Common Sense Alaska

Arizona Shooting, Perspectives from Alaska

2011-01-10T15:52:00.004-09:00

Here is what “the gloves are off” ,” fighting for Alaska “ Lisa Murkowski had to say about this weeks tragic events.

I do hope that as we move forward from this terrible tragedy, that as Americans, we look to those things that are causing the frustration and anger and bitterness and really try to come together to tone down some of the rhetoric that may be fostering some of what we're seeing. --Lisa Murkowski, Jan. 8, 2011

Now here is what a friend,Tea party activist and fellow Joe Miller volunteer ,Greg Stoddard wrote the next day:

Tragic events in Tucson AZ (a perspective)

To place perspective on the tragic events in Tucson, we must first realize a few things.

1. Many people are suffering the loss of a loved one, family member or friend.

2. Survivors endure the pain of their own injuries, at least one of which I know having also lost a loved one, her husband, Dorwan Stoddard.

3. Although tragedy has occurred at a ''Congress on the corner'' held by a duly elected representative of the people, it was not the result of politics, but instead appears to be due to the acts of a deranged single individual.

4. Unfortunately, emotion has led some folks to unjustly place blame for this tragedy on innocent people including those in the ''Tea Party'' movement.

5. I withhold placing blame, which is contrary to that of the vitriolic rhetoric coming from Sheriff Dupnik of Pima County Arizona. He should be ashamed of his comments. He speaks for few.

6. My Father's cousin Dorwan Stoddard was killed as he bravely shielded his wife, Mavy, from the shooter. Dorwan, I am so proud of you for your acts of love, especially of the final act.

7. I watched as Congress Representative Giffords read the first amendment of the US Constitution kicking off the 112th US Congress. She has been a shining example of what she read before the people on that day and so many other days. God bless her, her family and her doctors as she regains her ability to participate in her elected role as well as all else in her personal life.

8. I, as a ''Tea Party'' member will always cherish the US Constitution and those who defend it. A senseless act by a deranged individual will not cause a knee jerk reaction by those who are of sound mind.

9. Truth be told, the shooter will likely prove to lean left not right, although likely confused generally. You won't find me or any other conservative blaming liberals for his actions though.

10. We must remember the brave acts and innocence of loved ones victimized at the tragic event in Tucson Arizona.
Greg Stoddard

No need for me to opine, you can compare for yourself the statements of our Senator and a local Tea Party activist and tell which one is adding fuel to the fire for political gain.

All I can add is, it is a Shame

Death of a Republic

2011-01-04T14:58:00.003-09:00

Although I have been absent from my blogging duties,It is my intent to refocus my efforts and give regular posting on subjects and points of view not well covered elsewhere. The following is such a subject.

The Implications of Miller Vs. Treadwell, is far reaching.
The Alaska supreme court decision in rejecting Joe Miller's arguments gave reasonable responses to his reasonable arguments, with one glaring exception. In it's decision, the court declared, “Voter Intent Is Paramount,” later, in their reasoning, they focus on individual voter intent in stating “ Our prior decisions clearly hold that a voter’s intention is paramount ” but that does not discount there original declaration.
Lets look at the word Paramount as defined;
Paramount- Having the highest rank or jurisdiction; superior to all others; chief; supreme; pre["e]minent; as, a paramount duty.
[1913 Webster]

It seems the court is saying our government is, at it's core,a democracy. In their decision they affirm this sentiment with the following statements.
“ The right to vote “is fundamental to our concept of democratic government””
I suppose we can forgive them for this one since the people do vote for a portion of their government you can say we do have a element of “democratic Government” within our Constitutions, but there is more, the also stated,
“As we have recognized, “a true democracy must seek to make each citizen’s vote as meaningful as every other vote to ensure the equality of all people under the law.”

A “True Democracy”?
How does the above reasoning correspond with the Alaska statehood act that says; “The constitution of the State of Alaska shall always be republican in form and shall not be repugnant to the Constitution of the United States and the principles of the Declaration of Independence."” Is not the term “under the Law “ contrary to a true democracy?
So now that the court has affirmed voter intent paramount, meaning it is Superior to the legislature, courts and even the constitution, lets look at some of the implications.

In the Alaska constitution,
Article 2 section 12 “”each (senate and house)is the judge of the election and qualifications of it's members and may expel a member with the concurrence of two thirds of it's members.
If voters intent is paramount, this section cannot be applied since voters elected, only voters could remove an individual.

The same reasoning can be applied to Article 2 section 20, the legislature could not impeach an elected official they could only be recalled. Also Under the Voter Intent being Paramount ruling there could be no restriction on what could be put in an initiative as this limits voter intent Article 11 section 7 is at risk as well.

The most startling impact of this ruling is the effect it would have on the initiative process (Article 11 section 6 in particular).
Since The court has ruled, voter intent is paramount. (Superior to all others) a law passed by voters through the initiative process, could not be modified or deleted by the legislature or courts, only by a vote of the people.

It seems to me in the Alaska Supreme court zeal to dismiss Miller's case the opened the door for litigation on the last vestiges of the Republican form of government in our constitution that we the people created at Statehood.

On the bright side the parental consent law should be upheld in it's entirety as it represents the voters intent as passed.
A hollow victory when you consider the death of the republic and the instigation of mob rule.

566 Years: The reason responsible Alaskans voted for Joe Miller.

2010-09-05T16:09:00.002-08:00

566 Years. The year 2585. That's how long it will take to retire our massive national debt, projected through 2019.

566 years assumes that we can stop deficit spending by 2019. It also assumes that we pay down the debt by $100 million per day. Yes, $100 million per day. 566 years also assumes the optimistic assumptions of economic growth by the Office of Management and Budget come true and our national debt is only $20.67 trillion in 2019.

$100 million per day is also a pretty large number to comprehend, so let's give it some context: According to Reed Construction Data figures for 2008, the average cost of building a 130,000 square foot high school in the US was $18.5 million.

In simple terms, in order to retire our national debt in just 566 years, we would first have to stop deficit spending. Then we would need to find a way to collect enough taxes to pay the interest on our huge debt and also pay all the other costs of government and pay for our many "sacred cow" government programs . Finally, we need to come up with additional surplus tax revenue equivalent to the costs of building five highs schools every day. Again, for just 566 years.

We've encouraged, the government to spend beyond its means for the things we "want" for far too long. The colossal generational-theft that we are currently committing will come to an end, like it or not. The choice is whether we do something to end it in a responsible , orderly manner; or we allow it collapse under its own enormous weight. The problems in Greece would pale in comparison. We will not have someone "sweep in" and rescue us like Greece.

Responsible Alaskans voted for Joe Miller because he's the first candidate who has come along with the intestinal fortitude to address head-on, the 20 trillion pound gorilla sitting in the corner. As a fourth generation Alaskan, I'm very proud to see the responsible, self-reliant, spirit is still alive and well in the last frontier. Well done Alaska. Choosing responsibility over more "free stuff". It's the adult thing to do, for the sake of the class of 2585.

A Couple of Silver Spoons

2010-06-20T11:47:00.014-08:00

I hesitate to bring any attention to Andrew Halcro's absurd blog post, but given his attacks on the Tea Party movement I feel compelled to come to the defense of not only myself, but many of my friends in the movement.

This ones for you Andrew.

The very first sentence of his June 18th blog denigrates my Tea Party friends and I by calling us delusional.

Really Andrew?
Perhaps you are not aware of an exhaustive study of the Tea Party Movement conducted by the Sam Adams Alliance, located Here
Of course you're not. If you were, you would have to concede these Tea Party folks are more concerned about their country than they are angry. Your charges that these folks are an angry mob is laughable to anyone who has actually witnessed any of their events first hand. They are quite sociable actually.
You would also have to concede that Sarah Palin, while more popular than most within the Tea Party, only has the support of 36 percent of it's members.

I am sure you won't let these facts get in the way of your spewing hatred of all things Sarah Palin after all, she did beat you pretty badly.
Remember? You ran as an independent for governor in 06 and received about eight percent of the vote, you of all people, have the nerve call the Tea Partiers delusional.

If you are truly concerned about outside influence in the Senate Primary , Why do you not object to the fact that over 70 percent of Murkowski's campaign funds are from out of state?

When you quote Emerson you tell a great deal about yourself, if this is the type Intellectual you hold dear, you really have no idea of Republican philosophy. The bisexual Emerson, (apparently he could not make his mind up on a lot of things), believed all things were divine (therefore nothing is). You and Timothy Leary have much in common. Andrew, I did not know you where a closet hippie.

You call Joe Miller a right wing lunatic.
Really Andrew, do Lunatics graduate West Point with honors?
Are lunatics awarded Bronze star's for action in defense of their country? Hold masters degree in economics? I will not however, argue that Yale does not graduate lunatics. By the way where did you go to school Andrew and who paid for that?

As to the Tea Party offering no solution, this is simply not true. This assertion shows you have not researched the facts.
The common sense solutions the Tea Party offers is in the Austrian school of economics and found in our nation founding principals. Ever hear of Von Mises or Hayek? How about John Locke or Thomas Paine.
The fact is, the average Tea Partier know more about on the ground free markets and constitutional republics than you and all your crony capitalist, pseudo-intellectual friends combined.

Go ahead Andrew, just try to associate the most extreme view of the fringe element of a group as being the dominate part of the group as a whole. Drink the mainstream Kool-Aid Andrew.

The evidence is clear and cannot be hidden, Murkowski voted against her party 300 times. At best she is a C student in Republicanism. If Lisa is so smart how about we compare GPA's . If she is so accomplished how about we compare service records and work histories?
Alaskans can do much better with Joe Miller.

You should have listened to your good friend Lisa's advice that she gave you on the above photo but now, all you have shown us is your hatred of all things Palin and your absolute loyalty to your good friend and fellow silver-spooner Lisa Murkowski.
The last idea I remember you supporting is a state income tax. If you had others they where lost in your constant flow of sour grapes.

So blog away Andrew, continue to use Anlisky's fifth rule ridicule, as a player who was benched for lack of performance, it is all you have left.

You have my sympathy.

Federation of Community Councils Violate Tax Status,Campaign Law

2010-04-06T10:49:00.009-08:00

I received an email from the Federation of Community Councils, (FCC) a organization exclusively funded by city and state government grants. While I am sympathetic to the cause it advocates, the problem is the FCC is a 501 c3 (non profit) corporation advocating certain position a ballot issue.

Revised rule 2007-41 of the IRS code states,
"Section 501(c)(3) provides for the exemption from federal income tax of organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable or educational purposes, no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation".
It also states, "However, section 501(c)(3) organizations must avoid any issue advocacy that functions as political campaign intervention"

The FCC's own Articles of Incorporations reaffirms this section in 3 (f) "no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation"

Another issue is their failure to comply with APOC reporting requirements. The taxpayer certainly has a right to know when it is lobbied with it's own money.

Here is the Email judge for yourself.

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

Airport Heights Community Council

PLEASE VOTE ON APRIL 6TH !
Dear Alexander Avenue Neighbor,

This letter is to ask for your vote in favor of Proposition 1 on April 6.

If you have attended Airport Heights Community Council meetings in the last few years you have probably heard about this severe drainage problem and may have seen some of the photo's of moldy and flooded crawl spaces and other outcomes from the problem. The storm drain system beneath Alexander Avenue has failed. In addition to all the inconveniences of a poorly drained roadway, many of the homes in the area have standing water in their crawl spaces. However, thanks to our Assembly representative, Elvi Gray-Jackson, the Municipality has stepped up and included funding to reconstruct Alexander Avenue on Proposition 1, also known as the $37 million "road bond" that is on the April 6th ballot.

To solve the drainage problems, the Municipality proposes to install a new drain pipe beneath Alexander Avenue and include small pipe extensions (footing drains) onto each adjacent property. In addition, the roadway will be reconstructed to current Municipal standards. The estimated total cost for the project is $2.4 million.

If Prop 1 is approved, planning and design for the project would begin this year. Because the roadway reconstruction will likely require significant utility relocation and property acquisition, it will be challenging to have the project ready for construction before 2012. However the Municipality is prepared to try to accelerate project development.

Proposition 1 includes $1,980,000 for this project, or about 90% of the estimated costs. The remaining 10% "match" to this money is part of the Municipality's request to the State Legislature for this year's Capital Budget.

Without approval of Prop 1, this project will not happen. We need your vote!

Please take the time to encourage your friends, family and neighbors to vote on April 6th in favor of Proposition 1. We need every vote this year that we can get.

Thank you.

Alexander Avenue Residents
East Thunderbird Condo Assoc.
Airport Heights Community Council

Community Councils Center
907-277-1977

click here to visit our web site

------------------------------------

Forward email
Safe Unsubscribe
This email was sent to***(********) by info@communitycouncils.org.
Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.

Email Marketing by
Federation of Community Councils | 1057 West Fireweed Lane | Suite 100 | Anchorage | AK | 99503

It's A Crime ! (lab)

2010-03-29T13:45:00.004-08:00

The outrageously expensive proposal for a new state crime lab is being considered in the Legislative Budget and Audit committee.

Alaska’s proposed crime laboratory is far more expensive than other recently constructed
facilities. This holds true from several perspectives, including cost/square-foot, cost/population served, cost/staff, cost/person served, and cost/annual caseload.

Alaska’s proposed crime lab would cost nearly twice as much as Iowa’s public health lab,medical examiner lab, agriculture lab, and crime lab combined.

Iowa’s crime lab supports a population four times larger than Alaska’s and receives far more evidence to process. In a laboratory significantly smaller than what the Department of Public Safety has proposed for Alaska, the Iowa State Crime Laboratory is currently processing about four times the workload.

Alaska’s proposed crime laboratory would cost nearly as much as the recently opened Los Angeles County Regional Laboratory.

More information can be found at,

Alaska Policy Forum Crime Lab Report.

Alaska has the third highest debt ratio in the country and the second highest state and local government spending ratio. We do not need to spend our valuable resources on this unnecessary Leviathan.

Please contact members of the legislative budget and audit committee and express your opposition to this extraordinarily expensive project.

We can do a lot more with a less costly approach.

Cissna Hypocrisy

2010-03-22T15:27:00.010-08:00

At Saturdays Senate K constituents meeting, Representative Cissna berated me for bring up an issue that many came to express their concerns about. There is the video so you can judge for yourselves. Sorry for the abbreviated video I am limited to 100MB . Copies of the entire meeting are available for $10.

I would like to point out when Cissna was asked for a bill number for the capital budget, she did not know what it was, but a few minutes later complained that I did not give her a specif bill number for the parental notification legislation. If I did, she probably wouldn't know what I was referring to anyway. I did err in calling it parental consent instead of notification but that was a point that was lost on the rooms as well.

She also asked for public input and then, when an issue she disagreed with came up, she called that input "not the kind of friendly discussion we need to have". Apparently the only input she desires is that which validates her own preconceived talking points.

Earlier in this meeting Cissna pointed out her constituents are "people who supported her". She is another politician who does not represent her entire district just the few who voted for her.
Those supporters were the ones interrupting me when I spoke. She had a chance to show leadership and call for civility but did not.

