People all over America are discussing freedom’s future. In short, they are worried. In fact, many are actually talking about State secession. In coffee shops and cafes, and around dining room tables, millions of people are speaking favorably of states breaking away from the union. Not since the turn of the twentieth century have this many people thought (and spoken) this favorably about the prospect of a State (or group of states) exiting the union. In my mind, this is a good thing.
Even many of those who oppose the prospect of secession understand the increasing tyrannical nature of the current central government in Washington, D.C., and that something must be done about it.
The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines tyranny as “1: oppressive power . . . 2: a government in which absolute power is vested in a single ruler . . . 3: a rigorous condition imposed by some outside agency or force . . . 4: a tyrannical act.”
Even a casual observer would have to conclude that most of the actions proceeding forth from DC today match at least Webster’s 1st and 3rd definitions of tyranny. Besides, who would argue the advantage of the tyranny of an oligarchy over the tyranny of a monarchy? A tyranny of many cannot be distinguished from a tyranny of one in most cases–especially not by those poor souls who are at the point of the spear of Government’s cruelties.
Following the announcement of candidates who met the signature requirements to run in various area races, we contacted a few of the most liberty minded candidates to offer them a unique advertising opportunity. For very little cost these candidates were invited to submit articles on the subject of their own passions, and these were included in our January print edition. Other candidates heard about the opportunity, and we did not refuse to include any candidates who contacted us.
We are pleased to share the results of “our” candidates’ efforts. (The candidates who have links are the ones who participated in the opportunity.)
* Although Craig Schweitzer did not win, his impressive showing is notewothy considering he is a first time candidate who beat out Traci Saliba, a 17-year political veteran in Delaware county, Mark Phillips, a Delaware area attorney, Beth Lear, who worked as a legislative aide for nearly a decade which includes her educational issue work at the Buckeye Institute and Jeffery Mayle who ran in the Republican primary against Kris Jordan in March 2008. Though Mayle was defeated in 2008 by the widely known and popular Jordan, he took 30.33 percent of the vote.
Schweitzer lost to Andrew Brenner with just a 1%+ spread. Brenner is a political veteran and won the difficult four-way 2004 County Recorder race. His wife Sara Marie serves as a Powell City Councilman.
Congratulations to these liberty-minded candidates. We wish them much continued success!
I can’t improve on Glenn Greenwald’s analysis of the WikiLeaks video depicting the slaughter of Iraqi citizens. See here and here and here.
However, there is one part of the WikiLeaks video that I wish to address — the reaction of the helicopter pilots upon learning that there were two children who were shot and injured during the melee. Their reaction, in fact, perfectly exemplifies the mindset that has long characterized U.S. officials, including those in the Pentagon.
When the pilots discovered that they had shot the two Iraqi kids, here was their exchange:
“Well it’s their fault for bringing their kids into a battle.”
“That’s right.”
No remorse, no anguish, no regret, no concern. Just callous indifference to the possibility that the lives of two innocent children might have just been snuffed out.
Remember when grandparents and great-grandparents stated that they only had an 8th grade education?
Could any of us have passed the 8th grade in 1895?
This is the eighth-grade final exam from 1895 in Salina , Kansas. It was taken from the original document on file at the Smokey Valley Genealogical Society and Library in Salina , and reprinted by the Salina Journal.
8th Grade Final Exam: Salina , KS – 1895
Grammar (Time, one hour)
1. Give nine rules for the use of capital letters.
2. Name the parts of speech and define those that have no modifications.
3. Define verse, stanza and paragraph.
4. What are the principal parts of a verb? Give principal parts of ‘lie,”play,’ and ‘run.’
5. Define case; illustrate each case.
6 What is punctuation? Give rules for principal marks of punctuation.
7 – 10. Write a composition of about 150 words and show therein that you understand the practical use of the rules of grammar.
Arithmetic (Time,1 hour 15 minutes)
1. Name and define the Fundamental Rules of Arithmetic.
2. A wagon box is 2 ft. Deep, 10 feet long, and 3 ft. wide. How many bushels of wheat will it hold?
3. If a load of wheat weighs 3,942 lbs., what is it worth at 50cts/bushel, deducting 1,050 lbs. For tare?
4. District No 33 has a valuation of $35,000. What is the necessary levy to carry on a school seven months at $50 per month, and have $104 for incidentals?
5. Find the cost of 6,720 lbs. Coal at $6.00 per ton.
6. Find the interest of $512.60 for 8 months and 18 days at 7 percent.
7. What is the cost of 40 boards 12 inches wide and 16 ft.. Long at $20 per metre?
8. Find bank discount on $300 for 90 days (no grace) at 10 percent.
9. What is the cost of a square farm at $15 per acre, the distance of which is 640 rods?
10. Write a Bank Check, a Promissory Note, and a Receipt.
“Mark, you’re wasting valuable oxygen. Can we please cut off [his] microphone? It was a pleasure–not really a pleasure. It was offensive. You’re offensive. [Your show is a vehicle to spread] propaganda…and offensive, and an indication of what is wrong with the dialog in this country. Period. Not to mention Nazi and racist.”