Pudding versus fruit....

There are times when feeding this family of mine, I think I should get some type of a wholesaler discount when it comes to the volume of food they consume. I've also noticed though that things that are healthier cost more. Recent example? Pudding versus fruit. They are fans of individual serve portions, evidently the mere aspect of having to put something into a bowl is too much for them. Four pudding cups is a dollar, four cups of diced pears, $1.68 for the store brand, $2.00 for the name brand. I bought an equal number of pudding cups and selected fruit cups on Friday. Today? Three pudding cups remain, lots of fruit...Though the strawberry applesauce seemed to be a popular fruit selection.

Covert Operations article creating discussion

As pointed out by Frank Rich, in The Billionaires Bankrolling the Tea Party a recent New Yorker piece is stirring up discussion as to who's spending how much in the world of political funding.

Last week the Kochs were shoved unwillingly into the spotlight by the most comprehensive journalistic portrait of them yet, written by Jane Mayer of The New Yorker. Her article caused a stir among those in Manhattan’s liberal elite who didn’t know that David Koch, widely celebrated for his cultural philanthropy, is not merely another rich conservative Republican but the founder of the Americans for Prosperity Foundation, which, as Mayer writes with some understatement, “has worked closely with the Tea Party since the movement’s inception.” To New Yorkers who associate the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center with the New York City Ballet, it’s startling to learn that the Texas branch of that foundation’s political arm, known simply as Americans for Prosperity, gave its Blogger of the Year Award to an activist who had called President Obama “cokehead in chief.”

The New Yorker article stirred up the right, too. Some of Mayer’s blogging detractors unwittingly upheld the premise of her article (titled “Covert Operations”) by conceding that they have been Koch grantees. None of them found any factual errors in her 10,000 words. Many of them tried to change the subject to George Soros, the billionaire backer of liberal causes. But Soros is a publicity hound who is transparent about where he shovels his money. And like many liberals — selflessly or foolishly, depending on your point of view — he supports causes that are unrelated to his business interests and that, if anything, raise his taxes.

Lisa Murkowski could run as a Libertarian

Interesting piece on Big Government about the possibility of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski running as a Libertarian. One recent poll shows she has a chance of winning a three way election and that appears to have some talking:

For Murkowski to run on the Libertarian ticket, Haase would have to step down and the party’s executive board would have to approve Murkowski. According to the party’s chairman, they are willing to sit down and listen to Murkowski.
“We are open to a sit-down chat with Lisa, anytime,” said Scott Kohlhaas, the party’s chairman and a candidate for House District 20 in Anchorage. Kohlhaas didn’t rule out the possibility of Murkowski running on the Libertarian’s ticket, but he did offer two reservations.
First, it is Haase’s decision on whether he wants to step down, he said, and second, the party’s executive board would have to decide whether they even wanted to give Murkowski the ticket.
The poll that shows Murkowski winning a three-way race between herself, Miller, and Democrat Scott McAdams was paid for by Andrew Halcro and four other Republicans. It cost $5,400 and was conducted by Dittman Research and Communication.

Plunging in...

When I hear the word "plunger" I think of the tool used often in this house, a toilet or sink plunger, destined to be an often needed item with girls who clog the sink or tub with hair and who forget we don't have a garbage disposal when it comes to cleaning up their after meal adventures. So when I saw the term spring plungers, I thought it was some type of a extended plunging device with a spring. I was partly right, it does have a spring, and does a plunging action but it's designed for tool engineers...

Libertarians and Liberals in harmony...

Conor Friedersdorf takes a look at a recent article written by Tim Carney in the Washington Examiner on the topic of Brink Lindsey. It's a recommended read -- The Longer Libertarian game with the point being made:

Mr. Lindsey's project has never been about the 2010 midterms, or the 2012 presidential election, it's been about gradually reorienting America's ideological coalitions in a way that makes liberals more friendly to libertarian ideas, and libertarians less captive to the worst aspects of conservatism. Libertarian donors ought to fund efforts to oppose President Obama in the short term. They also ought to invest in intellectual projects with longer time horizons that only bear on particular electoral and legislative outcomes indirectly. If they can't distinguish between those projects, or if they actually display thinking as immature and counterproductive as "Obama is the devil" and "maybe he's not the devil" equals "lukewarmness for liberty," they're inadvertently sabotaging their own cause. Were I a wealthy man, I'd help fund Mr. Lindsey if only to avoid keeping all the libertarian eggs in the right's less than reliable ideological basket (the short time horizons apparently extend backward too).

An epidemic of "sunshine patriots"

If you cut to the chase on the statement released by Ron Paul on his website, one part that I think basically says it all on the topic of those opposed to the building of a mosque two blocks from "ground zero":

This is all about hate and Islamaphobia.

We now have an epidemic of “sunshine patriots” on both the right and the left who are all for freedom, as long as there’s no controversy and nobody is offended.

Political demagoguery rules when truth and liberty are ignored.

Warranties and insurance...