As far as bringing in people to speaking at public meetings,this is something she does on a regular basis. The evidence of this is in the following email Cissna sent out to "stakeholders"

IMPORTANT STATE BUDGET NOTICE: Big surprise for those of us in the Legislature that do not serve on the Finance Committee is today’s start of the Budget Hearings. With little more than a day’s notice, the public has been invited to speak to the very recent version of the 2011 State Operating Budget. It is not in final form, since the hearings are held before the completion of the bill. In my Democratic Caucus there was a demand to postpone the Hearings until sufficient notice and backup materials were sent to the public. But postponement didn’t work.

This listing gives your information of when hearings are held for your community, and how you can link to the total budget document. Links to the budget information follows locations and times, and after that you can find the address and phone numbers to your own LIO. What we will put together after this email goes out are a list of groups that have studied the budget according to their own recommendations, and that way you can have people to talk to that have studied the legislation.
Public testimony for the House Finance CS of the Operating Budget is scheduled as follows:

(edited for brevity time date and links)

Remember that you will be given about 2, 3 or 4 minutes to get your comments out. If you don’t have time to study the budget bill itself, tell the Legislators about the issue that you are concerned about, a brief and concise description of solutions, and the story you have to share that underlines why this issue is important and why your suggestions will work.

If you go to your local Legislative Information Office to testify, talk with others there, find people who share your concerns, and organize in a way that as many points as possible are mentioned in the hearing. Hearing the same thing said is not as useful as hearing different ideas and stories that explain why those ideas work.

This is the list (edited for brevity) of Legislative offices across Alaska. Call the one nearest to you to check on their hours and for information. They have resources that can help you make your testimony easier.

I hope to be able to hear your testimony from this side as we will be listening in our office and taking notes!

Sharon Cissna,

District 22, State House Representative, 1-800-922-3875

The hypocrisy is overwhelming.

I guess Cissna feels she is the only one entitled to pack a room.

No more.

Folks are starting to pay attention and the days of you stacking the deck in public meetings are over the progressive agenda will be contested at every turn .
Expect competition in the market place of ideas If you don't care for the public debate, perhaps it's time you step aside.

Land of the Free? How does Alaska Rate?

2010-03-01T11:11:00.003-09:00

In 2009, Professors William P. Ruger & Jason Sorens presented the first-ever comprehensive ranking of the American states on their public policies affecting individual freedoms in the economic, social, and personal spheres.

This study, “Freedom in the 50 states. An index of personal and economic freedom”, was conducted at the Mercatus Center on George Mason University

So how does Freedom in Alaska rate? Out of the fifty states Alaska ranks,

31 Overall Freedom

24 Regulatory Freedom

49 Fiscal Freedom

1 Personal Freedom

47 Economic Freedom

Being rated number one in personal freedom (mostly because of our recognition of our right to carry firearms and legal pot possession) does not make up for the fact that we are very close to the bottom of the ranking in matters fiscal and economic policy.

We rate so poorly in these areas, our overall ranking in Freedom Is well BELOW the median.

What state are number one in the categories?

Michigan Regulatory Freedom

New Hampshire Fiscal Freedom

Alaska Personal Freedom

South Dakota Economic Freedom

And the most free state in the country?

New Hampshire with single digit ranking in all ares except personal freedom (18).

For in-depth analysis the study PDF can be downloaded at the following link

http://mercatus.org/publication/freedom-50-states-index-personal-and-economic-freedom

Come on Alaskans, in particular our leadership, we can do better than this. With our resources we should be first in all categories.

Liberty in a Volunteer Organization

2010-02-14T15:29:00.008-09:00

Base on my observations and experiences I have come to the following conclusions. This article may be long winded but I hope you will find it helpful in your pursuit of liberty.

When an individual's labor is spent in an organization or campaign, that individual tends to take ownership of the product of their labor. However, in the instances of success, we frequently over estimate the contributions of our often considerable effort.

An Alaskan who builds a cabin on a bluff, may take great pride in his home and property, rightfully calling is his own, but that same Alaskan often falsely assumes ownership of all the land he can survey from his front porch.

Success in any political endeavor is often guided more by a sense of hope,faith, trust and love, rather than individual labor. Personal relationships matter and a display of trust even if unearned is necessary for success.

As John Boyd observed, human nature is to,

“Survive, survive on own terms, or improve our capacity for independent action.”

These are the God given tools that we call inalienable rights. By their nature people want to be as free as they possibly can. They give their time and effort for that perceived benefit.

A campaign or organization that does not recognize the desire for independent action or, tightly controls such action by explicit command, will ultimately find itself with one strong leader and a membership incapable of anything except following the leader.

Such an explicit command structure diminishes the capacity for independent action and is contrary to human nature, such a structure can only be maintained by negative forces that are contrary to that nature. From the tower of Babel to the Soviet Union, history is littered with examples of explicit command failures.

A successful campaign or organization utilizes human nature by capitalizing on the human desire to act independently. This is accomplished by offering implicit guidance.

A winning campaign establishes it's moral authority by confirming and promoting objectives that are compatible with human nature. Once this authority is established it is maintained by mutual trust between it's leaders and members.

When a organization or campaign has implicit guidance and mutual trust in place, success becomes a simple matter of providing confidence building training, logistical and moral support.

Training

Training that provides confidence cannot take place in an environment where truths are controlled or withheld by central authority. This implied lack of trust restricts the flow and utilization good of information that could be used to perfect any system.

Bad information is always filtered out by trial and error. Any training or information system must have a free flow of of information in all directions to be effective.

We see this free flowing model in the early Christian church. Jesus trained twelve disciples, by answering every question that was posed to him, they then went in their own directions and freely shared the information that was given to them and answered every question posed to them.

The writings of these disciples varied in style but not in message or intent. There is no doubt of this models success. Some, however would like to claim divine intervention rather than accept the fact that this open information system is is effective.

The alternative to this open information system is a closed information system. A closed system was utilized ancient times by the mystery religions and guilds and in modern times by corporations like GM and IBM.

In the closed system, information is kept and distributed for the exclusive benefit of the organization compiling it.

The problem with this system is it's lack of ability to adapt to a changing environment, integrating new information and dependency on key personal to maintain and implement.

Often time a closed system fails due to lack of resources to maintain it's rigid structure. The closed systems that do not fail become steeped in Byzantine procedures and dogma that sever no purpose other than to maintain itself.

Any successes under this system is usually created by rouge elements operation outside of the established boundaries of the organization,which then is quickly recognized by the organization to cover it's internal shortcomings. An example of this is John Deloren's relationship at General Motors when he developed the Pontiac GTO.

Logistics

Much has been written about the subject of logistics I will not dare to compete with those who have spent their lives dedicated to this art. I will however comment on logistics as it relates to a volunteer organization.

Successful operations require accurate and timely delivery of goods and services,this requires discipline. The question arises, how do you instil a sense of discipline of in a volunteer workforce? The answer is to utilize human nature and the many talents of the volunteers themselves.

Nothing motivates better than self interest. Public recognition of individual efforts, reenforcement of the necessity of the operation for the benefit of the common good, and a concise awareness of the importance of the volunteer's role in the success of the commonly held objective is key to a disciplined volunteer work force.

Professionals can easily be disciplined with pay and benefits and the consequences of the loss of these benefits but for volunteer's it is strictly a matter of acceptance on an emotional level.

Volunteers have an emotional bond to the objective, not the organization, that must be maintained, in order for them to accept the discipline required to effectively move goods and services in a timely manner.

Moral support

It is essential that a campaign or organization provide moral support to it's trained volunteers who in turn provides this support to untrained or newly acquired volunteers. But what is moral support?

In the affirmative it is the acknowledgement of good the work of individuals within the volunteer workforce even if these individuals operate outside of their explicit instructions.

This acknowledgement should be made publicly to encourage others to be creative, maximize the talent and skill of the existing workforce and, facilitate the recruitment of new talent. Allow your volunteers to explode with enthusiasm by applying implicit guidance rather than explicit command.

In the negative, moral support means consulting and correcting individuals who by their actions clearly demonstrate a negative impact on the mission, organization or campaign.

This should always be done in private. Good volunteers on occasion make bad mistakes that can be used as a learning moment to create even stronger bonds and better leaders.

It is a rare instance when an individual is required to be removed from their duties within the campaign or organization. If removal is required is should be settled as a mutually agreeable separation so as to reduce the possibility of friction from within or without the organization or campaign.

An organization who executes effective moral support of their volunteers will be reward by the creation of a dynamic highly motivated volunteer workforce who's efforts will surpass the organization's expectation.

Conclusions

Effective organizations and campaigns would do well to incorporate these tenets into their operations.

Success depends on public acceptance of the message more than it does on the ownership of the organization.

Utilize human nature rather than attempt to suppress it.

Rely on implicit guidance rather the explicit command.

Training provides confidence.

Information must flow freely in all directions. Bad information will be exposed as quickly as good information is incorporated.

A clear goal and a understanding of the need to act , instil an awareness and discipline among volunteers. Reinforce positive results by rewarding the originator of such results publicly. Negative results should be reviewed and dealt with in private.

The utilization of free will brings liberty. The suppression of free will brings tyranny.

Here they come again, Real ID in Alaska

2010-01-15T13:51:00.006-09:00

Of all the bills pre-filed for the upcoming session the absolute worst is house bill 255, sponsored by Carl Gatto Republican Palmer. This bill cedes state authority over to the federal government and imposes future federal mandates with no input or oversight by the people of Alaska. It also opens the door to tagging people like animals.

Imagine a future Alaska where you can be singled out in a crowd with a radio gun and all you personal information will be in the hands of whom ever possesses the technology. When this voluntary radio frequency identification card (RFID) is found to be insecure are mandatory RFID implants next? Will a future federal government find it an easy way to track commerce? Talk about the mark of the beast, this legislation opens the door in Alaska for all these future abuses to occur.

I know folks will say I am being an alarmist and this bill is relatively benign, but I ask you to consider the fact that this bill sets the stage for all these future incursions.

John Adams said:
“Nip the shoots of arbitrary power in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever preserve the liberties of any people.”
I cannot think of a better example of arbitrary power than this bill. We must kill it before it grows.
I am amazed that our state legislator's would be willing to sell Alaskans into bondage for so few pieces of silver.

The bill is as follows, my comments are in bold type italic.

26-LS1033\A

HOUSE BILL NO. 255

IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION

BY REPRESENTATIVE GATTO

Introduced: 1/8/10
Referred: Prefiled

A BILL

FOR AN ACT ENTITLED

1 "An Act relating to enhanced identification cards and enhanced drivers' licenses; and

2 providing for an effective date." An Act implementing Real ID in Alaska

3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:

4 * Section 1. AS 18.65 is amended by adding a new section to read:
5 Sec. 18.65.325. Enhanced identification cards; agreement with federal
6 government for issuance authorized Usurpation of state authority by federal government. (a) The department may enter into a
7 memorandum of understanding with a federal agency Gives the department of public saftey the authority to make agreements with the federal government without future state legislative oversight for the purpose of obtaining
8 approval of an enhanced identification card as proof of identity and citizenship for
9 persons entering the United States at land and sea ports of entry.
10 (b) If the department obtains the approval of a federal agency Gives federal government control over our state's driver's licenses as provided in
11 (a) of this section, the department may issue an enhanced identification card to an
12 applicant who provides to the department in a manner prescribed by the department
13 (1) a completed application with the information required for an
14 identification card under AS 18.65.310 and any additional information required by the

HB0255a -1-HB 255

New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]

26-LS1033\A

1 federal agency in the agreement entered into under (a) of this section;
2 (2) documentation demonstrating the applicant's United States
3 citizenship;
4 (3) the applicant's signed certification that the information presented
by the applicant is true and correct to the best of the applicant's knowledge;
6 (4) the fee required for an identification card under AS 18.65.310, plus
7 $25.
8 (c) An applicant who applies for an enhanced identification card shall have the
9 applicant's facial image and signature captured or reproduced by the department at the
time of application. The applicant's facial image or signature may be made available
11 by the state and used as follows:
12 (1) by a federal, state, or local government agency for any law
13 enforcement purpose authorized by law;
14 (2) by another state, to the extent required by federal law;

(3) by the department for any purpose specifically authorized by law;
16 (4) for any other purpose as determined by the department, if the
17 applicant provides written authorization for the release of the applicant's own facial
18 image or signature; and
19 (5) as otherwise required by law.

(d) The enhanced identification card may include radio frequency Allows RFID tagging of individuals
21 identification technology that is limited to a randomly assigned number that shall be
22 encrypted if agreed to by the United States Department of Homeland Security and that
23 does not include biometric data. The department shall ensure that the radio frequency
24 identification technology is secure from unauthorized data access and includes
reasonable security reasonable is determined by who? This avoids government accountability if the RFID chip is hacked measures to protect against unauthorized disclosure of personal
26 information contained in the enhanced identification card.
27 (e) An applicant shall be required to sign a declaration acknowledging the
28 applicant's understanding of the radio frequency identification technology before
29 being issued an enhanced identification card. This is a wavier of liability for the government for any damage caused by a breach of security

(f) The department may include other conditions and requirements for the
31 issuance and expiration of an enhanced identification card if those conditions and

HB 255 -2-HB0255a

New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]

26-LS1033\A

1 requirements are required by the federal agency in the memorandum of understanding. Future changes will not require any legislative approval essentially giving the Federal government control of our state Id system if a state bureaucrat accepts the Memo of understanding
2 (g) The requirements of this section are in addition to the requirements
3 otherwise imposed on an individual who applies for an identification card. An
4 enhanced identification card issued under this section is not a separate form of
identification card but merely an alternate form of the appropriate identification card
6 that is issued to the applicant. All provisions of this chapter relating to identification
7 cards apply to enhanced identification cards.
8 (h) Application for an enhanced identification card is voluntary. Unless made mandatory by the yet to be written Memo of Understanding
9 (i) The department shall adopt regulations to implement this section.

* Sec. 2. AS 28.15 is amended by adding a new section to read:
11 Sec. 28.15.043. Enhanced drivers' licenses; agreement with federal
12 government for issuance authorized. (a) The commissioner may enter into a
13 memorandum of understanding with a federal agency for the purpose of obtaining
14 approval of an enhanced driver's license as proof of identity and citizenship for
persons entering the United States at land and sea ports of entry.
16 (b) If the commissioner obtains the approval of a federal agency in violation of the states right to self determination under the tenth amendment as provided
17 in (a) of this section, the commissioner may issue an enhanced driver's license to an
18 applicant who provides to the commissioner in a manner prescribed by the
19 commissioner

(1) a completed application with the information required for the
21 issuance of a driver's license under this chapter and any additional information
22 required by the federal agency in the agreement entered into under (a) of this section;
23 (2) documentation demonstrating the applicant's United States
24 citizenship;

(3) the applicant's signed certification that the information presented
26 by the applicant is true and correct to the best of the applicant's knowledge;
27 (4) the fee required for a driver's license under AS 28.15.271, plus $25.
28 (c) An applicant who applies for an enhanced driver's license shall have the
29 applicant's facial image and signature captured or reproduced by the commissioner at
the time of application. The applicant's facial image or signature may be made
31 available by the state and used as follows:

HB0255a -3-HB 255

New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]

26-LS1033\A

1 (1) by a federal, state, or local government agency for any law
2 enforcement purpose authorized by law;
3 (2) by another state, to the extent required by federal law;
4 (3) by the commissioner for any purpose specifically authorized by
law;
6 (4) for any other purpose as determined by the commissioner, if an
7 applicant provides authorization for the release of the applicant's own facial image or
8 signature; and
9 (5) as otherwise required by law. Any future purpose including buying and selling

(d) The enhanced driver's license may include radio frequency identification
11 technology that is limited to a randomly assigned number that shall be encrypted encryption can be overcome by future technology if
12 agreed to by the United States Department of Homeland Security and that does not
13 include biometric data. The commissioner shall ensure that the radio frequency
14 identification technology is secure from unauthorized data access and includes
reasonable again, who determines reasonable security measures to protect against unauthorized disclosure of personal
16 information contained in the enhanced driver's license.
17 (e) An applicant shall be required to sign a declaration acknowledging the
18 applicant's understanding of the radio frequency identification technology before
19 being issued an enhanced driver's license. A wavier of liability for a non secure technology they know this technology is corruptible

(f) The commissioner may include other conditions and requirements for the
21 issuance and expiration of an enhanced driver's license if those conditions and
22 requirements are required by the federal agency in the memorandum of understanding. Again,the federal government gets to dictate to the state terms and conditions for ID's
23 (g) The requirements of this section are in addition to the requirements
24 otherwise imposed on an individual who applies for a driver's license. An enhanced
driver's license issued under this section is not a separate form of driver's license but
26 merely an alternate form of the appropriate driver's license that is issued to the
27 applicant. All provisions of this title relating to drivers' licenses apply to enhanced
28 drivers' licenses.
29 (h) Application for an enhanced driver's license is voluntary. Until mandated by a future Memo of understanding that require no future legislation

(i) The commissioner shall adopt regulations to implement this section.
31 * Sec. 3. This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).

