Freedom: The Unfolding Revolution

‘Why are there no libertarian countries?”

In a much-discussed essay for Salon, Michael Lind asks: “If libertarians are correct in claiming that they understand how best to organize a modern society, how is it that not a single country in the world in the early twenty-first century is organized along libertarian lines?”

Such is the philosophical poverty of liberalism today that this stands as a profound question.

Definitions vary, but broadly speaking, libertarianism is the idea that people should be as free as possible from state coercion so long as they don’t harm anyone. The job of the state is limited to fighting crime, providing for the common defense, and protecting the rights and contracts of citizens. The individual is sovereign; he is the captain of himself.

It’s true, no ideal libertarian state has ever existed outside a table for one. And no such state will ever exist. But here’s an important caveat: No ideal state of any other kind will be created either. America’s great, but it ain’t perfect. Sweden’s social democracy is all right, but if it were perfect, I suspect fewer cars would be on fire over there.

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State Department to Spend $450,000 Protecting Transgenders

The State Department through its Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) is planning to spend $450,000 in taxpayer dollars “to support programs that increase protection of transgender persons who face acute forms of violence and harassment.”

The primary goal of the grant “is to ensure that incidents of violence are documented and investigated and that victims receive appropriate legal

redress through domestic, regional, or international human rights mechanisms.”

The bureau is seeking proposals that will “strengthen civil society organizations’ efforts to both document incidents of violence and the investigation process (or lack thereof)” and “ensure transgender persons have adequate legal representation.” 

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AS LONG AS YOU DON’T EAT OR USE ENERGY YOUR INFLATION IS UNDER CONTROL

So much for continued disinflation: moments ago the PPI headline number came out at the highest level since February, or 0.5%, well above the expected 0.1% and up significantly from the -0.7% in April. The core PPI ex-food (which rose 0.6%) and energy (increasing 1.3% in May, the highest since February) rose a far more manageable 0.1% in May, and just 1.7% Y/Y, below the statutory accepted 2% annual growth on both the producer and consumer side: a break down of just which finished products led to this increase (gasoline, eggs and imitation cheese as it turns out) is provided below. Luckily, since nobody in the US either eats or uses energy (because they are such a “small component” of the hedonically-adjusted purse), nobody will mind when companies have no option but to pass through rising input costs to consumers.
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GOP-CONTROLLED HOUSE IGNORES VETO THREAT FROM WH, PASSES SWEEPING $638B DEFENSE BILL THAT WOULD LIMIT OBAMA’S POWER

Ignoring a White House veto threat, the Republican-controlled House voted 315-108 for a sweeping, $638 billion defense bill on Friday, which would block President Barack Obama from closing the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and limit his efforts to reduce nuclear weapons.

The legislation also imposes new punishments on members of the armed services found guilty of rape or sexual assault as outrage over the crisis in the military has galvanized Congress.

The House bill containing the provisions on sex-related crimes that the Obama administration supports as well as the detention policies that it vigorously opposes must be reconciled with a Senate version before heading to the president’s desk. The Senate measure, expected to be considered this fall, costs $13 billion less than the House bill – a budgetary difference that also will have to be resolved. 
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Full White House Statement On Syria's "Red Line" Crossing

What comes after George Bush and George Bush Jr.? Must be George Bush the Third, only this time armed with a Nobel peace prize. Seriously, are they that stupid to think they can rerun the entire Iraq invasion scenariowithout changing anything? And is the US public really that dumb to let it slide? And how many Syrian citizens and US soldiers have to die in what is the most glaring instance in the past decade of a wag the dog-typedistraction from on onslaught of domestic administration scandals?

Complete Text of White House Statement on Chemical Weapons in Syria

Following is the statement issued by the White House in the name of Benjamin J. Rhodes, deputy national security adviser.

At the President’s direction, the United States Government has been closely monitoring the potential use of chemical weapons within Syria. Following the assessment made by our intelligence community in April, the President directed the intelligence community to seek credible and corroborated information to build on that assessment and establish the facts with some degree of certainty. Today, we are providing an updated version of our assessment to Congress and to the public.

The Syrian government’s refusal to grant access to the United Nations to investigate any and all credible allegations of chemical weapons use has prevented a comprehensive investigation as called for by the international community. The Assad regime could prove that its request for an investigation was not just a diversionary tactic by granting the UN fact finding mission immediate and unfettered access to conduct on-site investigations to help reveal the truth about chemical weapons use in Syria.

While pushing for a UN investigation, the United States has also been working urgently with our partners and allies as well as individuals inside Syria, including the Syrian opposition, to procure, share, and evaluate information associated with reports of chemical weapons use so that we can establish the facts and determine what took place.