While I love my netbook and the laptop that I had before it, the simple fact is they are easier to have stolen and are a bit more likely to experience a mishap than my tower that I use for the larger portion of my work. It's why depending on what you spent for your netbook or laptop that you should consider laptop insurance as a protection. Look at the replacement cost versus the total cost of the insurance and the deductible, also look at the claims policy to determine if it's a cost you can justify compared to what you would have to pay for a replacement.

Christmas shopping in August?

I shook my head when I read about the promotion of christmas apparel deals taking place right now. I realize some do have this whole "Christmas in July" attitude and you can probably get some really good deals on gifts if you shop early. However...I am a last minute type shopper who resists Christmas and Christmas shopping until I absolutely must acknowledge it needs to be done. For those of you who are more fiscally responsible? Happy shopping...

:-)

Hunger strike to demand debate...

Incumbents controlling when and how a debate will take place is a common election complaint. However, most times the opposition does not take to a hunger strike. In California, a Democratic candidate started the hunger strike and was joined by a Libertarian candidate...

Rep. Duncan D. Hunter’s challengers want to debate him so badly they can taste it – probably because they haven’t eaten anything for days.

In an effort to force Mr. Hunter, the Republican incumbent in California’s 52nd district, into a series of eight debates in August, Ray Lutz, the Democratic candidate, began a hunger strike at sundown on Aug. 12. Mike Benoit, the Libertarian candidate, quickly followed suit.

Is it a publicity stunt since Hunter has supposedly agreed to debate in October?

Read more then you decide...

The Tea Party Could Bring Fascism to America

More and more libertarians are speaking out against the Tea Party movement and stating it's not libertarianism that is being promoted by a majority of Tea Party groups. This opinion piece by George Donnelly is a good example. Part of the recommended read:

The Tea Party is not a libertarian movement. It co-opted a libertarian message, but in reality it is a rightist movement. It's pro-war, intolerant, ultra-patriotic, pro-torture, into corporate apologism and ready to scapegoat paperless immigrants. As soon as the GOP recaptures the gun that is government, I expect these people will go back to sleep.

Libertarianism, on the other hand, is a consistently peaceful position. We're against war, we don't care much about those imaginary dotted lines on the map called borders and we recognize that the evils of corporatism are borne of the state. We don't oppose government only when people we dislike are in power. We seek to solve the problems liberals worry about with more peaceful means than state mandates. We're not like those Tea Party folks. And you can see this in the above video where a libertarian is violently removed from a Tea Party event!

Saving trees and money...

There used to be a time when metal buildings were used for barns and other non-home uses, now there has been an increase in the use and the types of styles for metal building construction. People are even making new homes using steel instead of wood, some using all steel, others using steel instead of the framing aspect of construction.

A news story from 2008 that I found was very interesting in using steel for framing a house:

Libertarian Judge James P. Gray featured in marijuana documentary

Here's one for those of you interested in the topic of legalizing pot...via a release sent to Independent Political Report:

I’m an independent filmmaker who produced “The Green Rush,” featuring Judge James P. Gray.
We are trying to help spread the word about Proposition 19 and get the truth about what’s happening here.

Our film shows that there are people who live in the mountains of California and grow you weed.
We also interviewed Bruce Margolin, Donald Abrams M.D. and US District Attorney Thomas O’Brien.

It is available for free on HULU.com and we are hoping for somebody to review, blog, endorse of embed it on their sites.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding the film and keep up the great journalistic work you do

The link to the movie - Here. I watched it, it's worth taking a look at.

Going wireless

My home operates on a system of computers hooked up via cat5 and wireless connections. It's very easy to do using a wireless router -- what I do recommend is you buy a router that will do both, offer wireless and hardlined connections. This way you have the option. My tower as an example has the ability to be wireless but it's much easier to connect it through ethernet. No matter what, make sure you secure your wireless connection, while the neighbors might appreciate the ability to connect, others may have a bit more nefarious ideas in mind.

Is Originalism Libertarian

Mikołaj Barczentewicz pens Is Orginalism Libertarian - It's a recommended read - part of which:

What is originalism?

Originalism is a method of interpreting the Constitution, apart from that there is no simple answer to the question "what is originalism?" The main reason is that there really is a variety of "originalisms." Historically, the first version of originalism was "original intent" originalism and it was based on an assumption that "constitutional interpretation should be guided by the original intentions of the framers." Of course, many questions arise as to what the "intentions" are, whose intentions we should be concerned with and so on. Overwhelming and arguably conclusive criticism rendered original intent originalism dead and buried in the eyes of academics.

However, this critique did not bury originalism for good. In 1986 Antonin Scalia called for changing the label "from the Doctrine of Original Intent to the Doctrine of Original Meaning." This event marks the advent of "New Originalism" or "original public meaning" originalism. New Originalism is not concerned with intentions or expectation of the Framers. Instead, it tries to establish original public meaning of the Constitution (as amended). What does it mean in practice? Usually, it means a tedious research in 18th-century dictionaries, newspapers and legal treatises in search of the meaning that was shared by users of English at the time of ratification.

