Michael Steele Chosen as Republican National Commitee Chairman.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090130/ap_on_el_ge/republicans In another monumental occurance, Michael Steele became the first black to be selected to be the chairman of the Republican National Commitee. I feel that as long as they are not primarily chosen on account of race, minorities should be given preferential treatment, when it comes to positions of office. And now that the Republicans have chosen a person of color to lead them, they should now be able to finally overcome allegations of being motivated by racial bias, in there opposition to the Obama administration. The article mentions this quote, by Michael Steele.

"We're going to say to friend and foe alike: 'We want you to be a part of us, we
want you to with be with us.' And for those who wish to obstruct, get ready to
get knocked over.
"There is not one inch of ground that we're going to cede
to anybody. This is the dawn of a new party moving in a new direction with
strength and conviction". I do not know whether or not his message of inclusion would include libertarians or not, but I do hope for more diversity of opinion within the G.O.P.

Obama Administration Considers Possibly Nationalizing the Banks.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/26/business/economy/26banks.html As I've mentioned before, in another blog post http://libertariansocialist.blogspot.com/2008/09/federal-government-to-take-charge-of.html, I feel that it would be better for the federal government to buy out, rather than bail out the financial institutions.

U.S. Military Kills Unarmed Civillians In Afganistan.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/26/world/asia/26afghan.html This is just another example of the incompetant disregard for citizens of foreign countries, by U.S. troops. There needs to be due process, and the rule of law. In fact I feel that we should turn over more power to the provisional government. The brutal occupation of Afghanistan, as well as Iraq must end, sooner rather than later. America's reputation around the world is in shatters, because of it's social imperialism, and militaristic aggression.

Iran Punishs Participants in Mixed Gender Association Football Game.

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=ap-iran-forbiddensoccer&prov=ap&type=lgns Here is yet another example of sexual segregation, under religiously sanctioned theocratic regimes. These standards are even more stingent than those found within other traditional fundamentalistic religious groups. Why I remember growing up playing volleyball against a female team, in a Nazarene youth group. Sometimes even, this one transgendered girl would even play on our team, eventhough she's biologicly female. And if women are not permitted to exercise at all, they will tend to become overweight. So I feel that all people should be allowed to play with each other. I mean it's not like they're going to be making out with each other, or even dancing together. Both of which many strict conservative christian groups would forbid. All that they want to do is just have some fun, not make love. Oh, and P.S. The male team in the news story won 7-0. So, way to go guys! ;) (Just kidding all my female readers.)

Pres. Barack Obama Rescinds Ban On Funds For Foreign Abortions.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28812519/ On what was coincidently the anniversity of Roe Vs. Wade, newly inaugurated President Obama abolished the prohibition on using public funds for abortions overseas. The article is wrong about one thing at least. It's not just pro-lifers that are upset by this executive order. Libertarians, like myself are also opposed to this policy, because tax payers would be mandated to contribute money against there will, for purposes which violate there conscience. And also not all liberals are pro-choice either. http://www.democratsforlife.org/ The really rotten thing about this is that the Congress did not even get to decide how federal funds would be appropiated. Instead Presidents, past and present, dictated how foreign aid was to be spent, according to there own personal views. The stated goal of both Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama, to accomplish this was one of the reasons why I decided to vote for Bob Barr, instead. If pregnant women want to choose to have an abortion, they should have to use there own money. The citizens of this country should be able to choose not to pay for there so called right to choose.

Observations of the Presidential Inauguration.

Today Barack Obama was sworn in as President. I watched the events surrounding it, on CBS, except for when I briefly left to fix myself some lunch. First Rev. Rick Warren delivered the invocation. http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles_of_faith/2009/01/rick_warrens_in.html Then Aretha Franklin sang "America the Beautiful". I felt that she butchered it, and then turned it into chitterings. It sounded as if she had echolalia, she was stuttering through it so badly. Really, if you want to jazz up a song, don't pick a beloved old patriotic song. There are plenty of popular songs to cover. Next violinist Yitzkak Perlman, cellist Yo Yo Ma, and clarinetist Anthony McGill, played an instrumental piece. It was very beautiful. It was a medley, called "Air and Simple Gifts" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_and_Simple_Gifts. It was refreshing to hear, after the bum job Aretha Franklin did. Then after Joseph Biden was sworn in, Barack Obama was sworn in by Chief Justice john Roberts. John Roberts was ill prepared in administering the oath of office. He bungled the wording, and messed up leading President Obama in repeating what he was saying. You'd think that both of them would have rehearsed first. I know that people practise before taking there marriage vows. Here was Obama's speech, which I will copy and then comment upon now.