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CDC: 'Nearly 50% of U.S. Adults Will Develop at Least One Mental Illness'

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention says that at any given moment about a quarter of American adults are mentally ill and that over the course of their lifetimes about half of all Americans will develop at least one mental illness.

A CDC mental-health fact sheet--Mental Illness Surveillance Among U.S. Adults--says that "published studies report that about 25% of all U.S. adults have a mental illness and that nearly 50% of U.S. adults will develop at least one mental illness during their lifetime.”

The fact sheet also notes that the authors of a 2011 CDC mental health surveillance report pointed out that "currently, no surveillance efforts at the national or state level are directed toward documenting anxiety disorders." The authors thus call for "initiating national-level anxiety disorder surveillance activities." 
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Somerset County Sheriff's Office Press Release 6-15-13

Amanda Joyce Kulp of Crisfield, arrested 6-7-13 on a warrant for failing to appear in court. Kulp was later released on a $1,000 unsecured bond.

Levonte Javar Martin of Crisfield, arrested 6-7-13 on a warrant for violation of probation. Martin was held on a $35,000 bond.

Tyrell Daronte Curry of Baltimore, arrested 6-8-13 on a warrant for violation of probation. Curry was later held without bond.

Britny Unique Handy of Princess Anne, criminal summons served for telephone misuse. Handy was later released on signature pending court actions.

Saustino Ventura Lorado of Easton, arrested 6-10-13 on a warrant for failing to appear in court. Lorado was released after posting bond.

Peter Emery of Salisbury, criminal summons served 6-11-13 for malicious destruction of property, and second degree assault. Emery was released on signature pending court actions.

Deandre Maurice Taylor of Somers Place Apartments, Princess Anne arrested 6-11-13 on a warrant for failing to obey a lawful order, driving on a suspended and revoked driver’s license, and running from the scene of a traffic stop. Taylor was released back to the Somerset County detention center where he is being held on un-related charges. The warrant was the result of a traffic stop conducted by deputies in the area of Bratten Ave, Princess Anne where Taylor ran from deputies during a traffic stop.

Devin Lee Waters of Crisfield, arrested 6-11-13 on a warrant for failing to appear in court. Waters was later held without bond.

McKinley Pettit Jr. of Salisbury, arrested 6-11-13 on a warrant for violation of probation. Pettit was later held without bond.

Janella Wileen Taylor of Crisfield, arrested 6-12-13 on a warrant for failing to appear in court. Taylor was held on a $2,500 bond.

Jennifer Lynn Stephens of Chance, criminal summons served 6-12-13 for 2nd degree assault. Stephens was released on signature pending court actions.

Gilbert Brent Howard of Crisfield, arrested 6-12-13 on a warrant for failing to appear in court. Howard was released after posting a $500.00 bond.

Stepfather vows son will walk again after saving 4-year-old girl from Georgia creek

Ricky Robinson wants one thing for Father’s Day.

He wants to see his heroic, selfless son walk again.

Robinson said his stepson, Michael Patterson, 43, saw his life forever changed on June 8 when he leapt into the swift-moving Euharlee Creek along the Silver Comet Trail in Rockmart, Ga., to save Javea Jones, a 4-year-old girl whom he had never met. Jones survived, but Patterson severed his spine after hitting the shallow creek bed, leaving him paralyzed from the shoulders down. He is also suffering from pneumonia in both lungs.

“He is an angel, a 100 percent hero and an angel,” Robinson told FoxNews.com on Friday. “It’s going to take time, but Michael is a fighter, so yeah, he will walk again one day.”

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22 Nauseating Quotes From Hypocritical Establishment Politicians About The NSA Spying Scandal

Establishment politicians from both major political parties are rushing to defend the NSA and condemn whistleblower Edward Snowden. They are attempting to portray Edward Snowden as a "traitor" and the spooks over at the NSA that are snooping on all of us as "heroes". In fact, many of the exact same politicians that once railed against government spying during the Bush years are now staunchly defending it now that Obama is in the White House.

But it isn't just Democrats that are acting shamefully. Large numbers of Republican politicians that love to give speeches about "freedom" and "liberty" are attempting to eviscerate the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The government is not supposed to invade our privacy and investigate us unless there is probable cause to do so.

Apparently many of our politicians misunderstood when they read the novel 1984 by George Orwell. It wasn't supposed to be an instruction manual. We should be thanking Edward Snowden for exposing the deep corruption that is eating away at our own government like cancer. Now the American people need to pick up the ball and start demanding answers, because without a doubt we are going to see establishment politicians from both major political parties try to shut this scandal down. Establishment Democrats and establishment Republicans both love the Big Brother surveillance grid that the U.S. government has constructed, and they are both making it abundantly clear that they will defend the NSA to the very end. The following are 22 nauseating quotes from hypocritical establishment politicians that show exactly how they feel about the NSA spying scandal...