HB 255 -4-HB0255a

New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]

Hey Mudflats!

2010-01-05T15:20:00.004-09:00

The statement that was sent out by Anchorage2ATF did not include the words "Radical" or "Twisted". Who inserted it and when it was inserted I do not know.
I stand behind my statement.
The rendition posted by the Blogger Mudflats is not what Anchorage2ATF distributed.

Here is a copy of the original release authored by me.

The Anchorage Fish & Game Advisory Committee will hold its election meeting January 5th at 6:30 pm at the Anchorage School District Education Center, located at 5530 E Northern Lights Blvd, in the School Board room. There are five 3 year and two 1 year alternate seats available. Also on the agenda will be preparation of comments for Board of Game proposals, Board of Fisheries proposals, DNR state lands guide concession program information and any other business that may properly come before the committee. For more information contact Aaron Bloomquist at 982-2471.
If you’d like to see the proposals that are under consideration by the board’s, please visit the web page at: http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/

Advisory committees are local groups that meet to discuss fishing and hunting issues and to provide recommendations to Alaska Board of Fisheries and Alaska Board of Game. Advisory Committees are intended to provide a local forum on fish and wildlife issues. Their purpose includes: 1) developing regulatory proposals, 2) evaluating regulatory proposals and making recommendations to the appropriate board, 3) providing a local forum for fish and wildlife conservation and use, including matters relating to habitat, 4) advising the appropriate regional council on resources, and 5) consulting with individuals, organizations, and agencies.

Opposition:Environmental groups have mobilized to insert their preferred candidate's in order to use the board to promote their agenda, including supporting the listing of cook inlet Beluga's as endangered.

Support:Those who would be supporting Alaskans right to access and manage their own resources, Members of Anchorage 2ATF as well as other conservative candidate's are in need of the public votes. A conservative slate of candidates will be made evident at the meeting. We need you there to vote for these candidates.

Environment:Anchorage School District Education Center, located at 5530 E Northern Lights Blvd, the School Board room is at the center of the lower floor of the Anchorage School District Education Center, near the elevator. Capacity is about 200 so come early for good seating.

Report: Please take note and share the result of the meeting with your affiliated groups."

While Mudflats failed to properly confirm her sources, she also missed the fact that I am not a candidate for any public office.

What's most telling is, rather than admit she did not properly vet here information, she simply attempted to attack my credibility.

In any case I thank Mudflats for the exposure to my blog, my website on property rights and the nasty comments from the left you generated for me .

I especially liked how you tried to disparage my good name in the title of your blog post, it reminded me of elementary school.

Plot to Increase State Government Exposed

2009-12-17T20:34:00.003-09:00

Like a thief in the night. elements of our state legislature are stealthy extinguishing the light of liberty.
Energy, being an essential of life in Alaska, is on the verge of falling under total control of a select group of union controlled bureaucrats . How with this be sold to the public ? I doubt the Joint Legislative Committee on Energy even cares to try. Hoping to conceal their true intent, they have attempted to hide their efforts from full public view by drafting an Omnibus Energy Bill. Sold to the public as progress toward energy security it is anything but. Here is the preamble,

"An Act relating to energy; relating to the board of directors of the Alaska Energy
Authority; amending the size and composition of the board of directors of the Alaska
Energy Authority by removing the members of the Alaska Industrial Development and
Export Authority as directors of the Alaska Energy Authority and providing for
designation or appointment of other members; amending the quorum requirement for
the board of directors of the Alaska Energy Authority; and relating to nuclear waste
material."

Sound relativity benign doesn't it? No need to read on is there? But wait! What is stuffed in this turkey called Omnibus?

Buried on page fourteen is a paragraph I am sure the Republican controlled legislature would hope you did not pay any attention to, for it flies in the face of the core Republican principal of limited government .
Page 14 reads: ( my notes in bold type)

* Sec. 19. AS 44 is amended by adding a new chapter to read:
Chapter 38. Department of Energy.
Sec. 44.38.010. Commissioner of energy. The principal executive officer of
the Department of Energy is the commissioner of energy. ( an energy czar)
Sec. 44.38.020. Duties. The Department of Energy shall

(1) develop and administer a comprehensive energy plan for the state,
addressing energy production, distribution, conservation, and consumption state-wide; (soviet style centralised control)

(2) promote cost-effective energy efficiencies in construction,
renovation, and maintenance of public buildings and commercial and residential
structures, including the adoption and management of energy-efficiency standards; ( enforce international energy conservation codes)

(3) encourage the development of new technologies and alternative
energy sources to reduce energy use and costs to consumers; (increased government spending through industry subsidies)

(4) lead the implementation of state-wide energy strategies to ensure
reliable, stable supplies of electricity, heating fuels, renewable and alternative energy,
and other energy resources at reasonable costs to consumers; (assume authority over individuals and manage energy under an oligarchy)

(5) serve as the state's designated energy office for all United States
Department of Energy funds. (create the ability to accept federal bribes and blackmail)

Folks, this is the state-wide implementation of International Energy Conservation Code they said would not happen when they overrode the veto of the Federal Energy Stimulus package. I guess they were right in a way, our Federal government will not force us into universal compliance, our State government will do it as a proxy of the Federal government.

The energy committee knows Alaskans won't stand for this intrusion so they have covered their intent to force their corrupted will on the people of Alaska through this slight of hand called omnibus.

To recap, the intent of creating a state department of energy it , Creates an energy czar who administers soviet style centralised control over energy, enforcing international energy conservation codes,while increasing spending through industry subsidies, assuming authority over individuals and manage energy under an oligarchy, to create the ability to accept federal bribes and blackmail.

Anyone who supports a bill that creates a state department of energy, forever loses their credibility as a proponent of limited government.

Key players in this monster of a bill will be outed in a future article . Stay tuned.

Haycox's Hubris

2009-11-28T00:54:00.003-09:00

My father often told me that “ higher education is a wealthy man's only hope for his idiot son”. No one is more indicative of that statement than Mister Haycox. Only an idiot would attack the proverbial hand that feeds him as Haycok did in his recent commentary in the Anchorage Daily News, “Palin's Anti-Intellectualism Dangerous”. As a general rule I do not pick an argument with someone with little capacity for understanding, but Haycox's hubris deserves an accounting by “a person whose values come from the cultural experience of hard-work.”

From his working class taxpayer provided perch, in front of doe-eyed coed's and others who must tolerate his ego for membership into the club of elitism, it is no doubt easy for him to forget he is not the sole purveyor of truth.

Perhaps Mr Haycox , being unaware of the critical analysis, complexities and ambiguities in daily working class routines, incorrectly judges an entire class of Americans. Frankly, I am surprised Mr Haycox hasn't fallen deathly ill by the spit of those who serve him his food.

I wonder how Mr Haycox would fair doing anything from troubleshooting a digital electronic control unit on a GE 701c turbine engine to harvesting a walrus in the middle of the Bering sea with a piece of bone on a sharp stick or any other job done by working class Americans. Not very well I surmise.

I am sure if they were allowed, working class American's could do Mr Haycox job and at half the price. After all, how hard can it be to poison the brainwashed minds of Alaska's youth with asinine statements like “FDR saved capitalism”. Really!

No doubt elitist with superiority complexes will go to work picking apart my articles for double negatives, bad grammar or syntax and miss the content altogether. Vladimir Lenin had a term for these elitist he called them useful idiots. In Mr Haycox case, I doubt the word useful has any application.

You see, I have the ability and access to read the works of Thomas Paine, John Locke, Fredric Bastiat, Lysander Spooner, and a host of real intellects, tell me why I should tolerate the condescending attitude toward my family that Mr Haycox possesses?

The only reason to listen to Haycox's rant is to get a piece of paper that buys a membership into a club which allows you to leech off someone else labor. Maybe that is why myself and the likes of Palin disparages Pseudo-intellectuals like Haycox. They take credit for work that is not theirs and live off the hard labor of others.

I like many other American's would rather live in liberty off the fruit of our own labor.

Mr Haycox, maybe someone with your limited capacity would understand what I am trying to convey if I stated it in a way you would expect from a working class rube so,

KISS MY GRITS YOU ELITIST SOB !

Lesson of Faith from our Founders

2009-11-13T01:41:00.006-09:00

Ben Franklin wrote the following letter not to rebuke the unknown recipient, most believe was Thomas Paine, for expressing his religious belief's . But he warned of the consequences of publishing the argument for those beliefs as opposed to the belief's of others. This letter shows Franklin's reasoned wisdom.

We should live as examples of our faith but not impose our beliefs on others.Why force a fruitless argument among your natural allies? Isn't it enough to leave people to their own conscience?

DEAR SIR,

I have read your manuscript with some attention. By the argument it contains against a particular Providence, though you allow a general Providence, you strike at the foundations of all religion. For without the belief of a Providence, that takes cognizance of, guards, and guides, and may favor particular persons, there is no motive to worship a Deity, to fear his displeasure, or to pray for his protection. I will not enter into any discussion of your principles, though you seem to desire it. At present I shall only give you my opinion, that, though your reasonings are subtile and may prevail with some readers, you will not succeed so as to change the general sentiments of mankind on that subject, and the consequence of printing this piece will be, a great deal of odium drawn upon yourself, mischief to you, and no benefit to others. He that spits against the wind, spits in his own face.

But, were you to succeed, do you imagine any good would be done by it? You yourself may find it easy to live a virtuous life, without the assistance afforded by religion; you having a clear perception of the advantages of virtue, and the disadvantages of vice, and possessing a strength of resolution sufficient to enable you to resist common temptations. But think how great a portion of mankind consists of weak and ignorant men and women, and of inexperienced, inconsiderate youth of both sexes, who have need of the motives of religion to restrain them from vice, to support their virtue, and retain them in the practice of it till it becomes habitual, which is the great point for its security. And perhaps you are indebted to her originally, that is, to your religious education, for the habits of virtue upon which you now justly value yourself. You might easily display your excellent talents of reasoning upon a less hazardous subject, and thereby obtain a rank with our most distinguished authors. For among us it is not necessary, as among the Hottentots, that a youth, to be raised into the company of men, should prove his manhood by beating his mother.

I would advise you, therefore, not to attempt unchaining the tiger, but to burn this piece before it is seen by any other person; whereby you will save yourself a great deal of mortification by the enemies it may raise against you, and perhaps a good deal of regret and repentance. If men are so wicked with religion, what would they be if without it. I intend this letter itself as a proof of my friendship, and therefore add no professions to it; but subscribe simply yours,
B. Franklin

Arguably, after General Washington, Thomas Paine was the individual most responsible for the success of the American revolution. Because of his condemnation of other people religious belief's and the vigorous promotion of his own, he was never given his rightful place as a founding father. In fact he was not even allowed burial in a cemetery.

His writings do however, continue to inspire and teach valuable lessons to patriots.

God bless Thomas Paine.

Response to Video

2009-10-28T12:15:00.003-08:00

The response to the preceding video is so positive I posted an enhanced version in the preceding article. Check out the new version it has additional material

Two clicks away from Anarchy

2009-10-27T17:19:00.007-08:00

Two clicks away from anarchy.
This phrase was used to described tea party participants by one of our state legislators. Perhaps more than one. Interesting enough is the fact that government failure is what leads to anarchy. Yes, we are heading toward anarchy but it is our government leaders and their failed policies that are bringing us closer. This natural progression to anarchy and then oligarchy is clearly defined in the following updated video.

It is true that the tea party movement was reactionary but, given our governments headlong rush to statism, what choice do they have? We elect conservative Republicans only to have them turn into big government appeaser weeks after their election. These appeasers would certainly like for us to shrug off the responsibilities of our citizenship and allow them to rule us as subjects of their good old boy network.
Not bloody likely!

There is a growing movement that will not easily be dismissed,marginalised and chased off. We see how the game is played and while all of us may not be educated, we are not illiterate or unaware.

Americans know our heritage. We know our Republic has been hijacked. We know our labor, our wealth and our birthright has been stolen by those we trusted to safeguard our Republic.

To our elected officials be aware. There is a train moving toward the sound principals of our founding generation, if you are not on that train you will be run over by it.
This movement is about to become pre-emptive.

I think many of our elected folks are two clicks away from retirement.

Bioterrorism in Anchorage

2009-10-19T11:32:00.003-08:00

We live in a target rich environment of government idiocy.
There is such a large volume of wrong headedness in today's government I have a hard time picking out examples to share. The following example was just too obvious not to share.

At last Tuesday's Anchorage Assembly meeting , the Assembly voted unanimously to accept a $1.4 million dollar federal grant for bioterrorism defense.
Bioterrorism is defined as terrorism using the weapons of biological warfare.
So what are these bioterrorism defense funds allocated to?

Thirty percent of the bioterrorism funds go to Swine Flu vaccine and seventy percent of the funds go to administration.
This is fraud!

This obvious misdirection of cash feeds the paranoid fringes of society and gives them official government actions that justify their paranoia. Through this allocation our governments a telling us the swine flu is a biological weapon attack on the American people.

The simple truth is that our local government will accept any dollar,regulation or imposition rather than reduce the influence of their kingdoms.

Matt Clayman mentioned how as acting Mayor he had to compete with other cities to capture these funds. I hate to think of the deals he made to get this cash. Clayman also repeatedly stated with pride, how these funds were “saving the property taxpayer money”.

Really?

Apparently Matt Clayman doesn't realise that Anchorage citizens pay an Income tax as well. He is pretty myopic for a man that claims to be a visionary.

People who are offered elaborate and expensive gifts from strangers instinctively know to ask the question. "What do I have to do for it?"
Politicians seem to be the only exception, even prostitutes have higher standards.

Answers for the Left

2009-10-02T14:48:00.008-08:00

As I hear the comments of left leaning individual's, their criticism of all things opposing their ideology seems to fall into distinct repeatable statements.

