Voter ID Does NOT Equal Disenfranchisement

I saw this discussion going on here at SUFA during the day yesterday and decided I would wade into these waters with my own thoughts. I won’t spend hours writing, but I will simply offer up what I think and allow the debate to grow from there. There were some who claimed that voter fraud wasn’t as rampant as reported. I am unable to prove that claim right or wrong, although I think that it is clear that there are cases of voter fraud out there. Do they have a significant impact? I think that they can. I also think that in certain races and certain voting precincts that there have been those who fully exploited the system to create a big enough impact. But I will focus only on the concept that has been put forth, primarily by the Democrat party, that to require ID at the voting booth disenfranchises the poor. I find this to be an utterly ridiculous claim. And here is why…

Because It’s Offensive to be Thought Stupid

Greetings SUFA. I have a theory that I would like to present regarding political discourse in America and the bitter divide that exists between so many Americans and further between Americans and the politicians that are supposed to represent them. I made the following claim some time back to Charlie Stella: “I believe the primary reason that people seeking some sort of social justice like you have thus far failed in your quest, is that you continue to use irrational logic and emotional appeal in your claims, while calling us names and treating us like we are stupid for having a different belief.” I am going to attempt to expand on that statement and make my case regarding this theory. I look forward to the thoughts any of you may add.

Some Explanations are In Order…

Greetings SUFA! I know, you are wondering who is this stranger and why is he acting as if he knows us. But it is me. I am still alive. I figured that it was about time that I forced myself to sit down and offer some explanations as to why you haven’t seen very much of me over the last few months. I do honestly feel bad about it. Here I went and created this site and after three years of ranting and arguing, I up and practically disappear on you. There are several realities that have contributed to this and I am hoping to fill you all in on them today. I will also discuss the future of SUFA towards the end so that we can begin figuring out how to handle these new realities. Because what I don’t want to happen is for SUFA to go away. I believe that somehow breaking through the lack of critical thinking barrier that so many Americans are stuck behind is still way too important to give up now.

Capitalism: A Hate Story, Part I

The discussions the last few days around the “Occupy Wall Street” crowd has resulted in some interesting thoughts coming out on all sides. A few weeks ago (months ago?) Mr. Stella claimed that I must know that Capitalism is a failed enterprise because I refused to answer Noam Chomsky’s claim that capitalism would not survive for five minutes without government. A claim that tonight I call nonsense. And I will tell you why, Mr. Stella. It is because in the first place, what Chomsky refers to as capitalism in most of his “intelligent” discussions is actually nothing more than a convenient manipulation of the definition of capitalism in order to fit his argument.

Fair Share….What Is It and Who Determines

“FAIR SHARE!”, shouts the POTUS from the pulpit of politics. Standing behind a podium with a Presidential Seal that allows this mantra to spew forth, the POTUS fixes his glance…it is not about Class Warfare (as he stifles the ever present snicker), it is math. This from the lips of a man that cannot add numbers to reach two much less understand the concepts of math. It is clear that he took the same math class that Warren Buffet has taken. BUT, class warfare is a subject of another time. So, what is exactly “fair share”?

Guest Commentary: Part II From James Adams

This morning I offer Part II of the three part series from James Adams, author of Waffle Street: . Many of you last week found James’ first installment interesting and offered some insightful comments to his article. I imagine that this will be the case again this week. Part III will follow next week as James will wrap up the series with some practical application. Don’t forget that you can order his book via the link to his page over on the right hand side of the SUFA home page. As I said previously, it is an entertaining and enlightening book that I highly recommend. I will do my best to participate in the discussions throughout the day as I find all the talk about economics fascinating as well as extremely important. So I now turn the floor over to James Adams for his second installment on economics…

BeLABORED

I would not argue that unions have never done good.  We could debate if they came before or after safety  standards were already improving.  Lets explore for a moment the historic image of unions, that uncaring business exploited it’s workers who banded together to force the evil company to treat them fairly.  The term “redneck” gets used a lot, but most are not aware of where the term originated.  Farm workers or any who toiled in the sun frequently suffered sunburns on their necks, and was a common phrase for field workers.  During their early organization, miners unions used the phrase and it’s symbol, a red bandana to promote and denote a union worker.  Many Irish immigrants  became coal miners and may have been the inspiration.  The unions were seeking to unite blacks, whites and immigrants and gained the nations attention with the “Red Neck War”, properly known as the Battle of Blair Mountain.