"My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful
for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our
ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the
generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have
been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace.
Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms.
At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or
vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful
to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.
So it
has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
That we are in
the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a
far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a
consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our
collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age.
Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too
costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the
ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
These
are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable
but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear
that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower
its sights.
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They
are serious and they are many.
They will not be met easily or in a short
span of time. But know this, America - they will be met. On this day, we gather
because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and
discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and
false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long
have strangled our politics.
We remain a young nation, but in the words of
Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to
reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward
that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation:
the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance
to pursue their full measure of happiness. In reaffirming the greatness of our
nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our
journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been
the path for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek
only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the
doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more often men and women
obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards
prosperity and freedom.
For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions
and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.
For us, they toiled in
sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the
hard earth. For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg;
Normandy and Khe Sahn. Time and again these men and women struggled and
sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better
life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions;
greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction. This is the
journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on
Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds
are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last
week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time
of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant
decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves
up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.
For
everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for
action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new jobs, but to
lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the
electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We
will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to
raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the
winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform
our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All
this we can do. And all this we will do.
Now, there are some who question
the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too
many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this
country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination
is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.
What the cynics fail
to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale
political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The
question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but
whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care
they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we
intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of
us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely,
reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then
can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
Nor is
the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power
to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded
us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control - and that a
nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of
our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic
Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend
opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the
surest route to our common good.
As for our common defense, we reject as
false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced
with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law
and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those
ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's
sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from
the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that
America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a
future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more. Recall
that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles
and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood
that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we
please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our
security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the
tempering qualities of humility and restraint.
We are the keepers of this
legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that
demand even greater effort - even greater cooperation and understanding between
nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a
hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work
tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming
planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its
defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and
slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot
be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.
For we know that
our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of
Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by
every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we
have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that
dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old
hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as
the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that
America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
To the Muslim
world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect.
To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their
society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you
can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption
and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of
history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your
fist. To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make
your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and
feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we
say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor
can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has
changed, and we must change with it.
As we consider the road that unfolds
before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this
very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to
tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through
the ages.
We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty,
but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in
something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment - a moment that will
define a generation - it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and
determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the
kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of
workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which
sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a
stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child,
that finally decides our fate. Our challenges may be new. The instruments with
which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends -
hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty
and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the
quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a
return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of
responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have
duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly
accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so
satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a
difficult task. This is the price and the promise of citizenship.
This is
the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an
uncertain destiny.
This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why
men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration
across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years
ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to
take a most sacred oath.
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we
are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest
of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of
an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was
stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in
doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:
"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when
nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country,
alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."
America. In the face
of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these
timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents,
and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that
when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn
back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon
us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to
future generations." Here is my critique. I think that it was good that Pres. Obama showed humility, and graciously thanked Fmr.Pres. Bush, for his service. It showed that evethough we may not always agree, we should still all show respect to those in posistions of leadership. In refering to the plans for his administration, Pres. Obama demonstrates that he is an utilitarian, as opposed to a libertarian. He does not care about whether or not it confirms to a strict constructionist constitutional form of limited government. All that he cares about is whether or not it effectively meets the needs of the people. Yet earlier in his speech, he mentions that we must be faithful to the founding documents. He appears to invoke the constitution only when it suits him, like in regards to civil rights. But this does not surprise me, as it is the nature of the liberal Left. In mentioning the market, he acknowledges that it generates wealth, and expands freedom. yet then he goes on to say that it needs to be regulated for the public good. Well my friends, such a market is not a free market, but a social market http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_market_economy. It is a feature of social democracy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Democracy. It involves the hand of government intruding upon the invisible hand http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invisible_hand. While I do feel that government does have a valid role in preventing fraud, and ensuring fair play in the economy, I believe that private indivisuals, through voluntary associations, should largely manage there own affairs, through legaly binding contracts. The government should not do for the citizenry what the citizens can, and should do for themselves, by working together to mutualy benefit the common good of all concerned. I do like that Pres. Obama notes that we as a nation are made up of different views and creeds. We are not a christian country. We never were. Some of our founding fathers, for instance, were deists. Like Thomas Jefforson, whose Quran was used by Rep. Keith Ellison, when he was photografted being sworn into office, as the very first muslim to be elected to the Congress. And now there is one more muslim, Andre Carson, and a Buddhist. There are also those of us who believe in no deity in particular. What we all share, that unites us as Americans, is our common belief in liberty and justice for all. While we may sometimes disagree as to how best to guarentee these blessings, we all agree that we all matter in our own unique way. We all have a purposeful place in our free society. I liked and agree with all of the other comments he made. Especially on the subject of foreign policy. According to his inaugural address, he intends to justly pursue peace with other nations, while protecting our liberties, and security, from all enemies. Both he and I hope that America will become an example to the rest of the world, as to how to have an ideal social system. One that ensures the three Ls of life, liberty, and livelihood, to all of it's peoples. So once again I wish him the best, in all that he attempts to accomplish in his term of office. Though if and when he decides to pursue policies which I feel are wrong, I will still feel free to take him to task for it. For this is just one of the freedoms I enjoy as an American. And though I may, for the time being at least, be a registered Democrat, I refuse to feel bound to any partisan agenda.

