They'll be regulating God next!

A ruling by the EPA in Iowa says 'farm dust open to regulation'. Please tell me how a farmer can delegate where the dust from his machinery goes! This is one of the most ridiculous that the government has ever come up with! The farmer has no way of keeping the wind from blowing the dust his machinery causes from going over to his neighbor's ground. This is like saying he can regulate the wind, in other words, regulate what God has set on earth!

But farmers insist the regulation will affect their operations and eventually their bottom lines. And they said unlike fixing a bus, they have few options for limiting dust from their fields and roads.

Roger Zylstra, a director with the Iowa Corngrowers Association, said if left alone, farmers can compete worldwide. But regulation could impede their success.

He said there seems to be a disconnect between farmers and policymakers.

"Many of the people that are making the rules, it feels like they really don't know what (farming) issues are," said Zylstra, a Lynnville resident who has worked on a farm for 35 years.

The government says its goal is to protect the public and they are calling it health-based. I'm calling it absurd! It will eventually put the farmers out of business in the US!

Linked at Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: Farmers, Iowa, Government, Regulations, Farming Issues

Free at last!

I have felt all along that the two border patrol agents who were sent to prison for doing their job should never have been punished. I believe the prosecutor in the case was to eager to prosecute and get another 'star in his cap'. When people are hired to do a job, they should not be punished for doing just that. Now these men have been separated from their families for two years.

Today, President Bush commuted their sentences! This means their stay in jail will be shortened and Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean will soon be home with their families. Thank you, President Bush, for deciding to commute their sentence and get them back home with their families where they have belonged all along!

Technorati Tags: Border Patrol Agents, Ignacio Ramos, Jose Alonso Compean, President Bush

Breaking News: Gonzales resigns

WASHINGTON - Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has announced his resignation, ending a monthslong standoff with critics who questioned his honesty and competence at the helm of the Justice Department.

President Bush accepted Gonzales' resignation on Friday. Solicitor General Paul Clement will act as attorney general until a replacement for Gonzales can be found. Democrats have constantly been saying that Gonzales was not the man for the job. They disagreed with the way that the department handled the firing of the U.S. attorneys. Perhaps this will make them a little happier until the new replacement has been found.

Linked at Conservative Cat

Technorati Tag: Alberto Gonzales, Attorney General, Resignation, President Bush,

Convicted Border Agents headed to prison in 24 hours

Two men, Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, border agents, were just doing their job in trying to apprehend an illegal alien drug smuggler. In 24 hours, these two men will be leaving their families for 11 or 12 years in Federal Prison.

From Steve Elliott, President, Grassfire.org Alliance:

The only official word from the White House came through Spokesman Tony Snow last week who gave no indication that the President is considering taking action.

There is so much at stake here, first for these two agents and their families who have already paid such a high price, and secondly for our nation.

In the minds of millions of Americans, if these men go to jail this President will have sided with an illegal alien drug smuggler instead of the men and women who are literally standing on the wall protecting our nation's borders.

If you want to do something to try and help these men, you can go to the Grassfire.org and sign their petition. Also, you can call your state senators or the following numbers:

The White House 202-456-1414

Justice Department 202-514-2001

These men do not deserve what they are getting. They were sent to do a job, and, in doing so, they now face prison sentences. Where does our government stand: with keeping our country safe, or with the illegals, therefore taking away any authority the border guards have? You tell me.

Linked at Conservative Cat
Don Surber
Blue Star Chronicles
Planck's Constant OTA

Technorati Tags: Border Agents, Drug Smuggler, Prison, Federal Prison, President Bush, Petition

We will all PAY

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Democrat from California, was elected new speaker of the house, since Democrats took control of Congress in the November election. She had said, during her campaign, she was against tax increases. Conservatives say her election will mean a rise in taxes. Minority leader John A. Boehner from Ohio put forth a motion that would prevented taxes being raised without a super majority of three-fifths vote, but it was voted down.

"American taxpayers need to hold on to their wallets because the new House rules concerning taxes are not worth the paper they're written on," said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform (ATR).

"After spending an entire year on the campaign trail claiming she will not raise taxes, the first vote Nancy Pelosi brings to the floor for a vote as speaker will open the door to billions and billions of dollars of tax increases over the next two years," Mr. Norquist said.

So, watch for your wallet to be flatter due to tax increases by this Congress!

Linked at Conservative Cat
Don Surber
Is It Just Me?

Technorati Tags: Tax Increase, Democrats, Nancy Pelosi, Congress

Ford's Gift to us all

President Gerald Ford became vice president by the resignation of Spiro Agnew, President Nixon's vice president. And, he became president of the US by the resignation of President Nixon. This means he wasn't elected by the people of the US to either job; yet, he was loved by most, and considered a good president.

But, I could add nothing to what has been written over at Is It Just Me? - Ford's Gift To Us All.