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$54K FOR A LOST BLACKBERRY? READ THE SUSPICIOUS POLICE REPORT FILED BY DNC ORGANIZERS

Democratic National Convention organizers claim they lost approximately half a million dollars worth of electronic gadgets during last year’s convention in Charlotte, N.C., ABC News reports.

“Organizers of the Charlotte, N.C., convention have filed an eyebrow-raising police report for lost and stolen electronics, some of which they have valued at as much as 62 times the listed market prices,” the report adds.

The value of an allegedly stolen 13-inch MacBook? $75,537. An iPhone? $30,503. A Blackberry? $54,250.
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WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?

Flag Honor Once Kept For Military Deaths To Be Extended To Government Workers

Federal civilian workers who are killed in the line of duty would be eligible flag recognition benefits traditionally reserved for military deaths, under draft regulations unveiled Friday.

The proposed rule, to be published Monday, was written in accordance with the Civilian Service Recognition Act of 2011 as means to recognize those who perish while carrying out federal duties.

“For those civilian employees who die in the course of serving their country, the Act authorizes agency heads to give United States flags to beneficiaries as a way to formally express sympathy and gratitude on behalf of the Nation,” an excerpt of the draft rule reads.

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White House Says Weapons En Route To Syrian Rebels

The White House said Friday that Syrian rebels should begin to receive shipments of U.S. arms within weeks, but cautioned that imposing a no-fly zone, as some have advocated, isn’t a “silver bullet” to ending the two-year-old civil war.

Ben Rhodes, a deputy national security adviser to President Obama, said the weapons will be “part of the continuum of assistance that we’ve provided” to the Syrian opposition, which is fighting to topple the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Mr. Obama announced his decision Thursday to send arms after the U.S. said it had confirmed Mr. Assad’s use of chemical weapons to kill civilians.

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Willards July 4th Fireworks To Be Held July 3rd

Fireworks will be held on July 3rd, at Willard's school. Festivities will start at five pm.

White House Defends High Bills For Africa Trip

The White House Friday defended the first family’s upcoming weeklong trip to Africa, which could cost taxpayers up to $100 million, as “great bang for our buck.”

“There will be a great bang for our buck for being in Africa because when you travel to regions like Africa that don’t get a lot of presidential attention, you tend to have very longstanding and long-running impact from the visit,” said Ben Rhodes, a deputy national security adviser to President Obama.

The Obamas’ trip, at a time of “sequestration” budget cuts, will take them to Senegal, Tanzania and South Africa from June 26 to July 3. Citing a confidential planning document, the Washington Post reported that the trip will cost between $60 million to $100 million.

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Even The Liberal Media Had Enough Of This" President"!

Better late than never

Finally, Matt Patterson and Newsweek speak out about Obama. This is timely and tough. As many of you know, Newsweek has a reputation for being extremely liberal. The fact that their editor saw fit to print the following article about Obama and the one that appears in the latest Newsweek,  makes this a truly amazing event, and a news story in and of itself. At last, the truth about our President and his agenda are starting to trickle through the “protective wall” built around him by the liberal media.

___________________________

I Too Have Become Disillusioned.

By Matt Patterson (columnist – opinion writer)

Years from now, historians may regard the 2008 election of Barack Obama as an inscrutable and disturbing phenomenon, the result of a baffling breed of mass hysteria akin perhaps to the witch craze of the Middle Ages. How, they will wonder, did a man so devoid of professional accomplishment beguile so many into thinking he could manage the world's largest economy, direct the world's most powerful military, execute the world's most consequential job?

Imagine a future historian examining Obama's pre-presidential life: ushered into and through the Ivy League, despite unremarkable grades and test scores along the way; a cushy non-job as a "community organizer;" a brief career as a state legislator devoid of legislative achievement (and in fact nearly devoid of his attention, so often did he vote "present"); and finally an unaccomplished single term in the United States Senate, the entirety of which was devoted to his presidential ambitions.

He left no academic legacy in academia, authored no signature legislation as a legislator. And then there is the matter of his troubling associations: the white-hating, America-loathing preacher who for decades served as Obama's "spiritual mentor"; a real-life, actual terrorist who served as Obama's colleague and political sponsor. It is easy to imagine a future historian looking at it all and asking: how on Earth was such a man elected president?

Not content to wait for history, the incomparable Norman Podhoretz addressed the question recently in the Wall Street Journal: To be sure, no white candidate who had close associations with an outspoken hater of America like Jeremiah Wright and an unrepentant terrorist like Bill Ayers, would have lasted a single day. But because Mr. Obama was black, and therefore entitled in the eyes of liberal Dom to have hung out with protesters against various American injustices, even if they were a bit extreme, he was given a pass. Let that sink in: Obama was given a pass - held to a lower standard - because of the color of his skin.