Beyond Libertarianism

Peter Orvetti has a blog post over at the Moderate Voice, Beyond Libertarianism that struck a few chords with me. We share a similar history as far as not knowing where we "fit in" as far as the political spectrum. I also find his suggestion that a strong political ideological alliance can be based on personality to be one that may merit consideration.

Part of this recommended read:

The more time I spent in the libertarian movement, the more uncomfortable I became about defending positions I did not honestly hold. The first year of the Obama presidency was a breaking point, as the collapse of the financial sector, the rancor over healthcare, and the hateful tactics of the president’s adversaries made me realize I could no longer keep that company.

In point of fact, I have always been less a libertarian than what might be termed a liberal-tarian. I am wary of deficits and excessive spending, and fear the role of ever-larger government agencies that seek to regulate personal behavior. I fear the so-called “Nanny State” that seeks to ban things simply because those things may not be “good for you” — rather than letting personal liberty guide these decisions. But I also see a role for government, even big government, when it comes to the basic well-being of the citizens of a wealthy industrial nation.

Sunpower for lights

Not long ago we were debating what type of low voltage path lights we wanted to use since I wanted more than the traditional light on the porch. We looked at several of the different options and decided to go with solar lighting, at first I wasn't sure how bright it would be and if the lack of wiring would create a theft temptation. This was a valid threat considering someone has stolen our expensive energy saving bug light bulb right from our porch more than once. However a month into the solar lighting being placed, no thefts and it does provide some nice lighting with no electrical wiring or costs.

Jail tips for Lohan

Perhaps while Lindsay Lohan is in jail, since it's clear from the below post she needs to learn a bit more about the law, if the law library at the county lock up is not up to par...She could concentrate on writing a quick weight loss diet book based on her jail days. "Ninety days to a sober and slimmer you" could be a suggested title.

The special treatment the rich and famous get compared to regular citizens is something that should be stopped. If the law is truly the law...

Lindsay Lohan cites Cato

This was amusing - from the Washington Post:

To the surprise of anyone who actually studies crime and punishment, Lindsay Lohan weighed in on the subject Wednesday night via Twitter:

"It is clearly stated in Article 5 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights that ..... 'No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.' " She then quoted from a 2002 Cato Institute paper by legal scholar Erik Luna decrying unfair sentencing guidelines: "Scores of federal defendants sentenced under a constitutionally perverted ..... system that saps moral judgment through its mechanical rules."

The folks at the D.C.'s libertarian think tank were tickled by the unlikely shoutout, but Cato senior fellow Walter Olsen says the jail-bound actress missed the mark.

"She needs to be more careful in her legal research -- too much time in bars and not enough in law libraries," he told us. The Supreme Court struck down those sentencing guidelines in 2005, and the UN declaration has nothing to do with her case. "Not now or ever has the Geneva Convention protected the right to flip off the judge."

The faux revolution...

It's interesting that Rand Paul is still being marketed as a libertarian, when the reality is he's not. What's also interesting is that some of those who claim to lean libertarian are advocating violent positions that few who truly believe in libertarianism would support. Washington Post example of behavior no one should support:

The Republican wave carries along a group that strikes a faux revolutionary pose. "Our Founding Fathers," says Nevada Republican Senate candidate Sharron Angle, "they put that Second Amendment in there for a good reason, and that was for the people to protect themselves against a tyrannical government. And in fact, Thomas Jefferson said it's good for a country to have a revolution every 20 years. I hope that's not where we're going, but you know, if this Congress keeps going the way it is, people are really looking toward those Second Amendment remedies."

Angle has managed to embrace the one Founding Father with a disturbing tolerance for the political violence of the French Revolution. "Rather than it should have failed," enthused Jefferson, "I would have seen half the earth desolated." Hardly a conservative model.

But mainstream conservatives have been strangely disoriented by Tea Party excess, unable to distinguish the injudicious from the outrageous. Some rose to Angle's defense or attacked her critics. Just to be clear: A Republican Senate candidate has identified the United States Congress with tyranny and contemplated the recourse to political violence. This is disqualifying for public office. It lacks, of course, the seriousness of genuine sedition. It is the conservative equivalent of the Che Guevara T-shirt -- a fashion, a gesture, a toying with ideas the wearer only dimly comprehends. The rhetoric of "Second Amendment remedies" is a light-weight Lexington, a cut-rate Concord. It is so far from the moral weightiness of the Founders that it mocks their memory.

Folic acid is the focus...

One of the main reasons prenatal vitamins are recommended, especially in advance of becoming pregnant for those who are trying to conceive is folic acid. While many food sources contain folic acid, the March of Dimes has reported that the synthetic form of folic acid is more easily absorbed than the natural form. It's something you should keep in mind when searching for the best prenatal vitamin. Look carefully at the recommended dosage of folic acid and what that particular vitamin product contains.