Guest Commentary: James Adams on the Economy

Today I am excited to offer another new guest commentary provider here at Stand Up For America. Mike, a good friend of mine, a year or so ago recommended to me that I pick up a book written by a friend of his, “Jimmy.” Knowing my passion for politics and my lambasting of federal economic policy over the years, he posited that I would enjoy the book, and insisted that he wasn’t just saying so because he was friends with the author. Those who know me are aware that I am an avid reader. But I have been burned on book recommendations from friends in the past. So I was skeptical, to say the least. But Mike wouldn’t relent…

Let’s Start With the Department of Education

I am baffled daily with the ridiculousness that masquerades as the United States Federal Government. I mean, really, is there a better example of elitist ass clowns who bleat on about fixing this and changing that all while completely ignoring all the obvious fixes and changes that need to happen? The debt debate has been a perfect example of the hopelessness that exists when one thinks that any of these fools are in the slightest bit interested in doing what needs to be done in Washington DC. The only thing that is more ridiculous than a DC politicians are the millions of Americans who play along with the charade, believing that this party or that party is really the one trying to fix things and the “other side” is a group of godless heathens intent on ruining the American way of life.

Open Mic for August 10, 2011

Another Open Mic day arrives. This time I am a little bit better prepared as I actually have time to add some thoughts to the contributions that I am presenting. I have been trying to take more time lately and dedicate it to writing here at SUFA. I know that it may not seem to be so to everyone, but I am trying to make the articles appear on a more regular schedule, similar to what used to happen at SUFA. I still haven’t gotten to the point where I have time to write more than twice per week, so unless we have regular contributions from others, we aren’t going to get to the point of having new articles every day for a while. For today’s topics I have offered up an opinion piece written by James Zogby over at the Huffington Post, touching on Iran’s image within the Middle East, and a debate over what is “free speech” and what isn’t during a political campaign…

Change that USW Can Believe In

Over the last couple of years, the debate here at SUFA, and realistically across the entire country, has been over federal government spending and the ways to pay for said madness. There are all kinds of statements that get thrown around in this arena. We have the folks on the left, who espouse raising the income tax rate on the top earners in America as a way to increase revenue and help us “get out of the hole we are in.” We have the folks on the right who espouse lowering the tax on top earners as they are the job creators and thus will be the ones to get us out of the hole. And that has been the basic framework of the debate in American politics today. But both sides are equally flawed. And true to the American political spectrum, both sides falsely vilify the other, while neither side wants to admit that it is the drunken Uncle Sam feeling up your cousin that is the real villain…

Angst Against the Tea Party

On Friday, I was working the afternoon away when a co-worker popped into my office and asked a question (work related). I gave him the answer he needed and he then asked if I have been following the debt ceiling debates and madness that is going on in Washington DC. “A little,” I answered with a slight smirk, as I didn’t want to get into a political debate in the workplace. But he pressed on. “These Tea Party people are ruining the country. They are roadblocking getting a bill passed by refusing to agree with either party. Our economy is going to go into the shitter all because of them!” Oh my. What to do? Put him in his place? Say nothing and let another ignorant soul wander the earth? Those who know me well enough know that I had no choice, really. I had to say something…

Heat Wave

It has finally gotten hot, warm to D13 but damned hot to the rest of us.  We take for granted what this kind of heat means and how it impacts so many things.  People will die from the heat.  Equipment from automobiles to ice machines will fail at a higher rate.  When America was settled, most chose to live in the North.  They could warm themselves in the winter, but until modern air conditioning came along, cooling oneself was near impossible.  Sadly, we may be returning to those times as environmentalists continue to wage war against every new power plant anyone attempts to build.  And now the EPA may force the closure of many existing coal power plants that cannot meet their new requirements.

Some Second Thoughts

I took note to some of the comments yesterday that some took great offense to the fact that I front-load my arguments and have negative things to say up front about some entities. As a result, I went back and read over my articles of the last several months. I can admit that I have become a bit more combative over the last year. Perhaps that should change. Perhaps not. I will have to ponder it a bit before I decide. But I do want to address a few things that will, I hope, help those of you who take so much offense to my words put things in their proper perspective. Maybe it won’t. I acknowledge that there is a chance I am talking to walls who will see the wrong in other’s statements but never their own.

Entering the “Green Zone”; Leaving Reality

Many months ago I saw the trailers for the Matt Damon film, “Green Zone.” Just seeing the trailers was enough for me to see that it appeared to be an anti-American movie, so I decided that I wasn’t going to go give my hard earned money at the theater to watch it, despite the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed Damon and director Paul Greenglass’s previous Bourne movies. This afternoon, I was flipping through channels and found the movie starting on one of the premium movie channels. I figured if I didn’t have to pay for it, and thus risk giving money to a director who may be trashing America, I might as well give the movie a try. So I watched it. Exactly as I had figured, it was an anti-American movie from start to finish.