During A recent conversation with a Democrat representative, he mentioned how angry I and other protesters were at the special session rally. Of course we were angry. The legislator should feel grateful those who were angry had a constructive outlet for their anger. I am proud of my part in helping these people find their voice. If you look around and view the decline in our standard of living attributed to the corrupt polices of government it should make you angry as well.

For too long we have allowed others to divide us with false arguments while they steal us blind. Here are my answers to a few of those arguments.

1.You are anti government but you take government services, we should cut your services first.

People who favor limited government are not anti government.
They simply want a small responsible government doing only what it should be doing, protecting individual Life, Liberty and Property.
The government has no wealth of it's own and often times the services a person receives is what they have earned. Retirements, social security, Medicare, etc are funded by those who have earned the benefit.
To state a person should lose a benefit they paid for because of an ideal they espouse is contrary to the American standard of decency. If this statement was practised by a government official it would be criminal.

2.Sure you protest now but where were you when Bush ….etc.

People should not be chastised for participating in society whenever the chose to.
We were there you just weren't listening. May be in the past conservative were too polite to get noticed.
Did you really think all those Ron Paul supporters where closet Liberals?

There has been a steady decline of freedom and liberty in our country for over a period of a century,at the dawn of a new century,a great deal of people are ready to learn from our history and return to what worked,a free Republic.

3.You Conservatives clock stoppers are obstructing progress. You should get out of the way.

Progress to what?
The left has no defined vision of what they intend to do that any reasonable person would want. If they where truthful about their agenda it would be rejected by the public.
It's is easy to march blindly into a wilderness promising a better future is just over the horizon but the truth is, nothing the left has done in the last 100 years, has gotten us any nearer to that utopia they keep talking about.

Conservatives (or if you prefer Classic Liberals) have a vision that has been proven,free markets and free people. Perhaps the left will follow their Pied Piper over the cliff and we will be once again a country of free people and free of Lemmings.

4.I am an educated Liberal if you don't agree with me you must be stupid or racist.

You may feel educated but if you really were you would know this line of reasoning know as argumentum ad hominem (abusive).
This tactic is logically fallacious and is simply a tactic to designed to prevent opposition from growing. A truly educated liberal knows this and uses it. It is an argument that will fail because conservatives as a group are not stupid or uneducated.
However they do lack the indoctrination of the left.

In the end when all their corrupt programs and policies collapse under their own weight, we will be left with what we should have had all along, individual freedom and responsibility.

The Real question: To Be or To Do?

2009-09-18T11:52:00.004-08:00

I realize the following post is a bit self indulgent but I do feel the need, on occasion, to explain myself. I will not make a habit of it.I will soon return to postings on current events.

During the Governor's campaign of 2006 a prominent political figure noted I was “very loyal”. More recently, a fellow campaign worker from that time told me “ it was nice to see me passionate about something other than a person”.

As I recall these statements, it is clear to me that others may be under a misconception of what motivates me.

When the public takes notice of a person's actions the first thing they want to know is what compels them to act. Most often overlooked is the obvious self preservation of one's life,liberty and property. Perhaps this is because most feel these things are secure.
The Late John Boyd, Col,l USAF broke down human motivation into it's essence in a talk he had with a young lieutenant later recalled in his biography. He gave a remarkable insight into human nature when he told this young officer:

“Tiger, one day you will come to a fork in the road,” he said. “And you’re going to have to make a decision about which direction you want to go.”
He raised his hand and pointed.
“If you go that way you can be somebody. You will have to make compromises and you will have to turn your back on your friends. But you will be a member of the club and you will get promoted and you will get good assignments.”
Then Boyd raised his other hand and pointed another direction.
“Or you can go that way and you can do something – something for your country and for your Air Force and for yourself. If you decide you want to do something, you may not get promoted and you may not get the good assignments and you certainly will not be a favorite of your superiors. But you won’t have to compromise yourself. You will be true to your friends and to yourself. And your work might make a difference.”
He paused and stared into the officer’s eyes and heart.
“To be somebody or to do something. In life there is often a roll call. That’s when you will have to make a decision. To be or to do. Which way will you go?”

There you have it folks, people are ego driven or honor driven, career orientated or mission orientated.
I chose "To Do". What is your choice?

Freedom Rally Speech

2009-09-13T11:27:00.003-08:00

How many times have you heard the phrase With freedom comes responsibility?

At times, this often quoted statement is used to justify imposing restrictions on individuals.
When a strong case for freedom is made,invariably it's countered with arguments for limits on that freedom. The argument for responsibility, is often seen as a counterpoint to unlimited freedom. It is not. For a proper understanding of this well quoted phrase, an analysis of the phrase is required.
Let's not forget the definitions :
Freedom is:“The state of being free; exemption from the power and control of another; liberty; independence. ”
Responsibility is:“The state of being responsible, accountable, or answerable, as for a trust, debt, or obligation.”What is the trust debt or obligation we are to be accountable or answerable for?
Our only common trust, debt or obligation, is Freedom itself.
We are obligated to ensure God's natural gift of freedom for ourselves and others.Our generation has failed to be responsible for the defense of freedom and hence have witness it's decline. Despite all the existing groups that purport to support the cause of freedom, we see a continuing erosion.
Why?
Many people for religious, philosophical or selfish reasons, wish to impose their will on others, this folly only leads to less freedom for all.
We cannot count on those who have stood watch over liberty's decline to somehow resurrect it.We need a renewal of the revolutionary thought process that was in the past, successful in advancing the cause of freedom.

The American Revolution is not a static point in history, it is a continuing struggle, against the forces of universal control and tyranny.
Our responsibility, as sons and daughters of this ongoing revolution, is to fight against this tyranny.We should all be soldiers in the American Revolution. We need to study our craft and become well versed and proficient in the of defense liberty and share that knowledge with others.The key to advancing freedom is relentless, service to the cause, based on the sound principals of our founding generation.

Study our country's history through it's primary source documents. Support only those leaders who have a working knowledge and honor, our constitution's.Identify and remove from office those who have, and will sell your rights for a few dollars of debt placed on the backs of your children.Identify and recruit good political leadership. If you cannot find any step up and take on the task yourself.In this struggle to regain our lost freedoms there will be opposition.

John Adams defined this opposition to our liberty in 1774 when he wrote:

“When the people give way, their deceivers, betrayers, and destroyers press upon them so fast, that there is no resisting afterwards. The nature of the encroachment upon the American constitution is such, as to grow every day more and more encroaching. Like a cancer, it eats faster and faster every hour.
The revenue creates pensioners, and the pensioners urge for more revenue. The people grow less steady, spirited, and virtuous, the seekers more numerous and more corrupt, and every day increases the circles of their dependents and expectants, until virtue, integrity, public spirit, simplicity, and frugality, become the objects of ridicule and scorn, and vanity, luxury, foppery, selfishness, meanness, and downright venality swallow up the whole society."

Does this sound familiar? Think of the attacks on Sarah Palin by left wing blogger's , internet commentators and those who filed frivolous ethic's charges.
Do they not fit this mold?

John Adams has also given us a solution to our current dilemma when he said :

"Obsta principiis, ( resist the first encroachments. ) nip the shoots of arbitrary power in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever preserve the liberties of any people.”

I say Resist EVERY encroachment of freedom.
Do not sell your freedom and become trapped in the guilded cage of special interest.
Do not allow elected officials to compromise under the false flag of bipartisanship.These compromises are simply appeasing the enemies of liberty and furthering their agenda.
Elected officials who compromise our liberty for privilege are no different than the Tories and slave traders of colonial America, history will view them and their supporters in the same light.

America has, the only national anthem that ends it's first verse with a question.
Does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Each American generation must ask of itself, are we a free and brave people worthy of the sacrifices of so many of our finest citizens?

I for one say YES! With the full knowledge that it will take time and effort to prove this answer correct.

Join the American Revolution, Accept this Responsibility, for with it lies the fate of this and future generations.
With this Responsibility comes Freedom.

Letter of Intent

2009-09-01T11:01:00.003-08:00

A letter was filed with APOC yesterday, declaring my intent to become a candidate for Alaska state House in district 22. I would be foolish to campaign as I did two years ago and expect a different outcome.

If I am to become a candidate, I need an organization that includes capable management, a finance director and network of active volunteers.

I do not believe as some, that I live in a district that will not elect a Republican. Any Republican that receives proper support can win this district. If you believe I would serve the interest of the people of Alaska, let me know what you can do to help.
I'm in the phone book . Give me a call.

Contributions up to the legal limit accepted.

Back to the Future

2009-08-28T11:51:00.003-08:00

It is becoming increasingly apparent America has come full circle. No one has shelter from the gathering storm. It's time to pick sides.
Are you among the corrupt dependants and their appeasers or the vanguards of American liberty? The following quote from John Adams, correctly identifies our current condition.

"Obsta principiis, nip the shoots of arbitrary power in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever preserve the liberties of any people.

When the people give way, their deceivers, betrayers, and destroyers press upon them so fast, that there is no resisting afterwards. The nature of the encroachment upon the American constitution is such, as to grow every day more and more encroaching. Like a cancer, it eats faster and faster every hour.

The revenue creates pensioners, and the pensioners urge for more revenue. The people grow less steady, spirited, and virtuous, the seekers more numerous and more corrupt, and every day increases the circles of their dependents and expectants, until virtue, integrity, public spirit, simplicity, and frugality, become the objects of ridicule and scorn, and vanity, luxury, foppery, selfishness, meanness, and downright venality swallow up the whole society."
John Adams 1774

Does anyone else see how that last paragraph could applied to the Sarah Palin saga?
This quote and other excellent information is located on the web at liberty fund.org

Republican Sellouts, The Complete List

2009-08-17T11:25:00.010-08:00

Now that it's official, I have a more complete list of Republicans who set their limited government principals aside for a measly 28 million if federal money.

Even though they all served Notice and Demand to the federal government to cease and desist, effective immediately mandates that are beyond the scope of these constitutionally delegated powers, they had no problem with federally mandated energy code.

Where in this Constitution does is say the Federal government dictates to the States energy codes? In any case here is the complete list of sell-outs.

You can find your district here http://www.elections.alaska.gov/maps
I suggest you investigate you representatives and see who paid them in contributions to take this money. Mostly Union Pac's I suspect.
Also check their financial disclosure statements.

Senate,District

McGuire, N
Menard , G
Meyer, O
Stedman,A
Stevens, R

Represenative,District

Dahlstrom 18
Gatto 13
Harris 12
Hawker 32
Johansen 1
Millet 30
Munoz 4
Ramras 10
Seaton 35
Thomas 5
Wilson 2
Chenault 34

By the way the governor has stated the money will be used to upgrade state buildings . So much for the argument that this was to help the poor rural Alaskans.
More like Bacon for Unions.

Republican Sellouts

2009-08-13T14:37:00.004-08:00

This is a list of Republican's who set aside their parties principals of limited government and fiscal conservatism for a mere 28 million in Federal bribery. Also included is the totals of their last campaign's contributions.

House of Representatives:
Nancy Dahlstrom, R-Eagle River; $18,700 (no year end summary)
Carl Gatto, R-Palmer; $16,617
Mike Hawker, R-Anchorage; $101,602
Charisse Millett, R-Anchorage; $ 64,624

Senate:
Lesil McGuire, R-Anchorage; $157,942
Linda Menard, R-Wasilla; $82,747.70 (no year end summary)
Kevin Meyer, R-Anchorage; $117,597

We now need to recruit and support as strongly as possible candidate's to replace these sellouts in the primary. Time is short we must start acting immediately.

Call and encourage potential candidates.
Financially support these candidates.
ACTIVE participation by all in campaigns.

This does not mean we let Democrats, all of who voted to override, off the hook.
However as conservatives we must recapture the Moral high ground of individual rights to Life, Liberty and Property.

Conservatives must discipline our own.

An Open Letter to Alaska's Legislature

2009-07-31T11:04:00.012-08:00

(The following is from Larry Persily,legislative aid to Mike Hawker who is our state’s “liaison” for lack of a title, who is in direct contact with the Feds on the stimulus money.) My counterpoints are in bold type. It is the Section 410 of the recovery act that will be applied not the chatter or opinions of bureaucrats and legislative aides. READ SECTION 410 OF THE RECOVERY ACT BEFORE YOU VOTE.

State Energy Program compliance requirements for stimulus dollars

I met today with senior staff for State Energy Programs at the U.S. Department of Energy and have good news for those who are concerned about building energy-efficiency compliance requirements for Alaska to receive $28.56 million in energy program funds available under the stimulus bill.

Yes, the stimulus act sets an energy-efficiency standards compliance goal of 90% of the total square footage of commercial and residential buildings constructed or renovated between 2009 and 2017. But, no, the Department of Energy will not measure or count square footage, nor will it demand or expect states to count square footage.

Then why is the 90% mentioned in the bill if it will not be measured? Yes but no is not an answer but an evasion.

The department will not require that states prove in 2017 that they achieved compliance with 90% of new and renovated square footage.

Again if it is not required why is it written in the law ? Does the DOE expect us to believe it will ignore the law that congress passed and do what it pleases?

They realize it would be unreasonable to require such measuring, counting and verification across an entire state.

If it is unreasonable why is it written into the law?

All the department will require of states to receive the State Energy Program money is for each state to prepare a plan for how they would/could meet adequate energy-efficiency standards for 90% of new and renovated square footage.

What is renovated square footage? Will anyone who paints a house will have to upgrade to meet the new standards?

And, that plan is not due at the time of application for the funds, but can be submitted later.

I've seen this ruse before. Just do the mission,your orders will follow later. But the orders either never come or when the do, they do not reflect the reality of the mission. I have instructed young soldiers for years, never take on a mission without written orders in hand. Our legislator should not accept these funds without knowing exactly what the standards of compliance are. Otherwise Alaskans will be on the hook and dancing to a federal bureaucrat's tune.

An acceptable plan could include outreach and education efforts among home-owners, commercial property owners and builders, lenders and such; assisting municipalities in their efforts; providing state guidance and assistance; pretty much a general plan to promote energy efficiency.

The key word is could. Any plan would have to be approved by the Feds who can change the criteria at any time.

Certainly, it's a much more reasonable requirement than fears of government workers with tape measures in hand, measuring floor plans in 2017.

This comment is just silly. Everyone knows government will just force reporting requirements on to the private sector.

If Alaska accepts the $28.56 million in State Energy Program dollars, the department emphasized again that the money could go toward most anything related to improving energy efficiency and saving money on energy costs: Public (and private) building retrofits; residential property weatherization; improved street lighting; loans and grants; distribution to municipalities for local efforts.

Again with the word "could". Does anyone really know what the money will actually be spent on. It appears to me it will be gobbled up reporting to Federal government.

The department is eager to work with states to achieve the intent of the stimulus money, which is to help states (and cities and property owners) reduce energy costs. "Whatever it takes to get the money out," is how the senior staffer put it this morning.

Does this include ignoring the law itself, distorting the facts and lying?

A few other notes and reminders about the program:
The stimulus act waived the state match requirement for these funds.

True, but it is still tax dollars taken from the public.

The act also waived previous limitations on how much of the money could be spent to purchase and install equipment (up to 100% of the stimulus money can be spent that way, as opposed to the previous limit of 50%).

This doesn't mean it will happen, administration requirements and reporting will eat into these funds.