Podhoretz continues: And in any case, what did such ancient history matter when he was also so articulate and elegant and (as he himself had said) "non-threatening," all of which gave him a fighting chance to become the first black president and thereby to lay the curse of racism to rest?

Podhoretz puts his finger, I think, on the animating pulse of the Obama phenomenon - affirmative action. Not in the legal sense, of course. But certainly in the motivating sentiment behind all affirmative action laws and regulations, which are designed primarily to make white people, and especially white liberals, feel good about themselves.

Unfortunately, minorities often suffer so that whites can pat themselves on the back. Liberals routinely admit minorities to schools for which they are not qualified, yet take no responsibility for the inevitable poor performance and high drop-out rates which follow. Liberals don't care if these minority students fail; liberals aren't around to witness the emotional devastation and deflated self-esteem resulting from the racist policy that is affirmative action. Yes, racist. Holding someone to a separate standard merely because of the color of his skin - that's affirmative action in a nutshell, and if that isn't racism, then nothing is.

And that is what America did to Obama. True, Obama himself was never troubled by his lack of achievements, but why would he be? As many have noted, Obama was told he was good enough for Columbia despite undistinguished grades at Occidental; he was told he was good enough for the US Senate despite a mediocre record in Illinois; he was told he was good enough to be president despite no record at all in the Senate. All his life, every step of the way, Obama was told he was good enough for the next step, in spite of ample evidence to the contrary.

What could this breed if not the sort of empty narcissism on display every time Obama speaks? In 2008, many who agreed that he lacked executive qualifications nonetheless raved about Obama's oratory skills, intellect, and cool character. Those people – conservatives included - ought now to be deeply embarrassed.

The man thinks and speaks in the hoariest of clichés, and that's when he has his Teleprompters in front of him; when the prompter is absent he can barely think or speak at all. Not one original idea has ever issued from his mouth - it's all warmed-over Marxism of the kind that  has failed over and over again for 100 years.(An example is his 2012 campaign speeches which are almost word for word his 2008 speeches)

And what about his character? Obama is constantly blaming anything and everything else for his troubles.Bush did it; it was bad luck; I inherited this mess. Remember, he wanted the job, campaigned for the task. It is embarrassing to see a president so willing to advertise his own powerlessness, so comfortable with his own incompetence. (The other day he actually came out and said no one could have done anything to get our economy and country back on track.) But really, what were we to expect? The man has never been responsible for anything, so how do we expect him to act responsibly?

In short: our president is a small-minded man, with neither the temperament nor the intellect to handle his job. When you understand that, and only when you understand that, will the current erosion of liberty and prosperity make sense. It could not have gone otherwise with such a man in the Oval Office.

Police Recruit Shot In Training Exercise Sues

The police recruit shot and wounded during a Baltimore City police training exercise has filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit.

Raymond Gray argues the city was negligent by not ensuring safe procedures. Gray was shot in February at the former Rosewood Center in Owings Mills when instructor William Kern allegedly fired his live weapon to scare Gray away from a window.

In his lawsuit, Gray argues the training site was dangerous and the city was negligent in not ensuring safe procedures were followed. The lawsuit seeking millions of dollars in damages names as defendants the individual officers involved, the Police Department and the city. It was filed in Baltimore City Circuit Court on Friday.

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Parallels

Kent Island Woman's Death Still A Mystery

Robin Pope Residence

Two-and-a-half months since the body of a missing Kent Island woman was found in the Chesapeake Bay, investigators still have not solved the mystery of Robin Pope’s death.

The Maryland Chief Medical Examiner’s Office has not determined Pope’s cause and manner of death, state police spokesman Greg Shipley said.

Pope’s body was found in the water along the Kent Island shoreline on March 23, more than three weeks after she and the family’s Great Dane went missing from the home she once shared with her estranged husband.
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Politicians And Politics Weigh In On Recent Wave Of Ill-Behavior

Today it’s news – tomorrow, it’s history. And by the day after that, it’s politics.

Following the apparent crime wave of the past weekend, some city officials have already implied that the OC Car & Truck Show was at least a partial culprit for the upswing in illicit behavior, a notion that has clear political implications and has already become a matter of public dispute.

With multiple robberies, weapons violations, large-scale fights – including one in which police were allegedly almost overrun by the crowd – as well as a stabbing, the past several days of activity in the resort have generated considerable public outcry and concern that the tenor of the town, and particularly the Boardwalk, is moving in the wrong direction.

“I’m not sure [what caused it], but it was an interesting weekend, I’ll say that,” Council Secretary Mary Knight said at this week’s Tourism Commission meeting. “I think we’ll be getting some data soon on the cost of our police versus the benefit of the car show.”

Convention Center Director Larry Noccolino said at the meeting that the show’s attendance was up 12 percent, but that no problems were reported.
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