Don’t Fear Default… Goose and Gander at a National Level

This weekend was a “road trip” weekend for me and my lovely wife. A trip back to my hometown, which also included a detour to Hershey Park so that Mrs. Weapon could experience the wonderful world of chocolate for the first time. What Mecca is to Muslims, Hershey is to 52% of the US population. On the ride north, I listened to a minimal amount of news, instead opting for some music that the USWeapon clan could sing along with on the drive. But I did listen to about an hour of talk radio coverage of the debt ceiling discussions happening in Washington DC. As a result, SUFA gets this article because I am tired of hearing all the bull dookey around the topic.

A Free Market This is Not…

The time has come for us to stop with the constant bashing of the concept of a free market by using the current status of the United States market as an example of its failings. While I will freely admit that the US market is one of the more free markets in the world (#5 according to the study shared the other day), to claim that this is a free market is naive at best and reprehensibly dishonest at worst. The reality is that the inequity in America, the faults of the American markets, and the examples thrown up as “proof” of free-market failure all have a single thing in common…

SUFA Officially Endorses Jack Bauer

I was running through the news this afternoon, just wondering what it was that I was going to write a short article about. Tons of topics available, but most of them were going to take more time than I had available to work on an article. I saw a particular story and chuckled to myself that what I read wasn’t really “news” so much as it was “business as usual.” The article was chronicling the news that, and I know this will stun many of you into wandering the streets and muttering “there’s no place like home”, the nation’s largest teacher’s union has officially endorsed Barack Obama in his bid for President in 2012. First, isn’t it a little early to be endorsing a candidate? And second, does an endorsement actually mean anything anymore?

Technically, We Are Legal Ass Clowns

The last week or so has seen a growing call for the President to withdraw participation in the conflict in Libya. These calls, which I certainly echo given my “defensive only” posture on the use of our military forces, are currently being based on the fact that Obama did not seek or receive Congressional approval to conduct this particular military action. Well, in the official answer from the White House this week, we were told that, TECHNICALLY, he doesn’t need Congressional approval for what is happening in Libya. His reasoning is that the war in Libya is too small to require Congressional approval and that United Nations has approved the action anyway.

It’s Not Doom and Gloom… It’s Reality

I read the thoughts the other night from one of the long-time participants here at SUFA. They expressed that they don’t often come here any longer and that they probably won’t in the future because, in their opinion, they are not missing anything by not coming to SUFA. I can understand that. SUFA certainly isn’t for everyone. It requires that you at least attempt to set aside your personal dogmas and try to see different points of view. Certainly there are different levels of ability to do so, but that just adds to the charm. What I think makes SUFA great is that most of the people who are on here are at least willing to consider the different perspectives and address them individually (despite the fact that Charlie for some odd reason has fallen into the belief that BF and I share the same perspectives, which is really, really not accurate).

NOT Turning the Other Cheek… Run 2

USW Note: This article was run back a few weeks ago and happened to have the bad luck to have run on the morning the Bin Laden story hit the news. As a result, LOI’s hard work didn’t really get a fair chance to be discussed. Several people noted in the comments that they would like to see it run again later, and LOI also has a part two that this sets up. So here we have it again, so that it can get the spotlight it deserves…

The Colonel has shared his insights and information on Texas border violence.  I don’t mean to stray into his territory except to note that when someone shoots at Texans, they tend to shoot back.  When an armed helicopter enters Texas airspace (1), their response is to have ready sixteen armed helicopters.(2)  Brings to mind the saying, “Don’t mess with Texas”.

NOT Turning the Other Cheek

The Colonel has shared his insights and information on Texas border violence.  I don’t mean to stray into his territory except to note that when someone shoots at Texans, they tend to shoot back.  When an armed helicopter enters Texas airspace (1), their response is to have ready sixteen armed helicopters.(2)  Brings to mind the saying, “Don’t mess with Texas”.

I saw a headline today about China accusing the USA of human rights violations.  I don’t know, didn’t bother to read any farther.  I was occupied with considering stepping between the esteemed Colonel and our original pirate, Black Flag.  With all the violence in the Middle East, the increasing attacks on Israel have failed to attract much media attention.