Even if industry energy-efficiency standards change after 2009 (the guiding organizations adopt updates every few years), states will only be held accountable to their plan for achieving compliance with the standards that exist in 2009. The department does not expect states to adopt a plan in 2009 and then be forced into amending it later if standards change (no retroactive mandates). The goal is to at least meet the standards that exist in 2009, nothing more.

THIS IS NOT WHAT SECTION 410 OF THE RECOVERY ACT SAYS. Simply put this statement is untrue.

And the state's plan for meeting energy-efficiency standards need apply only to newly constructed or renovated buildings from 2009 onward. There is no requirement that owners of existing homes and businesses be forced to upgrade their property.

Renovated buildings means any upgrade to existing buildings will require that the standards apply.

The department also restated its position that Alaska could still apply for and receive the State Energy Program funds despite missing the May 12 deadline in the application packet. The department is willing to be flexible on the application date, and understands that Alaska's governor has a May 25 deadline to sign or veto the appropriations bill. If the governor were to veto the $28.56 million appropriation, and if the Legislature were to convene in session in January and override the veto, could the state still apply for and receive the money? Would the department hold open the file that long? The senior staffer said that likely would be OK, but she could not say for certain at this time.

This uncertainty is why we see a dash for the cash. Many Legislator's are will to put aside all other uncertainties in order to grab this little piece of pork.

Debunking the Daily News Op-Ed

2009-07-29T17:18:00.009-08:00

Once again the Anchorage Daily News sided with government growth and against Alaskans.
In it's editorial supporting a veto override vote to accept 28.5 million in federal energy stimulus money, The ADN editorial staff uses flawed reasoning.

They quoted the testimony of a legislative aide who works for Representative Hawker, who has already expressed an interest in controling this money through the House Finance committee.
From his campaign contribution's to his work in the legislature, Mike Hawker is known never to turn down a buck. Isn't it curious that the ADN didn't bother to quote any federal official who testified under oath? Was their any?

On their first point,“The Feds required accountability and reporting on what Alaska does with those funds” (so what). Did the Daily news miss the Senior Disability Services story completely?
The federal government shut down a state run program that uses federal dollars because of their accountability standards. A thousand needy seniors cannot get help because of federal control. Do we want that same mindset to extend into our energy and construction industries? Do we want the Feds in charge of all state services?

Secondly, they state,"nothing in the federal program requires a state wide energy building code"
True.
The Federal government requires “the state or the applicable units of local government, will implement”,“code or codes that will meet or exceed the most recent International Energy Conservation Code , or achieves equivalent or greater energy conservation."

So It is not imposing local, state, or even federal standards but International Code on Alaskans. Has anyone asked who developed the international code? The UN ? Global corporations? Anti American activists?

Apparently the ADN have no problem ceding you rights to an unknown international organization.

Thirdly,
The ADN opinion piece says government will work toward it's goals through voluntary compliance, not coercion.
This is the biggest piece of foolish reasoning they have stated. With the Federal government, what starts out as voluntary, soon becomes a mandate.

Want examples?
Income tax,selective service,social security numbers, direct deposit.

Need I go on? Let's not kid ourselves, government is force, nothing more.

We do not need stimulus. We have our own energy. If government would get out of the way, Alaskans would develop their resources and the problem would be solved.

Don't hold your breath though, with the pimps and prostitutes in our legislature, we are the ones that will likely be freezing in the dark.

For life,liberty and property
M<><

Tea Party Decaf

2009-07-27T11:04:00.002-08:00

Since Sarah Palin is no longer Governor, the legislature seems intent on going back to business as usual.
Legislators want to spend every available dollar regardless of future consequences in support of the narrow interest of a few special interest groups.
The negative consequences of accepting the federal energy stimulus package will last long after the 28.5 million is gone.
NO ONE knows what draconian regulation will be forced on the state in the future once we accept this money.
Help us create a responsible state government. Alaskans have a historic opportunity to express their will directly to their state government.
The details are as follows:

We The People, will be having a

Tea Party,Decaffeinated
(say no to stimulus)

WHEN: August 10th 11:00 am

WHERE: Town Square, Anchorage
(across from the Egan center on 5th Ave)

"The purpose of this rally is to insist Alaska's legislature sustain the governor's veto of the federal stimulus energy funds.
This action will reduce Alaska's responsibility for the national debt and assert Alaska’s right to reject intrusion by the Federal government into State and Local affairs"

Bring your signs,flags and friends. Help spread the word and encourage everyone to attend.

Alaska's Health Care Fraud

2009-07-13T12:05:00.008-08:00

After a review by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the State of Alaska's Senior Disabilities Services (SDS) has been ordered to suspend application and enrolment for six of it's programs that receive federal funding.

The reason for this suspension is because our state agency (DHSS/SDS) is not in compliance with federal standards when enrolling people into these programs.
To put is simply, SDS has been caught giving federal Medicaid/Medicare money to people who do not qualify for it.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is fraud.

If you or I committed such acts as these we would be headed for jail. It seems justice is no longer blind but dependant on who you are.

One can expect the usual list of excuses, lack of training ,staff and funding that are always used by the incompetent.The real problem is in the mindset of bureaucracy.
Bureaucrats will always look to expand their agencies spending every available dime, then some.
After all, no one gets promoted for reducing the demand for services.

One also has to wonder why our legislative health care caucus did not identify this problem given the extreme amount of time they spend on such issues.

It is for this reason charity should not be a function of government.

More information the SDS suspension can be found at the following address.

http://hss.state.ak.us/dsds/cmsreview/Default

The reason I pursue Cissna charges

2009-06-25T12:06:00.008-08:00

Mark, why such a fuss over Cissna's financial statement?

Folks, When Sharon Cissna swore under oath to facts that she knew were false,incorrect and incomplete.
SHE VOILATED A SWORN OATH!

Here is what a good friend of mine had to say about the situation.

Hey Mark,

Keep up the good work trying to keep those politician's honest. Even though I live in the valley I still read all your mail.

Just so you know, I am back in Iraq and if one of my leaders lied to me all the trust I might have had in them would be totally gone and in the business I'm in when someone says they got your back it's not taken lightly or given lightly.

It's really sad to hear that people flaunt giving their word and then breaking it so freely and easily. If they can do it this easy it will only get worse.

Without integrity what does an individual have?

When I asked if I could quote him he replied,

Hell ya you can use my words Mark and you can use my name also and you can also tell them this is my second tour in Iraq and my third deployment for this country.

They can't phase me and I plan on keeping my integrity and passing it down to all 3 of my boys to help defend against the kind of people that will sell theirs for a vote.

Take care and keep up the hard honest work.

George Koval

That it in a nut shell folks. I am pursuing Cissna's violation of an oath because Our Troops deserve a government that is held to the same standard our service members hold themselves to.I am so proud our military is represented by people with character like George.

Don't just say “I support our troops “ . Demand our elected officials be held to the same high standards as our military.

In support of our troops you should join me in the call to hold Representative Cissna accountable for her violation of a sworn oath.

Do you really support our troops?

Represenative Cissna admits "I am Guilty"

2009-06-22T15:47:00.010-08:00

In sworn testimony before the Alaska Public Office Commission, Representative Cissna admits "I am Guilty". The response by APOC to this admission is to enter into a consent agreement with Cissna allowing her to change her sworn statement without assessing any penalty. Here are my comments to the Commission.

COMPLAINANT COMMENTS TO COMMISSION

In the case Mark Fish v Representative Sharon Cissna your task is to determine:
1.Did Sharon Cissna violate Alaska's public disclosure laws?
2.Does Sharon Cissna have Legislative immunity for these allegations?
3.What if any penalty should be applied for these violations?
To determine the answer you have before you the following tools.

1.The Law. AS 39.50.30 (a), (b), (1),(4) AS 24.40.10 and all others.
2.The Evidence. as presented in exhibit 1-7
3.Sharon Cissna's response to the allegation's. As presented in exhibit 8
4.The Staff report. memorandum dated May 28,2009

1.Did Sharon Cissna violate the law?
I refer you to Exhibit 2, Sharon Cissna's 2009 Financial disclosure form.

Schedule A of the disclosure form ( exhibit 2 pages 4-5) requires all income to be reported. There is a minor exception under section 2 for legally privileged information.

On Page 12 of exhibit 2, in the box in the middle of the page titled in bold print certification, Sharon Cissna declared under penalty of perjury her statement was true correct and complete.

It also states:
“ that a person who makes a false sworn statement which he or she does not believe to be true is guilty of perjury.”

it also states:
“ All officials and candidates who are required to file disclosure statements are solely responsible for filing complete, accurate and truthful statements by the deadlines.”

With her signature on this form, Sharon Cissna certified under penalty of perjury, that she truthfully believes her total income for 2008 including her spouses was 8,538 dollars.

It requires an extreme stretch of the imagination to conclude Sharon Cissna did not know at the time of filing her disclosure form, her income for 2008 was closer to 80,000 dollars.
As a legislator her base pay alone is 24,000 dollars.

The only reasonable conclusion of the facts is Sharon Cissna knowingly committed perjury.
Her motive for doing so should only be considered in the penalty phase of your deliberations.

The erroneous entry of her retirement benefit show a contempt for disclosure process. While the error is small, legislator's especially, should take the time to read and fully understand what they are signing. This fact in of itself deserves rebuke.

APOC staff extended the deadline for filing to March 16th.. If in fact evidence exist this was the case, Sharon Cissna's report was filed on time.
I do not consider the email exchange in exhibit 9 page 1 and 2 as evidence. The inquiry by Vullnet Greva led Juneau witnesses to verify his predetermined position. I also note that Vullnet offered the irrelevant fact that I was “ a former opponent” of Sharon Cissna to further prejudiced the witnesses. Their testimony has little weight. Apparently, Vulnet got the exact answer he was asking for.

No other evidence of the deadline extension is presented.

2.Does Sharon Cissna have legislative immunity?

I refer you to the law.

AS 11.56.200. Perjury.
(a) A person commits the crime of perjury if the person makes a false sworn statement which the person does not believe to be true.
(b) In a prosecution under this section, it is not a defense that
(1) the statement was inadmissible under the rules of evidence; or
(2) the oath or affirmation was taken or administered in an irregular manner.
(c) Perjury is a class B felony
AS 24.40.010. Immunities. A legislator may not be held to answer before any other tribunal for any statement made in the exercise of legislative duties while the legislature is in session. A member attending, going to, or returning from legislative sessions is not subject to civil process and is privileged from arrest except for felony or breach of the peace. The immunities provided in this section extend to a legislator attending, going to, or returning from a meeting of an interim standing or special committee of the legislature of which the legislator is a member. For the purposes of going to and returning from a session or meeting, the immunities provided extend to a legislator for a period of five days immediately preceding and following the legislator's attendance at the session or meeting.
There are two reasons legislative immunity does not apply.

A. Since disclosure is not related to legislative duties, immunity does not apply to the financial disclosure statement.
It is noted that a financial disclosure statement is not an exclusive requirement of a legislator. All candidates and public officials are required by law to file disclosure statements.
A financial disclosure statement is not a statement made in the exercise of legislative duties. It does not promote or oppose policy, funding or any other legislative activity.

B. Perjury is a felony and therefore immunity does not apply.
An exception in AS 24.40.010 allows for the arrest of a legislator for felony or breach of peace.
An arrest is a civil process therefore Legislators in session are subject to civil process if a felony is charged.

3. What if any penalty should be applied for these violations?
If you come to the conclusion that the law was violated and immunity does not apply, you should consider:

A. Sharon Cissna's response to the charges:
Sharon Cissna's response to this complaint can be best summed up as excuses, corrections and a threat. Nowhere in The statement does she contest the fact that she is guilty of the first two violations. No where does she claim immunity as a legislator.

In the closing paragraph of her statement of defense to the allegations, she reminds APOC , as a legislator “we are the body that funds,that creates budgets”

I view this statement as a threat to APOC to not make trouble for her, a legislator.
Apparently APOC staff takes this threat seriously. Staff bias in favor of a sitting legislator is apparent.

Her Final paragraph “Objection to the complaint” is not an objection at all . It is more of an attempt to tell staff not to retaliate against me.

B. APOC staff report
The memorandum you received by Vullnet Greva is biased in favor of a legislator.
Frankly, it contains too many irrelevant statements to be given much if any consideration.

1. The title of the case,Mark Fish v. Representative Sharon Cissna shows bias.
No personal title should have been used. If personal titles are used, the proper case title would be Commissioner Mark Fish v Representative Sharon Cissna. ,Giving equal weight to both parties.
2.The summary statement assumes immunity exist, yet the summary of applicable laws does not include the part of AS 24.40.010 that would clearly show immunity does not pertain to felonies.

3.Listed as “Facts” in the case, is a series irrelevant statements designed to prejudice the commissioners against the complaint and in favor of the respondent. A violation of the law does not depend on who makes the allegation but on the body of evidence. We are a nation of laws not personalities.
The Facts section of this memo does not provide any facts on three of four objections raised.

4.The analysis section of this memo was subjective and clearly excuses an obvious violation of the law. “Information that was not hidden or held secret by the filer from the public or in any way to try and deceive the public “ is one of these excuses. A crime committed in public view is still a crime.

Because the Information that Sharon Cissna knowingly omitted from her disclosure report may have been available elsewhere does not excuse her from her duty to report.

The Financial Disclosure statement is the only public statement where a public official in Alaska swears under penalty of law the true nature of their income. It should be the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

5.The fact that a “deficiency was corrected within seven days” only pertains if staff or the respondent notifies one another of the deficiency. No where in regulation or law does it give a window of forgiveness if a member of the public files a complaint. Again immunity does not pertain to a felony.

I could go on with my critique of the staff report but by now I hope you understand my assertion that this bias report should have little to do with your decision. Staff's prejudice in favor of a legislator is understandable given the fact that their livelihoods are funded by these legislators. You as commissioners should not have this bias.
Just follow the law.

I also understand there are legal questions that reasonable people can disagree on. Some of those questions may appear in this matter.
It is for that reason,
I recommend the Alaska Public Office Commission submit this case to the Attorney General's office for consideration.

Since APOC has not referred this matter to the Attorney General's Office. I am calling for an investigation of Representative Cissna for the Charge of perjury. I will also consider a recall or impeachment effort.

Servicemen and women take their oaths seriously. It's a disrespect to our armed forces when our elected officials don't.

From Garryowen in glory

2009-05-31T12:21:00.006-08:00

When I hear the traditional rendition of this song I can't help but shed a tear.
Perhaps it's part of the Irish in me or the fact that this song provided spirit and comfort to so many brave warriors from the Napoleonic wars to Vietnam and yes even today.

In memory of all these brave people,I thought I would share the following video this with you.

To help define some words used:
Garryowen One word meaning Owen's garden, which is a pub in Limerick, Ireland.
Bacchus Third century Christian martyr who was also a Roman solider or Roman god of wine and intoxication you decide.
Spa Means bubbling water or more precisely soda water
Reckoning In this instance means a full accounting
The Nail Is a brass fixture outside the courthouse in Limerick where public debt was settled.

All should know this important part of our collective heritage.
Let's keep this spirit alive.

Assembly Outrages

2009-05-14T10:55:00.004-08:00

A local discussion of the current activities of the Anchorage assembly stirred some interesting debate.

Some of the more controversial points the assembly is considering:

1. Adding homosexuals to the list of protected classes under discrimination law.

2.Adding to the previously passed “compromise” budget increases in spending

3.Awarding local developer Mark Marlow a 10 year property tax waiver on 33 properties in Anchorage's East addition.

