Mitten State college student and would like to join SFLM on their annual trip, to participate in the National March for Life on January 23rd in Washington, D.C., please contact them at sflmichigan@gmail.com.

Their Facebook page is here.

The current president of Students for Life of Michigan is Christen Houck. She is studying political science at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and has been involved with the pro-life cause, since she was in high school.

"I have always had a deep-seated sorrow regarding abortion and consider it my calling to prevent it from happening," says Christen. "Wherever that takes me, I am willing to go."

True Grit: From Young Widow to Crimefighting Momma

A teenage mom and real-life Mattie Ross has become a heroine for exercising her right to defend her home and child: "Just days after a widow laid her husband to rest, she's forced to shoot a pair of intruders who showed up to her Blanchard (Oklahoma) home, threatening her and her 3-month-old baby.

One of the alleged burglars was killed in the gunfire.

Now, individuals are calling the Blanchard police, anxious to help the young woman and her baby.

They say an Oklahoma City law firm and a gun rights group have called to give financially.

Many others have stepped up to start funds and even give long-term support for the two.

Sarah McKinley, 18, (pictured) welcomed detectives in her home once again.

This time, it wasn't to collect evidence or to ask her questions about the recent shooting at her house.

Instead, it's to give her bags of gifts for her 3-month-old son."

Go Castle Doctrine!

More here and here.

Truckers Can No Longer Use Cell Phones

And bus drivers: "A new federal rule that bans truckers and bus drivers from using handheld cellphones took effect Tuesday, triggering the prospect of thousands of dollars in fines for drivers caught using their mobile phones.

The ban announced in late November calls for penalties of up to $2,750 against drivers caught talking on their handheld phones, and fines as high as $11,000 against their employers."

Three thoughts: 1. Outrageous fines!

2. Bluetooth-type manufacturers stand to make an even greater profit from this new law.

3. Why are only truckers and bus drivers being singled out?

Just Cause: The Workforce Fairness Institute

A site dedicated to equity in the workplace and a watchdog of Big Labor.

Here's Barbara Comstock, of the WFI, talking about union bosses who live large (and look large).

Like a Psychic Hotline

A so-called A-list blogger named Penelope Trunk makes some remarkably silly predictions about homeschooling, Generation Z, college, feminism, and the e-workplace.