A Journey To Understand

On April 25th, USW posed a question to me, which was based on my response to Just A Citizen concerning the 2012 national elections, I had replied to JAC that I did not believe they would occur. USW then asked why I would think such a thing and that he certainly didn’t feel the same. The answer isn’t as easy as some would think. I began to feel this way over three years ago, after Obama was elected. Not that Obama did anything wrong, I just had a strong gut feeling that there would be no 2012 elections, as they will be cancelled or delayed for some time. There was something wrong  that I could not pinpoint, but I felt so strongly about it that I told people who were closest to me. But when asked why I felt this way, I could not answer, thus began my journey to understand!

Capitalism… Day Two

I have to tell you all how disappointed I was to not have time to participate in the discussions around the “Capitalism vs. Communism” article last week. Work intervened and I have failed over the last few weeks to maintain that work/life balance thing they way I should. But today I offer article number two around the idea of capitalism and do so with a caveat. I promised a short article that explained where I think capitalism falls short. And that is what I will offer. At the same time, in the comments below, I will try to offer some answers and replies to the comments from the previous article. There were some good points made, and there were also some ridiculous points made. I will attempt to offer what I can to both. So first, A few thoughts from me around where capitalism is falling short.

Capitalism v Communism

In having some discussions with people over the last few days it has blossomed in my mind the idea that many of those who so vehemently lambast capitalism have no understanding what capitalism actually is. As a result they attack and attack using examples and historical incidents as justification for ending capitalism when those examples are no such justification. So I feel like I have to write this article to clarify that point, to help those who are floundering with those conversations gain some understanding of what my belief is in capitalism. Further it will help those who attack it understand why I refuse to accept the idea that some form of communism/socialism/fascism because it is not only immoral, but is also far worse for any people who aspire to live free.

Guest Commentary – EPA Budget Cuts Needed

Tonight I offer a guest commentary, something that we haven’t had since we started having regular contributors to the Stand Up For America dialogue. For the record, I am still interested in guest commentary pieces from all of you who read here but don’t have time to be a regular contributor. Guest commentaries are the best way for me to give a voice to those who haven’t built an audience that allows them to get their message out. Tonight’s commentary on the Environmental Protection Agency is provided by Scott Portman. Scott has written articles for a few sites out there and wanted to contribute the following to the dialogue here at SUFA. Thursday morning should feature the article that I have been working on and then I believe I only have one other completed article from the regular contributors, so send in your guest commentaries now!

Horse Thieves

Why do words matter?  I have corrected people several times about Nero fiddling while Rome burned.  False statement in all aspects, fiddle was invented a thousand years later, Nero was not in Rome during the fire, even rushed back and was the driving force behind the recovery. He housed and fed the homeless at his personal expense, and required brick homes to be built as part of a fire prevention policy from that day forward.

Seems funny to me that Nero, who should be given the highest praise, is remembered as an un-caring elitist.  So why does it matter today?  A hero from a thousand years ago is commonly believed to have been an uncaring scumbag.

If Not Now…. When?

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I watched the countdown to the potential government shutdown last week with a jaded eye. I can touch on what I wanted to happen in a bit, but what I was watching for was to see how much further we would watch the talking heads go in demonizing their opponents and using emotional rhetoric to sway public opinion. I must say, I was not disappointed. As was true with every major policy debate in the political spectrum over the last few years, each side spouted more nonsense than could be fathomed. It’s just proof to all of you: When you set the proper expectations for those in the political landscape, they are very capable of meeting or exceeding your expectations. And BF has the audacity to say that politicians can’t meet our expectations…

Why Libya is An Extension of Suicidal Policy

The other day I was perusing through the comments here at SUFA and stumbled across a short and simple post from Mathius. He asked whether there was anyone here at Stand Up For America that agreed with what was happening in Libya, specifically, the US participation in that country. I don’t remember what the answer was from everyone who answered. What I distinctly remember is what I thought when I read his question….. No, but why? I most certainly don’t like what is happening in Libya, or what happened in Afghanistan or Iraq either, for that matter. Although I understood the the first foray and tolerated the second. But the real question I wanted everyone to answer, because it seemed as though most were answering “No”, was WHY are you opposed to what is happening in Libya?

Poking Holes in Swiss Cheese

As much as it may seem that there simply isn’t a need to continue to poke holes in the failed fear-mongering around Anthropogenic Global Warming, I must warn you that the issue is far from dead. Now that enough has been done to show that, despite the environmentalist claims, the science is not settled (in fact, it is apparently manipulated and distorted to create desired results rather than accurate ones), the environmental alarmists have begun to switch their tactics. Now, instead of telling us the world is ending, they are forced to rely on “Well, on the off-chance that we are right about man made global warming, the results would be catastrophic, so we must act.” Problem is, there simply isn’t any way to accurately predict the outcomes. But we should not let anything as silly as accuracy or reality get in the way of doom required government action, should we?