The one that will generate the most heat and affect the least amount of people is the homosexual ordinance. Folks, this is a well crafted side show is designed to distract people of all persuasions from the issues that affect all of Anchorage. It's also intended to rally both sides of the issue to be exploited in the next election cycle. It is nothing more than a maneuver by politicians for political gain. Muhammad Ali called this tactic “rope a dope”. Don't be a dope. Do not be distracted by this flashy issue.

The “compromise”budget passed two week ago is already under assault from the left leaning members of the assembly. Surprised at the amount of indignant taxpayers that showed up these measures were again delayed.

The most outrageous point is, the assembly once again getting in bed with Mark Marlow. After walking away from a partnership on government hill and leaving the city holding the bag to the tune of 7.5 million, he has the moxie to yet again asks for tax exemptions on multiple properties. The cost of these exemptions, like all others will be passed on to those who do pay property taxes.
This measure is also delayed, until they can fill the seats within the assembly chambers with people who want to talk about other issues.

During our discussion, people expressed anger at the tax and spend policies of our local government.
Some suggested that we will lose credibility if we show our anger to our elected officials.

I suggested that we have every right to be angry at the direction or government has taken us.
What I did not mention but should have, is the fact that I do not worry about my credibility with my elected officials and neither should you.

Our elected officials should worry about their credibility with us.

As Tom Deweese put it.
“I believe the American people, and their every action, are being ruled, regulated, restricted, licensed, registered, directed, checked, inspected, measured, numbered, counted, rated, stamped, censured, authorized, admonished, refused, prevented, drilled, indoctrinated, monopolized, extorted, robbed, hoaxed, fined, harassed, disarmed, dishonored, fleeced, exploited, assessed, and taxed to the point of suffocation and desperation.”

In their own communities , Alaskans are treated the same way.

Am I angry? You Bet!

I will express my anger in any way I feel will be effective in making meaningful changes in our government.

What part of LIBERTY OF DEATH do people not understand?

The PFD is not a gift

2009-05-07T10:58:00.006-08:00

Ever since I was a candidate for state house, the Anchorage Daily News has imposed a blackout on my letters to the editor.
It is obvious to me that they have a “blacklist” for unwelcome commentators.

So be it.
On occasion, I will use this page to provide a response to some of the more outrageous letters the ADN does print.

One such letter came in today.
The woman who wrote it basically said we don't pay taxes because the state gives us a “gift” through the permanent fund dividend.
She could not have been further from the truth.

As part of an agreement with the federal government, Alaska has retained all rights to natural resources on private lands. This was the price we paid for statehood.
So what did Alaskans get for this theft of their private property rights?

We were told we have an equal share of all the states resources.
The permanent fund dividend check represents the annual return on that share.

The PFD is not a gift you should feel grateful for.
It represents a small portion of your share of Alaska's natural resources.

One has to wonder how Alaskans would have prospered if, as individuals, we were allowed full rights to property ownership.
Instead of corrupting a few government officials the Bill Allen's of the world would have to corrupt a whole lot of individual Alaskans instead.

In any case, today in Alaska there is no such thing as property ownership. I for one am not grateful to my government for forcing us to become wards of the state.

You right to property has been denied.
Your right to liberty is next.
When that is not enough to prop up failed socialist policies.
Your right to life will be taken from you.

Folks it's time to start fighting back.
Join the movement.

MAD AS HELL

2009-04-30T11:18:00.003-08:00

Angry Anchorage property tax payers upset about pending tax increases showed up last Tuesday to testify in front of the assembly in order to persuade our elected official to give us relief.
The message was not that these folks didn't want to pay taxes, the message was they can't afford to pay MORE taxes.
Did our elected official listen? Simple answer NO.

It was discovered that an illegal back door agreement determined the result of the vote prior to the public testimony.In their illegal compromise the assembly successfully hid from public view individual assembly members disdain for the taxpayer.

To those assembly members who think this compromise will endear them with voters think again. Your action denied the voter a clear look a who is responsible for our ever increasing taxes.
The entire assembly will now be held responsible for our ever increasing tax burden.

I call on the Governor to direct the Attorney Generals office to initiate an official probe into this weeks action by our assembly in subverting the public process.

I call on Citizen's to initiate impeachment proceeding against those assembly member who participated in the closed door meeting agreement to increase our mil rates.

Here is my testimony I presented to the assembly Tuesday.

I stand tonight in protest against any further encroachment on my right of home ownership.
The ever increasing property tax burden threatens to steal from my wife and I, our greatest source of wealth and freedom,

our home.

Ladies and Gentlemen, As a younger man I chose to serve my community and state in Alaska's Army National Guard.
I could have chosen a path that lead to greater wealth but I , like some of you found service rewarding in other ways.
By living a simple and frugal life my wife and I where able to pay off our mortgage and live life on our own terms.

Or so we thought.

Anchorage,
the city my wife was born in, and I have have lived in for over forty years,
has created a tax situation that if left unchecked will force us from our home and into the wilderness,
or worse yet involuntary servitude in service to local government.
For fourteen generations my family has built the American frontier and been forced into new and
sometimes hostile territories by those who only know how to steal wealth not create it.

No more, This time we fight.

By any legal means necessary, I will actively oppose anyone who votes for any increase of our property tax burden.
I will work day and night to see a tax increaser's livelihood is as threatened as they threaten mine.
I am sure I won't be alone.

May god help us all if Anchorage fails to provide tax relief for it's citizens.

I fear what would surely follow.

As I said I am mad as hell and won't take these events lying down.

Tax Day Tea Party

2009-04-17T11:23:00.009-08:00

A friend of mine at libertychronicles.com took many photos of the 1200 people who showed up at the April 15th Tea Party here in Anchorage. I thought I'd share a few here.

As I walked through the crowd, I realized that they was a wide variety of opinionated people at this event. The one common thread that brought these people together is they see no end to ever increasing taxes and deficit spending.These people were thinking for themselves and came to the same obvious conclusion. We have enough taxes and debt. We do not benefit by adding more.

These people are not wacko's or terrorist just concerned American's. At 12:45 we marched around the federal building. The line was three or four people wide and the head of the line came within 50 yards of catching up to the tail. A hundred or so stayed on the corners as well.

This good natured crowd sang the National Anthem and God Bless America with reverence.They also with conviction, took the Pledge of Allegiance. What a bunch of radicals we were!

This tea party was fun and made a very important statement. Unfortunately, naysayers are already saying that this was only a one time deal and will not result in any change.

Not So!
We have TEA PARTY 2 (this time it's local) coming up April 28th 5:00 p.m. till ?, at the assembly chambers here in Anchorage.

It's seems even after passing prop 9 and denying most bonds our city leaders have not yet heard our message. The city is proposing to increase the mil rate to 12.85 which would wipe any gain prop 9 has given the taxpayers.
The Assembly needs to hear our voice loud and clear on the 28th TAXED ENOUGH ALREADY!

Contact me for more info

ANGDA the dog that hunts

2009-04-13T17:06:00.001-08:00

Maybe I am not as well versed on Alaska's energy issues as I could be. My only interest is an affordable way to heat and power my home.

With Alaska's abundance of natural gas, which all Alaskans own, why is an increasing amount of my money going to the energy companies?
An instate bullet gas pipeline connecting Alaskans to their natural gas resource and allowing for private companies to charge a reasonable fee for their services seems appropriate. But this has not been happening. Enstar is apparently satisfied in collecting higher rates for diminishing supply.

Frustrated by the lack of progress, voters passed an initiative in 2002, creating The Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority (ANDGA), whose major mandate was to provide cheap reliable natural gas supplies to Alaskans. ANDGA, while suffering politics and shortsighted funding difficulties, continued to progress the instate gas pipeline. ANGDA has finished the necessary field work for their preferred route down the Glenn Highway and has now filed the mandatory Environmental Impact Statement. With proper support, ANGDA says a private sector company could start laying pipe in 2011.

In fact ANGDA is so close to a pipeline, Enstar figured out that it should get off there duff and start thinking about building a line of their own.

Too little to late I say.

Enstar has no permits or ROW's. Their suggested route through Denali Park going down the Parks Highway requires an Act of Congress to go forward. The Feds will not likely agree to any route going through Denali.Giving Enstar an instate natural gas monopoly by allowing them to own the in-state pipeline would be the same as giving the Parks Highway to the paving company. I do not want to be enslaved by big government, but being held a gas hostage to an energy company is no option either. I share many concerns of government competing with the private sector. But lets face reality, an instate gas pipeline will not get built without some state help. Help with cheaper financing through State bonding, granting rights-of-ways, and insuring an open bidding process on this gas line are a few things the State can and should get involved with.

Governor, you know I support your efforts. However, in my humble opinion I believe you have been advised to go down the wrong path.

No more delays.
When it comes to an instate gas line and your support, only one dog hunts.
That dog is ANGDA.

Wayne Ross, fighting the good fight

2009-04-10T11:56:00.002-08:00

My support of Wayne Ross for attorney general is based on his strong defense of the second amendment. This issue like the canary in the coal mine it indicates whether a person has a strong knowledge of and is faithful to the rule of law. Clearly this man would support and defend our constitutions.

Three groups seem to be emerging in opposition to Wayne Ross nomination for attorney general.
These are 1. Native leaders 2. Radical Feminist 3.Democrat party operativees.

Lets dissect this opposition.
Native leaders do not like Alaska's constitution pertaining to equal access to fish and game for all Alaskans. They want the state constitution changed. Attempts in the past have failed because a majority of Alaskans do not want hunting and fishing rights to become privileges, reserved only for select groups. Wayne has been outspoken on equal access for all Alaskans hence he has drawn their opposition.

It's a shame their opposition is based solely on Wayne Ross's defense of the Constitution.

Radical Feminist Are in opposition to Wayne, because of his body of work in family law. Representing his clients interest, Wayne has fought to keep families together.
This is counter to the Radical Feminist agenda of diminishing the role of men in the world. Yes folks, elements of this group actually belief men have no value and through science they can eliminate men from the face of the earth.
Wayne Ross is a double threat to these radical feminist. He is an man and he has worked with the damage these feminist have created in our families.
He know their game plan and stand in opposition to it. If you have an anti-male bias you will probably stand with these nut jobs.

Democrat party operatives opposition is self evident. Not only does Wayne not share their ideas on guns,god and families but he is a strong defender of our constitutions. These constitutions represent obstacles to their demand for a bigger government with more power. They also do not wish this governor to have effective counsel to defend against their blatant attacks.

I find the opposition of Wayne Ross's nomination for Attorney General as an attack on what is right.
Please join me in calling your legislators,writing letters to the editor and asking you friends to do the same. We have six days before the final vote.

Lets make sure the good folks win this one.

Obama shames America, bows before a king

2009-04-08T09:31:00.008-08:00

Representing America, our president bows in servitude and fealty before a foreign king.
This disgusting behavior comes during his Blame America First world tour.
For those who wants me to give the man a chance, here is what he did with it.
I will NEVER support ANY president who bows before a foreign king.

Common Sense

"Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you.
May your chains set lightly upon you,
and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen."
Sam Adams 1776

Who will prosecute the Prosecutors?

2009-04-06T12:55:00.002-08:00

Regardless of what you feel about the guilt or innocence of Ted Stevens the fact is because of the criminal conduct by federal prosecutor Alaskans have been denied their right to a free and fair election.

Here is what some have to say about Brenda Morris, the lead prosecutor in the Stevens trial.

“I wasn't shocked about her behavior. I was shocked that anybody did anything about it,” referring to the Stevens case. “It restores my faith — a little bit — in the Justice Department. I felt there was enough in my case that they would have taken action, maybe some sanctions. It surprised me when I saw her on the (Stevens) case.”
Alan Brown San Antonio criminal defense attorney who won a 1.34 million dollar settlement for misconduct in a case Brenda Morris prosecuted against him.

Before that trial, two judges found IRS agents acted with reckless disregard for the truth when they used uncorroborated accusations to justify an all-night search of Alan Brown's home and office.

“It appears as though she's continuing a course of conduct of not following the rules, not reining in her agents and not operating fairly,”
Bill Reid, a former federal prosecutor who handled Allen Brown's lawsuit against the government.

“This is a prosecutor who needs to be removed, and I would hope the attorney general utilizes the same test of integrity as he did in the Stevens case,” “Though (the Brown case) is several years old, there is no statute of limitations on integrity.”
U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia

Clearly Morris needs to be held accountable but by who?
The prosecutors will not prosecute themselves and our judicial systems seems to protect lawyers out of professional courtesy.
This mean We the people must through our congressional delegation demand prosecutor Morris be held accountable for her criminal acts.

Since Senator Murkowski and Representative Young Have a close association with Steven's and are in the minority they cannot effectively pursue this.

That leaves Senator Mark Begich. Senator Begich, will you use your clout as part of the Senate majority to call for a congressional investigation into the misconduct of our federal prosecutors?

Or in simple terms.

Senator Begich will you uphold your oath of office and defend our constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic including Brenda Morris?

Liberty or Death

2009-03-29T10:18:00.003-08:00

Six days and two hundred thirty four years ago, A gentleman gave a speech.If you replace in you mind the words king,throne and ministry with Government I think you will find much of what he spoke is relevant today.

Ladies and Gentlemen Patrick Henry.

No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope that it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen, if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve.

This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty towards the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren, till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation?

For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth -- to know the worst and to provide for it. I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House?

Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation -- the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motives for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies?

No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us; they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer on the subject? Nothing.

We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves longer.

Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.

Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne. In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope.

If we wish to be free -- if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending -- if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!

They tell us, sir, that we are weak -- unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?

Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of the means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.

The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable -- and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come!

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, "Peace! Peace!" -- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!

Patrick Henry - March 23, 1775

Warfare has evolved since 1775. We now find ourselves in a fourth generation of warfare where the battleground is ideas. Fight with the pen now and you won't have to fight with the gun later.

Common Sense

Governor Palin hits a home run

2009-03-26T15:01:00.003-08:00

Less than a day after I express my continued support for governor Palin she reaffirms my position.
It has just been announced the appoint of her new Attorney General, Wayne Anthony Ross.

For those of you who don't know Wayne Ross is a very strong second amendment advocate and an advocate for families. This guy knows how to win.

Way to go Governor ! A Great pick for Alaska!

Thoughts on Governor Sarah Palin

2009-03-25T21:10:00.006-08:00

I was going to wait for the end of the legislative session to give an analysis of Governor Palin's performance.
However two events have compelled me to defer any critique indefinitely.

The first event was the Anchorage legislator caucus hearing at the Loussac library.Normally, fifty to seventy five people show up to this annual meeting.At this one there were over five hundred. Most were there to protest a Palin policy be it predator control or stimulus money.
Interestingly enough many of these people we imported from outside Alaska.

How do I know?
Consider that the day of the meeting it was a beautiful Alaska spring day about five degrees above zero. Even though they were over dressed, the sign waving protesters were in the lobby!
As any Alaskan will tell you we wave our signs outdoors despite wind cold or rain.

The Second event was the Lincoln day dinner she spoke at. I saw a more polished Sarah than the one giving speeches in 2006. She also showed signs of fatigue, worn down by the constant organized assault of the left.

But She is still SARAH. Peppered through her speech was references to the Constitution and a steadfast adherence our founding principals. This woman has vision and is well aware of Alaska's place in the world. She has earned my support.