Linked at Is It Just Me?
Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: President Ford, Gift

Scrushy, Siegelman found guilty on federal conspiracy , bribery charges

A guilty verdict was reached today in Montgomery, Alabama, in the federal cases against both former Alabama Governor Don Siegleman and former HealthSouth Corp. CEO, Richard Scrushy.

Former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman has been found guilty on 10 of 34 counts in a federal corruption trial, including bribery, conspiracy and eight counts of mail fraud. Siegelman's conspiracy conviction did not include a guilty verdict under the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations, or RICO, statute.

Former HealthSouth Corp. CEO Richard Scrushy, accused of buying his way onto the state's Certificate of Need review board, was convicted on all six charges he faced, including bribery, conspiracy and four counts of mail fraud.

The verdict was handed down today, after 11 days of deliberation, and 32 days of testimony.

Andy Bremmer, spokesman for HealthSouth Corp, had only a short comment to make. He said that HealthSouth Corp new management had worked the past 3 years to put the past behind them. He said Scrushy was part of the past and today's verdict had no impact on the future of the company. Scrushy has been acquitted in Birmingham 1 year ago on 36 criminal charges from a 6-year corporate fraud at HealthSouth.

Linked at Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: Don Siegleman, Richard Scrushy, Alabama, Montgomery, Guilty, Federal corruption, Bribery, Conspiracy
, Mail Fraud

Deserter or Dissenter? You decide

My husband was drafted into the Army in the '60's, but chose to go to the Air Force instead, for four years - 'his' choice. And, when it came time to go to Vietnam, he obeyed orders. We understood what the consequence could be, but we held on to faith that he would return. Never was there a thought of dereliction of duty!

So many men chose to skip their duty back then, and ran off to Canada, or deserted their base. But, the brave went to war, many of them lost their lives. And, today, we have an officer who is refusing to go to war in Iraq. But, one thing different here is the way he got into the service. First Lt. Ehren K. Watada wasn't drafted, but chose to join the military. He knew what lay ahead; yet, he chose to go. But, now, when confronted with time in Iraq, he's decided it's not for him. In fact, when Watada found out he might have to be deployed, he sent a letter to his commander, wanting to resign, but was refused the opportunity to do so.

There is also vehement disagreement. Rebecca Davis, cofounder of Military Families Voice of Victory, issued a statement saying that "as a mother of three sons who have served honorably in Iraq and Afghanistan, I am demanding the Army prosecute Lt. Watada to the fullest extent under the Uniform Code of Military Justice."

Watada's refusal "will surely encourage al-Qaida in Iraq to continue terrorizing the Iraqi people and attacking U.S. and coalition forces," she said. Columnist Michelle Malkin called Watada a "deserter, not a dissenter," on her Web site.

Command Sgt. Maj. Michael D. Hayes, with the Military Police Brigade at Schofield Barracks and a veteran of Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, said he "could not hold" his tongue any longer.

"(Some) individuals are attempting to lift Lt. Watada up as some kind of hero or martyr, which in reality he is not. ... He is a dishonorable man and should be court-martialed," said Hayes, who said he was speaking as an individual and not on behalf of the Army.

Watada's parents, attorney, supporters for him, and anti-war groups met in Hawaii's Capitol conference room. There were people who met to back him emotionally and vocally, but there were also those that did not uphold what he has done.

Watada's father said "we have to bring our troops home". He is saying that Vietnam was occupied until "members of the military stood up and said they were not going to fight any longer." But, his son's next step will be to refuse to board a plane when his troops are sent to Iraq. And, when he does, he will face a court-martial, and possible years in prison. Is it worth it?

Hal, over at The Bullwinkle Blog, has some great suggestions for Watada, since his father said he was 'very noble'.

Linked at Conservative Cat
Church and State - Midweek Open Trackback
Basil's Blog

Technorati Tags: Deserter, Dissenter, Iraq War, Lt. Watada

Bush Backs Federal Marriage Amendment

In his Saturday Radio address, President Bush pushed for the Federal Marriage amendment to be passed in Congress. He believes that a healthy marriage between a woman and a man promotes the welfare of our children and the stability of society. He decided to dedicate his speech today to this issue because it comes up for a vote in the Senate next week.

"Marriage cannot be cut off from its cultural, religious and natural roots without weakening this good influence on society."

The resolution has little chance of passing in the Senate. The Democrats think that their time is being wasted on this issue. The proposal needs 2/3 support in the Senate and House, and then 38 states legislatures would have to ratify it.

In his radio address, Bush struck back at judges who have overturned state laws similar in intent to the proposed legislation.

"Unfortunately, activist judges and some local officials have made an aggressive attempt to redefine marriage in recent years," the president said.

Bush said there is broad consensus in America to protect the institution of marriage.

Lamda legal's Marriage Project Director, David Buckel, says this resolution, if passed would brand all lesbians and gay people as inferior. He said it would give people license to discriminate against them. But, President Bush says this would fully protect the institution of marriage, and it would leave all state legislatures free to make their decisions on legal arrangments for all outside marriage.

Linked at Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: Federal Marriage Amendment, President Bush, Senate, Democrats