Child, Named "Adolf Hitler Campbell" is Removed From Parents Custody.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/01/13/2009-01-13_report_child_named_adolf_hitler_removed_.html In an update to a prior story, http://libertariansocialist.blogspot.com/2008/12/shoprite-refuses-to-make-birthday-cake.html, all of the Campbell children were placed in the custody of Children's Services. Now while I do not condone neo-nazi opinions, I also do not feel that it's the state's role to confiscate children from families it does not approve of. There are many different families who raise there children to believe in things that are not appropiate, like islamism, dominionism, and racial apartheid. However do we want for the government to decide which views are not acceptable? What if it's a Communist family, with there "red diaper babies"? Should the state authority be able to remove there children from the home, because of the supposed "anti-american" politics of the parents? Or for that matter children from same sex couples removed, in states that have social-conservative administrations? I think that the best that we can hope for is that all of the children will be able to become aware of opposing viewpoints, within the free market of ideas, that exists in a free society. And personaly, I can tell you that I certainly do not share the religious right attitudes of my parents. Through the public libraries, talk radio, television, and the internet, I have been able to be exposed to contrasting views, and make up my own mind, according to my own free will. If the state is allowed to get away with doing this, it will set a dangerous precedent. We would then become like a Communist dictatorship, with all children indoctrinated by the ruling regime. That being said, I do hope that the Campbell children do not end up like the Gaeb twins, AKA "Prussian Blue" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prussian_Blue_(American_duo). We all also have a civic duty to counter extremist rhetoric with our own free expression. Children like these need to hear that hatred and/or violence is not acceptable, in a civilised society.

Transit Cop Shoots Unarmed Man in The Back.

http://www.ktvu.com/news/18412851/detail.html#- In an earlier post I mentioned police who in my opinion were being foolhardy. These however were downright deadly. The cop in question overreacted and killed an unarmed citizen. Whether he was trying to kill the man I do not know, but the situation certainly got out of hand. The police need to be held accountable for what happened, and be better trained, so that something like this doesn't happen again. Also, as you probally already know if you've been following my blog from the beginning, I believe in "community policing" http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/default.asp?item=36.

Larry Flint Asks For Bailout Money For Porn Industry.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/07/porn-bailout-larry-flynt_n_155878.html Just like with abortion, the government should not be financing other objectionable behavior. The National Endowment for the Arts should be defunded. http://www.spectacle.org/997/ray.html Let the people decide what they want to support with there own money.

Today Was Eastern Orthodox Christmas.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/subdivisions/easternorthodox_6.shtml I just found out that today was when Eastern Orthodox christians celebrate Christmas. So Christmas just arrived again, and I let it pass me by. So merry Christmas to any and all Orthodox christians who might be reading this post. Incidently, here is a song by John Lennon that I feel is poignant to the times we are living in. "Happy Christmas (War is Over)"

"So this is Christmas and what have you done another year over a new one just
begun and so this Xmas I hope you have fun the near and the dear one the old and
the young.
A merry merry Christmas and happy New Year let's hope it's a good
one without any fear. And, so this is Christmas (war is over) for weak and for
strong (if you want it) for rich and the poor ones (War is over now) the road is
so long and so happy Christmas or black and for white for the yellow and red
ones let's stop all the fight.
A merry merry Christmas and happy New Year
let's hope it's a good one without any fear. And, so this is Christmas and what
have we done another year over a new one just begun and, so happy Christmas we
hope we have fun the near and the dear one the old and the young. A merry merry
Christmas and happy New Year let's hope it's a good one without any fear. (War
is over if you Want it war is over now)" http://www.cozy-corner.com/natale/images/christ_midi/happychrist.mid

Anti-Semitic Attacks On the Rise, After The Incidents In Gaza

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article5467624.ece http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231167268618&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull As I predicted, the excessive violence surrounding Gaza has spilled over into other parts of the world. While these reactive attrocities do not surprise me, it is inexcusable to take out ones frustrations upon ordinary indivisuals. The Jewish people, as a whole, are by no means collectively guilty of the policies of the Israeli government, anymore than muslims are all to blame for islamist terrorism. Also I feel that the arabs/muslims should consider using non-violent means of action. Passive resistance would elicit more world sympathy, and be more affective than armed force. Both Jews and goyim (gentiles) however have the right to self defense, in the interest of self preservation. Only the amount of brute force exerted should not excede the level of violence to be counteracted. In otherwords aggression, and/or overkill, is inexcusable.

Obama Rewards Corporate Looters

http://www.alternet.org/workplace/117219/obama%27s_perilous_compromise_with_wall_street_looters As I've promised before, in the post about the election results. I will criticise the Obama administration, whenever I feel it's appropiate. The bailout plan is the redisribution of wealth in reverse. The Chief Executive Officers are the ultimate welfare queens. With the corporate welfare state as the banking queen. These incompetant officials do not deserve assistance. They made there beds, and now they should be made to sleep in them. Choices have consequences. The buisness leaders should be made to take responsibility for there poor choices. And there companies should succede or fail, according to there merits. Buisness enterprises should be funded by private investments, not the federal government.

Happy New Year.

Today is the first day of January, 2009. We've made it through an entire year. Let us strive to make life in this year better than the last, both socialy as well as personaly. We should all try to be better ourselves, and help to improve the lives of all people. 2009, is a new start for us all. So let's make the most of it.