That being said,We have a problem.
We are in The Revolutionary War our founders fought and it isn't over.
A Global Army of Socialist have amassed against the very foundation of our Republic. Sarah Palin is in their sights because she represents the biggest threat to their existence.

My advice to Sarah Palin?
Lead!
The best Generals, before the darkest battle removes themselves from the consul of their staff and walks among the troops. Take you strength from the people. Let them know the battle is worth their sacrifices. Then give them direction.

Many Alaskans who in the past supported Sarah but for their own reasons, be it lack of an appointment or an issue that is still unresolved have withdrawn from the battle.

My Advice to those Alaskans?
Have some Integrity.
Is the battle for Alaska and the Republic of so little value to you that you will turn your back on it because of such small grievances? Suck it up and get back into the fight.

Thomas Paine wrote in The American Crisis:

“The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.”

Common Sense

Alaska's Attorney General Defends a Kings right to rule over the people

2009-03-20T10:03:00.009-08:00

In his testimony to the house judiciary committee, Acting Attorney General Richard Svobodny
sided with King George and against America's founding generation.
He was quoted as saying:

“(the) King (George) didn't think it was right and so he had to put it in that juries should follow the law. Which frankly you can see is my point of view”

He also stated:

“at the time of the revolution change on how we were dealing with a monarch as opposed to a democracy”

What!?
First of all, I doubt that any of King George's edicts included the word “should”.
Secondly, if mister Svobodny supports the right of government ( whether it be one dictator, a king 5000 miles away or 5000 dictators, a democracy, one mile away) to rule over the people,he does not understand the basic structure of our representative Republic or it's history.
As if tyranny is any better under a democracy than it is under a king. He is siding with the royalist and Tories.

A few more of his statements;

“trial by ordeal,dueling which all fits into our jury system”

Here he mentions a few archaic practices along with our jury system inferring that all are outdated.

“jury nullification exists and there is nothing we can do about it”

If this man had his way, he implies he would dispense with juries and leave the peoples fate in the hands of the government. Thank goodness there is nothing he can do about it.

“if people can ignore the laws we pass then why are we here”

What does he mean we? Apparently he believes himself to be a member of a ruling elite. Mr Svobodny has nothing to do with passing laws he is currently Alaska's chief law enforcement officer. He does not make law. Also “The People” consent to be governed and are the sole judge of the law. It's called a representative Republic, check you founding documents.

“ to pass this bill (hb140) is to say some people are to be convicted on the whim of a small group of people. While some people are going to be let go on the whim,let go on the whim of six to twelve people.”

How is that different than now? Mr Svobodny seems to prefer trial by judge so that people can be tried and convicted on the whim of one person.

“What jury nullification does is focus on hate”

Absurd.
This leftist drivel is parroted any time people try to assert constitutionally protected rights that so called progressives disagree with. Through revisionist history these progressives have painted our founders as out of touch racists.

Apparently Mr Svobodny is of the same Royalist,Tory,Progressive,Liberal, revisionist persuasion.

Certainly this Man should not be considered to be a choice for Attorney General.
Especially for a Conservative Governor who believes deeply in our county's founding documents and America's place as a shinning city on the hill, a beacon for the world.

Governor Palin can and must do better for our sake as well as hers and the country's.
She needs to dump this guy and we the people need to make it happen.

Of the people,by the people ,for the people?

2009-03-13T11:36:00.003-08:00

My neighbors on Alexander Street are having problem with a failing drainage system that is undermining their homes. The city's answer is to ask the state for funding. When community attempts to testify for this project insertion in HB82 (the capital budget) our local representative Sharon Cissna noted,

“The House Capital Budget process here doesn't include hearings and happens completely in the Finance Committee. Making many of those Finance Committee members aware of the details in your request would possibly work against getting that budget, not only for your one part, but the rest, to be lost.”
She also explained that in the finance committee,

“ letting those four Legislators from Anchorage negotiate with the seven non-Anchorage Legislators is the very best policy. Those four Legislators will try to fight for our Anchorage projects. Calling attention to any one project is not a smart move, as I explained.”.

I am confused.
The House finance committee doesn't hold public hearing on HB82 (the capital budget)?

Interestingly that does not seem to be the case for HB83 that Representative Cissna is encouraging testimony on. Look who showed up to testify to the finance committee hearing on the mental health budget (HB83).

ALSO PRESENT

Representative Sharon Cissna

PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE

Judy Cordal, AWAKE Women's Crisis Center, Anchorage; Liz
Posey, Vice-Chair, Health and Human Services Commission,
Anchorage; Diane Ingle, STAR/DHHS, Anchorage; Nancy Haag,
Executive Director, STAR, Anchorage; John R. Luhff, District
Court Judge, Anchorage; Anna Sappah, Executive Director,
Substance Abuse Directors, Assn., Anchorage; Rosalie Nadeau,
Executive Director, Akeela Treatment Program, Anchorage;
Melinda Myers, Senior Manager, Best Beginnings: Alaska Early
Childhood Investment, Anchorage; Tim Schuerch, Policy
Analyst, Alaska Native Health Board, Anchorage; Al Koch, All
Alaska Tours, Eagle River; Rob Marx, Salvation Army
Clitheroe Center, Anchorage; Janet McCabe, Partners for
Progress, Anchorage; Ron Peck, President ATIA, Anchorage;
Lorie Morris, Alaska Baptist Family Services, Anchorage;
Joan Cullinan, Anchorage Community Mental Health Services,
Anchorage; Andrea Schmook, Anchorage Community Mental Health
Services, Anchorage; Gene M. Kowchee, Anchorage Community
Mental Health Services, Anchorage; Joseph Gervais, Anchorage
Community Mental Health Services, Anchorage; Theresa
Richard, Anchorage Community Mental Health Services,
Anchorage; Cathy Musser, Anchorage Community Mental Health
Services, Anchorage; Pam Briers, Anchorage Community Mental
Health Services, Anchorage; Della Forselles, Anchorage
Community Mental Health Services, Anchorage; Kandi S. Hayes,
Anchorage Community Mental Health Services, Anchorage; Aaron
Murphy, Anchorage Community Mental Health Services,
Anchorage; Dennis Hermann, Anchorage Community Mental Health
Services, Anchorage; Alvin Griffin, Anchorage Community
Mental Health Services, Anchorage; Gary Jaeger, Anchorage
Community Mental Health Services, Anchorage; Maryellen
Fritz, Head Start Child Care, Anchorage; Candice Winkler,
Children's Research & Referral Network, Anchorage; Bree
Davin, Clinical Director, Salvation Army Clitheroe Center,
Anchorage;
Sitka, Wrangell, Petersburg, Homer, Dillingham, Cordova
Libby Watanabe, SEARHC, Sitka; Chris Bauman, SAFV, Sitka;
Krissy Smith, Wrangell; Angela Denton-Allen, Wrangell;
Cornelia Huebscher, National Alliance for the Mentally,
Sitka; Melanie Mattson, Cordova Family Resource Center,
Cordova; Julia Person, Haven House, Homer; Donna Beran,
Haven House, Homer; Nina Allen, CEO, South Peninsula
Behavioral Health Services, Homer; Jennifer Ray, Petersburg
Michael Biggers, Petersburg; John Yarbrough, Petersburg;
Andrew Bergen, Petersburg; Kin Kilkenny, PSG Mental Health
Services, Petersburg; Ginger Baim, Executive Director, SAFE,
Dillingham; Nathan Madsen, SAFE, Dillingham; Samara Baker,
Outreach and Education Coordinator, SAFE, Dillingham; Terry
Hoefferle, Dillingham; Wassiliisia Bennis, SAFE, Dillingham;
Kathy McLinn, DCSD, Dillingham; Susan Mitchell, Board
Member, SAFE, Dillingham; Deanna Hardin, BBAHC & CAC & SAFE,
Dillingham; Joan Behrends, Cordova Volunteer Fire
Department, Cordova; Patti Kallander, Cordova Family
Resource Center, Cordova; Kenai, Valdez, Ketchikan, Kodiak,
Seward, Matsu, Glennallen, Tok; Rebecca Shields, Kodiak
Women's Resource and Crisis Shelter, Kodiak; Monte Hawver,
Brother Francis Shelter, Kodiak; Karla Bouray, Kodiak
Women's Resource & Crisis Shelter, Kodiak; Pat Branson,
Senior Citizens of Kodiak; Janet Buckingham, Kodiak Island
Convention & Visitors Center; Pam Foreman, ATIA, Kodiak
Cindy Harrison, KANA, Kodiak; Robert Polley, Attorney,
Kodiak; Aaron Martin, Nugen's Ranch, Mat-Su; Shelly Edwards,
Nugen's Ranch, Mat-Su; Jeremy Pike, AARS, Mat-Su; Kris
Abshire, Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats, Mat-Su; James
Garhart, Mat-Su; Melony Adams, Mat-Su; Annsia Shannece
Motton, Women in Safe Homes, Ketchikan; Shalaya Knight,
Women in Safe Homes, Ketchikan; Carrie Beeman, Imagination
Library, Tok; Kimberly Roth, Imagination Library & Public
Libraries, Tok; Cheri Smith, Lee Shore Center, Kenai; Jerry
Dixon, Peregrine Expeditions, Seward; Jerry Dixon, Seward.

All by invitation only .
Our representatives have turned their back on We the People.
They are in collusion with a tyrannical coalition of self-interested bureaucrats, self- absorbed politicians, self-promoting business and labor interest.

We can no longer afford these people presiding over the decline of our once great republic.

Had enough?
Email me, let's testify in public whether our representatives like it or not.
fish4house@gmail.com

Common Sense Education Policy

2009-03-11T22:34:00.003-08:00

I have been remiss in keep my blog current.A situation I will remedy shortly. For now I hope you will find my thoughts on education interesting.

The States constitution is what we should as guidance. Here is what it says on education. My comments are in bold print.

Article 7 - Health, Education and Welfare

§ 1. Public Education

The legislature shall by general law establish and maintain a system of public schools open to all children of the State, and may provide for other public educational institutions. Schools and institutions so established shall be free from sectarian control. No money shall be paid from public funds for the direct benefit of any religious or other private educational institution.

To me it's clear that the state's responsibility is public education for children. Children's education must be fully funded at the state level.Not off the backs of local property taxpayers.
State funding of the university is optional. (although in some cases desirable)

§ 2. State University

The University of Alaska is hereby established as the state university and constituted a body corporate. It shall have title to all real and personal property now or hereafter set aside for or conveyed to it. Its property shall be administered and disposed of according to law.

This section creates the university as it's own entity and entitles it to it's own assets.
Asset I believe were intended to be developed for maximum benefit to Alaska's university system.(The guidance for this last statement is implied under the natural resources section.)

§ 3. Board of Regents

The University of Alaska shall be governed by a board of regents. The regents shall be appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by a majority of the members of the legislature in joint session. The board shall, in accordance with law, formulate policy and appoint the president of the university. He shall be the executive officer of the board.

As it should be the University was established as an independent system with executive and legislative oversight. To reduce legislative interference I would like to see the the university president and regents maximize the use of their assets and private funding sources.

I hope this clarifies my position on education. I would also like to see workforce development (both Blue and White collar) in high school so our children are better prepared to take their place in the adult world.There is no reason a young person should be put on a waiting list to participate in an apprenticeship.

Reassert our legal heritage

2009-03-03T12:22:00.002-09:00

No one can give a better statement in support of Alaska House Bill 140 .

"For more than six hundred years—that is, since Magna Carta, in 1215—there has been no clearer principle of English or American constitutional law, than that, in criminal cases, it is not only the right and duty of juries to judge what are the facts, what is the law, and what was the moral intent of the accused; but that it is also their right, and their primary and paramount duty, to judge of the justice of the law, and to hold all laws invalid, that are, in their opinion, unjust or oppressive, and all persons guiltless in violating, or resisting the execution of, such laws."

Lysander Spooner, An Essay on the Trial by Jury (Boston: John P. Jewett and Company, 1852).
Accessed from http://oll.libertyfund.org/title/2181 on 2009-03-03

Here is the bill:
00 HOUSE BILL NO. 140
01 "An Act relating to juries in criminal cases; and providing for an effective date."
02 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
03 * Section 1. AS 12.45 is amended by adding a new section to read:
04 Sec. 12.45.017. Role of jury. (a) Except as otherwise provided by law, the jury
05 is the exclusive judge of the facts. The jury is bound to receive the law from the court
06 and be governed thereby, except if a jury determines that a defendant is guilty
07 according to the law and that the law is unjustly applied to the defendant, the jury may
08 determine not to apply the law to the defendant and find the defendant not guilty or
09 guilty of a lesser included offense.
10 (b) A defendant has the right to inform the jury of the jury's power to judge
11 the just application of the law and to vote on the verdict according to conscience.
12 Failure to allow the defendant to inform the jury of the jury's power is grounds for a
13 mistrial.
14 (c) Notwithstanding any other law, the court shall allow the defendant to
15 present to the jury, for its consideration, evidence and testimony relevant to the
01 exercise of the jury's power under this section.
02 (d) The state may rebut any evidence introduced under this section with
03 evidence of a similar nature.
04 (e) This section applies only to an action tried to a jury under applicable
05 criminal law. This section does not create a right to a jury.
06 (f) A potential juror may not be excused or disqualified from serving on a jury
07 because the juror expresses a willingness to exercise a power granted to the jury under
08 this section.
09 * Sec. 2. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to
10 read:
11 APPLICABILITY. This Act applies to juries impaneled on or after the effective date
12 of this Act.
13 * Sec. 3. This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).

Thank Rep Coghill and contact other individual members of the Judiciary and encourage them to schedule a hearing date and move HB140 out of their committee to the house floor for a vote.See previous post for contact info.

Enough said.

Unconstitutional prosecutions

2009-02-22T18:39:00.004-09:00

In an article posted a few days ago at the Alaska Dispatch Republican Wev Shea, an attorney who has been an outspoken critic of Alaska's GOP political corruption summarized by stating,
“The DOJ Public Integrity investigation and prosecution of former Sen. Ted Stevens is contrary of the core values of our FBI. This political corruption investigation and prosecution was unprofessional, unethical and unconstitutional.”

No doubt about the last sentence.

I do have to wonder though, is the Stevens prosecution a sign that the core values of the FBI have changed? The FBI needs to man-up and clean their own house to reassure the public that their institutional integrity has not been compromised.

After all if this level of unprofessional, unethical and unconstitutional behavior can be used effectively against and man who was for years the 4th most powerful man in the nation what chance for justice does any of us have?

We have to stand together.
One way of checking this kind of corruption is a fully informed jury.

Here in Alaska, Representative John Coghill Jr Introduced HB140 “An Act relating to juries in criminal cases; and providing for an effective date” 0n 2/18/2009.This bill mandates fully informed juries in criminal cases. HB140 currently is before the house judiciary committee.
I suggest we thank Rep Coghill and contact other individual members of the Judiciary and encourage them to schedule a hearing date and move HB140 out of their committee to the house floor for a vote. Also public opinion messages can be sent from the web.

House judiciary committee members are,

Name phone# FAX# toll free# Room #
RAMRAS, Jay 465-3004 465-2070 877-465-3004 Room 120
DAHLSTROM, Nancy 465-3783 465-2293 877-460-3783 Room 411
COGHILL, John 465-3719 465-3258 877-465-3719 Room 214
GATTO, Carl 465-3743 465-2381 800-565-3743 Room 108
LYNN, Bob 465-4931 465-4316 800-870-4931 Room 104
GRUENBERG, Max 465-4940 465-3766 866-465-4940 Room 110
HOLMES, Lindsey 465-4919 465-2137 888-465-4919 Room 405

Please encourage and assist others to do the same.

An Alaskan Declaration of Rights

2009-02-16T23:26:00.002-09:00

A group of right -minded folks up in Fairbanks called the 2nd Amendment Task Force are asking for support of the following declaration of rights.

“Let it be known that we, the people of Alaska, stand in recognition of the true principle that whenever a government abandons the purpose for which we have created it and even becomes hostile towards that which it was once a defender of, it is no longer a fit steward of the political power that is inherent in the people and lent to this government with strict conditions.

These conditions are clearly defined in the United States Constitution and understood by the common man. Furthermore, to the extent that our government violates these conditions, they nullify their own authority, at which point it is our right and duty, not as subjects but as sovereign Americans, to entrust this power to new stewards who will not depart from the laws we have given them.

This being the case, let it be known that should our government seek to further tax, restrict or register firearms or otherwise impose on the right that shall not be infringed, thus impairing our ability to exercise the God-given right to self-defense which precedes all human legislation and is superior to it, that the duty of us good and faithful people will not be to obey them but to alter or abolish them and institute new government laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its power.”

I am told so far 120 Alaskans have signed their name to this document. Add my name as well.! This declaration is so well written that any elected official that does not concur is in violation of their public trust an should be replaced.

If you would like to added you weight to this document contact me by Email and I will see if I can facilitate.

After all an Oath is An Oath

AK District K constituent meeting

2009-02-14T18:48:00.001-09:00

I attended the Senate District K constituent meeting held today at the Begich middle school.
The usual Democrat mantra of more money being needed for social services was received by a friendly audience of mostly foster parents and social workers. Talk of social workers overwhelmed with paperwork and a heavy case load abound.
It occurred to me that everyone was addressing only the supply side of the problem. How about addressing the demand? Why do people need social services?

No job means no self worth means dependency equals neglect.

Development of our human and natural resources would go a long way to reducing the need for social services. Of course this would also create less demand for the social service industry, the same industry that profits from and supports creation of dependency. If this was not the case government and non-profit entities would not be facilitating the importation of the world's refugees into our city. American tax dollars should not be spent to pay passage for these refugees to our social service roles.

I also note that Representative Cissna suggested we Alaskan do not pay taxes and to take care of these refugee's (and others) needs maybe we should. Well the list of just how much taxes people in Anchorage pay will be a subject of a future article. But I would suggest if Representative Cissna would like to save the world she should do it on here own dime and not use the taxpayer money of her district.
The constituents she seems to be serving are only those of her profession.

At least I got a very costly, free lunch.

Our Economy

2009-02-13T19:51:00.001-09:00

Our current generation of Americans are so conditioned to choice that often we tend to chose between one position or the opposite position. We don't consider the many options we have, including the option of doing nothing.
A case in point is our current economic troubles. We are told, to fix our broken economy we must either reduce taxes (which I always favor) or increase spending in order to “stimulate” the economy.

What congress should have considered is fulfilling their constitutional mandate by taking back control of the currency from the Federal Reserve and adopt a policy of non- intervention in the economy.

It's true, if the government does not act things will get worse before they get better. In the end peoples attitudes and hence the economy will be in much better shape. Maybe, we can even get everyone to understand credit is not free money.

For forty years the dual expansion of credit and government has pillaged our economy. The bill is due and we must pay it. If we don't we will take our place as the most contemptible generation in American history.

Fund K-12 education 100% at state level

2009-02-11T11:11:00.000-09:00

Alaska's constitution Article 7 Section 7.1 states;
The legislature shall by general law establish and maintain a system of public schools open to all children of the State, and may provide for other public educational institutions.
This indicates that our states founders viewed children's education as a responsibility of the state. One could argue that it should the parents responsibility, not the states, however the state has clearly assumed the responsibility in it's founding document.
Presently the state requires a 4 mil property tax effort to be collected by local governments in organized areas of of the state for the purpose of public education.

The question we must ask and have an answer to is:
If it is the states responsibility to establish and maintain public education, then why are local property owners paying for it?
Some may say the local contributions ensures local control. I would suggest those who think this is the case consider how much local control is currently available.
Keep in mind that the most local political subdivision is you state representative district. School board members are elected at large and assembly members districts a larger than house districts.
Your representative in the State's house of representatives is your most local government.

Bottom line:
The state must live up to it's constitutionally mandated responsibility by fully funding children's education and remove the requirement of local governments to collect property taxes for education.
If we cannot do this we need to change Alaska's constitution to reflect that reality.

Assembly property appraisal's shows bias

2009-02-09T12:15:00.003-09:00

A review of the home valuations of Anchorage's assembly members show a disturbing trend. Here are the numbers as reported by the city:

Gray-Jackson*
down $7200 Liberal
Drummond*
down $17000 Liberal
Flynn*
down $5500 Liberal
Gutierrez*
down $9000 Liberal
Selkregg*
down $4000 Liberal

Coffey
no change (up 2007) $0 moderate
Birch
up $14000 conservative
Ossiander
up $9600 moderate
Starr
unknown no property listed conservative
Johnston
up $8900 conservative

* denotes newly elected

I point this out not to suggest any conspiracy. I merely want to show that property taxes are so inherently corruptible they should be eliminated as a source of revenue. Value like beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Apparently Anchorage's property assessor's
have a very Liberal eye.

Our newest assembly members should be thankful for the tax break.To bad they won't be passing it on to the rest of the community.

Thoughts On Governor Sarah Palin

2009-02-05T12:11:00.005-09:00

(I wrote the following shortly after Sarah Palin's nomination for the vice presidency. I am watching carefully a will comment again after the legislative session.)

I recall Dick Randolf, a great Alaskan Libertarian, whose efforts three decades ago caused me for the first time to actively support a candidate for governor. Among his accomplishment were eliminating income tax,creating the permanent fund and eliminate a government bureaucracy (Alaska Transportation Commission).In my mind these things would not have come to pass without his efforts. Actually limiting government while preserving the peoples asset made this Libertarian my choice for Governor.

Governor Palin is on track to have the same kind of legacy.
What she has accomplishes as governor will be talked about, but what she attempted is what really shows her core values.
I direct you to a letter to the editor I publishes in the Anchorage Daily News March 7 ,2008. The governor has submitted the following bills to the legislature, HB106 a repeal of two taxes, HB 111, a 75 percent drop in business licenses fees, HB337 and SB245 which would have repealed the Certificate of Need program and deregulated the health care industry in Alaska.
These bills where only stopped by a coalition of Democratic and corrupt Republican legislators. (Yes, Alaska hasn't finished house cleaning.)

Notice the parallels between the two individuals?
No doubt Sarah is a social conservative but it is precisely because of her values that she can be trusted.
You see, when she take an oath to support and defend the constitution she means it.
A case in point, she is against homosexual marriage but when Alaska supreme court acknowledged the right of same sex couples employed by the state to share health insurance she accepted it. Also she has been accused by local talk show of being a liberal because of here defense of Alaska's constitution which in some cases is very liberal. You see she "supports and defends" the constitution because she swore an oath to. That means a lot to her.

I would also like to debunk a cynical rumor that Sarah has some how "Sold out for the VP nomination".
This same type of rumor was floated when she was appointed to the oil and gas conservation commission. Then she was accused of being bought off to keep quite and wait her turn.
She turned in the Republican party chair for ethics violations and resigned her post.
I have no doubt she would do the same as vice president if need be.

Some may support Sarah because she is the personification of their hopes and dreams.
I am not one of them.
I will continue to support Governor Palin if she consistently performs as a limited government administrator who takes her oath seriously.

Where does money come from?

2009-02-04T17:57:00.003-09:00

Ask this question of any candidate for any office and listen very carefully to their answer.
You will probably be surprised by the answer, if they have an answer at all.

The simple truth is, wealth is only created by taking a natural resource and applying human labor to create something of value to other humans.
Our current economic troubles came about because our administrators have implemented laws and policies that restrict our abilities to develop our resources.

A stock broker can get rich selling stock but that stock only has value worth selling if the company actually creates a product.

Frederic Bastiat said it better than I can:

“Man can live and satisfy his wants only by ceaseless labor; by the ceaseless application of his faculties to natural resources. This process is the origin of property.
But it is also true that a man may live and satisfy his wants by seizing and consuming the products of the labor of others. This process is the origin of plunder.
Now since man is naturally inclined to avoid pain—and since labor is pain in itself—it follows that men will resort to plunder whenever plunder is easier than work. History shows this quite clearly. And under these conditions, neither religion nor morality can stop it.”

Where does money come from?
Work.
When government allows for resource development, prosperity will follow and the plundering of our country will stop.

Can a person be free when they are sold into bondage by their neighbors?

2009-02-03T11:42:00.001-09:00

During local elections, we are asked to vote for bonds which increases the indebtedness of some property owners. I say some because the number of property tax exemptions mandated by the state is ever increasing.
Since people who are not paying property taxes still vote for bonds, they are in essence selling their taxpaying neighbors into servitude. If their taxpaying neighbor does not agree to these bonds it's involuntary servitude. Involuntary servitude by definition is slavery.

To repair this inequity I suggest eliminating all property tax exemption schemes and put every voter into the taxpayer column. The howls of protest would be so loud that our elected officials would be forced to admit that property taxes are an inefficient and unjust way a funding government. Every citizen must share the burden of government. I am not the first to recognize the inherent flaws in property taxes.

Here are a few others:

“The owners of certain forms of wealth are unduly burdened by having to pay the share of those who have evaded their duty. These are sufficient grounds to justify the very general abandonment of the property tax as a leading source of revenue”

“A property tax is in much the same position in local taxation, though its defects as a part of any tax-system are so great that it is doubtful whether it should be admitted even into the list of good national taxes. It appears to have the two great faults of injustice in distribution and liability to evasion.”

Charles F. Bastable, Public Finance. Third Edition, Revised and Enlarged (London: Macmillan, 1903). Chapter: CHAPTER VI: the principles of local taxation

“If there is to be a property tax, all income ought to be considered as property”
(hence an income tax)

John Stuart Mill, The Collected Works of John Stuart Mill, Volume XXIII - Newspaper Writings August 1831 - October 1834 Part II, ed. Ann P. Robson and John M. Robson, Introduction by Ann P. Robson and John M. Robson (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1986). Chapter: 196.: ERRORS AND TRUTHS ON A PROPERTY TAX EXAMINER, 27 JAN., 1833, PP. 51-2

BTW the online source of these references can be found here http://oll.libertyfund.org/
I highly recommend the site.

Thoughts On Hunting

2009-02-02T12:23:00.002-09:00

It has come to my attention that some well-intentioned people have a negative
view of hunting. This has the unfortunate effect of putting hunters in a negative
light. This is a far cry from our common ancestral background where hunters were
some of the most venerated member of their communities. I will submit to you the
reader the following thoughts in the hope it adds to your understanding of why
people hunt.
Some myths about hunting are:

1. Hunting is cruel.
It is every true hunter goal to kill their prey quickly before the animal has
any sense of fear. This is not only good ethics but it rewards both the hunter and
prey. When an Animal dies quickly without fear its muscles are relaxed, no
adrenaline has been released and the heart is at rest. The result is the hunter
receives the tenderest meat possible. The prey is rewarded with the most humane
death it can possibly have. All other possible death scenarios for an animal in
nature include violence, pain and or suffering.

2. Hunting kills needlessly
Hunters are honest enough to admit what some so-called enlightened
humans would like to forget. In order for you to live something must die. This is a
basic principal of Christianity (Jesus died so we may live).
This fact can be observed in nature’s struggles. The resource used by one living
creature is not available for another. Death is a necessary part of life.

3. Hunters kill to satisfy their ego.
An over sized opinion of yourself in the natural world will get you killed
fast. My experiences hunting have left me in awe of nature. They have taught
me to be thankful for what I do have and to be grateful for what is presented to
me. I have come to understand that providence is as important as skill. Hunter’s
egos are held in check by the environment. Cold, wind, rain and darkness will
humble even the most prideful. Hunting gives a person a realistic sense of their
place in the natural world. If anything hunting teaches humility and the need for
self-improvement.

4. What about the stories of beer drinking, tree cutting, landscaping destroying,
game wasters I always here about?
As in all society most abuses are from ignorant or immature people. Many have
little or no background in hunting. No one is born a hunter. Education and mentor base experiences are what makes a hunter. I admit we need to do a
better job with our young people who show an interest in hunting. However I do
think these stories represent a small minority of hunts.

5.Why should people hunt?
Hunting is not for everyone. Nor should it be. Hunting requires a keen sense of
awareness of one surroundings. It requires the physical and emotional strength
to complete uncomfortable tasks. These attributes and the fact that they provide
food is what made hunters so valuable to their communities.
I hunt to feed my family and myself. I hunt to connect with thousands of years of
humans and reaffirm what it means to be human. I hunt for security in the
knowledge that if the modern world collapses I will survive and provide for loved
ones.
Hunters do not enjoy killing but they are willing to be personally accountable for
what they consume.

6. Remember if you eat you kill.
Some say that animal life is of equal value to human life therefore to kill an
animal is wrong. This line of thinking is illogical.
If you do not differentiate between human and animal life you should not
differentiate between animal and plant life. (If you use the argument that plants
aren’t aware how do you prove it?) Therefore this erroneous line of thinking
dictates that all life is of equal value. It also dictates moral people have no
choice but to starve to death in order to prevent needless death of other life.
In conclusion, I believe that most opposition to hunting comes from those who
react emotionally based on the close relationship the have with their pets. An
objective look at the natural facts would dictate that some hunting is not only
justified but also necessary. Hunting and gathering is an essential part of what
makes us human.

With Freedom comes Responsibility.

2009-02-01T18:37:00.000-09:00

At times this oft quoted statement is used to justify imposing restrictions on individuals. When a strong case for freedom is made,invariably it's countered with an argument for limits on that freedom. The argument for responsibility is often seen as a counterpoint to unlimited freedom. It is not.

For a proper understanding of this well quoted phrase, an analysis of the phrase is required. Let's not forget the definitions :

Freedom

“The state of being free; exemption from the power and

control of another; liberty; independence. ”

Responsibility.

“The state of being responsible, accountable, or

answerable, as for a trust, debt, or obligation.”

What is the trust debt or obligation we are to be accountable or answerable for? Our only trust, debt or obligation is Freedom itself. We are obligated to ensure God's gift of freedom for ourselves and others.

Our generation has failed to be responsible for the defense of freedom and hence have witness it's decline. Despite all the existing groups that purport to support the cause of freedom we see a continuing erosion.

Why?

Many people for religious or philosophical reasons wish to impose their will on others, this folly only leads to less freedom for all. We cannot count on groups that have stood watch over liberty's decline to somehow resurrect it.

We need a renewal of the revolutionary thought process that was in the past successful in advancing freedom. The key to advance the cause of freedom is relentless, militant, activism based on the sound principals of our founding generation.

To summarize; promoting “With Freedom comes Responsibility” leads to tyranny of the minority. Promoting With Responsibility comes Freedom leads to a society of free individuals.